Tidbits from around the island:

• The program 21 Most Sexy Beaches, shown recently on the Travel channel, reported St Jean Beach as #8 in the world! It's always been one of my favorites!

• O'Corner, the restaurant in Gustavia, recently announced that it would soon be closing. Now, rumors have it that it will open soon with an Italian menu and a new owner who also has restaurants in the Los Angeles area.

• Another rumor has it that the Tropical Hotel has been purchased by the new owners of the Hotel Niilaaia, which is being built on the former site of the St Barth Beach Hotel in Grand Cul de Sac.

• A new currency exchange business, Change Point, has opened in Gustavia below the Sunset Hotel. They are open Monday through Saturday from 7:45 am to 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Can St Barth really support two currency exchange businesses just down the street from one another?

• Visit www.saintbarthkite.com for information on kite-surfing lessons in Grand Cul de Sac.