8 Tuff Miles -- From The Source

This article was in The St. John Source today. www.stjohnsource.com. We watched the runners pass us at the 7-mile mark. The eventual winner was running wicked fast. He broke the record by almost 3 minutes.

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A Brutal Course, But Records Fall Anyway
By Lynda Lohr — February 27, 2010

Indiana native Tom Chorny finished first in record-breaking time.

Among nearly 900 runners, a stateside trio took the top three spots for the men at Saturday's 8 Tuff Miles race on St. John, with the first two breaking the course record.

Tom Chorny, 33 and a personal trainer and professional runner from Bloomington, Ind., was first across the finish for the men. His time was 46 minutes and 26 seconds, bettering the 49 minutes, 20 seconds set by former St. John resident Jeremy Zuber in 2006.

"The course is brutal," Chorny said. "The fourth hill at mile five was the worst."

For the women, a St. Thomian finished first with a time of 58 minutes, three seconds. "It was great," said Ruth Ann David, 36.

David, a trainer, immediately put her finishers medal around the neck of her daughter, Shaiah David, 5, after Shaiah ran up to greet her just after she finished.

A total of 898 people crossed the finish line on the 8.375-mile course from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay. A thousand people signed up to participate but organizing committee member Jeff Miller said the snowstorm that hit the U.S. Northeast Friday prevented many people from getting to St. John in time, while illness befell others.

The participants came from the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and 43 states.

Conditions were cool and cloudy, perfect for running the course, several runners said.

Former St. John resident Emily Engelhoff-Whalen, 18, finished second for the women. Her time was one hour, three minutes and 21 seconds.

"I'm proud of myself and tired. It was really painful. It was the hills," said Whalen, resting on top of a case of water bottles after her finish. She now lives in Raleigh, N.C.

Delene Jewett, 31, of Seattle was third for the women with a time of one hour, three minutes and 41 seconds.

Like the winner, the second place finisher in the men's division, 28-year-old Chris Ries of Cincinnati, also declared the course "brutal." Ries, who manages a running store, knew it was hilly so he said he practiced on treadmill to get familiar with the courses ups and downs. His time was 46 minutes and 56 seconds.

Brian Shoneberger, a full-time runner from Black Mountain, N.C., said he knew what to expect. "You've got to find your grinding gears on the hills and on the downhill, let it rip," he said.

He clocked in at 51 minutes and 30 seconds.

Ries was part of a contingent of 11 runners from Cincinnati that flew down for the race. Organizer Brad Dunlevy, a frequent St. John visitor, said this is the fourth year a group representing the Cincinnati store Bob Roncker's Running Spot participated.

While the top finishers get the most press, the race also brings out hundreds of others who spend hours making their way along the course. On the last downhill toward the finish, one man was spotted pushing a baby carriage and a woman was seen twirling a hula hoop.

Two five-year-olds, Isabella Gatcliffe of St. Thomas and Phoenix Rose of St. John, were the youngest participants. Velma Pullen, a sprightly 81, was the oldest.

St. John resident Evan Jones, 10, was the first youth across the finish with a time of one hour, six minutes and 12 seconds.

"It was good. I pushed myself. Every time I took a breath, I'd say keep going," the Gifft Hill School student said.

This was the second time Jean Hale, 61, of Palm Harbor, Fla. visited in time for the race. Last year, she and her husband, Sam Hale, were vacationing on St. John when they saw signs advertising the event.

"Last year, I just decided to do it," she said. This year they timed their annual visit to St. John to coincide with the race.

Hundreds of people came out to support family and friends who ran in the race.

"We can't believe they're actually going to finish," Tina Newport of Smyrna, Del. said, waiting at the finish with a group of friends.

The 8 Tuff Miles race brings out many, many St. John residents who volunteer to make the race happen. They operate water stations along the race course, work the start and finish line and hand out water and fruit to the racers.

"I thought about what I wanted to do. Do I want to cut up grapefruit or do I want to run?" St. John winter resident Frank Doherty said.

The grapefruit won, and Doherty was out the door at 6:15 a.m. to take his turn with the slicing knife.

St. John resident Moe Chabuz ran for a cause. He said he and Hank Slodden started at the back of the pack. As they passed other runners they asked for pledges to help bring wounded veterans working with the Team River Runner program back to St. John.

Team River Runner visited several years ago, but the program lacked the funding to bring them back again. At the finish, Chabuz said he had pledges totaling $900.

Nothing

Nothing today, since I have to do some research, eat breakfast, and then get down to Centerline Road for 8 tuff miles.

More Petcoke News from The Source

This article was in The Source today. You can read it at www.stjohnsource.com. It looks like every single resident of the Virgin Islands is against the petcoke proposal. Only a very few government employees are for it.

Here's my opinion. Let's get something better for the territory than burning fossil fuels.

WAPA Head Pushes Back at Waste-to-Energy Critics
By Bill Kossler — February 26, 2010

WAPA Executive Director Hugo Hodge Jr. argued that Tuesday's Senate hearing was biased in its setup.

A Senate hearing Tuesday on the pros and cons of proposed waste-to-energy and petroleum-coke-powered electric plants was biased in its setup, V.I. Water and Power Authority Executive Director Hugo Hodge Jr. said Thursday. At the end of a WAPA board meeting, Hodge took several minutes to "get on a soap box," as he put it, and say what he really thought of how the hearing process went.
"You had a hearing where Sen. Barshinger said he felt 'the project is dead,'" Hodge said. "Now, the chairman of a committee is supposed to be unbiased."
Private citizens who oppose the plan were somehow chosen to sit in the well and testify all day next to career experts, while other private citizens had to wait until the end to get a brief statement in, Hodge said.
"It concerns me that someone whose credentials consist of being a Vietnam veteran is testifying on dioxins and is treated as if they have the same credibility as someone with 40-plus years of experience," he said. "I mean, I go on the internet myself, but it takes more than that to be considered an expert."
Each of those who opposed the plan were given nine minutes to expound, on the reasoning they had PowerPoint presentations, while he, the utility's director, was given five minutes and had to ask to borrow time from another testifier just to make his case, Hodge said.
"I'm at a loss as to how I get to speak five minutes and someone who has two PowerPoint slides gets nine minutes," he said. "If I had been told I would get twice as much time to talk by showing PowerPoint slides, I'm sure I could have found two slides to show," he said.
The loudest opponents of the plan may be financially better off than many residents and may not represent the real public view of the plan, he said, adding that the Alpine Energy Group petroleum coke and waste-to-energy plan will save ratepayers money, especially the next time oil prices shoot up.
"I hear commentary asking why the plan will only give a 10 percent discount, but I have been saying over and over again it is a minimum of 10 percent," he said. "And while 10 percent might be minimal for some, it is very significant for others. Parents who are trying to put meat on the table, pay to send a child on a school trip, buy new school books and clothes ... that 10 percent makes a difference to them."
AEG's leases come before the full Senate March 8 and 9, and a decision needs to be made, he said. "The leases passed unanimously out of the Rules and Judiciary Committee 10 months ago and then it was tabled," he said. The lease approvals, he feels, are not the venue for decisions about the environmental impact.
"There seem to be a lot of misconceptions about what these hearings are for," he said.
"The lease has to come first, before the professionals at CZM (Coastal Zone Management) and the EPA get to tell you what their position is on your permits," he said.
As to complaints there should have been more public input at every stage of the process, Hodge said there should be transparency and proper environmental review and permitting but "you cannot have a negotiation with 102,000 participants [i.e., all V.I. residents]."
Hodge had some choice words for some of the other senators, too.
"There seems to be an unwillingness to go on the record," he said. "Back in the day, with Ruby Rouse and Earl B. Ottley, you never had to guess their position.… They seem to be guessing everyone's votes. Well, I hope you are guessing correctly, because if you guess wrong, it becomes painful in November."
When done venting, Hodge made light of himself, saying "Well that's it, I'll step off my soap box now," and the meeting was adjourned.

Yacht Club

I almost forgot.

I think today is the day to update the SJYC web site with the new race schedule.

Captain G. Piecost, Immediate Past Commodore.

What's a henway?

I was walking downtown yesterday and saw a henway.

Really? What's a henway?

Oh, about 2 or 3 pounds.

What's a henway?

Time for the electrician to finish

It is officially time for my electrician to finish the work. Waiting for some parts to arrive, allegedly. Been waiting for a while now.

I have a hole in my wall where a fan control switch should be.

And another fan control switch is installed, but it is on/off instead of 3-way.

And that's the truth.

Party tonight

There is a party at my little house in the woods tonight.

Yup, the contractors who worked on it are all invited. Even Nathan, who is really talented at framing, but who is really bad at answering his phone. He will bring his cove, Maya, who he actually married last year.

And I am going to grill some chicken and london broil. M is making cookies and a salad. Other stuff is meatball pupus, and some salads. Chips and salsa complete this gourmet meal.

Tell you what

Tell you what.

What?

What. I told you I'd tell you what.

Beach day today

I am most likely going to the beach today. With Bolyie Boyle and Vickie Vicky. He got in last night and was tipping at the bar when he called me at 9:30. I'll show him the island today and go to Maho for snorkeling. Maybe Skinny Legs for lunch. Who knows what will happen. Undoubtedly my little house for a showing.

Third Haiku

Throw and hit the ball
It's a simple game to play
No lollygagging.

Restaurants in Coral Bay

Restaurants in Coral Bay

Skinny Legs -- a local institution
Aqua Bistro -- inexpensive and very good
Island Blues -- right on the water
Sweet Plantains – slightly upscale, featuring West Indian food
Big Belly Deli -- pizza, deli sandwiches, breakfasts
Shipwreck Landing -- family dining
Concordia -- very good cafeteria-style restaurant at the Eco-camps
Tourist Trap -- inexpensive lunches near Salt Pond Bay
Miss Lucy's -- on the water, dinners or Sunday Brunch
Donkey Diner -- excellent breakfasts, pizza
Sputnik -- West Indian roti and curry dishes

Go to www.stjohnvillarental.com for a complete list of villa rentals.

Villa Callaloo, Ajax Peak, St. John

Go to www.stjohnvillarental.com for the full listing of Villa Callaloo and other villas.


Villa Callaloo
Ajax Peak, Views of Coral Bay
Pool
4 Bedroom(s), 4 Bath(s)




St. John is part of the Virgin Islands, but in a world of its own where Villa Callalo sits 700 feet above Coral Bay nestled into a lush hillside.


Full of antiques, this West Indian influenced home is ideal for couples wanting individual privacy and separate quarters. Overlooking Coral Bay harbor, the ocean beyond, and even old sugar mill ruins, Callaloo has three bedrooms in separate buildings as well as a sleeping loft with two twin beds in the main building. Callaloo also comes with a washer/dryer, gas grill, beach towels, beach chairs, coolers and guaranteed fun!


Across the deck from our Main House is Moonlight Cottage; this pale blue unit with fantastic views has a queen sized bed, ceiling fan and romantic netting for your comfort. Moonlight Cottage has wrap around decks and cozy teak benches for two.


Shell Cottage, the only screened in room in the house has a queen sized bed which faces 7 foot high screened-in windows across the front of the building that allow the gentle, blossom scented tradewinds to flow through your room. The private bathroom has a shower outlined bricks which arrived as ballast in ships.


Down the garden stairs sits Pineapple Cottage beside the pool. This pale yellow bedroom is the most private of all. Pineapple Cottage has wrap around decks and a clothing optional patio in its own private garden


Antique four poster, pineapple beds can be converted to form a king. The ceiling fan and romantic netting are provided for your added comfort. A small fridge, phone and deck furniture are also provided.


The sleeping loft upstairs from the great room has twin beds and a magnificent view of Coral Harbor and the Bordeaux mountains.


Villa Callalo Specifications

Location: Hillside above Coral Bay
Features: 12’ x 20’ pool, surrounded by gardens
Bedrooms: 3 bedrooms plus a sleeping loft
Bathrooms: 4 bathrooms

Amenities:
• Ceiling Fans
• Cable Television
• VCR and DVD
• Stereo with CD Player and Radio
• Fax Machine
• Gas Grill


WEEKLY RATE DETAILS:
Off-season -- 4/12/08-12/12/08 -- $1,595/1-2 $1,925/3-4 $2,200/5-6 $2,530/7-8
In-season -- 1/5/08-4/11/08, 12/13-12/19/08 -- $3,190/1-2 $3,795/3-4 $3,960/5-6 $4,180/7-8
Thanksgiving -- 11/23/08-11/30/08 -- $2,530/1-8
Christmas/New Year's -- 12/20/08-1/2/09 -- $4,840/1-8
President's Week -- 2/14/09-2/22/09 -- $4,400/1-8

Notes:
• No additional tax
• Rates are per week based on number of guests
• Rates subject to change without notice

I already did research

I already did research, and it is not time for it yet. Supposed to be after printing out the crossword, and before breakfast. What am I going to do now? My timing is all screwed up. Perhaps I will do a scrabble game and then go upstairs to do the typical morning chores.

April 22 birthdays

April 22 birthdays that I know of

Gerald H. Hills
Buddy Rotondi
Mares
Vladimir Lenin
The guy who played with Michael Beason last night
Jack Nicholson
Peter Frampton
Glen Campbell
Eddie Albert
Aaron Spelling

And, of course, Earth Day

Builders' Party

Since my addition/remodel is almost done, I think I should have the following for a party:

Builders -- Nathan, Jim, Roy
Electrician -- Jay
Plumber -- Fernando
All-around (builder, trucker) -- Larry
Architect -- Bill

And wives, of course, except for Jim and Fernando, who would have to bring dates of some sort.

Anyone want a sofa?

I might give my old love seat to Wil and Diane today. Either that or take it to the Coral Bay dumpster, where it will disappear in about 3 seconds.

Where is Mr. Pants?

Mr. Pants didn't show up this morning for his breakfast. Yesterday we had to take him to the vet office for a head bonk that he got in a cat fight. And M thinks he might have been in another cat fight last night.

Zelda

The third household cat is the black/white stray cat we picked up at Aqua Bistro, where she was running around eating restaurant handouts. Orts. Just think, in another year or two, she might actually let us pick her up after we provide her food, drink, a warm bed, three cat doors, and flea medicine.

Parade in Boston

The New England Patriots are going to have a parade today through the streets of Boston to celebrate their astonishing victory in the Super Bowl. The first team in the history of the world to win the Super Bowl even though they didn't play in it.

Table legs, skirt, and table top

Here's the plan for today.

Jim -- Notch the tops of the table legs.
Captain G. Piecost -- Sand, oil, wax the notched areas. The good Captain G. has already sanded, oiled, and waxed the rest of the legs.
Jim and Captain G. -- Pilot holes in the legs for attachment to the skirt.
Jim and Captain G. -- Carry legs and skirt upstairs. Assemble in place in the kitchen.
Jim and Captain G. -- Carry the table top upstairs and place on legs/skirt.

I will do my emails today.

Today is a good day to catch up on my emails. Of course, after I go to Donkey Diner and have a sampler with scrambled eggs. That is going to be a hit. Everyone should do the same.

Danny Boy

My favorite song is Danny Boy, and it is on itunes right now, sung by Celtic Woman.

And she is wicked good at it.

I am going to let her rent a villa on st john through www.stjohnvillarental.com because she is so good.

Cupboard front

I am going to make cupboard fronts today. Actually, I made them yesterday. Today, all I have to do is put some polyurethane on them and screw them it. Nothing to it. Yesterday I had to take the old existing doors apart add a piece to them, sand, and oil. Now it is the finishing touch.

A big bunch of villa rental stuff

Here is a whole lot of information about villa rentals on St. John.

Here is information about st john virgin islands villa rentals. Use any of these wicked good resources next time you want something to rent on St. John. You can take a vacation in st john, but you need to use either of these web sites to find a house or condo or villa to rent. If you are planning a trip for summer, you might as well do some research and use this St John Villa Rental This is the best choice of all villa rentals and has a photo gallery of st john attractions. St John USVI Villa Rentals Frank Bay Villas are perfect for st john vacations. In fact, they are so good that they recently won an award for top web sites in the whole Caribbean for travel to the Virgin Islands. What do you think about that? I bet that no-one else in the usvi has won such an award. Here is the name again, in case you need to look at it one more time. St John Vacation Villa Rental A villa on St John is very relaxing. Go to Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, or get something on the water with a view. And maybe you should try this one as well, since it is extremely exciting. St John Villa Rentals Wedding or honeymoon? Try the wedding section, or the last-minute specials. And don't forget to check out St John Villa Rentals. for information about shopping centers, beaches, activities, and loads of usvi villa rentals.

No-one will show up today

We finished the plumbing yesterday, so today, no-one will show up to do any work. I might do a giant bit of research in a bit, and then do a crossword puzzle.

A trash run, then some pc work, and finally pick up my table legs.

Elaine's, then open mike, and go to bed tired but happy.

Poigt

I can draw a poigt. A great doodle when you have the need to doodle, which is usually very often.

Monday, Monday.

Monday, Monday, was a song by the Mamas and Papas. It was about Monday.