March 3, 2003 – Friends and co-workers reacted with shock Monday to news of the death of Norma Shaw Kennedy (nee MacQueen.) She died Saturday afternoon in the intensive care unit of Roy L. Schneider Hospital, shortly after being admitted.
Originally from southern Philadelphia, she had lived on St. Thomas for 25 years and was an active member of the Virgin Islands community. She was well known for her zest for life.
She was a graduate of Temple University Nursing School in Philadelphia and worked as a registered nurse there. She was on the board of the visiting nurses' association, Red Cross and numerous civic organizations. She moved with her family to New Jersey where she was active in the Republican Party.
In 1978 she moved with her daughters to St. Thomas. She worked with the Red Cross blood bank on St. Thomas and as the territorial distributor for National Park Service books. For several years, she organized fashion shows for hotels and cruise ships featuring Jim Tillett silkscreened fabrics.
In 1987 she became the social director for Frenchman's Reef & Morningstar Beach Resorts (now Marriott Frenchman's Reef). Within a year she had developed "Weddings in Paradise" and she soon became known as the island's premier director of weddings. She managed more than 2,700 wedding events in her career. The business became such a successful part of the resort's operations that last year she was made the international spokeswoman for Marriott Weddings.
She was an active member of the Navy League, serving for many years as president of the League for St. Thomas-St. John, as state president for the Virgin Islands plus St. Martin, and then as regional vice president for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and St. Martin. She also worked with the USO and the St. Thomas Yacht Club and coordinated events with the Coast Guard on St. Thomas.
The mood was somber Monday at Frenchman's Reef, according to many workers there. General Manager John Peck said the hotel will hold a memorial service for Kennedy and will create a dedication to her "somewhere in the weddings area."
Although he is new to his position and knew Kennedy for only six months, Peck said he was impressed by her professionally and personally. She built the resort's wedding business up from a handful of couples a year to a business that brought in more than $2 million last year. She also became known throughout Marriott's 2,500 hotels worldwide as the wedding director.
Nick Pourzal, former general manager at the Reef, echoed those sentiments, calling Kennedy the "grandfather" of weddings in the Virgin Islands. "She was a dedicated, responsible manager (who) took ownership of whatever assignment, whatever responsibility she was given," he said.
She also was "an unusually loving and caring human being who in many instances put the well-being of others before her own," Pourzal said.
"She'd connect with people quickly," Peck said. She was "almost motherly." Her medical background showed as she inquired about co-workers' health, sometimes advised them to get care, or checked their blood pressure for them.
Melissa Bolger and her husband were so impressed by Kennedy when they were married at the Reef that they returned to live on St. Thomas. Kennedy helped them get jobs, introduced them to a real estate person, helped them get settled and "really just did everything for us."
"She had a terrific memory for names and people," said Dick Puig, a past president of the Navy League. She might meet someone as a junior officer, but she remembered him when he returned as a captain or an admiral — and he remembered her. Her fame in the Navy and organizations dealing with the Navy was not just regional but national.
Many of her friends and co-workers spoke of her contagious positive attitude.
"Norma was the most charismatic and fun-loving and glamorous person," said Brian Postle, head of sales for the Reef, who also called Kennedy his "best friend."
"If you were down," said a former co-worker, Vaden Vaterpool, "once you were around her, you felt up. She was one of the most energetic and loving persons I've known."
She was the daughter of Norman Shaw MacQueen (deceased) and Leah Dunlop MacQueen of Philadelphia.
She is survived by her mother; longtime companion Roland Georges; two daughters, Suzanne Kerner Abrams and Kimberle Kerner Tepper; grandchildren Matthew Abrams and Danielle Tepper; sons-in-law Andrew Abrams and Randy Tepper; brothers Norman and William MacQueen; sisters-in-law Patricia and Hannah MacQueen; and former husband William Kerner.
A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at Toppitzer Funeral Home/Arlington Cemetery Chapel at 2900 State Road, Drexel Hill, Pa. 19026.
Burial will be at the Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill.
Local arrangements are by John Thomas Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held locally March 16 at Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel. For more information, call Jessica Wagner at 715-6115, ext. 6303.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas 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.

All interested persons are hereby notified that in accordance with Section 717 Chapter 12 of Title 29, Virgin Islands Code, as amended, dealing with the Economic Development Commission, a Public Hearing on the following applications for tax exemption will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the Casino Control Commission Hearing Room, Orange Grove, St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands.
NAME: …………….TYPE: ……………….LOCATION:
1. Belair Quartz, Inc., Watch Manufacturing & *DSB (Extension & modification) St. Croix, V.I.
2. Spensyd Asset Management, LLLP *DSB- Manufacturing & Business Consulting Service (New) St. Thomas, V.I.
3. GO Corporate Service, LLLP *DSB-Management/Back Office Consulting Service (New) St. Croix, V.I.
4. Miller & Jacobs Capital, LLC *DSB-Management & Financial Consulting (New) St. Croix, V.I.
5. Allquest Mortgage Corporation *DSB-Management & Financial Consulting (New) St. Croix, V.I.
6. Allquest Administrative Services, LLLP *DSB-Management & Business Consulting Service (New) St. Croix, V.I.
7. Valance Co., Inc. *DSB-Management & Financial Consulting Service (New), St. Croix, V.I.
Any person, firm or corporation interested in the approval or disapproval of the applications may appear and be heard, provided that a written statement is submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Development Commission at least one day prior to the hearing at P.O. Box 223499 Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00822, (Phone) 773-6499 (Fax) 773-7701.
Frank Schulterbrandt, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer
* Designated Service Business

March 3, 2003 – The U.S. Coast Guard plans to make permanent a "security zone" rule implemented on a temporary basis a year ago that requires other vessels to stay at least 50 yards away from cruise ships entering, leaving, docked at or moored in the Charlotte Amalie harbor unless they have specific permission to get closer.
The security zone rule was instituted in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S. mainland. Lt. John Reinert of the Marine Safety Office detachment on St. Thomas said the reason for the rule is that vessels coming close to cruise ships could launch a terrorist attack.
Reinert noted the "security zone" distance equals half the length of a football field.
Daysail boats that pick up passengers off the cruise ships and certain other vessels are allowed to get close to the ships, he said, but they must be on a list provided to the Coast Guard by The West Indian Co.
Since the rule took effect in February 2002, there have been some violators, mainly dinghies and small boats, according to Reinert. "People said they didn't know about it," he said.
There will be no public hearing on making the rule permanent, but anyone wishing to comment can do so by writing to Commanding Officer, Marine Safety Office San Juan, PO Box 71526, San Juan, PR 00936. Comments also may be delivered in person to the commanding officer at the same Marine Safety Office, located on the fourth floor of the Rodriguez and Del Valle Building, Calle San Martin, Road 2, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The office is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except federal holidays.
To reach Reinert, call 776-3497.

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Rivendell is an elegant, old world style, Mediterranean villa in exclusive Peter Bay designed by Michael Oxman. Spacious tastefully appointed bedrooms with lovely balconies, overlooking the gracious covered outdoor dining terrace, palm fringed pool and courtyard and have sweeping views of the
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Detached guest wing offers privacy. Just a shaded two minute walk to the white sand beach. Offered at $4.5 million.
For more information e-mail Roger Harland at Tropical Properties at tropicalpropertiesvi@att.net.
For more listings from Tropical Properties click here.

March 3, 2003 — The NEW MOON on March 2 is occurs at 13 degrees Pisces. Each degree of the zodiac carries an image, called a Sabian symbol, which highlights its meaning and often shows up literally. The image for this New Moon is:
OLD WEAPONS IN A MUSEUM; IN A GLASS CASE, A SACRED SWORD
An interesting image for our time of threatening war drums. The sacred sword belongs to the spiritual warrior.
MAASAI WARRIOR
Here in St. John we have been honored this past week by the visit of a Maasai man named Kakuta. Around 30 years old, Kakuta has a strong, sweet and noble presence. Now carrying the beaded stick of a young elder, he was raised a warrior. At age 8, a Maasai boy takes on the responsibility of herding the cattle, of central importance in that African culture. The Maasai believe that the creator spirit originally sent cows down from the stars to the Maasai. She knew who would tend them the best. At age 15 the young men are initiated and sent into the hills for two years to learn self-sufficiency and to prepare for the hunt. The warriors protect the village. When a lion is too close to the village, a team of young men goes to kill the lion, putting their lives on the line. All they carry is a spear, their knowledge, self-confidence and courage. Each warrior crafts his own spear, which must be a solid and true one. Kakuta told of his lion hunt and the weeklong celebration that followed his successful return. Even then, a warrior does not eat in his mother's house. He is still responsible for taking care of himself, so he will not be dependent on woman in that way. The men most attractive to women are those who can jump the highest.
We can learn much from the Maasai. Western culture has no central and meaningful rituals into adulthood. I don't think we can count passing the driving test and getting your license as an equivalent! The military works for some, but has questionable values. Man as protector of home and family has a long tradition in human history. A man who knows his strength knows when to pull the sword from its sheath. Often it is enough that he places his hand on the sword handle, indicating his readiness to take action.
ORION is the Great Hunter of the Sky. A well-known constellation, Orion sails across the winter sky. A line of three stars marks his belt, and a smaller line of stars hangs down from the belt — Orion¹s sword or dagger. The second to last star on this sword is the hazy Orion nebula, a huge cloud of gas and dust where stars are being born. This is a powerful sword, then, a sword of birthing.
The Egyptians called this constellation OSIRIS, one of their greatest gods. They got sexier about that sword. Our tantric imagination might connect this star birthing cloud with life-giving semen. This sword represents man's virility to be used in a sacred manner.
The constellation PERSEUS is also pictured holding aloft a sword made of crystal. He has just cut off the head of Medusa, conquering his greatest fears. Can we take this New Moon sword and do the same?
Arthur attained his kinghood after pulling the goddess-given sword from the stone. Shall we take this New Moon sword out of the glass case in a similar way and wield it for peace, for love, for protection? The sword is used FOR, not AGAINST. As much as we say we want peace, if we are wielding the sword in anger against whomever we disagree with, then we are not marching for peace. This sacred sword of truth is of the heart.
This NEW MOON is in PISCES, a sign that is most attuned to the subtle energy fields that underlie the physical world. On these subtle planes, the spiritual sword could be our use of mind-power, like the diamond mind of Buddha, which pierces the illusion of fear, the soap bubbles of apparent reality. Let's consider this a COSMIC TUNE-UP MOON. Take out your spiritual sword and cut away the webs of illusion, confusion and glamour that muddy up your energy field. Let's turn up our radiance! Hint: feelings of joy are a great vehicle for charging up your life with heart. The energetic sword is the light frequency of your vibrational field. Increasing so, as …
The BIG NEWS this month — and this year — is that URANUS MOVES INTO PISCES on March 10. In its 84-year orbit, Uranus only changes sign every 7-8 years. It brings new trends, issues, themes and images into our collective consciousness. Watch the news, including the Uranian Internet circuits, for signs. Expect the unexpected with Uranus, the oddball planet that rotates on its side. We can imagine that these trends will be Piscean in nature, eliciting the high side and the low side. The planetary patterns on March 10 are intense; we're in for quite a ride — shake, rattle and roll. The Shakers were a mystical, religious sect that would shake with the energy of the spirit. We and the whole Earth are likely to do the same. The February-March issue of The Mountain Astrologer offers some exciting predictions about this time. Also check out www.stariq.comfor their take on this planetary shift.
All of this does not happen at once. Uranus goes so far into Pisces, then retrogrades back into Aquarius in the fall. In January 2004, we head fully into this seven-year phase. We are sailing on the cosmic seas and the wind is changing, so we have to tack. It takes until January 2004 to turn the boat in the new direction. A new Big Dream is emerging.
Go with the flow! Compassion is the name of the game. Truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, becomes more relative. Relativity, that is, like in physics, physical reality. Our reality is relative and can change in a heartbeat. That's why finding and living from our hearts is so essential. Find your passion, the kind motivated by beauty and truth. Beauty and joy are important keys in tuning up our frequency to move into this new cycle. The best scientists like beauty and elegance in their theories and mathematics (see the movie, A Beautiful Mind). Physicist Paul Dirac once said:
"It is more important to have beauty in one's equations than to have them fit experiments, because the discrepancy may be due to minor features which are not properly taken into account and which will get cleared up with further development of the theory. It seems that if one is working from the point of view of getting beauty in one's equations, and if one has a really sound instinct, one is on a sure line of success." (quoted by John Polkinghorne in "One World: the Interaction of Science and Theology")
This passion has a equal measure of equanimity. In his teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda suggested this mantra:
"I am calmly active. I am actively calm. I am a Prince of Peace sitting on the throne of poise, directing the kingdom of activity."
The New Moon waxes in this next two weeks. From a place of passionate peace, let us take up a powerful, life-giving song of the sacred sword.
SPECIAL ASTROLOGY OFFER: Find out where the Uranus change is happening in your chart. Certain circumstances in your life are about to change! Focused half-hour reading for $50.

Editor's note: Astrologer Kelley Hunter is a resident of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she leads stargazing nights. She is finishing her Ph.D. in cosmology and myth, and writing on Lilith and the Cosmic Feminine. She will be a speaker at the October 2003 conference of the International Society of Astrological Research in California. Check out her Web site: www.heliastar.com. To be on her e-mail list for monthly articles or for an astrology consultation, write her at kellhunter@earthlink.net.
An archive of Cosmic News Articles can be found in each Source in the Lifestyles/Advice section.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix 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 3, 2003 — The NEW MOON on March 2 is occurs at 13 degrees Pisces. Each degree of the zodiac carries an image, called a Sabian symbol, which highlights its meaning and often shows up literally. The image for this New Moon is:
OLD WEAPONS IN A MUSEUM; IN A GLASS CASE, A SACRED SWORD
An interesting image for our time of threatening war drums. The sacred sword belongs to the spiritual warrior.
MAASAI WARRIOR
Here in St. John we have been honored this past week by the visit of a Maasai man named Kakuta. Around 30 years old, Kakuta has a strong, sweet and noble presence. Now carrying the beaded stick of a young elder, he was raised a warrior. At age 8, a Maasai boy takes on the responsibility of herding the cattle, of central importance in that African culture. The Maasai believe that the creator spirit originally sent cows down from the stars to the Maasai. She knew who would tend them the best. At age 15 the young men are initiated and sent into the hills for two years to learn self-sufficiency and to prepare for the hunt. The warriors protect the village. When a lion is too close to the village, a team of young men goes to kill the lion, putting their lives on the line. All they carry is a spear, their knowledge, self-confidence and courage. Each warrior crafts his own spear, which must be a solid and true one. Kakuta told of his lion hunt and the weeklong celebration that followed his successful return. Even then, a warrior does not eat in his mother's house. He is still responsible for taking care of himself, so he will not be dependent on woman in that way. The men most attractive to women are those who can jump the highest.
We can learn much from the Maasai. Western culture has no central and meaningful rituals into adulthood. I don't think we can count passing the driving test and getting your license as an equivalent! The military works for some, but has questionable values. Man as protector of home and family has a long tradition in human history. A man who knows his strength knows when to pull the sword from its sheath. Often it is enough that he places his hand on the sword handle, indicating his readiness to take action.
ORION is the Great Hunter of the Sky. A well-known constellation, Orion sails across the winter sky. A line of three stars marks his belt, and a smaller line of stars hangs down from the belt — Orion¹s sword or dagger. The second to last star on this sword is the hazy Orion nebula, a huge cloud of gas and dust where stars are being born. This is a powerful sword, then, a sword of birthing.
The Egyptians called this constellation OSIRIS, one of their greatest gods. They got sexier about that sword. Our tantric imagination might connect this star birthing cloud with life-giving semen. This sword represents man's virility to be used in a sacred manner.
The constellation PERSEUS is also pictured holding aloft a sword made of crystal. He has just cut off the head of Medusa, conquering his greatest fears. Can we take this New Moon sword and do the same?
Arthur attained his kinghood after pulling the goddess-given sword from the stone. Shall we take this New Moon sword out of the glass case in a similar way and wield it for peace, for love, for protection? The sword is used FOR, not AGAINST. As much as we say we want peace, if we are wielding the sword in anger against whomever we disagree with, then we are not marching for peace. This sacred sword of truth is of the heart.
This NEW MOON is in PISCES, a sign that is most attuned to the subtle energy fields that underlie the physical world. On these subtle planes, the spiritual sword could be our use of mind-power, like the diamond mind of Buddha, which pierces the illusion of fear, the soap bubbles of apparent reality. Let's consider this a COSMIC TUNE-UP MOON. Take out your spiritual sword and cut away the webs of illusion, confusion and glamour that muddy up your energy field. Let's turn up our radiance! Hint: feelings of joy are a great vehicle for charging up your life with heart. The energetic sword is the light frequency of your vibrational field. Increasing so, as …
The BIG NEWS this month — and this year — is that URANUS MOVES INTO PISCES on March 10. In its 84-year orbit, Uranus only changes sign every 7-8 years. It brings new trends, issues, themes and images into our collective consciousness. Watch the news, including the Uranian Internet circuits, for signs. Expect the unexpected with Uranus, the oddball planet that rotates on its side. We can imagine that these trends will be Piscean in nature, eliciting the high side and the low side. The planetary patterns on March 10 are intense; we're in for quite a ride — shake, rattle and roll. The Shakers were a mystical, religious sect that would shake with the energy of the spirit. We and the whole Earth are likely to do the same. The February-March issue of The Mountain Astrologer offers some exciting predictions about this time. Also check out www.stariq.comfor their take on this planetary shift.
All of this does not happen at once. Uranus goes so far into Pisces, then retrogrades back into Aquarius in the fall. In January 2004, we head fully into this seven-year phase. We are sailing on the cosmic seas and the wind is changing, so we have to tack. It takes until January 2004 to turn the boat in the new direction. A new Big Dream is emerging.
Go with the flow! Compassion is the name of the game. Truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, becomes more relative. Relativity, that is, like in physics, physical reality. Our reality is relative and can change in a heartbeat. That's why finding and living from our hearts is so essential. Find your passion, the kind motivated by beauty and truth. Beauty and joy are important keys in tuning up our frequency to move into this new cycle. The best scientists like beauty and elegance in their theories and mathematics (see the movie, A Beautiful Mind). Physicist Paul Dirac once said:
"It is more important to have beauty in one's equations than to have them fit experiments, because the discrepancy may be due to minor features which are not properly taken into account and which will get cleared up with further development of the theory. It seems that if one is working from the point of view of getting beauty in one's equations, and if one has a really sound instinct, one is on a sure line of success." (quoted by John Polkinghorne in "One World: the Interaction of Science and Theology")
This passion has a equal measure of equanimity. In his teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda suggested this mantra:
"I am calmly active. I am actively calm. I am a Prince of Peace sitting on the throne of poise, directing the kingdom of activity."
The New Moon waxes in this next two weeks. From a place of passionate peace, let us take up a powerful, life-giving song of the sacred sword.
SPECIAL ASTROLOGY OFFER: Find out where the Uranus change is happening in your chart. Certain circumstances in your life are about to change! Focused half-hour reading for $50.

Editor's note: Astrologer Kelley Hunter is a resident of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she leads stargazing nights. She is finishing her Ph.D. in cosmology and myth, and writing on Lilith and the Cosmic Feminine. She will be a speaker at the October 2003 conference of the International Society of Astrological Research in California. Check out her Web site: www.heliastar.com. To be on her e-mail list for monthly articles or for an astrology consultation, write her at kellhunter@earthlink.net.
An archive of Cosmic News Articles can be found in each Source in the Lifestyles/Advice section.

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

March 3, 2003 — The NEW MOON on March 2 is occurs at 13 degrees Pisces. Each degree of the zodiac carries an image, called a Sabian symbol, which highlights its meaning and often shows up literally. The image for this New Moon is:
OLD WEAPONS IN A MUSEUM; IN A GLASS CASE, A SACRED SWORD
An interesting image for our time of threatening war drums. The sacred sword belongs to the spiritual warrior.
MAASAI WARRIOR
Here in St. John we have been honored this past week by the visit of a Maasai man named Kakuta. Around 30 years old, Kakuta has a strong, sweet and noble presence. Now carrying the beaded stick of a young elder, he was raised a warrior. At age 8, a Maasai boy takes on the responsibility of herding the cattle, of central importance in that African culture. The Maasai believe that the creator spirit originally sent cows down from the stars to the Maasai. She knew who would tend them the best. At age 15 the young men are initiated and sent into the hills for two years to learn self-sufficiency and to prepare for the hunt. The warriors protect the village. When a lion is too close to the village, a team of young men go to kill the lion, putting their lives on the line. All they carry is a spear, their knowledge, self-confidence and courage. Each warrior crafts his own spear, which must be a solid and true one. Kakuta told of his lion hunt and the weeklong celebration that followed his successful return. Even then, a warrior does not eat in his mother's house. He is still responsible for taking care of himself, so he will not be dependent on woman in that way. The men most attractive to women are those who can jump the highest.
We can learn much from the Maasai. Western culture has no central and meaningful rituals into adulthood. I don't think we can count passing the driving test and getting your license as an equivalent! The military works for some, but has questionable values. Man as protector of home and family has a long tradition in human history. A man who knows his strength knows when to pull the sword from its sheath. Often it is enough that he places his hand on the sword handle, indicating his readiness to take action.
ORION is the Great Hunter of the Sky. A well-known constellation, Orion sails across the winter sky. A line of three stars marks his belt, and a smaller line of stars hangs down from the belt — Orion¹s sword or dagger. The second to last star on this sword is the hazy Orion nebula, a huge cloud of gas and dust where stars are being born. This is a powerful sword, then, a sword of birthing.
The Egyptians called this constellation OSIRIS, one of their greatest gods. They got sexier about that sword. Our tantric imagination might connect this star birthing cloud with life-giving semen. This sword represents man's virility to be used in a sacred manner.
The constellation PERSEUS is also pictured holding aloft a sword made of crystal. He has just cut off the head of Medusa, conquering his greatest fears. Can we take this New Moon sword and do the same?
Arthur attained his kinghood after pulling the goddess-given sword from the stone. Shall we take this New Moon sword out of the glass case in a similar way and wield it for peace, for love, for protection? The sword is used FOR, not AGAINST. As much as we say we want peace, if we are wielding the sword in anger against whomever we disagree with, then we are not marching for peace. This sacred sword of truth is of the heart.
This NEW MOON is in PISCES, a sign that is most attuned to the subtle energy fields that underlie the physical world. On these subtle planes, the spiritual sword could be our use of mind-power, like the diamond mind of Buddha, which pierces the illusion of fear, the soap bubbles of apparent reality. Let's consider this a COSMIC TUNE-UP MOON. Take out your spiritual sword and cut away the webs of illusion, confusion and glamour that muddy up your energy field. Let's turn up our radiance! Hint: feelings of joy are a great vehicle for charging up your life with heart. The energetic sword is the light frequency of your vibrational field. Increasing so, as …
The BIG NEWS this month — and this year — is that URANUS MOVES INTO PISCES on March 10. In its 84-year orbit, Uranus only changes sign every 7-8 years. It brings new trends, issues, themes and images into our collective consciousness. Watch the news, including the Uranian Internet circuits, for signs. Expect the unexpected with Uranus, the oddball planet that rotates on its side. We can imagine that these trends will be Piscean in nature, eliciting the high side and the low side. The planetary patterns on March 10 are intense; we're in for quite a ride — shake, rattle and roll. The Shakers were a mystical, religious sect that would shake with the energy of the spirit. We and the whole Earth are likely to do the same. The February-March issue of The Mountain Astrologer offers some exciting predictions about this time. Also check out www.stariq.comfor their take on this planetary shift.
All of this does not happen at once. Uranus goes so far into Pisces, then retrogrades back into Aquarius in the fall. In January 2004, we head fully into this seven-year phase. We are sailing on the cosmic seas and the wind is changing, so we have to tack. It takes until January 2004 to turn the boat in the new direction. A new Big Dream is emerging.
Go with the flow! Compassion is the name of the game. Truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, becomes more relative. Relativity, that is, like in physics, physical reality. Our reality is relative and can change in a heartbeat. That's why finding and living from our hearts is so essential. Find your passion, the kind motivated by beauty and truth. Beauty and joy are important keys in tuning up our frequency to move into this new cycle. The best scientists like beauty and elegance in their theories and mathematics (see the movie, A Beautiful Mind). Physicist Paul Dirac once said:
"It is more important to have beauty in one's equations than to have them fit experiments, because the discrepancy may be due to minor features which are not properly taken into account and which will get cleared up with further development of the theory. It seems that if one is working from the point of view of getting beauty in one's equations, and if one has a really sound instinct, one is on a sure line of success." (quoted by John Polkinghorne in "One World: the Interaction of Science and Theology")
This passion has a equal measure of equanimity. In his teachings, Paramahansa Yogananda suggested this mantra:
"I am calmly active. I am actively calm. I am a Prince of Peace sitting on the throne of poise, directing the kingdom of activity."
The New Moon waxes in this next two weeks. From a place of passionate peace, let us take up a powerful, life-giving song of the sacred sword.
SPECIAL ASTROLOGY OFFER: Find out where the Uranus change is happening in your chart. Certain circumstances in your life are about to change! Focused half-hour reading for $50.

Editor's note: Astrologer Kelley Hunter is a resident of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she leads stargazing nights. She is finishing her Ph.D. in cosmology and myth, and writing on Lilith and the Cosmic Feminine. She will be a speaker at the October 2003 conference of the International Society of Astrological Research in California. Check out her Web site: www.heliastar.com. To be on her e-mail list for monthly articles or for an astrology consultation, write her at kellhunter@earthlink.net.
An archive of Cosmic News Articles can be found in each Source in the Lifestyles/Advice section.

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

All members and prospective members of the Virgin Islands Retired Police Organization are invited to a general membership meeting at Palms Court Harbor View Hotel.Important issues are to be discussed.

March 3, 2003 – Organizers of a victims' rights march to be held Monday evening in downtown St. Thomas say they want to mobilize public concern about the sexual assault of women and children in the community.
The immediate focus of the march is last week's home invasion, rape and attempted murder of a woman in Hospital Ground. Those wanting to take part are asked to assemble at the GERS Building by 5 p.m. for a procession to Emancipation Garden, where a rally will take place.
"Our community needs to support that there is no excuse for sexual assault on our shores," Michal Rhymer-Charles, executive director of Family Resource Center, said Monday morning. The center is sponsoring the march and rally.
Rhymer-Charles said one issue to be raised at the rally is V.I. Justice Department handling of youthful offenders in sexual assault cases. Police say that Michael Turbe, the 20-year-old man charged in connection with last week's assault, was released from jail in January after prosecutors dropped charges against him in connection with the rape of an 11-year-old girl.
Much of the work of Family Resource Center involves victims of domestic violence, but the agency's counselors and volunteers also work with victims of sexual assault and other crimes.
Rhymer-Charles said she is hoping the public will be galvanized by the nature of last week's assault, putting themselves in the place of any woman coming home in broad daylight to find a predator in the house.
Police said the woman's assailant broke into her residence and accosted her when she came home early last Wednesday afternoon. They said the attacker raped her repeatedly, held her for ransom and then stabbed her multiple times and slashed her throat after a friend brought the money he demanded.

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March 2, 2003 – A U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals judicial panel has rejected the V.I. government's argument that a lawsuit in District Court challenging the territory's manner of assessing commercial properties for tax purposes should be thrown out because the federal court lacks jurisdiction in the matter.
The three-judge panel ruled that the plaintiff, Equivest St. Thomas Inc., "properly alleged a violation of a federal requirement." Equivest is the corporate owner of three St. Thomas hotels — Bluebeard's Castle, Bluebeard's Beach Club (once known at Limetree) and Elysian Beach Resort.
The Circuit Court opinion was filed on Friday, the same day that Gov. Charles W. Turnbull announced his signing into law of a bill calling for commercial property taxes to be assessed for 2001 through 2004 on the basis of 1999 valuations. (See "Governor signs special session bills into law".)
The appellate opinion upholds the authority of District Judge Thomas K. Moore, who is currently hearing a consolidated case of 11 property owners challenging the V.I. government's tax assessments for 2000 on the same basis as that argued by Equivest, and before that, by Berne Corp.
In the landmark case brought against the V.I. government in District Court by St. Thomas businessman Gary Berne, a settlement was reached in December 2000 calling for a Special Master to be appointed to oversee reforms in the Tax Collector's Office. The terms of the settlement were sealed. However, Tax Assessor Roy Martin has said he cannot implement the reforms without a bigger budget.
The case brought by Bluebeard's Castle Inc. and Castle Acquisitions Inc., which were later consolidated into Equivest, advanced the same argument as Berne had: challenging the government's assessing of commercial property for 2000 tax purposes on the basis of replacement value, not actual market value. The government's total assessment of the properties was $98.4 million, resulting in a tax bill of about $740,000. They had been appraised independently in 1999 for $38.2 million and actually sold that year for $22.5 million.
In the Equivest case, Moore issued a preliminary injunction last year to prevent the territory from collecting property taxes against the three hotels "until the tax assessor can establish at a trial on the merits that the property taxes on those properties have been assessed on their actual value."
The Circuit Court of Appeals opinion was rendered by Judges Samuel A. Alito Jr., Marjorie Rendell and Anthony Joseph Scirica. Nandi Sekou and Kerry Drue of the Attorney General's Office represented the V.I. government. Simone R.D. Francis, Chad C. Messier and William S. McConnell of Dudley Topper and Feuerzeig represented Equivest.
In their opinion, the jurists said the appeal involved their addressing "the special relationship between federal and territorial law." They wrote: "The District Court enjoined the Virgin Islands tax assessor from employing a certain tax-assessment method, concluding it violated federal law. Contending that any claims can only arise under territorial law, the government of the Virgin Islands maintains the District Court lacked federal subject-matter jurisdiction. We hold that plaintiff has properly pled a federal claim."
The V.I. government also argued in its appeal that Moore abused his discretion in rejecting its argument that the injunction should be denied because Equivest had "failed to pursue avenues for relief within the Virgin Islands and insufficiently cooperated with Virgin Islands officials." The appellate panel found "no abuse of discretion."
The opinion notes that the V.I. government "does not contest the District Court's resolution of the merits" of the Equivest lawsuit. It also states that Martin said the territory "primarily employed replacement-cost value and declaration value in assessing the properties, methods he conceded do not reflect fair market value."
Equivest also contends that the government is in breach of the Berne case settlement.
The panel affirmed Moore's preliminary injunction and remanded the case back to District Court for further proceedings.
Amid ongoing cases, a new law
Meanwhile, on Feb. 19, in court for the consolidated case of the 11 property owners, Moore took issue with Turnbull's submitting of his bill to proceed with tax assessments using the 1999 valuations. All of the cases challenging the government's assessment procedures have to do with 2000 property taxes. Moore accused the governor of seeking to circumvent his order against issuing any more tax bills until the current challenge is adjudicated.
In the first week of February, Turnbull called the Legislature into special session to act on his bill to assess commercial properties for 2001-2004 on the basis of 1999 valuations, and on Feb. 12 the Senate passed the measure. That's the bill the governor signed last week.
The governor cited an opinion from Attorney General Iver Stridiron that if the law were to be changed as Turnbull proposed, "there would be no violation of the current settlement agreement, and the government would still be able to continue … sending out corrected commercial real property tax bills until such time as new guidelines are implemented."
Last November, the governor told the Senate that "no 2001 commercial real property tax bills have been issued by the tax assessor due to concern that the court case V.I. Berne Corp. et al. vs. the Government of the V.I. prohibited the government from issuing tax bills until such time as the tax assessor develops and correctly implements uniform appraisal standards."
Martin said last September that his office would have to reassess all commercial properties because of a ruling by Moore in August that some 25 commercial property owners did not have to meet the Aug. 30 deadline for paying their 2001 taxes pending the court's determination of whether those bills were proper. Martin said then that his office was working on the reappraisals, to apply to 2002 taxes, and that what to do regarding the 2001 taxes "hasn't been decided."
In July, Martin had testified at a budget hearing that tax revenues for the territory's 1,500 commercial properties assessed on the basis of replacement value would be $9 million to $10 million for 2002, but based on market value, they could be as little as $7 million.
A "hybrid federal/territorial" tax system
The Circuit Court opinion noted that property taxes are generally governed by state law but further noted that "the Virgin Islands is not a state; it is a territory subject to Congress's broad power" under the Constitution to govern territories. And as a territory, it "does not share with the states the same sovereign independence."
Were it a state, the judges said, "the District Court may have been subject to" federal law providing that "the district courts shall not enjoin, suspend or restrain the assessment, levy or collection of any tax under state law where a plain, speedy and efficient remedy may be had in the courts of such state."
Specifically, in 1936 Congress provided that "all taxes on real property in the Virgin Islands shall be computed on the basis of the actual value of such property" and also that they be uniformly assessed. (Historically, the appellate opinion states, Congress took the action "to replace a system viewed as encouraging unproductive use of land" by taxing such land at a very low rate. "It was thought that federal legislation was needed, as the local legislature was unlikely to pass a change to a value-based tax system," the jurists wrote.)
Federal statute, the circuit panel said, provides that "the general requirements are set by the federal government, with specif ics established as a matter of territorial law consistent with federal law."
The V.I. government argued that the federal statute was supplanted in 1955 when a territorial real property assessment law was passed. The appellate panel rejected this argument, saying expiratory language in the 1936 law applies only to specific requirements, not to general ones, including that tax be computed on the "actual value" of property. "Congress's intent to enter this area of law suffers from no ambiguity," the jurists said.
Further, they said, "the tax system is not a state tax system, nor is it entirely a territorial tax system. It is partially a federal tax system, and it is not apparent that the federal government should adopt a hands-off approach to the federal aspects of a hybrid federal/territorial system."
But at the same time, they said, it has been the choice of Congress "to treat Virgin Islands law — including its taxation regime — with much of the independence of state law."
Equivest's case is properly before the federal court, the panel said, not because it is protesting the government's "actual value" dollar figure but because it is arguing that "the assessment method does not constitute a reasonable attempt to determine the actual value."
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