US Virgin Islands
[singlepic id=4817 w=180 h=40 mode=web20 float=left]Good morning! This is Alex Randall with Good News Headlines
Brought to you by: Red Hook Family Practice, Island Block, and Discount Travel. Wherever you are planning to go, your travel dollar takes you further at Discount Travel. And Cobex Internet bringing the world of information to the Virgin Islands.
Department of Tourism Wins Awards
Our Public Relations firm is making good news they won four awards for the materials they make that promote the Virgin Islands. They took silver medals for the Meetings and Incentives Planner and the Travel News that describes our islands. They won bronze medals for travel article in the Washington Post, and for the Discovery Channel television show about the Virgin Islands. These are the Adrian Advertising – Golden Bell Public Relations Awards sponsored by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. They are the most prestigious in the field.
Today’s Photo: Guarding the Main Street on St. Thomas
Current Conditions in Paradise:
Temperature: 88 Degrees at 11 AM Skies: Sunny, Occasional Cloud Chance of Showers: Slight to 10%: Water Temp: Perfect Beach and Swimming Conditions: Perfect Sailing and Diving Conditions: World Class! Drinks: Ready
Delegate Hears Concern with Christiansted Parking Lot
The delegate says we need to work with the National Park Service on their plans to turn the Christiansted parking lot into a lawn. The delegate points to the recent experience in St. John to show how the Park Service will work with a community. She also notes that the Territorial government owns several parcels that could replace or increase the parking in the area. Delegate says she is expecting a positive outcome from the renewed dialog.
Our Team is Going to New Zealand.
No, it isn’t the real America’s Cup racing, but it is the tune up race and our Virgin Islands America’s Cup Challenge is going to participate in the race. They are getting their gear together for the race that is coming up in April. They purchased two 26 foot Sonar sloops for the race and will use them in the St. Thomas Sailing training program later this year. You can see the two in Charlotte Amalie harbor.
Davis Cup
The US Virgin Islands Davis Cup team has been announced. The team mates are Kenny Callender of St. Thomas, Eugene Highfield of St. Croix, George Lewis of St. John and the coach is Morris Brown of St. Croix. Callendar and Highfield are top ranked juniors and Kenny was the top rated tennis player at Harvard University before he graduated. The team is training now.
Olympic Team is Coming Home.
The Virgin Islands Olympic Team is coming home today at Cyril E. King Airport. The officials are coming in around 2:30 and the athletes who competed in the bobsled and luge are coming in this evening. The teams placed above average. and no one placed last.
St. John Action Committee
Last evening the St. John Action Committee announced a new program of luncheon speakers to be held on St. John. The first speaker is on March 4th Wylie Whisonant will speak at noon on March 4th at Paradiso Restaurant
School Bucks at Tutu Park Mall
The folks at Tutu Park Mall are making good news for our schools. During the School Bucs program when you make a purchase at Tutu Park Mall, they will credit points to the school of your choice. The points will determine what per cent of the jack pot goes to which schools.
3.6 Million for Labor Initiatives
The US Dept. of Labor has allotted 3.63 million dollars in employment and training funds to the Virgin Islands. The allotments were made under the Job Training Partnership Act. There’s 740 thousand dollars for the Adult training program and almost a half million for the summer youth training program. The delegate says these are badly needed funds to improve our labor situation.
Tax Time
The IRB is reminding residents of new tax rules in 1998. The child tax credit is $400 this year. There is the new HOPE tax credit for college tuition and this year you can create an education IRA for your children and put $500 per year in that account. This year is the first where there is no tax on the capital gain resulting from the sale of your principal residence. And capital gains tax has been reduced. Taxpayer assistance is available any day from 9 to 4:00 PM at the IRB offices.
Eclipse is Tomorrow
You are reminded that tomorrow is the day of the solar eclipse. It the Virgin Islands we will be able to see a 90% total eclipse. But you are reminded not to look directly at the sun during the eclipse. It could make you blind. Use welders glasses, special eclipse glasses or a pin hole viewer. If you look at the ground where the sun light filters through the trees, you will see images of the eclipse on the ground.
Water Island Report
So there’s an eclipse. On Water Island it’s a little different. While the rest of the Virgin Islands gets a 90% eclipse, we are getting 100%. Water Island is so small that anything can eclipse us and we get it all.