Gas, But No Gas

Gas arrived, but the lines are really long.  Don't forget that the stations will be closed on January 1. 

Bananas has opened the upstairs smoothie and light breakfast bar.  Wednesday thru Sunday from 8am-12 noon you can grab an all natural fruit smoothie or fresh fruit juice, and a light bite.  They are offering good coffee as well and the view cannot be beat.

One driving note; in front of Duffy's in Esperanza there is now a dip in the road to help with water run off.  Go slowly.  Hitting that at even 15mph will cause a head/roof of car collision. 

JC

No gas, but good food

As per usual during the Christmas/New Year's holiday, we are out of gas.  I haven't checked yet today, but with any kind of luck the trucks will come in.  The north side winds seemed a bit calmer last night which makes the ferry crossing just a little easier.

Belly Buttons is now open 6 nights for down home good food.  Here's the schedule, Tuesday is Italian Night with spaghetti and meatballs, baked ziti, etc.  Wednesday-Paella by Waldo, Thursday-Marge's Famous Mexican Night, Friday and Saturday are Grill Nights and Sunday is Rib Night.  The food is reasonably priced and you get alot of it. 

Kris and Barbara  have opened up Vieques SeaFari offering snorkel trips.  They have a good sized inflatable boat that can get you to some great snorkel spots in a short period of time.  It is by reservation only, 787-600-7020.  Snorkeling around the island is fabulous and they offer it to you at a great price.

If you are looking to experience some local food, La Nasa has started to serve things like pastillos.  The music on the weekends is great for dancing and the beer is cold.

Black sand beach is back.  After Irene, the beach had washed a bit and was only streaked with black sand.  Mother Nature is starting to put some of that black sand back.  The way to get there is to go through Esperanza to the end of the road.  Turn left and just a few feet up is a bridge over an arroyo.  Head toward the sea from there and you will end up at Black Sand Beach. 

JC

Dinner & Dance

Blue Horizon Boutique Resort wishes to invite you to attend our Special
Evening Celebration on Christmas Eve.
Come join us for Dinner and Live Music by Los Intocables this Saturday,
December 24, 2011.  The party starts at 6pm!!!
~jts

the Ferry again

Apparently the Maritime Authority is “not honoring the schedule” as one blogger put it. Ferries are coming and going, but are late or rescheduled, and some trips eliminated.

Sometimes they don’t go because of high seas due to winds out of the North, but this is not the case the last couple of days.

Fly if you can. There are less expensive flights available from the commuter airport in San Juan, Isla Grande, and via Taxi ($75) from San Juan to Ceiba Airport, a 10 minute hop. ($20)

The gov’t continues to put bandaids on their boats rather than do continuous “Preventive Maintenance.”

~jts

Oops

I goofed.  Siddhia's art opening is Thursday the 29th.  I am sorry to have gotten that info so wrong.  Please put something else on your schedule for tonight like Belly Buttons Mexican Night or a sunset cocktail at Duffy's.  NEXT THURSDAY put on your sunday go to meeting clothes and enjoy the works at Siddhia's and her new location.

JC

There is a rumor going around that Coqui Fire Brunch will happen on Christmas Day.  The Mar Azul is closed on Christmas.  Brunch is really scheduled for January 8th.  On the 19th Jimmy will be whipping up some Greek inspired dishes for the monthly theme night.

Art is everywhere this week.  Siddhia's gallery, in its new digs on the main street, is hosting an opening on the 22nd (that's tomorrow) 6-8pm.  On Friday, you can head to La Hueca to the Galleon for a study of Cap Cod artists at 6pm. 

The Funky Beehive in Isabel Segunda has an amazing array of eclectic things.  Cara has great clothing pieces along side great dinnerware pieces.  This is the kind of store that every time you look on a shelf you see something else.  Not to be missed.

Another rumor is that even though the bigwigs in the ferry system decided to cut trips on the 24th, 25th, 31st and 1st, it MAY NOT be so.  If you are traveling on those days, be prepared to have absolutely no idea when the boats will run.  A long time Vieques resident used to say, "if it starts to make sense, it's time to leave".

The Christmas Wine tasting hosted by Coconuts raised $1562 for the Humane Society.  This is an annual event and a fun one; as always the shelter can put the funds to good use.  Thank you to Dorothy and Susan for all their hard work. There is a cute little guy, named Nicholas, that was found outside the shelter in the tall grass, injured.  He's just a baby and really needs a home to recuperate in. 

Merry Christmas.

JC

REGIONS OF ITALY @ COCONUTS

Saturday, December 16, 2011
"LOMBARDY"
PRIMI
Saffron Risotto
PASTA
House-made Gnocchi
SECONDI
Veal Osso
Roasted Red Snapper Fillet
DOLCE
Roasted Pear
for Reservations & Information
787.741.9325

Xmas For The Animals

Coconuts is hosting a Christmas Wine Tasting to benefit the Humane Society on Tuesday the 20th.  DJ Danny will be spinning some great tunes, there will be fabulous eats as well.  The event is from 5-7pm, $15 per person and please bring food for a cat or dog, cat litter or a toy to put under the tree.  This is an annual event and one that is a great kick off for the holiday season.  Stop by and have some fun for a good cause.

If you are looking for gift ideas, stop by the Malecon House in Esperanza.  The boutique has just received its shipment of new items for the season.  They feature beautiful clothing made from luxurious fabrics.  This is the kind of store that makes you want to touch everything.  The styles are up to the minute and shopping while enjoying the view of the Caribbean is always the best.

A bit about the ferry.  It is are running on a relatively regular basis.  The past few days have been tough because of high winds and seas.  As a result, we are out of gas.  Fortunately, we are not out of Medalla.  On December 24 and 31, the last run is eliminated.  The boat will leave Vieques at 6:30am,, 11am and 3pm.  It will leave Fajardo at 9:30am, 1pm and 4:30pm.  On December 25 and January 1, the boat will have two trips only, leaving Vieques at 3pm and 6pm, leaving Fajardo at 4:30pm and 8pm.

A bit about our telephones.  When I first came to Vieques, getting a telephone was nigh on to impossible.  It involved nine months of calling the main office, finally finding the installation guy and running to get him $20 and a Coors Light.  While getting a phone is easier now, repairing your phone line is now the problem.  For some reason, an unknown one, people have been without telephones for months.  In this day of cell phones, you can fix that problem relatively easily.  What is more difficult to remedy is the connection for your credit card machine.  It may come to pass that you will see signs that say  "NO ATH".  This means the business cannot process credit or debit cards and you will have to pay cash.  This works as long as the phone line connecting the two banks ATMs are functioning. 

Bar Plaza has opened for real!  It is worth a quick stop to see the brick work on the inside.  It is a really cool example of historic architecture and the beer is cold.

JC

Holiday Greetings from Gallery Galleon!

New Show: Cape Cod Artists
Friday, December 23rd, Cape Cod Artists: Rob Brooks, Michael McGuire and Eve
Aspinwall.
All new works. Doors open at 5:30pm for previews
Cape Cod inspired reception by Chef Chris @ Buen Provecho
Live music by Mike Martin and Rootsticks! 6-7:30pm--ish

VIEQUES HUMANE SOCIETY WINE TASTING FUND RAISER

Join us at COCONUTS Restaurant to celebrate and gift this great cause!
On Tuesday, December 20, from  5-7 p.m.
$15 per person…all proceeds to VHS
Unbelievable appetizers, desserts, wine-tasting and non-alcoholic holiday
punch
DJ Danny Spinning
Donations of dog food, cat food and cat litter appreciated.

12-22-11 "Seven Fishes" Dinner Evening at Casa Cascadas

Chef Alex Mazzocca presents a unique holiday dining experience:
the traditional Italian pre-Christmas meal known as "Seven Fishes."
It is rare to find a restaurant in the United States that offers this very
special meal, but it will comprise the tasting menu at A Dinner Evening at
Casa Cascadas on December 22. Seating is limited to a select number of
guests.
The "Seven Fishes" Dinner Evening will begin at at seven o'clock. Cocktails,
wines and other beverages will be available for purchase. Cost is sixty
dollars per guest prix fixe, including tax. Only checks or cash are
accepted.
For reservations:
Call or text Jo Anne@917 602 2446
email at yaremko@attglobal.net

Vieques Clean up News!

The latest Vieques Clean up News is available in PDF docs here.
In English:
http://enchanted-isle.com/vieques/pdf/12-11-navfac.pdf
En Español:
http://enchanted-isle.com/vieques/pdf/12-11-navfac-s.pdf
~jts

Beach Doggies Opens This Sunday

Beach Doggies Opens its doors Sunday December 18th
9:00am to 1:00pm
John & Judy Towns have new art work, refurbished furniture & an interesting
collection of metal creations.
Don't forget to ask John to show you the Shovel Heads.
Lets all come out to support them, drink champagne & eat some delicious food
catered by VERITAS

A Night of a Million Stars

A Night of Starlore and Shooting-Stars!
Experience the Geminid Meteor Shower!
Journey Among the Stars!
Learn the Constellations!
Wednesday, December 14, at 7:00 pm
At the Puerto Ferro archaeological site.
Leaving Esperanza at The Green Store (La Tienda Verde),
head down 997 past Sunbay, bear left with the road and look for the dirt
road on the left beside the cement marker. Head up it.

winter winds are blowing

Winter has arrived in Vieques. The reason we know this? Look in any bar or restaurant and you will see people wearing long sleeves, sweaters and hoodies. Those are the people that live here. Tourists are attired in tank tops, bikinis and board shorts, and have this incredulous look on their faces as you try to describe why you are sporting a down parka. The same thing happens on the beach. While visitors are bathing in the warm (they think) waters of the Caribbean, the locals are all discussing how nice it will be come May when we can go swimming again.

We have a new locksmith in town. Yea!!! This makes being locked out of your house or car a momentary experience instead of one that takes threes days and a million dollars to fix. 787-564-5120.

Taverna is open. Joe and Liz are cooking up the best pizza Monday through Friday nights, beginning at 6pm. The thin crust pizza is to die for. Conuco is open Tuesday through Saturday nights 6-10pm. The fare is Puerto Rican cuisine, which is both excellent and reasonably priced. Conuco is the pink building across from Banco Popular.

On the south side, Trade Winds is will be open five days, for breakfast and lunch, Thursday through Monday. Dinner is seven nights as always, and the very best place to sample our local lobster. Don't forget that sunset is south side this time of year. The Malecon is the place to watch for the green flash. The green flash is a product of light refraction and it takes a very specific set of conditions for it to be visible. The science of the flash is not nearly as fun as the romance of seeing it. To assist with seeing it, a margarita is recommended.

This just in.....Chef Beverly's Lunch debutes on Friday the 16th at Coconuts. She will be offering up those famous salads and wraps from 10:30am-4pm, Friday through Tuesday. Lunches are eat in, take out or catered. Call 787-741-9325 for any special arrangements you might have in mind. There are some new items on the menu, think fresh turkey. Stop by to see what else is happening.

A huge thanks to Joyce for helping one of our island dogs get to a new home. As a reminder, anyone flying either American or Continental Airlines can help us transport animals to their forever homes. These trips are a bear to organize so if you are willing to help, let the Humane Society know at least 4 days prior to your flight date. This gives them time to get transportation to San Juan in place.

JC

New York Times today

U.S. Finds No Link Between Vieques Bombings and Health Risks
Full story at http://tinyurl.com/6nb3ser
The report: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/vieques/2011_report.html
English-
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/vieques/docs/Summary_FactSheet_Vieques.pdf
Spanish-
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/vieques/docs/Summary_FactSheet_Vieques_Spanis
h.pdf
~jts

Noche Navideña en el Fortín..... Christmas Activity at the Fort

Holiday Celebration at the Fort
Saturday, 10 December  7pm

concert with the Vieques Municipal Band

Vieques artisanos/artisans and book fair
Local foods and drink
Vieques film on big screen
Vieques poetry reading

entrance:  free

Ridiculous Holiday Blessings from The Beading Bikini

Felicidades All!
Whether or not your coming to Vieques for the Holidays, a Slow, Relaxed,
Suave(Easy) Caribbean Holiday can be had:
Go dig up your swimsuit, sun hat & flip flops or fins and put them on(socks
& gloves optional).
Adorn yourself in Beadingbikini.com, hammock-made jewelry creations from
previous visits, or order now at beadingbikini.com
Have a glass of Coquito, a Puerto Rican Eggnog, (alcohol not optional...it's
a Caribbean Holiday after all!)
Then, while listening to your favorite salsa, reggae, merenge or reggaetone
holiday carols, (MOVE YOUR HIPS!) string a gazillion lights around the
house, squeeze your sun-faded, blow up Santa into flowery swim trunks, place
a coquito in his hand &adorn him with a Beadingbikini.com Surfer Necklace,
then sit him next to you in a beach chair on your sand-covered roof(a
pre-coquito prep.)
Then HO HO HO, HA HA HA & HE HE HE like it's 1999!
Silly Happiness All. Let your Joy Shine!
Peace & Blessings,
Jennifer Dehner
www.beadingbikini.com
Vieques, Puerto Rico
787-435-6850
 
~jts

VERITAS Saturday Pizza Night!!

Saturday December 10th Begins Pizza Night

Each Saturday we will introduce four gourmet pizzas as well as our full
dinner menu.
All pizzas are 18 inch
VERITAS Restaurant
787-741-0011
www.veritasvqs.com

See You Soon
Kurt & Kelly

Check out the opening of "The Crabwalk @ Isla Nena Cafe

Come and Check out the opening of The Crabwalk at the Isla Nena Cafe and our
Grab N Go Kiosk inside the Vieques Airport
If you haven't heard... (you are either working too hard, off island, or
under a rock); Lyman and Ricci are the new owners of the Isla Nena Cafe LLC
at the Vieques Airport.
We will be offering food prepared by Chef Lee and bar specialities as only
Lyman knows them from 7.30 AM to 5PM all 7 days a week at the cafe by the
gazebo opening Saturday Dec.17th.
Please come help us celebrate this grand adventure!
Did I mention it's a wifi HotSpot?!?

Cape Air - $49 each way St. Croix to Vieques

Cape Air - $49 each way St. Croix to Vieques

Our new service between St. Croix and Vieques starts on December 19!
We're celebrating the start with an unbeatable Fly Buy
Purchase dates: 12/6/11-12/12/11
Travel dates: Valid for travel 12/19/11-1/31/12

Daily flight schedule:
Flight 892 Dep. STX 9:00 am Arr. VQS 9:23 am
Flight 895 Dep. VQS 6:52 pm Arr. STX 7:15 pm

www. capeair.com
*Valid on new reservations only.
Fares are non-refundable.
Additional fees for changes may apply.
Contact Cape Air for the details.

Full Moon Drum Circle / Tambores de Luna Llena

Saturday, December 10th
Full moon Drum Circle, 5:45 pm, Sun Bay
All welcome/ no experience necessary!
Organic community musical experience...
Bring a drum/percussion tool /& chair...or just yourself!
~jts

Regions of Italy at Coconuts - Saturday 12/3 LIGURIA

Antipasti:
Housemade roast garlic and herb focaccia with artichokes, anchovies, black
olives & provolone
Ciupin - Ligurian seafood soup in tomato broth with basil toasts
Pasta di Giorno:
Housemade Pumpkin Ravioli with pesto sauce
Secondi:
Fritto Misto del Mare-mixed fried seafood with fried polenta & spicy tomato
dip
Tomaxelle-Veal rolls stuffed with ground veal, pine nuts & porcini mushrooms
Serving Dinner 5-9:30 p.m.
Reservations appreciated
787-741-9325
~de

Getting close to Christmas

Christmas begins now in Vieques.  The paint fairies that I have talked about for years are out and about changing the colors on homes around the island.  For the uninitiated, Christmas is the time when people spruce up their houses before hanging the decorations.  If you have ever made the mistake of painting your own home, or even a room in your home, you know the time and effort it takes to get the job done.  Well, the paint fairies can transform a house in less than twenty four hours.  You go to work and the house is yellow, you come home from work and the house is blue.  You never see a paint brush or can or anyone wearing the new color.  It just happens.

Saturday night is the lighting of the plaza.  The festivities begin at 5pm, with a parade.  Generally, it really begins around 6pm or maybe later, so get there on time to get a parking spot, stop at the Mar Azul, Coconuts, and or Conuco for some Christmas cheer while you wait.  Just about every schoolkid participates in the parade.  Last year the kindergarten set were dressed like 101 dalmatians.  They marched, they ran out of line, they stopped to see family members, they forgot to march and parents were racing down the street carrying their dalmations to get them back to their pack.  It was hilarious.  Afterwards, Coconuts is hosting Italian Night from Luguria.  This region is at the top of the "boot' and is reputed to be the place where pesto was invented. 

If you happen to read this today, be careful on the roads tonight.  There is a rumor afoot that there will be a horse parade.  Many, many locals catch up their horses and parade from one side of the island to the other.  They are supposed to wear reflective gear, but that doesn't always happen.  So, drive a little slower and watch closely.

JC

Christmas Parade

Join us in Isabel Segunda on Saturday, December 3, 2011 for the Vieques
Christmas Parade. It will begin in the Public Housing area and finish at the
Plaza downtown.
The parade starts at 5PM. Following the parade will be the Municipal
lighting of the Christmas lights in the Plaza.
~jts