US Virgin Islands News

Renovations at Caneel continue

Executives at Caneel Bay Resort are quoted saying renovations to its some 170 rooms will be completed, on schedule, by November.  A Dallas, Texas design firm was contracted for the work.

"The renovation will enhance the resort's luxurious island atmosphere by re-introducing an element of Americana beach house theme-the foundation of the resort's mid-20th century beginnings," said Dan Nelson, president of Vision Design and the project's lead designer.

Governor's curious response to power failure

On Tuesday, there was an explosion at a Water and Power Authority plant on St. Thomas.  Flames burst from a high voltage transformer and injured five college student interns.  Power to St. Thomas and St. John was out until late that night.(Fortunately life went on on St. John as some places, like the Beach Bar, have generators.)

WAPA says rolling blackouts can be expected until generators can be activated to pick up the slack.

Governor John deJongh's response was kind of astonishing.

Learn a little

Several of the island’s most talented creative types have begun sharing what they know.

Chef Ted Robinson's doing cooking classes as part of his new venture with KatiLady Catering, and Arleen Hitchock is offering painting lessons at her studio/store in Coral Bay, Tu Tu Tango, at the Cocaloba Shopping Center.  Steve Simonsen, the nature photographer, will resume teaching photo and video classes this Fall.

O'Connor's Texaco is closed

 

It's a one gas station town.

Construction fencing has gone up around the Texaco station in Cruz Bay as workers prepare to remove the underground fuel storage tanks, according to a report by the Virgin Islands Daily News.  The closing is due to plans to construct a traffic roundabout at the spot where five roads intersect.

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.

Roger W. Morgan's rockin' the islands

At least one Virgin Islands Senator doesn't like what he hears on the radio each morning.  That's when St. Croix's Roger W. Morgan does his talk show. 

The Wall Street Journal reported that Sen. Ronald E. Russell and others are urging the Federal Communications Commission to block Morgan's planned purchase of WYAC-FM, 93.5, on which he broadcasts now.  Morgan's sin was mounting a recall campaign for the Senators after they voted themselves a 31 percent pay raise.

More cheap stuff on island, courtesy of the St. John Sun Times

Grill Your Own at Maho  Monday and Tuesday Nights.  Steak, sausage, Yellow fin tuna, and shrimp are among the choices for you to prepare with some tips, and island spices, from chef Mon Phon.  $6-$12.  Estate Concordia, phone 340-693-5855.

Wednesday is Shrimp Night at the Lime Inn.  A favorite of locals for years and years.  340-776-6425.

Is a cheaper car rental a bargain?

You can rent a car for a week for as little as $31, if you book it online. I didn't know this until I read it on the Cruz Bay Forum at TripAdvisor.com.  The going rental rate for a car on St. John is $60/day.

The discount is from Priceline.com. Thrifty is offering deals ranging from $254/week for an economy car, including taxes and fees, up to $270/week for a full size vehicle.  Of course, you also have to add the cost of a car barge round trip from Red Hook to Cruz Bay.  But then, you're not paying for a taxi and luggage to and from the airport, and that just about makes up the barge fee.  It may even be cheaper if you've got four people.  (Click on the photo at right for a bigger picture of the rates.)

Where's the money?

Rick Bates, a reader who operates an educational consulting firm, posted a comment on the post about finding land for a new school.  He inquired about its expected cost and source of funding.

I smiled and replied:

"Dear Rick:

"The cost of a school has not even been mentioned. Unless there are federal funds, I can't imagine where the money going to come from.

"But here's something that will spur THAT discussion.

Where could a new school be built?

More than 100 people attended a Congressional subcommittee hearing on St. John on where a new kindergarten-12th grade school might be built. 

V.I. Delegate Donna Christensen, who sits on the House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, convened the hearing to discuss her proposal to authorize the Dept. of the Interior to lease V.I. National Park land for the project.  (H.R. 53)

A representative of the V.I. Education Department said it would like to have 10 acres to build a campus including classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium and auditorium, according to a report of the meeting in the Virgin Islands Daily News.  A member of a group called One Campus testified saying it preferred 55 acres.