News from VCHT

Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust Events
Bird Walk December 31st at 7 am.
Meet on the Malecon outside the Trust. 
Suggested donation: $20 per person.
Playa Grande Tour on Jan 6th & 20th    9 am. - 12pm
Donation: $30pp; $15 for children.
House tour of fabulous Vieques villas on January 13th at 9 am.
Reservations required. Transportation provided.
$45 for Trust members $50 for non-members.
For information on any events, please contact the Trust
787 741 8850 or vcht@hughes.net

Passenger Ferry Notice!

All runs have been cancelled for the passenger ferry for Wednesday December
29, 2010 due to weather.
That word comes from the Maritime Authority office in Vieques.
La ATM ha cancelado todas las viajes de la lancha de hoy.

Winter Winds

The Northeast is not the only part of the world experiencing some weather.  Our winter winds have kicked up, directly out of the north.  This means that take offs and landings at the airport are dicey, if they happen at all.  Yesterday, most flights were canceled given high winds and heavy rain.  Today is much clearer, but the wind is still at howl level.  Yesterday we had full on dreaded drinking clouds, but I think today may be a beach day.  Well, a beach day for everyone who does not live here since most of us are walking around in hooded sweatshirts.  Must be down to at least 78 degrees.

Chez Shack is open.  Really.  Monday night is the famous, or infamous, grill night featuring steel band music.  Wednesday thru Saturday nights the Shack has a more eclectic menu featuring things like pork osso bucco and fresh trout. 

New Year's Eve celebrations are all over the place.  The Inn on the Blue Horizon is offering a special menu.  A Catered Affair at Casa Cascadas is also featuring a night of great food and wine, with the requisite champagne of course.  The rumor mill has that Rick, of Blue MaCaw fame, is guest cheffing at Next Course.  Worth a visit.

As most of you know the Christmas/New Year's Holiday season runs thru Three Kings Day on the 6th of January.  Thusly, any work being done on our broken bridge has come to a screeching halt.  Gas lines have been pretty long, so remember that half a tank is an empty tank.  The upside being that there is gas.  There is however, no sour cream.  At least not as of last night, so do not plan on cheesecake for dessert.  Not worry though, there is plenty of Medalla.

More later.

JC

Sol Creation

CHRISTMAS EVE SALE AT
~SOL CREATION~
20-50% OFF EVERYTHING
Friday Evening 6:00-8:00pm
Serving Coquito and Treats!
See you there,
Happy Holidays,
SOL CREATION
-jts

Christmas Eve @ the Inn on the Blue Horizon

Inn On The Blue Horizon
Invites you to celebrate
Christmas Eve
¡Noche Buena!

Tomorrow!!!
Friday, December 24, 2010
$29.00 per person
Dinner & Live Music with Los Intocables
Dinner Seating at 6pm & 8pm

Call Today for Reservations!
(787) 741-3318
(787) 741-0527
info@innonthebluehorizon.com
-jts

Christmas Weekend at Coconuts!

We're doing a festive holiday "roast" menu for the enjoyment of you and your
guests!
Roast Prime Rib of Beef and Traditional Roast Pernil dinners all weekend
long!
House-cured Salmon Gravlox!
...y mucho mucho mas!
Happy Holidays and Felicidades to everyone!
-Chef Michael
cell: 787.704.9851
COCONUTS 787.741.9325
OPEN for DINNER
Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

It's Not Bad Riding the Ferry

I just spent a night on the main island getting my fix of stop lights and traffic jams.  Initially, I was going to fly, but procrastination being my middle name, did not make a reservation in time, so off on the boat I go.  Well, surprise of all surprises, I got to ride on the Cayo Blanco.  The crossing took only about 45 minutes.  The seas were a bit rough as happens this time of year, but the Cayo Blanco churned her way through like a queen.  The only green faces I saw were on people I knew had been over served the night before.  The only quirk I can see is that the bathrooms are labeled "head", so if you are not up on your yachting lingo you might be in a bit of trouble.  All kidding aside, the 45 minute sea time is really great.  This allows for plenty of time between the 3pm, 4:30pm and 6pm boats which are scheduled a bit tight.  Even if something happens you still get where you are going on time.

Last Sunday was Beach Doggies opening.  They are located in Bravos DE Boston.  (just follow the signs)  The shop is an eclectic mix of all kinds of things.  John and Judy have a special eye for being able to recycle just about anything.  We often joke that if it weren't for those two the landfill would have been at capacity years ago.  Stop in and see.  Also, John makes to die for sough dough bread.  Buy it at Buen Provecho and Mambos.

On the 29th the Siddhia Hutchinson Gallery is hosting its season opener at 6:30.  Always a good time and good art. 

Christmas Day brings with it the famous Red Beach Party starting around 10am or so until whenever.  The party is BYOB and pot luck.  You will need to bring a dish to serve at least 6 people, your own drinks and some extra ice.  Pack a container so you can bring home some leftovers.  You will find the party not only because of the large number of people, but there will be balloons marking where to drop off your pot luck.  Organizers have asked that pets be left at home this time to keep things less congested.  For more info or ideas on what to bring call 908-278-4275.

Tuesday night is the now annual wine tasting at Coconuts to benefit the Vieques Humane Society.  Starts at 5pm.  $25 plus a donation of dog or cat food.  This is a super fun time and for a great cause.  Speaking of the Humane Society (which I always do), the other day while at the shelter during a particularly busy time, we looked at each other and said, "it would only take 65 families to adopt a dog and we would have empty kennels".  Only 65 families in the whole of the United States of America are needed to give every one of our dogs a forever home.  (only need about 30 more to clear out the cat house).  Not as daunting a job when you look at it that way.  If you or your friends are thinking of getting a pet, please consider a shelter animal.  If not from Vieques, from another rescue group.

Have a Merry, Merry Christmas.  Visit soon.

JC

Vivace Handbell Ensemble Special Holiday Concert

Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 7:30PM
W Retreat and Spa, Vieques Island, PR
General Admission $25
Benefactor Ticket $150
Benefactor Ticket includes post-performance cocktail reception
The Vivace Handbell Ensemble will bring its world-renowned act to the W
Retreat and Spa – Vieques Island for a very special holiday performance to
benefit the Vieques Concert Society.
Vivace is the concert choir of the Coro Polifónico Juvenil de Campanas
(Youth Polyphonic Handbell Choir) from Aibonito, Puerto Rico. Recognized as
one of the best handbell ensembles in Puerto Rico and Latin America

Public Hearings on the Northeast Ecological Corridor

Monday, January 18, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
Multipurpose Center Fajardo

Support the Sierra Club
Save the Northeast Ecological Corridor

SOL CREATION Christmas Eve Party

Happy Holidays and a big Thank you to everyone for making SOL CREATION'S
first year open WONDERFUL!
SOL CREATION is opening especially for you! Christmas Eve from 6pm-8pm.
Join us for Wine and Treats and SHOPPING!
jts
http://www.enchanted-isle.com

Have you seen Vieques TV?

The Brainchild of Andy Plesser www.vieques.tv is produced by Andy, who has had a home on the island since 2004. He is a videoblogger who produces Beet.TV, a daily Web video show about digital media and technology. Vieques.TV is part travelogue, personal diary and an introduction to this wonderful island. We hope you enjoy it.

For story ideas and other information about the site, contact us at vieques(at)plesser.com. There is lots of great stuff there, including a recent video interview with restauranteur Hugh Duffy.

Vieques-island blog
jts

Celebrate Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve with us!

Inn On The Blue Horizon
Invites you to celebrate Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve with us!
Friday, December 24, 2010
$29.00 per person
Dinner & Live Music with Los Intocables
Dinner Seating at 6pm & 8pm
Friday, December 31, 2010
$40.00 per person
Surf & Turf Dinner & New Year's Eve Party!
Dinner Seating at 6pm & 8pm
In-House Music Party from 10pm to 4am

Call Today for Reservations!
(787) 741-3318

Holiday Open House at VCHT

Thursday, December 16th from 5-7 pm

Join us for a glass of holiday cheer.
Meet your friends and make some new ones.

Please bring a toy or gift (wrapped and labeled with appropriate age and
sex) for a Viequense boy or girl
Gifts will be distributed by local churches

our Gift Shop will be open with great new merchandise for your holiday
giving.
For more information, call 787 741 8850

SOL CREATION

THE LINENS ARE IN!!! THE LINENS ARE IN!!!
Dresses, Shirts, Coverups, HEAVEN...
And they are GORGEOUS!! ALSO LARGE SIZES!!!
Already trying them on and they are Vieques attire COME TRUE. See you Soon.

Gallery Galleon Grand Opening

Gallery Galleon Grand Opening reception
Saturday January 15th 5-9pm La Hueca
"Places in Between" featuring metal sculpture and photography from local
artists Brooke Grant and Alba Hollister-Ruiz.
For more information 787-741-3078

jts
http://www.enchanted-isle.com

It's Christmas

Well, the paint fairies are at it again.  Nearly every house on the island is sporting a new coat of paint for the holidays.  Paint buying on Vieques during the days following Thanksgiving is equal to the gross national product of a small country.  While those of us that live here are used to this, we still stop in the middle of the road to ogle a paint job.  Not necessarily to see the colors, but to marvel at how someone can paint a 2500 square foot house overnight.  These houses are yellow one day and the next day purple.  You never see anyone running around with paint all over them.  It is the eighth wonder of the world.

The Vieques Historical Society and Conservation Trust is holding a holiday open house on Thursday, the 16th, from 5-7.  Bring a wrapped present tagged with age and gender.  This will give a local child a much better Christmas.

Caitlin has opened CariBean Cafe at Lazy Jack's from 7am to noon everyday.  She is featuring great coffee and bagels.  Caitlin is one of the tireless volunteers at the Humane Society so stop by and lend her some support.

  

No final word on the bridge yet.  (not the one to puerto rico, the one on the middle road)  There are survey marks, so maybe it will be a Christmas present to all of us. 

The ferry has a new schedule.  It is running on the same schedule seven days per week now.  The boat leaves Vieques at 6:30am, 11am, 3pm and 6pm.  It leaves Fajardo at 9:30am, 1pm, 4:30pm and 8pm.  Our new boat, Cayo Blanco, actually makes the run in about one hour.  Best of all, those us with CRS disease can now remember what time to get on the boat.

Parking in Isabel Segunda has become more regulated.  In the past, you could park facing either way on a two way street.  Now you must be parked going with the traffic.   Tickets are being given and they are expensive.  Normally, I would suggest that if you are in doubt just look at the other cars.  But, since this enforcement is relatively new, do not,  repeat do not, assume that the other cars are parked correctly. 

The Christmas festival is being held on Saturday the 18th at 8pm.  There will be lots of music and dancing and good times.  Remember, the 8pm is a target time.  All things are on island time and will happen when they happen.

The second memorial for Al Gordon was held on Saturday.  The Mar Azul was jammed packed all day and all night.  Dan and Doc put out a roast pig and everyone brought a side dish.  DJ Danny provided the tunes and offered up at one rendition of "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off". At 5pm, Reenie and Becker, rowed by Captain Bill in his dinghy, spread flowers and a bottle of tequila into the sea.  Everyone on the beach held (and unfortunately had to drink) a shot of tequila.  It was a fitting send off for a man who will always be in our hearts. 

JC

BEACH DOGGIES - PERROS PLAYEROS

recycled furniture, art & oddities
John & Judy just celebrated the opening of another season at Beach Doggies!
If you weren't able to join in a Champagne toast, drop by and say Hi while
they're open.
Bravos de Boston - follow signs up from the ferry
OPEN Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays 9am - 1pm
jts

Cargo Ferry Schedule

(also takes passengers)

Departs / Sale de Vieques: 6:00 am, 1:00 pm, 6:00 pm
Departs /Sale de Fajardo: 4:00 am, 9:30 am, 4:30 pm

Horario Nuevo de la Lancha / NEW Passenger Ferry Schedule

Departs / Sale de   Vieques: 6:30 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm
Departs / Sale de   Fajardo: 9:30 am, 1:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 8:00 pm

Jane Chadwick shared a photo with you!

Jane Chadwick shared a photo
http://www.myphotos.yahoo.com/s/20y0xhv678u9hfvufprm
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It's Christmas

The Tree Lighting and Parade held on Saturday was just fantastic.  It was on island time, so things ran a bit late.  The parade theme was Disney and cartoons.  All the schoolchildren participated.  There were mouseketeers and 101 (112 actually) Dalmatians, The Flintstones, Star Wars, Toy Story, Aladdin's Lamp, and of course, Santa, reindeer and wisemen.  Our Mayor, Evelyn DeLareme, appeared in full princess attire and a gilded carriage a la Cinderella.  My personal favorites were the mouseketeers and the dalmatians which were represented by the 3-5 year old set.  Things got a bit unruly as they wandered to the sidewalks to say hi to friends and family.  Parents were rushing to scoop them up and race ahead to catch up with the parade.   The High School Band performed complete with majorettes.  Following the parade there were fireworks and the tree lighting.  And of course after that, music.  It was a fabulous evening filled with cheer and goodwill.

A new shop will be opening soon at the former Uva's location, right on the corner as you head toward the post office.  The Funky Beehive will be offering great dry goods and gifts.  The building is a super one for the shop given the huge windows that let in lots and lots of light.  Just catty corner from there is Sol Creations.  Stop in to check out the handbags.  Great designs at a great price. 

I saw Myrna from Local Color stocking up her wares at the Historical Society.  She makes fabulous seaglass jewelry and has just put out all her new designs.  You can purchase them from the Historical Society gift shop or in the evenings at Coconuts.

The Historical Society and Conversation trust reports that their financial picture has improved and they are moving forward.  This Christmas/New Year's they will be offering the MANTA program to children and grandchildren of Trust members.  The kids will be learning about the island and conservation while swimming and snorkeling and having a great time.  Contact the Trust for detailed information.  The program not only gives the kids a fabulous education, but the fees also generate income so that the program can be offered to a larger group of children in the future.

We are still driving the long way to town as the bridge is still out.  It looks as though some surveying has been done, so maybe the Puerto Rico government will be giving us a bridge for Christmas.  We will see.  The brand new asphalt truck I saw last week performed some road magic in Barrio Florida.  There is some nice new pavement on the streets in that area.  This makes getting to Centro Comercial Florida (a great hardware store) must less taxing on the front suspension of the car. 

On Thanksgiving a dog was brought to the Humane Society after being injured by a car.  His new name is Pancho and he is a typical island dog, which means he has a full size body and very short legs.  He is well mannered and sweet.  It is apparent that he has been abused and the shelter staff is anxious to find him a forever home where he will be safe. 

JC

"¡Sabor Criollo!"

A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL FLAVORS!
Slow-roasted Pork
Black Angus Churrasco
Recao Battered Mahi
Crispy Chicken Cutlet with Sunnyside Eggs
Shrimp in Garlic Sauce
Puerto Rican Coffee-dusted 14oz Angus Sirloin Steak
Chef Michael Glatz
COCONUTS 787.741.9325
OPEN for DINNER
Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
Think: Sushi Pizza!

MANTAstic!

Environmental Learning Experience for Young Visitors to Vieques
Dec. 22, 29 and 30 and January 3 and 4.
9 am to 2 pm each day
Maximum of 10 kids per session
. 8-15 years old
. they must be good swimmers
. There will be kayaking and snorkeling
. Collecting and releasing marine creatures
. Other adventures.
. $100 per student, per day
. Attend one or more days
. Register at least 3 days before the program date
Working with Captain Mark Martin who will be performing his usual magic with
the young people. Watch Captain Mark catch a lionfish!
As part of the registration each student will receive a special glow in the
dark MANTA t-shirt and book on Vieques flora and fauna.