We had our semi-annual flat last week. I don’t know if flats are just a fact of island life, or if we have rotten luck, but we’ve got changing a Jeep tire down to a science. We don’t even groan anymore. 15 minutes, tops. And then there’s the “getting the bad tire fixed” part. The E&C gas station is your best friend if this happens to you. Drop off the flat in the morning and pick it up the same afternoon. Or if you’re REAL patient, just wait for it. And here’s the bargain part. They charge $6 to plug a flat. That’s a bargain. I even said this time “You should charge twice this much you know.” To which the young lady said “I’d be happy to take $12.” And people say the schools aren’t teaching these kids math. (I gave her 10.)

Oh…Rock Balancing Guy Phillip A. Long, barely back in Virginia a day, has posted pictures of his latest Frank Bay sculptures. At his Website, here.

By all accounts, the Tahiti Open fundraiser for Ocean Grill co-owner Jim Gillfillan’s medical bills was a huge success. More than $40,000 was raised through raffle ticket and sponsorship sales, and a silent auction for several prizes remains open through February 15. You’ve still got time to bid. Contact Connections for 411.

Phillip A. Long, rock balancer guy, creating at Frank Bay this morning. (See related story below.)

Phillip says an aunt, who lives in Martha’s Vineyard, inspired him a few years back with her rock sculptures. (But she’s a “stacker”, and he’s a “balancer.”) “I’ve always been a fan of rocks. I’d run around with pockets full of them when I was a kid,” he says. Phillip owns a trucking company in Virginia and does photography and rock balancing on the side. His biggest was more than 7 feet tall.

He also says people run up to his statues and try to hug them all the time. And they immediately fall over. “People don’t realize these big rocks are just balanced on top of each other. At least so far, nobody’s had a big rock fall on their foot.”

This was also only Phillip’s second trip to St. John, but he says he and his wife will make a yearly habit out of February visits.

You may remember THIS STORY from almost exactly one year ago. A spate of mystery rock sculptures that started showing up on Frank Bay. And then, they suddenly stopped. Now, almost exactly one year later, they are showing up again. This one showed up yesterday.

But this time On-StJohn has solved the mystery! Actually Elaine Estern, of Coconut Coast Studios, located directly across from Frank Bay, has solved the mystery for us. Artists are a tight little bunch, and it turns out the sculptor is one Phillip A. Long, an artist and photographer and not a monster or alien at all. He’s actually got quite a portfolio of stone formations he’s made, in Martha’s Vineyard, Virginia and St. John. He calls what he does “the art of balanced stone.” If you’d like to see pictures of his collective works, check out his Website, here.

Here’s Captain Jay and wife Debbi (pictured with St. John Ruth at the Beach Bar.) This couple, regular posters on the www.usvi-on-line forum, are among the latest island newbies. They moved down from West Virginia to St. Thomas just a couple of weeks ago. Debbi has a great job at the University of the Virgin Islands and they’ve got short-term housing on campus. (Yes, that’s right. Debbi has the job. Jay’s along for the ride, BUT HEY, he just found some work too!) Island vehicle purchased and registered, iPhone working…what more to do? Maybe keep their blog updated. Good luck guys. Keep us posted. (St. Thomas is that big island with traffic, right?)

Thanks to Steve McKibben from Melbourne, Florida for spearheading a fundraising drive on the USVI Online forum. Steve says nearly 20 forumites contributed amounts ranging from $25 to $125 for a total of $1,015. The money raised from forum readers, along with the rest of the money raised at this weekend’s event, will help pay growing medical bills for Ocean Grill co-owner Jim Gillfillan. In case you missed it, you can read about the event here.

Here’s a flat, uneventful ride, except for the goats in the road (or sheep…how does it go? Tail up: Sheep, Tail down: Goats. Or is it the other way around?) Coccoloba to Skinny Legs, below!

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