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

Starfish Gourmet and Wine: caviar and a $4 "quaff"

The new Starfish Gourmet and Wine store is trying to have something for everyone.  Paul Tsakares, manager of the store which is on the first floor of the Marketplace, said offerings include a "very quaffable" $4 wine from Argentina as well as Moreer cheese, Chinese health drinks, baguettes (baked fresh three times a day), and porcini mushrooms.

Tskares said business has been booming since the opening earlier this month.  Locals and visitors have been excited about the store, but none so much as the island's professional chefs and caterers who are now able to prepare more sophisticated and tasty meals for clients.

In a conversation you can listen to by pressing the "Play" button below, Tsakares talked about the new business is growing, some of the challenges of stocking such upscale shelves in the middle of an ocean, and his plans to offer holiday gift baskets. (Photos courtesy of Eliza Magro Photography.

You can listen to the interview with Paul Tsakares
Press the "Play" arrow.

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

Thanksgiving on the Banana Deck

St. Johnians and visitors celebrated Thanksgiving in traditional as well as local ways last week. 

Amy Farris, visiting from Springfield, Va. had what she called the "traditional meal at the Banana Deck which, for others in her party, also served more casual and even West Indian dishes.  Many island eateries had holiday specials, including Island Blues in Coral Bay.  As for cook-at-homes, there were plenty of choices at the island's markets.  Among the luckiest who wanted to celebrate in the old holiday way were staffers at villa rental agency Catered To.  They received turkeys as gifts from the Boss, Eileen.

Farris (aka "FlipFlop" on a Virgin Islands On Line forum) was also on island the previous week, when she and her husband ponied for $100 tickets to attend Rotary Club's tasty fund raiser, Flavors.  Zozo's was her favorite among the almost two-dozen restaurants and caterers which offered a smörgåsbord of samples.  She gave a second place nod to a dish from Ted Robinson, now running his in-villa dinner business, Ted's Supper Club.  Rotary raised a reported $20,000 for its scholarship fund and other island projects.

You can listen to the interview with Smith.
Press the "Play" arrow.

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

Artists Association: new space, new shows

Amanda Smith, the new Gallery Director for the Artists Association of St. John, is drawing up some big plans. 

Suspecting there's a little bit of artist in many locals, she's hoping that, eventually, the group's gallery will host not only regular exhibits of members' work but also daily classes.

"Everybody thinks you have to be a pro, but that;'s not true," Smith explained in an interview.  While she started painting nine years ago as a hobby, "When you constantly (keep at it), you improve."  By having classes in many media ranging from oil painting to watercolor to sculpture to jewelry making, she hopes to "reach people who are even just looking for a hobby. I don't want them intimidated."

You can listen to the interview with Smith.
Press the "Play" arrow.

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

Smith signed on as Gallery director earlier this year, just as the group was moving from the Marketplace to larger space at the Lumberyard, where Polli's Mexican restaurant used to be.  The Association has 152 members, most of whom are full-time residents.  Each is given 16 square feet each month to display their work.

Each month's featured artists are given an entire wall. The current exhibit highlights photography and paintings by Janet Cook-Rutnik.  December will highlight the paintings of Smith, the gallery director, and Lucy Portlock, a watercolorist.  An opening reception is planned for Dec. 13th at 6 p.m.

Smith also plans to open a small art supply shop next month, adjacent to the Gallery, Pirates Paradise Art Supply. Inventory will include "better and best" lines of acrylics, watercolors, oils, brushes, canvases and paper.

The Association's Web site is http://www.stjohnarts.org/

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.

Picking up the pieces at Villa Tesori

New Podcast!

Michael Mullen just wanted a 4-bedroom villa at Rendezvous Bay.  What he got was an argument with his builder, a barely-started project, the opportunity to nearly go broke, a 5-bedroom retreat called Villa Tesori and an awful lot of experience.

Mullen stepped in when his builder walked out.  He tells the story in a soon-to-be-published novel, "Keep Left." He describes the story as "the transformation of an uptight executive to being a laid-back person living in a world which says 'No Problem, Mon'."

But Mullen had plenty of problems.  His workers left the job. He had to beg them to return. He did lots of employee recruiting at Island Blues and the Beach Bar.

"I walked around with dollar signs on my forehead" which, he said, told any workers he was desperate.  How desperate?  He avoided running out of money only by taking $5,000 advances on 20 credit cards.

Mullen talks about his experience in this conversation.  Press the "Play" arrow to listen to it.

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

Order Mullen's book by e-mailing him: mtbgroup@hughes.net

See Villa Tesori

Panini Beach: Countdown to closing

It's 10 years and out for Janet Kleiner and Joe Guarise.  They'll be closing their Cruz Bay beach-side trattoria at Wharfside on August 17th. Their moderately-priced restaurant's menu included inventive Bellinis to start, excellent pasta and hot Italian sausages (my favorite),  linguine and clams for an entree, and a Cioccolato Panino for Dolci.

They are not leaving happily.  They arrived in late 1997 from Chicago, full of energy and optimism.  But developments like Sirenusa, Grande Bay, multi-million dollar villas, rising rents, a demanding landlord and other changes have been troubling. "It's still beautiful, but I'd rather leave and remember it as it was," Kleiner explained.

She talked about her experience in a forthright, even controversial, interview.  To listen, click the "Play" button below.

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

Tequila tasting a new highlight of Katilady

Vodka and wine tasting are now part of Kate Steinborn's Katilady Catering.  The 10-year-old firm has staged events like these in island villas. A beer tasting is planned, too.

"We're trying to appeal to the local market," said Edika Franco one of Katilady's chefs.  "There's not much to do here for locals, so we just want to have some fun" with things like cooking demonstrations and wine pairings.

In the second part of an interview with Steinborn, she also explains how a Virgin Islands business owner like herself has to be flexible and always adapting.  "If you want to do one thing, and only one thing, this is not the place for you," she explained.

To listen, click the "Play" button below.

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

How Katilady puts the 'Welcome' in baskets

Everybody's gotta eat, even if they are on vacation. 

That simple fact, and the fact that many of St. John's visitors have money or want to splurge, may be behind the fact that there are at least four catering businesses on island.  Each will provision your villa before you arrive, have a private chef prepare a great meal for you in the villa, or maybe even prepare a beach picnic for you.

Perhaps the oldest catering business is Katilady, owned by Katherine Steinborn.  She started 10 years ago, by herself in a 12-foot-by-12-foot efficiency apartment, putting together "Welcome Baskets" of snacks and drinks and delivering them to rental homes.  Now, Katilady has 18 full- and part-time employees.

Do it Yourself to break even on a villa

The owner of Sundancer, a three-bedroom villa in Fish Bay, says he treats his villa rental business like, well, a business.  You have to pay attention and be willing to get your hands dirty.

Bob Faucett says he does that.  From doing his own maintenance on the property to "outsourcing" marketing to his daughter, Faucett keeps his costs low to make a profit.

So you want to own a villa: an owner speaks

Many people dream of having a villa on St. John.  And they figure that if they put it on the rental market, maybe - just maybe - it'll break even.  They'll have free vacations, real estate appreciation, and no cash out of pocket.

I did say "dream", didn't I?

Now, some people can make this deal.  The big "gotcha" is mortgage payments. 

For Bob Faucett, the owner of the three-bedroom house Sundancer in Fish Bay, the dream has come true.  (Sundancer.com)  He has a small, old, mortgage.

In conversation, Faucett explained how his first smart move was, what's called in retail, "buying right."  He purchased the property in 1998.  The average home price, then, was about $450,000.  He made some other smart decisions which he reveals in this first part of the conversation. To listen, click the "Play" button below.

If you own a villa, are building one ... or are a dreamer ... listen to this.

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

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.

Possible Wi-Fi woes in Cruz Bay

Will Culver is a bit worried for some people buying condos in Cruz Bay and hoping to get Internet access.  Despite guarantees by developers at Sirenusa and Grande Bay, Culver says Innovative Communications, the islands' phone company, can take years to install phone lines, never mind DSL technology. 

"Pulling wires is expensive which is why I like fixed wireless, Culver said.  That's technology through which a small dish picks up a broadband signal from a tower.  There is a tower on St. Thomas and if you have a view of St. T, you can get Culver's wireless service.

In the second part of an interview with Culver, the owner of Surf da Web, says he sees visitors to St. John using their laptops to do e-mail and make phone calls via Skype. Click the play button below.

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

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.

Cheech and Kevin, Part 2

While last weekend's Beach to Beach Power Swim was a big success, after the race a good time was had by all at an island barbecue was at Oppenheimer Beach. At the beach, St. John Brewers Kevin and Cheech set up a tap to pour their new Island Summer Ale. We had a chance to talk with them about the new brew. Here's part two of that interview. To listen on your computer, click the play button below.

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

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.

How to own an island liquor store

Gary Moses is trying a second time to give somebody else a second chance.

Later this month, he will launch an essay contest in which the prize is his five-year-old Mixology Warehouse. The entrance fee is $100, and each 100-word essay will be reviewed by a three judges.

"They'll get an operating business, fully stocked, money in the cash drawer, and four months' rent paid in advance," Moses explained.

"This is a good opportunity for somebody who wants to start fresh," Moses said. "Somebody who feels they can’t go any further in the job where they are now." His motivation is also that of a person who wants to do good, who feels that after 19 years on the island it's time to enjoy life while giving somebody else a chance. He suggests entrants be familiar with the films "Pay it Forward" and "Spitfire Grill" to appreciate what he's trying to achieve.

The Mixology Warehouse is in downtown Cruz Bay, near the Lumberyard shopping center. It does a retail business in beer, liquor and wine, wholesales to island restaurants and makes deliveries to villas for parties, weddings and other events.

If all goes well, the Warehouse could have a new owner by October. Moses will accept essays, only from mainland residents, for 90 days.  He hopes to attract 10,000 entrants. The minimum is 9,000. The judges will take 30 days to make their decision.

Moses ran a similar essay contest for the business last year, but it didn't draw enough interest. He blames himself for not marketing it well and says he'll do better this time. "This is Gary's retirement plan, too," he explained.

After 19 years on island, and having started three businesses (including Noah's Little Arks and the Banana Deck," Moses said it's time to go sailing. But he already has plans for another venture which he describes as an "eco camp" on another island. "On 10 acres, with nine little huts. We'll run it six months a year, and then Gary can go play for six months."

In this week's St. John Podcast, Moses explains how you can win a business on St. John.

To listen on your computer, click the play button below.

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

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 is going to the dogs

Women, children, and dogs of all ages will be in the center ring at the Cruz Bay ball field Saturday evening for the 7th annual island-wide dog show, Wagapalooza. 

Pets will compete in 10 categories including Biggest Lap Dog, Best Smoocher, and Best Trick. "My favorite is 'Best Look-a-Like," said Jennifer Dale, one of the organizers of the event which benefits the Animal Care Center.  "That one's always a little spooky."  St Croix's Roger W. Morgan, host of Paradise 93.5 radio's morning show, will help MC the event. 

Admission is free, beer is reasonably priced, and the laughs will be many.

Free T-shirt offer

The Care Center raises funds at Wagaplooza through entrance fees, sales of raffle tickets and t-shirts.  If you'd like to win a t-shirt, send me an e-mail telling me your favorite thing about St. John.  E-mail frank@newsofstjohn.com. There will be one winner, and I'll post many of the best 'favorites'.

In this week's St. John Podcast, Jennifer Dale explains why buying a raffle ticket for Wagapolooza is a smart thing to do.  The odds, like "The Force," are with you. To listen on your computer, click the play button below.

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

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Music 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.

Interview with the new owner of the Sun Times

The owner of the St. John Sun Times smiles when she says she got her new job through Craigslist, the Internet's biggest classified ad site.  Eloise Ham and her fiance, Tyler Anderson, were ready to start new lives outside Los Angeles. The island has become their new home, after one visit.   She's at the newspaper, he's general manager at Catered To's villa rental business.

The first issue under Ham's editor-ship is due out today.  She relied on Bill Stelzer for the layout and art work. Bill's the guy who did the editing on the Friends of the Park's 50th Anniversary DVD.)

In this week's St. John Podcast, Ham says she wants to produce a newspaper which is tourist-friendly and will also make locals happy about living on the island. 

To listen on your computer, click the play button below.

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

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Music 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.

Working on St. John - no day at the beach

We hear it a lot.  People come to St. John to get away from cold weather, bad relationships, or because they love the island.  But living and working on island have their challenges.  Business people tell us they rarely are able to take time off.  Restaurant and retail employees often work two jobs or split shifts, leaving little time to relax.  So, when visitors joke with a bartender that it must be wonderful living in paradise, they should not be surprised if the response is bittersweet.

In the second part of a conversation with Paul Trujillo, the new executive chef at Paradiso, he talks about this kind of thing.  He's been on island four years.  While his own culinary skills have been praised, he has good words for some other cooks, too.  In this portion of our interview, he names his favorite places to eat.

To hear the second part of our conversation with Paul Trujillo, click the play button below.

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

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Music Store and search for "news of st. john," or 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.

Chef Trujillo's plans for Paradiso

Paul Trujillo has moved on down the road from the Lumberyard's Ten Tables to the upscale Paradiso Restaurant at Mongoose Junction.  One difference is that he now has four people helping him in the kitchen.  At his former operation, in Chilly Billy's space, he had one or two.

But it's Paradiso's menu where Trujillo hopes to see the biggest difference. He's  working on the new menu by becoming familiar with vendors' offerings of fresh meats and fish, vegetables, and fruits.  Among menu changes changes, he hopes to add a rack of lamb.

Trujillo has been on island about five years, having worked also at Asolare and Chateau Bordeau.  After those slots, he spent three months doing "gourmet deli" at Simple Feast.  "That was the end of it," he said. "I'm not cut out for that.  I need my own kitchen."  But because there were no chef openings on island, he did landscaping work for eight months.  "That was the best thing I could do to reset my mind and my enthusiasm."

Now, he's back in the business and talking about it in a special two-part podcast.  In this first segment, Trujillo talks about his new menu, the challenge of running an upscale restaurant kitchen on island and how sometimes the customer is not always right. Trujillo also reveals where he goes for lunch when he wants good food.  Paradiso's Web site is http://www.stjohnrestaurants.com/paradiso.htm.

Listen to the first part of our conversation with Paul Trujillo.

Click the play button below.

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

Subscribe to News of St. John's weekly podcast at the Apple iTunes Music Store and search for "news of st. john," or 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.

Sloop Jones, part two

In a second segment of our conversation with the Sloop Jones, he  explains his favorite art is "incidental."  Visit the studio on East End, and you'll see that cardboard boxes that once held cans of paint or a table on which he brushed smocks have become pieces of art, too, thanks to the drips and spills.

Jones also talked about his different take when home owners ask him to make signs for their properties. He prefers to be creative, doing sculptures, rather than just applying words to a board.  He describes a few examples in this podcast. (Pictured at left is "21st Century Flag," one of Jones' original pieces.)

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.

Sloop Jones: colorful talent

Sloop Jones is a man of many colors, two names, and lots of talent.  Born Terry McKoy, he picked up the "Sloop" nickname in college and went into business with his partner, Jones, in South America several decades ago.  So when he came to St. John more than 20 years ago, he named his company Sloop Jones.

Working in Guatemala, Jones said he was struck by the vivid colors of the Mayan Indians, and their contrast with his grey suit, white shirt, and black shoes. He said, "Theirs' was a life full of color. The color in my life was limited to a sliver of silk (a tie)."  That was a push that eventually brought him to St. John, in a studio far out on East End, where he and his other partner, Barbara Alperen built a business designing and hand-painting shirts, dresses, skirts, hats, rugs, pillows and more. His artistry and execution are first class; his palatte rich in vibrant yet relaxing colors.

While you can find some of his clothing for sale in Cruz Bay, driving out to East End for a visit to the studio/store is not to be missed. Jones took time one afternoon to show me around, and we began talking about he got from El Salvador to East End.  His Web site: SloopJones.com.

Listen to part one of a conversation with Sloop Jones. Part two, coming soon.

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.

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.

Festival: St. John Through the Ages

Frank Langley says this week's art, music, and craft events are the only such festival in the Caribbean.  “You see them all over Europe, but not here," the president of the festival said in an interview in Franklin Powell Park.  The park is also a buffet of food and crafts. (I bought some very very hot sauce from Sonia.) The Festival continues through Friday.

Click on photos for bigger images.

Highlights of this year’s effort include a film which traces the origins of the island's indigenous music, known as quelbe.  A play about a former Danish Governor and his freed-slave mistress was also offered at the St. John School of the Arts.

As part of the festival, at many restaurants each night, local musicians are tuning up and playing.  We heard Rich Greengold's Sambacomo at La Tapa last night … both the food and the music were sensational. Our dinner started with a fantastic combination of three olive oils and fresh bread for dipping. I grazed with three appetizers: Josephine’s Greens salad (grown in Coral Bay), spicy beef kabobs, and gazpacho. Mrs. Inquiring Iguana had wonderful tuna. Price: $93, very reasonable for upscale St. John.

Listen to Frank Langley, founder of the St. John Arts Festival. 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.

8 Tuff Miles draws French entrants

In the last few days before Saturday’s 8 Tuff Miles road race, event organizer Peter Alter said several competitors from France registered at mid-week.  "We have entrants coming from all over, with Ohio, New York, and Virginia the states with the most," he said in this week's St. John Podcast.

This year's event has two new angles.  First, in advance of the race Alter encouraged islanders to police Centerline Road, the race route.  "If you were having a party in your house, you'd clean up," Alter explained, "And we should do the same to show everybody how easy it is to make things look good.  We need to do more," he added, "and stop the littering in the first place."

Alter also said this year some of the event's previous top runners will get a kind of head start. About a hundred people, who finished the race previously, will begin the 8.3 mile course to Coral Bay at the front of the pack. While walkers and joggers are welcome, the "seeding" will give runners the chance to get out ahead of some of the slower participants who might be obstacles to their trying to set a personal best.  Web site: http://www.8tuffmiles.com.

Listen to Peter Alter, founder of "8 Tuff Miles" talk about the race and the route. 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.

What's your favorite beach?

St. John's got dozens of beaches and after a few visits, you begin to have favorites.  Xislandgirl, an active member at Virgin Islands On-Line, decided to ask fellow forumites where they liked to catch some rays and snorkel for Blue Tangs. 

The winners?  Among the choices on the ballot, Hawksnest limped into first place with 18% of the votes, beaten badly by "Other's" 61%.

In this week's podcast, Xislandgirl says she was surprised that HER favorite appears to be lots of others' perfect place, and she didn't even put it on the ballot: Francis Bay.  Some may fault it for no see-ums, but you have to love it for the lack of crowds and the fantastic patrolling Pelicans.

Hear Islandgirl, a.k.a. DeeDee from Connecticut, talk about the island's best beaches. 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.

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.

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.

Friends of the Park seminars a 'must do'

The Friends of the Virgin islands National Park seminar series is more popular than ever.  Friends president Joe Kessler said 27 programs are scheduled from January to April.  "People need to call us as soon as they know when they'll be on island, to make reservations," Kessler said.  "A day in advance is not going to cut it."

In this week's St. John Podcast, Kessler talked about the Friends seminars, what's new at the Cinnamon Bay archaeological dig, and the volunteer guides who answer questions at Annaberg Plantation.

Listen to the podcast by clicking the play button below.

You can download or hear the file, also, 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.

Island spice girl: snow bird to business owner

Ruth and Ron Ernst have called St. John home for almost 10 years.  Their successful St. John Spice business is one of the first things you see coming off the ferry, located close to the dock, offering hot sauces, coffees, teas, and Ruth's hand-made Cruz Bay Grill Rub. 

Ruth is a New Englander, and still has some of that area's stereotypical reluctance to talk about herself.  But she loves to talk about the island, and her business, despite its long hours and seven-day-a-week demands.  Doesn’t leave too much time for limin', she said, in this week's St. John podcast. Listen to the podcast by clicking the play button below.

You can download or hear the file, also, 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.

Advice on renting a villa

There are now as many as 600 rental villas on St. John, with hundreds more condos and time shares set to hit the market in the next 18 months.  How do you find the right one? Most folks contact one of the island's dozen-or-so management companies. 

This week's podcast features Eileen Duffy, the owner of Catered To, offering information and advice.  Hear what people most often forget to bring, why the refrigerator never seems to get cold enough, and why to can leave the party dresses at home. Listen by clicking the "play" button below.



Subscribe by copying and pasting this link to your podcatcher's or iTunes "Subscribe" entry field: http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss  Or go to the iTunes Music Store, search for "st. john" and you'll find it.

Disclaimer:  Catered To manages rentals for our two-bedroom  villa, BlueTang.

Podcast: "A magical island"

Even folks who live in the territory agree St. John is special. Anthony Finta, whose Caribbean Online Web site and forum is a great source of information for visitors, can't explain it.  Reading messages on his own boards, Finta said, "They just feel it's a magical place. People love to go there and when they are not there, they love to hear about other people going and hearing what's going on."

In an interview, Finta said many of the questions on his St. John forum are about the same subjects.  Where are the best beaches, where’s the best snorkeling, how much does it cost to get from the airport to Red Hook, and so on.  From his vantage point, Finta hears several restaurants getting good reviews this year, including Sweet Plantains and La Tapa. 

A conversation with Anthony Finta of Caribbean-On-Line.com. Listen by clicking the "play" button below.

Subscribe by copying this link to your podcatcher: http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss  Or go to the iTunes Music Store, search for "st. john" and you'll find it.

Trip Report: 14th visit, still more to do

Bill King's been coming to St. John since 1991, when he visited the VI's to be with his son, then a chef on St. Thomas.  That was about 14 trips ago, King said in a conversation.  But he hasn't tired of St. John. 

The latest vacation, in December, was made memorable by a trip to the East End, an afternoon at Vie's beach, a "fantastic" dinner at the Balcony, breakfast at the Donkey Diner, a scuba dive off Caneel, and a disappointing visit to the Ocean Grill at Mongoose Junction.

King is active in the St. John forum at Anthony Finta's Virgin-Island-On-Line where he's known as Bill in Va.  Several other posters were on island while he and his wife were there,and they met up at the Beach Bar on a Sunday afternoon.  "We knew all about each other instantaneously," because of the forums, King said.

A conversation with serial-visitor and chat board regular Bill King is this week's News of St John podcast. Listen by clicking the "play" button below.

Subscribe by copying this link to your podcatcher: http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss Or go to the iTunes Music Store, search for "st. john" and you'll find it.

St. John paper is an artful effort

Tom Paine and Shirley Reid say their St. John Sun-Times is a newspaper for the softer side of St. John.  He's a novelist, she's an artist, and together they've cooked up what Tom calls a bouillabaisse of different opinions from island people who are curious about St. John.  "Our interest in St. John is from the perspective of people who love the art and the music and the culture," Paine said.  "When we go around, we don't necessarily see hard news stores, we see change which is picked up by two artist-type people."  His favorite interview in the past year was a one-on-one with Sen. Craig Barshinger at the island's miniature golf course, while Reid's favorite experience was - as a local - staying at Maho Bay campground.

A conversation with the owners of the St. John Sun-Times is this week's News of St John podcast. Listen by clicking the "play" button below.

Subscribe by copying this link to your podcatcher: http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss 
Or go to the iTunes Music Store, search for "st. john" and you'll find it.

Real estate brightens

The president of the St. John Board of Realtors said Thanksgiving has brought the strongest interest in purchasing island real estate in seven months. John McCann, of John McCann Realty, said last weekend he toured 10 properties with two couples and found other sales people also "at every house I showed."  McCann conceded there has been some downward pricing pressure, caused in part by a near-tripling of inventory.  "Sellers realize they need to be competitive," McCann said. "In the past, people said, 'Well, it'll sell eventually.'  Now they need to show how their property is different to generate interest."

McCann echoed other real estate sales people saying that with some pricing softness, "This is the time for people priced out of the market previously to come back and say, 'Wow, look at all the choices now.'"

The Realtor added that some land prices have also weakened, making it possible for the brave soul who wants to be his/her own general contractor to build a property in 18-24 months at a cost of $250-$300 a square foot.

A conversation with McCann is this week's News of St John podcast.

Subscribe by copying this link to your podcatcher: http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss

Or go to the iTunes Music Store, search for "st. john" and you'll find it.

Christmas festival this weekend

This weekend's St. John Christmas Music Festival & Parade  will highlight a number of off-island gospel, R-and-B, and Soul musicians and an outstanding island-born artist, Victor Provost. 

The 22-year-old "Steel Pan Man" will solo and play with other featured artists including Michael Dunston and Maryel Epps during the free Saturday and Sunday concerts being organized by St. John's Steve Simon.  You can most likely also catch him at the Sunday afternoon Beach Bar jazz jam, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Provost grew up on St. John, where his father, Jim, was a public school teacher and is an accomplished musician who passed along his talent to Victor and his bother Eric.  Now working as an administrator of an arts program for the under-privileged in Portsmouth, Va., Provost says he's got the perfect job, "being paid to manage and develop a steel pan band."

This week's News of St. John podcast features an interview with Provost talking about the his music and his life growing up on island. Listen to it by clicking the > button on the player below.

 

How to get NOSJ podcasts automatically. Subscribe by copying this link to your podcatcher: http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss Or go to the iTunes Music Store, search for "st. john" and you'll find it.

"The pan", at its most simple, is a 55-gallon steel oil drum, cut down and smoothed, that musicians use a percussion instrument.  Invented in Trinidad in the 1930s, it's developed as an instrument capable of playing anywhere from four not to 3 octaves (28 notes).

Victor is the focus of this week's News of St. John podcast.  Listen to it here, or subscribe through the Apple iTunes Podcast Directory, search for "News of St. John."

Hearing "pan" music on St.. John is easy, Provost said in an interview.  "Look for Innervisions, a house reggae band, which has toured the US for the past several summers.  He also recommends hearing Paradise People, featuring Carl Powell and his brother, Eric Provost.  "Anyplace downtown ... Fred's, the Front Yard, down by Wharfside ... there is so much music on island, you kind of walk into it," he said.

Provost has just issued his first CD.  Here's his Web site, where you can hear samples. You can purchase it at CDBaby.com.  Delivered, my copy cost $17.47.  Great holiday gift. The sound of the pan just says,, and plays, "St. John" to me.

Simonsen doing DVD for the Park

Steve Simonsen is in the final stage of producing a DVD about the history of the Virgin Islands National Park. It will have its first showing at events celebrating the Park's 50th anniversary, Dec. 1st. Bill Stelzer is editing the video.

"Over the summer and fall, we have been shooting interviews with long-time residents of the island, including Guy Benjamin, David Knight, and Elroy Sprauve," Simonsen explained in an interview.  "They were pleased because, they'd say, 'It's good somebody is doing this because so many of the people involved at the start won't be around forever.  It's good to get the story down, and from the people who were there.'"

This week's News of St. John podcast features an interview with Simonsen talking about the Park  DVD. Listen to it by clicking the > button on the player below.

 

How to get NOSJ podcasts automatically. Subscribe by copying this link to your podcatcher: http://fbarnako.libsyn.com/rss Or go to the iTunes Music Store, search for "st. john" and you'll find it.