Great Expectations and St John is braced for Hurricane Irma

Great Expectations should be okay; the Villa is constructed of 8-inch thick reinforced concrete and all our outdoor furniture, hammocks, pool floats, hot tub covers and 21 hurricane shutters have been secured, thanks to our great staff, for Irma's arrival tonight! [button title="Live Webcams" icon="" icon_position="" link="/webcam" target="" color="" font_color="" large="0" class="" download="" onclick=""]

building 3 closed

closed room closed

pools closing up

pool closing up

Here are a few ways to help those on St John who will need assistance after the hurricane passes:

donate

St John Rescue:An all-volunteer non-profit organization on the small island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands dedicated to providing emergency rescue and medical support services to the St. John's EMS, Police, Fire, National Park and Health Clinic personnel.

donate st john foundation

St John Community Foundation: Created in 1989 after the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, the St. John Community Foundation has successfully been carrying out the mission of providing services and supporting programs that positively engage people, build resources and strengthen the St. John community since 1989. They continuously look for ways to fill service gaps and cultivate community assets including people, organizations, programs, and resources to effectively respond to changing needs of the community now and for future generations.

donate animal care center

St John Animal Care Center: The Animal Care Center (ACC) of St. John is located in Cruz Bay, near the library. The ACC addresses the problems of cruelty to, neglect and abuse of the island animals. The shelter provides kennels for homeless dogs and inside cages for a limited number of homeless cats. The ACC has volunteers across St John who establish and maintain feral cat feeding stations. At these locations, feral cats are trapped and taken to the local vet who tests for disease and if clear spays or neuters the cat.

St John -- How to Lend a Helping Hand (Volunteer, Donate or Fundraise)

Over time, we have experienced that people who visit St John become passionate about St John. We have often been asked how people can help give back to an island they have grown to love. There are lots of ways to connect and help St John organizations (and people) whether you are on island or back home and just longing to be here.  Here are a few ways of helping either by contributing to one of the many St John organizations or by volunteering while you are on island:

St John Animal Care Center (SJACC)

The St John Animal Care Center has done a wonderful job of rescuing and caring for the island dogs and cats (and sundry other creatures).  They maintain feral cat feeding stations and manages a no-kill shelter with indoor kennels for dogs and a limited number of cages for cats.  They have developed a foster care program as well as programs to transition their charges to forever families both on island and stateside.  If you are coming to St John as you pack your suitcase tuck in some pet supplies (food items, leashes pet toys) which are always a welcome donation.  If you are already on island and want to help head on over to the Animal Care Center and volunteer to walk a dog or help with the feral cat feeding program.   And, if you are back home longing for St John, you can donate to some of the SJAAC fundraisers which happen every year.

Friends of the VI National Park

Our National Park is very fortunate to have the Friends of the VI National Park (FVINP) as their advocate whose mission is to: advance the protection and preservation of the natural and cultural resources of Virgin Islands National Park and promote the responsible enjoyment of this unique national treasure while educating and inspiring adults and children to be stewards of the environment. And, boy, do they do it well!

The Friends supports environmental education, natural resource protection, cultural preservation and scientific research. Their accomplishments and goals are clearly detailed on their website. Each initiative shows how much money was raised, or is needed to fund the initiative. So, find an initiative you are interested in and feel free to donate on-line.

Great Expectations is proud to be a Preferred Partner of the Friends.

St John Rescue

One of the most wonderful, all volunteer, organizations on St John is St John Rescue.  It is a bit like insurance, you hope you never need to use it but, if you do, you want it easily accessible. St John Rescue's mission is: dedicated to providing emergency rescue and medical support services to the St. John's EMS, Police, Fire, National Park and Health Clinic personnel.  They have the capability to help out both with land and water based emergencies and over the course of a year respond to over 150 emergency situations. If you live on island consider volunteering and if you are an occasional St John visitor, please consider donating to this very important life-saving organization.

St John Community Foundation

The St. John Community Foundation is committed to collaboratively identifying and addressing community needs to enhance St. John; A True Paradise in which to live, work and visit!  This is an 'umbrella' not-for-profit organization that supports all sorts of good causes that benefit St John residents such as supporting St John's recycling program, Dial-A-Ride which helps St John seniors, disabled residents & visitors, St John Film Society, and Using Sport for Social Change. We (Great Expectations) were privileged to support a wonderful initiative, through the St John Community Foundation, to teach St John school children with disabilities (or in their case -- super-abilities) tennis. They are currently organizing fundraising initiatives to buy: supplies for the homeless, home repair supplies, shredder/chipper for our community parks, a vehicle for the St John Animal Care Center, and equipment for our recycling program. If you are interested in donating to a specific project or just to support this amazing organization, you can do donate online.

St John Cancer Fund

Unfortunately, many St John residents do not have health insurance and, even if they do, they often need to go 'off island' to get health care.  Many times their travel expenses, or even basic health care expenses, are not covered by insurance.  The St John Cancer Fund is often a lifesaving organization since their support of individuals can make the difference for people to receive necessary medical care.

Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station

VIERS camp

Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS) was established to, as its name indicates, promote environmental educational activities and scientific research. VIERS is a biology field station, an eco-camp, located on the remote southern shore of St. John at Lameshur Bay. They operate a wonderful summer eco-camp and science camp for young residents of St John. Kids experience hands-on activities which give the campers a better understanding of the wonderful environment of St John.  As an adult, if you have the time of spending a couple of weeks (or even a couple of months) volunteering might consider helping with the youth camps during the summer or helping out to provide staff support.  Donations are, of course, always welcomed and appreciated. Or, if you are interested in volunteering with an organized group consider the trips to St John that are planned through REI Adventures to the VIERS Campground.

Giving back to St John, the island we love, will help ensure it thrives for decades to come.

WAGAPALOOZA, the 'showtime' for the Doggies of St John, postponed until MAY 24

NEWS FLASH -- ANNOUNCEMENT AS OF FRIDAY MAY 9:

WAGAPALOOZA 2014 HAS BEEN POSTPONED

TILL MAY 24TH

DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF BAD WEATHER. Sorry for the inconvenience there are too many factors that could go wrong with the rain. The event will be just the same as if it was tomorrow, just on the 24th of May now. Thanks, and we will see you all then!!

Wagapalooza 2014 is happening Saturday May 10th from 5-8 PM at Winston Wells Ball field Cruz Bay, St. John.As in past years, classes to be judged include Best Old Timer, Costume Class, Best Adult Handler, Best Junior Handler, Best Trick, Best Look Alike (to owner), Best Friend, Babe Award, as well as Waga King and Queen.

Fabulous food will be provided by Kati Steinborn of Weddings by Katilady. Beverages will be served by Joe Palminteri. The event will also have music and a bounce house to keep the kids busy.

Monies raised are used to keep the shelter open, medicate the cats and dogs, fund travel to send the animals to their “forever homes” and to purchase food for the ACC’s feeding stations which are located throughout the island and help St. John’s homeless kittens and cats.

If you are interested in registering your dog for the show registration runs from 4:30 - 5 PM. It will be $25 per class at the door. If you do not want to register your dog in a event that is just fine admission is free for people and dogs. All dogs have to be dog friendly and on a leash. There will be food / drinks, things for the kids to do, raffle tickets will be available at the event, as well as t-shirts. Help support homeless & abused dog and cats on St. John. All proceeds to benefit the

Animal Care Center of St. John

. 

St John Dogs & Cats on the Move...Want to Help?

One of our all time favorite organizations on St John is the St John Animal Care Center (SJACC).  They have done a wonderful job of caring for St John animals (mainly cats and dogs) that are homeless and in need of a forever home and best of all SJACC is a 'no-kill' shelter so often capacity is a challenge for them, but they always seem to manage to take in all lovable 4-legged creatures  needing a roof over their head and some love. 

Twix is looking for a companion to transport him to his forever home in California

SJACC is always looking for people who want to adopt (or foster) one of their animals. Often vacationers fall in love with one of their kitties or pooches and want to take them back home.  Often it is seamless to get them back home with the SJACC providing travel cases and help understanding how to work with the airlines. Sometimes, though, the SJACC needs an extra hand and that is their current situation. They have announced that Twix, pictured above, is looking for an escort to California (Sacramento Airport/San Francisco). Two St John visitors, Gordon and Cerena, fell in love with Twix and want to take him home with them, but they are already traveling with their two dogs (gotta love people who vacation with their dogs!) and they are flying Delta which only allows one dog per human-type passenger. If you are traveling to northern California in the next few weeks and are willing to help transport Twix please call the SJACC @ 340 774-1625.  

Penny (the kitty) on her way to her forever home in Southern California

If you are more of a kitty person, the SJACC is looking for help transporting a lovely kitty to her new forever home in Southern California. Last time our daughter was visiting St John she and her husband fell in love with a teeny kitty and took her back home (to California) to join the rest of their 4-legged family. What is it about California ? Big hearts, I guess!

Even if your trip to St John is not for several months, think about taking home something very loving and lasting (and better for you than a bottle of rum!). If you think that you might have a place in your heart and family for one of the St John kitties or dogs needing a forever home, check out their Adopt a Pet page and when you get to St John stop by to visit  the SJACC animals and staff. The staff are always looking for volunteers to take dogs on walks so what better way of working off that big dinner than taking a walk around Cruz Bay with one of their dogs. If cats are for you, think about volunteering some time and giving some love to the kitties in their charge.  You and they will be the better for it!

Dog Gone Crazy Over St John

One of the best things that has happened on St John over the last decade or so is the development of the St John Animal Care Center (SJACC) into a real force.  Years ago, dogs and cats (and sundry other critters) would roam free, without proper nutrition, love, or care. 'Dumpster dogs' (and cats) were not uncommon.  These days there is a radical change thanks to this amazing organization. The SJACC is the only 'non-kill' animal shelter in the Caribbean.  They have developed a wonderful adoption program which caught the heart of our family (our daughter and son-in-law adopted a kitty on a recent trip to St John and took her back to California).  They have also worked hard to educate people on St John (the old and young alike) about this importance of caring for our animals, established feral cat feeding stations, and neutering and spaying programs. 

This past weekend the SJACC hosted their Wagapalooza fundraiser which was a grand success. Lots of prizes, food, and fun. And, lots of money raised for this great organization. Assuming that you were not on St John but want to support the SJACC you still can! Elaine Estern, a wonderful St John artist who is also an animal lover designed and volunteered her time and talent to created this year's T-shirt with the above design which were sold at the event this weekend (e-mail them directly or buy on-line if you would like to buy one of these T-shirts if they haven't yet be sold out!), you can donate directly on-line, send supplies (they are always in need of doggie and kitty treats, volunteer at the shelter when you are on island, and, of course, adopt one of their dogs or cats.  If you cannot adopt but want to help when you are on St John inquire about transporting a pet back to the states. Who can resist a cute puppy or kitty?

Love animals? Love St John? Then this party, raffle & auction are for you!

If you are on-island then party with the animals Saturday night! An Evening in Paris (on St John, without the jet lag no less!) is the theme of the evening.  Put on your best duds & dancing shoes and get ready to enjoy some of the island's best catered food and local music.  The St John Animal Care Center (SJACC) is hosting its annual Gala complete with both a silent and on-line auction - so for those not lucky enough to be on St John in body but whose hearts are here - you can still participate.  Whether you want to bid on art, loads of water (which sounds pretty good to me, a property owner who buys LOTS of water!), boat rides, catered dinners, there is something on the list for you I am sure. 

To entice you, here is the current list of items up for raffle and silent auction. The raffle tickets are only $5 (or 5 for $20) and every dollar goes to help the animals of St John.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Nest, St Johnimals, Catered To Vacation Homes or by calling the ACC @ 340-774-1625 or stopping by.

RAFFLE PRIZES: 

• Bajo el Sol Gallery Livy Hitchcock 1 Pastel Pet Portrait - $1,000
• St. John Inn - 2 night stay – based on availability - $600
• St John Maintenance - Water Delivery 1 truck load - $375
• Beachwalk Charters - Weso & Mary - ½ day 4 hr local waters (gas additional) - $350
• Cruz Bay Watersports - Sunset Sail for 4 pp - $280
• Kekoa - 2 person sail - $200
• Shangrila Spa - Massage & Body Scrub - $200
• Paradise Lumber - Gas Grill - $168
• Drift Away Spa - Makeup Package - $151
• Arawak Expeditions - 2 full day paddle board rentals - $150
• Freebird Creations - Sterling Phases Necklace with Tahitian Pearl - $150
• Paradise Gas - 100 lb tank - $127
• Pink Papaya - Coconut Clock - $125
• Lina Guild Massage - 1 hr in office or home massage - $123
• Hypnosis and Life Style Change by Lucy Portlock - 1 session - $100
• Alfredo's Landscaping - Plants - $100
• Saint Jan Botanical - Plants - $100
• Nest - Gift Certificate $100
• Low Key Watersports - 1 two tank dive or Discover scuba diving trip - $98
• Pampered Pause - Kim Templeton - Pedicure $50/Carol Ayn - Hair Cut - Blow Dry $40
• Grapevine Salon & Spa - 1 hr massage - $85
• Coral World - Family Pass - $60
• Caravan Gallery - Hand carved Elephant from Bali - $58
• St. John Hardware - Gift Certificate - $50
• Coral Bay Garden Center - Plants & Pots - $50
• Big Planet - Gift Card - $50
• Fabric Mill - Gift Certificate - $50
• La Plancha - Gift Certificate - $50
• Kickboxing - 1 week pass - $35
• Connections -Two $25 Gift Certiicates for services some restrictions apply - $50

Silent Auction Items  Bids will be accepted for Silent Auction items until 12 noon on January 19th via email to Debbie@cateredto.com

• Plumeria Villa - 1 week stay - Alyce & Paul Jordan - $3,400 (Min bid $1,500) Subject to availabilitywww.vrbo/#341389
• Colorado Log Cabin - 1 week stay - Maggi & Jon Ward - $3,000 (Min bid $1,500) Subject to availabilitywww.vrbo/#183093
• BVI Package - Sand Castle JVD - 1 night - Some restrictions apply $250, Soggy Merchandise -Hat,Blanket,Koozie,Stickers,KeyChain,Crokie $110, Corsairs Dinner for 2
• Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club - 3 night stay - 1 bdrm suite - $1,350
• St John Dental – Teeth Whitening & Esthetic Consult - $1,000
• Singing Dog Sailing - 1/2 Day Sail for 6 on Luxury catamaran - $800
• String of Pearls Villa- 2 nights - No restrictions - Subject to availability - $600
• St John Inn - 2 night stay – Subject to availability - $600
• Caravan Auto Parts & Service - $500
• Kathy Depree – Will - $500
• Mermaid Charters - 1 full day for 6 $495
• Harbor View Villa- 2 nights – B. J. Harris- No restrictions - Subject to availability - $420
• Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel - 2 nights - standard room – Some restrictions - $390
• Into the Blue - Necklace and earrings set - $384
• PropertyKing – 1 day yard clean up – some restrictions -$350
• Passion Fruit Chef Service – Private In Home Chef Service - $350
• Shangrila Spa - Massage, Facial, Body Scrub - $300
• Core Pilates with Keryn Bryan - 2 - 1 hr in home session for 2 - $260
• Pet Package $205 - St Johnimals – Dog Bed & Toys $100
• Canines Cats and Critters 3 night stay - $105
• St John Repair Shop - For services - $200
• Mathayom Private Chefs - 3 bottles of wine/cheese platter 4pp - $200
• Caravan Gallery – Multi strand pearl necklace w/abalone accent - $180
• Cimarron Yacht Charters – ½ day sail or sunset for 2pp - $140
• Meagan Crandall - 1 hr in home massage - $100
• Kaye Thomas – Porcelain Bowl - $75
• Avelino Samuels - Numbered Wood turned Mahogany bowl - $50
• Caneel Bay Resort – Sushi and Beach for 2 

St John celebrates Friday the 13th with a heart!

Who cannot adore this little kitty?

Today - Friday the 13th - is adopt a kitten or cat day at St John's Animal Care Center (SJACC). Why not take a kitty home to remember your time on St John - or, if you live on St John adopt a cat or kitty and feel the love!  The SJACC has its own Facebook page which is really terrific.  We encourage you to LIKE their page and support, in whatever way that works for you, the work of the Animal Care Center. 

We understand that three of the kitties were born recently at Maho Campgrounds. Here is one of the very cute pictures they posted on their blog: 

One is fearless and fiesty, one is shy and playful, and one is cautious and reserved which fits your personality?

May happenings on St John

May News flashes & fun St John clips:

• Spring marks the start of Carnival season in the Virgin Islands which is always exciting. St Thomas celebrated the 60th anniversary and did it in style this April. The St Thomas Carnival Ritual Dancers (picture to the right) were spectacular as usual. This year's theme of 'A Celebration for the World to See' highlighted past and present cultural events, food, music and dancing. The young ones had their special day with the Children's Fair and, as usual, there were lots of activities for the adults. The month long celebration culminated with J'Ouvert, a mile long street party, which started at 4 AM. Flat bed trucks overflowing with equipment, speakers, bands, dancers belted out music and dance moves as though the month long festivities were just starting! St John was represented by Cool Sessions Brass Steel Band which led the large band procession. St John's s Carnival season begins early June and ends with with a great parade and fireworks on July 4.
   
• Wagapapalooza, St John Animal Care Center's wonderfully fun dog show and important fundraiser to support the Center's activities, will be held this year on May 19 from 5 - 9 PM at the ball park in Cruz Bay. If you cannot come, you candonate online and support the pooches of St John!      
   
• Restaurant happenings: Moonshine Steak & Seafood is to open this month in the same great location as Cactus on the Blue (right on the waterfront with fabulous views) with the same owners but a radically different look and menu. Moonshine aims to be an upscale venue.  Another wonderful new waterfront bar is Motu (picture to right) which is located on the porch in front of the brand new building housing Low Key Watersports. The owners are planning jazz and old time beach music and hope that they will be able to attract private parties. We think it looks like a great place to host your wedding reception or family celebration! When you find yourself in Coral Bay a new must experience restaurant is Ekaete Pink Corner featuring true Caribbean foods including roti, curry goat or curry chicken, BBQ ribs, local juices including mauby, plum, sorrel, tamarind, and golden apple, and of course, smoothies and homemade ice-cream. Yumm!
   
• New Cruz Bay store: Waterbase at Wharfside Village opens offering paddleboard lessons and rentals and island-centric clothing. The owner, Pretlow Majette, is a pro and seasoned St John retailer who also owns the popular Big Planet, Made in St John and Shade eyeware.
   
• Our reviews continue to be fabulous (we rank #1 on Trip Advisor out of more than 400 St John villas) and we thank our guests for taking the time to tell others of their trip and stay at Great Expectations. It continues to be a pleasure for us!

Come to St John - and Great Expectations - to find for yourself why St John becomes an obsession!

Best,

Chuck & Kristin

owners of Great Expectations

P.S. Check out our availability; we still have a few weeks available during this coming summer and fall. 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news about Great Expectations specials & St John activities

A Party not just for the Dogs (of St John) - Wagapalooza!

This is a great happening' not to be missed if you are on St John (USVI) this coming May 19th.  You will laugh, applaud, and generally have a great time!  Vote for best costume, best old timer, and lots more including my favorite - best look alike.  Funds raised support the wonderful efforts of the St John Animal Care Center (SJACC).  And, fret not if you cannot make it to St John on May 19th (which is sad for sure!) because you can support the efforts of the Animal Care Center by donating on-line!

Get training your pooch for the St John's WAGAPALOOZA is set for May 19th!

Lucky - 2011 Best in Show 

SAVE THE DATE - WAGAPALOOZA!!! Just announced; this years Wagapalooza will be Saturday, May 19. We are offering sponsorship opportunities which will not only show your support for these animals but will also offer great exposure for your business. Please contact Kelly at kellcc1@aol.com for more information on sponsorship and donation opportunities. This year is going to be great. Pictured here is ACC Alumni Lucky winning Best in Show last year; I'm sure we will see him again this year with an entirely new set of tricks!!

Snowball party on St John? Absolutely!

Come party and, at the same time, support one of St John's most wonderful organization's - the St John Animal Care Center (SJACC) - at their major winter gala.  This year's event should be pretty special.  It will be held at the spectacular Great Cruz Bay villa rental A La Mer.  Tickets can be purchased either on-line (www.sjacc.org) or on-island at one of many sponsoring St John businesses.  The SJACC has transformed itself and in doing so has helped  our four-legged St Johnian buddies in immeasurable ways!

Help this pooch get home - St John USVI to Dallas TX or bust

Isn't this a great family picture?

Direct plea from the St John Animal Care Center SJACC):

DALLAS VISITORS WE NEED YOR HELP. Jon and Natalie have fallen in love with Coco and are adopting her. They live in Dallas and are leaving Thursday (TODAY!), but are flying Spirit Airlines and they do not take dogs cargo. IF ANYONE IS FLYING TO DALLAS ON THURSDAY (TODAY!) on American Airlines and is willing to be Coco’s escort, Jon and Natalie would sure appreciate it. They are on the afternoon Spirit flight arriving in Dallas at 10:20PM. If that doesn’t work out, we need anyone going to Dallas anytime soon who could take her. We can’t wait for Coco to meet all those nice Texans, they will love her. Look at her with her new family, she’s happy already.


What a great cause.  If you can help or know anyone who can please contact the SJACC as soon as possible at:
e-mail to:                       stjacc@islands.vi

phone:	340.774.1625
Website	http://www.stjohnanimalcarecenter.com/ http://www.stjacc.org/