This update is for readers of Explore the Virgin Islands. Please support us by purchasing this title.

General

New reviews of Explore the Virgin Islands:

http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewPariserExploretheVirginIslands.html

http://gocaribbean.about.com/b/a/130622.htm

http://www.onepaper.com/stjohnvi/?v=d&i=&s=Arts%2FEntertainment:Showcase&p=1105684752

Interview with Harry S. Pariser about Explore the Virgin Islands

http://www.sketchandtravel.com/INTERVIEWS2.cfm?holdid=286

Current hotel rates for the USVI are available here:
www.usvitourism.vi/en/pdfs/ratesheet.pdf

Spirit Airlines now offers nonstop daily service between St. Thomas and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.

 New book : "Island Peak to Coral Reef: A Field Guide to the Plant and Marine Communities in the Virgin Islands," is a joint project by Dr. Barry Devine, chief scientist at the University of the Virgin Islands' (UVI) conservation data center, and Toni Thomas, a UVI cooperative extension research agent.

St. Thomas
• Fort Christian is closed for repairs.
• The ferry dock at Red Hook undergoing repair, so parking is a bit confused.
• Taxi rates increased in October 2005. Ferry rates have a temporary fuel surcharge, and a permanent fare increase is expected soon.
• The Lubavitcher sect is offering Friday night Sabbath meals. Visitors are welcome:

http://www.jewishvirginislands.com/templates/articlecco.html?AID=311170

A new statue has been unveiled at Blackbeard's Castle:
 ""Three Queens of St. Croix," a sculpture commissioned by the St. Thomas Historical Trust in partnership with Circa 1675 and Virgin Islands Inns, captures Queen Mary, Queen Agnes and Queen Josiah - who on Oct. 1, 1878, led laborers in setting fire to half of Frederiksted on St. Croix in a successful demand for better wages and working conditions. Josiah is also known as "Bottom Belly," according to Felipe Ayala, assistant Virgin Islands Inns curator. The work, done by famed North Carolina-based sculptor Richard Hallier, depicts the women standing with arms raised, holding a machete, jug of oil and flambeaux as water from a fountain made out of the island's blue bit stone cascades over their backs."

St. John
Doiris Jadan (p. 146) has died.

Book and Bean has opened at the Marketplace.

St. Croix
• The Sea Island Hotel (800-843 3574, 340 773-0103,
fax: 340 773 4431, has opened in Kings Alley in Christiansted.

• Giovanni’s Placere (692-5360) is an elegant Italian restaurant on Strand St. Staff wear tuxedos and crooners such as Dean Martin entertain over the sound system.

Tortola
• Set in an old building on Main St., the Dove Restaurant serves meals nightly (except Mon.) from 6:30 PM; it offers French cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean influences. A “champagne happy hour” serves drinks such as kir royale (Chambord and raspberries) from 5-7 PM.
• Best of British, located in Mill Mall, has food and beverages from the UK including cider, Mr. Kipling cakes, and other delicacies.

• Surfsong Villa Resort (tel. 284-495-1864, fax. 284-495-0089) has opened on Beef Island.
http://www.surfsong.net
info@surfsong.net

Virgin Gorda

Lynette Harrigan reports:
We have a new spa open at Olde Yard Village which is excellent it is called
Solitude. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Tel/fax:284-495 6485, Mobile 284-443 5377

Anegada
Smith’s Ferry Services now goes to Anegada on Thurs. from Road Town. It leaves at 7 AM and 3:30 PM and returns at 8:30 AM and 5 PM.
Correct e-mail addresses are:
bonefishvilla@hotmail.com
davidv@surfbvi.com

BVI Events Calendar 2006

March
 3-Mar Heineken Regatta St. Maarten (thru 5-Mar)
 6-Mar   H. Lavity Stoutt Birthday
 10-Mar Classics in the Atrium (Leipzig String Quartet) HLSCC
 10-Mar Dark & Stormy Regatta (thru 13-Mar) West End Yacht Club
 13-Mar   Commonwealth Day
 17-Mar Prostate Cancer Screening - Tortola (thru 18-Mar) BVI Red Cross
 18-Mar Mineshaft Golf Night VISAR
 24-Nov Jazz Showcase (Cyrus Chestnut Trio) HLSCC
 24-Mar Rolex Regatta -St. Thomas (thru 26-Mar)
 25-Mar Prostate Cancer Screening - Virgin Gorda BVI Red Cross

 27-Mar BVI Sailing Festival (thru 30-Mar) Royal BVI Yacht Club 31-Mar BVI Spring Regatta (thru 2-Apr) Royal BVI Yacht Club 

April

14-Apr   Good Friday
14-Apr Antigua Classics (thru 19-Apr)
 15-Apr Euro American Race Royal BVI Yacht Club
 17-Apr   Easter Monday
 Possible Event: BVI Diabetes Assoc Easter Egg Hunt  

May

 6-May Art/Music Show (may be 27-May) Cedar School
 6-May BVI Dinghy Championships (thru 7-May) Royal BVI Yacht Club
 9-May World Red Cross Day BVI Red Cross
 13-May Banquet BVI Red Cross
 20-May Virgin Queen Pizza Pursuit Race Royal BVI Yacht Club
 20-May H.O. Creque Scholarship Dinner Rotary Club of Tortola
 26-May Foxy's Wooden Boat Regatta (thru 28-May) West End Yacht Club
 26-May BVI Music Festival Tourist Board

June

3-Jun North Sound Challenge Royal BVI Yacht Club
4-Jun Waterworld VISAR

 5-Jun   Whit Monday
10-Jun   Queen's Birthday (Observed)
15-Jun Rotaract Regional Conference (thru 19-Jun)
17-Jun Talent Show Cedar School
 24-Jun IC 24 Finance Regatta (thru 25-Jun) Royal BVI Yacht Club
 24-Jun Crew Party Royal BVI Yacht ClubJuly
 2-Jul Firecracker 500 (thru 3-Jun) West End Yacht Club
3-Jun Territory Day
7-Jul Chief Minister's Cup (thru 9-Jul) 15-Jul Anegada Race (thru 16-Jul) Royal BVI Yacht Club

 

22-Jul IC 24 Worlds (thru 23-Jun) Royal BVI Yacht Club

August

7-Aug   Festival
8-Aug   Festival
9-Aug   Festival
Date Unknown: Anything that floats but a boat race

 October

 28-Oct Hallow'een Party @ Peg Legs Cedar School

December
2-Dec Market Day VISAR

Please send us any additions.