This month will be filled with lots of activities around the gate at Camp Garcia. On May 1st the land formerly used by the Navy will be turned over to the Department of the Interior and the 15,500 acres will be managed by US Fish and Wildlife. With almost 20,000 acres on Vieques being managed by Fish and Wildlife, we will now have the largest Refuge in the Caribbean. One of the most exciting things is access to some of the most amazing beaches in the Caribbean. After about 3 ˝ years we will once again be able to enjoy Red and Blue Beaches! We are not sure yet if Garcia Beach, Secret Beach and what some refer to as Orchid Beach will be available or not, stay tuned next month to learn more. We do know that the beaches on the north shore will not be available at this time. The Municipality of Vieques along with other special interest groups will be involved in the various events around the gate. Fireworks were scheduled to begin at 12:01 Thursday morning followed by music events until dawn. Sounds like activities will take place at the gate area each weekend this month.
Jim Starke (webmaster of Enchanted-Isle.Com) and I had a "big adventure" in Culebra last month. Joined by my friends Robin and David, you may remember them from last month's edition, we were on the ferry at 6am heading for Culebra! After bartending for the past 6 years I am no longer a morning person however I managed! Imagine being at the ferry dock at 5:30am and running into our friend Chef Michael, puffing on a cigar, waiting for the cargo ferry. The party officially began with Michael cracking jokes before the sun came up! I know for sure that he did not have nearly as much fun running around the main island for his weekly shopping trip as we had touring Culebra. Jokes continued on the ferry with Robin taking a lot of ribbing for being a "statistics" junkie! We arrived on the island and sat around the dock area waiting for the rental car to show up. Well after many unanswered phone calls someone finally arrived and we learned that the owner of the company had left for the main island with the office keys in his pocket! They took pity on us and gave us a car that they did have keys to thank goodness. We headed out to Flamenco Beach which is truly lovely, bright white sand, and huge waves breaking out in the distance. There are a couple old tanks near the end of the beach, left over from when the Navy used to train on Culebra. After a stroll along the beach and Dave taking a swim we headed back to town for breakfast at
Mamacitas. After a huge meal we were off to do a little shopping and more exploring. We decided to call Jean to tell him he was missing a great time and learned that he was making arrangements for he and Dave to stay in Vieques for a few extra days! We drove around the island and made it to a few other beaches, enjoyed a couple of cold beverages and continued laughing all day long. This had to be one of the most enjoyable business trips that Jim has ever had! He actually was staying overnight to see clients the next day. With the new ferry service taking workers to Culebra, Monday-Friday, this is an easy and relaxed day trip to take from Vieques. Culebra is so small that it is easy to see most of the island in one day. For people that are diving enthusiasts you will love Culebra, they have about 50 different dive sites. Snorkeling trips, kayaking and water taxi trips (to Culebrita) are also available. It was a great day trip however Culebra is a bit small for my liking, not as many options for entertainment, dining, and shopping. For more information visit the
Culebra information pages on enchanted-isle.com or read the article in Vieques Events at
www.vieques-events.com .
Having Robin visiting was great as I actually got to the beach a few times. We went out and explored the western end of the island, relaxed and sunned at Playa Grande. We also spent an afternoon at Sun Bay and another at
Navio Beach, I was actually tan for a change! Hopefully with the beaches at Camp Garcia open I will head to the beach more often.
With Jean and David staying a few extra days we had dinner together Saturday night and then headed to karaoke. I know, it is hard to
believe that some of us actually enjoy karaoke! Owners of the equipment, Laurel and Barry, have become good friends and now just hand me the mike when others are too shy to sing. I have no talent but it's Vieques, who cares! Robin is not shy, has a pretty voice, and sang several songs, Dave, as promised, sang Country and then Jean, a true performer, entertained the crowd with some Sinatra Classics! This guy can sing, dance and entertain, crooning to women in the crowd. He knocked my socks off that night! Laurel sang several songs plus my favorite "Strawberry Wine", made popular by Deanna Carter, and she always has the crowd applauding and whistling when she sings that! The
microphone stayed at our table for a long portion of the evening however I do truly believe that when I sing it encourages others, if she can do it so can I! Unfortunately Laurel and Barry leave this month and no
telling if Joey will be back to host karaoke in the future. Guess I will have to find something else to do on Saturday nights!
I also mentioned friends Wally and Mary Beth last month and was sorry to see that she had not come to visit this year. After she read "What's Happenin'" last month she called the airlines and was here in 3 days! Unfortunately I only got to see her once while she was here so she will just have to come back again next year!
There are a few new changes on the island this month. Ute Hanna and Maria Bonell have opened
Mamasonga's across the street from the Mar Azul. They are open everyday except Tuesdays, serve breakfast all day and have a great lunch menu. They are changing their hours so they may be open for a light dinner as well soon. The food is good, reasonably priced and really close to my house so I know that I will be a regular customer. The restaurant at Crow's Nest is changing it's style and will now be
The Island Steak House, specializing in a variety of black angus steaks. They will also offer grilled ribs, chicken and salmon. The grand opening will be May 9th and will have live steel drum music performed by Manuel Silva. News from
Posada Vistamar, they will be going Italian for the summer and will still offer their great blackboard specials. Barry and Diane thank Seth and Becca for a great winter and wish them well in their future endeavors.
Blue Caribe Dive Shop is closing this month, they will only be doing trips that were arranged prior to the end of April. They have sold the kayak portion of the business to Luis "POOCH" Padin, one of the most entertaining guys on the island.
POOCH will continue to operate the Bio Bay trips and will be offering some new kayak/snorkeling excursions and daily rentals. He will continue to use the Blue Caribe phone number. Duffy is closing
Chez Shack for the first 3 weeks of this month I believe. One never knows what is happening at Chez Shack except that this year it has definitely earned a reputation for great food this winter. Tony has been doing a great job with grill night and his regular menu. The
Oasis has closed it's door for good, Mary Alice and Jason will be pursuing other interests here in Vieques and they will certainly be missed by many of us. Don't forget that the Monday after Mother's Day is the
Annual Spam Cook-off at the Mar Azul, this is usually a really fun event!
Casa Vieja has changed their hours for the month of May and will be open Friday and Saturdays or by appointment. They have had a great season and the current works in the gallery are terrific, be sure to visit if you are here in May.
Beach Doggies has closed for the summer and will reopen in time for Christmas later this year. They will spend the summer scouting for new treasures to add to the shop! If you are in the mood for shopping be sure to stop by
Kim's Cabin, he is having sales this month, dresses are 35% off and there might be other items added for sale.
Chef Michael's, will be doing a summer sweepstakes for the next few months. I am not sure of all the details however I believe that with a purchase of XX of dollars you will then be eligible for a raffle with a great prize each month. Michael raffled off a great gift basket last month and raised $450 for the arts and crafts department at the Senior Center. Director of the program, Nancy Delgado, was on hand for the drawing and Alan Thompson of Vieques Car Rental was the winner! Remember that this is the time of the year when everyone changes their schedules with little or no notice so be sure to call ahead to make sure that your favorite restaurant is open.
A little "did you know", the Vieques Humane Society is being run by all Viequenses these days! Aleida, Raul, Iris and Damaris are all responsible for the daily operations at the shelter. There are 2 great young vets that are coming 2-3 days a week continuing to offer low cost health care to the island animals. They have lots of great ideas, are very enthusiastic about this opportunity and are doing a great job. With the exception of the vets, the others have worked there for years and are very dedicated to the organization.
Here is the calendar:
| Thursday, May 1st |
Celebration Activities near the gate include: Fireworks, Flares and Music in the first minutes of the day, Music performance at 5am, Youth activities 9-11am, March from the Plaza to Camp Garcia 10:30am, and Musical Concert begins at 7pm Movie "Boot Hill (Trinity Rides Again)" starring Terrence Hill and Bud Spencer at El Sombrero Viejo 7pm |
| Friday, May 2nd | Special Mass of Thanksgiving for Peace, Catholic Church in Isabel II 7pm Various Artistic groups at stage area near the gate 9pm |
| Saturday, May 3rd |
Bike the West End (Free) call 617-Bike details Ecumenical Act for World Peace, Peace and Justice Camp 3pm Grand Celebration with music, poetry, movies, etc. sponsored by the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques |
| Thursday, May 8th |
Movie "The Third Man" starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton at El Sombrero Viejo at 7pm |
| Friday, May 9th | Grand Opening of The Island Steak House. Live Music 6-10pm |
| Sunday, May 11th Mother's Day |
Special Brunch at Martineau Bay Resort honoring Mothers, call for reservations |
| Monday, May 12th |
Annual Spam Cook-off at Al's Mar Azul. Judging begins at 8pm. Categories: Appetizers, Entrees, Desserts and Sculptures, all entries must be edible! Entries judged on presentation, taste and originality |
| Thursday, May 15th |
Movie "Wild Horse" with Hoot Gibson at El Sombrero Viejo at 7pm |
| Thurs. & Fri., May 15th & 16th |
Verizon Wireless selling cellular phones at Centro Commercial (tentative) |
| Saturday, May 24th | Live Music at Bananas featuring "El Combo Rican". Salsa dance party |
| Monday, May 26th Memorial Day |
|
| Thursday, May 29th | Movie "Helltown" starring John Wayne, Marsha Hunt and Johnny Mack Brown at El Sombrero Viejo at 7pm |
| Saturday, May 31st | Health for Vieques Free Clinic at the Hospital from about 10am Carnival at the Gate sponsored by the Women's Alliance |
| Weekly Events All Month |
Marine Exhibit at the VCHT |
| Sundays | Brunch at Tropical Baby Paella Special at Trade Winds Mondays - Fridays Ferry to Culebra, leaves Vieques 6am, leaves Culebra at 5pm |
| Mondays | Sunset Happy Hour at La Sirena $1 Medalla Night at Bananas |
| Tuesdays | Happy Hour at Island Steak House, chance to win bar tab, 5-7pm Music at La Sirena Lucky Card Draw at El Sombrero Viejo, win discounts on drinks |
| Wednesdays | Ribs at Tropico, make reservations Ladies Night, happy hour prices to women all night, Amapola Sponge Bob Square Pants night at Amapola, win prizes |
| Thursdays | Mexican Food at Tropico Old Movie Night at El Sombrero Viejo Oldies Night at Mar Azul Steel Drum Music at La Sirena |
| Fridays | Shrimp Festival at Tropico Fiesta Langosta (lobster) at Trade Winds |
| Saturdays | Paella and Seafood specials at Tropico Cockfighting at Gallera Puerto Real (this is a traditional Puerto Rican sporting event) |
Well, thanks again for tuning into "What's Happenin'", I really enjoy writing this each month! It has been a pleasure meeting so many of you that look for me at Island Café, now Island Steak House! Jim has returned to Florida for a few months, I will certainly miss him and
Pique, his little dog that snarls at only me! Thanks Jim for all the goodies from your fridge, guess I have to start cooking more! It won't be the same when you return in a few months and I can't just yell out my door when I want to know something!
Remember with the beaches at Camp Garcia open we expect lots of visitors, so start making you summer reservations now for rooms and cars.
Judy
PS: If there is anything you would like to see in the newsletter or have any feedback please email
Ask Judy. Thanks.
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