We have a new US Virgin Islands social network called Love To Lime, check it out here: http://www.lovetolime.com. You can create a profile, add photos, videos, make a group, join a forum, start your own thread etc.

It does everything Facebook does without the annoying “Farmville” crap.

What’s great about it is it’s only about the USVI so you can meet people with similar interests.

So head over today and create a profile

http://lovetolime.com

Auditions for Pistarckle Theater’s 2010/2011 season opener, The Rocky Horror Show, will be held on Sunday, August 8th from 3pm-6pm and Monday, August 9th from 6pm-8pm. The Rocky Horror Show is the original Musical Comedy by Richard O’Brien that the cult classic movie was based on with all of your favorite characters and songs.

On a dark and stormy night Brad and Janet, our innocent and naïve heroes, stumble upon Frank N Furters nefarious castle after their car mysteriously breaks down. Thus begins their hilarious and harrowing escapade with the mad scientist, his hunchbacked assistant Riff Raff and the bizarre Transylvanian Phantoms.

Rocky Horror is a camp, tongue in cheek spoof on everything from Frankenstein to Flash Gordon, with a naughty little twist. In this hilarious satire of Space Invaders the space aliens aren’t here to destroy the earth, but show us the way to absolute pleasure.

Actors need to sing and move well. All ages, sexes, nationalities (including space aliens) are welcome to audition for the lead roles of Frank N Furter, the mad transvestite scientist; Riff Raff, his hunchback and spooky aide; Brad and Janet, the naïve young lovers; Eddie, the failed experiment; Dr. Scott, a secret government scientist, Rocky, the sexy monster of a man; The Narrator; the strange and weird groupies, Columbia and Magenta; and last but not least, the chorus of Transylvanian Phantoms.

Auditions are on Sunday, August 8th 3pm-6pm and Monday, August 9th 6pm-8pm. Call 340.775.7877 for information.

Get out to Jack’s tonight July 29th to catch the Becca Darling Band!

Come out to Jack’s each and every Thursday for your chance to win prizes including trips to Puerto Rico, Jost Van Dyke, and St. John.

Other prizes include: Dive trips, sailing charters, snorkeling adventures, and couples’ massages.

LIVE Music starts at 7:30PM.

July 29th – Becca Darling Band.

Prizes are drawn every half hour starting at 8PM.
Each guest receives one ticket upon arrival, which gives you the chance to win during each drawing.

Jack’s is one of our awesome advertisers, we eat and play there regularly

Well it really looks like crime is now at the forefront of the USVI Government.

I’m extremely happy but also somewhat nervous at what they want to pass…

Some heavy-hitting pieces of legislation emerged from Monday’s full Senate session, including bills giving more protection to domestic violence victims, setting up a local DNA database and creating a law to define illegal ammunition possession.

1. The Domestic Violence and Protection Act — actually made its debut in the 27th Legislature, but Senator Williams said it’s been fine-tuned to also include harsher penalties for domestic violence offenders, including a mandatory minimum prison sentence of two years and $1,000 fine.

Here’s my fear with this one. It’s just to easy for people to make up domestic violence complaints. Yes it happens and people should pay the price for it but a “mandatory minimum prison sentence of two years and $1,000 fine” is scary for those that are actually innocent and victim to someone who is lying. So I’m somewhat nervous on that front.

2. The creation of a DNA database and databank is another measure that’s taken a couple of years to pass. Sponsored by Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone in the 27th Legislature and moved through to this year, the bill sets up a DNA database — the likes of which is seen on television theme shows such as “Law and Order” and “CSI” — within the Justice Department that is overseen by a director appointed by the governor.

The bill specifies who’s mandated to give the DNA samples, such as individuals convicted and sentenced for any felony, violent crime or misdemeanor sexual offense. Anyone who refuses to submit a DNA sample will be fined no more than $1,000 and can be sentenced to no more than five year in jail, according to the bill.

Um, this one is scary “anyone convicted and sentenced for any felony”? Yikes, that seems unconstitutional. If someone steals $500 and it is a felony they now have to give their DNA sample? This one may go a little to far. Rapists, murderers, child molesters…sure, fine. Any felony? Not so much.

3. The illegal ammunition bill says that anyone who is not: a licensed firearm or ammunition dealer; a local or federal law enforcement officer; someone who has a valid gun license; or who sells and manufactures ammunition cannot carry ammunition. Violators can face up to seven years in jail and a fine of not more than $10,000.

The bill also says that any gun owner can only purchase ammo that “is of the same caliber or gauge of the firearm” specified in their license or registration certificate.

“We have to make it clear that if you have ammo for a gun you don’t have a registration for, then you’re in big trouble,” Sen. Terrence “Positive” Nelson said during the session.

Hmm, this one may also be unconstitutional. I am not a gun owner or part of the NRA so I’m really not sure on this bill. I know that the average person who’s not licensened shouldn’t be carrying bullets, that’s for sure.

What do you think? Good laws? Questionable laws?

Read the full story on all these here.

Many of you who read my post “St. Thomas – No Longer America’s Paradise! might remember I harshly called out the Governor, government and police and held them responsible for the shooting death of a 14 year old tourist.

We had 120 comments on the story, many who expressed frustration, anger and suggestions.

They listened.

Starting August 2nd they will be closing down Coki Point for 10 days and cleaning it up. It involves everyone from Housing, Parks and Recreation (HPR) to the Waste Management Authority. Among other things, HPR, with help from Public Works, will be fixing the fence surrounding the beach, doing landscaping in “key areas,” removing debris, picking a vendor to reconstruct the bathrooms, put up portable bathrooms and clean up the roadsides.

Governor DeJongh said he’s tasked HPR Commissioner St. Claire N. Williams with coming up with a cost estimate for completing the long-awaited and much discussed vendor pavilion and boardwalk so some funding can be identified for the project.
Responding to complaints from business owners in the area, the governor added that Justice officials will begin drafting legislation prohibiting barkers on public roadways and beaches, while Waste Management will be finding spaces for trash bins and scheduling removal times.

To address the safety concerns, and taking recent developments and intelligence into consideration, the VIPD has supplemented its Tourist Safety Plan,” Police Commissioner Francis said. “The main components of the plan include deployment of the Special Operations Team, enhanced police patrol and targeted camera surveillance.”

Overall, tourist attractions will see more of a police presence, with officers patrolling on foot, bike and scooter and not “sitting in their cars doing nothing,” he added. All-terrain vehicles will be sent out to the beach and other secluded areas, while K-9 units will also be used for targeted patrols.
The Special Ops team has been reorganized and will handle “unique security needs for specific occasions and locales,” personnel from all over the police department and law enforcement officers from other government agencies will be pulled for special initiatives

Read the entire plan here.

Thank you for listening to your people. It took a tragic death to get us here but you’ve taken the first step. I appreciate a safer St. Thomas as I’m sure everyone else does as well. Now prove to us that you’re committed long term moving forward.

Next on the clean-up list?

DOWNTOWN!

Imagine a clean, safe downtown? One like we had in the 80′s where it was safe to roam the streets, restaurants and bars at night. Please Governor deJongh, look into cleaning up downtown.

Due to all the rain we’ve had the septic, sewage yucky crap has run off into Magens Bay. DO NOT SWIM THERE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK.

You’ve been warned

We went to Bella Blu for dinner last Monday (our pesto pasta and lamb were delish). We started talking to the couple at the next table and found out they were vacationing on STT for the week, they had arrived the day before (ish). I *think* they were from NY. They told us they were staying at Bluebeard’s Castle.

We went through the usual chatter…how long we had lived there, if they had vacationed here before, if they liked it, where we were all from…etc. We wrote them a short list of things to do for the week – ya know, where to get the car ferry to St. John, how to find Thirteen restaurant and Lindquist beach (Smith Bay park), where to grab good sandwiches to take to St. John and Lindquist. We jotted down our favorite restaurants.

I hope they had a good week, but I’m sure they wish they had better weather. ‘Cuz the weather this week wasn’t cutting it for any vacationers or cruisers. Wow. Did it rain. And rain. And rain. I believe they closed the road twice in Havensight due to flooding. The waters at most of the beaches were (and still aren’t) fit for swiming due to all of the runoff. Sure, there were some patches of sun here and there. In fact today it hasn’t rained at all (at least where I’m sitting on the northside).

Of course today is the day they catch a flight out. Safe travels nice-couple-from-the-table-next-to-us-at-Bella-Blu. Sorry for the crap weather. We hope you come again!

And now a quick hello to a guy named Eric who arrived here on Friday for his family vacation. He’s been keeping up with us on the blog (and Love To Lime) and was not happy with last week’s rain. I hope he enjoyed his first couple of days here – and I’m hoping he and his fam enjoy a great week of sunshine and island beauty! I’m also holding him to a recap trip report when he gets back home…

Wow, where to go on Saturday the 24th? here’s a list of stuff that we know of:

1. Support Coral World: Buy 1 get 1 free on admission and activities. Coral World needs our help, go to http://www.coralworldvi.com for all the details.

2. Artvi Presents, Dream In Green Summer Party: Check out local art and “green” art projects. Socialize, meet creative minds and enjoy a cool evening. Starts at 6pm and ends at 9pm at Tillet Gardens next to Jack’s.

3. Yacht Haven Grande Christmas In July: This is a great time, bring the kids and head over there. They have all kinds of activities, music and of course Santa makes his arrival.

4. West Indies Golf tournament At Mahogany Run: If you’re a golfer this is the place to be Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th. $175 per person gets you 2 rounds of tournament golf plus an open bar, dinner party Saturday night.

5. Metallica Tribute Band “Battery” At Caribbean Saloon. If you like Metallica do not miss this show, they are the very best there is. Starts at 10pm, ends….who knows, it’s the Saloon

6. Soggy Dollar Bar’s 40th Birthday Bash. Wish I could be at this one because it’s gonna be nuts over there today. If you can get on a boat get over to Jost Van Dyke for this one.

It’s Sombrero Sunday this Sunday the 25th at caribbean Saloon. Big Mexican par-tay, be there!

It’s time to get your art on! The Everyday Clay Studio in Tillett Gardens will be hosting the Dreem in Green Summer pARTy from 6pm-9pm.

This event is presented by the ArtVI advocates and is being billed as an artsy social and education networking event for the “Young @ heART”.

The event is a fun and casual meeting of the minds for artists, art lovers and for all of us in the community that are concerned about our environment. Chat with all types of people, explore the various “Green” art projects, sip some environmentally friendly wine, and share what fuels your artistic flame…

Featured artists appearing are Lamont Blake, Eric Brown, Eranah Laura Davies, Clay Lindol Jones, and Kimberly Young.

ArtVI Advocates is a new grassroots organization of energetic and innovative art advocates who have a keen interest in furthering the cause of arts and cultural advocacy in the US Virgin Islands. Their mission is to support and promote the arts in order to enhance the cultural, social and economic wellbeing of the Virgin Islands through arts, education and advocacy.

You can see more about this event on Facebook by clicking here and check out ArtVI’s Facebook page here.

Almost forgot to mention – pajamas and pillows optional…sounds pretty relaxing – hanging out in comfy clothes, sipping on some good wine! 

This will most likely be the show to make sure to get to if you like Metallica.

Coming July 24th to the Caribbean Saloon check out Battery:

Battery Promo

George Hartwig | MySpace Music Videos                                                             

 All I have to say is these guys just may be the VERY BEST BAND EVER TO COME TO ST. THOMAS… You decide. Get to the Caribbean Saloon on Saturday July 24th and get ready to pound your freakin’ head!

If it wasn’t bad enough that we’ve had severe flash flooding for 6 days now we have a 4.5 earthquake in Charlotte Amalie!

Click here for more info.

If anyone felt anything or has seen any damage please comment in.

What’s next?

We received an email from Coral World on Monday…they wanted some help getting the word out about this upcoming weekend.

A lot of people have had a lot to say about our island during the last week. Talking about tourism. Talking about safety. Talking about the bad people on this island and trying to remind people about the good. Here’s one of the good; a business that was on our mind soon after the shock of the violence had passed. On a lot of people’s minds as a business that was sure to feel the brunt as a result of the shooting. Coral World.

As you most likely know, it’s our ocean park that sits on the end of a road on the East End. It shares this road with Coki Beach. It shares this road with a fantastic italian restaurant, one of our favorite restaurants on the island (that we’ll continue to visit). Lately it’s been sharing the road with more than a few police officers and security; it’s probably the safest place to be on the whole island.

We visited Coral Worlda couple of years ago, where I took this picture with Steve (father-in-law) and Remo (big sea lion):

We had a great time swimming with Remo and his sea lion buddy. You can read about it here. On a second trip to the park with more family I spent time with the lorikeets, these colorful birds that have a huge net-enclosed area to fly in.

You’re welcome to go inside and spend as much time as you want feeding them nectar and watching them perch on your  hands…arms…even your head! Look at this hungry group…

Fun photo op. I easily could have spent the entire day just with those birds; I’m a total bird geek. If they weren’t so wiggly I would have smuggled one home…(kidding, of course. Sort of. Moving on.) We stood by the shark tank and watched little kids faces go from scared to excited as they waited in line to ‘pet’ a shark…

There’s many more activities at the park, there’s food and drink, there’s sun, there’s a gift shop, there’s a million things to photograph for all you amateur photogs out there. Most importantly there’s a staff of great people ready (and hoping) to see you, educate you on the ocean world and make sure you have a fantastic day!

Which brings me back to this upcoming weekend. Coral World is holding an…

JULY 24 & 25, 2010

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

Buy one activity get the second same activity free.

Coral World Ocean Park’s mission is to entertain, to educate, and to inspire appreciation and understanding of the local environment. Our hope is that you will experience the joy of discovery and that you will love and protect the natural treasures you see here.

We share their hope for a great turnout. From visitors enoying a weeks stay, to the passengers on the Caribbean Princess ship that is visiting St. Thomas on Sunday – and from the community on this island.

I believe I’ll go to say hello to those cute lorikeets

If it wasn’t bad enough that we’ve had severe flash flooding for 6 days now we have a 4.5 earthquake in Charlotte Amalie!

What’s next?

Please comment in if you felt it or report any damage.

Today is the 4th or 5th day in a row with big rains. But today’s rain is the worst of them all and has caused serious flooding in St. Thomas.

Photos courtesy of Terrie at Caribbean Saloon:

Stay off the roads if at all possible, it’s very dangerous right now!