Inter-island airline competition will heat up in November when Cape Air begins service to St. Croix.
Cape Air, the largest independent regional airline in the country, began service between St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico last November. Starting on Nov. 4, the airline will begin daily service between St. Croix and San Juan every hour from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. There will also be five daily flights between St. Croix and St. Thomas, said Michelle Haynes, Cape Air’s director of communications.
"We are very happy with the support and service we have received in the Virgin Islands," Haynes said. "We are very optimistic and thrilled with the response of the people."
But Cape Air won’t be the only new carrier on the block come November. Last July, Gulfstream International Airlines announced that it will offer round-trip flights between St. Croix and St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico starting Nov. 1. Flights between St. Croix and St. Thomas will also be offered
After years of limited airlift capacity in and out of St. Croix, the island was dealt another blow earlier this month when Delta Airlines announced it was cutting its daily jet flight to the island. While St. Croix is served by American Airlines, American Eagle and US Airways, those flights are limited.
Critics of American, and especially American Eagle, contend that the carriers have a monopoly on flights into and out of the territory, causing ticket prices to remain high.
The addition of two new regional carriers should benefit travelers, said Gordon Finch, executive director of the V.I. Port Authority.
"(Cape Air’s) presence on the island will provide residents with more alternatives for inter-island travel and create healthy competition," he said.
Cape Air operates nine-passenger Cessna 402s, but Haynes said the airline has the flexibility to use more than one aircraft for a trip.
"We are a demand scheduler," she said. "If we have passengers, we have the planes."
Meanwhile, St. Croix’s other fledgling carrier, Gulfstream, has operated in Florida and the Bahamas since its inception in 1991 and currently operates 230 daily flights in that market. The Fort Lauderdale-based airline also flies four times a week from Miami to Havana, Cuba using four 727s. The company is owned by Tom Cooper, a former Eastern Airlines pilot who started Gulfstream after Eastern went out of business.
According to Cooper after he announced his intention to serve the territory, Gulfstream will offer seven roundtrip flights between St. Croix and San Juan, while St. Thomas will have 11. In total, Gulfstream will fly 400 flights per week using six, 19-passenger, twin-engine Beechcraft airplanes. Cooper said the airline will be based in San Juan and eventually employ 75 people to support the company’s expansion.
Neither company has announced what their fares will be.
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HOLDS FAMILY RETREAT ON STJ
St. John hosted 55 young people and 14 parents on a one-of-a-kind family retreat sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office last weekend.
The second annual Family Enrichment Weekend Retreat program called Parents and Children Together was sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Drug Demand Reduction/Education Subcommittee. The aim of the program, said U.S. Attorney James Hurd, is to provide families with methods of coping with problems that face families today.
"It costs substantially less for us as a community to work together to help families in crisis than it does to build more prisons to incarcerate them," Hurd said.
The three-day event, held at the V.I. Environmental Research Station at Lameshur Bay, featured workshops that taught parents how to establish relationships with their children, choices and consequences, achieving success at home and work, stress management, conflict resolution, the family and social changes, financial management and the dangers of drug and alcohol dependency.
The children at the retreat, who ranged in age from four to 16, also participated in workshops addressing issues at their respective age levels. Workshops were also held where kids and parents interacted, allowing stronger family bonds be built.
"This collaborative holistic approach with other agencies and individuals, to families in crisis," said Hurd, "is the only one of its kind in any of the 94 United States Attorneys Offices nationwide."
Families from St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John participated in the all-expense paid retreat, Hurd said.
This year’s retreat was dedicated to Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Wilfred Barry, Hurd said. Barry was not only a member of the Drug Demand Reduction/Education Subcommittee, Hurd said, but also a mentor to a young man who attended last year’s retreat.
"Marshal Barry taught us all the true meaning of giving totally of oneself," Hurd said, adding that because of Barry’s recent death from a heart attack, it was questioned whether the retreat should be held. "The answer was simply yes," Hurd said. "Barry would not have wanted it any other way. As a result, all of the participating families felt a special bond to Marshal Barry and many lives were touched."
The second annual Family Enrichment Weekend Retreat program called Parents and Children Together was sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Drug Demand Reduction/Education Subcommittee. The aim of the program, said U.S. Attorney James Hurd, is to provide families with methods of coping with problems that face families today.
"It costs substantially less for us as a community to work together to help families in crisis than it does to build more prisons to incarcerate them," Hurd said.
The three-day event, held at the V.I. Environmental Research Station at Lameshur Bay, featured workshops that taught parents how to establish relationships with their children, choices and consequences, achieving success at home and work, stress management, conflict resolution, the family and social changes, financial management and the dangers of drug and alcohol dependency.
The children at the retreat, who ranged in age from four to 16, also participated in workshops addressing issues at their respective age levels. Workshops were also held where kids and parents interacted, allowing stronger family bonds be built.
"This collaborative holistic approach with other agencies and individuals, to families in crisis," said Hurd, "is the only one of its kind in any of the 94 United States Attorneys Offices nationwide."
Families from St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John participated in the all-expense paid retreat, Hurd said.
This year’s retreat was dedicated to Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Wilfred Barry, Hurd said. Barry was not only a member of the Drug Demand Reduction/Education Subcommittee, Hurd said, but also a mentor to a young man who attended last year’s retreat.
"Marshal Barry taught us all the true meaning of giving totally of oneself," Hurd said, adding that because of Barry’s recent death from a heart attack, it was questioned whether the retreat should be held. "The answer was simply yes," Hurd said. "Barry would not have wanted it any other way. As a result, all of the participating families felt a special bond to Marshal Barry and many lives were touched."
BUDGET HEARINGS DELAYED ANOTHER DAY
Sen. Lorraine Berry, chair of the Finance Committee, opened the twice re-scheduled budget hearings Wednesday, only to announce that the revised budget from the Turnbull administration had not arrived.
But, Berry said, with delivery of the documents now expected Tuesday afternoon, she would begin again at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Management and Budget Director Ira Mills released a statement Tuesday morning blaming a faulty computer system for the delay.
"To be fair to all concerned and as a courtesy to my colleagues who would have to have the opportunity to peruse the budget and also the post auditor to at least be able to prepare a preliminary analysis of the proposed revised budget," Berry said before aborting the meeting, "we felt after speaking to my colleagues on the Finance Committee and the (Senate) president that it would be in the best interest of all concerned to move forward tomorrow morning with a consolidated budget hearing."
Budget hearings, first scheduled for July 27, were postponed first on Aug. 4 when the Senate's post auditor said some $200 million in revenue projections were unrealistic.
With hearings set to begin Aug. 24, the revisions were to have been delivered to the Finance Committee by Aug. 17. Administration officials later assured Berry they would arrive by Aug. 23.
Berry said her committee would hold an extended session Wednesday to make up for some of the time lost by the fourth delay in the start of the FY 2000 budget hearings.
But, Berry said, with delivery of the documents now expected Tuesday afternoon, she would begin again at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Management and Budget Director Ira Mills released a statement Tuesday morning blaming a faulty computer system for the delay.
"To be fair to all concerned and as a courtesy to my colleagues who would have to have the opportunity to peruse the budget and also the post auditor to at least be able to prepare a preliminary analysis of the proposed revised budget," Berry said before aborting the meeting, "we felt after speaking to my colleagues on the Finance Committee and the (Senate) president that it would be in the best interest of all concerned to move forward tomorrow morning with a consolidated budget hearing."
Budget hearings, first scheduled for July 27, were postponed first on Aug. 4 when the Senate's post auditor said some $200 million in revenue projections were unrealistic.
With hearings set to begin Aug. 24, the revisions were to have been delivered to the Finance Committee by Aug. 17. Administration officials later assured Berry they would arrive by Aug. 23.
Berry said her committee would hold an extended session Wednesday to make up for some of the time lost by the fourth delay in the start of the FY 2000 budget hearings.
U.S. AIRWAYS SLASHES PRICES FROM SOME DESTINATIONS
Visitors from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., or Rochester, N.Y., can fly to the Virgin Islands for less than $220 round-trip from now until Sept. 3. It's part of a U.S. Airways special.
With school starting and leisure travel slowing down, this is traditionally a time when airlines lower fares to entice travelers to fly.
U.S. Airways has announced a special International E-Savers offer of reduced fares for travel to St. Croix and St. Thomas.
The lowered rates are effective for travel originating Aug. 24 through 26 and returning Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. Round-trip ticket purchase is required and travel must begin and end in the same city.
For more information or to make reservations, call (888) FLY-E-SAVERS or (888) 359-3728. To make reservations online, visit the US Airways Personal Travel Works Web site by clicking here and look for the VESAV-type fare codes.
With school starting and leisure travel slowing down, this is traditionally a time when airlines lower fares to entice travelers to fly.
U.S. Airways has announced a special International E-Savers offer of reduced fares for travel to St. Croix and St. Thomas.
The lowered rates are effective for travel originating Aug. 24 through 26 and returning Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. Round-trip ticket purchase is required and travel must begin and end in the same city.
For more information or to make reservations, call (888) FLY-E-SAVERS or (888) 359-3728. To make reservations online, visit the US Airways Personal Travel Works Web site by clicking here and look for the VESAV-type fare codes.
SENATORS CUT CAUCUSES FROM SUNSHINE LAW
By a vote of 10-4 the 23rd Legislature agreed Monday to restrict the access of reporters to caucuses and unofficial meetings.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Lorraine Berry, was introduced after the Virgin Islands Daily News filed suit to get access to caucuses. The paper went to court, claiming caucuses were covered by the Sunshine Act, after its reporter was prevented from entering a caucus at the St. John Westin Resort during the 1998 budget hearings. The paper has lost its court battles so far.
Supporters of Berry's bill, such as Sens. Roosevelt David, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Ann Golden and Almando "Rocky" Liburd, said the press should not be privy to all gatherings of lawmakers.
Liburd said the incident that led to creation of the bill was created when the caucus meeting was erroneously posted on a public agenda.
"Apparently what happened is that the caucus became part of this official agenda, for some reason or the other," Liburd said. "I have known for years that I've been in this body that caucuses never are placed on the agenda, and I think what really happened is that that came up when there was a group that didn't want some others to be there, but somebody make a slip. Well, you know in your haste – you know, Gov. Farrelly used to say 'Hurry dog eat raw meat,' but that's what happened."
But the senator-at-large went on say that everything a lawmaker says and does should not be subject to public scrutiny because the brainstorming process that goes on during meetings like caucuses is the process that produces the policies that later appear in the public eye.
Sen. Adelbert M. "Bert" Bryan, speaking in opposition, said "when a majority of the elected members . . . can meet and discuss a public policy or particular piece of legislation that has to do with the masses of the people, I think the people of the Virgin Islands has a right to know. I have been here and I've seen legislation come to the floor, and I've heard the proponent –- Berry said –- it was the consensus of the body. And I and many senators didn't even know there was a consensus on these discussion on these positions or these proposals."
Bryan was joined by Sen. Norman JnBaptiste and others wishing to uphold the Sunshine Act that gives the public access to nearly all meetings of public boards, commissions, agencies and official bodies.
But the majority prevailed, with many lawmakers criticizing the press, saying even when reporters have access to meetings, it's rare to see verbatim coverage of statements made by individual senators.
Others, like Sen. Allie- Alison Petrus, expressed distrust of the media, claiming that as the "Fourth Estate" the press claims co-equal power with the Legislature, the judiciary and the executive branches of government.
"It is time now that we tell the press there is a time and place for everything and for everyone," said Petrus, now the majority bloc leader. "When we are in caucus meetings, that is not the time. We're having discussions. The issue is not ripe at that moment. It is ripe when we bring it to the public by way of committee meetings, by way of sessions, by way of even special sessions. The issue is ripe at that moment, not before, not after, but it is ripe when we bring it to the public."
Here is how the senators voted.
— In favor: Sens. Gregory Bennerson, Lorraine L. Berry, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Roosevelt David, Judy Gomez, George Goodwin, David Jones, Alamando "Rocky" Liburd, Allie-Allison Petrus and Vargrave Richards.
— Against: Sens. Adelbert M. "Bert" Bryan, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg. V. Anne Golden and Norman JnBaptiste.
Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen was absent.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Lorraine Berry, was introduced after the Virgin Islands Daily News filed suit to get access to caucuses. The paper went to court, claiming caucuses were covered by the Sunshine Act, after its reporter was prevented from entering a caucus at the St. John Westin Resort during the 1998 budget hearings. The paper has lost its court battles so far.
Supporters of Berry's bill, such as Sens. Roosevelt David, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Ann Golden and Almando "Rocky" Liburd, said the press should not be privy to all gatherings of lawmakers.
Liburd said the incident that led to creation of the bill was created when the caucus meeting was erroneously posted on a public agenda.
"Apparently what happened is that the caucus became part of this official agenda, for some reason or the other," Liburd said. "I have known for years that I've been in this body that caucuses never are placed on the agenda, and I think what really happened is that that came up when there was a group that didn't want some others to be there, but somebody make a slip. Well, you know in your haste – you know, Gov. Farrelly used to say 'Hurry dog eat raw meat,' but that's what happened."
But the senator-at-large went on say that everything a lawmaker says and does should not be subject to public scrutiny because the brainstorming process that goes on during meetings like caucuses is the process that produces the policies that later appear in the public eye.
Sen. Adelbert M. "Bert" Bryan, speaking in opposition, said "when a majority of the elected members . . . can meet and discuss a public policy or particular piece of legislation that has to do with the masses of the people, I think the people of the Virgin Islands has a right to know. I have been here and I've seen legislation come to the floor, and I've heard the proponent –- Berry said –- it was the consensus of the body. And I and many senators didn't even know there was a consensus on these discussion on these positions or these proposals."
Bryan was joined by Sen. Norman JnBaptiste and others wishing to uphold the Sunshine Act that gives the public access to nearly all meetings of public boards, commissions, agencies and official bodies.
But the majority prevailed, with many lawmakers criticizing the press, saying even when reporters have access to meetings, it's rare to see verbatim coverage of statements made by individual senators.
Others, like Sen. Allie- Alison Petrus, expressed distrust of the media, claiming that as the "Fourth Estate" the press claims co-equal power with the Legislature, the judiciary and the executive branches of government.
"It is time now that we tell the press there is a time and place for everything and for everyone," said Petrus, now the majority bloc leader. "When we are in caucus meetings, that is not the time. We're having discussions. The issue is not ripe at that moment. It is ripe when we bring it to the public by way of committee meetings, by way of sessions, by way of even special sessions. The issue is ripe at that moment, not before, not after, but it is ripe when we bring it to the public."
Here is how the senators voted.
— In favor: Sens. Gregory Bennerson, Lorraine L. Berry, Donald "Ducks" Cole, Roosevelt David, Judy Gomez, George Goodwin, David Jones, Alamando "Rocky" Liburd, Allie-Allison Petrus and Vargrave Richards.
— Against: Sens. Adelbert M. "Bert" Bryan, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg. V. Anne Golden and Norman JnBaptiste.
Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen was absent.
U.S. AIRWAYS SLASHES PRICES FROM SOME DESTINATIONS
Visitors from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., or Rochester, N.Y., can fly to the Virgin Islands for less than $220 round-trip from now until Sept. 3. It's part of a U.S. Airways special.
With school starting and leisure travel slowing down, this is traditionally a time when airlines lower fares to entice travelers to fly.
U.S. Airways has announced a special International E-Savers offer of reduced fares for travel to St. Croix and St. Thomas.
The lowered rates are effective for travel originating Aug. 24 through 26 and returning Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. Round-trip ticket purchase is required and travel must begin and end in the same city.
For more information or to make reservations, call (888) FLY-E-SAVERS or (888) 359-3728. To make reservations online, visit the US Airways Personal Travel Works Web site by clicking here and look for the VESAV-type fare codes.
With school starting and leisure travel slowing down, this is traditionally a time when airlines lower fares to entice travelers to fly.
U.S. Airways has announced a special International E-Savers offer of reduced fares for travel to St. Croix and St. Thomas.
The lowered rates are effective for travel originating Aug. 24 through 26 and returning Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. Round-trip ticket purchase is required and travel must begin and end in the same city.
For more information or to make reservations, call (888) FLY-E-SAVERS or (888) 359-3728. To make reservations online, visit the US Airways Personal Travel Works Web site by clicking here and look for the VESAV-type fare codes.
HERBAL REMEDIES MUST BE USED CAREFULLY
Virtually every day I get a question or statement from a patient about the use of herbal medicine.
Some say, "I stopped my blood pressure medicine, and I am taking St. John's Wort." Or, "You told me to take this estrogen pill but my friend told me to take Koash, a natural estrogen."
Or, "Doc, here is a list of the health food supplements I take." Or, "I am presently taking Creatine to build my muscles. Everyone is doing it."
After spending many years studying modern medicine, I find myself being quizzed more about herbal medicine. Why? People are accessing information with greater ease.
More books, magazines, web sites, audiotapes, videos, and Oprah interviews speak to herbal medicine. The information and advertisement for herbal medicine is more oriented to the consumer, while the information for medicines doctors prescribe were more oriented to the physician.
Many people think because it is an herb, by definition, it is completely safe. How should I respond to patient inquiries of this nature? I could take the easy way out and disclaim all non-allopathic therapies, telling these patients to toss away their plants and tablets. But I know that I would not be meeting my responsibility to counsel and advise.
The public is reaching out. I also know that the interplay of plants and human health has been documented for thousands of years. Herbs have been integral to all medicine. Some 4,000 years ago, the Chinese systematized many of the herbs. More recently herbal medicines have been consumed in many forms.
Some are harvested fresh, eaten whole or mixed in food. Others are dried, sold in bulk and then remixed. Others are freeze-dried into capsules.
I remind my patients that the drugs and medicines I prescribe also started from plants. I remind my patients that the herbs are just as much a drug or medicine. I remind my patients that the reason they work is that they produce a chemical reaction in the body to change whatever is ailing the patient.
They are drugs by definition. Then, what are the differences?
These are a few. Because of quality control varying from manufacturer to manufacturer, there is uncertainty about the amount of active ingredients in some herbal preparations. The rigor of testing for the medicines or drugs physicians prescribe allows us to be able to understand the safety and the side effects of the medicine.
For herbal medicines, safety should be at least as important as efficacy. But the gold standard in safety and efficiency — the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials –has rarely been applied to herbal medicines.
I will attempt to present just a few of the more commonly used herbal medicines and the information known about them that I could find.
Lastly, in Lancet, July 24, 1999, there was a report from Guadeloupe of muscle rigidity, tremors, slowness of movement and poor balance due to use of teas made from either soursop, custard apple or pomme cannelle (pomegranate).
The report indicated that although many people eat these fruits, the problems to the nervous system does not occur until people are in their 60s, says neurologist Dominque
Caparros-Lefebvre of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire des Antilles. The authors caution that their work is preliminary and so it is too early to suggest that people change their diet. Studies are continuing at Harvard Medical School in Boston by a neurologist, Paul A. Rosenberg.
Many people who hesitate to take prescription medications don't think twice about self-medicating with herbal remedies. These botanicals do not have to be proven safe before they are placed on the market.
Just like prescription medicine is big business, so is herbal medicine. Just like prescription medicines must be taken in the right quantity or dose to get the desired effect, so too, do herbal medicines have to be taken in the correct dose or amount. Just like prescription drugs have side effects, so too do herbal medicines. Everyone needs more information. Learn as much as you can from reliable sources like the Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch program (800-332-1088 or 301-738-7553).
Learn what works and what doesn't work. Remember a drug is any substance used in the prevention, diagnosis, alleviation, treatment or cure of disease.
Some say, "I stopped my blood pressure medicine, and I am taking St. John's Wort." Or, "You told me to take this estrogen pill but my friend told me to take Koash, a natural estrogen."
Or, "Doc, here is a list of the health food supplements I take." Or, "I am presently taking Creatine to build my muscles. Everyone is doing it."
After spending many years studying modern medicine, I find myself being quizzed more about herbal medicine. Why? People are accessing information with greater ease.
More books, magazines, web sites, audiotapes, videos, and Oprah interviews speak to herbal medicine. The information and advertisement for herbal medicine is more oriented to the consumer, while the information for medicines doctors prescribe were more oriented to the physician.
Many people think because it is an herb, by definition, it is completely safe. How should I respond to patient inquiries of this nature? I could take the easy way out and disclaim all non-allopathic therapies, telling these patients to toss away their plants and tablets. But I know that I would not be meeting my responsibility to counsel and advise.
The public is reaching out. I also know that the interplay of plants and human health has been documented for thousands of years. Herbs have been integral to all medicine. Some 4,000 years ago, the Chinese systematized many of the herbs. More recently herbal medicines have been consumed in many forms.
Some are harvested fresh, eaten whole or mixed in food. Others are dried, sold in bulk and then remixed. Others are freeze-dried into capsules.
I remind my patients that the drugs and medicines I prescribe also started from plants. I remind my patients that the herbs are just as much a drug or medicine. I remind my patients that the reason they work is that they produce a chemical reaction in the body to change whatever is ailing the patient.
They are drugs by definition. Then, what are the differences?
These are a few. Because of quality control varying from manufacturer to manufacturer, there is uncertainty about the amount of active ingredients in some herbal preparations. The rigor of testing for the medicines or drugs physicians prescribe allows us to be able to understand the safety and the side effects of the medicine.
For herbal medicines, safety should be at least as important as efficacy. But the gold standard in safety and efficiency — the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials –has rarely been applied to herbal medicines.
I will attempt to present just a few of the more commonly used herbal medicines and the information known about them that I could find.
- ALOE VERA ( A. vulgari and A. barbadensis): Aloe is native to eastern and southern Africa. It is found throughout the Caribbean. Gel from the inner central zone of the leaves and latex from the pericyclic cells are used for medicinal purposes.
The capsule is 50-200 mg by mouth once a day for 10 days. The gel is applied 3-5 times a day for wound healing, skin irritation, burns, sunburn and psoriasis.
One study found that the wound healing was related to the aloe's ability to prevent dermal ischemia by reversing the effects of thromboxane synthase. Aloe's use is contraindicated in children less than 12 years of age and in older persons with suspected intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease or pregnancy.
Long-term use may result in diarrhea, especially a potassium deficiency that may be increased by the simultaneous use of thiazide diuretics, steroids or licorice root. Caution is indicated when used in conjunction with cardiac glycosides. - GARLIC(Allium sativum): Garlic was originally from central Asia and is a member of the lily family. Its use is documented in Sanskrit letters dating 5,000 years ago and in Egyptian medical papyrus of 1550 BC.
Louis Pasteur noted garlic's antibiotic activity in 1858. Garlic is used to lower cholesterol, protects against arterial occlusive disease, and has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiplatelet, and antihypertensive effects. Several double-blind, placebo-controlled studies showed reduction of cholesterol of up to 12.8% and reduction of triglycerides of up to 15 percent.
Other studies showed no effect on cholesterol of two garlic preparations, underscoring the need for careful evaluation of the specific garlic product.
The most effective form of garlic is freshly crushed or chewed. The amount is four grams of fresh garlic or 900 mg of powdered garlic once a day.
Allinase is released in the mouth, producing allicin which when absorbedn lowers the cholesterol. The garlic capsule must reach the intestine to release the maximum amounts of active ingredients. The allinase activity of the tablets seemed to be inactivated by gastric acid, resulting in failure of the tablets tested to reduce the cholesterol.
There are no known contraindications to garlic. There are no known drug interactions, although caution should be exercised when used with other agents that have antiplatelet effects, such as ginger, ginkyo, vitamin E, or agents with antihypertensive effects. Because of its antiplatelet effect, garlic use should be stopped before surgery. - St. John's Wort ( SJW; Hypericum perforatum): St. John's Wort is native to Europe but grown all over the world. The flowers are used for medicine and were thought to have magical powers. It is commonly used for depression.
The chemical, Hyperforin, in St. John's Wort may be largely responsible for the antidepressive effects. In Europe, it is prescribed seven times more often for depression than other anti depression medications.
There appear to be no contraindications but phototoxicity is seen in animals. Caution in its use in pregnancy and also when using ultraviolet light therapy. Its main side effect is stomach upset.
Lastly, in Lancet, July 24, 1999, there was a report from Guadeloupe of muscle rigidity, tremors, slowness of movement and poor balance due to use of teas made from either soursop, custard apple or pomme cannelle (pomegranate).
The report indicated that although many people eat these fruits, the problems to the nervous system does not occur until people are in their 60s, says neurologist Dominque
Caparros-Lefebvre of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire des Antilles. The authors caution that their work is preliminary and so it is too early to suggest that people change their diet. Studies are continuing at Harvard Medical School in Boston by a neurologist, Paul A. Rosenberg.
Many people who hesitate to take prescription medications don't think twice about self-medicating with herbal remedies. These botanicals do not have to be proven safe before they are placed on the market.
Just like prescription medicine is big business, so is herbal medicine. Just like prescription medicines must be taken in the right quantity or dose to get the desired effect, so too, do herbal medicines have to be taken in the correct dose or amount. Just like prescription drugs have side effects, so too do herbal medicines. Everyone needs more information. Learn as much as you can from reliable sources like the Food and Drug Administration's MedWatch program (800-332-1088 or 301-738-7553).
Learn what works and what doesn't work. Remember a drug is any substance used in the prevention, diagnosis, alleviation, treatment or cure of disease.
HOTEL ASSOCIATION TARGETS PUERTO RICO
The St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association hopes to recapture the Puerto Rican traveler with a four-color brochure featuring hotels on all three islands and Cape Air, the inter-island airline.
The promotional brochure, created by the Hotel Association, will be sent to 500 to hundred agencies. It will also be available to key tour operators.
Richard Doumeng, president of the Hotel Association said, "For years we have not been capturing vacationers from Puerto Rico. We have lost this business to the Dominican Republic, Barbados and other Caribbean islands. It's critical that we recapture this market that was not just good for hotels, but for taxi cabs, retailers and restaurateurs."
Doumeng told Radio One news that Puerto Ricans traditionally travel between April and November — a time that the Virgin Islands considers "off season."
Executive Director Beverly Nicholson said it is important to get the word out that we want vacationers from Puerto Rico.
The promotional brochure, created by the Hotel Association, will be sent to 500 to hundred agencies. It will also be available to key tour operators.
Richard Doumeng, president of the Hotel Association said, "For years we have not been capturing vacationers from Puerto Rico. We have lost this business to the Dominican Republic, Barbados and other Caribbean islands. It's critical that we recapture this market that was not just good for hotels, but for taxi cabs, retailers and restaurateurs."
Doumeng told Radio One news that Puerto Ricans traditionally travel between April and November — a time that the Virgin Islands considers "off season."
Executive Director Beverly Nicholson said it is important to get the word out that we want vacationers from Puerto Rico.
"HOUSE CLEANING" BILL WOULD REDIRECT MILLIONS IN FUNDING
A bill submitted to the Senate by Gov. Charles Turnbull late last week seeks to redirect millions of dollars from government funds in order to cover a variety of obligations before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
Turnbull is asking that more than $2.1 million from the Indirect Cost Fund be reprogrammed to cover molasses subsidy payments for fiscal year 1999, which ends Sept. 30, and prior years’ obligations. Another $500,000 from the fund will go to supplement the fiscal year 1999 Rum Promotion subsidy.
Out of the same fund, the governor is seeking more than $1.8 million to pay a portion of a past settlement agreement between the government and a contractor concerning a dispute over work done at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix. The payment is due by the end of the fiscal year as well.
The $5,277,255 in the Indirect Cost Fund was originally earmarked to repay Federal Emergency Management Agency loans. However, Turnbull’s bill proposal stated that because FEMA has deferred loan repayments for a year, all but $762,325 in the fund can be reprogrammed for other uses.
Meanwhile, Turnbull is targeting $1.5 million in the Anti-litter and Beautification Fund to pay solid waste contractors for this year and prior years. Garbage haulers on St. Croix stopped work last month because of lack of payment by the government. The contractors contend they are owed almost $2 million from as far back as 1995.
Turnbull also wants to use some $140,000 out of the Anti-litter and Beautification Fund to purchase parts for VITRAN buses.
Other elements of Turnbull’s bill proposal include:
Turnbull is asking that more than $2.1 million from the Indirect Cost Fund be reprogrammed to cover molasses subsidy payments for fiscal year 1999, which ends Sept. 30, and prior years’ obligations. Another $500,000 from the fund will go to supplement the fiscal year 1999 Rum Promotion subsidy.
Out of the same fund, the governor is seeking more than $1.8 million to pay a portion of a past settlement agreement between the government and a contractor concerning a dispute over work done at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix. The payment is due by the end of the fiscal year as well.
The $5,277,255 in the Indirect Cost Fund was originally earmarked to repay Federal Emergency Management Agency loans. However, Turnbull’s bill proposal stated that because FEMA has deferred loan repayments for a year, all but $762,325 in the fund can be reprogrammed for other uses.
Meanwhile, Turnbull is targeting $1.5 million in the Anti-litter and Beautification Fund to pay solid waste contractors for this year and prior years. Garbage haulers on St. Croix stopped work last month because of lack of payment by the government. The contractors contend they are owed almost $2 million from as far back as 1995.
Turnbull also wants to use some $140,000 out of the Anti-litter and Beautification Fund to purchase parts for VITRAN buses.
Other elements of Turnbull’s bill proposal include:
- Appropriating an additional $622,20 to the Department of Property and Procurement for payment of outstanding rents for warehouses on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
- A "corrective amendment" to have the Government Development Bank and the Industrial Development Commission reimburse the Department of Tourism for non-tourism related personnel costs that it is currently incurring for those agencies.
- Amending Act. 6275 to allow the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to administer the V.I. Air Protection Fund as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
RINA JACOBS MCBROWNE NAMED GOV’T HOUSE SPOKESWOMAN
After more than seven months in office, Gov. Charles Turnbull has named an official spokeswoman for Government House — Rina Jacobs McBrowne.
Along with being the governor’s spokesperson, McBrowne will supervise the day-to-day operations of the press office, Turnbull said.
"As senior information officer, McBrowne will communicate to the media my initiatives and my position on various issues concerning the people of the Virgin Islands," said Turnbull. "Her duties will also involve the dissemination of information to the press from the Office of the Governor."
McBrowne has worked in public relations both in the private and public sectors, Turnbull said. Prior to her position in the Turnbull administration, McBrowne worked at the de Jongh Partnership as the firm’s administrative assistant from 1995 to 1999.
From 1986 to 1995 McBrowne was a co-owner in Leisure Enterprises Inc., which offered wedding, honeymoon, vacation and business travel packages. The company was the first to offer wedding consultant services in the territory. In 1994, the company found a vacation home for Vice President Al Gore and his family on St. Thomas.
McBrowne was also the spokeswoman for former Gov. Juan Luis and in the early part of the Alexander Farrelly administration. She also served as chief of staff for former Sen. Elmo Roebuck.
Along with being the governor’s spokesperson, McBrowne will supervise the day-to-day operations of the press office, Turnbull said.
"As senior information officer, McBrowne will communicate to the media my initiatives and my position on various issues concerning the people of the Virgin Islands," said Turnbull. "Her duties will also involve the dissemination of information to the press from the Office of the Governor."
McBrowne has worked in public relations both in the private and public sectors, Turnbull said. Prior to her position in the Turnbull administration, McBrowne worked at the de Jongh Partnership as the firm’s administrative assistant from 1995 to 1999.
From 1986 to 1995 McBrowne was a co-owner in Leisure Enterprises Inc., which offered wedding, honeymoon, vacation and business travel packages. The company was the first to offer wedding consultant services in the territory. In 1994, the company found a vacation home for Vice President Al Gore and his family on St. Thomas.
McBrowne was also the spokeswoman for former Gov. Juan Luis and in the early part of the Alexander Farrelly administration. She also served as chief of staff for former Sen. Elmo Roebuck.
