We’ve been here 5 years now and I can’t remember a rain spell this long. I think we’ve seen 2 partially sunny days out of 17?

Most cisterns are over flowing (not mine, that’s another article) so at this point the liquid gold is just going to waste. I’m ready for a week of sun!

Here is a list of St. Croix beaches. The first 20 are on the east end. Directions take you south and east until you can’t go any farther, then west along route 82. We call it the “east end loop”. The first 17 are in the East End Marine Park.

1.)              Great Pond Bay Beach is down the road beyond the big chain link fence across from Milgie’s Grocery. The gate is open for public use on traditional holiday week-ends (4^th of July, Easter….) Take a left from SunDog Lane and go less than ¼ mile on route 624. The road to the beach is frequently very muddy and barely accessible without a 4WD vehicle, but the beach is very unspoiled and there are beautiful patch reefs to snorkel around if you want to swim out to them. No amenities.

Read More Here

When Governor John P. deJongh ran again and was recently re-elected he talked about crime and his master plan. During his 2 terms crime has risen dramatically, fact. 

Forget having the highest murder rate in the country; if the U.S. Virgin Islands were an independent nation, it would have one of the highest murder rates in the world. The record 66 homicides committed across the territory in 2010 is 10 more than in 2009, and makes the Virgin Islands is the most violent place in the United States, on a per-capita basis.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Yesterday morning I woke up to bright, sunny skies and a slight breeze- a pretty typical morning. I was a little bummed to not be able to enjoy it, WAY too many errands and things to cross off my to do list was on my docket. However, as the day went on the clouds started to roll in, the breeze picked up and moisture filled the air. Suddenly I found myself putting on long sleeves and socks, turning off fans, closing windows and burrowing under a fleece blanket. I popped onto Accuweather.com sure to see that the temp had dropped somewhere in the 60′s. I mean I’m from St. Louis and spent 8 years in Chicago where 99% of the winter is well below freezing and full of that fluffy white stuff you call snow!! Well, it was 75… with a Real Feel of 72. WTH??

I felt vindicated by seeing several St. Thomas friends post on Facebook about how chilly it is- at least it wasn’t just me! Many of those back home called us crazy and said our blood had thinned and it got me thinking. You always hear that your blood thins in warmer weather but does it? And, if so, why? What else makes your blood thin? Well, it’s not all in our head folks- living on this island DOES make your blood thinner- for several reasons!

* Climate: a warm climate means more water needs to be carried in your blood and when you sweat more water is lost. More electrolytes are needed in warmer weather, again, lost through perspiration. Body activity is higher in warmer temps, your blood needs to be thinner to be carried through your body.

* Diet: foods high in Omega-3 actually thin your blood- fish is the main source of this. Seeing we live on an ocean or two, I’m guessing a lot of us eat our fair share of seafood. I know I do! Lots of herbs and spices are high in salicylates which also thin your blood. What down here is NOT seasoned with all sorts of spices??

* Alcohol: Bottom line is booze thins the blood. We all know how much of that is consumed here… which leads to:

* Popping Pills: I’m sure we’ve all seen the Bayer commercial where some guy has a heart attack and was saved because he popped an aspirin? Well, that’s because aspirin thins the blood which is key during a heart attack. Know what else does? Iburprofen (Advil) and Naproxen (Aleve) which I’m guessing most of us reach for during those head throbbing hangovers. (Sidenote: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) does not thin your blood)

So there you have it folks. Call me crazy, call me a wuss- I don’t care because I have science on my side

Angry East End residents and supporters showed up at Vessup Bay Tuesday night, shocked that they may have lost their beach in an omnibus bill passed during a late November Senate session.

Leading the meeting was Andrea King, board director/founder of the Red Hook Community Alliance, which organized a petition drive and an email protest campaign.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

The Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (“BIR”) recently announced a 90 day gross receipts tax amnesty, which will expire on January 25, 2011. The amnesty was signed into law in October and allows businesses to file delinquent gross receipts tax returns with the BIR and pay any outstanding balances due without having to pay penalties and interest.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Meet Jeff Parsons and Amanda Rubio, two Texas transplants who’ve been on St. John for about five years now. And they’re bringing a bit of Texas to the Marketplace.

The old Satyamuna falafel restaurant is now the Lone Star Taqueria. The menu looks great and so do the prices.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Have a great Christmas Day!

Here’s a little snippet of what’s going on at the Epernay New Years Eve Party…

Awesome specials on bottles of Perrier Jouet Champagne, ALL NIGHT LONG! Plus a complimentary midnight toast.

And then for those that aren’t the champagne types we have…

Epernay is going to have Absolut on drink specials ALL NIGHT LONG!

More to come on this cool party next week but you may want to call over and book a table as I’m sure they’ll be cranking out outstanding food as well.

Epernay is a great place to bring in the new year.