The mosquitos are bad enough, but are all these flies getting to you?
The onslaught of flies across the island has residents and business owners, especially restaurants, fuming.
"We are fogging one neighborhood at a time, but we can't cover the entire island every day," said Environmental Health Director Laura Hassell. She recommended over-the-counter sprays to kill the flies. Many restaurants are bringing in professional exterminators.
What caused this infestation?
Jozef Keularts, staff entomologist at the University of the Virgin Islands Extension Service, said, "The rains promote lush growth. The damp leaves and vegetable compost, combined with moist animal decay matter, provide an ideal breeding ground for flies."
"We call them phoo-phoo flies," said Rafe Boulon of fish and wildlife, "because of the sounds we make swishing them away."
And lots of people are trying to swish them away.
Ted Luscz, owner of Hook Line and Sinker in Frenchtown, said he visited a restaurant in Amsterdam called the Five Flies, which became famous, "but I don't think that's the case here. We've tried everything — I even hung a plastic bag of water out in back!"
It didn't help.
Betsy Woodward of Caret Bay said her son, Tim, has been spraying around their property
with the vigor of a character out of "Ghostbusters" — but, alas, to no avail.
Craig Barash, owner of Craig and Sally's in Frenchtown, had their driveway power-washed with regular detergents and said it was somewhat better two days later, but "you can't fight nature."
Since they are seasonal, by February or March the flies should disappear. Until next year. But next year can't possibly be as rainy as this, or can it?

Congress has approved $1.25 million to buy the Gibney property for the V.I. National Park on St. John and $1.2 million for the National Park Service to buy land at the Salt River National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve on St. Croix.
The funding was announced late Thursday by Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christian-Christensen, who said she was just informed about it by the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.
“I am elated that funding for Salt River has finally been realized after all these years," the delegate said, thanking a host of people and organizations — including the Nature Conservancy — for their role in securing the money for both V.I. parks.
The delegate said that Salt River funding was one of her top priorities when she was first elected in 1996 and that she'll continue to push for federal money for Salt River and other V.I. National Park units.

Local student artists are readying their arts and crafts for sale and exhibit at Art Gallery Jr. at BeachJam '99 on Jan. 18 on Magens Bay beach.
Ivanna Eudora Kean High School art students have seized this opportunity to display their more than 150 pieces of art to the general public.
Not just an opportunity to show off their talents, Art Gallery Jr. offers a valuable learning experience for its young participants.
"It is a hands-on experience about the aspects of the professional process of the
art industry," says Lisa Etre, Art Department chairperson at the high
school and project coordinator for Art Gallery Jr. "Students learn everything from how to matte, prepare and price their work for professional presentation in an art gallery."
The group will present a myriad of items, including mousepads, greeting cards and paintings in a variety of media. There will also be a silent auction on selected works.
Proceeds from Art Gallery Jr. will go
towards computerizing the school's art department.
"This exposure will be great for the school, the kids and the effort," says Etre.
She expects to enlist the participation of other schools for future events.
Art Gallery Jr. holds particular relevance to its non-profit umbrella, Cause Effective Arts Program (CEAP).
"Art Gallery Jr. and the students will make a bold cultural statement for the territory," says Steve Bornn,CEAP president and founder. "It's just a start in the process to foster the community's aesthetic appreciation and what better place to start — with our own talented youth. This clearly answers the call of CEAP."
CEAP is a non-profit organization that was founded by Bornn and Bill Grogan, who have a shared interest in the role of the arts in the V.I. It is dedicated to showcasing various international art forms for the territory's enjoyment, while building a continuing means for assisting
other non-profit causes.
BeachJam '99 will feature King of Latin Music, Tito Puente, zouk band Tabou Combo and Al Rapone & the Zydeco Express as well as local favorites Imaginations Brass, the UVI Jazz Ensemble and the All Stars Steelband. HBO funny girls Barbara Carlyle and DK will also throw their comedy into the
ring.
Admission is $15 for adults; children under 12 free; and $8 for students with I.D. Bring your own blankets.
Parking on the beach is very limited. Ten continuously looping shuttle buses will provide free transportation from the roadside parking areas.
Proceeds from BeachJam '99 will go to the Magens Bay Arboretum Fund.
BeachJam '99 is presented by Coors Light, Bluebeard's Castle & Beach Resorts and American Airlines.

St. Thomas resident Donald Stanford has won the 1999 Professional Achievement Award. The announcement was made by the Black Engineer of the Year awards selection committee.
Hundreds of the nation's top scientists, engineers and technologists compete every year for the award.
Stanford, a resident since 1954, said he didn't even know he had been nominated for the award until after the fact, according to the V.I. Independent.
Stanford is the chief technology officer and vice president of product development for GTECH Corp. in West Greenwich, R.I.
Stanford moved to St. Thomas with his family when he was 3 years old and attended Antilles School until 1962, when he transferred to school in Puerto Rico.
He earned a bachelor's degree in international relations and a master's in computer science from Brown University in Rhode Island.
Stanford maintains his family home in Estate Elizabeth and visits St. Thomas regularly.
He said he plans to go into semi-retirement here in 2000.

Attorney General Julio A. Brady has declined to press criminal charges against anyone involved in a scuffle during the 150th Emancipation Day celebration July 3 in Frederiksted, St. Croix.
Brady, in a letter dated Jan. 4, said an investigation found insufficient evidence to charge the two police officers or three security guards for Emerging Communications who stopped Sen. Adelbert M. Bryan from speaking at the ceremony — or to charge Bryan for his role in the fracas.
"After careful reviewing of the sharply conflicting eyewitness reports and taking into account the emotionally charged circumstances caused principally by miscommunication, I conclude that criminal charges are not warranted," Brady wrote.
He said any of the parties can pursue civil remedies.
At the time of the incident, which disrupted and halted the anniversary celebration, Gov. Roy L. Schneider called on Brady to pursue charges against Bryan for assaulting the security officers. Bryan, in turn, demanded that Brady charge the officers with assaulting him.

The Virgin Islands America's Cup Challenge is merging with "the most experienced Cup racer in the world," Dennis Conner.
Michael Bornn, president of the V.I. Challenge said this "will ensure the V.I. Challenge will be present at New Zealand for the Cup."
The combined effort will be called Team Dennis Conner.
Peter Holmberg, co-founder with Bornn of the V.I. Challenge, said the Virgin Islands raised more money per capita than any other challenge — but still not enough to move forward with its own independent effort.
"The man on the street in the V.I. will see no visible change except maybe an additional logo on team gear," Holmberg said.
In a game where sponsorship money is as important as talent, Bornn said, "This will combine the experience of Team Dennis Conner with the talent of Peter Holmberg and the marketing appeal of the V.I. Challenge."
The David Pedrick Design team, retained by V.I. Challenge, is another asset the V.I. Challenge brings to the mix, he said.
Bornn said the commitments made to V.I. Challenge sponsors will be honored by the new team.
If the new team wins in New Zealand, the Virgin Islands will have the chance to host the America's Cup, according to Bornn.
Peter Holmberg will be part of Team Dennis Conner by contract, with other V.I. team members given the right to try out for the new effort.
Team Dennis Connor, ranked third in U.S. America's Cup chances by Gary Jobson, editor of Sailing World magazine, in its November 1998 issue, will combine its money-raising ability with sixth-ranked V.I. Challenge's attractive venue and winning design team.

The St. Thomas Bridge Club meets at 1:30 p.m. Sundays, at 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and at 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Visitors are welcome.
Meetings are at Al Cohen's Plaza on Raphune Hill. For information call 776-2090 or 775-5335.

Lockhart Elementary School begins its series on effective parenting — "Healthy Families, Happy Homes" — on Jan. 13. The public is invited.
Guest speakers and their topics include:
— Dilsa Capdeville, abuse and building self-esteem.
— Dr. Audria Thomas, asthma and allergies.
— Dale Garee, AIDS.
— Pastor Dean Benta, fathers, families and children.
The program starts at 5:30 p.m. at the school. For information call PTA president Mario Francis at 774-3745.

The St. Thomas East End Leo Club is seeking girls 6 to 8 years old to compete for Miss Valentine.
For information call V. deLagarde or K. deLagarde at 775-4683.

The Holiday Inn sign may be visible at the Windward Passage Hotel, but the name change is not quite official yet.
General Manager Hamid Khanbashi says it will be about a month before the 30-year-old hotel receives its new designation.
Holiday Inn has completed 80 percent to 85 percent of its inspections of the downtown St. Thomas property, Khanbashi said.
Once it formally joins the international chain, the 151-room, full-service hotel will continue to be monitored through site inspections, including unannounced visits.
Khanbashi began his work at Windward Passage about three years ago, overseeing a complete renovation and upgrade after Hurricane Marilyn. He soon began looking for a name brand with which to affiliate because "what drives this business is great preference."
He said he likes Holiday Inn not only because of its reputation for quality service but because it has "the largest GDS (global distribution system) I know," with up to 70,000 travel agents tapping into the network.