This is the lady that writes this column every month and to whom I am extremely indebted. 
 the webmaster
 

Greetings All,

Again it is late – could not be helped – health issues are a pain, literally, and kept me from working for several days in recent weeks. Oh Well, such is life.

Hey for those that missed the Spam cook-off at Mar Azul – it was a blast yet again. Having restricted my diet, I did not sample any of the entries this year but they looked amazing. I am still amazed at how many people continue to participate year after year – all for an alka-seltzer and gift certificate to the Mar Azul! My favorite entry was this beautiful mini spam wedding cake! Lauren Lebbar made it and it looked amazing – the judges agreed and of course it won first prize in the dessert category. Will Eiland did a beautiful chili relleno that won best entrée. Presentation definitely counts when the competition for taste and originality gets tougher each year!

If you are into baseball, make sure you get to see our local “Caribes” play if there is a home game – they are on fire this season and my buddy “Becker” (you may know him from bartending at the Mar Azul) is so taken with them that he is writing about them for Vieques Events! They have some new team members who are just amazing so the games have been packed with action. I have attended games in the past but have not made it to one this year. Maybe later in the season I will have the opportunity.

The island has had rain so has been green but as we go into hurricane season so come the “sahara sands” which drift all the way from Africa. It is usual to see a haze in the sky and especially over the main island when enjoying the view. In addition to that, Montserrat blew and we had some ash and gas hanging in the air causing some allergy problems as well. The haze can continue now until November but it does not interfere with the lovely weather. I did experience some unusually warm days while there last month but hopefully the weather has returned to more normal temps. The news said that 2 record high temperatures were set in San Juan during May – oh my! Hope that does not hold for the entire summer season!

Rumor has it that parking on the road to the ferry dock, near the coliseum and across from the Ocean View Hotel is now not permitted and people are getting tickets. If there are no signs and the curb is not painted yellow, I sincerely hope people are using their digital cameras to photograph this harassment and are fighting tickets. If there is no sign and the curb is not painted yellow, you can fight and win this in court (in Vieques) and not pay the $50 fine. With the construction downtown they have already lost lots of parking spacing and losing these 8 or 10 more is ridiculous. Most of them are used by people traveling on the ferry.

Tiki Hut has changed hands and the new name is “Belly Buttons” which I guess works as the new owners’ last name is Button. I imagine that Norma and Craig will do a great job with breakfast and lunch and the food will be wonderful. The only thing I am not sure about (and I have not seen it, just heard that they were going to do it) is viewing pictures of peoples belly buttons. Now there are some that I imagine are quite lovely and some that I imagine may interfere with my appetite! I hope they use discretion with some of the pictures that they post there where people eat! But a novel idea it is so………
Remember that summer hours can change with little or no notice so always call ahead before heading out to dinner. We don’t want you to be disappointed. Hey one really fun thing for the summer is the Pool Party at the Palms at bbh. Reenie will be hosting the pool party from 5-9pm and there will be local drink specials. This is a great way to cool off before or after dinner! I have heard that in the past some of the parties have gotten pretty crazy there so guess you will just have to check it out for yourself. But if you have never been to the Palms, it is lovely. As for bbh, it is one of my all time favorite places to eat! Speaking of eating you can check the archives about many of the restaurants but I have to mention that Carambola and Blue Moon Bar do have different specials many nights of the week, be sure to call ahead and check them out. Those, located at the Inn on the Blue Horizon, are truly magical and worth a visit, even if only for a drink.

Jim Starke just arrived on the island and I will let him fill in some of his impressions since his arrival. Not sure when I will get back, hopefully very soon. Some belly problems have caused some problems and need to be figured out before I can return so…….. here’s Jim should he decide to ad some information. And if he doesn’t the calendar follows.

Happy travels to you all

Judy

Hi Everyone,

Jim here. For those who don't know me, Enchanted Isle is my website (about me) and I've been here for about a week mostly in Isabel Segunda where I'm staying. I only just manifested a vehicle, so I have been hoofing it everywhere. I've been spending my AM's at Roy's Coffee Lounge uploading to the site and meeting customers and new and old friends. shopping for odds and ends and taking a bunch of pictures. And yes, I can attest to the fact that both the Sands and Montserrat are affecting the island without even talking about the street construction in Vieques. My last three years of visits here have made it a real challenge to take a landscape portrait with a discernible horizon, clouds and sky. I guess I'm going to have to return during a different part of the year to get those.

On the weather. I won't say it's absolutely balmy, but it sure is nicer than St. Augustine, Florida right now. I don't have A/C here and with a fan and the constant breezes, I find it infinitely more comfortable than Florida. I could not live there in the summer without A/C.  

I am adding a couple of shots to this that I took in the last couple of days of the fort and a very bold Iguana.

One thing I almost forgot to mention and this is a biggie to me. I would like to thank and Acknowledge Judy. This is her 72nd issue of What's Happenin' without missing an issue in 6 years. She is an incredible Lady.

Thank You Judy!!

Join me in knowing perfect health for our friend Judy.

In Peace,

Jim

 

PS: If there is anything you would like to see in the newsletter or have any feedback please email Ask Judy. Thanks.  askjudy@enchanted-isle.com 

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 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 

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