The Department of Housing Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a junior girls fast pitch softball league for women under the age of 18. There will be two divisions in this league: An 18 and under and a 13 and under. There are about 100 young women that have signed thus far for the league.
The league is slated to start in early June and run until the end of August. While parental support has been strong, the league is in need of sponsors. A sponsorship cost $500 per team. League organizers hope to make softball a year round sport. After the summer league organizers plan to have another league beginning in October. This will give the young women an avenue to play more softball and improve on their skills. For more information contact Arsenio Riveria at 775-6435 between the hours of 2pm and 10pm, Sunday through Thursday. Each team is going to play 18 games this summer.
CORAL BAY ROAD WORK TO BEGIN IN JUNE
June 5 is the official start date for the Route 107 construction project in Coral Bay, and Dec. 1 is the targeted completion date.
Federal highway officials met with Turnbull administration representatives late last week to set the dates and the terms for the project. St. John administrator Julien Harley said the highway officials gave an extensive presentation on the rules and regulations for the road project.
The V.I. government agreed to allow the contractor 3-O of Puerto Rico, to store gravel and some construction-related equipment on a government parcel near Route 10 (Centerline Road) in Estate Carolina. There are also plans to use an area near the old Sea Breeze Restaurant to store large boulders. Harley said those boulders may be brought to the site by barge, so as to prevent wear and tear along Centerline Road.
Local workers will soon be able to apply for jobs at a trailer set up along the construction site. Laborers, carpenters and masons may be eligible for road crew assignments. Two local subcontractors, whom Harley did not name, have also reportedly signed up for the project under the federal government's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.
Harley and Ira Wade, Public Works Department deputy commissioner for St. John, were hoping to persuade the Federal Highway Administration to reallocate a small portion of the Route 107 highway funds for improvements along Route 108/Bordeaux Mountain Road. But Harley said Monday that this no longer appears to be a possibility. "They can't write it in," he said.
The badly deteriorated condition of Bordeaux Road — an unpaved stretch along a developing residential community — was one of the issues raised at a January public hearing before Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson Jr.
Harley said there is still a possibility that Bordeaux Road could receive some minor improvement if the V.I. government can find ways to help the Federal Highway Administration save money on the Route 107 project.
Route 107 covers the distance between Coral Bay and the entrance to the V.I. Environmental Resources research station at Lameshur Bay. Some portions of the road may be closed during the project, Harley said. But if contractors decide they have to close the route, he said, they will try to do it in the mid- to late-evening hours, and the community will be given seven to ten days' notice, and emergency service vehicles will be placed strategically along the affected route.
Federal highway officials met with Turnbull administration representatives late last week to set the dates and the terms for the project. St. John administrator Julien Harley said the highway officials gave an extensive presentation on the rules and regulations for the road project.
The V.I. government agreed to allow the contractor 3-O of Puerto Rico, to store gravel and some construction-related equipment on a government parcel near Route 10 (Centerline Road) in Estate Carolina. There are also plans to use an area near the old Sea Breeze Restaurant to store large boulders. Harley said those boulders may be brought to the site by barge, so as to prevent wear and tear along Centerline Road.
Local workers will soon be able to apply for jobs at a trailer set up along the construction site. Laborers, carpenters and masons may be eligible for road crew assignments. Two local subcontractors, whom Harley did not name, have also reportedly signed up for the project under the federal government's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.
Harley and Ira Wade, Public Works Department deputy commissioner for St. John, were hoping to persuade the Federal Highway Administration to reallocate a small portion of the Route 107 highway funds for improvements along Route 108/Bordeaux Mountain Road. But Harley said Monday that this no longer appears to be a possibility. "They can't write it in," he said.
The badly deteriorated condition of Bordeaux Road — an unpaved stretch along a developing residential community — was one of the issues raised at a January public hearing before Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson Jr.
Harley said there is still a possibility that Bordeaux Road could receive some minor improvement if the V.I. government can find ways to help the Federal Highway Administration save money on the Route 107 project.
Route 107 covers the distance between Coral Bay and the entrance to the V.I. Environmental Resources research station at Lameshur Bay. Some portions of the road may be closed during the project, Harley said. But if contractors decide they have to close the route, he said, they will try to do it in the mid- to late-evening hours, and the community will be given seven to ten days' notice, and emergency service vehicles will be placed strategically along the affected route.
ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE CENTER QUESTIONNAIRE
Here is the National Park Service scoping questionnaire for the V.I. National Park's proposed Environmental Heritage Center. Print it out, fill it in and submit it by June 15 to the National Park Service by fax or mail.
National Park Service
V.I. National Park
Attention: Jim Owens
Fax 693-8811
PO Box 811 Cruz Bay
St. John VI 00831
Beginning in May 2000, the National Park Service is initiating the National Environmental Policy Act process for siting an environmental heritage center in the Virgin Islands National Park. Your assistance in completing the following questionnaire will help us define the scope of the environmental analysis. Please feel free to provide further comments on additional sheets of paper.
1. Factors to be considered in siting an environmental heritage center include proximity to infrastructure and resources, accessibility (particularly by school children), site adaptability and resource inputs. Are there other factors that should be considered in selecting a location for the center? If so, what are they?
2. What are the impacts of constructing and operating an environmental heritage center at Cinnamon Bay near the existing amphitheater?
Positive impacts:
Negative impacts:
3. Are there other, more suitable locations that should be considered? If so, where? Why would these be better sites?
4. As proposed, the center's educational programs would focus on terrestrial ecology (relationship to the land), marine ecology (relationship to the sea), archeological resources (ancient history) and island culture (current history). Are there other functions that should be considered for the center? If so, please explain.
5. Is the proposed capacity of approximately 100 visitors at one time adequate? If not, please explain.
6. Other comments or issues that should be considered:
Name:
Mailing address:
E-mail:
[Please return the questionnaire by June 15, 2000.]
National Park Service
V.I. National Park
Attention: Jim Owens
Fax 693-8811
PO Box 811 Cruz Bay
St. John VI 00831
Beginning in May 2000, the National Park Service is initiating the National Environmental Policy Act process for siting an environmental heritage center in the Virgin Islands National Park. Your assistance in completing the following questionnaire will help us define the scope of the environmental analysis. Please feel free to provide further comments on additional sheets of paper.
1. Factors to be considered in siting an environmental heritage center include proximity to infrastructure and resources, accessibility (particularly by school children), site adaptability and resource inputs. Are there other factors that should be considered in selecting a location for the center? If so, what are they?
2. What are the impacts of constructing and operating an environmental heritage center at Cinnamon Bay near the existing amphitheater?
Positive impacts:
Negative impacts:
3. Are there other, more suitable locations that should be considered? If so, where? Why would these be better sites?
4. As proposed, the center's educational programs would focus on terrestrial ecology (relationship to the land), marine ecology (relationship to the sea), archeological resources (ancient history) and island culture (current history). Are there other functions that should be considered for the center? If so, please explain.
5. Is the proposed capacity of approximately 100 visitors at one time adequate? If not, please explain.
6. Other comments or issues that should be considered:
Name:
Mailing address:
E-mail:
[Please return the questionnaire by June 15, 2000.]
FIRST MEETING MONDAY ON PARK HERITAGE CENTER
The National Park Service will host its first public "scoping" meeting Monday to seek input on plans to establish an Environmental Heritage Center within the V.I. National Park on St. John. The meeting will take place from 5 to 7 p.m.at the Legislature Building in Cruz Bay.
According to the park's "Project News – May 2000" publication, the center's purpose "is to provide an educational opportunity for local youth and park visitors to learn the importance of preserving and protecting the extraordinary natural environment and cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands National Park."The primary focus of the center will be "to provide the youth of the Virgin Islands with hands-on educational activities in four areas: current history, ancient history, relationship to the land and relationship to the sea."
Decisions to be made include where the center will be located, what its design and capacity will be and what its program functions will be. The public review process that will lead to the decision-making, called "scoping," is the identification of issues and alternatives to be considered for analysis.
Monday's meeting will provide members of the St. John community an opportunity to meet with park staff, review existing information and offer input. There will be a brief presentation on the planning process, followed by a discussion period.
By documenting strong community support for the heritage center, the NPS has gotten $3 million for its construction included in President Clinton's 2000-2002 biennium budget. All such NPS projects require a formal review to identify any environmental, social or economic issues associated with construction and operation. September is the target for "approval of the location, program and design concepts for the center, based upon the results of the environmental review and public input," the publication said.
Another means by which the park service will collect public input on the project is an Environmental Heritage Center Scoping Questionnaire. To acquire a copy of the questionnaire, click on National Park, open the item headed "Environmental Heritage Center Questionnaire," print it out, fill it in and fax it to the National Park Service at 693-8811, or mail it to the V.I. National Park, Attention Jim Owens, PO Box 811 Cruz Bay, St. John VI 00831. Copies of the questionnaire may also be picked up the Cruz Bay visitor center and at various locations within the park.
According to the park's "Project News – May 2000" publication, the center's purpose "is to provide an educational opportunity for local youth and park visitors to learn the importance of preserving and protecting the extraordinary natural environment and cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands National Park."The primary focus of the center will be "to provide the youth of the Virgin Islands with hands-on educational activities in four areas: current history, ancient history, relationship to the land and relationship to the sea."
Decisions to be made include where the center will be located, what its design and capacity will be and what its program functions will be. The public review process that will lead to the decision-making, called "scoping," is the identification of issues and alternatives to be considered for analysis.
Monday's meeting will provide members of the St. John community an opportunity to meet with park staff, review existing information and offer input. There will be a brief presentation on the planning process, followed by a discussion period.
By documenting strong community support for the heritage center, the NPS has gotten $3 million for its construction included in President Clinton's 2000-2002 biennium budget. All such NPS projects require a formal review to identify any environmental, social or economic issues associated with construction and operation. September is the target for "approval of the location, program and design concepts for the center, based upon the results of the environmental review and public input," the publication said.
Another means by which the park service will collect public input on the project is an Environmental Heritage Center Scoping Questionnaire. To acquire a copy of the questionnaire, click on National Park, open the item headed "Environmental Heritage Center Questionnaire," print it out, fill it in and fax it to the National Park Service at 693-8811, or mail it to the V.I. National Park, Attention Jim Owens, PO Box 811 Cruz Bay, St. John VI 00831. Copies of the questionnaire may also be picked up the Cruz Bay visitor center and at various locations within the park.
PETRUS SAYS HE PLANS A MOVE TO PRIVATE SECTOR
Sen Allie-Allison Petrus did, indeed, discuss retirement at the press conference he held Monday morning in the Senate chambers. But his focus was not on the controversial government employees retirement bill before the Legislature. It was on himself.
"I've always been an advocate of term limits, since I began serving in 1994," Petrus said, "and I think it's time for my exit from public service."
Noting that he has been working toward a master of business administration degree at the Univrsity of the Virgin Islands as a part-time student, he said he is setting his sights now on a role in the private sector.
But Petrus also said New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's announcement over the weekend that for health reasons he was dropping out of the U.S. Senate race in the state of New York affected his decision. "As Giuliani said, ‘Politics isn't everything.'" Petrus said. "There's a world of opportunities out there, and I don't want to look back on my life with any regrets."
Petrus noted that on two occasions he proposed legislation limiting the terms of senators, "and, of course, they failed." He said senators staying in office beyond their useful years usually enter a "period of diminishing usefulness" wherein "they become good politicians and terrible policymakers."
He characterized a politician as "one who disengages the brain and uses the emotions" and a policymaker as one who "addresses the issues using numbers and facts."
"I am a terrible politician and an excellent policymaker," Petrus said. He cited among his accomplishments in the Legislature the passage of bills dealing with sex offenders, vocational education, food cooperatives, protection for retired Government Employees Retirement Service members, acceptance of medical insurance by pharmacy and laboratory service providers, recreational facilities in multifamily housing developments and autonomy for the hospitals.
With a smile, he deflected questions about the politically charged retirement bill currently before the Senate — which the news media had anticipated would be the focus of his press conference. He said the measure, which includes provision for senators to retire at full pay after 12 years in office, is in the hands of the Government Operations Committee.
He expressed hope that the 24th Legislature will "encourage outside investment" in the territory.
He thanked all of his colleagues as well as wife, Beverly, for their support. He said his wife approves of his decision — "in fact, she'll probably be throwing a party later today."
Calling the 23rd Legislature the most "productive and cohesive I've worked with," Petrus said with a grin that one of the things he will miss in the Senate chambers is the verbal sparring, "especially with Sen. Bryan."
Petrus got a standing ovation from all of the other senators present — Gregory Bennerson, Lorraine Berry, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Roosevelt David, Adlah "Fonsie" Donastorg, Judy Gomez, George Goodwin, David Jones, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
"I've always been an advocate of term limits, since I began serving in 1994," Petrus said, "and I think it's time for my exit from public service."
Noting that he has been working toward a master of business administration degree at the Univrsity of the Virgin Islands as a part-time student, he said he is setting his sights now on a role in the private sector.
But Petrus also said New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's announcement over the weekend that for health reasons he was dropping out of the U.S. Senate race in the state of New York affected his decision. "As Giuliani said, ‘Politics isn't everything.'" Petrus said. "There's a world of opportunities out there, and I don't want to look back on my life with any regrets."
Petrus noted that on two occasions he proposed legislation limiting the terms of senators, "and, of course, they failed." He said senators staying in office beyond their useful years usually enter a "period of diminishing usefulness" wherein "they become good politicians and terrible policymakers."
He characterized a politician as "one who disengages the brain and uses the emotions" and a policymaker as one who "addresses the issues using numbers and facts."
"I am a terrible politician and an excellent policymaker," Petrus said. He cited among his accomplishments in the Legislature the passage of bills dealing with sex offenders, vocational education, food cooperatives, protection for retired Government Employees Retirement Service members, acceptance of medical insurance by pharmacy and laboratory service providers, recreational facilities in multifamily housing developments and autonomy for the hospitals.
With a smile, he deflected questions about the politically charged retirement bill currently before the Senate — which the news media had anticipated would be the focus of his press conference. He said the measure, which includes provision for senators to retire at full pay after 12 years in office, is in the hands of the Government Operations Committee.
He expressed hope that the 24th Legislature will "encourage outside investment" in the territory.
He thanked all of his colleagues as well as wife, Beverly, for their support. He said his wife approves of his decision — "in fact, she'll probably be throwing a party later today."
Calling the 23rd Legislature the most "productive and cohesive I've worked with," Petrus said with a grin that one of the things he will miss in the Senate chambers is the verbal sparring, "especially with Sen. Bryan."
Petrus got a standing ovation from all of the other senators present — Gregory Bennerson, Lorraine Berry, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Roosevelt David, Adlah "Fonsie" Donastorg, Judy Gomez, George Goodwin, David Jones, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
PETRUS SAYS HE'S MOVING ON TO PRIVATE SECTOR
Sen Allie-Allison Petrus did, indeed, discuss retirement at the press conference he held Monday morning in the Senate chambers. But his focus was not on the controversial government employees retirement bill before the Legislature. It was on himself.
"I've always been an advocate of term limits, since I began serving in 1994," Petrus said, "and I think it's time for my exit from public service."
Noting that he has been working toward a master of business administration degree at the Univrsity of the Virgin Islands as a part-time student, he said he is setting his sights now on a role in the private sector.
But Petrus also said New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's announcement over the weekend that for health reasons he was dropping out of the U.S. Senate race in the state of New York affected his decision. "As Giuliani said, ‘Politics isn't everything.'" Petrus said. "There's a world of opportunities out there, and I don't want to look back on my life with any regrets."
Petrus noted that on two occasions he proposed legislation limiting the terms of senators, "and, of course, they failed." He said senators staying in office beyond their useful years usually enter a "period of diminishing usefulness" wherein "they become good politicians and terrible policymakers."
He characterized a politician as "one who disengages the brain and uses the emotions" and a policymaker as one who "addresses the issues using numbers and facts."
"I am a terrible politician and an excellent policymaker," Petrus said. He cited among his accomplishments in the Legislature the passage of bills dealing with sex offenders, vocational education, food cooperatives, protection for retired Government Employees Retirement Service members, acceptance of medical insurance by pharmacy and laboratory service providers, recreational facilities in multifamily housing developments and autonomy for the hospitals.
With a smile, he deflected questions about the politically charged retirement bill currently before the Senate — which the news media had anticipated would be the focus of his press conference. He said the measure, which includes provision for senators to retire at full pay after 12 years in office, is in the hands of the Government Operations Committee.
He expressed hope that the 24th Legislature will "encourage outside investment" in the territory.
He thanked all of his colleagues as well as wife, Beverly, for their support. He said his wife approves of his decision — "in fact, she'll probably be throwing a party later today."
Calling the 23rd Legislature the most "productive and cohesive I've worked with," Petrus said with a grin that one of the things he will miss in the Senate chambers is the verbal sparring, "especially with Sen. Bryan."
Petrus got a standing ovation from all of the other senators present — Gregory Bennerson, Lorraine Berry, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Roosevelt David, Adlah "Fonsie" Donastorg, Judy Gomez, George Goodwin, David Jones, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
"I've always been an advocate of term limits, since I began serving in 1994," Petrus said, "and I think it's time for my exit from public service."
Noting that he has been working toward a master of business administration degree at the Univrsity of the Virgin Islands as a part-time student, he said he is setting his sights now on a role in the private sector.
But Petrus also said New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's announcement over the weekend that for health reasons he was dropping out of the U.S. Senate race in the state of New York affected his decision. "As Giuliani said, ‘Politics isn't everything.'" Petrus said. "There's a world of opportunities out there, and I don't want to look back on my life with any regrets."
Petrus noted that on two occasions he proposed legislation limiting the terms of senators, "and, of course, they failed." He said senators staying in office beyond their useful years usually enter a "period of diminishing usefulness" wherein "they become good politicians and terrible policymakers."
He characterized a politician as "one who disengages the brain and uses the emotions" and a policymaker as one who "addresses the issues using numbers and facts."
"I am a terrible politician and an excellent policymaker," Petrus said. He cited among his accomplishments in the Legislature the passage of bills dealing with sex offenders, vocational education, food cooperatives, protection for retired Government Employees Retirement Service members, acceptance of medical insurance by pharmacy and laboratory service providers, recreational facilities in multifamily housing developments and autonomy for the hospitals.
With a smile, he deflected questions about the politically charged retirement bill currently before the Senate — which the news media had anticipated would be the focus of his press conference. He said the measure, which includes provision for senators to retire at full pay after 12 years in office, is in the hands of the Government Operations Committee.
He expressed hope that the 24th Legislature will "encourage outside investment" in the territory.
He thanked all of his colleagues as well as wife, Beverly, for their support. He said his wife approves of his decision — "in fact, she'll probably be throwing a party later today."
Calling the 23rd Legislature the most "productive and cohesive I've worked with," Petrus said with a grin that one of the things he will miss in the Senate chambers is the verbal sparring, "especially with Sen. Bryan."
Petrus got a standing ovation from all of the other senators present — Gregory Bennerson, Lorraine Berry, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Roosevelt David, Adlah "Fonsie" Donastorg, Judy Gomez, George Goodwin, David Jones, Almando "Rocky" Liburd and Vargrave Richards.
RENAISSANCE CREW CLEANS UP FOR A GOOD CAUSE
More than a hundred cars left the Tutu Park Mall parking lot Saturday looking a lot spiffier than when they arrived, as associates of the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort held their first car wash, for a good cause.
The day-long event was part of the resort's Associates Appreciation Week activities, which traditionally include a community service project, according to Nancy Schneider, events management director.
Schneider excitedly reported the outcome, an unofficial figure of about $1,300 that will go to purchase supplies for the Nana-Baby Children's Home and the Roy L. Schneider Hospital children's ward. "We really don't have it totaled yet," Schneider said. But at with $7 a wash or $10 for a wash and a vacuum, she figured that's about $8.50 per car on average, although some folks just donated dollars without a wash.
The associates — or employees — were out early Saturday wearing blue and white Renaissance T-shirts, directing cars from the main road into the washing station they had set up, supplied with cleaning materials from Western Auto, water from Dadlie's Trucking & Water Delivery, and drinks from Bellows International.
The cleaning crew included everyone from a Renaissance associate's schoolchild up to and including the resort's brand-new general manager, David Yamada, who appeared to be having a fine time and confirmed that this was a "hands-on" approach to his new position.
Joyce Smith, Renaissance executive secretary, was hard at work in jeans, T-shirt and a perky straw hat. Helping her wipe down cars and encourage customers was Monique Walters, the hotel's wedding director. With the colorful T-shirts, sparkling shines and a bright sunny day despite predictions the day before of heavy rains, the whole operation had the air of a well-run business. Schneider said it could well become an annual event.
The day-long event was part of the resort's Associates Appreciation Week activities, which traditionally include a community service project, according to Nancy Schneider, events management director.
Schneider excitedly reported the outcome, an unofficial figure of about $1,300 that will go to purchase supplies for the Nana-Baby Children's Home and the Roy L. Schneider Hospital children's ward. "We really don't have it totaled yet," Schneider said. But at with $7 a wash or $10 for a wash and a vacuum, she figured that's about $8.50 per car on average, although some folks just donated dollars without a wash.
The associates — or employees — were out early Saturday wearing blue and white Renaissance T-shirts, directing cars from the main road into the washing station they had set up, supplied with cleaning materials from Western Auto, water from Dadlie's Trucking & Water Delivery, and drinks from Bellows International.
The cleaning crew included everyone from a Renaissance associate's schoolchild up to and including the resort's brand-new general manager, David Yamada, who appeared to be having a fine time and confirmed that this was a "hands-on" approach to his new position.
Joyce Smith, Renaissance executive secretary, was hard at work in jeans, T-shirt and a perky straw hat. Helping her wipe down cars and encourage customers was Monique Walters, the hotel's wedding director. With the colorful T-shirts, sparkling shines and a bright sunny day despite predictions the day before of heavy rains, the whole operation had the air of a well-run business. Schneider said it could well become an annual event.
CAFE SERVES UP OLD AMBIENCE, NEW CUISINE
If you're looking for a little taste of Old St. Thomas with a very today flavor, go to the "head of Pave Street" — actually to a café bearing that name that is situated at the east end of Norre Gade, which was once called Pave Street because it was the first paved street on the island.
This fact and many others come to light as Terrylyn Smock excitedly talks about her new restaurant, which opened a few weeks ago. The interior of the small café is bathed in soft pastels with white tablecloths, comfortable chairs she painted herself, local artwork and what closely resembles a 19th Century West Indian pie cabinet.
"I found it at an antique shop and went home and kept thinking about it that night," she says of the piece of furniture, "and I realized the café just had to have it." The cabinet's pastel blue color sets the room off, even though it's not really filled with pies.
However, good things to eat abound on the eclectic menu. Smock says her goal was to offer something different from the usual West Indian "double starches" and to introduce a new concept to the neighborhood, a healthier and lighter menu. Which she has, sort of.
That's if you ignore the breakfast offerings of peach Melba brandied waffles covered in whipped cream and raspberry sauce, and biscuits and gravy. She makes up for these indulgences at lunch, though, with light salads, pita breads and soups. And there's espresso and cappuccino all day long.
Smock was an attorney with the Government Employees Retirement System before quitting a few years ago. After that, she says, she tossed around ideas for a new career, "something different," while meantime running a household with her husband, attorney Henry Smock, and two children, now 12 and 14 years old.
"I wanted to do something to contribute to the community," she says, "and I kept coming back to this neighborhood" — right behind the U.S. District Court building and within shouting distance of the Territorial Court complex.
Actually, she says, she had already decided to open a restaurant before she settled on the location. She first looked around Rothschild Francis "Market" Square but found real estate too expensive and the ambience lacking.
Upper Norre Gade, or Pave Street, beckoned to her — and it seemed an ideal location. "There's so much history here, and it's an area that could use a little gentrification," she says. In the 1700s, she says, the area was known as "the lagoon," as it was a protected harbor where boats hid during storms.
After taking a good look at what for years had been the Fanfare Flowers shop, she decided it was the site for her, although it was occupied by another flower and gift concern. Smock talked to the tenant, who told her the owner "definitely didn't want food in the location."
She smiles, recalling the conversation. "Well, let me to talk to the owner," she replied. Although tiny in stature, the lady can be very big on determination, and, voila! — the food, the location, the café.
She enlisted the help of her children, Michael and Rebecca, and several of their schoolmates in the early renovation work, tempting them with a "real demolition opportunity." They hacked away, eliminating a wall and creating more space, salvaging the wood they removed. Then she brought in a carpenter, who told her the wood was "too old, not good" to use. Smock says she replied, "It'll be fine. I want the old." Now, the pastel green counter reflects her decision and keeps the West Indian decor.
One thing in the neighborhood that has little to do with local history should be a boost to her business: the imposing new Theodore Tunick & Co. building with its three floors of office space above nearby Beltjen Road. Another main sources of clientele, of course, is the legal community from the nearby federal and local courts.
Attorney Lori Gilmore was, in fact, having breakfast as the interview for this story proceeded. She commended Smock on the inviting decor, which even includes a nook for a tete a tete or perhaps, less romantically, a deposition.
And soon to be added is a back patio. "I already have the umbrellas," Smock says. The café is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
This fact and many others come to light as Terrylyn Smock excitedly talks about her new restaurant, which opened a few weeks ago. The interior of the small café is bathed in soft pastels with white tablecloths, comfortable chairs she painted herself, local artwork and what closely resembles a 19th Century West Indian pie cabinet.
"I found it at an antique shop and went home and kept thinking about it that night," she says of the piece of furniture, "and I realized the café just had to have it." The cabinet's pastel blue color sets the room off, even though it's not really filled with pies.
However, good things to eat abound on the eclectic menu. Smock says her goal was to offer something different from the usual West Indian "double starches" and to introduce a new concept to the neighborhood, a healthier and lighter menu. Which she has, sort of.
That's if you ignore the breakfast offerings of peach Melba brandied waffles covered in whipped cream and raspberry sauce, and biscuits and gravy. She makes up for these indulgences at lunch, though, with light salads, pita breads and soups. And there's espresso and cappuccino all day long.
Smock was an attorney with the Government Employees Retirement System before quitting a few years ago. After that, she says, she tossed around ideas for a new career, "something different," while meantime running a household with her husband, attorney Henry Smock, and two children, now 12 and 14 years old.
"I wanted to do something to contribute to the community," she says, "and I kept coming back to this neighborhood" — right behind the U.S. District Court building and within shouting distance of the Territorial Court complex.
Actually, she says, she had already decided to open a restaurant before she settled on the location. She first looked around Rothschild Francis "Market" Square but found real estate too expensive and the ambience lacking.
Upper Norre Gade, or Pave Street, beckoned to her — and it seemed an ideal location. "There's so much history here, and it's an area that could use a little gentrification," she says. In the 1700s, she says, the area was known as "the lagoon," as it was a protected harbor where boats hid during storms.
After taking a good look at what for years had been the Fanfare Flowers shop, she decided it was the site for her, although it was occupied by another flower and gift concern. Smock talked to the tenant, who told her the owner "definitely didn't want food in the location."
She smiles, recalling the conversation. "Well, let me to talk to the owner," she replied. Although tiny in stature, the lady can be very big on determination, and, voila! — the food, the location, the café.
She enlisted the help of her children, Michael and Rebecca, and several of their schoolmates in the early renovation work, tempting them with a "real demolition opportunity." They hacked away, eliminating a wall and creating more space, salvaging the wood they removed. Then she brought in a carpenter, who told her the wood was "too old, not good" to use. Smock says she replied, "It'll be fine. I want the old." Now, the pastel green counter reflects her decision and keeps the West Indian decor.
One thing in the neighborhood that has little to do with local history should be a boost to her business: the imposing new Theodore Tunick & Co. building with its three floors of office space above nearby Beltjen Road. Another main sources of clientele, of course, is the legal community from the nearby federal and local courts.
Attorney Lori Gilmore was, in fact, having breakfast as the interview for this story proceeded. She commended Smock on the inviting decor, which even includes a nook for a tete a tete or perhaps, less romantically, a deposition.
And soon to be added is a back patio. "I already have the umbrellas," Smock says. The café is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
ON-BOARD EVENTS ERODING BUSINESS ON LAND
Editor's note: The following letter, dated May 18 and addressed to St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce president John deJongh Jr. and St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association president Richard Doumeng, was circulated by Sen. Cole's office to the news media on May 19.
Gentlemen:
The fact is, the attraction of hosting events aboard cruise ships fascinates local groups and non-profit organizations and is slowly becoming a disadvantage to land-based hotels, bars and restaurants. Various groups and non-profit organizations are contributing to a growing trend of holding paid luncheons, seminars or other formal activities aboard cruise ships docked at The West Indian Company dock. I believe the impact of this trend should represent a looming threat to allied members in your organizations' food and beverage industry.
As this practice slowly develops into a pattern, I cannot casually sit and not make a statement as an erosion of commerce to local land-based businesses quietly shifts to cruise ship entertainment facilities. The cruise lines are now essentially competing against land-based facilities that provide the same services. Revenues to local tax-paying businesses and the livelihood of bartenders, waiters and waitresses are threatened when fund-raising and other leisure activities are steered away from local establishments and into a cruise industry that is historically against any move to levy any fees on its local operation.
My criticism of this practice should not be viewed as "bashing the cruise ship industry," [but] instead as an incentive for hotels, restaurants and bars to guard against the attack on their business by outside forces. With the islands' dwindling economy, local establishments should wake up and take notice.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole
St. Thomas
VITRAN GETS ST. JOHN BUS SERVICE GOING AGAIN
Regularly scheduled bus service resumed over the weekend on St. John as the system worked its way through a series of mechanical and scheduling problems.
Vitran St. John operations manager Donna Roberts said laid-off St. John drivers, working limited hours on standby, have been helping to get buses rolling for the first run of the day from Salt Pond at 5 a.m. Only one of the St. Thomas drivers assigned to the morning shift stayed on St. John overnight as required in order to report for work on time.
"One St. Thomas driver stayed over, one St. Thomas driver called in sick, one is under stress," Roberts said. "One St. Thomas driver never drove on St. John before. They've only been as far as the Cruz Bay dock for the Fourth of July."
Last week, Roberts encountered numerous surprises as she took on the task of putting a new crew to work on a reduced schedule utilizing two buses. By Thursday, mechanical problems and the lack of a mechanic on island to deal with them had both buses out of service for the day.
By Friday, Vitran drivers on St. Thomas said they were willing to comply with a mid- week directive from Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson Jr. postponing all scheduled vacation leave, despite union objections, and there was again bus service on St. John.
Roberts said she expects the service cuts will produce a drop in fare box revenues. "I'm losing customers and revenues," she said, "but I won't know how much until Monday when I'll be adding up the revenues."
She's pretty sure that a number of former St. John Vitran regulars have simply given up on bus service and are opting to drive their cars into traffic-crowded Cruz Bay instead of parking along the bus routes and taking public transit to town.
Vitran St. John operations manager Donna Roberts said laid-off St. John drivers, working limited hours on standby, have been helping to get buses rolling for the first run of the day from Salt Pond at 5 a.m. Only one of the St. Thomas drivers assigned to the morning shift stayed on St. John overnight as required in order to report for work on time.
"One St. Thomas driver stayed over, one St. Thomas driver called in sick, one is under stress," Roberts said. "One St. Thomas driver never drove on St. John before. They've only been as far as the Cruz Bay dock for the Fourth of July."
Last week, Roberts encountered numerous surprises as she took on the task of putting a new crew to work on a reduced schedule utilizing two buses. By Thursday, mechanical problems and the lack of a mechanic on island to deal with them had both buses out of service for the day.
By Friday, Vitran drivers on St. Thomas said they were willing to comply with a mid- week directive from Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson Jr. postponing all scheduled vacation leave, despite union objections, and there was again bus service on St. John.
Roberts said she expects the service cuts will produce a drop in fare box revenues. "I'm losing customers and revenues," she said, "but I won't know how much until Monday when I'll be adding up the revenues."
She's pretty sure that a number of former St. John Vitran regulars have simply given up on bus service and are opting to drive their cars into traffic-crowded Cruz Bay instead of parking along the bus routes and taking public transit to town.
