The Forum Presents Gabriel Lefkowitz and Kevin Class

Gabriel Lefkowitz
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This Saturday, April 4, The Forum presents the great violinist Gabriel Lefkowitz and the talented pianist Kevin Class as it end its musical season. Starting 8 pm, stunning performances from both of the outstanding artists will be offered at Prior-Jollek Hall.

Lefkowitz is a native of the Boston area and currently residing living in Knoxville, Tenn. He is now in his third season as concertmaster of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO). He finished a bachelor’s degree in music and economics at Columbia University, where he graduated as magna cum laude within three years. He claimed his Masters in Violin Performance at The Juilliard School that was back in May of 2010 where he studied with Joel Smirnoff and Masao Kawasaki.

Kevin Class
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As a violinist, composer and conductor, Lefkowitz has lined up performances at 2014-2015 KSO seasons where he will play as a soloist in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major (May Masterworks). As portion of the KSO’s highly anticipated and appreciated new concert series, “Gabriel Lefkowitz & Friends,” Lefkowitz will also host three solo/chamber recital programs at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

On the other hand, Kevin Class was born at Belgium and mastered music at Royal Conservatory of Brussels, as well as in United States and Canada. Some of his well-renowned teachers were Romeo Fracalanza, Ralph Votapek, Gyorgy Sebok and Daniel Blumenthal. In 1997, he recorded more than 15 CDs as a Fellow of the Flemish Community.

Some of Class’ striking performances are his concerts at Leeds’ Town Hall, Geneva’s Ansermet Hall, Munich’s Grosse Saal of the Hochschule fur Musik, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Vienna’s Musikverein and New York’s Carnegie Hall. His live performance at China was televised nationally by China’s state television agency CCTV.

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Gabriel Lefkowitz and Kevin Class upcoming performance in the territory will include pieces from Bartok to Tchaikovsky, Fritz Kreisler, Ravel and Faure.

Tickets range at $35, $10 for teachers and $5 for students. It can be purchased at Chelsea Drug Store, Frenchtown Deli, Interiors, Medicine Shoppe (Havensight) or online at instantseats.com. Starting 7 pm, Entrees and desserts will be offered from Café Amelia. Call 228-4777 for more information or visit The Forum Web site: www.theforum.vi.

 

The Forum Presents Gabriel Lefkowitz and Kevin Class

St. Thomas International Regatta 2015

The most awaited St. Thomas International Regatta just took place under the perfect sunny days of March 27-29, where tons of racers, supporters, organizers, organizations, groups and significant stunning characters partook.

The 43^rd St. Thomas International Regatta comprised of 3 memorable days of fun, friendship, laughter and sport, where boat and yacht racers were scheduled based on their category. Always the best parts were the after-parties of the competitions that took place as the moon shined luminously. Everyone was in bliss and gladly congratulated all the winners and the contestants whom were all very outstanding.

The first day of the event, March 25, the registration of the prospect racers happened as early as 11 am until 3 pm. Meanwhile, the Regatta Club Grill opened for lunch for all the people who were very supportive on the initial day. When the sun signed off, the Press Party at Water Point begun. And though the party had an invitation-only policy, guests, sponsors and known individuals who showed enthusiasm for the race, have swarmed the event. David and Sherri Morgan opened their gorgeous home to welcome the international press who mingled with sponsors, race officials, and regatta staff. While the Full Circle band offered their enticing music at the background.

The next day, March 26, the registration for interested racers continued from 11 am to 4 pm. When the clock had set on 5, the anticipated opening party at St. Thomas Yacht Club began until the late hours of 11 pm. The club also offered mouth-watering fine dinner for only $15, while Libird Band played music at the background from 6-10 pm.

The very first day of the race was full of excitement, as all contestants, new, contenders and defending champions from previous years showed eagerness and competitiveness. The event started as early as 8 am, where complimentary breakfast were served to all. First signal of the race was launched at 11 am. Racers and supporters were intense and keen for the results, while staff and organizers provided the needs of the crowd. Lunch and dinner buffets were served at St. Thomas Yacht Club, as well as the jump-up party. The first after-race party was a success, while John Gazi and Ah We Band kept the vibe groovy with their pleasing melodies.

Second day of the event was as well intense and energy-filled. The first call of the race started at 11 am for a different category. Lunch and dinner was served from 12-8pm while Flip Switch offered music to the crowd. After a zealous fight was the most-waited Yacht Haven Grande Party that opened at 6:30 pm. And where everyone unwound, relaxed, and has exchanged smiles, laughter and commends to competitors and winners. The night was intimate and gleeful with background music from marvelous artists of Spectrum Band. At the late hours, the party turned insane and wild! Good thing free shuttle service to and from STYC was provided from 6-12am.

The 3^rd and final day of the event on March 29 was certainly indelible. Last batch of racers was called at 11 am. Everyone was excited, nervous and joyous for the final leg. Lunch and dinner buffets were available from 12-10pm with music from the talented people of Full Circle band. At 6:30 pm, simultaneous as the sky colored tangerine, the most anticipated highlight of the event, Regatta Awards Ceremony happened at STYC Beach. The Final Fling party initiated at 7pm beneath the grounds of STYC while good music from Spectrum Band flowed and filled the ambiance. The stars shimmered above the most blissful people who became part of the wondrous 43^rd St. Thomas International Regatta.

Generous sponsors of the event were Sunsail, Presidente, Crowley, Jewels, Little Switzerland, Aero MD, Tag Heuer, Cruzan Rum, Glazers, Yacht Haven Grande, Switlik, Budget Marine, Gill, The Moorings, VI Tourism, and others.

Results of the race will be found here:

http://stthomasinternationalregatta.com/regatta/csa-racing-rules/

St. Thomas International Regatta 2015

Tie It Into My Hand Will be Showing at St. John School of the Arts

On April 7, Tuesday, St. John Film Society will feature “Tie It Into My Hand” at the St. John School of the Arts in Cruz Bay, where they will let the public witness the marvelous film for only $5.

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“Tie It Into My Hand” is a documentary film directed by Paul Festa. It is about Festa’s own life story during the phase that he encountered challenges in his existence. Festa was trained at Juilliard to be a professional violinist who plays at concerts. Due to a chronic hand injury that affected his hand’s ability, his career path in music was hindered. This documentary film is a compilation of interviews with various eminent directors, filmmakers, visual artists, writers and performers, like Alan Cumming, Barbara Hammer, Peter Coyote and Harold Bloom, who were asked by Festa to teach him, play the violin. These talented people shared their views, insights and beliefs about the life of an artist, where they dramatically and enthusiastically expressed their passion, as well as disappointments. The film also featured how the injury changed Festa’s path and how he got up after a depressing point in life.

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On Screen/In Person is a foundation that has goals of delivering the best independent American films and their filmmakers to the grasp of the communities residing across the mid-Atlantic region. One of their dedications is to let the creators of the films tour on different sites and showcase their pieces of art to have a greater chance of showing it to a larger audience.

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After the film showing, Festa will have a press conference where the audience could ask him any questions they desire. His 2014 project, “Tie It Into My Hand” is currently work-in-progress at the Cannes Film Festival and the ODC Theatre in San Francisco. Paul Festa also produced, wrote and edited the Emmy-nominated documentary ‘Stage Left: A Story of Theatre in San Francisco” with director Austin Forbord and is the author of “OH MY GOD: Messiaen in the Ear of the Unbeliever,” based on his first film, “Apparition of the Eternal Church” (2006).

 

 

 

Tie It Into My Hand Will be Showing at St. John School of the Arts

St. Croix"s Cost-U-Less Sells Rotten Supplies

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A recent report has uncovered unacceptable news about the crops being sold at Cost-U-Less wholesaler on St. Croix. The reports stated that numerous customers have seen a lot of rotten produce in the said that are still sold and purchasable for a normal price.

After the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) heard about the news, the committee said that they would conduct further investigations where Commissioner-designee, Devin Carrington, called the findings “completely unacceptable” and stated that “there is no reason why our consumers should be treated any differently than consumers on the mainland where this company is headquartered.”

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Carrington added that though the Virgin Islands Code assigns the regulation of the quality of food items on store shelves to the Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, the role of DLCA is to “ensure that a licensee does not allow or permit in the licensed establishment any improper or wrongful behavior of a substantial character and of public concern.”

“This situation is most certainly wrongful and of public concern,” said Carrington, “based on these reports, the department shall do its investigation and take appropriate action against the establishment as provided by law. Where fines are warranted, the licensee shall pay.”

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Carrington also said that the consumers have all the rights and power in defeating “wrongful and improper” deeds of retailers and other businesses. DCLA said it is a big help for them especially because the department lacks weapons for such shortage of employees that results to conduction of investigations only “as often as needed”.

However, Carrington said the department prefers that the public would first reach out to them if ever they encounter any issues from businesses, and he also urged that the consumers would let the community know of the existing problems by “all means of publicity available.”

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As a resolution, the DLCA will soon be launching a Facebook page where consumers could post pictures of their experiences to give the department’s inspectors and enforcement officers timely information so that they may take action. Carrington also said they could email photos and reports to DLCA staff at info@dlca.vi.gov.

For more information or to file a report, consumers may visit DLCA offices or call (340) 714-3522 on St. Thomas or (340) 713-3522 on St. Croix.

St. Croix"s Cost-U-Less Sells Rotten Supplies

Delaware Family Poisoning Ascertained to be Caused by Terminix Company

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Friday, March 20 the Delaware family was rushed to Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas after having seizures from what is assumed to be chemical poisoning. Monday, March 23 EPA declared that pesticides might have been used to fumigate a room at a resort on March 18.

The investigation continued Tuesday and where U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spokesman Elias Rodriquez said the company that used the pesticide containing methyl bromide was identified as the St. Thomas-based Terminix.

The four individuals who said to suffer from the effects of the chemicals are Steve Esmond, his wife Theresa Devine, and their two children, Ryan and Sean. Now their condition is currently recovering and fortunately on a good and safe state.

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The investigation actions last Tuesady was EPA crew who took air samples in the Sirenusa unit that formerly occupied by the family. They were sent to an EPA ans was approved for laboratory testing.

“They’re taking more samples tomorrow,” Rodriquez said.

Based on EPA’s website, methyl bromide is an odorless, colorless gas that has been used as a soil and structural fumigant to control pests across a wide range of agricultural sectors.

As methyl bromide was discovered to drain the stratospheric ozone layer, the amount of methyl bromide produced and imported in the U.S. was cut down slowly until it was phased out in Jan. 1, 2005 This is to meet the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer Protocol and the United States Clean Air Act.

However, there are still exceptions to the ban on using methyl bromide when it’s used to pest control in agriculture.

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proper fumigation

St. John resident Todd Roskin, a licensed pesticide operator who owns St. John Solutions, said that though pesticides containing methyl bromide were phased out, an equally hazardous chemical called Vikane is still currently used.

Roskin said it’s not the toxicity that may have caused the problem at Sirenusa but the process of fumigation. He said that those chemicals before using should call for evacuation of the entire building when it’s a multi-unit building. He added that if it will be used in a small area, the pesticide operator is supposed to construct a tent around the area as well as large spaces like buildings should be tented, he said.

“The gas stays there for 48 hours,” he added. After that the area should remain vacant for another day.

“It’s about a three-day procedure,” he said.

Roskin added that it’s probable for the fumigation gas to transfer from room to room as it can pass through the electrical conduits.

He said that the pesticides containing methyl bromide and Vikane were used because the wood in the building is infested with dry wood termites or powder post beetles that live inside the wood and destroy it.

He also noted the difference between extermination and fumigation. He pointed out that extermination is when a liquid is spread on areas where insects live or leave trails while fumigation is when a gas like the pesticide containing methyl bromide and Vikane are used.

“It’s not routine pest control,” he said.

Delaware Family Poisoning Ascertained to be Caused by Terminix Company

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Davis Bay Beach, St. Croix

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Davis Bay Beach is also known as Carambola Beach. It is located at the North shore of St. Croix so expect to meet some tight turquoise colored waves, which is a good thing for surfers. Davis Bay has a fine white stretch of powdery sand and clear greenish blue-colored seas that is truly pleasing to the eye. It is surrounded with lush, steep mountains and hills, palms and coconut trees where hammocks hang and free for those who want to savor the sea breeze while sipping on a sweet concoction purchasable at a near cozy bar.

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Beach chairs and benches made from drift woods are also available for guests, as well as some snorkeling materials ready for renting at the local shops. Aside from the abundant bar and restaurants along the beach stretch that offers both local and foreign mouth-watering cuisines, mini golf and tennis courts could also be found just few walks away from the beach.

Davis Bay Beach is also near to the popular beach house, Carambola Beach Golf Club, which is located near the West shore. Occasionally, this beach golf club hosts parties and events where tons of people, guests, tourists and locals visit in search of a night ender revelry. Lawaetz Family Museum, which is located only five miles away from the beach is a worthy side trip that would let you explore an authentic Caribbean life, exposing the traditions and cultures of Virgin Islanders. Some historical sites are also located just few minutes away from the Davis Bay Beach such as the Estate Mount Washington Plantation, and the Cruzan Rum Factory. The newly renovated sport event venue, Paul E Joseph Stadium is located at the South West of St. Croix, just several miles distant from the picturesque beach.

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How to get to this paradise is easy; you can access the beach by car via the local road called “Prosperity”, which branches off of route 78. Guests should keep a look out for Carambola Beach Resort, which lines the beach. And the best fact about this magnificent, awe-inspiring, pristine and certainly alluring bay is it’s free to the public.

Davis Bay Beach, St. Croix