The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs has released its holiday food basket survey of Thanksgiving staples on all three islands.
On St. Croix, the best cumulative price for the 30 items surveyed was Sunshine Supermarket at $60.10; Plaza Extra was next at $61.70, followed by Pueblo at $63.03. Plaza Extra had the best price for Butterball turkey at $1.08 per pound. Sunshine's butterball was $1.19 per pound and Pueblo sells its for $1.29 per pound.
Pueblo had the best aggregate price on St. Thomas for 29 items surveyed at $58. Plaza Extra's total came to $60.31, though its Butterball turkey was cheaper at $1.09 compared to Pueblo at $1.29 per pound.
On St. John, 28 items were surveyed and Marina Market's overall price was $65.82 compared to Starfish Market's $71.02.
Here is a sample of some of the items surveyed. For more information, call 774-3130 on St. Thomas, 773-2226 on St. Croix, 693-8036 on St. John.
St. Croix
Sweet potato, fresh (per pound): Pueblo, $.99, Plaza Extra, $.79; Sunshine, $.69
Stuffing for turkey (6 oz.): Pueblo, $2.35, Plaza Extra, $2.39; Sunshine, $2.49
Idaho potatoes (5 lb.): Pueblo, $3.59, Plaza Extra, $2.69; Sunshine, $2.39
Danish butter (8 oz.): Pueblo, $1.85, Plaza Extra, $1.59; Sunshine, $1.49
Butterball turkey (per lb.): Pueblo, $1.29, Plaza Extra, $1.08; Sunshine, $1.19
Broccoli (bunch): Pueblo, $2.49, Plaza Extra, $1.89; Sunshine, $2.49
Cranberry sauce (16 oz.): Pueblo, $1.49, Plaza Extra, $1.39; Sunshine, $1.79
Macaroni & cheese (7.25 oz.): Pueblo, $.89, Plaza Extra, $.79; Sunshine, $.79
Cabbage (per lb.): Pueblo, $.69, Plaza Extra, $.59; Sunshine, $.69
All-purpose flour: Pueblo, $1.49, Plaza Extra, $1.79; Sunshine, $1.49
HOLIDAY FOOD BASKET SURVEY COMPARES PRICES
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs has released its holiday food basket survey of Thanksgiving staples on all three islands.
On St. Croix, the best cumulative price for the 30 items surveyed was Sunshine Supermarket at $60.10; Plaza Extra was next at $61.70, followed by Pueblo at $63.03. Plaza Extra had the best price for Butterball turkey at $1.08 per pound. Sunshine's butterball was $1.19 per pound and Pueblo sells its for $1.29 per pound.
Pueblo had the best aggregate price on St. Thomas for 29 items surveyed at $58. Plaza Extra's total came to $60.31, though its Butterball turkey was cheaper at $1.09 compared to Pueblo at $1.29 per pound.
On St. John, 28 items were surveyed and Marina Market's overall price was $65.82 compared to Starfish Market's $71.02.
Here is a sample of some of the items surveyed. For more information, call 774-3130 on St. Thomas, 773-2226 on St. Croix, 693-8036 on St. John.
St. Thomas
Sweet potato, fresh (per pound): Pueblo, $.99, Plaza Extra, $.69
Stuffing mix (8 oz.): Pueblo, $2.19, Plaza Extra, $1.79
Idaho potatoes (5 lb.): Pueblo, $3.11, Plaza Extra, $1.99
Danish butter (8 oz.): Pueblo, $1.85, Plaza Extra, $1.29
Butterball turkey (per lb.): Pueblo, $1.29, Plaza Extra, $1.09
Broccoli (bunch): Pueblo, $2.49, Plaza Extra, $1.89
Cranberry sauce (16 oz.): Pueblo, $1.45, Plaza Extra, $1.79
Macaroni & cheese (7.25 oz.): Pueblo, $.89, Plaza Extra, $.89
Cabbage (per lb.): Pueblo, $.69, Plaza Extra, $.49
All-purpose flour: Pueblo, $1.49, Plaza Extra, $2.49
On St. Croix, the best cumulative price for the 30 items surveyed was Sunshine Supermarket at $60.10; Plaza Extra was next at $61.70, followed by Pueblo at $63.03. Plaza Extra had the best price for Butterball turkey at $1.08 per pound. Sunshine's butterball was $1.19 per pound and Pueblo sells its for $1.29 per pound.
Pueblo had the best aggregate price on St. Thomas for 29 items surveyed at $58. Plaza Extra's total came to $60.31, though its Butterball turkey was cheaper at $1.09 compared to Pueblo at $1.29 per pound.
On St. John, 28 items were surveyed and Marina Market's overall price was $65.82 compared to Starfish Market's $71.02.
Here is a sample of some of the items surveyed. For more information, call 774-3130 on St. Thomas, 773-2226 on St. Croix, 693-8036 on St. John.
St. Thomas
Sweet potato, fresh (per pound): Pueblo, $.99, Plaza Extra, $.69
Stuffing mix (8 oz.): Pueblo, $2.19, Plaza Extra, $1.79
Idaho potatoes (5 lb.): Pueblo, $3.11, Plaza Extra, $1.99
Danish butter (8 oz.): Pueblo, $1.85, Plaza Extra, $1.29
Butterball turkey (per lb.): Pueblo, $1.29, Plaza Extra, $1.09
Broccoli (bunch): Pueblo, $2.49, Plaza Extra, $1.89
Cranberry sauce (16 oz.): Pueblo, $1.45, Plaza Extra, $1.79
Macaroni & cheese (7.25 oz.): Pueblo, $.89, Plaza Extra, $.89
Cabbage (per lb.): Pueblo, $.69, Plaza Extra, $.49
All-purpose flour: Pueblo, $1.49, Plaza Extra, $2.49
V.I. ENFORCING BAN ON MILK MORE THAN 10 DAYS OLD
The V.I. government will immediately begin enforcing a controversial law prohibiting the sale of pasteurized milk with a pull date more than 10 days from pasteurization, according to a statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik.
Rutnik said in the statement that all importers and retailers of milk must provide the director of Consumer Protection Services certification of the pasteurization date on the invoice of milk brought into the territory.
"Any product found on the shelves 10 days after the pasteurization date is to be removed immediately," the statement said. "Failure to do so will result in a fine for each item."
In August, the Source reported that Trans-Caribbean Dairy Corp., which owns St. Croix's Island Dairies and St. Thomas Dairies had sought enforcement of the long-ignored law, partly in response to what it considered unfair competition from stateside dairies. At the time, Rutnik called the law "anti-consumer."
Sen. Roosevelt David was said to be reviewing the law in September, but no legislative action has been taken. David was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
The statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs also noted that the law refers to pasteurized milk only; other milk products are not subject to the 10-day expiration rule.
Rutnik said in the statement that all importers and retailers of milk must provide the director of Consumer Protection Services certification of the pasteurization date on the invoice of milk brought into the territory.
"Any product found on the shelves 10 days after the pasteurization date is to be removed immediately," the statement said. "Failure to do so will result in a fine for each item."
In August, the Source reported that Trans-Caribbean Dairy Corp., which owns St. Croix's Island Dairies and St. Thomas Dairies had sought enforcement of the long-ignored law, partly in response to what it considered unfair competition from stateside dairies. At the time, Rutnik called the law "anti-consumer."
Sen. Roosevelt David was said to be reviewing the law in September, but no legislative action has been taken. David was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
The statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs also noted that the law refers to pasteurized milk only; other milk products are not subject to the 10-day expiration rule.
V.I. ENFORCING BAN ON MILK MORE THAN 10 DAYS OLD
The V.I. government will immediately begin enforcing a controversial law prohibiting the sale of pasteurized milk with a pull date more than 10 days from pasteurization, according to a statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnk.
Rutnik said in the statement that all importers and retailers of milk must provide the director of Consumer Protection Services certification of the pasteurization date on the invoice of milk brought into the territory.
"Any product found on the shelves 10 days after the pasteurization date is to be removed immediately," the statement said. "Failure to do so will result in a fine for each item."
In August, the Source reported that Trans-Caribbean Dairy Corp., which owns St. Croix's Island Dairies and St. Thomas Dairies had sought enforcement of the long-ignored law, partly in response to what it considered unfair competition from stateside dairies. At the time, Rutnik called the law "anti-consumer."
Sen. Roosevelt David was said to be reviewing the law in September, but no legislative action has been taken. David was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
The statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs also noted that the law refers to pasteurized milk only; other milk products are not subject to the 10-day expiration rule.
Rutnik said in the statement that all importers and retailers of milk must provide the director of Consumer Protection Services certification of the pasteurization date on the invoice of milk brought into the territory.
"Any product found on the shelves 10 days after the pasteurization date is to be removed immediately," the statement said. "Failure to do so will result in a fine for each item."
In August, the Source reported that Trans-Caribbean Dairy Corp., which owns St. Croix's Island Dairies and St. Thomas Dairies had sought enforcement of the long-ignored law, partly in response to what it considered unfair competition from stateside dairies. At the time, Rutnik called the law "anti-consumer."
Sen. Roosevelt David was said to be reviewing the law in September, but no legislative action has been taken. David was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
The statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs also noted that the law refers to pasteurized milk only; other milk products are not subject to the 10-day expiration rule.
IRISH INTRIGUE IS ENTICING, EELS AND ALL
Book Review
"The Death of an Irish Lover" by Bartholomew Gill
William Morrow, 265 pp., $23.00
It is my butt-headed policy to avoid the novels of Irish writers. There is a sadness deep in the roots of their people and places which slowly colors everything in the book shades of gray. Melancholy seeks me out; so, when possible, I run from it avidly.
Thus, it was a celebration to find that Bartholomew Gill has written a charming mystery story set in the Emerald Isle and lighthearted as an Irish jig.
We discover the two murder victims in the first few pages, in that "flagrante" situation as shocking as it is distressing. Thus a drama of murder, sex and eels –– you read it right, eels –– starts out with a bang. No pun intended.
The town of Leixleap (Salmon Jump in Irish) is famous for its eels. The government has eel police (I swear) to catch poachers who are not licensed to net them. The book's accounts of the history of eel breeding and farming are fascinating, especially to someone who considers the slimy things edible.
The murder presents a death scene so appalling, so complicated, that it is like a deadly jigsaw puzzle. Nothing has happened as it appears, and a super sleuth is needed to find the truth, buried as it is beneath misleading fact after fact. Here's where our talented Chief Inspector Peter McGarr methodically begins to track his killer.
When one thinks of Ireland, the lore of the Irish Republican Army comes to mind with all its romantic stories of the fight for independence from England that has raged for hundreds of years. Gill's version is that today some of the former heroes have fallen upon lean times as a troubled peace has come to their homeland. They are not cut out for 9-to-5 jobs like ordinary humans; they see themselves as warriors and, lacking a battlefield, they have become an odd type of Mafia, dealing in drugs and weapons.
The barroom scenes are bright, with the talk funny and full of jokes and light-hearted humor. At the same time, our Chief Inspector McGarr, having come down from Dublin, sees clearly through the Irish mists how to sort through things and find his culprit.
There's a lot going on, plots within plots, in this village on the River Shannon. The picture of present-day Ireland will captivate you as dozens of loose ends finally come together for our likeable inspector. Bravo, Mr. Gill, you've dispelled my Irish myths!
"The Death of an Irish Lover" is available at Dockside Bookshop at Havensight Mall. To check out other Dockside favorites click here.
"The Death of an Irish Lover" by Bartholomew Gill
William Morrow, 265 pp., $23.00
It is my butt-headed policy to avoid the novels of Irish writers. There is a sadness deep in the roots of their people and places which slowly colors everything in the book shades of gray. Melancholy seeks me out; so, when possible, I run from it avidly.
Thus, it was a celebration to find that Bartholomew Gill has written a charming mystery story set in the Emerald Isle and lighthearted as an Irish jig.
We discover the two murder victims in the first few pages, in that "flagrante" situation as shocking as it is distressing. Thus a drama of murder, sex and eels –– you read it right, eels –– starts out with a bang. No pun intended.
The town of Leixleap (Salmon Jump in Irish) is famous for its eels. The government has eel police (I swear) to catch poachers who are not licensed to net them. The book's accounts of the history of eel breeding and farming are fascinating, especially to someone who considers the slimy things edible.
The murder presents a death scene so appalling, so complicated, that it is like a deadly jigsaw puzzle. Nothing has happened as it appears, and a super sleuth is needed to find the truth, buried as it is beneath misleading fact after fact. Here's where our talented Chief Inspector Peter McGarr methodically begins to track his killer.
When one thinks of Ireland, the lore of the Irish Republican Army comes to mind with all its romantic stories of the fight for independence from England that has raged for hundreds of years. Gill's version is that today some of the former heroes have fallen upon lean times as a troubled peace has come to their homeland. They are not cut out for 9-to-5 jobs like ordinary humans; they see themselves as warriors and, lacking a battlefield, they have become an odd type of Mafia, dealing in drugs and weapons.
The barroom scenes are bright, with the talk funny and full of jokes and light-hearted humor. At the same time, our Chief Inspector McGarr, having come down from Dublin, sees clearly through the Irish mists how to sort through things and find his culprit.
There's a lot going on, plots within plots, in this village on the River Shannon. The picture of present-day Ireland will captivate you as dozens of loose ends finally come together for our likeable inspector. Bravo, Mr. Gill, you've dispelled my Irish myths!
"The Death of an Irish Lover" is available at Dockside Bookshop at Havensight Mall. To check out other Dockside favorites click here.
V.I. ENFORCING BAN ON MILK MORE THAN 10 DAYS OLD
The V.I. government will immediately begin enforcing a controversial law prohibiting the sale of pasteurized milk with a pull date more than 10 days from pasteurization, according to a statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Andrew Rutnik.
Rutnik said in the statement that all importers and retailers of milk must provide the director of Consumer Protection Services certification of the pasteurization date on the invoice of milk brought into the territory.
"Any product found on the shelves 10 days after the pasteurization date is to be removed immediately," the statement said. "Failure to do so will result in a fine for each item."
In August, the Source reported that Trans-Caribbean Dairy Corp., which owns St. Croix's Island Dairies and St. Thomas Dairies had sought enforcement of the long-ignored law, partly in response to what it considered unfair competition from stateside dairies. At the time, Rutnik called the law "anti-consumer."
Sen. Roosevelt David was said to be reviewing the law in September, but no legislative action has been taken. David was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
The statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs also noted that the law refers to pasteurized milk only; other milk products are not subject to the 10-day expiration rule.
Rutnik said in the statement that all importers and retailers of milk must provide the director of Consumer Protection Services certification of the pasteurization date on the invoice of milk brought into the territory.
"Any product found on the shelves 10 days after the pasteurization date is to be removed immediately," the statement said. "Failure to do so will result in a fine for each item."
In August, the Source reported that Trans-Caribbean Dairy Corp., which owns St. Croix's Island Dairies and St. Thomas Dairies had sought enforcement of the long-ignored law, partly in response to what it considered unfair competition from stateside dairies. At the time, Rutnik called the law "anti-consumer."
Sen. Roosevelt David was said to be reviewing the law in September, but no legislative action has been taken. David was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
The statement from Licensing and Consumer Affairs also noted that the law refers to pasteurized milk only; other milk products are not subject to the 10-day expiration rule.
IT'S A FESTIVE ARTS ALIVE — EVEN WITHOUT RHODA
Wistfully pondering her prospects for retirement some fine day, Rhoda Tillett on more than one occasion in recent years has wondered aloud what it would take to keep Arts Alive alive on St. Thomas when she was no longer around to do the masterminding, moving and shaking.
This Thanksgiving Day weekend, the community gets to find out.
After 20 years of producing the Tillett Gardens arts and crafts fairs, then later festivals, Tillett handed off the last six weeks' worth of responsibilities for this one after she fell and broke a kneecap while in New York. The person she tapped to take on the task was St. John hot condiments entrepreneur and community activist Cheryl Miller.
When Tillett called asking for help, Miller recalls, "Of course, I said yes." Her rationale was that the job was "something I'd done for three years coordinating the St. John Saturday events." The day-long monthly programs were aimed at attracting shoppers to Cruz Bay via live entertainment, arts and crafts exhibits and special promotions by local shops.
A few days before this weekend's festival, Miller describes putting the event together as "a collaborative effort of the artists, artisans, musicians, Ms. Vivian and Sonny." (The latter references are to Tillett Gardens administrative assistant Vivian Faulkner and the late Jim Tillett's silkscreen protege, Albert "Sonny" Thomas.) Even so, Miller admits, "I just found it overwhelming."
That may be because she was simultaneously running her own business, developing a corporate project with two other specialty artisans, starting a new venture as host of a local cooking show on cable's TV-2, working with culture bearer Dorothy Elskoe on plans for holiday jamborees at Havensight Mall and taking lessons to become a blackjack dealer for the St. Thomas Montessori School's upcoming Las Vegas Night.
In preview, though, what she and the others have put together looks like an arts and crafts festival and sounds like an arts and crafts festival and gives every reason to believe that, with founding mother Rhoda Tillett sidelined, Arts Alive is still very much still alive.
Among the exhibitor displays, visitors will find batiks by Anita de la Cruz, photography by James "Huck" Jordan, sculpture by Edney Freeman, watercolors by Kathleen Treml, screened tiles by Donna Roes, and artwork by Treml's students at Peace Corps School.
Craft exhibits will include teddy bears by Jeanne Webb, crochet work and sweetbreads by Karen Issac, quilting by Suzanne Eastwood, dream-catchers by Lise Swartz, clothing by Nayda Young, placemats by Norah Saunders, bird feeders and glassware by Pam Larson, essential oils by Karen Christiansen, jewelry by Sarah Herrington and by Valerie Horsford, "nature's art" by Monique (who goes just by "Monique"), and hot sauces and jellies by – who else? – Cheryl Miller.
Rosemary Sauter will have Pokeman collectibles, Marilyn Cook will show her Kamani Enterprises wares, and James O. Boyle will represent Red Oak Bear Publishers. In a Christmas mode, Merry Phillips will have original ornaments and Bridgett Julius will display her one-of-a-kind cards. And for youngsters, Susan Harmer of the local Baha'i community will oversee creative children's activities, as will volunteers with at least one other group, according to Miller.
Friday's performing arts attractions include guitarist/vocalist Stevie Legend at 3 p.m. and vocalists Tahra Richardson and Janet Reiter at 4 p.m. Santa (Irvin "Brownie" Brown) Claus is to arrive around 5:30 p.m. as kids and grownups finish trimming the garden's century plant Christmas tree with hand-made decorations created at the festival earlier in the day or brought from home.
Saturday will bring the calypso trio R3 – Russell, Reita and Royal – at 11 a.m., the Eudora Kean High School Quadrille Dancers at 1 p.m., steelpan soloist Morgan Rael at 2 p.m., the Mungo Niles Cultural Dancers at 3 p.m., the jazz ensemble Sax Cymbals at 4 p.m., a "singing and comedy hour" at 5 p.m. and a hot sauce tasting contest at 6 p.m. (For this last one, to compete, show up with your hot sauce entry no later than 3 p.m. and look for Miller.)
Sunday's events are the traditional appearance of the Hugo Moolenaar Mocko Jumbies at 1 p.m., caroling by the Voices of Love at 2 p.m., and a drawing at 3 p.m. for the raffle prize, a gift basket filled by the exhibiting artisans.
The festival corporate and community sponsors are Chase Bank, Heineken, the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, and Polli's Mexican Restaurant. Located in Tillett Gardens, the restaurant is normally closed on Sundays but will be open all weekend for the festival.
Putting the fest together largely by phone, fax and e-mail from St. John, Miller says, she was gratified by the cooperation she got from "the talented people who have stepped forth and said they would help in little ways" on St. Thomas. "It's a larger community than St. John, but it's just as much family," she says.
Meanwhile, Tillett, recuperating with family in Raleigh, North Carolina, says she did "absolutely not" try to micromanage from afar, and she thinks Miller has done a fine job. At the same time, she says, "it feels strange" to be so far removed from the action, and she's anxious to get home. If her doctor gives the go-ahead, she'll fly back on Nov. 30 – to arrive on St. Thomas on the eve of the Bill Sims Blues Band performance on Dec. 1 that kicks off the season's non-classical Tillett Garden Series concerts.
Candle and herbal products entrepreneur Jason Budsan, a Tillett Gardens tenant and longtime exhibitor, says he's looking forward to Tillett's return "just for the enthusiasm" that she conveys in the complex and in the community. While she continues her recuperation, he suggests, "She doesn't have to do anything. Just her being here makes the difference."
But even without her, the festival will go on.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 to 5 on Sunday. Admission is free, and so is the live entertainment. What you spend will depend on what you buy, from nothing at all to original art that could conceivably take you into four figures. Raffle tickets are $3 apiece, or two for $5. And a ballot to vote in the hot sauce tasting contest will cost you $2.
To learn more, phone (340) 775-1929, fax to 775-9482 or e-mail to tillett@islands.vi.
This Thanksgiving Day weekend, the community gets to find out.
After 20 years of producing the Tillett Gardens arts and crafts fairs, then later festivals, Tillett handed off the last six weeks' worth of responsibilities for this one after she fell and broke a kneecap while in New York. The person she tapped to take on the task was St. John hot condiments entrepreneur and community activist Cheryl Miller.
When Tillett called asking for help, Miller recalls, "Of course, I said yes." Her rationale was that the job was "something I'd done for three years coordinating the St. John Saturday events." The day-long monthly programs were aimed at attracting shoppers to Cruz Bay via live entertainment, arts and crafts exhibits and special promotions by local shops.
A few days before this weekend's festival, Miller describes putting the event together as "a collaborative effort of the artists, artisans, musicians, Ms. Vivian and Sonny." (The latter references are to Tillett Gardens administrative assistant Vivian Faulkner and the late Jim Tillett's silkscreen protege, Albert "Sonny" Thomas.) Even so, Miller admits, "I just found it overwhelming."
That may be because she was simultaneously running her own business, developing a corporate project with two other specialty artisans, starting a new venture as host of a local cooking show on cable's TV-2, working with culture bearer Dorothy Elskoe on plans for holiday jamborees at Havensight Mall and taking lessons to become a blackjack dealer for the St. Thomas Montessori School's upcoming Las Vegas Night.
In preview, though, what she and the others have put together looks like an arts and crafts festival and sounds like an arts and crafts festival and gives every reason to believe that, with founding mother Rhoda Tillett sidelined, Arts Alive is still very much still alive.
Among the exhibitor displays, visitors will find batiks by Anita de la Cruz, photography by James "Huck" Jordan, sculpture by Edney Freeman, watercolors by Kathleen Treml, screened tiles by Donna Roes, and artwork by Treml's students at Peace Corps School.
Craft exhibits will include teddy bears by Jeanne Webb, crochet work and sweetbreads by Karen Issac, quilting by Suzanne Eastwood, dream-catchers by Lise Swartz, clothing by Nayda Young, placemats by Norah Saunders, bird feeders and glassware by Pam Larson, essential oils by Karen Christiansen, jewelry by Sarah Herrington and by Valerie Horsford, "nature's art" by Monique (who goes just by "Monique"), and hot sauces and jellies by – who else? – Cheryl Miller.
Rosemary Sauter will have Pokeman collectibles, Marilyn Cook will show her Kamani Enterprises wares, and James O. Boyle will represent Red Oak Bear Publishers. In a Christmas mode, Merry Phillips will have original ornaments and Bridgett Julius will display her one-of-a-kind cards. And for youngsters, Susan Harmer of the local Baha'i community will oversee creative children's activities, as will volunteers with at least one other group, according to Miller.
Friday's performing arts attractions include guitarist/vocalist Stevie Legend at 3 p.m. and vocalists Tahra Richardson and Janet Reiter at 4 p.m. Santa (Irvin "Brownie" Brown) Claus is to arrive around 5:30 p.m. as kids and grownups finish trimming the garden's century plant Christmas tree with hand-made decorations created at the festival earlier in the day or brought from home.
Saturday will bring the calypso trio R3 – Russell, Reita and Royal – at 11 a.m., the Eudora Kean High School Quadrille Dancers at 1 p.m., steelpan soloist Morgan Rael at 2 p.m., the Mungo Niles Cultural Dancers at 3 p.m., the jazz ensemble Sax Cymbals at 4 p.m., a "singing and comedy hour" at 5 p.m. and a hot sauce tasting contest at 6 p.m. (For this last one, to compete, show up with your hot sauce entry no later than 3 p.m. and look for Miller.)
Sunday's events are the traditional appearance of the Hugo Moolenaar Mocko Jumbies at 1 p.m., caroling by the Voices of Love at 2 p.m., and a drawing at 3 p.m. for the raffle prize, a gift basket filled by the exhibiting artisans.
The festival corporate and community sponsors are Chase Bank, Heineken, the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, and Polli's Mexican Restaurant. Located in Tillett Gardens, the restaurant is normally closed on Sundays but will be open all weekend for the festival.
Putting the fest together largely by phone, fax and e-mail from St. John, Miller says, she was gratified by the cooperation she got from "the talented people who have stepped forth and said they would help in little ways" on St. Thomas. "It's a larger community than St. John, but it's just as much family," she says.
Meanwhile, Tillett, recuperating with family in Raleigh, North Carolina, says she did "absolutely not" try to micromanage from afar, and she thinks Miller has done a fine job. At the same time, she says, "it feels strange" to be so far removed from the action, and she's anxious to get home. If her doctor gives the go-ahead, she'll fly back on Nov. 30 – to arrive on St. Thomas on the eve of the Bill Sims Blues Band performance on Dec. 1 that kicks off the season's non-classical Tillett Garden Series concerts.
Candle and herbal products entrepreneur Jason Budsan, a Tillett Gardens tenant and longtime exhibitor, says he's looking forward to Tillett's return "just for the enthusiasm" that she conveys in the complex and in the community. While she continues her recuperation, he suggests, "She doesn't have to do anything. Just her being here makes the difference."
But even without her, the festival will go on.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 to 5 on Sunday. Admission is free, and so is the live entertainment. What you spend will depend on what you buy, from nothing at all to original art that could conceivably take you into four figures. Raffle tickets are $3 apiece, or two for $5. And a ballot to vote in the hot sauce tasting contest will cost you $2.
To learn more, phone (340) 775-1929, fax to 775-9482 or e-mail to tillett@islands.vi.
GERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO MEET
The GERS Board of Trustees will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, in the GERS Confernce Room, St. Thomas.
New business will include a Status Report on Ongoing Projects and the Supplemental Budget FY 2001.
New business will include a Status Report on Ongoing Projects and the Supplemental Budget FY 2001.
ALCOA PROPERTY HAS A RANGE OF USES
Alcoa has just shut down the St. Croix alumina refinery while opening a new plant in Surinam. The upper management of the St. Croix plant has been relocated over there.
As the alumina plant has been in operation now since 1966, there is very much less space available for deposition of the red mud waste product on St. Croix where real estate prices have seen a relative increase and a limited quantity of industrial space. Our industrial land is more valuable than that in Surinam.
Surinam has much more available land, no U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and economies in the proximity of its bauxite mines. It isn't likely that we will see the plant reopen soon and so we should start thinking in terms of alternative reuse.
Alumina is no longer the best use of the property. West Indian Co. Ltd. President Ed Thomas' proposed cruise ship home port facility on St. Croix could go into the area no longer in use by Alcoa. There is also a power plant which could be expanded and retrofitted for oil to power the island. There is an existing steam plant which also produces water.
These last are things which could be utilized by WAPA. The process steam could be used in certain oil-related downstream activities. With hydrocarbon polymers the red mud could be used as filler for the manufacture of composite board for bathroom paneling and chemical lab tables. It will take a long time to clear off completely but bit by bit the land could be reused again.
As the alumina plant has been in operation now since 1966, there is very much less space available for deposition of the red mud waste product on St. Croix where real estate prices have seen a relative increase and a limited quantity of industrial space. Our industrial land is more valuable than that in Surinam.
Surinam has much more available land, no U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and economies in the proximity of its bauxite mines. It isn't likely that we will see the plant reopen soon and so we should start thinking in terms of alternative reuse.
Alumina is no longer the best use of the property. West Indian Co. Ltd. President Ed Thomas' proposed cruise ship home port facility on St. Croix could go into the area no longer in use by Alcoa. There is also a power plant which could be expanded and retrofitted for oil to power the island. There is an existing steam plant which also produces water.
These last are things which could be utilized by WAPA. The process steam could be used in certain oil-related downstream activities. With hydrocarbon polymers the red mud could be used as filler for the manufacture of composite board for bathroom paneling and chemical lab tables. It will take a long time to clear off completely but bit by bit the land could be reused again.
FESTIVAL C’TEE HOLDING JUMP UP FISH FRY
Come jump up with the Crucian Christmas Festival Committee kick-off fish fry on Friday.
at the Christian "Shan" Hendricks Market from 6 p.m. -until. Music by DJ Commobo.
Food, drinks and Festival T-shirts will be on sale.
at the Christian "Shan" Hendricks Market from 6 p.m. -until. Music by DJ Commobo.
Food, drinks and Festival T-shirts will be on sale.
