Zorba's is closed and much of its contents has been auctioned off by the Small Business Administration, which held a lien on the business due to the owner's default on a Hurricane Marilyn recovery loan.
But there's still Greek food and Greek music and Greek dance and the legendary Greek love of life personified by Anthony Quinn in the movie version. And there's still Jimmy Boukas, who brought it all to St. Thomas.
As most fans of Zorba's and friends of Boukas know, the closing and the foreclosure have to with Jimmy's present medical problems. Diagnosed with a brain tumor, he has undergone surgery twice in recent months and just spent a few weeks in post-operative therapy at Chicago's Rehabilitation Institute.
He'll continue outpatient therapy at the institute for a while, meantime staying with his daughter Lori Boukas, who lives and works in Chicago — where Jimmy himself grew up.
Jimmy, to get to the point of this article, has no medical insurance. And he's got a lot of medical bills.
And it needs to be said, because of misinformation published elsewhere, that he does not, and never did, own 1854 Haus, the historic onetime home at the west end of Government Hill that housed Zorba's for so many years.
Boukas isn't rich, except in friends.
So, his friends — and his associates and even his competitors — on St. Thomas are putting together an event Monday night in the nightclub at The Old Mill that's being billed as a birthday bash (this Friday really is Jimmy's birthday) but is most of all a fund-raiser.
His best-known customers, the Clinton family of Washington, D.C., aren't likely to be there. But they're surely welcome, as is everyone else.
Rick Kingsley, Boukas' longtime associate in the restaurant business, is one of the prime movers behind the project. He's planning to lay on a Greek buffet like those Boukas would provide at his Friday Wine Downs in Jimmy's Studio next door to Zorba's. The food is one of the freebies for those who make their $10 donation at the door.
There'll be a cash bar, a raffle, a silent auction and live music pretty much all night long. The talent part of the program is being organized by James Anderson, the on-island half of Dos Guitarras. He and his partner, Gennaro della Vecchia, started playing classical and Mediteraean guitar on Sunday nights at Zorba's in the early '90s and developed a following that was still faithful last season.
Among the artists on tap for Monday night are Anderson himself, the Wize Gize and Public Nuisance bands, blues singer Leeolive Tucker and gospel singer Michal Rhymer (who is executive director of the Family Resource Center, which has held its fall Just Desserts fund-raisers at the donated Jimmy's Studio for the last two years). Anyone else who'd like to sign on to entertain should call Anderson at 775-2637
Anyone willing to contribute gifts of goods and services for the raffle and silent auction should call Kingsley at 776-5670.
And if you just want to make a donation direct from your checkbook, you can make it out and mail it to: Jimmy's Health Fund, PMB 124, 6348 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago IL 60646-3728.
For those who'd like to send an encouraging word to Boukas, daughter Lori has set up an e-mail account. The address is jimboukas@aol.com. For snail mail, use the address in the preceding paragraph. Lori only asks that no one mention that Zorba's has been closed and its contents sold. That's news he hasn't been told, she says, and "we just want him to concentrate on getting better."
The party starts at 7 p.m. and will continue until the ever-popular until. All proceeds will go toward the fund to help pay Boukas' medical bills.

Despite "non-stop meetings all week," Gov. Charles Turnbull and his top financial advisors are "running behind" in revising the executive branch budget for Fiscal Year 2000 and getting it to the Legislature in a timely manner, Government House spokesman James O'Bryan told The Source on Wednesday.
Simultaneously the governor and those same advisors are working out details for a proposed $100 million bond issue to bail the territory out temporarily while the administration begins to initiate a series of cost-cutting and revenue-enhancing measures.
The revised FY 2000 budget was to have been delivered to the Legislature Tuesday, allowing Senators and post-audit officials a week in which to review it before twice-delayed hearings before the Finance Committee begin on Aug. 24.
O'Bryan said the reason for the delay — and for the governor's postponement of a press conference from Wednesday to Friday — is that "he has been meeting with his financial team to go over some of the requirements they have had to fulfill since the trip last week."
O'Bryan did not elaborate on what the requirements were or who had imposed them.
The governor returned to the territory on Sunday after having been away for all but one full day in the first half of August. "Meetings were backed up since he had not been here for some time," O'Bryan said. "In order to crunch the numbers and get some policy direction, he's been doing non-stop meetings all week."
Finance Committee chair Lorraine Berry was told on Tuesday that the revised executive branch budget will be delivered to the Legislature on Monday. O'Bryan said that is still the plan. Turnbull was in New York City last week drumming up support for his proposed $100 million bond issue in meeting with officials of First Union Capital Markets, the territory's financial adviser. PaineWebber has been chosen as the lead underwriter for the proposed move to raise the money for a quick fiscal fix.
With him in New York were his fiscal policy advisor, Rudolph Krigger Sr.; Office of Management and Budget director Ira Mills; and Public Finance Authority director of finance and administration Amadeo Francis.
Turnbull met with President Clinton in St. Louis, Mo., the weekend before last while attending the National Conference of Governors and with federal officials in Washington, D.C., the previous week.

Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds readily admits the territory's public schools will not all be ready to open their doors when classes begin next week. And, to no one's surprise, she says the root of the problem is money — or, rather, lack thereof.
Because of budget cutbacks, she said, the Education Department is unable to fill "a number of positions vacated by personnel who have resigned or retired." These are not teaching positions, she said, but custodians, librarians, food workers and clerical staff.
As a result, she said, the schools "are going to need volunteers to help in those areas."
As for the physical readiness of the school buildings and campuses, she said, "We have a long way to go to bring some of our plants into a condition of which we can all be proud." With regard to summer projects in particular, she added, "We do not have as much repair work completed as I would have liked," and some work is still under way.
Thus, returning students and staff will find that some schools still have electrical, roofing and bathroom fixture problems.
One of the most obvious problem areas is at the Joseph Sibilly School in Estate Elizabether, where workers using numerous heavy equipment machines are in the midst of constructing a diversion of the road in front of the campus, to take it farther away from the school grounds.
Citing "the charade commonly referred to as summer maintenance," Simmonds gave two reasons for the deficiencies:
First, the Education Department has "limited staff and no funding to carry out its mandate on a regular basis." And second, "Extensive work cannot be done until the end of summer programs at many schools."
This, she added, "is nothing new."
Simmonds noted that she was a member of the "education cluster" on the Turnbull administration transition team at the end of last year. The cluster "identified major problems" in the areas of special education, funds for maintenance and repair personnel, a shortage of substitute teachers and schools accreditation.
One bit of good news, she said, is that the department is "well on the way to rectifying the problems in the area of special education."
She called upon teachers — and their union — to work with the administration in seeking solutions to problems in the coming school year. There is, plain and simple, no way teachers are going to get their retroactive salaries any time soon, she said, because "the government is broke — b-r-o-k-e."
American Federation of Teacher president for St. Thomas-St. John Glen Smith said the union has little sympathy for the administration, given that "the governor found moneys to give raises to his friends and jobs to close members of his family."
The leadership of the territory's two AFT chapters will meet on Aug. 26 to discuss issues relating to the start of the new school year, Smith said, and there will be "an emergency general membership meeting" on Aug. 28.

Police released information to the news media Wednesday concerning two armed robberies two days earlier in which identical descriptions were given of the assailants, said to have been traveling in a black jeep-type vehicle and brandishing a shotgun.
According to a release, Tim Cook, a Red Hook resident, reported that Monday, Aug. 17, shortly after 6 p.m., while he was waiting for a ride across from Bolongo Bay Resort, two males in a black jeep pulled up and demanded money of him. When he said he had none with him, the passenger pointed a shotgun at him and again demanded money. Cook said he then handed over $80 from his pocket and they drove off.
The second incident occurred about an hour and a half later, police said. Pedro Junior Gonzalez, a Nadir resident, reported that while he was using a pay telephone near the Dona Mart on Brookman Road, a black jeep carrying two males pulled up beside him and the driver got out and began to punch him in the face while the passenger pointed a shotgun at him. Gozalez said he fell to the ground and the assailant took $30 from his pocket, then walked away, displaying what appeared to be a 9 mm handgun at the small of his back.
The occupants of the jeep were described in both cases as black males. No further details were available. Police asked that anyone with information relevant to the cases call 774-4050 or 774-2233.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Aug. 17, police arrested Michael Lewis of Contant on a warrant charging him with first-degree murder and unauthorized possession of a firearm. The charges are in connection with the shooting death of Mackellis George on Sept. 29, 1998. Lewis was being held at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility.

A voice of experience, reason, insight and common sense has been stilled with the death of Geraldo Guirty at age 93.
A veteran correspondent, commentator, political activist and observer of life, past and present, in the Virgin Islands, Guirty for decades chronicled the contributions of islanders, both in the territory and in New York's Harlem district.
As recently as last week, he was seen taking his constitutional near the home he shared with his wife of 60 years, Louise, in the area of Seventh-day Adventist Street in Charlotte Amalie.
Fit and feisty, amazing unbent by his years, Guirty was ever the gentleman — dressed in a suit, seldom seen on the street without his hat, invariably tipping it to ladies he passed by, whether he knew them or not. He was an inveterate walker, seen frequently downtown, although his steps had slowed somewhat with time.
Asked by a relative newcomer to the Virgin Islands many years ago whether his first name was pronounced "Heraldo" or "Djeraldo," Guirty replied with good humor that it was the latter, explaining: "I'm not Spanish. I'm a Virgin Islander."
Just a year ago he resisted a ruffian who attempted to steal his wallet on the street near his home, wresting the young thug to the ground and hanging on to his property as the fellow fled.
Guirty was for many years a correspondent for The Amsterdam News, New York's influential newspaper serving the black community. He was also a regular contributor to Jamaica's Daily Gleaner and the British Guyana Daily Chronicle and wrote for The Home Journal on St. Thomas and The Avis on St. Croix.
While living in New York, he helped to found the V.I. Public Affairs Council. He testified before Congress on the proposed 1954 revisions to the Organic Act governing the territory and was a delegate to the third and fourth Virgin Islands constitutional conventions held in 1979 and 1981.
For many years, he wrote the occasional "Sixtonian" column of reminiscences and political commentary that appeared in The Virgin Islands Daily News.
With Dr. Alfred Heath and attorney John Maduro, he formed the Grand Knights of Columbus on St. Thomas. He was active with the Friends of Denmark and the St. Thomas Historical Trust and served on the Election Law Reform Commission. He was at one point in charge of public relations for the old Department of Commerce and was an elected member of the Board of Elections.
In 1989, his first book, "Harlem's Danish-American West Indians, 1899-1964," was published. Two years later, his book of local reminiscences and historical research, "Vignettes 'bout Amalia," appeared.
Guirty was admitted to Roy L. Schneider Hospital on Saturday. He died Monday at the hospital.
Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Arrangements for the viewing were pending with the John Thomas Memorial Chapel.

Saturday's reggae concert at Emile Griffith Ballpark is definitely family entertainment. The featured performing group, Morgan Heritage, is made up of five multi-talented children of veteran reggae star Denroy Morgan — Gramps, Lukes, Mr. Moro, Peter and Una Morgan.
Their blend of urban roots/rock/reggae reflects a strong family bond that is enabling them to make a unique impact on the fast-growing reggae industry. And theirs is a collective voice against violence.
According to Una Morgan, "Our message is that life is a miracle and a gift from God, and what we do with our lives is our gift in return. We want to inspire people to value life."
The group's latest album, "Don't Haffi Dread" on the VP label, was released in March. All 18 tracks were produced by the legendary Bobby "Digital" Dixon. They include "Reggae Road," "Send Us Your Love," "Heart of a Child," "Earthquake" and the title track.
The group, which has been called the Royal Family of Reggae, is appearing on St. Thomas as the headliners of "Love Peace Tour 1999" being presented by Judgment Promotions. Also booked for the concert Saturday are Denroy Morgan himself, Basalie, Bashan, Heartless, Ikarus, Jahman, Jahson, LMS, Psycho Dan, Ricky-T, Saint, Singing Legend and De Woe. St. John's Inner Vision will also perform.
The concert is scheduled for 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. They're being sold at the Modern Music stores, Foot Action in Tutu Park Mall and Kikumba Cha on Fireburn Hill.

The St. Thomas Book Club will meet on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 6 p.m. in the Frenchtown Deli. Alan Golden's novel "Memories of a Geisha" will be discussed.

Alan Golden's novel "Memories of a Geish" will be discussed at the next meeting of the St. Thomas Book Club, on Thursday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Frenchtown Deli.
The public is invited to attend. For further information, telephone club president Diane Moody at 777-6244 sent her a message by e-mail to .

For anyone interested in yoga, there are several opportunities throughout any week to satisfy the need for stretching the spine, relaxing the body and soothing the spirit.
Doreen Walsh teaches classes from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sundays at the far western end of Magens Bay beach. The donation is $5. For details, call 774-6440.
Margo Zimmerman offers classes three times a week — at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. on Fridays. There's a $10 fee. For the location and other information call 777-3954.

St. Croix businessman Jeffrey Prosser's option to purchase 2,800 acres of Carambola land has expired and the property is back on the market.
Hans Lawaetz, local representative for an off-island real estate marketing service, confirmed Tuesday that the option on the $30 million land package expired about two weeks ago. The news squelches rumors that Prosser and Malaysian investor Tan Kay Hock, the developer proposing to renovate the derelict Ramada Yacht Haven Hotel on St. Thomas, had partnered in an effort to develop the property.
"True, it’s back on the market," Lawaetz said. "Once a person holds the option, it’s taken off the market. The option has expired."
Lawaetz said no inquiries have been made on the property since Prosser dropped his option.
According to Illustrated Properties International’s website, the Carambola land includes more than 2,800 acres, including 1.5 miles of ocean frontage. The property also includes St. Croix’s highest point, the 1,165-foot summit of Mount Eagle, but most of the land is between 200 and 500 feet above sea level.
The land’s biggest selling points are the existing Carambola Golf Course and clubhouse and the area’s development potential.
"It is rare that a single property has the potential to become a milestone in the development of the U.S. Virgin Islands; to impact, for years to come, the very complexion of tropical resort development," the text on the website states.
The land includes 65 acres zoned commercial, 475 acres zoned for multi-family, hotel and restaurant (80 units per acre), 2,000 acres zoned residential (4 units per acre) and 95 acres zoned residential (1 unit per acre).
The 2,800 acres, including the golf course and clubhouse, is being offered for $30 million, or less than $11,000 per acre. Prosser's original purchase agreement reportedly was for less than $30 million.
"Considering the sales and offerings of other waterfront properties in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, the Carambola property represents one of the best property values available today," the website says.
Prosser held the monthly option in hopes of striking a land-for-tax breaks deal with the V.I. government. Prosser’s Innovative Communication Corp. and its subsidiaries would have received tax breaks in exchange for giving land to the cash-strapped government.
The plan was for ICC to turn over to the government 1,000 acres of improved, subdivided land, to be given to government workers in lieu of retroactive wages owed.
In addition, ICC would have given nearly $10 million for public projects to be built on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John.
In return, Prosser would have received full tax breaks for 10 of his companies for 30 years, a deal valued at anywhere from $180 million to $3.5 billion.
The controversial proposal was considered by Gov. Charles Turnbull, then pulled by Prosser after intense criticism in the community. It was revived and in late May approved 8-7 in the Senate. Then Turnbull vetoed the deal.
To view the Carambola property websiteclick here