US Virgin Islands News

Teenager, woman, top Power Swim finishers

A 15-year-old boy and a 51-year-old woman were the big winners of the weekend's 7th annual Beach to Beach Power Swim, sponsored by the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park.

Bryson Mays of Frederiksted finished the 3.5 mile course, solo, from Maho Beach to Hawksnest Beach in 1 hour 14 minutes and 5 seconds.  On the distaff side, Sally Dykstra of Austin, Texas churned through the course in 1 hour 32 minutes and 6 seconds.

The winners received a Power Swim medal, crafted by Freebird Creations.

Overall, 22 women and 24 men finished the long individual course competition; about a third of them live on St. John. About 170 swimmers participated in the event which had short and long courses for individuals and relay teams. 

Tropical Focus photographer Bob Schlesinger was at the Hawksnest finish line as Mays came out of the water.

Safety drill nearly closes ferry dock

What if they closed the Cruz Bay dock and didn't tell many people?

Well, that's close to what happened when the government and local do-good groups helped observe National Safe Boating week. To make way for safety demonstrations, an aerial rescue in the Sound, and waters ports, the Cruz Bay pier was closed last Saturday to all but ferries.

So besides some confused, frustrated and even angry locals as well as visitors , Safe Boating activities got underway.  The most exciting was a a helicopter rescue demonstration.

Front and center, of course, was St. John Rescue, a group of tireless, unpaid volunteers.  Members are quick to respond on land and sea when there's trouble - a good thing since a police presence and ambulance services are so minimal.  Other participants in the training and demonstrations included the Coast Guard, National Park Service, and U.S.Power Squadron.

Bob Schlesinger of Tropical Focus was on hand and provided these photos. 

• You can see more of Bob's work at http://www.stjohnweddingphotographer.com/

Swimmers, warm up your engines

Capping a busy busy month of activities on the island, the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park's annual Beach to Beach Power Swim is Sunday.

The race includes four different events, all starting from Maho Bay.  There are short, intermediate, and long courses as well as a three-person relay. The fun begins at 8 a.m.

A new component to this years’ swim is the “Race for a Reason” fund raising challenge. Donations will be used to support the “Learn to Swim” program in the Park along with other projects and programs.

All participants raising $100 or more for Friends get receive a Power Swim hat and the top three fundraisers will receive special gifts following the race at the Beach Party/Awards Celebration at Oppenheimer Beach.

• Details about the Power Swim event are here

Let the sun help you cool off

Dr. Cool is branching out.

Besides installing and service air conditioning units, Dr. Cool is now marketing solar-assisted AC systems.

Solar panels are installed on a house or business's roof, and they collect energy. The main difference from an electric AC unit is that instead of drawing energy from the electric grid, the solar air conditioner uses steam from sun-heated water to power the system, according to Ecolocalizer.com.

The Inquiring Iguana did his best to read up about this process but was not able to figure out how it works.  Giving up, he watched a promotional video the St. John guys produced. See it here.

Sounds like a good idea.  Using less electricity at the island's usurious rates is certainly smart.  One caveat ... the Solar AC's guys Web site indicates that the solar panels really need a flat surface, so if your casa has those wavy, colorful tiles, you'll need to find another place for the panels to be installed.

Solar Jeff's Web site has a bit of information here, but not much. http://solarstjohn.com/node

Want this pooch's picture on a coffee cup?

Easy to do thanks to Eloise Anderson and the Smugmug Web site.

Anderson, publisher of the St. John Sun Times, shot about a hundred pictures at last weekend's Wagapalooza event. 

Now she's uploaded them to Smugmug, a Web service where you can use the photos and make puzzles, refrigerator magnets and even books.

"They (also) make great holiday cards," Anderson said. "Show everyone how zany we are here! All profits from print sales and merchandise sales (t-shirts, coffee mugs, totes and MUCH more) go to the Animal Care Center."

• Wagapalooza photos on Smugmug.com are here

Don't run out of gas or cash

Some experienced St. John visitors think it's a good idea to take a 'glass is half empty' point of view.

On the smallest of the Virgin Islands, there is only one operating gas station, E&C Service in Cruz Bay. But it has been known to run out of gas.  Maybe the barge that brings the delivery trucks is out of service for maintenance, or simply late - no matter, sometimes E&C has no gas.

Gromit, who posts often on the Virgin-Islands-On-Line forum, says "I personally can't relax unless I know I've got at least a half a tank no matter what. It's simply not worth it to risk running out, especially if you are staying in Coral Bay (where Dominio has yet to re-open ...)." Read Gromit's message here.

Along the same lines, Gromit adds, "It's always a good idea to have $100-200 accessible because the ATMs have been known to run out (of money) especially over holiday week-ends."

What an island :)

Welcome: RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty

RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty, voted the 2010's Best Real Estate Agency on St. John, has chosen NewsofStJohn.com to help expand its successful business. 

The firm is owned and operated by Diana Beam, who, herself, was voted Best Real Estate Agent on St. John for 2007 by readers of the Virgin Islands Daily News. Diana has lived on St. John for over 20 years and has been selling real estate for most of that time.

RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty will be advertising, reaching 25,000 visitors a month.  The ad includes an e-mail link for people interested in island property to ask questions about the market, listings available, and new opportunities.

The brokerage is currently featuring 11 island homes, as well as land parcels and commercial offerings.  They range from a three-bedroom, salt pond waterfront property in Coral Bay for $595,000 to a five-bedroom, waterfront villa in Chocolate Hole, Poseidon's Secret, priced at $3,299,000.

Diana Beam can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].  RE/MAX Island Paradise Realty's web site is http://www.remax-islandparadiserealty.com

Wagapalooza pictures, puppies and people

A barking good time was had at the Winston Wells ball field Saturday night at the Animal Care Center's annual Wagapalooza.

The island-wide 'talent' and 'dress up' show for cats and dogs brought out hundreds of people and their pets.

Bob Schlesinger of Tropical Focus Photography was on hand for the fun. See more of Bob's work at http://www.stjohnweddingphotographer.com/.

A fan of big dogs, the Inquiring Iguana was taken with the big fellow on the pretty girl's lap.  Scheslinger reports the dog is 'Hoss,' competing in the Best Lap Dog competition. Bobi Stallbaumer's big boy held the title in the 2008 and 2009 shows, but lost this weekend to this fella.

There's a photo album with lots of Schlesinger's Wagapalzooa pictures here.

Remember the kitties and the puppies

It is Wagapalooza time again!!!  Saturday evening, May 22, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Winston Wells Ball Field in the heart of Cruz Bay. It's the Animal Care Center of St. John's biggest event of the year, the island version of the Westminster Dog Show. And it's all free! And fun!!

Prizes for Best Trick; Best Lap Dog; Best Dancer; Best Spots; Best Old Timer; Best Puppy Love; Best Costume; Best Jumper; and Best Tail.

• Wagapalooza Website is here

Real Housewives do St. John again, tonight

A rerun  of this week's episode featuring the girls on the island and at a villa.  On Bravo at 7 p.m. eastern, Friday.