This is the lady that writes this column every month and to whom I am extremely indebted. 
Please stop in at Tuesday Happy Hour at the Crow's Nest to say ¡Hi! and have some free snacks. the webmaster
 

Hi Everyone, RED here,

I did return to the island for a week in July, just in time for the Annual Coqui Fire Anniversary Party! What a blast that was, not only was it a party, but also a Coqui Fire Cook Off. If my memory serves me correctly, there were about 45 entries (at least) for the event. Entries included cocktails (mostly bloody mary recipes), appetizers, main courses and of course desserts! The big winner of the evening was Chris who is now the chef at bbh, the new eatery at Bravo Beach Hotel. The entries in all categories were creative, appetizing and most importantly not only edible but delicious. There were some spectacular entries, a beautiful Paella comes to mind first, some great dips for other entries and even some fabulous desserts. The only requirement was that a Coqui Fire hot sauce had to be used in the recipe. I think next year Jimmy and Patty may have to have several judges that each concentrate on just entrees or appys as it was hard for the judges to taste everything there! I volunteer for next year if they need another judge! Of course the event was held at the Mar Azul where Jimmy “Coqui Fire” Cochran bartends Saturday and Sunday nights!

I snuck onto the island, it was a last minute decision to return and take care of taxes and some other business things. It felt so good to be back and to see my friends, family and my dogs. I strolled into the Mar Azul to get my keys from Becker, who was taking care of the dogs and continues to take care of Mira. They all looked a bit surprised to see me as I had spoken to them the night before on the phone. That is what prompted the visit down. So of course I had to be social and have a few shots with Al and the gang. And a trip home would not be complete without stopping at the other neighborhood establishment which is Coconuts. Between the 2 spots I got to see many of my friends that live on Vieques. During the week that I was there I did have the chance to dine out a few times. My first real night out was Saturday so you know that means Sushi at Uva Restaurant Chef Carlos, who I adore, was kind enough to treat us to some Champagne as a welcome back to town! Normally I would call ahead to ask him to prepare his incredible oriental seafood salad that I am addicted to, but again decided a surprise visit would be more fun. Uva is also serving lunch and I stopped in for the churassco wrap which was fabulous, would definitely recommend stopping in and trying lunch. Had lunch and dinner at BBH, lunches include a nice selection of sandwiches and salads prepared by Lauren Lebhar, all really tasty! Chris is doing a fabulous job with dinners. It is a tapas menu with a variety of selections that will suit everyone. The atmosphere is upscale but very cozy and intimate. Actually I was there with Jim Starke, webmaster, and I think we sampled just about the entire menu. Be sure to call and check out their schedule so as not to miss dining there. Also visit The Palms, the pool bar also on the property. I believe they are open Friday and Saturday nights only (again call to check) but this is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a few cocktails! I guess I have missed out on some good parties there in my absence! Had dinner at Café Media Luna with the LaVistas, regular visitors to Vieques that I met in 1997, my first year on Vieques. Monica continues to prepare a wonderful menu, with extraordinary ingredients that taste amazing. Had a lovely dinner at Island Steakhouse with Heather, a co-worker at Mar Azul and a dear friend, she also fills in at Island Steakhouse as well when needed. As usual dinner was wonderful, we ate there on a Tuesday night, but arrived at the end of Happy Hour which appears to be as popular as ever! Again got to see some folks there that I might not normally run into so glad that we chose to eat there.

I am kind of out of the loop but Martineau Bay is now under new management and after some major remodeling will be a “Starwood” Hotel. If we thought that the Wyndham was posh and upscale, well just wait until everything is done! I believe that Chefs Paul and Drew are still there under the new management, and if they are in the kitchen be sure to stop out and try dinner or lunch. I was sorry that I did not have more time to go out there and meet some of the new team players but did meet some at the Coqui Fire Party. I also heard that the people who purchased Martineau Bay, also purchased the M Bar property. M Bar will eventually move downtown and be located in the space next to Uva. MBar is one of my favorites so when I return to the island I will be happy to find them closer to home! Tropical Baby was on vacation while I was there but was going to be changing her schedule so you will want to see when she is open. The one time that I did have dinner there it was awesome, and she now has a liquor license as well! Due to car problems I unfortunately did not get to Esperanza so missed out on lunch and dinner at all the great places on the “strip”, well I will just have to get back soon.

As a reminder it is hurricane season so you want to keep and eye on the weather channel to see if anything is brewing in the neighborhood. Remember as the island slows down this time of year you want to call ahead and make sure you know who is open and closed when. July was a great month for businesses so maybe some eateries will keep longer hours for August.

I have been told that Eli with some help from others will be putting together an issue of Vieques Events for August and it will be out later this month. It is weird to think of looking at an issue that I have little to do with but health issues keep me from being active with some things. Most of you know that I have lung cancer and am being treated in Pennsylvania. Due to powers that be, and possibly for good reasons, I have not started chemotherapy yet. I do have an appointment at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia on August 8th. The first appointment I had there was a wonderful experience but I am not eligible for radiation therapy at this point so need to see the medical oncologist. I have been doing a lot of research on nutritional and complimentary therapies and am incorporating these into my healing process. I am now on a strict vegetarian (as organic as possible) diet and making veggie juices daily. Unfortunately can’t do anything sweet (sugar feeds cancer so I am told) which includes no fruits either for now. Of course no alcohol so although I had planned on trying to return the first week in August, it was more important to get going on this diet and start cleansing the body. I can not even imagine going back to the island and not doing a shot with Al and friends, or eating steak, or sushi so…… had to stay home! Am doing some cranial-sacral and Reiki energy work on a regular basis, which helps me to stay balanced! We did some research that Acupuncture has been known to help with the side effects of Chemo so had the preliminary appointment for that as well. Will actually try it once we know that start date for treatment. And everyone tells me how important meditation and imagery is so will be working on that as well. For those of you that are good at imagery, I now have short red hair! I could not bear the thought of my long, grey hair falling out so decided to cut if really short and dye it red as I was sure I would not miss it and having it fall out would be better than watching it grow out! I did have an appointment with Starr Fuentes, a healer, who I met in Vieques 2 years ago while she was on sabbatical and working on a book. It was lovely to see her and have a healing session with her. When I looked up her website it said that she was going to be in NY at a time that I was not busy with other appointments so I figured it was an omen to go and see her. She travels the country and the world so I feel lucky that I managed to get an appointment when I did. She was very supportive and positive about my dis-ease and said that I responded well to the treatment. So that brings you up to date on what is happening in my life. I am blessed with a very supportive and loving family and awesome friends who are making this journey much easier than it should be. Thanks to all of you who have written, prayed, affirmed and just sent good energy my way. It is really appreciated and keep it coming as the hard part will be beginning soon.

If there is more information Jim will add it and again be sure to watch for the next issue of Vieques Events coming out later this month!

Take care,
Judy
 

Affirm with me that Judy is in our thoughts, that she is cancer-free and on her way back to Vieques to be Isabel Segunda's Best Bad Girl Karaoke Crooner!

BTW: I wanted you to know that www.enchanted-isle.com  has a new feature. We have added a paid Classified Ad section at www.enchanted-isle.com/classifieds . Thru September the cost is 50% off the advertised price. In fact all ads placed during the month of July will get 30 days free on top of that with this offer code added. "enchanted0705"
Check it out. There is also a free "Lost & Found" area.

Judy & 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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