March 4, 2003 – A local advocacy group for the disabled got some training Saturday from a national leader in the field — Curt Decker, executive director of the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems.
Decker visited V.I. Advocacy Inc. to instruct its board of directors in the best and most effective ways to represent people with disabilities, the group's executive director, Amelia Headley LaMont, said.
Each of the seven V.I. Advocacy board members has a disability or has a disabled family member, LaMont said. She said Decker gave a history of protection and advocacy systems and aided board members in setting priorities for the territory.
"We have to set priorities," LaMont said. "Our decisions are based upon the priorities of the board and for disabled people in the community, primarily enforcing rights guaranteed under federal law."
The agency's attorney, Scott Martin, said Decker's input was especially valuable in that he heads up the umbrella organization of protection and advocacy systems in the United States and its territories. "He was instrumental in getting all of these off the ground; his arrival is pretty important," Martin said.
V.I. Advocacy flexed its muscle last week with an announcement that businesses failing to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 may soon become defendants in class-action lawsuits.
Two businesses are the targets of recently filed suits — the Green House Bar and Restaurant on St. Thomas and Barren Spot Mall on St. Croix. The suits allege that the establishments do not have facilities suitable for wheelchair-bound patrons. LaMont said last week that more suits would like follow.
Activists are expected to gather in front of the Green House at 10 a.m. Wednesday in protest, LaMont said.

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March 4, 2003 — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands invites individuals and community organizations to apply for the Foundation’s 2003 Mini-Grant Program. The Foundation awards mini-grants to innovative programs that respond to the needs of children and families in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Now in its seventh year, the mini-grant program will award up to $20,000 in grants. Individual awards range from $250 to $1,000. Any private group (school class or club, sports team, alumni group, for example) or individual in the U.S. Virgin Islands may submit an application for the 2003 mini-grant program. Proposals will also be accepted from established non-profit organizations.
CFVI mini-grants are in keeping with the Foundation’s mission to support innovative programs that enhance the educational, physical, social, cultural, and environmental well being of children, youth and families in the Virgin Islands.
In 2002 the Foundation distributed a total of $35,000 in mini-grant awards to 58 community organizations. Among the community programs receiving mini-grants in recent years: "Keeping our Roots Alive!" project at Charles H. Emanuel School and the Robotics Club at Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, both on St. Croix; Marine Kids Korps aquatic program for youth at Lindbergh Bay on St. Thomas; field trips for St. John youth in the summer program at Elaine L. Sprauve Library; bowling tournaments through the St. Croix Junior Bowlers, Inc.; garden supplies for the Bovoni Resident Council Gardening Club; and after-school programs on St. Croix at the Arawak Camp Program and on St. Thomas at the Methodist Training & Outreach Center.
Applications for 2003 mini-grants are due Friday, April 11, 2003. To receive an application call the Community Foundation at 774-6031, or stop by the office in Royal Dane Mall, Suite 2C, just above Beans, Bytes & Websites Café. Send e-mail requests to: dbrown@cfvi.net.
Application forms are also available on St. Thomas at the Draughting Shaft,
Havensight Mall. On St. Croix applications can be picked up at the St. Croix
Chamber of Commerce, 3009 Orange Grove, Suite 12.
The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands was established in 1990 to serve the children and families of the Virgin Islands. The Foundation has almost 50 funds created by individuals and businesses to support educational, environmental, social and cultural initiatives in the Virgin Islands.
CFVI provides mini-grants to community organizations, distributes scholarships to area students, and publishes "Kids Count," a major study of children in the territory.

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March 4, 2003 — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands invites individuals and community organizations to apply for the Foundation’s 2003 Mini-Grant Program. The Foundation awards mini-grants to innovative programs that respond to the needs of children and families in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Now in its seventh year, the mini-grant program will award up to $20,000 in grants. Individual awards range from $250 to $1,000. Any private group (school class or club, sports team, alumni group, for example) or individual in the U.S. Virgin Islands may submit an application for the 2003 mini-grant program. Proposals will also be accepted from established non-profit organizations.
CFVI mini-grants are in keeping with the Foundation’s mission to support innovative programs that enhance the educational, physical, social, cultural, and environmental well being of children, youth and families in the Virgin Islands.
In 2002 the Foundation distributed a total of $35,000 in mini-grant awards to 58 community organizations. Among the community programs receiving mini-grants in recent years: "Keeping our Roots Alive!" project at Charles H. Emanuel School and the Robotics Club at Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, both on St. Croix; Marine Kids Korps aquatic program for youth at Lindbergh Bay on St. Thomas; field trips for St. John youth in the summer program at Elaine L. Sprauve Library; bowling tournaments through the St. Croix Junior Bowlers, Inc.; garden supplies for the Bovoni Resident Council Gardening Club; and after-school programs on St. Croix at the Arawak Camp Program and on St. Thomas at the Methodist Training & Outreach Center.
Applications for 2003 mini-grants are due Friday, April 11, 2003. To receive an application call the Community Foundation at 774-6031, or stop by the office in Royal Dane Mall, Suite 2C, just above Beans, Bytes & Websites Café. Send e-mail requests to: dbrown@cfvi.net.
Application forms are also available on St. Thomas at the Draughting Shaft,
Havensight Mall. On St. Croix applications can be picked up at the St. Croix
Chamber of Commerce, 3009 Orange Grove, Suite 12.
The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands was established in 1990 to serve the children and families of the Virgin Islands. The Foundation has almost 50 funds created by individuals and businesses to support educational, environmental, social and cultural initiatives in the Virgin Islands.
CFVI provides mini-grants to community organizations, distributes scholarships to area students, and publishes "Kids Count," a major study of children in the territory.

Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

March 4, 2003 — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands invites individuals and community organizations to apply for the Foundation’s 2003 Mini-Grant Program. The Foundation awards mini-grants to innovative programs that respond to the needs of children and families in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Now in its seventh year, the mini-grant program will award up to $20,000 in grants. Individual awards range from $250 to $1,000. Any private group (school class or club, sports team, alumni group, for example) or individual in the U.S. Virgin Islands may submit an application for the 2003 mini-grant program. Proposals will also be accepted from established non-profit organizations.
CFVI mini-grants are in keeping with the Foundation’s mission to support innovative programs that enhance the educational, physical, social, cultural, and environmental well being of children, youth and families in the Virgin Islands.
In 2002 the Foundation distributed a total of $35,000 in mini-grant awards to 58 community organizations. Among the community programs receiving mini-grants in recent years: "Keeping our Roots Alive!" project at Charles H. Emanuel School and the Robotics Club at Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, both on St. Croix; Marine Kids Korps aquatic program for youth at Lindbergh Bay on St. Thomas; field trips for St. John youth in the summer program at Elaine L. Sprauve Library; bowling tournaments through the St. Croix Junior Bowlers, Inc.; garden supplies for the Bovoni Resident Council Gardening Club; and after-school programs on St. Croix at the Arawak Camp Program and on St. Thomas at the Methodist Training & Outreach Center.
Applications for 2003 mini-grants are due Friday, April 11, 2003. To receive an application call the Community Foundation at 774-6031, or stop by the office in Royal Dane Mall, Suite 2C, just above Beans, Bytes & Websites Café. Send e-mail requests to: dbrown@cfvi.net.
Application forms are also available on St. Thomas at the Draughting Shaft,
Havensight Mall. On St. Croix applications can be picked up at the St. Croix
Chamber of Commerce, 3009 Orange Grove, Suite 12.
The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands was established in 1990 to serve the children and families of the Virgin Islands. The Foundation has almost 50 funds created by individuals and businesses to support educational, environmental, social and cultural initiatives in the Virgin Islands.
CFVI provides mini-grants to community organizations, distributes scholarships to area students, and publishes "Kids Count," a major study of children in the territory.

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March 4, 2003 — The time of year to garner scholarships has rolled around, and The Source is compiling as a service to readers information about applying. Check back frequently, as this file will be continuously updated.
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM SCHOLARSHIP
Who may apply: To be eligible to apply, a student must be the child, step-child or legal dependent of a contributing member of Government Employees Retirement System (GERS) and be a graduating senior of a high school in the territory who is enrolled full-time in a program leading to the award of a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university.
Additional requirements: Grade point average of no less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Financial need.
Deadline: Postmarked by April 11, 2003
Geographic: all Virgin Islands
Scope of award: Up to three scholarships may be awarded. The scholarships provide tuition support for four years.
Applications are available at:
— St. Croix: GERS Complex #3005 Orange Grove, Lot 5, Christiansted, St. Croix 00820-4313.
— St. Thomas: GERS Complex 3rd floor Veterans Drive, St. Thomas 00802
— By telephone: 774-6031, Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands
Contact: 774-6031, Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, the agency responsible for administering the GERS scholarship.
ROBERT C. BYRD SCHOLARSHIP
Who may apply: Graduating seniors of public, private and parochial schools and students who have successfully completed a GED program. Applicant must have been accepted into a college or university and plan to be a full-time student.
Additional requirements: A cumulative average of "C" or better.
Deadline: 5 p.m. July 30, 2003
Geographic: St. Thomas/St. John District
Scope of award: Five four-year scholarships of $1,500 per year will be awarded. The scholarship can be renewed for a maximum of eight university or college semesters upon submission of required evidence showing maintenance of eligibility.
Applications are available at: the Office of the Commissioner of the Education Department, the Curriculum Center in Anna's Retreat and at various high schools on St. Thomas.
Contact: 775-2250 Ext. 229, Patricia Nathan, acting district director for curriculum, assessment and technology. The V.I. Education Department administers this program in compliance with section 419 E of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
FRIENDS OF THE V.I. NATIONAL PARK SCHOLARSHIPSWho may apply: College students who are going into their junior or senior year at an accredited college or university and who are graduates of a high school in the Virgin Islands. Applicants must be pursuing careers in natural resources management or protection and majoring in fields such as marine biology, botany, ecology or forestry.
Additional requirements: Applicants must hold a B or 3.0 average through the first three semesters of college for sophomores, through the first five semesters for juniors. They must have completed all prerequisite coursework for majors in appropriate fields.
Deadline: March 31, 2003
Geographic: all Virgin Islands
Scope of award: Two scholarships of $1,000 each, disbursed as $500 per semester.
Applications are available at:
— Write to Friends of the V.I. National Park, P. O. Box 811, Cruz Bay, St. John, V.I. 00831.
— Pick up at the University of the Virgin Islands Financial Aid Office.
Contact: 779-4940, Kim Lyons, Friends development director.
Special notes:
— Recipients will be offered the chance to serve as interns with the Friends during the summer before their junior or senior year.
— Although this scholarship was formerly limited to Virgin Islands students at UVI, it is now open to Virgin Islands students at any approved college.

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March 4, 2003 – A Housing Authority worker found to have cashed 10 agency checks made out to her deceased mother was fired on Tuesday, and two other housing workers were suspended for 30 days for having allowed the 10 utility allowance checks to be issued after the woman's death.
"All VIHA employees are to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards," Ray Fonseca, the agency's executive director, said in a release announcing the punitive actions. He said he would tolerate neither "any actual nor perceived impropriety by employees, residents or those with whom we do business."
The checks, totaling $173, were endorsed by the VIHA employee after her mother, a tenant in a housing community, died. The employee has already made restitution for the money, Fonseca said several weeks ago. He said on Tuesday that he waited for an investigation into the matter by the V.I. Justice Department to be completed before taking further action.
If the two suspended workers had followed procedures and changed the rent records after the death was reported, he said, the utility checks would have been discontinued. The investigation determined that the utility checks stopped after a few weeks but then resumed, he said.
Utility allowance checks are authorized by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and are issued to residents with little or no income to assist with the payment of their utility bills.
Fonseca said he would take final action in dealing with the case after taking the matter before the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

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March 4, 2003 – A Housing Authority worker found to have cashed 10 agency checks made out to her deceased mother was fired on Tuesday, and two other housing workers were suspended for 30 days for having allowed the 10 utility allowance checks to be issued after the woman's death.
"All VIHA employees are to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards," Ray Fonseca, the agency's executive director, said in a release announcing the punitive actions. He said he would tolerate neither "any actual nor perceived impropriety by employees, residents or those with whom we do business."
The checks, totaling $173, were endorsed by the VIHA employee after her mother, a tenant in a housing community, died. The employee has already made restitution for the money, Fonseca said several weeks ago. He said on Tuesday that he waited for an investigation into the matter by the V.I. Justice Department to be completed before taking further action.
If the two suspended workers had followed procedures and changed the rent records after the death was reported, he said, the utility checks would have been discontinued. The investigation determined that the utility checks stopped after a few weeks but then resumed, he said.
Utility allowance checks are authorized by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and are issued to residents with little or no income to assist with the payment of their utility bills.
Fonseca said he would take final action in dealing with the case after taking the matter before the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

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March 3, 2003 – "Enthusiastic" is one word that comes to Patrice Johnson's mind when she thinks of the late Kirk Grybowski, who served as a food judge for the University of the Virgin Islands "Afternoon on the Green" event on St. Thomas for many years.
To pay tribute to Grybowski, who died in October, prizes will be given in his name at this year's 14th Afternoon on the Green, which will take place Sunday on the UVI golf course.
"The judging this year will be dedicated to the memory of Kirk Grybowski because Mr. Grybowski was an enthusiastic judge at previous Afternoon on the Green events," Johnson, UVI director of public relations, said. "Those who knew Mr. Grybowski know how much he enjoyed life, travel and cuisine."
Grybowski, a former director of the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, wrote extensively for the Source newspapers about his travels with his wife, retired UVI nursing professor Judith Grybowski, and with his three grandchildren. He was vacationing with his wife at the time of his death in Chicago. He also was the Source's restaurant reviewer, dining anonymously and writing as The Tottering Taster.
Afternoon on the Green is a family-oriented event put on by the university to raise funds for scholarships for UVI students. Individuals from the university and the wider community donate food, both to be sold and to be judged competitively. The judging categories are main dishes, seafood, side dishes, vegetable dishes, casseroles, soups, breads, desserts and native drinks.
About a hundred persons have volunteered to contribute the food for this Sunday. It will be sold for $2 a taste. This year, there will be no panel of judges to determine the prize winners. Instead, for the first time, the judging will be done by patrons.
The event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Those sampling the food between noon and 1 p.m. will be able to cast their ballots for their favorite dishes.
The Sea Breeze band and moko jumbies will perform during Sunday's event, and face painting and games for children will be available.
This year's Afternoon on the Green theme is "UVI's Inaugural Kallaloo," in honor of LaVerne Ragster, who became the university's fourth president last August and whose inauguration, set for March 16, is being celebrated with a week of special events and activities.

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March 4, 2003 – "Enthusiastic" is one word that comes to Patrice Johnson's mind when she thinks of the late Kirk Grybowski, who served as a food judge for the University of the Virgin Islands "Afternoon on the Green" event for many years.
To pay tribute to Grybowski, who died in October, prizes will be given in his name at this year's 14th Afternoon on the Green, which will take place Sunday on the UVI golf course.
"The judging this year will be dedicated to the memory of Kirk Grybowski because Mr. Grybowski was an enthusiastic judge at previous Afternoon on the Green events," Johnson, UVI director of public relations, said. "Those who knew Mr. Grybowski know how much he enjoyed life, travel and cuisine."
Grybowski, a former director of the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, wrote extensively for the Source newspapers about his travels with his wife, retired UVI nursing professor Judith Grybowski, and with his three grandchildren. He was vacationing with his wife at the time of his death in Chicago. He also was the Source's restaurant reviewer, dining anonymously and writing as The Tottering Taster.
Afternoon on the Green is a family-oriented event put on by the university to raise funds for scholarships for UVI students. Individuals from the university and the wider community donate food, both to be sold and to be judged competitively. The judging categories are main dishes, seafood, side dishes, vegetable dishes, casseroles, soups, breads, desserts and native drinks.
About a hundred persons have volunteered to contribute the food for this Sunday. It will be sold for $2 a taste. This year, there will be no panel of judges to determine the prize winners. Instead, for the first time, the judging will be done by patrons.
The event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Those sampling the food between noon and 1 p.m. will be able to cast their ballots for their favorite dishes.
The Sea Breeze band and moko jumbies will perform during Sunday's event, and face painting and games for children will be available.
This year's Afternoon on the Green theme is "UVI's Inaugural Kallaloo," in honor of LaVerne Ragster, who became the university's fourth president last August and whose inauguration, set for March 16, is being celebrated with a week of special events and activities.

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March 4, 2003 – If you want to be a friend to a St. John or Hassel Island beach, bay or trail, adopt it, the Friends of the V.I. National Park's development director suggests.
"We need the help," Kim Lyons said.
The park does not have the resources to keep all of its trails, bays and beaches cleaned up, Lyons said, particularly during the winter tourism season, when park facilities get heavier usage.
Lyons said organizations, ad hoc groups, school groups and individuals can become adopters, but they must make a commitment to the upkeep of the area they adopt.
The first adoption cleanup happened on Feb. 27 at Brown Bay. Lyons said that an ad hoc hiking group with members from the V.I. Audubon Society, the St. John Historical Society, the Friends of the Park, Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant, and the park staff adopted an area along the north coast from Brown Bay to Leinster Bay.
Part of the group started from Hermitage and headed west toward Brown Bay. The group was headed by Beulah Dalmida-Smith, an assistant to park Superintendent John King.
The rest of the group, headed by Friends program manager Emily Burton, headed east from the Leinster Bay trail head near Annaberg Plantation. The volunteers found these remote beaches littered with all manner of items, including tires and clothing that may have been discarded by illegal aliens coming ashore in the area.
Burton said it seemed like the beach had never been cleaned. "Old plastic bottles just crumbled to pieces in our hands," she said.
Together, the two groups picked up a total of 84 bagfuls of trash, five tires, large bundles of rope and other bulky items. Park staff came in by boat to pick up the trash.
Lyons said the park will provide logistical support for any groups that want to adopt beaches, bays or trails in the national park on St. John or on Hassel Island in the St. Thomas harbor. It will arrange for transportation to Hassel Island if any group wants to take on that project. To volunteer or learn more, call Lyons at 779-4940.

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