US Virgin Islands News

Super party at St. John Brewers

The Tap Room at Mongoose Junction was just one of many places hosting a party for The Big Game Sunday night.  But what was notable for the St. John Brewers guys was that their new kitchen was in full swing serving up great bar food.

Banzhaf Gallery has two exhibitions

 The centerpiece at Michael Banzhaf's gallery this month is his own work.  An example of the goldsmith's art is "Lily Pad," an 18 karat gold necklace which carries a small diamond on each "Pad."

Besides his own work, Banzhaf is also featuring the paintings of Monica Rios. Her work is inspired by dreams and tropical scenery and often includes cats. So it's not surprising that 10% of the proceeds of the sale of her work at the Cruz Bay gallery will be donated to the St. John Animal Care Center.

• Banzhaf's Web site is http://michaelbanzhafstudio.com/
• Monica Rios' work can be seen at http://michaelbanzhafgallery.com/monica-rios.htm

Surf's up

So, while you may have been freezing in the dark along the mid-Atlantic coast over the weekend, some lucky dude was catching the waves.

Shelley, a long-time NewsofStJohn.com fan, who also calls herself Island Girl is a frequent island visitor. She snapped these photos at Cinnamon Bay. Some people said the north shore swells were 'awesome.'

Two new ferries for Christmas

The Commissioner of Public Works said he's in the market for $5 million dollars worth of new ferries for the Red Hook-Cruz Bay run.

In an appearance before a Virgin islands Senate committee, Darryl Smalls said the government raised the money "from various federal sources," the Virgin Islands Daily News reported.   Smalls said he is now soliciting bids for the purchases and hopes the ferries will arrive before New Year's.

Smalls also said $23 million worth of Public Works projects are underway on the island, such as repairs and improvements to Gifft Hill.

There's a small hotel ...

While resort developments and McMansion construction have changed St. John  in the past 15 years, visitors can still find small pockets of Caribbean island charm for a relaxing vacation.

Besides renting one of the hundreds of beautioful two- and three-bedroom homes on the island (like those of our advertisers on the right and left sides of the page), there are also inns and guest houses. A Department of Tourism winter promotional publication highlights some of these places.

Surly Cantina closed, controversy breaks out

Craig and Suzanne's inventive and fun (and did we say cheap) adventure in Mexican food at Wharfside Village is over, for now. It lasted about a year.

(The Inquiring Iguana wrote about the Cantina months ago. Read it here.)

Forums at Trip Advisor and Virgin-Islands-On-Line tell the story that the landlord raised the rent. That was the final straw in the enchilada.

But just as they say on TV, "Don't be fooled by substitutes."

Flying? Why it's still smart to use carry ons

Anyone who's passed through the Cyril E. King airport knows the baggage handling system is awful.  That includes even the V.I. Port Authority which oversees the airport. 

At a recent meeting of the Authority, plans to redo the baggage system, replace the air conditioning system, improve the runways and alter the layout of the building were discussed. The cost estimate was about $20 million, according to a report of the meeting by the St. John Source.

283 days until tastes of St. John

With a melange of Caribbean flavors still a memory in the mouth, St. John Rotary is already planning for this year's Flavors of St. John.  It'll be bigger and better, according to a club newsletter reporting on the group's weekly meeting.

The 2009 event raised $17,000 for Rotary's community efforts and scholarships.  The tentative date for the 2010 event is Thursday, Nov. 11. Still to be determined is whether the Westin Resort will have the necessary ballrooms to handle the party which, last November, drew about 250 people.