US Virgin Islands News

Jul 19, 2013

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Jul 19, 2013

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NewsofStJohn.com gets its own Web address!!

News of St. John now has a new home on the Internet, with its own domain.

To stay updated with the latest St. John happenings, please visit us at www.newsofstjohn.com 

Donkey Diner closed, for sale

New owners took over Coral Bay’s go-to breakfast/pizza place less than a year ago.  Now the popular eatery is for sale, again. 

A listing on Craig'slist now has the asking price as $2199,000.

“Owner must leave island for family medical emergency and is selling popular Coral Bay breakfast spot ''THE DONKEY DINER''. Huge potential for working owner or family run business with breakfast lunch and dinner options.

 This chance to own an iconic Coral Bay restaurant will not last long. Deeply branded, with dedicated local and tourist regulars this breakfast spot is ideal for a family or couple looking to relocate to St John and run an easy yet successful business. Recent upgrades greatly improve efficiency while reducing expenses.

What's for dinner, and where?

St. John has a number of fine restaurants.  Some really talented people are working hard in those kitchens, trying to do their best with an unpredictable supply chain of meat, fish, vegetables, and so on.  And the high prices at those restaurants reflect both the challenge and the execution.

 Some first-time visitors were wondering on TripAdvisor, “Since groceries are so expensive … is it actually cheaper (to cook at the villa) or (is it) the same as eating out?”

Monkeynoclimb’s answer was fast and conclusive. “Still cheaper to eat in. (Besides,) many times we are too tired to leave the house after a day on the beach, too.”

For couples, going out can be economical, if you go to the right-priced places. “We always go to Candi’s BBQ one night, hit Banana Deck a couple times for a late lunch at the bar, and Aqua Bistro in Coral Bay open night for Tuna Ponzu,” said Bluewater43.

Brenda-2004 said, “Just as expensive to cook a meal in than to just go out, unless you are doing high-end dining.”

Virgin Islands veteran Rick G passed along that, “Groceries are more expensive (than home). Staples are 10-25 percent more. Prepackaged meals, frozen chicken tenders, bag cereal;? More expensive.”  His recommendation: get a whole chicken at Starfish Market, add Cruz Bay Grill Rub and hot sauce from St. John Spice, rice and peas, “and you have four to six meals.”

• TripAdvisor on Candi’s
• TripAdvisor on Banana Deck
• TripAdvisor on Aqua Bistro
• TripAdvisor on Cooking in vs Eating out

Coral Bay's only road in and out, in danger

As if driving on the left side of the road isn't challenge enough for tourists, now they have to worry about there being no road.

So say worried residents in Coral Bay where heavy rains three years ago undermined portions of Centerline Road which still haven't been repaired.  The Public Works Department is still preparing "bid packages for the remediation work", the Virgin Islands Daily News was told.

Now, the problem is worse.  Heavy, heavy rains last weekend did more damage.  The Daily News quotes Denise Barbier saying there are at least five places along two miles of Centerline that could collapse beneath a car, taxi, school bus, or construction equipment.  "There is nothing under the road," she said.

The News reported Public Works has put up some barricades to keep drivers away from the dangerous sections. But, the newspaper said, a week ago, three of them fell over the side of the road.  Obviously, these are not the concrete Jersey barriers we're used to seeing in the States.

"If the road is closed or collapses, then there is no way in or out," said Coral Bay homeowner Franz Jaggar. On the other hand, he said if that happens, "Skinny Legs will do big business."  

As Hill Street's Sgt. Phil Esterhause might have said, "Drivers ... Be safe out there." 

• Virgin islands Daily News: Centerline Road collapsing

Puppies on parade at Wagapalooza

Several hundred people and dozens of dogs are expected to turn out for the 12th annual Wagapalooza all-island pet show on Saturday.  This year the event will be hald at the VI National Park ball field, instead of the hot, noisy, dusty Sprauve School.

The annual fund raiser for the St. John Animal Care Center draws dogs of all shapes and sizes and, of course, many breeds - often in the same body because many parading around the show ring were Island and rescue dogs.

Many of the dogs in competition are flaunting their good looks and/or cute costumes.  A few always try to brazenkly influence the judges by licking their faces.

Elaine Estern, a devoted dog lover and world-class watercolor artist, was chosen to design the official t-shirt and she'll be selling them at the event.

Promotion for this year's Wagapalooza was nil, online ... the Wagapalooza Web site's not been changed in a year, and there's no picture of the t-shirt. What the heck!  Send $25 to the Animal Care Center here, and they'll send you a shirt, and you'll know what Elaine's design is.

Wagapalooza starts at 5 p.m.

Bob Schlesinger of Tropical Focus Photography was on hand to chronicle last year's event and uploaded hundreds of pictures from the event. Click for Bob Schlesinger's portfolio of Wagapalooza, 2012.

Maho Bay: countdown to closing

These are the final hours of Maho Bay Campground.

Stanley Selengut’s lease expires at the end of June and the last guests at the eco-resort are expected leave tomorrow. And St. John may be the loser.  He told the St. John Source that “Maho’s closure will cost the territory … $20 million in lost revenue” from the some 12,000 guests a year.

For a few weeks, the Maho Bay Blog has been showing a countdown clock, which you can see here.

The blog also ironically links to a (recent?) video segment on Kathie Lee and Hoda touting Maho Bay as a great place for a family vacation or even a getaway without the kids.

The best part of the piece, thought the Inquiring Iguana, was when either Kathie Lee or Hoda said, “St. Johns is gorgeous .”  Duh!

Selengut has not yet announced the logistics of closing down the resort. He and his staff have to dispose of millions of dollars’ worth of linens, furnishings, and equipment.  It could be the world’s largest garage sale.

Selengut’s not leaving the island.  He owns Harmony Resort and Concordia Eco-Resort, both of which are near Maho.

Help Wanted on St. John

The Inquiring Iguana stumbled across Craigslist the other day and wondered about jobs on St. John.  There are a few, most of them in the kitchen or on the beach.

• Concierge/activities person (St. John)

Concierge/ Activities person to work full-time in Cruz Bay. Must live in St. John! 

• Line cook/pizza cook/prep cook (Coral Bay)

Breakfast knowledge a must. Pizza knowledge helpful.... Timeliness is a number one priority. If you're always late, don't bother applying. No drunks or drug addicts need apply, either.

• Beach Attendant / Sales (St. John)

Beach attendant, with retail and sales experience. Watersports experience preferred.

• Line Cooks & Sous Chef

Positions for fine dining restaurant in St John USVI. Experience a must, Team player and a passion for food important... Someone who is creative and current with a strong work ethic.  Current Island resident's only need apply !!! ( St Thomas ok ) 

• Review Craigslist jobs in the Virgin Islands

Give a dog a lift

OK, here's the deal.  Island animal lovers have identified a number of homes on the mainland willing to welcome some puppies and dogs.  The alterative is the animals stay on St. Thomas, perhaps to be put down at the crowded shelter.

A volunteer, Pia, posted this plea on the Virgin Islands On-Line forum:

"If there are any visitors that will soon be arruving here and then flying back home to LA, Philadephia, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, or Connecticut, please call Rhea at the STT Humane Society.  We are desperately looking for escorts to transport some puppies/dogs to new adoptive families in these cities."

There is no cost. Vounteers will receive the dogs at the STT airport and then be met by their new families on the other end. "It's just they canot fly without a passenger who is on the plane."

Here's the phone number for Rhea: 340-643-0796.