July 16-30
St Barth Volleyball Cup – a series of matches beginning July 16

July 28-29
Fête des Quartiers du Nord – Summer festival of Flamands and Colombier; held at A.S.C.C.O.E. in Colombier; contents, regatta at Flamands, animations, music, food, beverages and fireworks

August 11-12
Fête des Quartiers du Vent - Regatta, food, beverages, music, and fireworks in Lorient

Posted on July 15, 2007 5:18 PM| Permanent Link: On the Horizon| Comments (0)

The word is that Cocoloba will reopen in November with an expansion into the previous space of La Gloriette. The same lunch menu will be offered along with a dinner menu and specials.

Posted on July 15, 2007 5:17 PM| Permanent Link: What’s Up with Cocoloba?| Comments (0)

Carole Cousin, yoga teacher and therapist, who holds a Master in Yoga Education from Kalvalyadharna Yoga Institute, Ionavia, will be offering classes, workshops and training sessions in yoga from July 11 until September 1 at the A.S.C.C.O. tennis courts in Colombier. The Yoga School of St Barth will resume the classes with Carole when they reopen in November. The first class or workshop is free. After that, the cost is 15 € per class or 100 € for 10 classes; classes are open to children and adults. Adult workshops are 20 € per session or 150 € for 10 sessions. Training is 150 € for three sessions, each lasting three hours. For more information, you can contact Carole at 0690 587 726 or 0590 873 153. Or, you can email her at mail@carolecousin.com. As Carole says, “Know Yoga, Know Peace. No Yoga, No Peace.”

Posted on July 15, 2007 5:16 PM| Permanent Link: A Little Yoga for Peace of Mind| Comments (0)

July 14 was Bastille Day, and St Barth celebrated with fireworks starting at 9:00 pm at Fort Oscar in Gustavia. The Saint Barth Yacht Club sponsored a regatta of the traditional sailboats, and many restaurants offered special menus for the occasion. La Plage hosted dinner, a fashion show, DJ Daytona from Ibiza and their own fireworks on the beach!

Posted on July 15, 2007 5:15 PM| Permanent Link: Bastille Day Celebrations| Comments (0)

Pierre Brouwers, author of the 53-minute documentary “Saint-Barthélémy, cap paradis,” will begin filming his new documentary on St Barth this summer. His latest undertaking will be a history of aviation on the island and the role of the planes in the everyday life of the community. He and his crew will begin filming on St Barth between July 25 and August 25. A second round of shooting is planned for October and November, with a third round to occur between Christmas and January 10. For more information on Pierre Brouwers or to purchase “Saint-Barthélémy, cap paradis,” go to www.decouvrir-le-monde.com. This film may just appear on the playlist of the St Barth Film Festival someday soon!

Posted on July 15, 2007 5:14 PM| Permanent Link: A Film in the Making| Comments (0)

What does St Barth have plenty of? Wind, especially on the windward coast where Toiny and Grand Fond are located. As the result of an idea championed by Michel Magras to use wind turbines to generate electricity, a feasibility study will be undertaken. Phase one of the project will involve installing four to six turbines that measure up to 120 feet. These will be used to verify the strength and performance of the wind needed to operate the turbines. The turbines will be installed along the water in Toiny rather than at sea so that the blades can more easily be folded up in case of a hurricane. It is projected that four to six wind turbines would continually produce 4.5 to 6 megawatts of power that could be sold to EDF, the electric company on the island.

Posted on July 15, 2007 5:04 PM| Permanent Link: Feasibility Study of Wind Turbines Underway| Comments (0)

We all know that to get to the island paradise of St Barth, you have to show you’re worthy by successfully passing through Princess Juliana International Airport in St Maarten. American Airlines is making it easier by drastically cutting the air fare on flights from a long list of American cities to St Maarten. Tickets must be purchased no later than 11:59 pm, July 17 (if you act fast, you still have time!). Fares are valid for outbound travel from September 4, 2007 through December 11. Return travel must be completed by December 13, 2007. A two-day minimum stay is required and a 30-day maximum stay is allowed. Below are a few samples of the incredible air fares.

Round-trip Air Fares to St. Maarten:
Atlanta - $258
Baltimore - $268
Boston - $359
Chicago - $338
Los Angeles - $458
Miami - $178
New York - $238

Photo: Gustave III Airport, St Barthélémy, 1950

Posted on July 15, 2007 4:47 PM| Permanent Link: American Airlines Slashes Air Fares to St Maarten| Comments (0)

Congratulations to Mayor Bruno Magras! On July 1, 2007, St Barth elected the first president and Territorial Council of the Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthélémy. Technically, it is today, July 15, when the newly elected Territorial Council will officially vote in the new president – but, that’s just a formality. Former Mayor Magras had 72.24% of the votes in the first round on July 1, over 2000 of the 2399 votes that were cast. Sixteen of those in his proposed Territorial Council were also elected. The remaining three seats went to the other three presidential candidates. Today is also the day when the Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthélémy officially replaces the municipality of Saint Barthélémy. How fitting that this occurs the day after Bastille Day!

Photo: President Magras performing the traditional blowing of the lambi (conch shell)

Posted on July 15, 2007 4:39 PM| Permanent Link: Landslide Victory for St Barth’s First President!| Comments (0)

July 16-30
St Barth Volleyball Cup – a series of matches beginning July 16

July 28-29
Fête des Quartiers du Nord – Summer festival of Flamands and Colombier; held at A.S.C.C.O.E. in Colombier; contents, regatta at Flamands, animations, music, food, beverages and fireworks

Posted on July 12, 2007 3:09 PM| Permanent Link: On the Horizon| Comments (0)

Purported to be the oldest restaurant on the island, Au Port in Gustavia across from La Poste (the post office), is offering dishes from different regions of France on Friday and Saturday evenings until July 31, at which time their annual closing begins. This week’s special offering is from the region of Alsace with a fixed price of 29 euros. It includes an appetizer, a creamy tart of chanterelles, breast of Guinea hen braised in beer, and red cabbage with smoked bacon. Their normal menu is also available. Check out which other regions will be highlighted during the month.

Posted on July 12, 2007 3:07 PM| Permanent Link: Restaurant Au Port| Comments (0)

June 23 marked the last weekend of operation for Cocoloba and La Gloriette in Grand Cul de Sac before closing for renovations. Although they’ll be greatly missed, the bonus is that they are selling everything before the work begins: tables, chairs, kitchen supplies, dishes, etc. This is a great opportunity to pick up items at a good price.

Posted on July 12, 2007 3:05 PM| Permanent Link: Cocoloba and La Gloriette Holding Liquidation Sale| Comments (0)

As reported earlier, the Eden Roc hotel has constructed several villas on the old property of Le Filao hotel in St Jean for sale as timeshares or “fractional ownership.” Now, you can now take a Virtual Tour of these timeshare villas.

Posted on July 12, 2007 2:58 PM| Permanent Link: Take a Virtual Tour of the Eden Roc Timeshare Villas| Comments (0)

Both Le Toiny in Grand Fond and the Guanahani Hotel & Spa in Grand Cul de Sac are offering some attractive summer packages until October 31.

Le Toiny -- Four nights for the price of three!

This package includes a one-bedroom villa with private pool and ocean view for two people, French continental breakfast on private terrace daily,fresh fruit and canapés upon arrival, private transfers to and from the airport, and complimentary DVDs and CDs. You pay 2400€ for four nights instead of 3200€. A savings of 800 euros or $1100!

Guanahani Hotel & Spa

In addition to several price-saving packages, the Guanahani is continuing to offer an exchange rate of 1 € = $1. This is an automatic savings of anywhere between 33% and 35%.

Their week-long Romance Package includes 7 nights accommodation, continental breakfast daily in room or American breakfast at the beachfront restaurant Indigo,one grilled langouste lunch for two, one dinner for two, 7-day car rental, two massages or two balneotherapy treatments, one cooking class and one wine tasting session, a half-day cruise on a sailboat or motorboat with picnic OR a sunset cruise with champagne, and a bottle of French champagne upon arrival. An oceanview double room costs 4340 €; an oceanview 1-bedroom suite, 5775 €; and an oceanview 1-bedroom pool suite, 7245 €. They also have a 3-night and 5-night package.

Posted on July 12, 2007 2:48 PM| Permanent Link: Summer Hotel Specials| Comments (0)

From 4hoteliers.com (they have a website for everything nowadays...)

Posted on July 10, 2007 5:38 PM| Permanent Link: New GM at the Hotel Carl Gustaf| Comments (0)

Carat - Gustavia
Fine jewelry and watches. Designers include David Yurman, Harry Winston, Piaget, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Parmigiani, Panerai, Chaumet, Franck Muller, Vacheron Constantin, Dewitt and Hublot.
Telephone: 590 590 27 67 22
Fax: 590 590 27 84 01
Email: caratstore@wanadoo.fr

Cartier - Gustavia
Fine jewelry and watches.
Telephone: 590 590 27 66 69

Chopard – Gustavia
Large selection of Chopard watches and jewelry.
Telephone: 590 590 27 75 85

Diamond Genesis – Gustavia
This boutique has an excellent selection of watches and custom-made pendants and bracelets in 18k-gold that feature the incised silhouette of St Barth. You can choose a model at the web site, view an enlarged picture with prices and place an order. Designers include Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Sohne, Chanel, de Grisogono, Breitling, Chaumet, Tag Heuer, Corum, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Zenith, IWC, Bombardier, de Grisogono, Vulcain, Rodolphe, Pomellato, Porsche Design and Hermes.
Telephone: 590 590 27 66 94
Fax: 590 590 27 68 13
Email: kornerupine@wanadoo.fr
Web Site: www.diamondgenesis.com

Donna del Sol – Gustavia
This boutique offers a unique line of jewelry. Visit the showroom at the top of the Carre d'Or in the heart of Gustavia.
Telephone: 590 590 27 90 53
Fax: 590 590 27 79 91
Email: donnadelsol@wanadoo.fr
Web Site: www.st-barths.com/donna-del-sol/

Dovani – Gustavia
A wide selection of Baccarat jewelry and leather goods.
Telephone: 590 590 29 84 77

Fabienne Miot - Gustavia
Jewelry designer Fabienne Miot has created an extraordinary collection of jewelry using pearls, rare precious stones and metals. Her gallery features jewelry she has designed as well as pieces selected from the work of Kabana, Michael Good, Alain Roure and Bellon.
Telephone: 590 590 27 73 13 or 590 590 27 63 31
Fax: 590 590 27 69 28
Email: fabiennemiot.creation@wanadoo.fr
Web Site: www.saint-barths.com/fabiennemiot

Goldfinger – Gustavia
Jewelry, watches, china, perfume and leather goods. Designers include Rolex, Corum, Baccarat, Lladvo, Chanel, Christofle flatware and Swarovski crystal.
Telephone: 590 590 27 64 66
Fax: 590 590 27 84 90

Hermes - Gustavia
Jewelry, watches, handbags, leather goods and ties.
Telephone: 590 590 27 66 15

Les Artisans – Gustavia
Beautiful, affordable 18k-sterling silver, handmade custom pieces, maps and prints.
Telephone: 590 590 27 50 40

Oro del Sol – Gustavia
Fine jewels and watches by Bulgari, Ebel and others.
Telephone: 590 590 27 87 47

Time – Gustavia
Fine selection of watches. Designers include Breitling, Boucheron, Baume & Mercier, Omega, Jorg-Hysek, Daniel Roth, David Yurman, Panegonda, Pierre Kunz, Jaquet Droz, Hublot, Roger Dubuis, Gerald Genta, Girard-Perregaux and Bell & Ross
Telephone: 590 590 27 99 10
Fax: 590 590 27 84 01
Email: timesbh@wanadoo.fr

Posted on July 9, 2007 4:51 PM| Permanent Link: Jewelry Shopping on St. Barts| Comments (0)

From the Daily Herald:

Posted on July 6, 2007 1:26 PM| Permanent Link: St. Martin Runway Lights go out| Comments (0)

Le Shuttle has temporarily suspended its services since June 21 due to concerns about the regulation of the service and issues of free competition. The service will resume after a professional group meets to discuss these issues and a supervisory administration is formed as guarantors. Those who have already purchased tickets can be reimbursed at Le Shuttle’s office in St Jean every Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Posted on July 5, 2007 1:02 PM| Permanent Link: Le Shuttle Temporarily Suspends Service| Comments (0)

At the municipal meeting on May 30, Mayor Magras announced that the full-time population of St Barth is approximately 8200, rather than the projected estimate of 10,000. This is an increase of 1350 residents from 1999 to 2007. The official results will not be known until the end of 2008. Another statistic that was announced is that there are 350 residents per square kilometer. By comparison, Martinique has 338 residents per square kilometer and Guadeloupe, only 248.

Posted on July 5, 2007 12:59 PM| Permanent Link: Early (Unofficial) Results of the Census| Comments (0)