Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Honolulu Advertiser Story today
WAC to trim BCS paydays
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By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
This was in the Honolulu Advertiser. No mention whatsoever of www.stjohntravelforum.com. And not a peep about the St. John Yacht Club, www.stjohnyachtclub.org. Why not, you might ask. Probably because the article was about sports in Hawaii, not about sailing in st john or villa rentals.
It turns out the University of Hawai'i's timing last football season was even better than the Warriors knew.
Not only did they win two overtime games en route to a 12-0 regular season and a Sugar Bowl appearance, the Warriors did it in what might hold up as the most lucrative season to be a Western Athletic Conference Bowl Championship Series representative.
The WAC Council, at its annual spring meetings yesterday in Phoenix, voted to significantly slice the amount future WAC representatives might keep from BCS appearances, commissioner Karl Benson said. The Council's action requires approval of the WAC Board of Directors next month to become effective in 2009.
UH realizes $4,385,555 from its 41-10 loss to Georgia, 70 percent of the WAC's share of the Sugar Bowl payout, when checks go out in July. Other WAC members will receive $410,555 each from UH's BCS appearance. Benson declined to say what the future figure would be but said it would be "significantly" less than what UH received.
Among the six BCS conferences and five affiliated conferences, the WAC pays one of the highest returns to its participating teams. Georgia, for example, said it will get $1.74 million off the top of its Sugar Bowl victory and "about $800,000" in travel expenses. The rest will go into the Southeastern Conference pool from which all members draw.
In the Pac-10, where bowl receipts are also pooled, Southern California earned just $1.846 million from its Rose Bowl victory over Illinois, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Boise State was paid $4,294,000 for its 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
* * *
The WAC Volleyball Tournament that will be held at the Stan Sheriff Center in November apparently will not be the last in a series.
The WAC Council did not back a proposal to do away with the tournament. Several schools believe dropping the tournament and using the dates (Nov. 20 to 23) to play additional non-conference games would boost their Ratings Percentage Index and enhance their at-large NCAA Tournament chances.
Benson said he favored retaining the tournament. "Championships are the heart of the conference and one of the prime reasons conferences were created."
UH is the eight-time defending WAC champion.
* * *
Southern Methodist, which earlier declined UH inquiries about football games in 2009 and beyond, has announced games in 2009 and 2012 with Stephen F. Austin, a Division I-AA member.
* * *
UH announced it has received pledges for 20 new men's basketball season tickets as of yesterday.
Fans can reserve season tickets with a $50 (per order, not ticket) deposit by calling 944-2697
Print this page
E-mail this article
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
This was in the Honolulu Advertiser. No mention whatsoever of www.stjohntravelforum.com. And not a peep about the St. John Yacht Club, www.stjohnyachtclub.org. Why not, you might ask. Probably because the article was about sports in Hawaii, not about sailing in st john or villa rentals.
It turns out the University of Hawai'i's timing last football season was even better than the Warriors knew.
Not only did they win two overtime games en route to a 12-0 regular season and a Sugar Bowl appearance, the Warriors did it in what might hold up as the most lucrative season to be a Western Athletic Conference Bowl Championship Series representative.
The WAC Council, at its annual spring meetings yesterday in Phoenix, voted to significantly slice the amount future WAC representatives might keep from BCS appearances, commissioner Karl Benson said. The Council's action requires approval of the WAC Board of Directors next month to become effective in 2009.
UH realizes $4,385,555 from its 41-10 loss to Georgia, 70 percent of the WAC's share of the Sugar Bowl payout, when checks go out in July. Other WAC members will receive $410,555 each from UH's BCS appearance. Benson declined to say what the future figure would be but said it would be "significantly" less than what UH received.
Among the six BCS conferences and five affiliated conferences, the WAC pays one of the highest returns to its participating teams. Georgia, for example, said it will get $1.74 million off the top of its Sugar Bowl victory and "about $800,000" in travel expenses. The rest will go into the Southeastern Conference pool from which all members draw.
In the Pac-10, where bowl receipts are also pooled, Southern California earned just $1.846 million from its Rose Bowl victory over Illinois, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Boise State was paid $4,294,000 for its 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
* * *
The WAC Volleyball Tournament that will be held at the Stan Sheriff Center in November apparently will not be the last in a series.
The WAC Council did not back a proposal to do away with the tournament. Several schools believe dropping the tournament and using the dates (Nov. 20 to 23) to play additional non-conference games would boost their Ratings Percentage Index and enhance their at-large NCAA Tournament chances.
Benson said he favored retaining the tournament. "Championships are the heart of the conference and one of the prime reasons conferences were created."
UH is the eight-time defending WAC champion.
* * *
Southern Methodist, which earlier declined UH inquiries about football games in 2009 and beyond, has announced games in 2009 and 2012 with Stephen F. Austin, a Division I-AA member.
* * *
UH announced it has received pledges for 20 new men's basketball season tickets as of yesterday.
Fans can reserve season tickets with a $50 (per order, not ticket) deposit by calling 944-2697
Monday, May 5, 2008
Nothing
Today this blog gets the big zero. Nada. Nothing today except this post, since it is third in line. Maybe tomorrow it will be time to mention www.stjohntravelforum.com, but not today.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
May 4 Again
This was in the Source on Friday. It is not about www.stjohnvillarental.com or www.frankbayvillas.com. Instead, it is about something else.
Fun from the Sun: Solar Car Race Showcases Energy Alternatives
by Carol Buchanan
The race took place in the Wendy's parking lot at Sunny Isles Shopping Center on St. Croix.
May 2, 2008 -- All day Friday, Junior Solar Sprint race organizers and participants kept an eye on big gray clouds that kept trying to obscure the sun, rushing to run another heat when the sun came out.
"Despite the clouds, the best-designed cars will run," said Bevin Smith, director of the V.I. Energy Office. "They don't need full sun. Our main worry is rain and getting the track wet."
This year's big winner was again Sts. Peter and Paul on St. Thomas. One of the school's teams took first place in the speed category, while another took third place.
This was the 13th Junior Solar Sprint Competition run by the Energy Office. It is designed as a hands-on educational experience for junior high school students to improve their knowledge of science, engineering and renewable energy. The students designed and constructed the cars using basic materials contributed by the Energy Office. Each school received three car kits. The cars are made of balsa wood with a little solar panel attached at an angle on top.
"This is a great experience to learn about solar energy and how to help our environment," said Jennifer Vante, an eighth grader at Sts. Peter and Paul and a member of the first-place team.
More than 130 students attended the race held in the Wendy's parking lot at Sunny Isles shopping center. Students from 22 private, public and parochial schools in the territory participated.
"Over the years, with this race, students have gained knowledge, and are now miles ahead on solar energy," said Smith, who originally brought the race to the Virgin Islands. "This is a thoughtful, fun activity to get kids involved."
Sandra Lashley, a teacher at the Manor School, brought board games to keep her students occupied.
"It was exciting to see the kids having fun while learning about solar energy," Lashley said. "The camaraderie and cooperation among all of the students today was great."
The competition had an added attraction this year. In previous years, students have learned how solar energy can power their model race cars. This year they saw how solar energy can be used to power real cars. On display was a totally electric car, along with a hybrid car. The Energy Office had solar panels hooked up to charge the electric cars.
"If we as consumers have the same awareness of the abundance of solar as kids do, we wouldn't be in the energy situation we are in," said Arlen Wheeler, owner and sales representative of the Global Electric Motorcar (GEM). He called the GEM "a golf cart on steroids."
His model has a governor that keeps it from going above 25 miles per hour. With the governor removed the car can go 35 mph, he said. The only highway in the Virgin Islands the car can't travel on is the Melvin Evans Highway, Wheeler said.
The race winners:
First (Sts. Peter and Paul): Jennifer Vante and Sarah Ann Charles
Second (Arthur A. Richards): Clemrick Bryan and Kaheam Stanley
Third (Sts. Peter and Paul): Aubrey Warner and Cadim Sabin
Fourth (St. Patrick's): Brandon Lawrence and DeAndre Asson
Fifth (Sts. Peter and Paul): Danlia Daniel and Ashlee Forney
Design winners:
First (Sts. Peter and Paul): Jennifer Vante and Sarah Ann Charles
Second (Sts. Peter and Paul): Ashlee Forney and Danlia Daniel
Third (Kingshill): Aaron Schaffer and Ian Heath
Fourth (Sts. Peter and Paul): Aubrey Warner and Cadim Sabim
Fifth (Kingshill): Martin Burgos and Clayton Bradford
Second-place winner Clemrick Bryan said he had a feeling his team would place after they won four out of five races.
"This is a fun way to learn about solar energy," Bryan said.
Participating St. Croix schools included St. Patrick's, Arthur A. Richards Jr. High, Good Hope Church of God Academy, Country Day, Elena Christian Jr. High, Free Will Baptist, John H. Woodson Jr. High, The Manor School, St. Mary's, Positive Connections, IQRA Educational Center and the Kingshill School.
Participating St. Thomas schools included Antilles, Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High, Sts. Peter and Paul, All Saints, Addelita Cancryn Junior High, Montessori, Moravian and Church of God Academy.
"Overall the race was very well-organized," said Dave Watterson, coach of the Country Day School team. "The students are enthusiastic about this great learning experience."
Also helping out at the race were volunteers from the governor's office, Department of Natural Resources, Water and Power Authority and Sen. Louis Patrick Hill's staff.
Fun from the Sun: Solar Car Race Showcases Energy Alternatives
by Carol Buchanan
The race took place in the Wendy's parking lot at Sunny Isles Shopping Center on St. Croix.
May 2, 2008 -- All day Friday, Junior Solar Sprint race organizers and participants kept an eye on big gray clouds that kept trying to obscure the sun, rushing to run another heat when the sun came out.
"Despite the clouds, the best-designed cars will run," said Bevin Smith, director of the V.I. Energy Office. "They don't need full sun. Our main worry is rain and getting the track wet."
This year's big winner was again Sts. Peter and Paul on St. Thomas. One of the school's teams took first place in the speed category, while another took third place.
This was the 13th Junior Solar Sprint Competition run by the Energy Office. It is designed as a hands-on educational experience for junior high school students to improve their knowledge of science, engineering and renewable energy. The students designed and constructed the cars using basic materials contributed by the Energy Office. Each school received three car kits. The cars are made of balsa wood with a little solar panel attached at an angle on top.
"This is a great experience to learn about solar energy and how to help our environment," said Jennifer Vante, an eighth grader at Sts. Peter and Paul and a member of the first-place team.
More than 130 students attended the race held in the Wendy's parking lot at Sunny Isles shopping center. Students from 22 private, public and parochial schools in the territory participated.
"Over the years, with this race, students have gained knowledge, and are now miles ahead on solar energy," said Smith, who originally brought the race to the Virgin Islands. "This is a thoughtful, fun activity to get kids involved."
Sandra Lashley, a teacher at the Manor School, brought board games to keep her students occupied.
"It was exciting to see the kids having fun while learning about solar energy," Lashley said. "The camaraderie and cooperation among all of the students today was great."
The competition had an added attraction this year. In previous years, students have learned how solar energy can power their model race cars. This year they saw how solar energy can be used to power real cars. On display was a totally electric car, along with a hybrid car. The Energy Office had solar panels hooked up to charge the electric cars.
"If we as consumers have the same awareness of the abundance of solar as kids do, we wouldn't be in the energy situation we are in," said Arlen Wheeler, owner and sales representative of the Global Electric Motorcar (GEM). He called the GEM "a golf cart on steroids."
His model has a governor that keeps it from going above 25 miles per hour. With the governor removed the car can go 35 mph, he said. The only highway in the Virgin Islands the car can't travel on is the Melvin Evans Highway, Wheeler said.
The race winners:
First (Sts. Peter and Paul): Jennifer Vante and Sarah Ann Charles
Second (Arthur A. Richards): Clemrick Bryan and Kaheam Stanley
Third (Sts. Peter and Paul): Aubrey Warner and Cadim Sabin
Fourth (St. Patrick's): Brandon Lawrence and DeAndre Asson
Fifth (Sts. Peter and Paul): Danlia Daniel and Ashlee Forney
Design winners:
First (Sts. Peter and Paul): Jennifer Vante and Sarah Ann Charles
Second (Sts. Peter and Paul): Ashlee Forney and Danlia Daniel
Third (Kingshill): Aaron Schaffer and Ian Heath
Fourth (Sts. Peter and Paul): Aubrey Warner and Cadim Sabim
Fifth (Kingshill): Martin Burgos and Clayton Bradford
Second-place winner Clemrick Bryan said he had a feeling his team would place after they won four out of five races.
"This is a fun way to learn about solar energy," Bryan said.
Participating St. Croix schools included St. Patrick's, Arthur A. Richards Jr. High, Good Hope Church of God Academy, Country Day, Elena Christian Jr. High, Free Will Baptist, John H. Woodson Jr. High, The Manor School, St. Mary's, Positive Connections, IQRA Educational Center and the Kingshill School.
Participating St. Thomas schools included Antilles, Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High, Sts. Peter and Paul, All Saints, Addelita Cancryn Junior High, Montessori, Moravian and Church of God Academy.
"Overall the race was very well-organized," said Dave Watterson, coach of the Country Day School team. "The students are enthusiastic about this great learning experience."
Also helping out at the race were volunteers from the governor's office, Department of Natural Resources, Water and Power Authority and Sen. Louis Patrick Hill's staff.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Snorkle at Maho
You can snorkle at Maho. But don't do what we saw a few weeks ago -- some tourists snorkleing over the sandy bottom in the middle (no fish or coral) instead of going to a really good spot way over at the right where there is lots of everything.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Tax Rebates
This was in The Source this morning. Nothing at all about www.stjohnvillarental.com or www.frankbayvillas.com. Nothing at all about renting villas on st john usvi. When will something be published in The Source about vacation villas?
$41.5 Million in Rebates to Be Sent in Coming Weeks
by Source staff
May 1, 2008 -- Virgin Islands residents could begin to see economic stimulus rebates as early as May 12, according to a Thursday statement from Government House.
The $41.5 million in rebates from the U.S. Treasury Department, part of the Bush Administration's economic stimulus plan, has arrived at the Finance Department, according to Gov. John deJongh Jr.
"The monies were received on Wednesday and both the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Finance Department are working aggressively to establish a schedule for payment of the rebates to V.I. taxpayers," deJongh said.
Both deJongh and Delegate Donna Christensen made sure that the rebates were funded by Treasury so V.I. residents would not be left out of the package because the territories had no economically feasible way to finance the rebates.
"The government will issue 3,000 checks at a time based on the date the 2007 tax return was filed," Bureau of Internal Revenue Director Gizette Thomas said Thursday. "We are hoping to have the majority of the rebate checks in the mail by the end of June."
She also said V.I. residents have until Oct. 15 to file their income tax returns and receive a rebate check in this calendar year. Any eligible taxpayer filing after that date won’t get the rebate check until a 2008 income tax return is filed..
Eligible Virgin Islanders, like their neighbors on the mainland, will receive up to $600 per individual and up to $1,200 for couples filing jointly. Taxpayers will also receive $300 per child.
Those who had at least $3,000 of earned income, but who earned too little to be subject to income taxes, will get $300 per individual and $600 per couple. Such taxpayers would also be eligible for the $300 child credits.
Recipients of Social Security or disability benefits, veterans and disability benefits are also eligible for a rebate under guidelines of the economic stimulus plan if their benefits exceed $3,000 per year, Thomas said.
Meanwhile, more than $28.5 million has been paid out in 2007 income tax refunds to Virgin Islands taxpayers. "The Bureau of Internal Revenue has paid refunds to more than 11,000 taxpayers since March 11," deJongh said Thursday in a statement, adding that approximately $5 million in refunds are being authorized each week.
Thomas said that prior to the April 15 tax filing deadline, about $5 million in refunds were authorized each week but significantly more refunds will be sent this week in order to meet the June 1 deadline of issuing the bulk of the income tax refunds and help the government to avoid accruing interest.
$41.5 Million in Rebates to Be Sent in Coming Weeks
by Source staff
May 1, 2008 -- Virgin Islands residents could begin to see economic stimulus rebates as early as May 12, according to a Thursday statement from Government House.
The $41.5 million in rebates from the U.S. Treasury Department, part of the Bush Administration's economic stimulus plan, has arrived at the Finance Department, according to Gov. John deJongh Jr.
"The monies were received on Wednesday and both the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Finance Department are working aggressively to establish a schedule for payment of the rebates to V.I. taxpayers," deJongh said.
Both deJongh and Delegate Donna Christensen made sure that the rebates were funded by Treasury so V.I. residents would not be left out of the package because the territories had no economically feasible way to finance the rebates.
"The government will issue 3,000 checks at a time based on the date the 2007 tax return was filed," Bureau of Internal Revenue Director Gizette Thomas said Thursday. "We are hoping to have the majority of the rebate checks in the mail by the end of June."
She also said V.I. residents have until Oct. 15 to file their income tax returns and receive a rebate check in this calendar year. Any eligible taxpayer filing after that date won’t get the rebate check until a 2008 income tax return is filed..
Eligible Virgin Islanders, like their neighbors on the mainland, will receive up to $600 per individual and up to $1,200 for couples filing jointly. Taxpayers will also receive $300 per child.
Those who had at least $3,000 of earned income, but who earned too little to be subject to income taxes, will get $300 per individual and $600 per couple. Such taxpayers would also be eligible for the $300 child credits.
Recipients of Social Security or disability benefits, veterans and disability benefits are also eligible for a rebate under guidelines of the economic stimulus plan if their benefits exceed $3,000 per year, Thomas said.
Meanwhile, more than $28.5 million has been paid out in 2007 income tax refunds to Virgin Islands taxpayers. "The Bureau of Internal Revenue has paid refunds to more than 11,000 taxpayers since March 11," deJongh said Thursday in a statement, adding that approximately $5 million in refunds are being authorized each week.
Thomas said that prior to the April 15 tax filing deadline, about $5 million in refunds were authorized each week but significantly more refunds will be sent this week in order to meet the June 1 deadline of issuing the bulk of the income tax refunds and help the government to avoid accruing interest.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Big John
I performed Big John last night at Open Mike Night. Not a standing ovation, but some applause and a lot of grins from everybody.
Every morning at the mine you could see him arrive.
He stood six foot six and weighed two-forty-five.
Kind of broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hip.
And everybody knew you didn't give no lip to Big John.
Etc.
Read all about it at the st john yacht club website www.stjohnyachtclub.org.
Every morning at the mine you could see him arrive.
He stood six foot six and weighed two-forty-five.
Kind of broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hip.
And everybody knew you didn't give no lip to Big John.
Etc.
Read all about it at the st john yacht club website www.stjohnyachtclub.org.
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