The battle to find out who has the best modified pitch softball teams on the island will begin at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 16 at Emile Griffith Ballpark. The St. Thomas-St. John 40-Plus Baseball Team will host a one-day Battle of the Leagues between the Senthill and Vialet Leagues.
The line up will be as follows
Senthill League ——————————–Vialet League
1. Go Deep ——————vs——————–Bapos
2. Mountaineers ————vs——————–Dynamics
3. Red Dogs——————vs——————–Rookes
4. Smith Bay Posse———-vs——————–Ninjas
5. Hit & Run—————–vs——————–Movements
All games are trophy games. Food and drinks will be on sale.
ECONOMIC POWER IS WOMEN'S CONFERENCE FOCUS
The Women's Business Center of the Virgin Islands is hosting its first mid-year conference Thursday through Saturday, April 13-15, on the theme of "Economic Empowerment for the 21st Century."
Targeted to participate in the conference, taking place at the Divi Carina Bay Resort on St. Croix, are women who are established and emerging business owners, as well as public officials, representatives of not-for-profit organizations, lenders, investors and financial consultants.
Guest presenters will include the following:
– Aida Alvarez, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration
– Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen, who is also a medical doctor
– Jeannine Coma, director of the Center for Management Development at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus in Barbados
– Linda Baxter, an attorney specializing in estate planning
– Patricia Rhymer-Todman, chair of the V.I. Commission on the Status of Women
– John Abramson Jr., V.I. supervisor of elections
– Dr. Prince Ramsey, a physician in Antigua concentrating on women's health and AIDS
– Dr. George Woodley, program operations manager for the Florida Department of Children and Families
– Catherine Hess, executive director of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs in Washington, D.C., and
– Barbara Collins, owner of Positive Trends, organizational development consulting firm.
The conference is a joint presentation of the WBC, the Small Business Administration, the St. Croix Foundation, the University of the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center, the territory's Business and Professional Women chapters, the V.I. Health and Human Services Departments, the U.S. Public Health Service's Office of Women's Health and Virgin Islands Health Starts.
The Women's Business Center, founded last year with offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix, offers business training courses, networking, counseling, mentoring and free computer use with Internet access. The St. Croix Foundation manages a community business loan program making $650,000 available to female small-business owners.
According to information from the business center:
– Women own nearly 40 percent of businesses in the United States, and countries in which women are active as business owners have a higher level of economic growth than those in which they are not.
– Women's participation in the workforce in the Virgin Islands is declining.
– Sixty percent of women in the territory are high-school graduates.
– Ninety-nine percent of the welfare recipients in the territory are women.
"Women must confront welfare reform," a brochure describing the conference states. "Without the proper skills to make the transition from welfare to work, our community will find itself in deeper trouble."
The conference, it states, "will help women become full partners in the competitive marketplace" by examining "solutions to the many barriers women face in pursuing entrepreneurship."
Those wishing to attend the conference will be able to register at the door. Registration fees are $70 for one day, $140 for two days, $185 for three days, $275 for all three days plus a gala dinner on Saturday night, and $100 for the dinner only.
Plans call for the mid-year conference to be an annual event.
Targeted to participate in the conference, taking place at the Divi Carina Bay Resort on St. Croix, are women who are established and emerging business owners, as well as public officials, representatives of not-for-profit organizations, lenders, investors and financial consultants.
Guest presenters will include the following:
– Aida Alvarez, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration
– Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen, who is also a medical doctor
– Jeannine Coma, director of the Center for Management Development at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus in Barbados
– Linda Baxter, an attorney specializing in estate planning
– Patricia Rhymer-Todman, chair of the V.I. Commission on the Status of Women
– John Abramson Jr., V.I. supervisor of elections
– Dr. Prince Ramsey, a physician in Antigua concentrating on women's health and AIDS
– Dr. George Woodley, program operations manager for the Florida Department of Children and Families
– Catherine Hess, executive director of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs in Washington, D.C., and
– Barbara Collins, owner of Positive Trends, organizational development consulting firm.
The conference is a joint presentation of the WBC, the Small Business Administration, the St. Croix Foundation, the University of the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center, the territory's Business and Professional Women chapters, the V.I. Health and Human Services Departments, the U.S. Public Health Service's Office of Women's Health and Virgin Islands Health Starts.
The Women's Business Center, founded last year with offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix, offers business training courses, networking, counseling, mentoring and free computer use with Internet access. The St. Croix Foundation manages a community business loan program making $650,000 available to female small-business owners.
According to information from the business center:
– Women own nearly 40 percent of businesses in the United States, and countries in which women are active as business owners have a higher level of economic growth than those in which they are not.
– Women's participation in the workforce in the Virgin Islands is declining.
– Sixty percent of women in the territory are high-school graduates.
– Ninety-nine percent of the welfare recipients in the territory are women.
"Women must confront welfare reform," a brochure describing the conference states. "Without the proper skills to make the transition from welfare to work, our community will find itself in deeper trouble."
The conference, it states, "will help women become full partners in the competitive marketplace" by examining "solutions to the many barriers women face in pursuing entrepreneurship."
Those wishing to attend the conference will be able to register at the door. Registration fees are $70 for one day, $140 for two days, $185 for three days, $275 for all three days plus a gala dinner on Saturday night, and $100 for the dinner only.
Plans call for the mid-year conference to be an annual event.
SEAHORSE RELEASE PLAN IS ECO-TOURISM AT WORK
Ecological tourism, the experts say, is one of the hottest market niches in the leisure travel business today. It's also, of course, environmentally — and politically — correct. And those are strong incentives for hospitality enterprises to look into partnering to promote activities that appeal to the intrepid eco-tourist.
One such partnership is falling into place on St. Thomas right now. It's between the Coral World marine park and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and its objective is to promote awareness of marine environmental issues among both residents and visitors.
The waters of Great Bay, off the Ritz-Carlton beach, lie within the St. James Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, which extends from Cas Cay to Cabrita Point and includes the Cow and Calf Rocks and the Little St. James and Great St. James islands. And adjacent to this sanctuary are other marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries — the Compass Point Pond and Cas Cay and the Mangrove Lagoon.
Someone keenly aware of what this all means in the greater scheme of things is Arnoldo Falcoff, who is in charge of the underwater snorkeling school for the hotel. Falcoff, a Coast Guard-licensed captain, has been involved with watersports at the hotel since 1992, when it was the Grand Palazzo, and before that he worked with the old Coral World. "I helped with capturing some of the sharks for the predator tank," he says matter-of-factly.
Several months ago, Falcoff approached Coral World curator Donna Nemeth with an idea whose time had come: releasing some of the seahorses bred at the marine park into the seagrass beds located in Great Bay just a short swim from the hotel beach. Two weeks ago in a test run, 10 of the creatures were released, and Nemeth was pleased. "The shallow, calm waters of Great Bay contain seagrasses and algae that should provide habitat and food," she said.
And so, on Tuesday, April 18, at 3 p.m., guests of the hotel and others from the community who would like to come along will take part in a guided snorkel tour to witness the release of the seahorses and learn more about the value of ecological reserves.
Between 10 and 50 of the "older" seahorses in the breeding program at Coral World will be released Tuesday, Nemeth said. They are about a year old and about 2 inches in length and are now at a stage of development to be placed into a natural habitat. "They do not have many predators," Falcoff noted. "They have very good camouflage — they wrap their tails in some algae or a sponge and they stay very quiet. They feed on crustaceans and other tiny animals passing by."
It will be the first in what's expected to become an ongoing program of periodic seahorse releases in Great Bay. How often they occur will depend "on the level of interest of the guests at the hotel" and how often things get to the point that "we have too many mouths to feed" in the breeding tanks at Coral World, Nemeth said.
"This is a great opportunity to support the environmental efforts of the Ritz-Carlton and use our marine biology expertise to help educate their visitors," she said.
The marine reserves protect valuable nursery habitats for juvenile reef fishes, lobsters and birds, and it is against the law to remove any creatures from them. "We want to bring awareness about the status of the marine reserves," Falcoff says. "The public is not very well informed, and we have seen over-exploitation of the reefs over the years. Reefs have a very important function as a place that allows marine animals to thrive and procreate without any interference."
One such partnership is falling into place on St. Thomas right now. It's between the Coral World marine park and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and its objective is to promote awareness of marine environmental issues among both residents and visitors.
The waters of Great Bay, off the Ritz-Carlton beach, lie within the St. James Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, which extends from Cas Cay to Cabrita Point and includes the Cow and Calf Rocks and the Little St. James and Great St. James islands. And adjacent to this sanctuary are other marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries — the Compass Point Pond and Cas Cay and the Mangrove Lagoon.
Someone keenly aware of what this all means in the greater scheme of things is Arnoldo Falcoff, who is in charge of the underwater snorkeling school for the hotel. Falcoff, a Coast Guard-licensed captain, has been involved with watersports at the hotel since 1992, when it was the Grand Palazzo, and before that he worked with the old Coral World. "I helped with capturing some of the sharks for the predator tank," he says matter-of-factly.
Several months ago, Falcoff approached Coral World curator Donna Nemeth with an idea whose time had come: releasing some of the seahorses bred at the marine park into the seagrass beds located in Great Bay just a short swim from the hotel beach. Two weeks ago in a test run, 10 of the creatures were released, and Nemeth was pleased. "The shallow, calm waters of Great Bay contain seagrasses and algae that should provide habitat and food," she said.
And so, on Tuesday, April 18, at 3 p.m., guests of the hotel and others from the community who would like to come along will take part in a guided snorkel tour to witness the release of the seahorses and learn more about the value of ecological reserves.
Between 10 and 50 of the "older" seahorses in the breeding program at Coral World will be released Tuesday, Nemeth said. They are about a year old and about 2 inches in length and are now at a stage of development to be placed into a natural habitat. "They do not have many predators," Falcoff noted. "They have very good camouflage — they wrap their tails in some algae or a sponge and they stay very quiet. They feed on crustaceans and other tiny animals passing by."
It will be the first in what's expected to become an ongoing program of periodic seahorse releases in Great Bay. How often they occur will depend "on the level of interest of the guests at the hotel" and how often things get to the point that "we have too many mouths to feed" in the breeding tanks at Coral World, Nemeth said.
"This is a great opportunity to support the environmental efforts of the Ritz-Carlton and use our marine biology expertise to help educate their visitors," she said.
The marine reserves protect valuable nursery habitats for juvenile reef fishes, lobsters and birds, and it is against the law to remove any creatures from them. "We want to bring awareness about the status of the marine reserves," Falcoff says. "The public is not very well informed, and we have seen over-exploitation of the reefs over the years. Reefs have a very important function as a place that allows marine animals to thrive and procreate without any interference."
VIPD LOOKING INTO STX HOTEL MELEE
An internal affairs investigation is being conducted by police on St. Croix to determine if officers neglected to take action during a rock-throwing, race-based incident at the Cormorant Beach Resort on Sunday.
In a letter to top V.I. government officials on Monday, Cormorant Beach Resort president Arthur Mayer detailed the physical violence – he was hit over the head with a beer bottle — and racial slurs allegedly to have occurred when several black residents "swarmed" resort property.
When police responded to the resort’s call for assistance, Mayer, who is white, said officers greeted the alleged assailants with "West Indian handshakes" and did little else. Mayer said that because of the inaction, which included destruction of resort property in front of some 50 guests, he is calling for a federal inquiry into civil rights violations.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Wednesday that the department’s Internal Affairs Division is conducting an investigation into the officers’ conduct. Muddying the picture, however, is whether the alleged actions by the island residents and inaction by police was related to the resort being popular among gay and lesbian tourists.
"If it is, it shouldn’t be," Francis said. "It’s a fact that the Cormorant openly advertises itself as a gay resort. Regardless of color or gender preference, we intend to enforce the law."
Meanwhile, acting Tourism Commissioner Rafael Jackson said he will wait for the internal report before drawing conclusions. Still, he said that what he read in Mayer’s letter was unsettling.
"I’m trying to get a picture of what went down," Jackson said. "What I’m hearing I don’t like. The whole situation has upset me terribly."
Jackson questioned why no arrests were made considering the physical assault on Mayer alone. He said he hopes to have information by the end of the week. Until then, he said there isn’t much he can comment on.
"These are the kinds of answers I’m looking for from the Department of Public Safety," said Jackson. "These are the things I need to know."
In the meantime, Francis said that along with the internal affairs report he has ordered the captain in charge of the zone where the Cormorant is located to conduct "proactive" patrols. The internal investigation, he said, will be completed "post haste."
Editor's note: For the initial story on the incident at the Cormorant Beach Resort on St. Croix, refer to the St. Croix Source.
In a letter to top V.I. government officials on Monday, Cormorant Beach Resort president Arthur Mayer detailed the physical violence – he was hit over the head with a beer bottle — and racial slurs allegedly to have occurred when several black residents "swarmed" resort property.
When police responded to the resort’s call for assistance, Mayer, who is white, said officers greeted the alleged assailants with "West Indian handshakes" and did little else. Mayer said that because of the inaction, which included destruction of resort property in front of some 50 guests, he is calling for a federal inquiry into civil rights violations.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Wednesday that the department’s Internal Affairs Division is conducting an investigation into the officers’ conduct. Muddying the picture, however, is whether the alleged actions by the island residents and inaction by police was related to the resort being popular among gay and lesbian tourists.
"If it is, it shouldn’t be," Francis said. "It’s a fact that the Cormorant openly advertises itself as a gay resort. Regardless of color or gender preference, we intend to enforce the law."
Meanwhile, acting Tourism Commissioner Rafael Jackson said he will wait for the internal report before drawing conclusions. Still, he said that what he read in Mayer’s letter was unsettling.
"I’m trying to get a picture of what went down," Jackson said. "What I’m hearing I don’t like. The whole situation has upset me terribly."
Jackson questioned why no arrests were made considering the physical assault on Mayer alone. He said he hopes to have information by the end of the week. Until then, he said there isn’t much he can comment on.
"These are the kinds of answers I’m looking for from the Department of Public Safety," said Jackson. "These are the things I need to know."
In the meantime, Francis said that along with the internal affairs report he has ordered the captain in charge of the zone where the Cormorant is located to conduct "proactive" patrols. The internal investigation, he said, will be completed "post haste."
Editor's note: For the initial story on the incident at the Cormorant Beach Resort on St. Croix, refer to the St. Croix Source.
VIPD LOOKING INTO ST. CROIX HOTEL MELEE
An internal affairs investigation is being conducted by police on St. Croix to determine if officers neglected to take action during a rock-throwing, race-based incident at the Cormorant Beach Resort on Sunday.
In a letter to top V.I. government officials on Monday, Cormorant Beach Resort president Arthur Mayer detailed the physical violence – he was hit over the head with a beer bottle — and racial slurs allegedly to have occurred when several black residents "swarmed" resort property.
When police responded to the resort’s call for assistance, Mayer, who is white, said officers greeted the alleged assailants with "West Indian handshakes" and did little else. Mayer said that because of the inaction, which included destruction of resort property in front of some 50 guests, he is calling for a federal inquiry into civil rights violations.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Wednesday that the department’s Internal Affairs Division is conducting an investigation into the officers’ conduct. Muddying the picture, however, is whether the alleged actions by the island residents and inaction by police was related to the resort being popular among gay and lesbian tourists.
"If it is, it shouldn’t be," Francis said. "It’s a fact that the Cormorant openly advertises itself as a gay resort. Regardless of color or gender preference, we intend to enforce the law."
Meanwhile, acting Tourism Commissioner Rafael Jackson said he will wait for the internal report before drawing conclusions. Still, he said that what he read in Mayer’s letter was unsettling.
"I’m trying to get a picture of what went down," Jackson said. "What I’m hearing I don’t like. The whole situation has upset me terribly."
Jackson questioned why no arrests were made considering the physical assault on Mayer alone. He said he hopes to have information by the end of the week. Until then, he said there isn’t much he can comment on.
"These are the kinds of answers I’m looking for from the Department of Public Safety," said Jackson. "These are the things I need to know."
In the meantime, Francis said that along with the internal affairs report he has ordered the captain in charge of the zone where the Cormorant is located to conduct "proactive" patrols. The internal investigation, he said, will be completed "post haste."
Editor's note: For the initial story on the incident at the Cormorant Beach Resort on St. Croix, refer to the St. Croix Source.
In a letter to top V.I. government officials on Monday, Cormorant Beach Resort president Arthur Mayer detailed the physical violence – he was hit over the head with a beer bottle — and racial slurs allegedly to have occurred when several black residents "swarmed" resort property.
When police responded to the resort’s call for assistance, Mayer, who is white, said officers greeted the alleged assailants with "West Indian handshakes" and did little else. Mayer said that because of the inaction, which included destruction of resort property in front of some 50 guests, he is calling for a federal inquiry into civil rights violations.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Wednesday that the department’s Internal Affairs Division is conducting an investigation into the officers’ conduct. Muddying the picture, however, is whether the alleged actions by the island residents and inaction by police was related to the resort being popular among gay and lesbian tourists.
"If it is, it shouldn’t be," Francis said. "It’s a fact that the Cormorant openly advertises itself as a gay resort. Regardless of color or gender preference, we intend to enforce the law."
Meanwhile, acting Tourism Commissioner Rafael Jackson said he will wait for the internal report before drawing conclusions. Still, he said that what he read in Mayer’s letter was unsettling.
"I’m trying to get a picture of what went down," Jackson said. "What I’m hearing I don’t like. The whole situation has upset me terribly."
Jackson questioned why no arrests were made considering the physical assault on Mayer alone. He said he hopes to have information by the end of the week. Until then, he said there isn’t much he can comment on.
"These are the kinds of answers I’m looking for from the Department of Public Safety," said Jackson. "These are the things I need to know."
In the meantime, Francis said that along with the internal affairs report he has ordered the captain in charge of the zone where the Cormorant is located to conduct "proactive" patrols. The internal investigation, he said, will be completed "post haste."
Editor's note: For the initial story on the incident at the Cormorant Beach Resort on St. Croix, refer to the St. Croix Source.
VIPD INVESTIGATING CORMORANT INCIDENT
An internal affairs investigation is being conducted by police on St. Croix to determine if officers neglected to take action during a rock-throwing, race-based incident at the Cormorant Beach Resort on Sunday.
In a letter Monday to top V.I. government officials, the resort's president, Arthur Mayer, detailed the physical violence – he was hit over the head with a beer bottle — and racial slurs that allegedly occurred when several black residents "swarmed" resort property.
When police responded to the resort’s call for assistance, Mayer, who is white, said officers greeted the alleged assailants with "West Indian handshakes" and did little else. Mayer said that because of the inaction, while the destruction of resort property took place in front of some 50 guests, he was calling for a federal inquiry into civil rights violations.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Wednesday that the department’s Internal Affairs Division was investigating the officers’ conduct.
Muddying the picture is the question of whether the alleged actions by the island residents and inaction by police was related to the resort being popular among gay and lesbian tourists.
"If it is, it shouldn’t be," Francis said. "It’s a fact that the Cormorant openly advertises itself as a gay resort. Regardless of color or gender preference, we intend to enforce the law."
Acting Tourism Commissioner Rafael Jackson said he would wait for the internal report before drawing conclusions. Still, he said that what he read in Mayer’s letter was unsettling.
"I’m trying to get a picture of what went down," Jackson said. "What I’m hearing, I don’t like. The whole situation has upset me terribly."
Jackson questioned why no arrests were made considering the physical assault on Mayer alone. He said he hoped to have information by the end of the week. Until then, he said there isn’t much he can comment on.
"These are the kinds of answers I’m looking for from the Department of Public Safety," said Jackson. "These are the things I need to know."
In the meantime, Francis said that along with the internal affairs report he has ordered the captain in charge of the zone where the Cormorant is located to conduct "pro-active" patrols. The internal investigation, he said, will be completed "posthaste."
In a letter Monday to top V.I. government officials, the resort's president, Arthur Mayer, detailed the physical violence – he was hit over the head with a beer bottle — and racial slurs that allegedly occurred when several black residents "swarmed" resort property.
When police responded to the resort’s call for assistance, Mayer, who is white, said officers greeted the alleged assailants with "West Indian handshakes" and did little else. Mayer said that because of the inaction, while the destruction of resort property took place in front of some 50 guests, he was calling for a federal inquiry into civil rights violations.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis said Wednesday that the department’s Internal Affairs Division was investigating the officers’ conduct.
Muddying the picture is the question of whether the alleged actions by the island residents and inaction by police was related to the resort being popular among gay and lesbian tourists.
"If it is, it shouldn’t be," Francis said. "It’s a fact that the Cormorant openly advertises itself as a gay resort. Regardless of color or gender preference, we intend to enforce the law."
Acting Tourism Commissioner Rafael Jackson said he would wait for the internal report before drawing conclusions. Still, he said that what he read in Mayer’s letter was unsettling.
"I’m trying to get a picture of what went down," Jackson said. "What I’m hearing, I don’t like. The whole situation has upset me terribly."
Jackson questioned why no arrests were made considering the physical assault on Mayer alone. He said he hoped to have information by the end of the week. Until then, he said there isn’t much he can comment on.
"These are the kinds of answers I’m looking for from the Department of Public Safety," said Jackson. "These are the things I need to know."
In the meantime, Francis said that along with the internal affairs report he has ordered the captain in charge of the zone where the Cormorant is located to conduct "pro-active" patrols. The internal investigation, he said, will be completed "posthaste."
4TH RUBY RUTNIK TOURNAMENT DRAWS 17 TEAMS
This weekend, for the fourth straight year, softball players from throughout the Virgin Islands and their fans will gather on St. John to play ball for a doubly good cause: to honor the memory of Ruby Rutnik, a former Antilles School softball star who died in an automobile accident during her senior year of college in 1996, and to raise funds for a scholarship created in her memory.
This year's Ruby Rutnik Memorial Softball Tournament will be held at the Winston Wells and the National Park ball parks, Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, April 14-16.
Girls' softball teams competing will be Addelita Cancryn, Antilles, Charlotte Amalie and Moravian in the junior varsity division, and Antilles, Charlotte Amalie, Central, Educational Complex, Eudora Kean and Good Hope in the varsity division.
In the men's modified slow-pitch division, the As Man, Latinos, Marlins, Sea Dogs, Smith Bay Posse and Without A Doubt squads will compete.
Proceeds from the event will go toward two college scholarships of $2,500 awarded annually to young women from St. John. The funds are raised through the sponsorship of innings in the games, at $100 apiece.
"It's the biggest softball tournament in the Virgin Islands," Ruby's mother, Janet Cook- Rutnik, said. "The participation of girls' softball teams is the heart of the event."
There are still innings looking for corporate and angel sponsors, she said.
"Contributors are announced on a sound system throughout the games by Ruby's brother, Amos, who comes home from Tampa, Fla., each spring to serve as deejay and announcer for the event," Cook-Rutnik said. "It's a great way to advertise your rental home or your boat — or even announce your wedding engagement."
In its first three years, the scholarship fund reached one-third of its goal to create an endowment that is self-perpetuating, she said.
The first winner of the Ruby Rutnik Memorial Scholarship was Tessa Williams, who attends Ruby's alma mater, American University in Washington, D.C. The current scholarship holders are Khania Dawson, now in her second year at Hampton University, and Tiffany Rogers, a freshman at Florida Atlantic University. Applications for this year's awards will be available in late May.
The game schedule is as follows. Junior Varsity play is on the National Park field; all other games are in Winston Wells Ball Park.
Friday:
3 p.m. — junior varsity Antilles A vs. Moravian; varsity Complex vs. Antilles
4:30 p.m. — junior varsity CAHS vs. Cancryn; varsity Good Hope vs. EKHS
6:30 p.m. — opening cereminies with music by the Pan Dragons
7 p.m. — Smith Bay Posse vs. Sea Dogs
8:30 p.m. — Without A Doubt vs. Marlins
10 p.m. — Latinos vs. As Man
Saturday:
9:45 a.m. — junior varsity Antilles B vs. Game 1 winner; varsity Central vs. CAHS
The double elimination tournament will then continue with winners playing winners and losers playing losers in 90-minute games. The junior varsity championship game is to begin at 5:15 p.m. Saturday in the National Park field. The men's championship game is scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday. The varsity girls' championship game is to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Those wishing to sponsor innings or obtain more information should call the Rutniks at Guavaberry Farms at 776-6809, Connections in Cruz Bay at 776-6922, or Connections in Coral Bay at 779-4994.
This year's Ruby Rutnik Memorial Softball Tournament will be held at the Winston Wells and the National Park ball parks, Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, April 14-16.
Girls' softball teams competing will be Addelita Cancryn, Antilles, Charlotte Amalie and Moravian in the junior varsity division, and Antilles, Charlotte Amalie, Central, Educational Complex, Eudora Kean and Good Hope in the varsity division.
In the men's modified slow-pitch division, the As Man, Latinos, Marlins, Sea Dogs, Smith Bay Posse and Without A Doubt squads will compete.
Proceeds from the event will go toward two college scholarships of $2,500 awarded annually to young women from St. John. The funds are raised through the sponsorship of innings in the games, at $100 apiece.
"It's the biggest softball tournament in the Virgin Islands," Ruby's mother, Janet Cook- Rutnik, said. "The participation of girls' softball teams is the heart of the event."
There are still innings looking for corporate and angel sponsors, she said.
"Contributors are announced on a sound system throughout the games by Ruby's brother, Amos, who comes home from Tampa, Fla., each spring to serve as deejay and announcer for the event," Cook-Rutnik said. "It's a great way to advertise your rental home or your boat — or even announce your wedding engagement."
In its first three years, the scholarship fund reached one-third of its goal to create an endowment that is self-perpetuating, she said.
The first winner of the Ruby Rutnik Memorial Scholarship was Tessa Williams, who attends Ruby's alma mater, American University in Washington, D.C. The current scholarship holders are Khania Dawson, now in her second year at Hampton University, and Tiffany Rogers, a freshman at Florida Atlantic University. Applications for this year's awards will be available in late May.
The game schedule is as follows. Junior Varsity play is on the National Park field; all other games are in Winston Wells Ball Park.
Friday:
3 p.m. — junior varsity Antilles A vs. Moravian; varsity Complex vs. Antilles
4:30 p.m. — junior varsity CAHS vs. Cancryn; varsity Good Hope vs. EKHS
6:30 p.m. — opening cereminies with music by the Pan Dragons
7 p.m. — Smith Bay Posse vs. Sea Dogs
8:30 p.m. — Without A Doubt vs. Marlins
10 p.m. — Latinos vs. As Man
Saturday:
9:45 a.m. — junior varsity Antilles B vs. Game 1 winner; varsity Central vs. CAHS
The double elimination tournament will then continue with winners playing winners and losers playing losers in 90-minute games. The junior varsity championship game is to begin at 5:15 p.m. Saturday in the National Park field. The men's championship game is scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday. The varsity girls' championship game is to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Those wishing to sponsor innings or obtain more information should call the Rutniks at Guavaberry Farms at 776-6809, Connections in Cruz Bay at 776-6922, or Connections in Coral Bay at 779-4994.
4TH RUBY RUTNIK TOURNAMENT DRAWS 17 TEAMS
This weekend, for the fourth straight year, softball players from throughout the Virgin Islands and their fans will gather on St. John to play ball for a doubly good cause: to honor the memory of Ruby Rutnik, a former Antilles School softball star who died in an automobile accident during her senior year of college in 1996, and to raise funds for a scholarship created in her memory.
This year's Ruby Rutnik Memorial Softball Tournament will be held at the Winston Wells and the National Park ball parks, Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, April 14-16.
Girls' softball teams competing will be Addelita Cancryn, Antilles (2), Charlotte Amalie and Moravian in the junior varsity division, and Antilles, Charlotte Amalie, Central, Educational Complex, Eudora Kean and Good Hope in the varsity division.
In the men's modified slow-pitch division, the As Man, Latinos, Marlins, Sea Dogs, Smith Bay Posse and Without A Doubt squads will compete.
Proceeds from the event will go toward two college scholarships of $2,500 awarded annually to young women from St. John. The funds are raised through the sponsorship of innings in the games, at $100 apiece.
"It's the biggest softball tournament in the Virgin Islands," Ruby's mother, Janet Cook- Rutnik, said. "The participation of girls' softball teams is the heart of the event."
There are still innings looking for corporate and angel sponsors, she said.
"Contributors are announced on a sound system throughout the games by Ruby's brother, Amos, who comes home from Tampa, Fla., each spring to serve as deejay and announcer for the event," Cook-Rutnik said. "It's a great way to advertise your rental home or your boat — or even announce your wedding engagement."
In its first three years, the scholarship fund reached one-third of its goal to create an endowment that is self-perpetuating, she said.
The first winner of the Ruby Rutnik Memorial Scholarship was Tessa Williams, who attends Ruby's alma mater, American University in Washington, D.C. The current scholarship holders are Khania Dawson, now in her second year at Hampton University, and Tiffany Rogers, a freshman at Florida Atlantic University. Applications for this year's awards will be available in late May.
The game schedule is as follows. Junior Varsity play is on the National Park field; all other games are in Winston Wells Ball Park.
Friday:
3 p.m. — junior varsity Antilles A vs. Moravian; varsity Complex vs. Antilles
4:30 p.m. — junior varsity CAHS vs. Cancryn; varsity Good Hope vs. EKHS
6:30 p.m. — opening cereminies with music by the Pan Dragons
7 p.m. — Smith Bay Posse vs. Sea Dogs
8:30 p.m. — Without A Doubt vs. Marlins
10 p.m. — Latinos vs. As Man
Saturday:
9:45 a.m. — junior varsity Antilles B vs. Game 1 winner; varsity Central vs. CAHS
The double elimination tournament will then continue with winners playing winners and losers playing losers in 90-minute games. The junior varsity championship game is to begin at 5:15 p.m. Saturday in the National Park field. The men's championship game is scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday. The varsity girls' championship game is to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Those wishing to sponsor innings or obtain more information should call the Rutniks at Guavaberry Farms at 776-6809, Connections in Cruz Bay at 776-6922, or Connections in Coral Bay at 779-4994.
This year's Ruby Rutnik Memorial Softball Tournament will be held at the Winston Wells and the National Park ball parks, Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, April 14-16.
Girls' softball teams competing will be Addelita Cancryn, Antilles (2), Charlotte Amalie and Moravian in the junior varsity division, and Antilles, Charlotte Amalie, Central, Educational Complex, Eudora Kean and Good Hope in the varsity division.
In the men's modified slow-pitch division, the As Man, Latinos, Marlins, Sea Dogs, Smith Bay Posse and Without A Doubt squads will compete.
Proceeds from the event will go toward two college scholarships of $2,500 awarded annually to young women from St. John. The funds are raised through the sponsorship of innings in the games, at $100 apiece.
"It's the biggest softball tournament in the Virgin Islands," Ruby's mother, Janet Cook- Rutnik, said. "The participation of girls' softball teams is the heart of the event."
There are still innings looking for corporate and angel sponsors, she said.
"Contributors are announced on a sound system throughout the games by Ruby's brother, Amos, who comes home from Tampa, Fla., each spring to serve as deejay and announcer for the event," Cook-Rutnik said. "It's a great way to advertise your rental home or your boat — or even announce your wedding engagement."
In its first three years, the scholarship fund reached one-third of its goal to create an endowment that is self-perpetuating, she said.
The first winner of the Ruby Rutnik Memorial Scholarship was Tessa Williams, who attends Ruby's alma mater, American University in Washington, D.C. The current scholarship holders are Khania Dawson, now in her second year at Hampton University, and Tiffany Rogers, a freshman at Florida Atlantic University. Applications for this year's awards will be available in late May.
The game schedule is as follows. Junior Varsity play is on the National Park field; all other games are in Winston Wells Ball Park.
Friday:
3 p.m. — junior varsity Antilles A vs. Moravian; varsity Complex vs. Antilles
4:30 p.m. — junior varsity CAHS vs. Cancryn; varsity Good Hope vs. EKHS
6:30 p.m. — opening cereminies with music by the Pan Dragons
7 p.m. — Smith Bay Posse vs. Sea Dogs
8:30 p.m. — Without A Doubt vs. Marlins
10 p.m. — Latinos vs. As Man
Saturday:
9:45 a.m. — junior varsity Antilles B vs. Game 1 winner; varsity Central vs. CAHS
The double elimination tournament will then continue with winners playing winners and losers playing losers in 90-minute games. The junior varsity championship game is to begin at 5:15 p.m. Saturday in the National Park field. The men's championship game is scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday. The varsity girls' championship game is to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Those wishing to sponsor innings or obtain more information should call the Rutniks at Guavaberry Farms at 776-6809, Connections in Cruz Bay at 776-6922, or Connections in Coral Bay at 779-4994.
UVI RESPONDS TO ERROR IN AUDIT REPORT
Dear Source,
The University administration is deeply concerned that we were not given an opportunity to respond directly to information about a loss of $2.2 million in federal grants before it was reported in the local media. The information reported in the news articles the week of April 9th was taken from an Executive Summary of a recent federal audit of UVI’s grant administration. The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior issued both an audit report (with the correct information) and an executive summary (with incorrect information).
It is the position of the University that when the reputation of an institution is on the line, it is important for the media to provide balanced reporting of the facts. To proceed on the basis that a source of information is credible and beyond reproach poses a clear and present danger to the maintenance of standards of fairness in reporting. Any document can contain errors, as was the case in the reporting on this audit. But the right questions by the media can prevent the wrong information from being circulated.
The University of the Virgin Islands works diligently to serve the needs of our
community and our students. We deserve the benefit of responding to such matters, rather than having them taken out of context. Otherwise, it is a disservice to our fine reputation.
One fact that should not be overlooked from the audit report is that the University received a record $10 million in federal grants. This money was awarded because of the excellence of our institution, the importance of the projects we proposed and the hard work of our faculty and staff. These funds help to augment programs not funded by our legislative allotments. One example of this is the $3.5 million National Science Foundation grant helping our Virgin Islands students reach their potential in the sciences. This is an achievement of which we are most proud and should not be clouded by incomplete information.
Davida R. Siwisa
Director of Public Relations
The University administration is deeply concerned that we were not given an opportunity to respond directly to information about a loss of $2.2 million in federal grants before it was reported in the local media. The information reported in the news articles the week of April 9th was taken from an Executive Summary of a recent federal audit of UVI’s grant administration. The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior issued both an audit report (with the correct information) and an executive summary (with incorrect information).
It is the position of the University that when the reputation of an institution is on the line, it is important for the media to provide balanced reporting of the facts. To proceed on the basis that a source of information is credible and beyond reproach poses a clear and present danger to the maintenance of standards of fairness in reporting. Any document can contain errors, as was the case in the reporting on this audit. But the right questions by the media can prevent the wrong information from being circulated.
The University of the Virgin Islands works diligently to serve the needs of our
community and our students. We deserve the benefit of responding to such matters, rather than having them taken out of context. Otherwise, it is a disservice to our fine reputation.
One fact that should not be overlooked from the audit report is that the University received a record $10 million in federal grants. This money was awarded because of the excellence of our institution, the importance of the projects we proposed and the hard work of our faculty and staff. These funds help to augment programs not funded by our legislative allotments. One example of this is the $3.5 million National Science Foundation grant helping our Virgin Islands students reach their potential in the sciences. This is an achievement of which we are most proud and should not be clouded by incomplete information.
Davida R. Siwisa
Director of Public Relations
HOSPITAL GROUND DRIVE-BY SHOOTING INJURES TWO
Two persons were struck by gunfire Wednesday in what was described as a drive-by shooting in the Hospital Ground area near the Bryan's fish market.
The shooting occurred at 1 p.m. It is the second such shooting on St. Thomas this week.
One of the victims was transported by private vehicle to the hospital for treatment. His condition is not known. The second victim, who was found by police in the Jah Yard area, remained at the scene about 30 minutes after the shooting, awaiting treatment for injuries to the face and forearm.
Police received information from several witnesses. Some suggested that one of the two suspects drove away from the scene in a red sedan-styled vehicle, license number T-32738. Another report said a suspect was spotted near the Human Services complex. He was described as a black male who at the time was wearing an orange T-shirt and long blue jeans.
Persons with information are asked to call investigators at 774-4050 or emergency 911.
On Monday, a similar shooting claimed the life of Ellis Blyden Jr. of Lindbergh Bay. Blyden was using a pay phone in the Anna's Retreat area near the Hometown Convenience Store when he was gunned down. He died at the scene.
To date, police have not commented on the motive for the shooting or said whether any suspects have been brought in for questioning.
The shooting occurred at 1 p.m. It is the second such shooting on St. Thomas this week.
One of the victims was transported by private vehicle to the hospital for treatment. His condition is not known. The second victim, who was found by police in the Jah Yard area, remained at the scene about 30 minutes after the shooting, awaiting treatment for injuries to the face and forearm.
Police received information from several witnesses. Some suggested that one of the two suspects drove away from the scene in a red sedan-styled vehicle, license number T-32738. Another report said a suspect was spotted near the Human Services complex. He was described as a black male who at the time was wearing an orange T-shirt and long blue jeans.
Persons with information are asked to call investigators at 774-4050 or emergency 911.
On Monday, a similar shooting claimed the life of Ellis Blyden Jr. of Lindbergh Bay. Blyden was using a pay phone in the Anna's Retreat area near the Hometown Convenience Store when he was gunned down. He died at the scene.
To date, police have not commented on the motive for the shooting or said whether any suspects have been brought in for questioning.
