Stuff gets taken from villas. Not all the time and not in the hardened criminal sort of way. In the “memento” sort of way.
A margarita glass as a reminder of that perfectly grilled steak. A coffee table book that’s got a photo spread on what turned out to be a favorite beach. A Putumayo CD that was playing the first time a couple of lovebirds made out on a floatie. Almost always very inexpensive but sometimes hard to replace stuff. Which brings me to today’s photo. A sign. Signs are tempting. And one that says “This Way To The Beach”? That’s got snatch me written all over it. I WOULD TAKE IT!
Which brings me to the villa owner who has this sign. On the back, she has written what you see below. And it has stayed there for two years.
Grande Bay developers, hit with a lawsuit by a group of condo buyers earlier this year, are now facing a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment filed by property owners directly behind the development. Citing what they say are obvious VI zoning violations, including height and density restrictions, they want the Court to force the developer to remove the top two stories.
Here’s one of the ways Beach Break is evolving. We call this feature St. John Vistas, and we hope you enjoy a couple of minutes of all of the beauty St. John has to offer. There’s an endless supply of stuff for a broader feature like this. We call the first installment Nanny Point, although technically it’s more Nanny Point-ish, as we didn’t go around the point to the far South and West. This is more the Drunk Bay side and views from the cliffs above. St. John Vistas, below. Tell us if you like the feature.
Okay the bad news is Beach Break will no longer be a regular weekly feature. There are more weeks than there are beaches it seems. Wait, wait. The good news is it will continue to be an occasional feature. We’ll rotate Beach Break in with other beauty break features every week. We promise. I think we’ll call it St. John Vistas or something. Tell you what, we’ll give you one tomorrow. You can see if you like the idea.
There won’t be too many places open on Christmas Day, but The Inn at Tamarind Court is serving up a Christmas dinner. It’s called Etta’s West Indian Christmas Dinner, and, as the name implies, the menu’s West Indian-inspired. Curry Mutton, Peas and Rice and Seafood Kalaloo right alongside other choices like Shrimp Scampi and a Catch of the Day. Etta is Etta Samuel, a local West Indian lady who cooked at Tamarind Inn for years before leaving the island. She’s back on island now, and is the Tuesday and Thursday chef.
Tamarind owner Stephanie King says they’ll probably be busy that night, so reservations area a good idea. You can make them at 776-6378. Dinner is from 5 to 9. Wanna see Etta’s West Indian Christmas Dinner menu? Click here!
Isn’t that a sexy picture? This is a sexy villa all around. Great Cruz Bay views, four equal king suites, a beautiful great room and a big pool. Villa Colorado is just off Great Cruz Bay Road so it’s a prime location too. And that pool is surrounded by big, lush tropical landscaping. You’ll feel like you’re hidden away at your own resort. The owners have excellent taste and the villa is in top notch condition. Check out all the great photos of the place on the Villa Colorado Website.
Renewed for a new season: Villa Vittles, and we need some recipes. We’ll pick a few of them, do our best to make them, serve them up and reward good ones with On-StJohn.com T-shirts. Here’s the theme this time: Prepare ahead munchies, or as Russ likes to say “Make it while you’re sober, eat it when you’re not.” You know. Appetizers. Finger food. That sort of stuff. Take your best shot. Be creative. Cheese Whiz on a Triscuit doesn’t count (although that sounds pretty good.) We’ll take you to the tasting party in a couple of weeks. Oh! And a couple of good cocktails too. Last time around we didn’t get to those. Submit ‘em below.
Are you getting tired of this yet? Stay with us. We’re almost to Colombo’s. This time we’ll swing through the Cinnamon Bay lot (don’t mind the guy in the white SUV calling his kids while stopped in the middle of the road) and head out to the Maho Bay overlook. Not much to point out, so just sit back and breathe in that tamarind-scented air! North Shore Road, Part 5, below.
Add another Tap Room concoction to the menu. Kevin and Cheech are planning to debut their brand new Frozen Cistern Winter Ale on draft this weekend at the Mongoose Junction Christmas party.
It’s called what???
“We were looking for a name people would talk about,” says Kevin. “From a locals perspective it’s funny because we all know a cistern is never going to freeze. For the tourists it’s funny, because some of them probably won’t even know what a cistern is.” Kevin says the Frozen Cistern Winter Ale is high in alcohol content (7.1 percent), made with lots of dark malt and has a roasted, nutty, chocolate flavor with a hint of cinnamon and cardamom. (Is it just me, or are these guys really getting really good at this brewing stuff?)
Oh…if you’re around next weekend, stop by the Tap Room Saturday. December 22 is the first day of winter, and they’re celebrating with a “Sweater Party.” Wear your best (or worst) sweater. They say they’ll have the A/C cranked real low.
After a two year absence, Pirate Radio is back to its old self. The station, started back in the early-90’s, began simulcasting programming from Mongoose Radio on St. Croix two years ago. But now it’s back to its own on air talent and its own programming of classic and new rock. And it’s focusing solely on the St. John/St. Thomas market. Good ad outlet for local businesses. (No more commercials for St. Croix restaurants you’ll never go to.)Want a Pirate Radio bumper sticker? Pay attention. There’s a quiz at the end.
Governor John deJongh brought Santa and some cheer to kids in Cruz Bay Park this morning, the first of three children’s Christmas parties the governor is hosting. (One on St. Thomas and one on St. Croix too.) Ruth from St. John Spice, ever the kid herself, caught a few minutes of video from the sidelines this morning. (You’ll need Windows Media Player to watch it.) As always, Ruth has chosen simple cinematography and lets the event itself be the narrative. Enjoy. Click here.
This beautiful little manmade beach can be yours for roughly $4 million. (Oh, there’s a huge house that goes with it.) Poseidon’s Secret sits on the Western side of Chocolate Hole and includes this sweet little spot. Live like the other half for a couple of minutes, below…
Add another Tap Room concoction to the menu. Kevin and Cheech are planning to debut their brand new Frozen Cistern Winter Ale on draft this weekend at the Mongoose Junction Christmas party.
