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November 2004

Hi everyone,

Happy Halloween, you know the best part of today (Halloween) is that it is the last day that the candidates can blast their speaker trucks! The noise for the past month has been almost unbearable, 5 trucks (one for each mayoral candidate – is that the way you say it?) plus the occasional one for other candidates from the main island, has increased the volume level considerably the past several weeks. There were times I walked down the street with my hands over my ears, so obnoxious, but then that is the way they do things here. Well I for one am looking forward to the peace and quiet coming soon!  Ed. Note: If you're reading this, it's over!

WooHoo, how about those Red Sox!!! With all the New Englanders here it was fun watching them come from behind and beat the Yankees then sweep St. Louis. Made for a lot of toasts and alcohol abuse! Ed. Note: They may only do it once every hundred years, but they do it with STYLE!

As usual the Mar Azul had the Halloween Party of the island. This year the party was on Saturday Night to take advantage of the later bar hours. There were some great costumes this year! Reenie (Mar Azul bartender) dressed as a bag of marbles (she didn’t lose any of them until later in the evening), Owen (Casa de Amistad) dressed as Hurricane Jeanne and as usual made a “dramatic entrance” to the party, spinning and twirling his way through the door! Patty (Mar Azul bartender) was a Mail Order Bride! Tito (Island Hop) dressed in a suit and played politician asking all to vote for him on Tuesday! He did a great job shaking hands and making empty promises! And for his efforts he won the “Most Original Costume” award. “Sexiest Costume” went to Myra and her daughter Jary, who were both dressed as witches. They would have been some great competition if everyone had shown up on time! Betsy dressed as half hooker/half pimp and looked great, and newcomer to the island Galina (La Sirena staff) dressed kind of like a playboy bunny and with her championship background in Judo, she was “dressed to kill”! Last but not least by any means was the tackiest costume of which there were plenty! This year it was won hands down by Will, who was dressed in lime green spandex capris with a brightly colored halter top, silver heels and a blond wig that he wrapped around his head in hair clips. You must understand that Will is a rather large gentleman so this was pretty frightening! I have been asked not to tell what reputable business he is in the process of buying but when you meet him I am sure he will be happy to tell you! The only frightening creature missing from the party this year was Al, he just had hip replacement surgery and was still in the hospital. When I spoke to Al on Sunday he said that he already had much less pain than he had been experiencing for over the past year. The doctor said that he would have Al dancing in no time, little did he know that Al can not dance even with a good hip! Val gets to retrieve him from the island soon and then he does some physical therapy and I think that he has to stay on the walker for a few weeks. If he makes me drink tequila to celebrate the new hip, I may just have to borrow the walker to get home! That has been the best part of Al not being himself, he has not forced us to drink nearly as many shots with him lately. With Al preparing for surgery and then his stay in the hospital it was like the old days for me and Reenie too, back to managing the bar! Thank goodness this will be over soon!

Well now that we are gearing up for season the restaurants are all reopening for business. Banana’s reopens soon, when the renovations are completed! We are all psyched to see what it will look like. Atmosphere and menu will be the same, still the Island Meeting Place! Reopening celebration will be the 13th with a great Salsa Band from the main island! Bayaonda will also be reopening this month and I am sure that she will have a new menu of incredible dishes! Not sure what their schedule is right now but this is a must eat at spot on the island, her food is amazing! Blue Macaw opens this week and new for this season is a Monday Grill Night. It will be nice that they are open 6 nights now as it is one of the most popular spots on the island. Food is great and the surroundings are gorgeous. Chef Michael’s FoodSpace is not only selling gourmet groceries but also is doing Bistro Nights on Mondays and Saturdays. It has very limited seating so reservations are required and the menu changes nightly. When he has Sushi Pizza on there though it is a must have! Café Mamasonga’s took a short vacation while Michael’s son arrived from England for a tropical vacation. They are again open and of course serving way more food than any of us need to eat at one sitting! I love that it is so close to my house and if you catch Ute, Michael and George on the right day you will know what I mean when I say “the entertainment is free!” Café Media Luna is also open for business and although I have not been since they reopened it is always a treat to eat there. Monica is truly one of the most talented chef’s on the island, her flavors and seasonings are perfect and meals there are a masterpiece! I imagine that she has added some new things to the menu too. Chez Shack has a new Chef starting the middle of this month and unfortunately I know nothing about him except that his name is Timothy Richards. I know that after an amazing last season with Tony Casino, Duffy had to find someone who was capable of stepping up to the plate and offering the same great food that we all got used to at Chez Shack! I am looking forward to seeing the new menu and trying it out, Reggae Grill Nights will continue on Mondays and I am sure that he has Will Colon scheduled to play for the crowds. This is one of the most popular nights for everyone in or visiting Vieques so be sure to experience at least one Reggae Grill Night while here! Coconuts has stayed open all season and although I would not classify this as fine dining it is a popular spot on the island for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Chicken Parmesan that they offer is possibly the best $11 meal on the island. They have the NFL ticket so it is the place to watch football on Sundays with Lyman! Island Steakhouse is still one of the more popular spots on the island. Service is always friendly and fast. If you like steaks this is the place to go for the best selection of them. I also like the grilled and deep-fried shrimp they offer. Happy Hour Tuesdays is still one of the most popular events on the island and is the place to be seen. La Sirena has a new chef coming soon as well. I only know that once she arrives they will be offering a Cajun/Creole menu which sounds like a great addition to what is already available on Vieques! Of course they are now hosting Karaoke on Fridays nights so as most of you know now, that is usually where I can be found on Fridays! I missed 2 in a row and everyone was asking me why! MBar recently reopened with a gorgeous new bar area and a great new menu! The food that Carlos and Juan create is some of the best on the island. I heard that there may be some salsa dancing going on there on Friday nights! There is a large area perfect for dancing and a band which hopefully they will get as we really get into season. Martineau Bay still serves up a great food in a spectacular setting, be sure to at least get out there to see the facilities! Tiki Hut has leased almost the whole building now in Esperanza and now has space available for private parties and events. Catering is also available or you can bring your own food. With its’ central location on the malecon it is a great spot to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Currently they offer lunch and breakfast but now sure if that will change in the future. Will is always thinking ahead and he has something pretty terrific up his sleeve but I am not at liberty to mention it just yet. Trade Winds is again open and offering breakfast, lunch and dinner although not yet 7 days a week, be sure to call for hours. I had dinner there Friday night and had the lobster special which was out of this world. Another friend had a pasta special the week before which he said was one of the best meals he had ever gotten in Vieques! David is an incredible talent in the kitchen and Trade Winds is one of the most popular spots, they have managed to keep their prices very reasonable for the quality of the food. All the other “local” places are open for business like the Patio (great $5 lunch specials). Taverna Espanola (the best Shrimp Asopao), Shaunna’s (also great $5 lunches but only 2-3 selections per day), Mucho Gusto (great food and good black bean soup), Tito Bloques (great seafood) and of course visit the trucks in and around Esperanza on the weekends!

There will be a gallery opening the end of the month by Sculptor Brooke Grant. He did a piece last year for the Humane Society Art Auction that was fabulous! I am looking forward to seeing more of his work on November 26th at Plan B Gallery. Brooke hopes to have works by other artists in the future and also to show some movies in there. He has a great space and it is not far from the Mar Azul. If you are on island then be sure to stop in.

Also this month is a Wine Tasting Fundraiser for the Humane Society. This event is geared to new residents and return visitors who are not familiar with the staff and all that they do for the animals and the community. Admission though is open to all, however, you do need reservations so they know the amount of wine and food to have available! It will be held at FoodSpace and the admission fee is $20 plus some pet food! Wine and snacks are courtesy of Chef Michael. Entertainment, from what I understand, will be some of the Friday night performers of Karaoke and yes I have been roped into attending. Not sure if I can sing that early in the evening, or I should clarify, not sure I can sing period, but have fun trying! Now we have to con a few others into singing that night too although Joey, Ron and Richard have already agreed. Maybe we will find some new talent attending that will be willing to help us out!

I am off to Virginia this weekend to Montpelier Races! This will be my first steeplechase and am the guest of Richard Corbett and Jeffrey Painter for this event! I am so excited as I will also see at least one old college friend that I have not seen since 1986! Richard and Jeff (they moved here last year) have attended the races for many years and always get a box and invite lots of friends. When they heard of my past background training horses they insisted that I join them. They also have become my dearest friends on the island so I love spending any time with them! I understand that Tony Casino (former Chef from Chez Shack) is expected to make an appearance for the weekend! Jeff is already up north making arrangements for food and beverages! Richard and I head to San Juan together Wed. afternoon and head out Thursday morning on different flights. I arrive in Richmond first and then get to meet Tony at his gate and Richard shortly after at his! It should prove to be a really fun and a “too short” weekend!

Well the “snowbirds” are starting to arrive, especially those that are registered to vote here. More will be arriving this month and by Christmas the island will be hopping. Be sure to make car reservations early and always make dinner reservations. Not a bad idea to check out BIOBAY trip availability before arriving too. We look forward to seeing all of you this season and it looks to be a good season from early reservations. Be sure to check back next month for more news!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Judy
 

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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