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The week after Christmas has produced some iffy weather and some rough water.
Tropical Focus Photography's Bob Schlesinger was out and about at mid-week and sent along these shots. (tropicalfocus.com)
This is a picture you don't expect ever to see: an empty Trunk Bay, and on a Wednesday, too! That's the most popular day for cruise ship visitors from St. Thomas. Not this week. No beach!
The price of housing on St, John has risen markedly in the past 10 years, and so has the cost of food. Bargains at the grocery store, so far as mainlanders are concerned, are few and far between at Starfish. And dinner checks in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay can easily top $50 for a couple.
So it's worth noting that besides Ronnie's Pizza 'n Mo, there are a few places where tasty good can be had for a reasonable price. The latest is Lone Star Taquera, newly opened at the Marketplace. Bob Schlesinger, of Tropical Focus Photography, says, "They’re inexpensive and their market are the workers that go to the hardware store for inexpensive breakfast and lunch."
The owners are Jeff Parsons and Amanda Rubio. Their phone number is 714-(TACO)-8226.
They make fruit infused non-alcoholic drinks.
It wouldn't be a New Year if the evening news didn't show groups of supposedly-sane people in places like Green Bay, Wisconsin jumping into frigid ponds and lakes.
Cheryl Geller at Coral Bay's Tourist Trap figures, why should St. John miss out on the fun. So she has announced the First annual St. John Polar Plunge for New Year's Day.
"It may, 'freeze', at 32°, she wrote on her Facebook page, "But round these parts, 79° IS freezing!!!
The idea is that all plungers dress in their wintry-est wear and jump into Salt Pond. If nothing else, the subsequent group photo will be a keeper. Geller said she'll use it "to josh and rib Polar Plungers in cold climes around the world." And everybody gets a free Bloody Mary after they take their dip.
Folks participating in the event are being asked to make a donation which will go to help pay the costs of the Concordia Bush Cat Feeding Station.
When you hear the phrase 'Sounds of the Season,' well, you might think of Frank, Elvis or Bing. But on St. John, the Love City Pan Dragons which set the tone for the holidays.
An island visitor, Tachnomadia, was on hand as the young musicians offered their version of White Christmas. "Mighty impressive," he said.
Meanwhile, out in Coral Bay, Shelly Mclennan was having a love affair (from a distance, of course) with donkeys.
"The donkeys were everywhere today!," she wrote on her blog, Latitude Adjustment (Read it here.)
"I count that as a GREAT day when i get to see them everywhere I go! Today was the day i was going to round up a donkey and get a Santa hat on him! SCORE!!!!!!!!"
A sure sign of the season are the Christmas decorations at the home of former Senator Carmen Wessellhoff.
It's an annual tradition for the family, and the island.
Ms. Wessellhoff turned the lights on Dec. 15, commemorating the death of her mother.
The lights stay on until Jan. 7th. The house is about a third of a mile up Centerline Road, just past the 7th Day Adventist Church.
The photo is courtesy of Tropical Focus and photographer Bob Schlessinger.
Looks like Mr. Claus and family are going upscale this year with a visit to St. John's Caneel Bay.
Sources at the resort say, "As the lights are going up, and the lists are being written, Santa’s packed his swimming trunks, ready for his arrival at Caneel Bay."
Caneel's Facebook page adds, "The Festive spirit is gathering momentum as everyone makes preparations for the big day. Pictured here are Pastry Chefs Nyron Adolphine and Natalie Buckner positioning a gingerbread house in the Caneel Beach Terrace.
"The Pastry Kitchen (a favorite place to visit at any time of the year) is as busy as Santa’s workshop rolling out a variety of mouth-watering treats and wonderful desserts."
Ronnie Klingsberg opened his pizza place at Boulon Center five years ago, moving from space next to the Tamarind Inn.
Finding either that man (or a business) cannot live on pizza alone, he's hired a top flight cook who's been delivering the 'Mo' in Ronnie's business name, Pizza 'n' Mo.
Zack Williams is the cook and, according to Bob Schlesinger of Tropical Focus photography, "He's been cooking up great inexpensive meals."
During a recent visit, Bob sampled th Lobster Carbanara ($15) while his partner and wife, Karin, tasted the Chicken Picatta with Penne ($16). Both pronounced them great. In fact, Karin's planning a 'girls' night out with friends there soon.
"It's priced for locals who want a good meal," Schlesinger said, suggesting that families on vacation might want to include Ronnie's on their list of places to eat.
Ronnie opens for business at Noon every day except Saturday when they open at 4 p.m. with New York-style pizza made from fresh dough and with no preservatives. They are closed Sundays. Delivery's also available every night 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. His Facebook page is here. It has fresh menus.
The Schlesinger's aren't the only ones who think Ronnie's good. Here's a review from Virgin Islands On-Line.