Science Saturday is a free monthly program facilitated by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources that has provided science education to the Virgin Islands community for over eight years. The program has evolved to become a key resource for learners of all ages.
The program began as an in-person initiative where children and parents gathered to learn and explore. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kitty Edwards, director of the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas within the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, transitioned it to a virtual format. According to Special Projects Coordinator Chantelle Quiñones, this shift was significant. “This shift provided the community with a consistent monthly connection to science education without the need to venture outside,” Quiñones said.
Maroon Ridge (Photo by Dan Mele)
The program addresses current environmental priorities. “Over the past few years, an increased focus on climate change has transformed how our community views human impacts on the environment. Science Saturday consistently emphasizes the connection to climate change, the importance of being mindful about how we interact with the world around us, and strategies to make our communities more resilient,” Quiñones said.
Each session is an informal interview between the host and scientists, researchers, or students. From the moment the host goes live, audiences can expect an energetic and dynamic interview. Guests are encouraged to provide specific details about their work and use demonstrations or images to make technical information accessible to a wide audience. Planned topics for 2026 include meteorology, entomology, and hydroponics.
Rocky Shoreline (Photo by Dan Mele)
The program encourages community participation. “Our team is always looking for community volunteers to join us on the second Saturday of each month to share their research, initiatives, and projects,” Quiñones said.
The goal is to inspire action. “Following a Science Saturday event, if even one student decides to play in the mud down in a ghut, search for insects while walking a trail, or ask a question in the live chat, Science Saturday has done its part,” Quiñones shared.
Science Saturday is held on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. The public is invited to watch the program live on the DPNR Facebook page or view the recordings later on YouTube.
The University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park announces that the next meeting of its Board of Directors will take place on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. The meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom.
University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park
In alignment with the UVI Research and Technology Park’s commitment to transparency and good governance, and in accordance with V.I. Code tit. 1, § 254, the upcoming board meeting will include a regular session that is open to the public. Individuals wishing to attend must RSVP in advance using the official form. Zoom access details will be sent to verified attendees 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Meeting Details:
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM AST
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
Access: Regular session only (RSVP required)
RSVP Link: https://hubs.ly/Q03lTm3C0
Please note that only the regular session of the meeting will be open to public attendees. At any point, the Board may enter an executive session, which is closed to the public. This is allowed under Virgin Islands law (V.I. Code tit. 1, § 254 and tit. 17, § 810) to discuss sensitive topics like legal matters, personnel issues, or confidential business information. When that happens, public attendees will be placed in the Zoom waiting room and brought back in if the regular session continues.
For questions or media inquiries, please contact marketing@uvirtpark.net.
About the UVI RTPark
The University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park (UVI RTPark) is a specialized economic development organization committed to attracting knowledge-based businesses to the U.S. Virgin Islands. In partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands, the UVI RTPark promotes innovation, workforce development, and economic diversification through targeted business attraction and community-rooted initiatives.
Artisans, musicians, and community groups will gather in Coral Bay for the three-day Coral Bay Music Fest and Bizarre Bazaar from Dec. 4 to 6. (Submitted flyer)
Coral Bay Community Council will hold its 13th Annual Bizarre Bazaar alongside the inaugural three-day Coral Bay Music Fest from Dec. 4 to 6 in Coral Bay, St. John, according to a press release from the organization.
The event will feature actor Denim Richards of “Yellowstone” as master of ceremonies. According to the press release, the three-day schedule leads into the annual artisan fair and includes performances across St. John and St. Thomas talent, along with a new family activity corner focused on environmental education.
Miss Lucy’s Open Mic Night will open the festival on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., curated by the Open Mic Night Band, Laz Liburd, and Lauren and Bo Magnie. Afro Caribbean and jazz artists will take the stage Friday, Dec. 5, at Skinny Legs from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring Echo People, two-time Grammy Award winner Sara Gazarek, and Molly Miller, the press release stated.
The Bizarre Bazaar artisan fair will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an all-day music lineup that includes Lourdes and the Switch, the Eljhaie Brathwaite Project, Sing St. John Recovery Choir, Rich Greengold, The Magnie FamJamly, Kerrin Buckley Cayes, Chris B Love, and other local musicians. The Dynamic Dancers will return and will work with dance artist Maud Arnold, who will also perform, according to the release.
A family activity corner will operate during Saturday’s fair. Environmental groups, including Island Green Living, Friends of Virgin Islands National Park’s Sea Turtle Program, the CORE Foundation, and the University of the Virgin Islands Mangrove Lab, will take part in a Watershed Education Corner, the release stated.
CBCC noted in the release that donations are encouraged to support the curated performances of Dec. 5 and 6. “Coral Bay Community Council is more committed than ever to its mission to serve the community and protect the Coral Bay watershed,” Executive Director Monica Miller-Smith said. “Events like Bizarre Bazaar are more than just annual artisan fairs or fundraisers, they celebrate arts and culture, showcase the work that we and our partners are doing to protect the watershed, provide an opportunity for us to engage with the community, and it brings people over to the shores of Coral Bay.”
Funds raised will support 2026 projects that include watershed education, coastal resilience, ecosystem monitoring, and drinking water and wastewater assistance. Parking for the Dec. 6 event will be available at St. Therese Catholic Church. Love City Community Network will provide Wi-Fi, and Island Green Living will assist with hydration stations and recycling, the release stated.
The Coral Bay Community Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 as a community advocate and watershed management organization.
As the holiday season is upon us, we are faced with many different emotions. This is also a time to celebrate and spend time with our family, friends, and other loved ones. Here in the U.S. Virgin Islands, we have the chance to enjoy Christmas all the way through to Three Kings Day. I recall my dad always saying to us: “We have the longest Christmas in the world.” And we are truly blessed, and unique to be living in this part of the world at this time of year, with no snow, and plenty of sun to keep us warm.
Natalie J. Lewis
While the parties will be taking place, as well as the many meet ups that will be in abundance at our Crucian Christmas Festival, this is a reminder that the holidays, while joyous for some, can also be an extra difficult time for others.
A lot of self-reflection takes place, where we think heavily on losses and wins, and this can be very emotional. This is the time where we can miss our loved ones who have passed on, even more. It can feel as though it stings a little more around this time of year, that they are no longer with us. I know that for me, it is a season that comes along with a wave of emotions, as my mother died on Christmas Eve 2017, just three days before her birthday.
Please be mindful of your mental health this holiday season, and whatever you choose to do, have fun, and be safe. Season greetings and compliments of the season! And in the words of my dad: “Eat, drink, and be merry.”
— Natalie J. Lewis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Certified Grief Therapist. She is licensed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida, Georgia and Virginia. She is a proud graduate of St. Croix Central High School “The Classic Class” (Go Caribs) and Nova Southeastern University (Go Sharks).
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
A photo of the view of Parcel No. 15 shows why Ronnie Jones is calling the development Heaven’s View. (Screenshot from a meeting of the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning on 11/25/25)
Ronnie Jones of Susannaberg LLC is requesting a zoning change to build Heaven’s View, a hotel/guesthouse, on property he inherited in Estate Susannaberg on St. John. The public has until Friday, Dec. 5, to send comments regarding zoning application CCZPoo85-25 to leia.laplace@dnpr.vi.gov.
A member of a large, ancestral St. John family, Jones presented his proposal Tuesday morning in an online meeting of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning.
Jones hopes to rezone a nearly three-acre site, Parcel No. 15 Estate Susannaberg, No. 17A Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John, which is now occasionally used as a campground and event space. It is located adjacent to the popular Windmill Bar and Restaurant.
An as-built drawing shows the features on Parcel No. 15 Susannaberg. (Screenshot from a meeting of the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning on 11/25/25)
The property was rezoned nearly 20 years ago to R-4, medium-density residential, to build dwelling units. Jones said that project languished after his construction partner died suddenly during the planning phase.
Jones now wants to build a hotel/guesthouse, which is not an allowable use under R-4 zoning; he is seeking to change the zoning to R-3, another category of medium-density residential zoning, which does allow hotel development. This change is necessary in order to acquire financing for the project, Jones said.
Architect Kurt Marsh of the design studio MAJJ, LLC, presented a conceptual framework for the project’s design. In addition to 48 guest units, the complex will include a restaurant, event space, pool, and gym/spa building. Twelve of the units will be ADA accessible.
Kurt Marsh is the architect who has completed the conceptual design of the project. (Screenshot from a meeting of the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning on 11/25/25)
Marsh said he and Jones have worked on a design that has minimal impact on the environment, including the view shed. The buildings, including a three-story structure, will be terraced into the hillside to minimize excavation.
The plan calls for the construction of cisterns and a small wastewater treatment plant.
A rendering shows how the proposed buildings will fit into the landscape. (Screenshot from a meeting of the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning on 11/25/25)
Since the design is still in the conceptual phase, Marsh said he could not provide a timeline or estimate a cost for the project.
Upon questioning from Sean L. Krigger, director of the V.I. State Historic Preservation Office, Jones said that he had completed an archaeological survey for the property in 2006. Rukia Andrews of the Division of Fish & Wildlife said an online survey tool was available to determine if any rare or endangered plants were located on the property. Jones said most of the site is covered by lawn.
Parcel no. 15 Susannaberg is now known as Neptune’s Lookout, named for Jones’ grandfather, Halvor Neptune Richards, who acquired nearly 250 acres of property in 1950 for farming and raising livestock.
Ronnie Jones is seeking to build a hotel on Parcel No. 15 Susannaberg, known as Neptune’s Lookout. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Richards had 18 children, including eight with his wife, Florence Chinnery Richards. Unlike many landowners in his time, he was careful to craft a will to provide for his family when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to Jones. Upon his death in 1978, he left property to all 18 children and three grandchildren whom he adopted.
In a letter submitted to the V.I. Legislature to inform senators of his request, Jones wrote, “I have a profound vision to realize (the land’s) potential by developing a boutique hotel that will serve both residents and visitors to the beautiful island of St. John. The proposed development aligns with my aspirations of contributing to the island’s economic growth, enhancing tourism, and providing employment opportunities for residents.”
An image of the site plan shows how the buildings will be positioned. (Screenshot from a meeting of the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning on 11/25/25)
Jones added, “I aim to ensure that the scale, character and intended use of my project are consistent with the surrounding community and compatible with the environmental and aesthetic values of Estate Susannaberg.”
At the online hearing, one neighboring property owner asked for clarification of the differences between R-3 and R-4 zoning. R-3 zoning allows for the construction of six-story buildings but restricts the occupancy to 80 people per acre and preserves 35% open space. R-4 zoning limits the height of structures to three stories but allows occupancy of 120 people per acre and does not require preservation of open space.
As part of his presentation, Marsh included a map showing the development in the area.
A map shows the current use of properties near the proposed hotel. (Screenshot from the meeting of the Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning on 11/25/25)
The site borders on property owned by the Virgin Islands National Park to the north and west. In the past year and a half, several nearby property owners in the area have requested zoning changes to construct multiple dwelling units and commercial projects:
Residents Speak Out Against Two Rezoning Applications for St. JohnSprauve Requests Zoning Change to Build Affordable Housing on STJDPNR Conducts Zoning Hearing for Susannaberg Properties
The proposed passenger terminal. (Screenshot from Microsoft Teams meeting on 11/25/2025)
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources convened a virtual public hearing Tuesday to review a use variance request for the existing bus terminal located at Plot Nos. 24 B and 24D Estate Slob, King Quarter, St. Croix. Planning Technician Gail Pagan served as chair. The request seeks to allow a bus passenger terminal as a matter of right.
Project manager for Design District Architects, Kenneth Serrant, represented the Public Works Department. “The plan is to demolish the wooden structure that is there and construct a 2,100-square-foot building that will accommodate three employees and 50 passengers who will be transiting between buses and the public bus operations,” he said.
The facility will include a ticket area for three employees, a manager’s office, a breakroom for all bus drivers, and an available restroom. Serrant confirmed that there are no cultural or historic resources on the property, no plans involving animals, and no homes will be developed on the site.
Concerns about project timelines surfaced when Assistant Director Gregory Richards referenced delays seen in other federally funded initiatives. “We see this happening with several departments … no movement has happened and that’s always really my concern … the time frames of which these projects begin and are determined to be completed,” he said.
Project representative Clarence Browne responded that funding is secured and clarified its source. “It’s federal, but not disaster recovery money tied to Maria. This is more transportation funding,” he noted. Browne added that the rezoning request is the final administrative step: “This is probably the last thing we need in terms of our approvals … The site has been used as a bus terminal for going on 30 years.”
Browne said the project is already under building permit review and that a bid package is expected to reach the Public Works Department before year’s end. Construction is anticipated to take about 12 months once procurement is completed.
After Leia LaPlace, territorial planner, opened the floor for public comment, no comments were received. She reminded attendees that the public comment period remains open until Dec. 5.
Pagan reiterated the next steps in the process. “Once the public hearing is complete, we have 30 days by law to prepare a recommendation report,” she said, noting that the report is forwarded to the commissioner, the Legislature, and the applicant.
Team picture of Yale University, Champions of the 2025 Paradise Jam Men’s Tournament. Source photo by Mark Daniel)
The final game of the 26th Edition of Paradise Jam Basketball Tournament left one team in joyous celebration and the other in disbelief as the shot to take the game into overtime bounced off the rim at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Championship Game – Yale 97 – Akron 94
The University of Yale Bulldogs held off a resilient University of Akron team to claim the 2025 Paradise Jam Men’s Championship 97 – 94. The Bulldogs controlled much of this game, flaunting a 15-point lead with under three minutes to go in the first half. The Zips of Akron never waved the white flag as they fought all the way back to tie the game at 80 with 5:00 minutes to play.
Yale’s Trevor Martin and Riley Fox hit back-to-back three-point baskets, providing basic insurance for the Bulldogs. Tavari Johnson scored two of his game-high 35 points and Amani Lyles nailed two free throws to bring Akron within two points. Yale’s Fox drained another three-point basket to stretch the lead to five points. In the final two minutes of the game, Johnson made two layups, and Bowen Hardman ignited the crowd by landing a bomb from downtown, shrinking the lead to one point with nine seconds left on the clock. But Mullin was a true Bulldog as he calmly made three pairs of free throws each time the Zips scored in the waning moments of this game.
Akron’s Tavari Johnson #5 scores two of his game-high 35 points in the Championship Game of the 2025 Paradise Jam Men’s Tournament. (Source photo by Ananta Pancham)
Nick Townsend dominated on the offensive end, registering a double-double with 21 points and distributing 10 assists for Yale. Isaac Celiscar contributed 23 points for the Bulldogs. Johnson and Scott were the top scorers for the Zips with 35 and 25, respectively.
Nick Townsend of Yale, blue jersey, makes a tough basket in the Championship Game of the 2025 Paradise Jam Men’s Tournament. Townsend scored 21 points. (Source photo by Mark J Daniel)
Yale’s Townsend was named the tournament MVP. Johnson and Eric Mahaffey of Akron were named to the All-Tournament Team. Justin Allen of Green Bay and Marcus Banks of the University of Massachusetts round off the five-man 2025 Paradise Jam Men’s All-Tournament Team Roster.
Third Place Game – College of Charleston 78 – Evansville 59
The College of Charleston defeated the University of Evansville 78 – 59 in the third-place game. Martin Kalu scored 21 points and snagged seven rebounds, and Connor Hickman added 16 points for the Cougars of Charleston. Connor Turnbull and Keishon Porter were the top two offensive performers for the Purple Aces with 18 and 14 points, respectively.
Fifth Place Game – Green Bay 80 – Iona 75
The University of Wisconsin Green Bay defeated Iona University 80 to 75, Monday afternoon at the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center. Justin Allen sparked Green Bay’s offense with 28 points. Iona’s Lamin Sabally recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Seventh Place Game – UMass 73 – Oregon State 65
The University of Massachusetts earned its first win of the tournament, defeating the Beavers of Oregon State 73 – 65. Daniel Hankins-Sanford messed around and got a double-double for the Minutemen of UMass with 24 points and 11 boards. Oregon State’s Malcolm Christie scored 17 points.
Opening tip of the UMass versus Oregon State game on Day 4 of the 2025 Paradise Jam Men’s Tournament. (Source photo by Mark J Daniel)
Expert speakers engage youth at a CERCA center in Puerto Rico. The Virgin Islands will soon have similar hands-on learning and hazard-preparedness experiences with the opening of CERCA St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy Amber McCammon)
On Dec. 13, the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum will host the grand opening of CERCA St. Thomas, a new science and safety center, with a free community event from 1 to 3 p.m.
CERCA, the Center for Education about Risks both Coastal and Aquatic, is designed to help families understand local environmental and marine hazards. Visitors will explore hands-on exhibits, preparedness stations, and demonstrations led by scientists and emergency officials. Grant funding will provide free admission not only for the grand opening but also for multiple CERCA events throughout 2026.
“At CERCA, hazard experts — including scientists, professors and local stakeholders — will engage visitors through live talks, multimedia resources and interactive activity tables,” said Amber McCammon, CEO of the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum and CERCA St. Thomas. “Guests of all ages will be able to deepen their knowledge of environmental risks and hazard-mitigation strategies while taking part in fun activities and even earning prizes.”
The center’s exhibits will give children and families practical, science-based tools for understanding hurricanes, flooding, tsunamis, earthquakes, sargassum and other hazards that regularly affect the territory. Displays focus on preparedness, hazard awareness and how to interpret real-world data in ways that are locally relevant.
Visitors at the opening will meet scientists and hazard professionals from the Caribbean Green Technology Center, the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, Ocean Coastal Observing–Virgin Islands, VITEMA and other regional partners. Scheduled speakers include Regina Browne, VITEMA’s deputy director of planning and preparedness; oceanographers Roy Watlington and Lincoln Critchley of OCOVI; and representatives from CARICOOS in Puerto Rico, who will discuss local environmental conditions and the importance of coastal and aquatic safety.
After the opening, the museum will host CERCA Saturdays throughout 2026, offering free open houses on nationally recognized math and science days such as Pi Day (March 14), Infinity Day (Aug. 8), Worldwide Day of Play (tentative, Sept. 19) and Fibonacci Day (Nov. 21).
“Our CERCA Saturdays will align with other major math days happening all over the world,” McCammon said. Sessions will include guest scientists, demonstrations, hands-on activities and lessons connecting math, environmental science and hazard literacy. Children will learn to read wave and wind trackers, interpret oceanographic data and use early-warning tools commonly relied on by fishers, surfers and emergency personnel.
“A lot of our fishermen and surfers are accessing this information all the time. It is free, and CERCA St. Thomas is going to be showing people what these tools are and where they can access them on a daily basis,” McCammon said.
The new St. Thomas center joins four existing CERCA centers in Puerto Rico and is the first in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The initiative is funded through NOAA and the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, with additional support from partners including the International Tsunami Information Center, the National Weather Service, Caribbean GeoTech Center, and other organizations.
For 2025, McCammon said CERCA St. Thomas will rely largely on infographics, videos and other materials already developed for CERCA sites in Puerto Rico, allowing the program to “hit the ground running.” Beginning in 2026, the museum plans to pursue new grants and partnerships to create content tailored specifically to the Virgin Islands, including local maps, charts and action plans that reflect the territory’s own hazards.
“The long-term goal is to keep building partnerships and resources that really help our children, families, and the wider community learn more,” McCammon said, noting that plans also include offering content in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole to better serve the territory’s multilingual community.
McCammon said early hazard education is essential because it reduces fear and panic during real emergencies. She said that with practiced knowledge, like knowing evacuation points or how to respond to earthquakes and tsunamis, children and families are far less likely to freeze or react unpredictably
McCammon said the CERCA classroom inside the museum will also serve as a pop-up learning space for school groups, summer camps and other visitors. Staff can open the room during field trips or special visits to introduce students to safety tools and hold guided discussions. In addition to these pop-ups, the museum will host free open-house days to “welcome as many people as possible.”
She emphasized that CERCA St. Thomas and VICM are designed to broaden access for the territory’s parents and children. Free admission for both the grand opening and future CERCA events will help to remove financial barriers. “So many people think everything’s for the tourists, but we are very much here for the locals,” McCammon said, noting that more than 80% of museum visitors in 2024 were local children and families.
Overall, CERCA’s educational programming will cover topics relevant to the Virgin Islands, including coastal erosion, storm surge, hurricane formation, tsunamis, flooding, earthquakes, sargassum, and water safety. Families will learn to interpret vital oceanographic data and understand evacuation routes, safety maps, and the role of local ecosystems like seagrasses, coral reefs, and mangroves in protecting the community. The curriculum also addresses the impacts of native, naturalized, and invasive species on environmental resilience.
McCammon said that by giving the community inclusive, hands-on learning opportunities, CERCA St. Thomas will help residents better understand local environmental risks. “The information and hands-on interactive content that community members can engage with at CERCA will deepen their understanding of local environmental risks and contribute to a more resilient and prepared Virgin Islands,” she said.
Volunteers will prepare food for the free Thanksgiving community dinner at Emancipation Garden, an event organized by May’s Kitchen to support families still recovering from the recent federal shutdown.
May’s Kitchen and more than 20 community partners will host a free Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday to support families still recovering from the recent federal government shutdown, a press release announced.
The dinner will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas and is expected to serve between 500 and 1,000 people, with priority for SNAP recipients, according to the press release.
May Leader, founder of May’s Kitchen, said the shutdown left lasting impacts on households across the territory. “The recent shutdown didn’t just disrupt services on the mainland. It sent shock waves through households right here in the Virgin Islands,” she said. “Families who depend on SNAP benefits faced sudden gaps that created real hardship. While the shutdown has ended, many are still catching up financially. We wanted to do something tangible to ease that burden during the holiday season.”
Three chefs — Chef Benji of Blue11 and Indigo4, youth chef Alexandre from the British Virgin Islands, and Chef Cory Baker of Barefoot Buddha — will prepare a full Thanksgiving meal. The menu includes turkey, ham, salmon, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Vegetarian dishes such as lentil soup, vegetable lasagna and tofu options will also be available, the press release stated.
Entertainment will be provided by The Elijhaie Braithwaite Project, the release stated.
Medical partners include the Virgin Islands Center for Integrative Medicine, the Chiropractic Health Center and the St. Thomas East End Medical Center. Dr. Richards of the East End Medical Center said their participation focuses on both physical and emotional support. “Moments of connection and shared support are essential for mental health, especially during times of added stress,” he said. “We believe caring for our community means supporting both physical and emotional well-being.”
Sponsors include the Virgin Islands Center for Integrative Medicine, St. Thomas East End Medical Center, Viking Corporation, Tap & Still, Smith’s Barbershop, Blue11, Indigo4, St. Thomas Social, Creative Marketing, Leader’s Auto Repair, Antilles School, UVI Social Group, PriceSmart, Soul to Sole, VIPD, Government House, Lucky Jewelry, Artistic Jewelry and Barefoot Buddha and countless others, according to the release.
Leader said the partners involved show the strength of the community.
The event is free and open to the public, with no RSVP required. SNAP recipients are encouraged to bring their benefit cards for priority seating.
Event detailsWhat: Thanksgiving Community Dinner
When: Wednesday, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Emancipation Gardens, Charlotte Amalie
Who: Open to all; SNAP recipients receive priority
Cost: Free
More information is available at www.mayleadervi.org.
Movement comes to the classroom through the St. John School of the Arts. (Photo courtesy St. John School of the Arts)
The St. John School of the Arts is inviting the public to “Artistry Under the Stars,” a special community fundraiser taking place on Friday, Dec. 12, beginning at 5 p.m. at Shambles Island Bar & Grill in Susannaberg.
Fifty percent of food and beverage proceeds from the evening will directly support SJSA’s mission to provide high-quality arts education to children and their families on St. John.
With national federal budget cuts threatening arts programs across the country, Artistry Under the Stars offers the St. John community an opportunity to stand together in support of creativity, youth development, and expanded access to the arts.
A proud student displays her artwork, including natural materials. (Photo courtesy St. John School of the Arts)
“Arts education is more than taking a class,” said the Jeuné Provost, SJSA’s executive director. “It is a lifeline for creative exploration, confidence building, and community connection. This fundraiser helps ensure that every child on St. John continues to have access to transformative arts experiences, regardless of financial barriers.”
Crochet instructor Jamine Dalmida shows a student how to make a stitch. (Photo courtesy St. John School of the Arts)
Guests will enjoy an evening of talent, inspiration, and community spirit under the night sky. The event also serves as a platform to highlight the impact of SJSA’s programming, which includes dance, music, theater, and visual arts.
For further information, please call the St. John School of the Arts at 340-779-4322 or email info@stjohnschoolofthearts.org.
