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.

"Hey, made any New Year resolutions yet?" This inquiry from my good buddy Freddy. "No, not as yet. Why? Do you have a suggestion for me?" I replied.
"Well, yeah. I remember your mentioning you wanted to become more health conscious. Especially with what you were eating. So, I think you and I ought to have dinner at Hartwell's American Brasserie. I can introduce you to some of the foods I enjoy, ones that are healthier choices than you have been used to, and the tastes are up to your gourmand standards."
"What's so special about Hartwell's?" I asked.
That's when I got the lowdown on one of St. Thomas' recently opened owner/chef restaurants.
Here's the gist of what Freddy had to say. And believe me, if Freddy says it's healthy, he should know. He is a local alternative medicine practitioner and a vegetarian, so I generally trust his judgment.
Tom Hartwell and his wife, Terry Rahm, took over the Old Stone Farmhouse, and after remodeling the kitchen and dining rooms, opened for business on Dec. 4.
According to Terry, the menu is composed of "Good country farmhouse food. In keeping with the name of our place, we offer classic service in an unpretentious atmosphere. Along with the standard American fare of fish, fowl and meat dishes, we serve a wide selection of vegetarian meals. Thus the name, Hartwell's American Brasserie."
Tom Hartwell has been a chef on St. Thomas for the past seven years. Some of you may know him from Randy's Bistro or the Ritz-Carlton, among others. He was also on the 1995 Caribbean Culinary Olympics Team which won seven gold medals, the highest score ever in this competition.
His training took place on the mainland, with externships in Europe. Terry, who is a vegan herself, says that the vegetarian items are indicated on the menu as being vegan or regular vegetarian dishes.
Since I didn't know what a vegan was, I asked Dr. Freddy.
"It is someone who does not eat any food made from animal products. No dairy, no eggs, etc. Strictly plant or plant product-based foods."
"But I don't know if I want to change my eating habits that drastically," I told him.
"Not to worry. They have a great rainbow trout entree I know you would like. Fish is usually your first choice, right?"
"Sure, but I like meat and potato delicacies too," I reminded him.
"These they do with the same elegance of preparation as all their dishes." he assured me.
"Including pates, shrimp or escargot?" I inquired.
"Yes, all their offerings are outstanding."
"So Freddy, what you're saying is that this restaurant offers a variety of choices so neither of us has to compromise our preferred favorites?"
"Exactly what I'm saying. Shall we call and make a reservation?"
"What? You haven't dialed yet?" I asked.
Hartwell's is available for dinner Wednesday to Sunday only, from 6 to 10 p.m. Prices for appetizers range from $7 to $10, and entrees from $15 to $22.
One recent special that most likely will become a regular choice is an excellent eggplant caponata (vegan style). This entree preceded by a stuffed pepper of grilled, marinated tofu should delight any palate.
As yet, they do not offer any entertainment, but will do so in the future.
If you call 777-6277 for reservations, you just might find Freddy and me dining beside you. It looks like a happier and healthier New Year after all!

"Hey, made any New Year resolutions yet?" This inquiry from my good buddy Freddy. "No, not as yet. Why? Do you have a suggestion for me?" I replied.
"Well, yeah. I remember your mentioning you wanted to become more health conscious. Especially with what you were eating. So, I think you and I ought to have dinner at Hartwell's American Brasserie. I can introduce you to some of the foods I enjoy, ones that are healthier choices than you have been used to, and the tastes are up to your gourmand standards."
"What's so special about Hartwell's?" I asked.
That's when I got the lowdown on one of St. Thomas' recently opened owner/chef restaurants.
Here's the gist of what Freddy had to say. And believe me, if Freddy says it's healthy, he should know. He is a local alternative medicine practitioner and a vegetarian, so I generally trust his judgment.
Tom Hartwell and his wife, Terry Rahm, took over the Old Stone Farmhouse, and after remodeling the kitchen and dining rooms, opened for business on Dec. 4.
According to Terry, the menu is composed of "Good country farmhouse food. In keeping with the name of our place, we offer classic service in an unpretentious atmosphere. Along with the standard American fare of fish, fowl and meat dishes, we serve a wide selection of vegetarian meals. Thus the name, Hartwell's American Brasserie."
Tom Hartwell has been a chef on St. Thomas for the past seven years. Some of you may know him from Randy's Bistro or the Ritz-Carlton, among others. He was also on the 1995 Caribbean Culinary Olympics Team which won seven gold medals, the highest score ever in this competition.
His training took place on the mainland, with externships in Europe. Terry, who is a vegan herself, says that the vegetarian items are indicated on the menu as being vegan or regular vegetarian dishes.
Since I didn't know what a vegan was, I asked Dr. Freddy.
"It is someone who does not eat any food made from animal products. No dairy, no eggs, etc. Strictly plant or plant product-based foods."
"But I don't know if I want to change my eating habits that drastically," I told him.
"Not to worry. They have a great rainbow trout entree I know you would like. Fish is usually your first choice, right?"
"Sure, but I like meat and potato delicacies too," I reminded him.
"These they do with the same elegance of preparation as all their dishes." he assured me.
"Including pates, shrimp or escargot?" I inquired.
"Yes, all their offerings are outstanding."
"So Freddy, what you're saying is that this restaurant offers a variety of choices so neither of us has to compromise our preferred favorites?"
"Exactly what I'm saying. Shall we call and make a reservation?"
"What? You haven't dialed yet?" I asked.
Hartwell's is available for dinner Wednesday to Sunday only, from 6 to 10 p.m. Prices for appetizers range from $7 to $10, and entrees from $15 to $22.
One recent special that most likely will become a regular choice is an excellent eggplant caponata (vegan style). This entree preceded by a stuffed pepper of grilled, marinated tofu should delight any palate.
As yet, they do not offer any entertainment, but will do so in the future.
If you call 777-6277 for reservations, you just might find Freddy and me dining beside you. It looks like a happier and healthier New Year after all!