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Local Briefs for December 29, 2004, continued
Wednesday, December 29th 2004

Book on V.I. baobab trees

UVI announces that author Thomas Pakenham, the Earl of Longford, has written a book titled "The Remarkable Baobab" that includes a chapter on the territory's "jumbie trees," titled "The Jumbie Trees of the Caribbean."

While the book describes baobabs trees in Africa, Madagascar and Australia, it states that St. Croix is unique in having more baobabs than any other Caribbean island. The chapter describes how baobab seeds were brought from Africa to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans. The book also features photos and descriptions of the three largest baobabs on St. Croix: the Grove Place tree and two baobabs at Butler Bay.

UVI professors Robert Nicholls and Olasee Davis served on the advisory committee for the project, titled "Remarkable Big Trees of the U.S. Virgin Islands." As a result of his participation in the project, Pakenham learned of St. Croix's considerably large baobab trees.

The book was published by W.W. Norton & Co.

For more information, call Robert Nicholls at 693-1184 or 776-2689 or e-mail micholl@uvi.edu.

VA clinics closed

Because of New Year's Eve, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center's ambulatory clinics will be closed on Friday. No appointments were scheduled for the Veterans Hospital or any of its clinics in Ponce, Mayaguez, Arecibo, Guayaba, St. Thomas or St. Croix.

Patients with medical emergencies should go to the nearest hospital emergency room or the emergency room at the Veterans Hospital onCasia Street in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

The clinics will be open on Jan. 6.

Social Security session

ST. JOHN - A Social Security representative will be available on Jan. 5 and 19 at the Multi Purpose Center to assist individuals with Social Security questions and concerns.

For more information, call the office at 774-5247 ext. 3009 or the Multi Purpose Center at 776-6334.

Rigidims festival troupe

ST. CROIX - The Rigidims Festival troupe will hold a Three Kings Day Karaoke and Dance fund-raiser from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Jan. 6 at American Legion Hall in Christiansted.

Karaoke and dance music will be provided by Dean Hodge. Special guests will impersonate famous acts and prizes will be awarded to the best performers.

The public is welcome.

Donations are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. For more information or tickets, call 773-6433.

Recovery Hill hike

ST. CROIX - The St. Croix Environmental Association will hold a two-mile, 2Â-hour hike at 8 a.m. Jan. 9 of Recovery Hill, led by naturalist Olasee Davis.

Participants will learn about the flora and fauna as well as share the view from the top of the mountain before it is altered by the Christiansted bypass.

Registration is required. There is a charge for nonmembers.

For information, call 778-1952.

Sign Language class

ST. THOMAS - Registration is being held for beginning sign language classes.

Courses will be held Tuesdays from Jan. 11 to May 10 at Tillett Gardens.

For more information or to register, call Sarah at 775-3806 and leave a message or e-mail signervi@viaccess.net.

Book fair

ST. CROIX - UVI will hold a UVI Authors' Fair and Book Signing, featuring some of the university's published authors, from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 12 in the cafetorium in the Student Center.

Faculty members will read from their recently published books. In addition, books will be autographed by the authors and will be on sale.

Teen jam

ST. CROIX - De Akshan Band, in cooperation with The Manor School Class of 2005, will hold its Teen Jam from 8 p.m. to midnight Jan. 28 at the school.

I.D.'s are required and security will be tight. Tickets will go on sale on Jan. 10.

Chess tournaments

The St. Thomas Chess Club's Chess Olympiad Qualifying Tournaments will be held on:

St. Thomas

Tournaments will be held on Jan. 29 and 30, March 12 and 13 and May 7 and 8.

St. Croix

Tournaments will be held on Feb. 19 and 20, April 9 and 10 and June 4 and 5.

The annual meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel.

Grant deadline

The V.I. Council on the Arts' mini and technical assistance grants deadline is Jan. 31.

Grants will be awarded to individual artists, educators and nonprofit art organizations for professional development purposes. They will cover limited costs associated with attending art-related conferences and workshops, obtaining project support, materials and supplies.

Grant awards are limited to $1,000 per applicant.

For more information or an application, call VICA's office at 774-5984 on St. Thomas; the St. Croix office at 773-3075; or visit www.vicouncilonarts.org.

Pollution conference

The deadline is Jan. 28 for the V.I. Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference planning committee's to accepting abstract proposals from presenters who want to conduct training seminars and oral or poster presentations at its ninth annual Pollution Conference. In addition, the deadline for product and information exhibitors is Feb. 28.

The conference planning committee is holding a "Call for Presentations" allowing qualified applicants to submit abstracts that focus on presenting information about implementing and adapting environmentally-friendly practices to reduce or prevent pollution of terrestrial and marine environments in the Caribbean region.

Topics will include watershed management; coastal management; government initiatives; low-impact development-best management practices; land use and island planning; and Nonpoint Source Pollution Education and Outreach.

For more information, call Anita Nibbs at 773-1082 or Bill Rohring at 774-3320.

Natural childbirth

ST. THOMAS - Linda Caiger will hold a six-week series on natural childbirth classes beginning in January. Last-minute registration is being accepted. Caiger is a registered nurse.

For more information or to register, call 774-6867 or 642-6867.

Newborn, new parent class

ST. THOMAS - Linda Caiger will hold a new four-week series on newborns in January. Babies are welcome.

For more information or to register, call 774-6867 or 642-6867. CAHS Class of 1965

UVI newsletter

The December 2004 issue of "Dateline," UVI's monthly newsletter, is available at www.uvi.edu. It features stories and photos from recent activities such as UVI Paradise Jam 2004, the St. Thomas-St. John Ag Fair, UVI holiday parties and the Sunsational Basketball Tournament.

ST. THOMAS - Charlotte Amalie High School Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund donations are due by Friday.

Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 11876, St. Thomas, V.I. 00801-4876.

For information, call 776-7855.

- ST. THOMAS - In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Charlotte Amalie High School Class of 1965 will cruise to Alaska from June 19 to 26 aboard Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas.

Cruise booking forms and deposits must be obtained as soon as possible.

Class members and those interested are welcome.

To make reservations, call Rosalia Payne at 776-7855 evenings or 776-4455 days.

For more information, e-mail Class Secretary Clarice Marchena at president@cahsclassof1965.org.