On St. John

Homer on GMA

Jeff — Sun, 11 May 2008 05:05:07 +0000

Set your alarm. Or set your TiVo. Island celebrity (I think he may kind of hate us calling him that) Homer Hickam is on Good Morning America tomorrow. Turns out he’s one of the Seven New Wonders of America. Well, at least the Saturn V rocket that he helped design.

Homer, a best-selling author, and his wife split their time between Alabama and their home in Upper Carolina.

In case you missed it, you can read our January interview with Homer, here.

(Homer, 1986, ready for the neutral buoyancy simulator.)

Kevin and Cheech go to Boston

Jeff — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:05:16 +0000

The Tap Room boys are adding Massachusetts to their list of stateside distribution and Kevin and Cheech are heading to Boston to kick it off. They’re making a personal appearance in Cambridge at The Cambridge Commons in Harvard Square, where Tropical Mango Pale Ale and Island Summer Ale will be on draft. Cambridge Commons is well known for its beers on tap — 30 of them! – and calls itself “the first spot in New England to introduce the latest and greatest microbrews.”

That’s a tough audience, and getting in the door at a place like this is a pretty big deal for Kevin and Cheech. You should tell them so next time you see them.

If you’re in Boston, mark your calendar. They’ll be there Thursday, May 22nd starting at 6 p.m.

This is the fourth state Kevin and Cheech have cracked. They also have distribution deals in California, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

Is that St. Thomas over there?

Jeff — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:05:34 +0000

Desert dust or volcano ash?

The haze caused by Sahara dust is usually a summer thing. The hazy air of late might also have some ash mixed in from the Soufriere Hills volcano on Montserrat. There was some volcano activity this week, according to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. (Check out the picture gallery. Pretty cool.)

Cruz Bay workers to regain hundreds of pounds

Jeff — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:05:26 +0000

The Jared-inspired lunch is no longer an option in town. Subway, which has been for sale for quite some time, is now officially closed. (Before you cheer the demise of stateside influence, that was a cheap place to get a relatively healthy lunch and workaday folk can’t afford to lunch at places like Lime Inn and Waterfront Bistro every day.)

The Cruz Bay Subway franchise was owned by the same person who owns the relatively new IHOP pancake house franchise on St. Thomas, which now we hear is also closing.

So now, a whole bunch of Subway fans are going to get fat again.

The lease, and possibly the Subway franchise, are still for sale. There’s still time to keep Cruz Bay skinny.

Tigger: 1997-2008

Jeff — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:05:37 +0000

Low Key Watersports mascot Tigger, born September 26, 1997, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2008.

As many readers know, Tigger was striken with an unusual and debilitating disease earlier this year. Tigger fought back and made a miraculous recovery, but relapsed in recent weeks.

Even in his final weeks Tigger did what Tigger always did best. He made everybody who came by to see him smile.

If you knew Tigger, take a minute to remember him…then smile.

Jake’s (formerly Chilly Billy’s) opens tomorrow

Jeff — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:05:22 +0000

The old Chilly Billy’s space is open for business again, starting Wednesday morning as “Jake’s”, named after Jake, the son of owners Carl and Shaun (related story.) Jake’s will start with a hearty breakfast menu until 2 p.m. Lunch and dinner ‘til 10 p.m. will be added soon. Check out the breakfast menu, here.

Jake, the restaurant’s namesake, turned 1 year old May 1st. Nice birthday present kid.

A ferry good day

Jeff — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:05:27 +0000

We don’t ride the passenger ferry much. That’s a shame. It’s always a great treat to come across actually being able to see everything, and to breath and feel the sea breeze on your face, not to be buried between a loaded down Suzuki on one side and an idling delivery truck on the other, like on the barge.

Take a ferry ride across, below. (Apologies to those of you who don’t get to get off the boat when we get there.)

[See post to watch Flash video]

Horsing around

Jeff — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:17:42 +0000

Skinny Legs’ annual Kentucky Derby party Saturday drew the ladies and the bonnets once again.

When did donkeys learn to read?

Jeff — Sat, 03 May 2008 05:05:24 +0000

Goats and donkeys aren’t loved by everybody. These signs are at the end of a driveway on Centerline Road on your way into Coral Bay. Wonder how compliance is going.

Jeep Cam: Getting to the East End

Jeff — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:05:04 +0000

It’s a 10 minute drive at least from Coral Bay just to where The East End begins. That’s a long time to stare at your computer. So we’ll do that 10 minute drive in 2 minutes. Buckle up. From Coral Bay to the famous East End sign, in Hyper-Jeep mode, below…

[See post to watch Flash video]

The island’s newest vegetarian

Jeff — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:05:25 +0000

Giuliana and Ofer, the couple that owns Satyamuna, have been busy making more than falafel. Meet Daniel, just a few weeks into the world.

If you didn’t see our interview with Giuliana and Ofer last year, you can watch it, here.

St. John Overlooks: Maho Bay

Jeff — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:05:52 +0000

To stop at this overlook is only to tease yourself. Stop parking and looking and just get there!

What is better? The beaches at Francis, Maho and Little Maho, or the boats that hang out just off the beaches? Tease yourself, below…

[See post to watch Flash video]