Two brothers, natives of St. Thomas, have spent the past week in a Georgia jail awaiting extradition to Orlando, Fla., where they are expected to stand trial on murder charges in connection with the deaths of an Orlando-area resident and her niece, also from St. Thomas.
The Orlando Sentinel reported Friday that David Sylvester Francis, 20, and Elvis Thomas Francis, 16, were arrested Tuesday in the Atlanta area after they were seen driving a Mazda 626 owned by Helena Mills.
Mills, 41, and her niece JoAnna Charles, 16, were found dead, apparently strangled, in the bathroom of Mills' apartment Nov. 6, the Sentinel said.
Pedro Ruz Guttierez, who reported the story for the Sentinel, said there was nothing discovered thus far that suggested a direct history between the victims and the suspects, but he said that Mills knew the Francis brothers' mother, Gleneth Byron, from their high school days on St. Thomas.
Byron, 46, had recently moved to Orlando to be near her friend Mills. The Sentinel said Byron had argued with her sons some time before the killings and asked them to move out.
Det. Reggie Campbell of the Orlando police homicide unit told Guttierez that the brothers saw Mills and her niece as "easy victims."
Campbell said the victims were attacked and strangled in Mills' home in the Rosemont neighborhood and were robbed of a video-game machine and a medallion with JoAnna Charles name on it. Police later recovered the items, which had been pawned, the Sentinel reported.
The Francis brothers are charged with first-degree murder, auto theft and robbery.
MAIN STREET MIRACLE SLATED FOR FRIDAY
It happens every year around this time. Stores stay open long after the last cruise ship sounds its horn to signal the end of a day. Steel pan music fills the air, decorative lights brighten the streets and alleyways, and people by the thousands flock to downtown Charlotte Amalie, transformed into a pedestrian paradise.
It's known as the Miracle on Main Street, and it's how the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce celebrates the holidays. Now in its ninth year, the event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 15th.
It's known as the Miracle on Main Street, and it's how the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce celebrates the holidays. Now in its ninth year, the event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 15th.
MAIN STREET MIRACLE SLATED FOR FRIDAY
It happens every year around this time. Stores stay open long after the last cruise ship sounds its horn to signal the end of a day. Steel pan music fills the air, decorative lights brighten the streets and alleyways, and people by the thousands flock to downtown Charlotte Amalie, transformed into a pedestrian paradise.
It's known as the Miracle on Main Street, and it's how the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce celebrates the holidays. Now in its ninth year, the event is scheduled for Friday.
"This year the committee is going to great extremes to insure a truly wonderful event," said Chamber executive director, Joe Aubain. A full day of activities begins at 7 a.m. with the opening of a farmer's market and crafts fair at the Rothschild Francis "Market" Square. It ends with a bang; a lighted boat parade in the Charlotte Amalie harbor at 9 p.m.
"We're really excited to have the farmer's market and the boat parade for the first time this year," said Priscilla Hintz, event chairperson. She said they expect to have at least 12 boats participating in what in the past has been an annual Christmas light contest among a small group of boaters. The boats will parade from Frenchtown to the Coast Guard dock and back around.
Main Street will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. to allow for entertainment; local bands, mocko jumbies and cultural dancers, who will perform throughout the day and into the evening. Children can enjoy chalk drawing on the street and a booth set up by Kids in Business, a group of young entrepreneurs vending toys, balloons and painting faces. In the evening hours, there will be a visit from a special Caribbean Santa. Downtown stores will stay open until 9 p.m.
People can look forward to performances by the Interdenominational Choir and Antilles Bell Choir at Emancipation Gardens. The V.I. Housing Authority Steel Band, BCB Burning Blazers and Montessori Meteors are a few of the youth steel pan groups who will perform on Main Street. Also, look out for all-time favorites Milo's Kings, Imagi and the Mungo Niles Cultural Dancers.
The event is sponsored by "The Best Beers in the World" distributed by Bellows International.
For more information, contact the Chamber at 776-0100.
It's known as the Miracle on Main Street, and it's how the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce celebrates the holidays. Now in its ninth year, the event is scheduled for Friday.
"This year the committee is going to great extremes to insure a truly wonderful event," said Chamber executive director, Joe Aubain. A full day of activities begins at 7 a.m. with the opening of a farmer's market and crafts fair at the Rothschild Francis "Market" Square. It ends with a bang; a lighted boat parade in the Charlotte Amalie harbor at 9 p.m.
"We're really excited to have the farmer's market and the boat parade for the first time this year," said Priscilla Hintz, event chairperson. She said they expect to have at least 12 boats participating in what in the past has been an annual Christmas light contest among a small group of boaters. The boats will parade from Frenchtown to the Coast Guard dock and back around.
Main Street will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. to allow for entertainment; local bands, mocko jumbies and cultural dancers, who will perform throughout the day and into the evening. Children can enjoy chalk drawing on the street and a booth set up by Kids in Business, a group of young entrepreneurs vending toys, balloons and painting faces. In the evening hours, there will be a visit from a special Caribbean Santa. Downtown stores will stay open until 9 p.m.
People can look forward to performances by the Interdenominational Choir and Antilles Bell Choir at Emancipation Gardens. The V.I. Housing Authority Steel Band, BCB Burning Blazers and Montessori Meteors are a few of the youth steel pan groups who will perform on Main Street. Also, look out for all-time favorites Milo's Kings, Imagi and the Mungo Niles Cultural Dancers.
The event is sponsored by "The Best Beers in the World" distributed by Bellows International.
For more information, contact the Chamber at 776-0100.
5-YEAR PLAN: MO' BETTER MONEY FROM U.S. GRANTS
Approximately one-fourth of the Virgin Islands' total General Fund comes directly from federal grant money. It is the single largest source of funds after income taxes—which some might argue is also federal money since residents fulfill their federal income tax obligation by paying into the territory's mirror system.
The Departments of Education, Health and Human Services are the biggest recipients, accounting for about two-thirds of the federal grants in the territory.
Over the past five years, the local government has come to rely more and more heavily on federal grants to balance the books. In 1997 federal grants totaled $73.7 million and represented 16.7 percent of the budget. Just two years later, it was 1-1/2 times that percentage, $107.47 million and 24.9 percent of the budget.
Up to 1,700 V.I. government employees are actually paid in whole or in part with federal grant money. Procurement of goods and services for federal programs creates another 1,200 jobs in the private sector.
This kind of statistic convinced the framers of the Five Year Operating and Strategic Financial Plan to consider federal grants in a separate chapter and to make numerous recommendations about how to utilize them—and how to get even more of them.
The plan recommends the creation of a Federal Grants Management Unit to coordinate grant requests and compliance. Noting the tight fiscal constraints under which the local government is operating, it says the function should remain for now where it is, within the Office of Management and Budget, and be staffed with existing OMB employees. However, it "should be elevated to a level commensurate with the overall federal grants activity" in the territory.
The Federal Grants Management Unit also would be charged with coordinating compliance with grant requirements and the timely drawing down of funds.
Currently, there is little centralized management of federal grants and their management typically falls to the individual departments and agencies that are utilizing them. "Many of the grant recipient agencies in the government do not understand the need for submitting timely reports," the plan states. And while most develop expenditure schedules at the beginning of the grant process, "they are generally not followed."
The result is a potential loss of federal funds. In 1997, for example, the federal government awarded grants totaling $88.7 million to the Virgin Islands government. Only $73.7 million of that money was spent. "It is not clear" what portion, if any, of the unused funds could be used in subsequent years.
While increased employment is a positive side effect of federal grants, the plan cautions that care must be taken to keep the employment cost from sliding onto the local government. Often, the V.I. government has picked up the costs of fringe benefits for federally paid employees, and often the people in those jobs have sidestepped onto the local payroll once the grant monies ran out. The plan proposes that the Federal Grants Management Unit help prevent those practices.
Other recommendations in the plan include:
– Introduce a Real Time computerized cash management in the Finance Department in order to manage draw downs, vendor payments, cost monitoring and control, cost accounting and financial reporting;
– Create a separate centralized procurement system with Property and Procurement for federally funded services and programs;
– Develop a methodology for recovering the indirect costs of federal grants, such as reimbursement for the extra time it takes to process purchases under a federal program;
– Develop standardized reporting formats for departments and agencies using federal grants.
The Five Year Plan also recommends that the government create a Federal Grants Development Office within the Office of the Governor. It would be responsible for seeking out new sources of grant money, especially by working with local nonprofits. The task force that drafted the plan believed there are more opportunities in economic development studies, environmental protection, clean energy development, solid waste management and planning and other areas.
"Based on the preliminary discussions held by the task force with selected federal agencies, it is conceivable that the U.S. Virgin Islands could obtain additional federal grants in the amount of up to $55 million during the period FY 2001-FY 2004," according to the plan.
The Departments of Education, Health and Human Services are the biggest recipients, accounting for about two-thirds of the federal grants in the territory.
Over the past five years, the local government has come to rely more and more heavily on federal grants to balance the books. In 1997 federal grants totaled $73.7 million and represented 16.7 percent of the budget. Just two years later, it was 1-1/2 times that percentage, $107.47 million and 24.9 percent of the budget.
Up to 1,700 V.I. government employees are actually paid in whole or in part with federal grant money. Procurement of goods and services for federal programs creates another 1,200 jobs in the private sector.
This kind of statistic convinced the framers of the Five Year Operating and Strategic Financial Plan to consider federal grants in a separate chapter and to make numerous recommendations about how to utilize them—and how to get even more of them.
The plan recommends the creation of a Federal Grants Management Unit to coordinate grant requests and compliance. Noting the tight fiscal constraints under which the local government is operating, it says the function should remain for now where it is, within the Office of Management and Budget, and be staffed with existing OMB employees. However, it "should be elevated to a level commensurate with the overall federal grants activity" in the territory.
The Federal Grants Management Unit also would be charged with coordinating compliance with grant requirements and the timely drawing down of funds.
Currently, there is little centralized management of federal grants and their management typically falls to the individual departments and agencies that are utilizing them. "Many of the grant recipient agencies in the government do not understand the need for submitting timely reports," the plan states. And while most develop expenditure schedules at the beginning of the grant process, "they are generally not followed."
The result is a potential loss of federal funds. In 1997, for example, the federal government awarded grants totaling $88.7 million to the Virgin Islands government. Only $73.7 million of that money was spent. "It is not clear" what portion, if any, of the unused funds could be used in subsequent years.
While increased employment is a positive side effect of federal grants, the plan cautions that care must be taken to keep the employment cost from sliding onto the local government. Often, the V.I. government has picked up the costs of fringe benefits for federally paid employees, and often the people in those jobs have sidestepped onto the local payroll once the grant monies ran out. The plan proposes that the Federal Grants Management Unit help prevent those practices.
Other recommendations in the plan include:
– Introduce a Real Time computerized cash management in the Finance Department in order to manage draw downs, vendor payments, cost monitoring and control, cost accounting and financial reporting;
– Create a separate centralized procurement system with Property and Procurement for federally funded services and programs;
– Develop a methodology for recovering the indirect costs of federal grants, such as reimbursement for the extra time it takes to process purchases under a federal program;
– Develop standardized reporting formats for departments and agencies using federal grants.
The Five Year Plan also recommends that the government create a Federal Grants Development Office within the Office of the Governor. It would be responsible for seeking out new sources of grant money, especially by working with local nonprofits. The task force that drafted the plan believed there are more opportunities in economic development studies, environmental protection, clean energy development, solid waste management and planning and other areas.
"Based on the preliminary discussions held by the task force with selected federal agencies, it is conceivable that the U.S. Virgin Islands could obtain additional federal grants in the amount of up to $55 million during the period FY 2001-FY 2004," according to the plan.
NO ARRESTS IN SPATE OF WEEKEND ROBBERIES
Police have made no arrests in a string of five weekend robberies on St. Thomas.
At 6 p.m. Friday, an employee of the Foot Locker store at Lockhart Gardens reported she was robbed. Later that night, a Bovoni woman told police she was held up at gunpoint, and in a third incident a woman was reportedly robbed by three masked men in the vicinity of the Super Pool Bar in Smith Bay. Early Saturday morning, a man told police he was robbed around midnight in Smith Bay.
On Sunday morning, a man notified police of a robbery and car-jacking incident involving his wife.
Police officials on Sunday said the robberies were unrelated and asked the community for assistance. Anyone with information on the robbery incidents should contact police detectives at 774-4050, the emergency number 911 or the confidential crime line at 777-8711.
At 6 p.m. Friday, an employee of the Foot Locker store at Lockhart Gardens reported she was robbed. Later that night, a Bovoni woman told police she was held up at gunpoint, and in a third incident a woman was reportedly robbed by three masked men in the vicinity of the Super Pool Bar in Smith Bay. Early Saturday morning, a man told police he was robbed around midnight in Smith Bay.
On Sunday morning, a man notified police of a robbery and car-jacking incident involving his wife.
Police officials on Sunday said the robberies were unrelated and asked the community for assistance. Anyone with information on the robbery incidents should contact police detectives at 774-4050, the emergency number 911 or the confidential crime line at 777-8711.
YOUNG RUNNERS BURN UP METRIC MILE RACE
School runners dominated the participation in the annual St. Croix Metric Mile Road Race Saturday afternoon on the flat, point-to-point course in Estate Upper Love.
Lawrence Lockhart made it two in a row in the four-race "Run Like the Wind" Road Race Series. His winning time was 4 minutes 10 seconds. Second place went to Lockhart's younger brother, Amali, in 4:40:19; third was Andrew Davidson in 4:40.33; fourth was Ruben Gomez Jr. in 4:46.56 and fifth was Ramon Almistica in 5:01.32.
Most of the high school runners are members of the track team at the St. Croix Educational Complex. Sherma Aurelien was the first place female in 5:21.02; Evalise Gomez second in 5:27.17; third Xiamara Gomez 5:38.50; fourth Earthla Arthur 5:42.85; fifth Jawana Goodwin 5:43.26.
The Finishers Male: 1. Lawrence Lockhart 4:10.04; 2. Amali Lockhart Complex HS 4:40.19; 3. Andrew Davidson Complex HS 4:40.38; 4. Ruben Gomez Complex HS 4:46.56; 5. Ramon Almistica Complex HS 5:01.32; 6. Ernest Jalim Woodson JHS 5:37.74; 7. J'kinde Goodwin STX TC; 6:07.63; 8. Junuru Goodwin STX TC 6:07.63; 9. Eugene Briscoe E.Rivera ES 6:46.27; 10. Justin Hitesman E.Rivera ES 6:47.28; 11. Alex Bradbury 6:51.54; 12. Kent Bradbury 6:52.70; 13. Joshan Lang E.Rivera ES 8:38.57
The Finishers Female: 1. Sherma Aurelien Complex HS 5:21.02; 2. Evalise Gomez Complex HS 5:27.17; 3. Xiamara Gomez Complex HS 5:38.50; 4. Earthla Arthur Complex HS (Teacher) 5:42.85; 5. Jawana Goodwin STX TC 5:43.26; 6. Latoya Samuel Complex HS 6:02.86; 7. J'Kiwa Goodwin STX TC 6:37.46; 8. Tasia Eddy E.Rivera ES 8:01.26; 9. Chetoya Brown E.Rivera ES 8:39.83
The next race on the V.I.Pace Runners schedule is the annual Cane Bay 5 Mile Road Race on Saturday December 16. Race starts at Cane Bay beach at 7 a.m.
For more information call V.I. Pace Runners at 777-0258 or click here.
Lawrence Lockhart made it two in a row in the four-race "Run Like the Wind" Road Race Series. His winning time was 4 minutes 10 seconds. Second place went to Lockhart's younger brother, Amali, in 4:40:19; third was Andrew Davidson in 4:40.33; fourth was Ruben Gomez Jr. in 4:46.56 and fifth was Ramon Almistica in 5:01.32.
Most of the high school runners are members of the track team at the St. Croix Educational Complex. Sherma Aurelien was the first place female in 5:21.02; Evalise Gomez second in 5:27.17; third Xiamara Gomez 5:38.50; fourth Earthla Arthur 5:42.85; fifth Jawana Goodwin 5:43.26.
The Finishers Male: 1. Lawrence Lockhart 4:10.04; 2. Amali Lockhart Complex HS 4:40.19; 3. Andrew Davidson Complex HS 4:40.38; 4. Ruben Gomez Complex HS 4:46.56; 5. Ramon Almistica Complex HS 5:01.32; 6. Ernest Jalim Woodson JHS 5:37.74; 7. J'kinde Goodwin STX TC; 6:07.63; 8. Junuru Goodwin STX TC 6:07.63; 9. Eugene Briscoe E.Rivera ES 6:46.27; 10. Justin Hitesman E.Rivera ES 6:47.28; 11. Alex Bradbury 6:51.54; 12. Kent Bradbury 6:52.70; 13. Joshan Lang E.Rivera ES 8:38.57
The Finishers Female: 1. Sherma Aurelien Complex HS 5:21.02; 2. Evalise Gomez Complex HS 5:27.17; 3. Xiamara Gomez Complex HS 5:38.50; 4. Earthla Arthur Complex HS (Teacher) 5:42.85; 5. Jawana Goodwin STX TC 5:43.26; 6. Latoya Samuel Complex HS 6:02.86; 7. J'Kiwa Goodwin STX TC 6:37.46; 8. Tasia Eddy E.Rivera ES 8:01.26; 9. Chetoya Brown E.Rivera ES 8:39.83
The next race on the V.I.Pace Runners schedule is the annual Cane Bay 5 Mile Road Race on Saturday December 16. Race starts at Cane Bay beach at 7 a.m.
For more information call V.I. Pace Runners at 777-0258 or click here.
DAILY MEALS ON THE WAY FOR C’STED’S HOMELESS
Catholic Charities and the St. Croix Community Foundation for Community Development have teamed up to open a daily soup kitchen in Christiansted.
The kitchen, at 32A King Street near Sunday Market Square, will officially open on Tuesday, according to Catholic Charities representatives. The St. Croix Foundation has identified two buildings that will be repaired with funds from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant to house the program.
Once the buildings are completed, Catholic Charities will serve dinner for the homeless at 4 p.m. daily. The facility will also include a bank for donated items, including clothes. Also available will be counseling and administrative offices and shower facilities.
The Catholic Charities Family Education Program has been in operation since 1961 on St. Croix and St. Thomas, and as of last month on St. John. The program provides meals, clothing and case-management services for the poor, elderly and people suffering from mental illnesses. Catholic Charities also operates the Bethlehem Shelters for the Homeless on St. Croix and St. Thomas.
The St. Croix Foundation has taken the initiative in rebuilding Christiansted through the acquisition of seven buildings in Sunday Market Square.
The kitchen, at 32A King Street near Sunday Market Square, will officially open on Tuesday, according to Catholic Charities representatives. The St. Croix Foundation has identified two buildings that will be repaired with funds from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant to house the program.
Once the buildings are completed, Catholic Charities will serve dinner for the homeless at 4 p.m. daily. The facility will also include a bank for donated items, including clothes. Also available will be counseling and administrative offices and shower facilities.
The Catholic Charities Family Education Program has been in operation since 1961 on St. Croix and St. Thomas, and as of last month on St. John. The program provides meals, clothing and case-management services for the poor, elderly and people suffering from mental illnesses. Catholic Charities also operates the Bethlehem Shelters for the Homeless on St. Croix and St. Thomas.
The St. Croix Foundation has taken the initiative in rebuilding Christiansted through the acquisition of seven buildings in Sunday Market Square.
CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE DEC. 11 UNTIL DEC. 31
Monday, Dec. 11
Carnival Destiny
Horizon
Monarch of the Seas
Wind Spirit *STJ
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Carnival Triumph
Nordic Empress
Amsterdam
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Costa Atlantica
Westerdam**
Norway**
Radisson Diamond++
Norwegian Wind++
Thursday, Dec. 14
Carnival Paradise
Enchantment of the Seas
Millennium
Rembrandt**
Veendam++
Norwegian Sky++
Friday, Dec. 15
Grandeur of the Seas
Galaxy
Zenith
Crystal Symphony++
Saturday, Dec. 16
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Zaandam
Norwegian Majesty++
Sunday, Dec. 17
Wind Spirit
Fascination
Monday, Dec. 18
Carnival Destiny
Monarch of the Seas
Sun Princess
Horizon++
Wind Spirit *STJ
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Century
Nordic Empress
Volendam
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Disney Magic
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Club Med II
Sun Princess**
Westerdam**
Norway**
Seabourn Goddess II++
Seabourn Goddess I++
Costa Victoria++
Thursday, Dec. 21
Carnival Victory
Rembrandt
Veendam
Club Med II**
Olympic Voyager++
Maasdam++
Friday, Dec. 22
Grandeur of the Seas
Galaxy
Dawn Princess
Seabourn Goddess II *STJ
Saturday, Dec. 23
Norwegian Majesty
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Sunday, Dec. 24
Fascination
Dawn Princess
Rotterdam VI
Caronia++
Veendam++
Monday, Dec. 25
Carnival Destiny
Horizon
Monarch of the Seas
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Carnival Triumph
Amsterdam
Zenith
Volendam++
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Costa Atlantica
Disney Magic**
Seabourn Goddess II**
Norway**
Wind Spirit++
Seabourn Goddess I++
Westerdam++
Thursday, Dec. 28
Enchantment of the Seas
Carnival Paradise
Millennium
Rembrandt**
Bolero**
Nordic Empress++
Norwegian Sky++
Seabourn Pride *STJ
Wind Spirit *STJ
Friday, Dec. 29
Galaxy
Grandeur of the Seas
Saturday, Dec. 30
Norwegian Majesty
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Crystal Harmony++
Sunday, Dec. 31
Fascination
Veendam
Queen Elizabeth II**
Ships are located at the cruise ship dock unless noted by the following:
** anchored inside/outside harbor
++ Crown Bay
*STJ St.John
Carnival Destiny
Horizon
Monarch of the Seas
Wind Spirit *STJ
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Carnival Triumph
Nordic Empress
Amsterdam
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Costa Atlantica
Westerdam**
Norway**
Radisson Diamond++
Norwegian Wind++
Thursday, Dec. 14
Carnival Paradise
Enchantment of the Seas
Millennium
Rembrandt**
Veendam++
Norwegian Sky++
Friday, Dec. 15
Grandeur of the Seas
Galaxy
Zenith
Crystal Symphony++
Saturday, Dec. 16
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Zaandam
Norwegian Majesty++
Sunday, Dec. 17
Wind Spirit
Fascination
Monday, Dec. 18
Carnival Destiny
Monarch of the Seas
Sun Princess
Horizon++
Wind Spirit *STJ
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Century
Nordic Empress
Volendam
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Disney Magic
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Club Med II
Sun Princess**
Westerdam**
Norway**
Seabourn Goddess II++
Seabourn Goddess I++
Costa Victoria++
Thursday, Dec. 21
Carnival Victory
Rembrandt
Veendam
Club Med II**
Olympic Voyager++
Maasdam++
Friday, Dec. 22
Grandeur of the Seas
Galaxy
Dawn Princess
Seabourn Goddess II *STJ
Saturday, Dec. 23
Norwegian Majesty
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Sunday, Dec. 24
Fascination
Dawn Princess
Rotterdam VI
Caronia++
Veendam++
Monday, Dec. 25
Carnival Destiny
Horizon
Monarch of the Seas
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Carnival Triumph
Amsterdam
Zenith
Volendam++
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Costa Atlantica
Disney Magic**
Seabourn Goddess II**
Norway**
Wind Spirit++
Seabourn Goddess I++
Westerdam++
Thursday, Dec. 28
Enchantment of the Seas
Carnival Paradise
Millennium
Rembrandt**
Bolero**
Nordic Empress++
Norwegian Sky++
Seabourn Pride *STJ
Wind Spirit *STJ
Friday, Dec. 29
Galaxy
Grandeur of the Seas
Saturday, Dec. 30
Norwegian Majesty
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Crystal Harmony++
Sunday, Dec. 31
Fascination
Veendam
Queen Elizabeth II**
Ships are located at the cruise ship dock unless noted by the following:
** anchored inside/outside harbor
++ Crown Bay
*STJ St.John
CARNIVAL 2001 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The Virgin Islands Carnival Committee has released its schedule of events for the 2001 Carnival celebration, April 7-28.
The celebration will open at the Lionel Roberts Stadium on the night of April 7 with a Caribbean Music Night and end on April 28 with the traditional fireworks display over Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Between those dates, the regular slate of events are scheduled including the prince and princess and queen talent and selection shows, junior calypso competition, cultural night, Brass-O-Rama, calypso revue, water sports activities, queen's coronation, pre-teen and quelbe tramps, the carnival food and arts and crafts fair, J'ouvert, a carnival exhibit, the V.I. calypso competition and the children's and adults' parades.
The most notable change to the schedule in 2001 is the return of the arts and crafts displays to the food fair. This year the two events were separated with a food fair at the Rothschild Francis "Market" Square and an arts and crafts fair at Emancipation Garden. The public response was not favorable and the events were consolidated into the same day at the same venue, as in the past.
"That's the only change, we really incorporated in 2001," Carnival Committee Chairman Kenneth Blake said Friday.
In 2001, the Carnival Village at the Fort Christian Parking Lot will be named for cultural icon Dorothy Elskoe. The village will be known as "Dotsy's Kalaloo Pot." The 2001 Carnival theme submitted by Juan Christian is "A fantasia of fun for Carnival 2001."
The entire schedule of events can be viewed on the carnival committee Web site.
The celebration will open at the Lionel Roberts Stadium on the night of April 7 with a Caribbean Music Night and end on April 28 with the traditional fireworks display over Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Between those dates, the regular slate of events are scheduled including the prince and princess and queen talent and selection shows, junior calypso competition, cultural night, Brass-O-Rama, calypso revue, water sports activities, queen's coronation, pre-teen and quelbe tramps, the carnival food and arts and crafts fair, J'ouvert, a carnival exhibit, the V.I. calypso competition and the children's and adults' parades.
The most notable change to the schedule in 2001 is the return of the arts and crafts displays to the food fair. This year the two events were separated with a food fair at the Rothschild Francis "Market" Square and an arts and crafts fair at Emancipation Garden. The public response was not favorable and the events were consolidated into the same day at the same venue, as in the past.
"That's the only change, we really incorporated in 2001," Carnival Committee Chairman Kenneth Blake said Friday.
In 2001, the Carnival Village at the Fort Christian Parking Lot will be named for cultural icon Dorothy Elskoe. The village will be known as "Dotsy's Kalaloo Pot." The 2001 Carnival theme submitted by Juan Christian is "A fantasia of fun for Carnival 2001."
The entire schedule of events can be viewed on the carnival committee Web site.
CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE FOR DEC. 11 TO DEC. 31
Monday, Dec. 11
Carnival Destiny
Horizon
Monarch of the Seas
Wind Spirit *STJ
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Carnival Triumph
Nordic Empress
Amsterdam
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Costa Atlantica
Westerdam**
Norway**
Radisson Diamond++
Norwegian Wind++
Thursday, Dec. 14
Carnival Paradise
Enchantment of the Seas
Millennium
Rembrandt**
Veendam++
Norwegian Sky++
Friday, Dec. 15
Grandeur of the Seas
Galaxy
Zenith
Crystal Symphony++
Saturday, Dec. 16
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Zaandam
Norwegian Majesty++
Sunday, Dec. 17
Wind Spirit
Fascination
Monday, Dec. 18
Carnival Destiny
Monarch of the Seas
Sun Princess
Horizon++
Wind Spirit *STJ
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Century
Nordic Empress
Volendam
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Disney Magic
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Club Med II
Sun Princess**
Westerdam**
Norway**
Seabourn Goddess II++
Seabourn Goddess I++
Costa Victoria++
Thursday, Dec. 21
Carnival Victory
Rembrandt
Veendam
Club Med II**
Olympic Voyager++
Maasdam++
Friday, Dec. 22
Grandeur of the Seas
Galaxy
Dawn Princess
Seabourn Goddess II *STJ
Saturday, Dec. 23
Norwegian Majesty
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Sunday, Dec. 24
Fascination
Dawn Princess
Rotterdam VI
Caronia++
Veendam++
Monday, Dec. 25
Carnival Destiny
Horizon
Monarch of the Seas
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Carnival Triumph
Amsterdam
Zenith
Volendam++
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Costa Atlantica
Disney Magic**
Seabourn Goddess II**
Norway**
Wind Spirit++
Seabourn Goddess I++
Westerdam++
Thursday, Dec. 28
Enchantment of the Seas
Carnival Paradise
Millennium
Rembrandt**
Bolero**
Nordic Empress++
Norwegian Sky++
Seabourn Pride *STJ
Wind Spirit *STJ
Friday, Dec. 29
Galaxy
Grandeur of the Seas
Saturday, Dec. 30
Norwegian Majesty
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Crystal Harmony++
Sunday, Dec. 31
Fascination
Veendam
Queen Elizabeth II**
Ships are located at the cruise ship dock unless noted by the following:
** anchored inside/outside harbor
++ Crown Bay
*STJ St.John
Carnival Destiny
Horizon
Monarch of the Seas
Wind Spirit *STJ
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Carnival Triumph
Nordic Empress
Amsterdam
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Costa Atlantica
Westerdam**
Norway**
Radisson Diamond++
Norwegian Wind++
Thursday, Dec. 14
Carnival Paradise
Enchantment of the Seas
Millennium
Rembrandt**
Veendam++
Norwegian Sky++
Friday, Dec. 15
Grandeur of the Seas
Galaxy
Zenith
Crystal Symphony++
Saturday, Dec. 16
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Zaandam
Norwegian Majesty++
Sunday, Dec. 17
Wind Spirit
Fascination
Monday, Dec. 18
Carnival Destiny
Monarch of the Seas
Sun Princess
Horizon++
Wind Spirit *STJ
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Century
Nordic Empress
Volendam
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Disney Magic
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Club Med II
Sun Princess**
Westerdam**
Norway**
Seabourn Goddess II++
Seabourn Goddess I++
Costa Victoria++
Thursday, Dec. 21
Carnival Victory
Rembrandt
Veendam
Club Med II**
Olympic Voyager++
Maasdam++
Friday, Dec. 22
Grandeur of the Seas
Galaxy
Dawn Princess
Seabourn Goddess II *STJ
Saturday, Dec. 23
Norwegian Majesty
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Sunday, Dec. 24
Fascination
Dawn Princess
Rotterdam VI
Caronia++
Veendam++
Monday, Dec. 25
Carnival Destiny
Horizon
Monarch of the Seas
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Carnival Triumph
Amsterdam
Zenith
Volendam++
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Grand Princess
Explorer of the Seas
Costa Atlantica
Disney Magic**
Seabourn Goddess II**
Norway**
Wind Spirit++
Seabourn Goddess I++
Westerdam++
Thursday, Dec. 28
Enchantment of the Seas
Carnival Paradise
Millennium
Rembrandt**
Bolero**
Nordic Empress++
Norwegian Sky++
Seabourn Pride *STJ
Wind Spirit *STJ
Friday, Dec. 29
Galaxy
Grandeur of the Seas
Saturday, Dec. 30
Norwegian Majesty
Ocean Princess
Nordic Empress
Crystal Harmony++
Sunday, Dec. 31
Fascination
Veendam
Queen Elizabeth II**
Ships are located at the cruise ship dock unless noted by the following:
** anchored inside/outside harbor
++ Crown Bay
*STJ St.John
