Posted on October 8th, 2008 by Amy
www.stjohnanimalcarecenter.com
The Animal Care Center (ACC) of St. John will be holding its 2nd annual flea market on Saturday, 10/18/08 in downtown Cruz Bay. This was very successful last year thanks to the donations of many individuals and local businesses and of course to all the people whom purchased items at the sale. The ACC relies on private contributions and fundraising events like this to keep the shelter running, they do not receive any government funding.
The ACC has also developed a program where visitors can easily adopt and bring home a pet from the island. To travel home with your new pet is relatively easy and smaller pets can travel with you in the cabin as long as they can fit under the seat in an approved carrier. There is a fee charged by the airlines and your pet needs a health certificate which is available at our local vet - where you can also find the approved pet carriers. I can’t think of a better way remember your trip to the islands than to bring home a new family member…way better than a T-Shirt!
Visit the ACC’s website for more information on how you can help the ACC: www.stjohnanimalcarecenter.com
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Filed under: Local News and Events
Posted on October 4th, 2008 by Karye
Make an offer on this well priced lot in Fish Bay located adjacent to Nature Conservancy land. Offered at $395,000 the lot features gorgeous views and privacy, yet is only two miles from Cruz Bay Town.
Contact me for more information on this beautiful site.
karye@islandiarealestate.com
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Filed under: General
Posted on October 1st, 2008 by Karye
Sunday we went out for a spin in the dinghy to soak up some sun and take a swim, after what seems like months of rain generated by the tropical storms passing by. As the storms move north of us and strenghten into hurricanes, they generate large swells. This photo shows those swells surging through the rocky barrier between Grassy and Mingo Cays. At the time, they were about 2 to 3 feet.
Today’s forecast from Weather Underground, is obviously for the most seasoned of surfers… “Large breaking waves of 10 to 14 feet or higher along the local reefs… beaches and Shoals of the north through northeast coasts of all of the local islands to continue for the rest of today through Thursday morning.”
Perhaps I’ll take a drive down the north shore at lunch to check it out.
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Filed under: Local News and Events
Posted on September 27th, 2008 by Amy
Yum! Recently we dined at Da Livio’s restaurant in downtown Cruz Bay which opened a little less than a year ago. Livio is from Italy and his restaurant features genuine Italian cuisine. The menu has something for everyone - pastas, risottos, meat and fish. One of the specials that evening was homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli with a light walnut cream sauce. It was heavenly. The wine list is small but excellent and features Italian wines. These are brought in by Livio specifically for his restaurant. We had a few bottles of a 2006 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo that were the perfect complement to our meals.
Da Livio’s is also open for lunch and the menu includes sandwiches, pizzas, pasta and salads.
Next time you are on island, give it a try. Da Livio’s is located across the street from the Lime Inn!
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Filed under: General
Posted on September 26th, 2008 by Amy
Our friend Bailey had to go back to the states with her owner but before she did she had one last adventure! This is from Bailey’s boat day - I believe she is floating in to Sandy Spit…or maybe to the Soggy Doggy bar, I mean the Soggy Dollar bar. (Ok - that was pretty corny).
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Filed under: Fun Photos
Posted on September 24th, 2008 by Merry
Former “Stone Terrace” chef Walter Hinds has opened his own restaurant at the former”Tage” location in Cruz Bay. After a “Soft” opening last month to practice a bit the restaurant is scheduled for a formal opening inOctober. Walter’s plans are for fresh and simple menu items that reflect a Caribbean influence but with an urban twist. I have tried it twice already and think he has a winner. The Ahi Tuna, Fricassee of Escargo and Rack of Lamb all were perfect and the service was excellent. Be sure to put “Hinds” on your list of restaurants to try on your next visit.
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Posted on September 22nd, 2008 by Amy
80°F
Light Rain
Posted on September 20th, 2008 by Merry
Read the latest ruling on the VI Property Tax dispute in the Daily News at:
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17628723
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Filed under: General
Posted on September 19th, 2008 by Amy
I was looking out my office window this morning when I spotted Merry & Karye out in the parking lot working on Merry’s Jeep. I enjoyed watching them replace a battery while I sat in the cool air-conditioned office!
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Filed under: General
Posted on September 17th, 2008 by Merry
One of a Kind! This large, 1.32 acre lot adjoins national park land with 270 feet of waterfront on pristine Reef Bay. Easterly trade winds, a vest pocket beach and sweeping views of St. John’s tranquil south shore and south to St. Croix. Because of it’s large size and adjoining park land on the south this parcel affords a privacy seldom found in a waterfront property. Most of the land and water seen in the view is National Park so there are no lights to spoil the natural beauty of tropical stars at night. Perfect for the star gazer. Swim from your private little sand beach or take a short walk toReefBay beach. A short drive to Cruz Bay on mostly paved roads. Offered at $2.499MFor more information call or E-mail Merry at 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com
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Filed under: New Listings
Posted on September 16th, 2008 by Karye
Here is a shot of the buildings situated on the beachfront, taken from Mary Holter Road.
And this one further away but overlooking the entire project, taken from the northeast side of Maria Bluff.
It is nice to see walls going up after such a long time.
Karye
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Filed under: Local News and Events
Posted on September 12th, 2008 by Amy
Keeping you up to date on the property tax situation, the courts have ruled that the VI Goverment violated a court order when it recently sent out the 2006 property tax bills. See the article from the St. John Source, link below:
http://www.onepaper.com/stjohnvi/?p=1212902139
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Filed under: General
Posted on September 10th, 2008 by Merry
Most property owners have recently received property tax bills for 2006 and many are upset by the large increases. All properties were supposed to be revalued last year and the mil rate was changed by the VI Legislature. The new mil rates are:
Land .004946
Residential .003770
Commercial .007110
Fractional .014070
If you disagree with the new valuation of your property you can call the St. John Tax Assessor’s Office at 340 776-6737.
A local community group, the “VI Unity Day Group” is protesting the new valuations and have filed suit aginst the government in the matter. They can be contacted by e-mail at: viunitydaygroup@yahoo.com
Some web links that have information about the current tax situation are:
http://www.coralbaycommunitycouncil.org/property-tax-info.htm
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17628396
If you have further questions contact Merry 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com
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Filed under: General
Posted on September 9th, 2008 by Karye
Dolphin Market has teamed up with the Friends of the VI National Park and the Elizabeth Haub Foundation to “go green” in an effort to reduce the number of disposable plastic grocery bags used by the community.
The handsome, heavy duty bags are free, and feature the beautiful photographs of Steve Simenson. Each time you use it, Dolphin Market will reward you with a ten percent discount on your grocery purchase, so go green and shop at Dolphin now.
Karye
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Filed under: Local News and Events
Posted on September 8th, 2008 by Amy
If you are looking for a property on St. Thomas, don’t forget to search our website. There are many great homes and condos for sale - with water views & beach access for $600,000 or less!
http://www.islandiarealestate.com/stthomas.htm
For instance, you can walk to this beach in Estate Harmony from a beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home plus a studio apartment (with private entrance & driveway). It is priced to sell at $599,000!
Call Amy DuPont for details or email me at amy@islandiarealestate.com
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Filed under: New Listings
Posted on September 6th, 2008 by Merry
New to the St. John MLS is a 20 acre parcel at Estate Zootenvaal, located just east of Coral Bay and above beautiful Bork Creek which is part of Hurricane Hole. A perfect use for this property is a subdivision with perhaps 8 estate size lots with either private vacation homes or small village of rental villas. National Park lands adjoin it on the north and east boundaries. The views over pristine Hurricane Hole, a National Marine Monument, are stunning. Listed at $7M
Also for sale is the Zootenvaal Cottages property. This 5 acre waterfront parcel adjoins the 20 acres to the south and has 4 rental cottages and an office with 850 feet of waterfront and a beautiful white sand beach. This property was just reduced from $14M to $12M.
This pair of properties present an opportunity for a forward thinking buyer to secure one of the most unique sites on St. John.
For more information contact Merry 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com
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Filed under: New Listings
Posted on September 4th, 2008 by Karye
The Tax Assessor’s office has started to mail out the 2006 property tax bills reflecting the updated values. Visit this link to read today’s article in the Daily News.
Here is another site to visit which has a running history of the situation as well as periodic updates.
http://www.coralbaycommunitycouncil.org/property-tax-info.htm
For additional information, or if you have questions call or contact Karye
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Filed under: Local News and Events
Posted on September 3rd, 2008 by Merry
This colorful cascade of color decorates my driveway and gives pleasure every day. It is very unusual for bouganvilla to grow down a wall like this. These plants were trained when they were young and supple. A string weighted with a rock hanging over the wall trained the branches to bend downward. The neighbors laughed at my dangling rocks but it has paid off. Some of these plants ar two colors with magenta and white blossoms on the same plant. A natural bouquet.
Merry
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Filed under: General
Posted on August 29th, 2008 by Merry
Most people think of Estate Chocolate Hole as the place for expensive rental villas and moored yachts but there is new activity in the commercial area just west of the Westin Resort. Guinea Grove apartments were completed last year and are fully leased. Now under construction is Greenleaf Commons, a beautiful new commercial building that is mostly leased but has a couple of spots still available - with plenty of parking. Next to this building is a vacant lot with commercial zoning and listed for sale for $595,000. With very little business zoned property on St. John this is a great opportunity to secure a location for future commercial growth.
For more information about Greenleaf Commons lease space or the lot for sale contact Merry 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com
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Filed under: General
Posted on August 27th, 2008 by Merry
We have added a little steel pan music to the opening pages of our web site. Please let us know how you feel about it. Like it? Hate it? Slows down loading of page too much? Would like it on the Blog page as well? Your input is important so be sure and let us know. You can E-mail me directly at merryvi@aol.com
Merry
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Filed under: General
Posted on August 26th, 2008 by Karye
I’m now home from a visit to a very different island, Brooklyn
New York. My husband wanted to visit our daughter for his birthday so we rented an apartment in historic Fort Greene, located just one block from the Atlantic Station, a major subway hub providing easy access to just about anywhere you’d like to go in record time.
We had a week of fun, eating, movie-going and visiting with family and old friends in Manhattan and Brooklyn. One of our buddies Tim, whom we first met on St. Thomas 30 years ago, introduced us to a very different side of
Brooklyn. These photos were taken on his friend’s boat where our family was treated to a sunset cocktail cruise.
Note the interstate highway sign hovering above the tidal marshes of Seepshead Bay.
Later, as we crossed the sound and anchored up not far from
Rockaway Beach, the sun began to set over the parachute jump at
Coney Island.
Returning to the dock was even more remarkable as the full moon rose over Rockaway Beach. Entering the tidal marsh at dark everyone was wowed by several shooting stars in the incredibly clear sky. What a great day and a memorable fun filled week.Still, I am glad to be home to my very special and favorite island.
Karye
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Filed under: Fun Photos
Posted on August 25th, 2008 by Merry
This 4 bedroom pool villa with spectacular views over Rendezvous Bay and St. John’s south shore is reduced from $1.35M to $1M until September 30 only. Seller has a short window for a business opportunity and wants a quick cash closing. See a VIDEO TOUR at: http://www.islandiarealestate.com/tours.cfm?attributes.mlsid=03-69
For more details contact Merry at 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com
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Filed under: General
Posted on August 23rd, 2008 by Merry
The new traffic “roundabout” construction has begun in earnest. This traffic circle is located by the former Texaco station and just down the hill from the Islandia building. This is a great time of year to start as there is not much traffic and the schools are closed. Construction is expected to take over a year to finish so I guess we will all have to get used to traffic delays and re-routing.
Merry
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Filed under: General
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 by Amy
How to cool off - island style! Quincy and I decided it was time to take a dip late yesterday afternoon. The funny thing is, Quincy’s not even my dog. But, he’s a great swimming buddy!
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Filed under: Fun Photos
Posted on August 21st, 2008 by Merry
“VILLA MISTRAL”- WATERFRONT –This beautiful 5 bedroom home is right on the water at dynamicHart Bay. Watch or join the surfers riding the waves or watch and listen to the surf from the 2 separate swimming pools each with a spacious sun deck. This very special home includes such features as infinity edge pool, grotto and waterfall, coral stone floors, decks and railings, stainless appliances, air conditioning, gazebo, dual sinks in baths, custom hardwood doors and windows, custom ceramic roof tile, designer hardware, game room, and a huge generator. “Villa Mistral” is at the end of a paved estate road. Arguably the most beautiful house and location on
St. John! Offered at $7.995M
For more information about “Villa Mistral” or any other real estate on St. John contact Merry 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com
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Filed under: New Listings
Posted on August 20th, 2008 by Merry
The next time you are on island looking at property or just vacationing check out “Sugar Bird Nest”. This one bedroom apartment is at the Contant Point home of our secretary, Lee Morris, and she looks forward to making your stay as comfortable as possible. For first time visitors she is a wealth of information about how to enjoy your stay. You may call her for more information at Islandia at 340 776-6666 or check out the apartment, including rates at http://www.vrbo.com/197654 “Sugar Bird Nest” is clean, comfortable, affordable and fun.
Merry 340 776-6666 merryvi@aol.com
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Filed under: General
Posted on August 19th, 2008 by Amy
View from 2-2 Concordia, St John, VI 00830
Are you considering building a home on St. John? This may be the perfect time. Why? For starters, we have a large inventory of land right now, approximately 280 parcels available so there are many options and lower prices than in recent years. In addition, fewer building permits have been pulled this year and with less land sales this is likely to continue for a while. This means our builders are starting to slow down a bit which should result in lower prices.
Potential home builders have many choices these days in addition to traditional frame or masonry homes. These include kit homes and modular homes which are often more afforable.
If you click the link below, you will see a sample list of land for sale on the St. John MLS. This list includes the lot pictured above, 2-2 Concordia. For more information on building on St. John and/or land for sale, please contact Amy DuPont, amy@islandiarealestate.com, 340-776-6666.
Follow this link to see the page:
Click to view listing(s)
This link will no longer be available after 9/18/2008.
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Filed under: Market Trends
Posted on August 18th, 2008 by Merry
People are forever making jokes and asking me if I am not afraid of hurricanes living in the Caribbean. My answer is simple: We have not had a hurricane since 1996 - how many have hit the continental United States since then?? August is a wonderful time here - plenty of parking and an average temperature of 87 degrees with a nice trade wind breeze and uncrowded beaches.
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Filed under: Uncategorized
Posted on August 17th, 2008 by Amy
I featured this house a few weeks ago and it is worthly of a second post! The price has just been reduced to $529,000 and the owner wants offers!
This fabulous home on the beautiful North Shore of St. Thomas has expansive views that include world famous Magen’s Bay and the Brass islands.
This well built masonry 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home is in absolutely pristine condition and is located on a private road with only four residences. The main level has 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, a welcoming foyer & an open living room/dining room area. There is 850 feet of outdoor living space including 500 square feet of covered deck. The lower level is presently an income producing 1 bedroom apartment with a private entrance. The lot is .52 acres with beautiful and lush tropical landscaping that has been meticulously maintained. And there is plenty of room to add a pool or another bedroom. Oh yes, and did you notice the lawn? I can’t remember the last time I saw one!
This property truly has a lot to offer and at an asking price of $529,000 - it won’t be available for long! Contact Amy DuPont, amy@islandiarealestate.com for more information! ph# 340-776-6666.
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Filed under: New Listings
Posted on August 15th, 2008 by Amy
View from Unit 3 Mango Terrace
Mango Terrace Condominiums are currently under construction and should be complete by December 2008! Mango is located just outside of downtown Cruz Bay and are some of the most spacious and luxurious condo’s on St. John. Mango Terrace differs from many of the other condo properties because it is comprised of only six units, ensuring a more private and quiet setting. Unlike larger hotel-condos, there are fewer rules governing how you use your condo which provides you with more freedom to use the condo as you’d like: as a vacation property, a full time residence, or rent it either short term or long term.
All Mango condos will have fine finishes throughout including: granite slab counters in the kitchen & bathroom vanities, high quality cabinets, stainless steel appliances, tiled floors and beautifully tiled showers, air-conditioning and your own washer and dryer. In addition there is a pool and barbeque area all surrounded by lush tropical landscaping. Also, each condo is also has one guaranteed parking space.
To see pictures of Mango’s already completed sister project, Palm Terrace, visit: www.palmterracevillas.com.
Prices start at $825,000 and range to $1.6M for the top floor penthouse unit 1.
If full ownership isn’t for you, we are offering a few of the units as fractional purchases of 25% ownership. In this option, you have deeded ownership of 3 months per year. 25% ownership ranges from $250,000-$450,000. We are working on a financing option for the fractionals.
For more information, please contact Amy DuPont, amy@islandiarealestate.com, 340-643-2387,
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Filed under: General
