Guests will have a chance to bid on artwork like this piece by Denise Wright, above, as well as works by Aimee Trayser, Tristan Ewald and other local artists.

For almost a quarter of a century, St. John private school supporters have gathered once a year for a chance to win exotic trips, exciting water adventures and culinary delights — all while raising money to ensure the continuation of quality education on Love City.

On Saturday, March 13, the Gifft Hill School will host the 24th Annual Gala Dinner Auction themed “Open a World of Opportunity,” at the Westin Resort and Villas and the auction items are more enticing than ever.

The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. when attendees will have the chance to bid on the works of featured artists during the silent and art auction.

Bay Isle attorney Robert Messick, center, with Elita Kane, left, testifies on behalf of Grande Bay development at a V.I. Senate Committee of the Whole meeting.

The tide has undoubtedly turned for Grande Bay developer Bay Isle Associates, who has faced strong opposition and numerous lawsuits during the years-long construction process of the Cruz Bay luxury condominium development.

The developer’s request for rezoning of its 0.26-acre lot, 3Abc in Cruz Bay, from W-1 to R-4 was met with almost unanimous support from the numerous testifiers who crowded the St. John Legislature hall at a Thursday evening, March 4, hearing of the V.I. Senate.

The developer is seeking its rezoning due to proposed changes to Grande Bay’s building E. The building is currently built out as an empty shell. Bay Isle initially hoped the building would contain two dwelling units, as allowed under W-1; however, due to financial constraints, the developer now wants to construct six condos in building E — three two-bedrooms, and three one-bedrooms.

The packed St. John Legislature hall remained silent except for one lone voice of support at the Thursday evening, March 4, V.I. Senate hearing for the rezoning of a planned St. John post office site.

The Boynes family is seeking to have its 7,800 square foot parcel, located at 131 Estate Contant and Enighed, rezoned from R-4 to B-2 for the construction of a three-story building, with space to be leased to the U.S. Postal Service for a new post office for St. John.

It seems that St. John beaches can heal all wounds, even internationally-inflicted ones to the ego.

After losing the Superbowl to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 31 to 17 on February 7 in a game watched by millions across the globe, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning licked his wounds with a visit to Love City.

Stuart Smith

After three years in office, Governor John deJongh last week made good on his campaign promise to hire a planner to deal with Love City’s growing pains.

Dwindling parking, increasing congestion and  over-burdened infrastructure have been a source of complaint for St. John residents for years. For the first time ever, there is now a government employee on the payroll whose job will be to try to correct past mistakes while planning for the future.

After a year-long process, Stuart Smith moved to the territory about two weeks ago from Wilmington, North Carolina, to become Principal Planner for the island of St. John.