St John Where The Swimming is Great For All...Winter or Not!

Please enjoy our February newsletter.....

Hitching a ride -- St John style (photo by Steve McKibben)

There is no denying it -- this has been the winter of all winters! Historic snow in the northeast, ice storms throughout the midwest and northeast causing much of Niagara Falls to freeze, and record cold throughout much of the country including Georgia, South Carolina and even Florida. Nasty stuff!

Here is a great way of surviving the rest of the winter -- plan a trip to St John for this spring. Great Expectations is currently available from May 25 through June 13 of this year for 15% off discount!

Or, plan now to enjoy a week on St John next winter. We already are reserved for several weeks next winter, but we still have some choice dates available. There is nothing better than lounging by the pool or enjoying the clear, warm waters of St John when it is bitter cold -- back home.

If you have never been to St John before, you might enjoy the video we recently received from Don Hyde who stayed at Great Expectations with his family this past Thanksgiving. Even if you have been to St John before you, too, will enjoy the video, and feel the fun they had on St John:

Watch and smile...how can you not?

February St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• On-St John recently posted a video of Hart Bay. The relatively unknown beach is only accessible by foot so often you will have the beach all to yourself. It is a great location to just sit and be mesmerized by the sound of the lapping waves or do some shell collecting. Hart Bay is just a 5 minute walk from Great Expectations. On calm days it is a good place to paddle board or swim and on rough days we often see surfers braving the waves.

• Last month St John's Mongoose Junction experienced a horrible fire. Luckily no one was hurt. However, the popular Tap Room was totally destroyed and significant damage was done to the North Shore Deli and the Ocean Grill. St Johnians came together to help out and within days both the Northshore Deli and Ocean Grill were up and serving food again. The owners of the Tap Room never lost their spirit or determination to rebuild. They are already set up in a temporary spot (parking lot of Mongoose Junction) as The Temp Room serving their great brews and music offerings and building out a temporary spot until their burned out space is totally renovated. They project the new improved Tap Room will be ready for next season.

• St John Blues Blowout Festival is ON! March 28th will bring lots of music to Cruz Bay's Winston Wells Ballpark. All proceeds to benefit the St John School of the Arts and the Sprauve School

• Check our availability calendar and contact us today to secure your reservation! We will be happy to work with you to, as best we can, accommodate your needs. Our goal, always, is to meet or ideally, exceed your expectations!

Best,

Kristin & Chuck 

owners of Great Expectations

PS Make sure to ask about our special $100 worth of dining and activity certificates from the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism when you reserve a week or more at Great Expectations!

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

St John - last minute discount for February; not too late to get out of the cold

Baby It's Cold Outside, but not on St John!

Enjoy the warmth of the our sunset from our pool patio overlooking the Caribbean

Great Expectations was totally reserved for the entire winter season....until we received a (very rare) cancellation for the week of Saturday, February 21 to Saturday, February 28, 2015 is now available for a 20% discount!  It is the perfect way to escape the cold and snowy winter weather and build a reserve to survive the rest of this winter.  Contact us today to reserve your week on St John.

 Or wake to the warmth of the sunrise out of the Caribbean!

January St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• The prestigious Condé Nest Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards for 2014 named St John one of the thirty best islands in the world! We were in good company, sandwiched in the #8 slot between Kangaroo Island, Australia and Santorini & Cyclades, Greece.

• Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park announced their Winter 2015 Seminar Series. These sessions are always fun whether it is learning about the birds of St John, taking a full moon hike, kayak ride through the mangroves, or enjoying one of their many lectures.

• The best new 'deal' on St John might just be the new Vitran buses that criss-cross the island. You can now travel from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay's Salt Pond for just $1 (or $2 for a round-trip). Along the way there are majestic views of the National Park and its beaches, Coral Bay, Ram's Head, and the cobblestone beach of Drunk Bay.

• If you are at Red Hook (on St Thomas) waiting for your ferry or car barge and have some time to kill, check out the new market just a few feet away (in the old Marina Market space). Moe's Fresh Market is getting high marks for great fresh produce and meats.

• St John has yet another new restaurant to tempt you. This one, Vista Mare, located on the second floor at Wharfside has great water views and an affordable menu. With sensational sunset views, this spot should become a popular spot for events as well a popular choice for families with kids since its menu and environment is family friendly.

• There is a new fitness center on St John. This one is called Rock Fitness is located at The Lumberyard. It is opened seven days a week. If you are on island for just a few days they also offer a 5-day or daily pass.

• Check our availability calendar and contact us today to secure your reservation! We will be happy to work with you to, as best we can, accommodate your needs. Our goal, always, is to meet or ideally, exceed your expectations!

The Only 'Shoes' Needed in Our Closet on St John

If you feel the same head on to

St John

to warm your toes.....

Summer Over? Never on St John

Our October Newsletter is published for your reading enjoyment:

St John Offers Amazing Views Both Beneath and Above The Caribbean Sea

This Fabulous Photo is courtesy of Sail Pepper

The Virgin Islands is often called 'Candy for the Eye' and understandably so.

As the above picture illustrates, snorkeling around St John is full of colorful (and friendly) fish.  Virtually every one of the 30+ beaches around St John offer great snorkeling opportunities and, if you want to get out on a boat, you are in for a extra treat since most every captain knows 'hidden' snorkel spots only accessible by (just their) boat. Great Expectations has arranged special discounts for our guests for some terrific sailing or power boat options.

There are wonderful views and colors above the waterline as well. A recent guest sent us this picture he took from Bordeaux Mountain of Coral Bay in the foreground and the British Virgin Islands in the distance:

As another former guest said, when she first saw this view, it struck her it was what she imagined Peter Pan's Never Never Land looked like

October St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• The St John community is wonderfully supportive as are the people who visit our island. If you are going to be on St John Sunday, November 2 head on over to Maho Bay to support the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park's 2nd Annual 'Paddle in the Park' Race. You can either participate yourself or root on others, either way it is sure to be a great day.

• It's on! The 2nd Annual Rib Cook Off to benefit St. John Rescue is happening on Saturday, November 8 at the Coral Bay Ball Field. The event will kick off at 4:30 pm with 10 competitors for the honor of Best Ribs On St. John. Music, drinks, games and YES, THERE WILL BE RIBS! There might be no more important community volunteer organization than the St John Rescue folks. They literally save lives, often at the risk of their own. Show your support for them by eating ribs if you are going to be on-island (not a hardship!) or donate on-line.

• North Shore Deli opens (in same spot as the very popular Deli Grotto) and reports as of this morning have been fabulous! Yes, they have the same yummy breads that made the Deli Grotto the 'go to' place. Check them out when you are next on St John -- and, say hello DJ, the proud new owner.

• Seaborne Airlines adds United Airlines to its Partner list making getting to St Thomas/St John even easier. United joins Seaborne's other partners -- American, Delta, and Jet Blue.

• St John's Trunk Bay claimed the #1 position on the Islands 'Best Snorkeling Beaches in the Caribbean Islands' list saying in part "Trunk Bay's beach stretches for more than a quarter-mile, with white powdered-coral sand backed by palms and sea grape trees. A spit divides the bay and points directly at Trunk Cay, a rugged little isle that's a short swim from the beach. The entire bay is part of the Virgin Islands National Park and offers full facilities, including showers, a snack bar and a shop where you can rent snorkel gear, beach chairs and umbrellas."

• Halloween will be kicked up a bunch this year with addition of theMongoose Monster Ball. Virgin Fire and The Sun Dog Cafe will be co-hosting a blow-out party featuring great food, music, and lots of prizes so get your best, funniest, wildest costume on and go for the prize.

• New partner - Kids Night In! St John has a great relatively new resource (for both parents and kids alike!) in Kids Night In. Just as the title hints, this is a child care (much more than babysitting) service offered by Leslie McKibben, a physical therapist who has specialized in pediatrics for nearly 30 years. Leslie engages the kids with artwork, cooking (if parents allow), reading, and games of all sort. Kids have a blast and parents can enjoy a night on the town (it is your vacation after all).

• Winter 2015 is Completely Sold Out! Great Expectations is already totally reserved this coming winter season as well as much of the 2015 Spring and Summer season. We never want to disappoint previous guests -- or potential new ones -- so please contact us as soon as you can when you start your trip planning. Please check our availability calendar and contact us today to secure your reservation! We will be happy to work with you to, as best we can, accommodate your needs. Our goal, always, is to meet or ideally, exceed your expectations!

St John Battens Down as Tropical Storm Gonzalo Approaches

This is the last bit of sun and blue sky we will see until Tropical Storm Gonzalo passes by St John...watch the storm live on our St John webcam:

UPDATE as of 10 AM -- cisterns are now filling!

Trip Advisor Awards St John Villa Great Expectations their 2014 'Certificate of Excellence' Award!

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site, has just announced their 2014 Certificate of Excellence award recipients. Now in its fourth year, according to Trip Advisor the award celebrates hospitality excellence and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on Trip Advisor. Winners of the Certificate of Excellence are located all over the world and represent the upper echelon of businesses listed on the Trip Advisor website, with only the top 10 percent receiving the award.

Winners of the prestigious award include accommodations, eateries and attractions of all sizes. As of this year, vacation rentals are now eligible to receive the Certificate of Excellence.

"Trip Advisor is pleased to honor exceptional hospitality businesses for consistent excellence," said Marc Charron, president of TripAdvisor for Business. "The Certificate of Excellence award gives top performing establishments around the world the recognition they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most – their customers. From Australia to Zimbabwe, we want to applaud exceptional hospitality businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience."

Great Expectations

is honored to receive this designation, especially in the very first year Trip Advisor has included vacation rentals in their award program.  We view our guests happiness as our #1 priority and are thrilled that our guests have, in turn, recognized our efforts and written wonderful reviews of their stays at Great Expectations. As a result, Great Expectations has consistently been

rated #1 by travelers on Trip Advisor

 out of more than 600 vacation rental villas on St John.

Great Expectations has become a popular choice for families and wedding groups. Because our rates are based only on the number of bedrooms actually used, Great Expectations is affordable for as few as 2 people (as is the case this week) or a group of 16 looking for a large villa with plenty of space to spread out.  Take a look at our 

availability 

 (note: because of a rare cancellation we are currently available from June 29 to July 7 for this year's St John Carnival) and let us know when we can host you and, of course, we will work hard to meet and exceed your expectations!

Here are the Names We do NOT want to Hear Between Now & November 30

The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially starts on June 1st (and runs through November 30).  These are the names we do not want to hear anywhere (and certainly not around St John or the Virgin Islands) this season!

2014 Atlantic Basin Storm Names & Pronunciations

Arthur [AR-thur] Bertha [BUR-thuh] Cristobal [krees-TOH-bahl] Dolly [DAH-lee] Edouard [eh-DWARD] Fay [fay] Gonzalo [gohn-SAH-loh] Hanna [HAN-uh] Isaias [ees-ah-EE-ahs] Josephine [JOH-seh-feen] Kyle [KY-ull] Laura [LOOR-ruh] Marco [MAR-koe] Nana [NA-na] Omar [OH-mar] Paulette [pawl-LET] Rene [re-NAY] Sally [SAL-ee] Teddy [TEHD-ee] Vicky [VIH-kee] Wilfred [WILL-fred]

Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms had been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. They are now maintained and updated through a strict procedure by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization.

The six lists above are used in rotation and re-cycled every six years, i.e., the 2014 list will be used again in 2020. The only time that there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual meeting by the WMO committee (called primarily to discuss many other issues) the offending name is stricken from the list and another name is selected to replace it. Several names have been retired since the lists were created. Here is more information the history of naming tropical cyclones and retired names.

If a storm forms in the off-season, it will take the next name in the list based on the current calendar date. For example, if a tropical cyclone formed on December 28th, it would take the name from the previous season's list of names. If a storm formed in February, it would be named from the subsequent season's list of names. In the event that more than twenty-one named tropical cyclones occur in the Atlantic basin in a season, additional storms will take names from the Greek alphabet. Find out if your name has ever been on THE list! Not to worry, the Virgin Islands can be a wonderful place to vacation during the summer and fall. In all the time we have rented Great Expectations we have only had one storm (Hurricane Lenny in November of 1999 - commonly called 'wrong way Lenny' since it went from Cuba east to the Virgin Islands) that caused us to close the Villa (and then only for 2 nights). No matter what time of year we always recommend travel insurance, whether during hurricane season or the winter with snow storms that can and have caused airlines to cancel flights, or to protect against the unexpected emergency.

St John Film Presents: One Lucky Elephant

St. John Film presents a very special film about man and his best friend, you won't want to miss!

TUESDAY, May 6, 2014

 St John School of the Arts

Cruz Bay - 7:30 pm

ONE LUCKY ELEPHANT

Lisa Leeman, Director and Co-Writer

Ten years in the making,

ONE LUCKY ELEPHANT

follows the poignant journey of circus producer David Balding as he tries to find a nurturing and permanent home for Flora, the 18-year-old African elephant that he rescued as an infant, raised as his “daughter” and made the star of his circus. David’s love for Flora is put to the ultimate test when he realizes he made a terrible mistake keeping her as a solo elephant, and decides to retire her from the circus after 17 years of performing.

Knowing Flora will outlive him, and with his health and finances becoming an issue, David sets off on a quest to find a home for Flora can live freely with other elephants. This complicated task begins with Flora’s final circus performance in St. Louis and takes us on an emotional trek across America, then to Africa and back.

We follow David’s journey as he discovers just how difficult it is to find a proper home for an elephant in a world that reveres these animals for their majesty yet slaughters them for their ivory, adores them as cuddly Dumbos yet brands them “rampaging creatures”.

ONE LUCKY ELEPHANT

raises critical issues about the well-being and future of the hundreds of thousands of endangered and exotic animals kept in captivity, the over development and destruction of their natural habitats, our intense and often damaging relationship with wild animals, and how all these issues have impacted the life of one very lucky elephant.

      Come early to help set up the chairs! Thanks in advance!

Visit the

St John Film

website to find a list of recommended independent films that they purchased for the Elaine Sprauve Public Library on St. John.

SAVE THE DATE:

Last film of the spring season

June 3, 2014

:  BLACKFISH

Get Ready to Party: St Thomas Carnival Officially Starts Tomorrow - April 5 - and runs through May 3 (2014)

Best $25 Million Spent By US Government -- Happy 97st 'Birthday' to the US Virgin Islands

Today - March 31st - marks the 97th anniversary of the day the Danish government transferred the Virgin Islands to the United States officially making them the UNITED STATES Virgin Islands (USVI).  Around the USVI, each year the day which is officially referred to as Transfer Day, is marked by celebrations and lectures.

Looking back at the $25 million it cost to 'buy' the Virgin Islands it sure seems like a pretty good investment!

Here is an idea for next year's Transfer Day: come to St John yourself to celebrate your islands!

St Thomas International Regatta Has Full Slate of Boats

The St. Thomas International Regatta kicks off Wednesday with five days of events including world-class racing. It’s the 41st year for the regatta but the first with a change in name and sponsorship.

According to the

St John Source

, after 40 years as the primary sponsor for the event, watchmaker Rolex has reduced its involvement. But regatta organizers say the show will go on, with the V.I. Department of Tourism stepping in as primary sponsor.

“Rolex has been a wonderful partner for 40 years allowing us to put on excellent regattas," director Bill Canfield told the international racing website www.regatta.com. “Rolex will remain heavily involved with the 2014 regatta but we are in a transition period. It is our promise the event will continue to offer fantastic racing and shore side activities from 2015 onward.”

Rolex's most recent three-year sponsorship contract expires this year. Over the years the luxury watchmaker's involvement in the world of sailing has grown, including sponsorship of the Rolex Yachtsmen and Rolex Yachtswomen of the year awards and huge, high profile events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in Australia.

Organizers of the St. Thomas International Regatta announced in December that the Department of Tourism would step up its longtime sponsorship support.

“We feel it’s important to both the sailing and marine industries for this regatta to continue, so we decided to increase our support,” said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “The regatta shines a global spotlight on the U.S. Virgin Islands and, at the same time, welcomes hundreds of visitors to the territory.”

More than 1,000 sailors, families and friends attend the St. Thomas regatta annually, according to Tourism. Economic impact data shows attendees spend an average of $250 per day per person in hotels, rental cars, taxis, restaurants, shops, provisions and other expenditures. This adds up to a total of over $1.1 million dollars to the territory’s treasury from this three-day sailing event.

The regatta will be accompanied by the first STIR Golf Tournament, which tees off at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The entry fee is $97 for V.I. residents with their own clubs and $135 for visitors who need clubs. Prizes for the first, second and third place teams will be awarded at the regatta awards ceremony March 30.

After the golf, visitors and residents can quench their thirsts beginning at 5 p.m. at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. The Red Hook Pub Crawl is scheduled to follow from 9 p.m. to midnight. Shuttle service from the STYC starts at 9 p.m.

Sailors and landlubbers alike are invited to the Regatta Welcome Party at the STYC on Thursday. The Ah We Band plays from 7 to 10 p.m. Dinner will available for purchase.

The action shifts to the seas Friday when a fleet of more than 70 yachts from the Caribbean, U.S., Europe, Russia and Australia set sail starting at 11 a.m. for Charlotte Amalie harbor and race day.

Fans can watch from the waterfront as the fleet sails into the harbor and then starts on a second race back to the island’s east end. Back on shore, the Jump-Up Party will take place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the yacht club. The Becca Darling Band will play from 3 to 6 p.m., with Cool Sessions brass taking over from 7 to 11 p.m.

Racing continues March 29. In the afternoon, there will be music by Sol from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at STYC. Then a new STIR tradition will be launched – with the Captain Morgan Yacht Haven Grande Party from 6:30 to 11 p.m. featuring Spectrum Band on stage and dining and drinking at nearby restaurants and bars.

Sailors launch off the final day of competition March 30 to determine who takes their places on the podium. Music by Full Circle will greet the fleet from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The St. Thomas International Regatta is sponsored by Captain Morgan and Heineken, distributed by Bellows International, Little Switzerland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

MARCH 28 UPDATE:  Big winds make for a great start for the Regatta. Details courtesy of the Sailing Scutterbut with a fabulous video.

The Virgin Islands National Park Has Organized a New Hike - L'Esperance Hike Ending at Reef Bay

The Friends of the VI National Park announced a new ranger-led hike by the VI National Park Service. It is call L'Esperance Hike and will be offered every Friday beginning March 7. To book a spot on this hike call the Friends store at Mongoose Junction 340 779-4940.

As with the Reef Bay led hike, this one also ends at Reef Bay (so you can cool off and enjoy the Caribbean sea at the end of your hike!).

Fire Hot Sunrises of St John

Hope this photo of this morning's red-hot sunrise warms the hearts of all those still shivering in the cold of this endless winter up north! Nothing more to say except...come on down the water is warm and so is the sun!

St John's 18th Annual 8 Tuff Mile Race Tomorrow - Walk, Run, or Watch and Celebrate Those Who Do!

If you have ever driven from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay you know that those who venture out this weekend to participate in the '

8 Tuff Mile

' race are a different breed -- special, all!

The course map below is a very accurate account of the 8 Tuff Miles Road Race course. The race begins on the west end of the island of St. John, Virgin Islands and travels in an east direction. This map shows each mile of the course and the elevation at each mile. Note that the course measures 8.38 miles. The starting line is located at the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay at an elevation of about 5 feet. As you can see here in this description the highest point on the course is 999 feet and the finish line is back to near sea level in Coral Bay. Over the years many stateside residents have programmed their treadmills and turned up the heat in their home gyms to mimic the course for their personal training proposes.

Climbing to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building (using the stairs) and reaching the highest point of the 8 Tuff Miles course you are close in elevation. There is about 51 feet difference between the two but I would like to know"...

Who do you think has the better view?

What is especially cool these days is that the race founder, organizer, overall good guy race-guru Peter Alter, has set up the race to

support a number of great causes

and fund college scholarships for St John's wonderful children.  The race also has become another great 'excuse' to gather 'post race' to celebrate, brag, party, and in typical St John fashion support great causes. So, if you are on-island this weekend participate in the race by running, walking, or cheering those that do and post-race head on over to

Oppenheimer Beach for the 2nd annual post-race party

which supports the St John Cancer Fund.

Can't make it to St John this weekend but, if you are as passionate about St John as we are you might want to tune into the 'Live Streaming' of the 8 Tuff Mile Race finish line!

It Does Not Get Better than Valentine's Day on St John!

This is why we call it "Love City"...

If you are on St John for this Valentine's Day and want to re-new your vows get on over to Trunk Bay where there will be the annual 'Re-marry Your Mate' event proving, once again, why St John is called Love City.

PS ...February 15 update: St John Source reports that over 100 couples attended this year's renewal celebration, which was the 12th Annual Celebration of Love, at Trunk Bay.  Ahhhh, love!

St John Arts Festival Begins Tomorrow - February 14, 2014. Get Ready for Great Music, Dancing, Film and Shows

Get ready to enjoy the 14th St John Arts Festival starting February 14 (Valentine's Day) and running through February 19th. There is something for everyone who loves St John and the wonderful art of the island:

Jet Blue TSA Pre-Check Now Available at St Thomas (STT) Airport

TSA pre-check is a wonderful process. At most US airports that have it if you are TSA Pre-Check certified you get to:

1. go in a dedicated line which is usually much, much shorter than the regular line or often even the first-class line.

2. not have to take off your jacket

3. not have to take off your belt

4. not have to take out your computer(s)

5. not have to take off your shoes

Well, the good news is that the St Thomas airport now has Pre-Check (they have had it for a while now) AND Jet Blue finally also signed on to Pre-Check which is now available at the St Thomas airport.

That is the good news. The bad news is that because there is only one line (no first class, no Pre-Check) everyone gets to go in the one line and since there is not a separate screening line for the x-ray of bags the first four benefits (above) do not exist. The good news is that you do not have to take off your shoes or sandals.  And, if you are at the St Thomas airport, you have just spent time in the US Virgin Islands (and, hopefully, on St John) so what is there to complain about except you are going home!

Love is in the Air on St John & Now So is Homemade Ice Cream

Aimed at 'opening' on Valentine's Day -

Friday, February 14

(yes, this year) - the popular St John 'I Scream!' is moving down the road (to Mongoose Junction), opening a whole new concept and changing its name to

St John Scoops

 (you might want to like their new Facebook page to keep up with the latest offerings).They will be making their own ice creams

every day

!  And, not just one or two flavors but - they say - 12 to 16 flavors. And, these are not your old Friendly's flavors since they will include 'adult' flavors such as champagne sorbet and burgundy wine sorbet. It would not be St John without a rum version so they are also planning to offer 'real rum raisin' and 'painkiller'.  For those traditionalists amongst the crowd, do not worry they promise to have some of the old time favorites such as cookies & cream, pistachio, and chocolate peanut butter cup. They will also be offering their super-healthy, raw, gluten-free, superfood smoothies. Also in keeping with the Caribbean atmosphere they will offer island flavors such as mango, pineapple, passion fruit, coconut, and tropical punch.

Ice Cream is super expensive on St John (think $9+ for a 'container' and the flavors are pretty limited) so why not splurge and get the real thing when you are next on St John where it is summer year round so ice cream is always a 'must have'!

PS...Update March 7 ..well, it is 'island times 'mon, nearly a month late, St John Scoops is now opened, go enjoy!

St John Film Presents: Rican-ing of White Boy

St John is a fabulous jewel in the middle of the Caribbean.  Most every St John lover knows that factoid. However, what many are just learning is what a vibrant artist community we have on this island in the sea.

One of our wonderful resources is the

St John Film Society

 whose mission is to: 

inspire a positive appreciation for the history, culture and environment of our US Virgin Islands by establishing a free monthly film series open to and for the benefit of our local community. We will present independent films that celebrate the human spirit with a focus on the Caribbean.

Showing at St John School of the Arts

Cruz Bay, St John

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

7:30 PM

Jeff Rodriguez: Visiting Cinematographer will be in the house!

What happens when a 47  year old paternally adopted Schmuck from Queens, NY, sets out for the first time to meet his long lost Puerto Rican family, after being raised by a tribe of white people?  Actor/writer, Paul Louis (Gonzalez) comically documents his journey, with no short supply of anxiety, culture  shock, religious jokes, and a surprisingly touching lessened learned on family, and the bond which connects us.

“The Rican-ing of White Boy” won the Audience Choice Award at the 2013 Rincon International Film Festival – thanks in no small part to cinematographer and supporting actor, Jeff Rodriguez.  Jeff is part of the dynamic duo behind the production of the award-winning comic documentary shot on location in Rincon, Puerto Rico.  Jeff also lent his effortless comedic persona to the film as he made his screen acting debut and played comic sidekick to the film’s star and director, Paul Louis.

SAVE THE DATES: 

March 4, 2014: LAS CARPETAS, Director, Maite Rivera Carbonell will be present for the Cruz Bay screening.

April 1, 2014: YURUMEIN: HOMELAND, Documentary Director and St John Film Director, ANDREA LELAND will present her most current work

May 6, 2014: ONE LUCKY ELEPHANT

MOVIE ANNOUNCEMENT: St John Art's Festival 2014

Chasing Ice

Gifft Hill School

Tues Feb 18, 2014 at 7:30pm

Free Admission

St John -- Unadvertised Special for our Newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter Recipients!

January newsletter:

Leave Winter Behind
Enjoy St John's Warm Waters

Photographer Steve Simonsen captured a fabulous shot of Solomon Bay
 

Due to a cancellation, we are announcing an exclusive offer only for our newsletter, Facebook & Twitter subscribers:

    20% off our regular pricing for any new reservation between Sunday, February 23 - Saturday, March 8, 2014 (one week minimum)! 

As of February 1 we will be publicly announcing this offer so do not delay or you may be left out in the cold!

Contact us today to reserve your week on St John.

January/February St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

If you are a tennis or basketball player you will be happy to know we have just completed resurfacing our basketball/tennis court.

We even added a basketball key for those of you wanting to practice your 3-pointer shots! 

• Recently the Boston Globe highlighted the wonderful work of Concordia Eco-Resort of trying to minimize their carbon footprint. We, too, at Great Expectations are working hard to be green. Over the past few years we have added photo-voltaic panels to our roofs and recently added a net meter so we can return electricity to WAPA (our local utility company).
   
• Treat yourself to a vacation at Great Expectations after your 8 Tuff Mile Race! This year's race is Saturday, February 22. Whether you are a runner, walker, or a supporter of this 'tuff' event you can also participate in the 'after' party at the 'Oppenheimer Recovery Beach Party' sponsored by the St John Cancer Fund. 

Hope to see you on St John and at Great Expectations soon!

Kristin & Chuck 

owners of Great Expectations

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