The crowds were out early for j'ouvert morning. Unfortunately, the bands were not. The traditional j'ouvert tramp, scheduled to begin at daybreak got under way much later.

From the quelbe tramp through the streets of Frederiksted to the village entertainment of the St. Croix Heritage Dancers, the 10 Sleepless Knights and the Lashing Dogs Band, Virgin Islands tradition ruled Monday night.

St. Croix's own world renowned "Batch and the Zioniers" will fill "Fergusville" with conscious reggae vibes on Tuesday.

The Crucian Christmas Festival kicks into high gear with the annual Steel Pan Festival on Saturday and the Jr. Calypso Contest on Sunday.

"Peaceful," "quiet," "smaller," "less elaborate," "all about the Virgin Islands," "more social commentary than usual," were a few ways participants in and at Adults' Parade described this year's grand finale to the St. Thomas Carnival celebration.

A little rain, a lot of sun, and a whole bunch of colorful marchers, twirlers, steel pan players and dancers proved to be a recipe for success during Children's Parade 2005.

The Crucian Christmas Festival Committee announced the winners of the various festival categories on Monday.

Here is a short update of some new items inside the St. Thomas Source. This is a partial list only. Choose more stories and information from our menu at the left of your screen.
Music: Sunday's "Doug Lewis Show" on WVGN-FM features new releases by bluegrass artist Alecia Nugent, blues band Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, the roots/gospel group Ollabelle and the Irish group Gràda -- and a lot more.
Things to do: After two months of rehearsals and two nights of full houses, it was a no-brainer for the director, the performers and the production crew: Yes, there will be an extra, added presentation of STARfest 10. And it will take place on the Reichhold stage next Sunday.
Schools: The president of the National PTA will be the guest speaker and a workshop leader at the annual convention of the V.I. Parent Teacher Student Association on May 29 at St. Croix's Education Complex ... Since the early 1990s, students in Puerto Rico and the St. Thomas/St. John district have been exchanging cultural visits. Last week it was the Puerto Rico students learning about the Virgin Islands ... Michael J. Kirwan Elementary School will hold its annual faculty and staff Talent Extravaganza on May 29 ... The UVI Business Division is hosting a free two-week residency program for high school juniors and seniors in June.
Movies: Thursday's changes at the St. Thomas cinema are posted. Check out what's arriving, what's departing and what's playing on.
Business/St. Thomas: Representatives of the Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Center are reaching out this week to make sure V.I. business people know about the services they offer.
Open Forum: A writer thinks the Senate may be taking two steps backward for every step forward ... The wife of an Army staff sergeant who grew up on St. Croix and is now serving in Iraq is looking for help in finding her husband's father, "Charles," whom he has not seen since childhood.
Local Government: The Senate Homeland Security Committee meets Wednesday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas ... Parents and others who deal with children up to age 8 are invited to take part in the Human Services Department's 6th annual Best Beginnings Early Childhood Conference. The St. Thomas session is May 25-26, and it's free.
Deaths: A memorial gathering for captain and restaurant owner William Ferguson is planned for Sunday evening at the Caribbean Saloon in Red Hook.
Organizations: The American Red Cross will hold disaster services training for all volunteers who have completed the "Introduction to Disaster" class ... The two Toastmasters clubs on St. Thomas and the one on St. Croix are seeking new members ... The Environmental Rangers youth group will receive a plaque at a ceremony Wednesday on St. Croix as a recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Quality Award ... A sorority is holding a regional conference through May 16 on St. Thomas ... Thursday's Chamber of Commerce "Business After Hours" will be at UVI's Small Business Development Center ... The Red Hook Alliance and the Northside Civic Organization invite other groups and the entire community to help clean up the Vessup Bay beach and surrounding areas on Saturday ... The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands is accepting nominations for its 3rd annual Silverbells and Cockleshells Awards, which recognize programs and people making a significant impact on the lives of children and families.
Op-ed: With Mother's Day in mind, Lawrence Boschulte shares thoughts of his relationship with his late grandmother -- including recollections of lessons sometimes inadvertently learned and regrets about opportunities missed.
People: Eight V.I. youths have been selected to attend the Sustainable Agriculture Training Institute at Alcorn State University in Mississippi this summer.
Editorial: While the Public Services Commission kowtows to the phone company, the rate payers, businesses and investors in the territory are being handed the short end of the stick, again.
Community/Other stuff: This is National Hospital Week, and Roy L. Schneider Hospital has a range of activities planned to mark the occasion -- most of them open to the public.
Showcase: A solo show titled "New Works," featuring oil and watercolor paintings by Lucinda Schutt, is currently featured at Gallery St. Thomas ... The Reichhold Center's three-week, evening hours Digital Video Workshop for Adults begins Monday. It will be taught by St. Thomian Edward LaBorde Jr., who produced and directed the film "Me and Mrs. Jones."
Advertisers: Don't miss Dockside Books' picks of the week: "Now Is the Time to Open Your Heart," Alice Walker's surprising new novel; and Howard French's portrayal of the sad legacy of the colonization of Africa, "A Continent for the Taking."
Health/Fitness: Looking for the right spa and health center? Look no further. The Reef Health Club & Spa offers every thing you need for total fitness – along with all the services you expect from a spa.
On St. Croix, Work on waterfront landmarks began last week to make Frederiksted, in the words of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, "a world-recognized visitor destination" ... The Good Hope School achieved at the end of last month what the territory's four public high schools hope to attain next fall: recommendation by a Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools team for accreditation.
On St. John, Marina Market closed its doors for good last week after the Health Department ordered it shut down temporarily because of sanitation violations. Owner Mimi Alioto said the structure, 30 to 40 years old, wasn't built to be a market, and making piecemeal repairs was lik e "sticking a finger in a dike."

Here is a short update of some new items inside the St. Croix Source. This is a partial list only. Choose more stories and information from our menu at the left of your screen
Music: Sunday's "Doug Lewis Show" on WVGN-FM features new releases by bluegrass artist Alecia Nugent, blues band Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, the roots/gospel group Ollabelle and the Irish group Gràda -- and a lot more.
Movies: Thursday's changes are posted. Check out what's arriving, what's departing and what's staying on at the two St. Croix cinemas.
People: For the second straight year, Christiansted resident Alfred Jacobs is working aboard the Salacia, the 600-passenger V.I. Fast Ferry vessel, for the summer season in the Boston area after having spent the winter season as crew in the Virgin Islands ... Eight V.I. youths have been selected to attend the Sustainable Agriculture Training Institute at Alcorn State University in Mississippi this summer.
Community/Other stuff: St. Croix police officers are carrying on with National Police Week events and, in the process, honoring their fallen comrade, Officer Cuthbert Chapman ... University of Puerto Rico doctoral students are planning to conduct a first-of-its-kind study of the unique language patterns of people living on St. Croix and how those patterns have changed with increased American influence.
Business/St. Croix: Representatives of the Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Center are reaching out this week to make sure V.I. business people know about the services they offer ... Hovensa won recognition at the recent annual convention of the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association for its achievements in safe operations in 2003.
Open forum: A South Carolina resident who has traced her family roots to St. Croix is seeking help locating her father, who lived on the island before moving to New York ... A writer thinks the Senate may be taking two steps backward for every step forward ... A former St. Croix resident hopes V.I. children's education will benefit from teacher raises.
Organizations: The American Red Cross will hold disaster services training for all volunteers who have completed the "Introduction to Disaster" class ... The two Toastmasters clubs on St. Thomas and the one on St. Croix are seeking new members ... The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands is accepting nominations for its 3rd annual Silverbells and Cockleshells Awards, which recognize programs and people making a significant impact on the lives of children and families.
Local Government: The Senate Homeland Security Committee meets Wednesday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas ... Parents and others who deal with children up to age 8 are invited to take part in the Human Services Department's 6th annual Best Beginnings Early Childhood Conference May 27-28; it's free.
Schools: The president of the National PTA will be the guest speaker and a workshop presenter at the V.I. PTSA convention, set for May 29 at St. Croix's Education Complex ... UVI's Nursing Education Division will sponsor workshops for teaching professionals late in May ... The V.I. Education Department invites parents, educators and the public to the second annual Reading Campaign on Saturday ... The UVI Business Division is hosting a free two-week residency program on the St. Thomas campus for high school juniors and seniors in June.
Op-ed: With Mother's Day in mind, Lawrence Boschulte shares thoughts of his relationship with his late grandmother -- including recollections of lessons sometimes inadvertently learned and regrets about opportunities missed.
Editorial: While the Public Services Commission kowtows to the phone company, the rate payers, businesses and investors in the territory are being handed the short end of the stick, again.
On St. Thomas, Roy L. Schneider Hospital officials announced on Monday the donation toward the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute of $200,000 from the estate of Lilian Hoepfner Langford, a longtime resident who died last year of cancer ... Two World War II sailors were reunited with their LST -- 90 feet under the sea, where the ship is a popular dive site ... Residents who frequent Mandahl Beach to fish, surf and camp are working to reclaim it from stripped cars, plywood, galvanize and broken bottles.
On St. John, Marina Market closed its doors for good on Friday after the Health Department ordered it shut down temporarily because of sanitation violations. Owner Mimi Alioto said the structure, 30 to 40 years old, wasn't built to be a market, and making piecemeal repairs was like "sticking a finger in a dike."

Here is a short update of some new items inside the St. John Source. This is a partial list only. Choose more stories and information from our menu at the left of your screen.
Music: Sunday's "Doug Lewis Show" on WVGN-FM features new releases by bluegrass artist Alecia Nugent, blues band Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, the roots/gospel group Ollabelle and the Irish group Gràda -- and a lot more.
Schools: The president of the National PTA will be the guest speaker and a workshop leader at the annual convention of the V.I. Parent Teacher Student Association on May 29 at St. Croix's Education Complex ... Since the early 1990s, students in Puerto Rico and the St. Thomas/St. John district have been exchanging cultural visits. Last week it was the Puerto Rico students learning about the Virgin Islands ... The UVI Business Division is hosting a free two-week residency program on the St. Thomas campus for high school juniors and seniors in June.
Organizations: The American Red Cross will hold disaster services training for all volunteers who have completed the "Introduction to Disaster" class ... The two Toastmasters clubs on St. Thomas and the one on St. Croix are seeking new members ... The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands is accepting nominations for its 3rd annual Silverbells and Cockleshells Awards.
Movies: Thursday's changes are posted. Check out what's arriving, what's departing and what's playing on at the St. Thomas cinema.
Business/St. John: Representatives of the Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Center are reaching out this week to make sure V.I. business people know about the services they offer.
Open forum: A writer thinks the Senate may be taking two steps backward for every step forward ... The wife of an Army staff sergeant who grew up on St. Croix and is now serving in Iraq is looking for help in finding her husband's father, "Charles," whom he has not seen since childhood.
Local Government: The Senate Homeland Security Committee meets Wednesday on St. Croix and Friday on St. Thomas ... Parents and others who deal with children up to age 8 are invited to take part in the Human Services Department's 6th annual Best Beginnings Early Childhood Conference May 27-28 on St. Thomas; it's free.
Op-ed: With Mother's Day in mind, Lawrence Boschulte shares thoughts of his relationship with his late grandmother -- including recollections of lessons sometimes inadvertently learned and regrets about opportunities missed.
Community/People: Eight V.I. youths have been selected to attend the Sustainable Agriculture Training Institute at Alcorn State University in Mississippi this summer.
Editorial: While the Public Services Commission kowtows to the phone company, the rate payers, businesses and investors in the territory are being handed the short end of the stick, again.
Community/Other stuff: Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center will host a two-mile walkathon on Saturday to mark National Hospital Week and to benefit the Dial-A-Ride program, and it will be downhill all the way.
National Park: The Friends of V.I. National Park needs volunteers for its Beach-to-Beach Power Swim on May 30, including 20 experienced kayakers, two folks with dinghies and people to help with check-ins, set-ups, time-keeping and break-downs after the event.
On St. Thomas, Roy L. Schneider Hospital officials announced on Monday the donation toward the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute of $200,000 from the estate of Lilian Hoepfner Langford, a longtime resident who died last year of cancer ... Two World War II sailors were reunited with their LST -- 90 feet under the sea, where the ship is a popular dive site ... Residents who frequent Mandahl Beach to fish, surf and camp are working to reclaim it from stripped cars, plywood, galvanize and broken bottles.
On St. Croix, work on waterfront landmarks began last week to make Frederiksted, in the words of Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, "a world recognized visitor destination" ... The Good Hope School achieved at the end of last month what the territory's four public high schools hope to attain next fall: recommendation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools for accreditation.