by Pia SaundersPia is the new editor
for Vieques Events. She started helping Judy put it together when she was ill,
and has done a great job as the full time Editor in Chief. Thanks Pia.. the webmaster
by Pia Saunders
May |
|
2007 |
Hi everyone,
It’s hot in Vieques and the mangoes are ripening.
In the first week of May, Mr. Sushi closed his doors for the summer, completing
another successful season in Vieques, this winter located at the Bravo Beach
Hotel. We anxiously await the artistic creations of Mr. Sushi when he returns
from West Hampton in early November. New menus at bbh Restaurant and The Palms
Bar kicked off the spring season (Think Pink!) at the Bravo Beach Hotel on May
2nd.
Two groups dedicated to the development of Vieques youth, the Vieques Youth
Leadership Initiative and Reach for Success, are preparing for their summer
activities. VYLI, under the tutelage of Marianne Larned, will host its’ fourth
Summer Institutes this summer while Reach for Success will host its’ first
summer workshop that will be three weeks in July. On May 16 Mayor Damaso Lopez
Serrano met with 30 members of the group Reach for Success to discuss issues
that had been concerning the youth regarding the community of Vieques.
Isla Nena Judo Team member Enrique Juan Martinez represented Puerto Rico in the
2007 PanAm Judo competition, held in the Dominican Republic. Enrique Juan won
the silver medal, beating out competitors from Costa Rica and Columbia. The Isla
Nena Judo Club invites community members to join classes, which are offered
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the old Officer’s Club (past Moquito Pier) at
4:30pm.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service accepted applications for the Summer 2007 Youth
Conservation Corps Program (YCC). In this eight week program (May 28 – July 20),
a ten person crew works 40 hours per week on projects such as maintenance on the
eastern and western refuges, monitoring of endangered species, and outreach and
administrative projects.
In Esperanza, Duffy’s is still a hotspot with locals and tourists consistently
clustered around the bar sipping Bloody Marys (garnished with a shrimp!) and
enjoying burgers (Black Angus beef!). Bananas and Bilí remain opened and also
enjoyThe malecón is bustling with activity, arts and crafts vendors, and guides
offering water sports. Community members met with Police Lieutenant Ortiz,
representatives of the Mayor’s office to discuss excessive noise in the
neighborhood, especially on weekend nights at the entrance to Esperanza. A
representative of the owners of the vacant lot across the street from La Tienda
Verde responded to residents’ complaints and agreed that access to the lot will
soon be closed. The municipal police force has augmented its weekend security
detail in Esperanza with two walking patrols for Friday and Saturday nights.
The former Restaurante Uva and Mbar are under renovation! Rick and Honor are
bringing the Blue Macaw to the old MBar next door to Uva's Restaurant in Isabel II—the opening will
be in late June. Tuesday night Happy Hour continues at Crow’s Nest, now at El
Jardin! Happy hour (5-7pm) is followed by All You Can Eat Southern BBQ— enjoy
light tropical fare, a new summer menu and a great wine list! Saturdays feature
live music with “Kiwi Kim.”
The environmental impact statement (DIA—declaración de impacto ambiental) was
presented to the Environmental Quality Board (JCA—Junta de Calidad Ambiental) on
February 27th. The JCA must hold a public hearing before it can certify that the
Area Plan is in compliance with Puerto Rican environmental laws. The Area Plans
for Isabel II, Esperanza, and Mosquito are available at: http://www.gobierno.pr/JCA/DocumentosAmbientales/2007/Preliminar/.
What’s up at the Fort?
The Fort Count de Mirasol Museum and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and
the municipality of Vieques present a concert with Lucy Fabery in Saturday May
19th at the Multiple-Use Center. At the Fort, Puerto Rican artist Rafael Trelles’
exhibit, “In Concrete,” continues thoughout the month.
Supermercado Morales in Monte Santo and the old Portela supermarket in Isabel II
have a new look…painted two hues of orange, they now match their sister
business, La Panaderia Viequense.
Construction is ongoing at the old Navy pier—Mosquito Pier—in western Vieques.
The municipality estimates that the ferry terminal will move to its’ new
location in Mosquito in two years.
The restaurants at Martineau Bay Resort welcomed new chef, Andrew Niedenthal,
with a reception in mid-April. The Paso Fino Restaurant and the Isla Nena Grill
both have new menus! After the summer, the hotel will undergo renovations for
which the restaurants will close on August 5th. On May 19th, Martineau Bay
Resort & Spa will host a “world renowned DJ spin” party with DJ TIMKA at the
Isla Nena Beach. The event, Vieques Rising, is 6pm-midnight, $10 plus cash bar,
the Isla Nena Grill will be opened from 6-9pm.
The clean-up—coordinated by the US Navy—continues on the east of Vieques. As of
May 17, 2007 550 tons of scrap metal has been shipped out of Vieques, 356 acres
have been cleared of surface munitions, 62,033 munitions items have been
removed, and 2,405,346 munitions related scrap were collected. The 2nd class of
UXO tech 1 graduates May 18. This group of 19 local employees completed five
weeks of intense training and are now qualified as UXO Technician Level 1. (See
April 2007 Vieques Events for more info on the Clean-Up.)
Is volleyball coming back to Vieques? The Inn on the Blue Horizon is holding a 4
x 4 volleyball tournament on Saturday, May 26th. Gather a team and contact Capt
Paul (741-3318) to participate.
The face of the island continues to change and Vieques’ infrastructure with it,
weekend tourists replace Northerners wintering in the Caribbean, and the turtles
safely nest on the beaches.
Thanks for reading!
Pia
|
May 2007 Calendar |
|
| All Month | Continuation of art exhibition: “In Concrete” by Rafael Trelles. Fort Count Mirasol Musuem. |
|
By Date |
|
| Wednesday, 2nd |
Spring arrives to Bravo Beach Hotel. Think Pink! Introduction of new menus to bbh restaurant, the Palms Bar. Call 741-0490 for reservations. |
| Sunday, 6th |
Carmelo Ruiz, author of Balada Transgénica, gives talk on agricultural genetic modification. For Count Mirasol Museum. Call 741-1717. |
| Friday, 11th |
Night walk with FWS, DNR, and PR Ornithological Society to hear Vieques owls. Meet at FWS parking lot. 741-2138 for more info. |
| Saturday, 12th |
Bird walk with FWS, DNR, and PR Ornithological Society.
Meet at FWS parking lot, 6am. 741-2138. Vieques Humane Society Yardsale. 9am - 1pm. Call Georgia 741-4837. Movie on Global Warming at the FWS office. 6pm. Call 741-2138. |
| Sunday, 13th | Mother’s Day |
| Saturday, 19th | Fort Count de Mirasol Museum/ Institute of Puerto Rican Culture & Municipal government of Vieques present a concert with Lucy Fabery. Multiple-Use Center, 7pm. |
| Saturday, 26th | 4 x 4 Volleyball Tournament at the Inn on the Blue
Horizon. 12pm. Call Capt. Paul 741-3318. “Fiesta de Cruz” with ‘La hermandad de la fiesta de Santa Cruz’ in the artisan’s plaza. 7:30pm. |
|
By Day of Week |
|
| Daily | VINYASA YOGA at Hix Island House, 9:30am, 435-6850. |
| Mondays | REACH FOR SUCCESS- Support, counseling, and education
offered at the Youth Center in Isabel II. 12-5pm. MOVIE NIGHT at the Blue Moon Bar & Grill at Inn on the Blue Horizon. Giant Screen TV. Various Snacks! 741-3318. MEDITATION FOR HEALING at La Casa de Yoga 6pm, 435-7510. SPIN STUDIO BIKING WORKOUT at Utopia Fitness. All levels welcome, bring water & towel. 6pm, 717-669-6496. |
| Tuesdays |
CITY HALL- The Mayor’s Office receives the first 15
visitors, starting at 8am. REACH FOR SUCCESS- Support, counseling, and education offered at the Youth Center in Isabel II. 12 -5pm. MEDITATION IN MOTION- with Maureen at the Yoga Pavilion at Hix Island House, $15. 3:30 pm. Call Maureen, 787-909-9066. HAPPY HOUR at El Jardín at The Crow’s Nest,5-7pm, chance to win free tab. 741-0011. ALL YOU CAN EAT Southern BBQ at the Island Steakhouse $23 per person TAPAS NIGHT at Blue Moon Bar & Grill at Inn on the Blue Horizon. 5-10pm. MARINE LIFE EXHIBIT - guided tours at VCHT, 1-3pm. |
| Wednesdays | KRIPALU YOGA ON THE BEACH at Sunbay (in the shade) 9am
435-7510. VYLI-Young Leaders Club. 741.2254. TAPAS NIGHT at the Blue Moon Bar & Grill at Inn on the Blue Horizon. 5-10pm RESTORATIVE YOGA FOR STRESS at La Casa de Yoga 6pm, 435-7510. |
| Thursdays | KRIPALU YOGA ON THE BEACH at Sun Bay (in the shade) 9am
435-7510. MARINE LIFE EXHIBIT - guided tours at VCHT, 1-3pm. SPIN STUDIO BIKING WORKOUT at Utopia Fitness. All levels welcome, bring water & towel. 6pm, 717-669-6496. SCIENCE OF MIND, interfaith meditation, 7-8pm; call 741-0321 for info. |
| Fridays | KRIPALU YOGA ON THE BEACH at Sun Bay (in the shade) 9am
435-7510. MARINE LIFE EXHIBIT - guided tours at VCHT, 1-3pm. MOFONGO NIGHT at Carambola Restaurant at Inn on the Blue Horizon. 741-3318. THE PALMS BAR, BBH...5pm - ??? PASTA at Martineau Bay Resort, includes soup, salad and desserts, 6-10pm. |
| Saturdays | MARINE LIFE TANK TALKS - guided tours at VCHT, 1-3pm. VYLI CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP INIT-1-3pm. VYLI SALES ON MALEÇON- 5-7pm. SPIN STUDIO BIKING WORKOUT at Utopia Fitness. All levels welcome, bring water & towel. 4:30pm, 717-669-6496. THE PALMS BAR, BBH...5pm - ??? PRIME RIB NIGHT at Paso Fino restaurant, at Martineau Bay, 6-10pm. KIM BIRCHALL PERFORMS at El Jardín at The Crow’s Nest. Guitar and voice, 7-10pm. LIVE MUSIC W. KARAMBA at the Blue Moon Bar & Grill, 9pm. KARAOKE at Mar Azul, 9pm. |
| Sat. and Sun. | KRIPALU YOGA in the Gazebo at Sun Bay. 9am 435-7510. |
| Sundays | SUNDAY BRUNCH with Chef Kevin at the Doghouse Cafe
8am-1pm. GUEST CHEF NIGHT at the Doghouse Cafe. 741-0341 AFTER THE BEACH PARTY with DJ. Blue Moon Bar & Grill. 9pm. |
| Wed. - Sun. | FORT COUNT MIRASOL MUSEUM - Open 8:30am - 4:30pm. |
Thanks.
If any of you would like to see something specific in this newsletter please contact the webmaster and I will do my best to investigate for you.
Email: whats_happenin@enchanted-isle.com
