Anguilla News, 2002/04/21


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NWO wins big race! . . .

2002/04/21 - Click to enlarge pictures

Easter Monday Boat Race, 2002

Easter Monday 2002 was a gorgeous day... the perfect setting for the exciting annual boat race culiminating at Mead's Bay. There were lots of colourful roadside debates, arguments and avid support as emotions ran high.

All over the island small gatherings of people followed the race... some drove around the island in tandem with the boats to various coastal vantage points; others braved the waters at the heels of the sail boats in small motor boats. You could see some folks standing on the roofs of buildings like the Customs Warehouse at Blowing Point while others viewed the race from their coastal homes. The grand finale at Mead's Bay saw NWO from West End capturing the first prize, with De Tree from Blowing Point in second place and Warrior from Blowing Point taking the third position.

And here are two pictures sent by visitor Steve Snow:

Story and picture by Janine Edwards

Le Bar

"Le Bar", a chic Caf� Francais, has recently opened on Shoal Bay East. If you want an elegant touch right on the beach you can try this great spot which features a sea food grill, a variety of interesting salads, baguette sandwiches and French Platters.

The menu includes Lobster Salad (US$16.50), Goat Cheese Salad ($12.50) Chicken Curry Salad ($11.50), Grilled Lobster ($19.50); Grilled Tuna Steak ($15.50) and a Kid's Special comprising a hot dog, chips and a drink ($6.50). Daily specials are also featured.

Veronique and Didier who operate the restaurant are seasoned in the gourmet food business. They previously ran Riviera in Sandy Ground and currently operate La Terrasse in the South Hill Plaza, which specializes in cigars, icecream, pizzas and their popular $19.90 lobster specials. If you're French speaking you'd be happy to know that Veronique also speaks French. Myra is the cocktail expert and she whips up various exotic delights including refreshing tropical coladas.

Opening hours: Daily from 10:30am to 6:00pm and even later on Sundays (about 7:30pm). They may close on Mondays in the slow season.

Located just right of Uncle Ernie's on the edge of the beach at Shoal Bay Hotel. Telephone number: 264-497-0099. Fax number: 264-497-8899.

Pictured below: Chicken Curry salad, Lobster salad, Le Bar Platter, and Snapper.

Story and pictures by Janine Edwards and Bob Green

Weather in Anguilla

Weather Summary	Satellite
Overcast 82F 27C 72% Humidity,	April 20
Low temp since last news report	73F 22C
High temp since last news report	82F 27C
Low humidity since last news report	52%
Tropical storm web sites	Link Alt
Anguilla weather forecasts	Link Alt

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Anguillian Athletes Head for Commonwealth Games

Three male cyclists and two female runners will compete for Anguilla at the 27th Commonwealth Games in Manchester UK this summer.

Cyclists Kris Pradel, and brothers Ronnie and Charles Bryan (pictured below right) will compete in the gruelling 48km road time trial on July 27th and the 188km road race August 3rd. Ronnie and Charles hail from Blowing Point and Kris is from South Hill.

These cyclists compete in local and international road racing events but this will be the first time that they are honoured to represent Anguilla at the Commonwealth Games. These athletes work full time jobs to help pay for their expensive equipment.

Sprinter Desiree Cocks (below left) will compete in the 100 meters and long jump. Desiree comes from Long Ground and is currently in college in the States.

Sprinter Shyrone Hughes (below right) will compete in the 200 meters. Shyrone hails from South Hill and is also at college in the States. Both these young ladies are no strangers to top competition having competed in the last Commonwealth Games in Malaysia, the World Athletic Championships and the Carifta games.

The games are a huge event gathering over 4000 athletes from 72 Commonwealth countries. The competition will be fierce with Olympic gold medallists amongst the competition. However Anguilla's athletes are determined to rise to the occasion and give their all for their country. Training is already well advanced with the cyclists burning up road miles and weight training. The runners are pounding the tracks at their respective colleges in the States.

The Anguilla Amateur Athletics Association Commonwealth Games Committee is calling on all Anguillians and friends of Anguilla to help our athletes on their way to this prestigious event. If you should wish to make a financial contribution please contact the Chief of Mission Mr. Cardigan Connor at (264) 235 6217 or send your contribution to:

Bank of America NT & SA - New York N.Y 10048-1911
ABA No: 026009593 - SWIFT: BOFAUS3N
For credit to the account of National Bank of Anguilla Ltd - acct No.65504 52011
For further credit to: ANGUILLA COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002 FUND
Account No: 2025468 - NATIONAL BANK OF ANGUILLA
BOX 44, THE VALLEY - ANGUILLA. B.W.I SWIFT:ANGUAIAI

Upon receipt of contact details a newsletter will be sent to the contributors by fax or email giving them regular updates of the training of the athletes and of the fund raising effort.

Story and pictures by Mirabelle West

Watersports Rental on Shoal Bay

A new business has opened on Shoal Bay East this season.

The business name is Anguilla Watersports.

The location is on the grounds of the Shoal Bay Resort Hotel, where Dandy Richardson had his water sports concession in earlier years.

The functions: windsurfing, sailing (sunfish), snorkeling equipment (rental and sales), snorkeling tours, kayaking, parasailing and sales of suntan lotion, t-shirts, etc.

Telephone: 264.497.7048

Aadvantage Vehicle Brokerage Services

Anguilla is well known for its exclusive hotels and villas and gourmet cuisine. To complement the upscale vacation experience, the island now features the most exclusive vehicle brokerage service in the Caribbean offering classic custom car sales, rentals, chauffeur services and leases. Mark and Tina Bannister run this new venture servicing customers seeking an exquisite driving experience while on island.

Aadvantage is located on the George Hill main road, specializing in Rolls Royce, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover. Aadvantage can add a delightful touch to special occasions like weddings but their rates are very reasonable ... so you can drive in style for your entire vacation.

Weekly car rental rates start at US$333 for the BMW 420 up to US$2,660 for a Bentley Mulsanne. Residents will be pleased to know that flexible vehicle financing options are also available. Vehicle services include valet, repair and servicing.

Other services include the rental, leasing and sales of mobile phone, boats, yachts, motorcycles and bicycles. Contact: 264-498-8080. Cell 264-235-8080.

Email [email protected]

Story and pictures by Janine Edwards

Stingrays

It was with great trepidation that I entered the shallow waters with the resident stingrays at Dolphin Fantaseas.

As I walked down the 3 steps and knelt in the water 2 of the stingrays immediately came over looking for me to share the snacks that I had in my hand, small pieces of fish and squid. As I put my hand under the larger stingray, (their mouths are under the body) I was amazed at how smooth and soft they felt, in fact I would describe them as almost "silky" in texture. The stingray sucked the food out of my fingers and casually glided off for a moment only to make a U-turn to come back for more. Meanwhile other stingrays had come over and were "flying" all around me, over the backs of my legs and close to my body with their wings rubbing over my torso. They were not aggressive or scary in the slightest; in fact they were darn right friendly, each one trying to get closer to the source of food in my hand. They all allowed me to feed them and generally let me pet them, stroking their white under bellies and dark tops.

This was a truly amazing experience, I realized that these creatures have been misnamed by being called "Stingrays"- even though these rays have had their "stinger" removed, (a painless procedure similar to humans clipping their nails), they were extremely friendly and totally unafraid or intimidated by the presence of humans. I came away with a greater appreciation for these wonderful creatures.

In the warm, shallow waters of the Atlantic coastline lives the graceful Southern Stingray. They can be found as far north as New Jersey all the way down to Brazil, nudging into the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Its name is derived from the long, thin tail that whips through the waters with sharp, stinging barbs located at the tail's base. Their bodies are shaped like a flat, diamond pancake, ranging in a variety of colors like slate, sand, and speckled brown, naturally blending into the seafloor - a perfect camouflage from hungry predators. They use pectoral fins made of cartilage on their sides like wings that ripple to swim through water. From above, they look like a dark kite or large Portobello mushroom gliding and waving in the wind.

Although they prefer shallow waters for hunting and hiding, they've been known to travel as deep as 150 feet. They are independent creatures that can travel alone, in pairs, and sometimes small groups. However, Stingrays tend to have a diverse following of fish that enjoy tagging along during its daily travels, catching all the freebies that stir up from the stingrays shallow, sweeping movements. So when you find a stingray, you'll find an eclectic group of marine life happy to be in its company.

Stingrays generally feed on mollusks, crustaceans, shellfish, and sometimes small fish - depending on what they can scavenge along the sea floor. Their mouth is located on the bottom side of their bodies (which is lighter in color - almost white) just below their blunt snout. With flattened, strong teeth they easily carve their meals out of shells. To find food, they wiggle their thin bodies under the sandy floor, using paired breathing holes (spiracles) behind their eyes, which are located at the topside of their bodies. The spiracles on top work in sync with the gills on bottom to draw in and release water creating a pressure that allows them delve deeper in the sand. This maneuver is also employed when hiding out from predator passersby, usually sharks.

Although sharks are a stingray's main threat, they share common attributes and are a relative of the Nurse Shark. Both sharks and stingrays birth live young. A female stingray will carry a litter of 3-5 eggs (with records up to 12) that will hatch in the open waters and look like miniature, 4-inch replicas of their parents.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Stingray is its regular visit to "cleaning stations". They meander to reef spots where Bluehead Wrasse, Spanish hogfish, and others gladly nibble away parasites and mucus from the stingray's body, providing a refreshing scouring for dirt-ridden rays and a healthy meal for the bathers.

Now visitors to Anguilla have the opportunity to get in the water with these beautiful animals in a safe controlled environment at Dolphin Fantaseas. Call 264.497.7946 for more information and prices.

Story by Annmarie Letang, photo by Rocklyn Maynard.

Anguilla Diary: March 25 to April 21, 2002

Here is a day-by-day compendium of news items, as we gathered them - starting with the most recent.

Saturday, April 20, 2002

Blue Ocean Villas.
A new web site of villas for rent in Anguilla.

Wednesday, April 17, 2002

Updated: Sunrise Villa Web site.
Click the link for new pictures of Sunrise Villa in Seafeathers.

Real Estate

Physical Planning Bill - An Overview
David Lockwood ([email protected]) sent the following press release from the Department of Physical Planning:
This article is one of a series about planning and the new law that was Gazetted in October 2001 for Anguilla. This article gives a quick summary of what planning does, where planning laws come from in Anguilla, and why a new law is proposed.
What is planning
Planning in simple terms is about finding a balance. It is a balance between development and safeguarding amenity and our valuable environment. It is not about stopping or delaying development. It is about improving developments making them better for the owners and users and the island as a whole. Planning aims to secure the most efficient and effective use of land in the public interest.
From the Past to the present
Planning and building laws in Anguilla have been since 1945 and since our Constitution was framed and adopted. The current system of planning is based on laws dating from 1966 and agreed in 1990 and building is based on laws dating from 1974. As with much of life things change, laws do not always keep pace with these changes. Planning is no exception. The Government of Anguilla now wishes to ensure that our laws on planning and building are as up to date and relevant as possible.
Need for new Law
For a number of years there has been a clear recognition by the Government of Anguilla, developers and many members of the public that we need to have new laws to assist in this �balance�. New law to ensure that:
development of our island is orderly and progressive
our amenities are improved and preserved
the construction and investment process is assisted.
Help at a time of need
At the same time we need to provide:
Increased confidence in the development and planning process for Developers and other investors the public and other agencies;
An effective and open framework to achieve sustainable development in Anguilla.
Your Constitutional Rights
These new laws do not erode your Constitutional Rights they are part of the reason for them. They
Support development that could be beneficial for you and our country
Protect your property and land and the wider environment from development that could be damaging.
Planning and this new law are not a threat to your Constitutional Rights.
The Government of Anguilla want your views! Any views you have on the new Physical Planning can be given either in writing to Department of Physical Planning, The Valley or by telephone 497 5392 or at one of the public meetings being held in April and May.

Tourist Board Web Site Redone.
The Anguilla Tourist Board has completely redone their web site, adding new information and photos and ways that you can communicate with the tourist board.

Anguilla Forum:
Carib On-line

Anguilla Summer Festival 2002
The National Carnival Committee is pleased to announce that plans are now underway for the hosting of the 2002 Summer Festival celebrations, slated for August 1 � 10, 2002.
According to Mr Fitzroy Tomlinson, Festivals Coordinator with the ATB, the Committee is ready to take this year�s Festival to another level following its very productive Retreat held in March 2002. One of the first steps to be taken has been the selection of a slogan to cover the activities for the season.
The slogan Fun, Fantasy and Culture, Too, Anguilla�s Summer Festival 2002 was selected from a field of 62 entrants, and is a combined effort submitted by Khalidah Richardson of West End and Meesha Richardson of North Side. The slogan conveys the sentiment that this year�s festivities will offer fun in galore for our revellers, while at the same time highlighting our culture and traditions in creative and innovative ways that appeal to our imagination. The slogan will be featured on all promotional audiovisual and print material pertaining to this year�s festivities. Meesha and Khalidah will share the prize of EC $1000.00 for their winning entries.
Information provided by the ATB newsletter.

May 25: Miss Leeward Islands Teen Pageant.
The Talented Teen Committee is currently finalizing plans for the hosting of the 3rd annual Miss Leeward Islands Teen Pageant on May 25th, 2002. Some 8 contestants from St Thomas, St Croix, Antigua, BVI, St Kitts and Nevis, St Martin, St Maarten and Statia are expected to arrive in Anguilla on May 23rd, where they will join Ms Teen Anguilla, Rolanda Webster, and reigning Miss Leeward Islands, Amber Woodley of Anguilla at Elodias Resort, the home of the Pageant.
The young ladies will engage in a number of official functions leading up to the Show, including an official Welcome Cocktail reception sponsored by the Anguilla Lottery and a number of courtesy calls on Government officials, the Anguilla Tourist Board, and Sponsors of the event. According to Mr Carl Woodley, Chairperson of the Talented Teen Committee, the Show promises to be an electrifying one with sterling performances expected from the participants, and a dynamic line up of entertainers including the All-ah-We Young Theatre Players, performances from the reigning Ms Leeward Islands and Mr & Ms Valentine 2002, and an appearance by the contestants of the 2002 CCB Miss Talented Teen Show.
There will also be an after-show dance at Dragon�s Disco. MC for the evening�s proceedings will be Sugar Bowl Kid of ZIZ radio, while music for the event will be provided by the Extreme Band. The admission is US$10.00, (US$5.00 for children) with proceeds from the show going towards Anguilla�s participation in the Hal Jackson show to be held in July.
Information provided by the ATB Newsletter.

Tuesday, April 16, 2002

Build Your Own:
Beachshack

Sunset Homes Project: Phase 4 Report.
Sunset Homes has updated their web site with more pictures and information on their villa construction: details of building the swimming pool and the cistern.

Monday, April 15, 2002

Construction-Related Items for Sale.
Containers:
Two (2) 20' shipping containers for sale. All duties paid. Very good condition. Weather=tight and sea-worthy. $1800 US@.
Fencing:
150' of 1 3/8" green chain link toprail. $1.00/ft.
75' of 4' vinyl coated chain link fencing...$85US
Paint: 5 gal pails of Glidden Gripper. $US 160@.
Mike Paul, 497-6120, [email protected]

Internet Yellow Pages:
All known Anguilla sites.

Anguilla Bridge Club
Interested residents and visitors are invited to play bridge. Contact Carol Baines at 497-5722 or email [email protected] for details.

Football Association Awards and Banquet Dinner
Under the distinguished patronage of The Honourbale Eric Reid, The Anguilla Football Association presents its 2nd Awards & Banquet Dinner for junior and senior football players on Saturday May 11, 2002 at 8pm. Dress: Elegantly Casual. Price US$20. Proceeds are in aid of Football Scholarship Fund.

Summer Carnival
The Anguilla Tourist Board and The National Carnival Committee congratulate Meesha Richardson of North Side and Khalida Richardson of West End, the winners of the 2002 Slogan Competition. �Fun, Fantasy, and Culture Too! Anguilla Summer Festival 2002.�

Thursday, April 11, 2002

All Island Cable TV. Anguilla's Cable company now has a web page, complete with TV program listings and on-line bill payment. Click the link above and see what channels we get.

Wednesday, April 10, 2002

www.seymourab.com: web site by an Anguillian resident with general links on music, sports and more.

Thursday, April 04, 2002

Anguilla Questions?
Email the Tourist Board at [email protected] or the Hotel Association at [email protected]

Children's Tennis Camp Planned.
Mitch Lake and the Anguilla Tennis Academy are once again preparing for a month-long free tennis camp for children this summer. Camp should start on July 8 and run until July 27, with visiting coaches running clinics the last week. A new element this year will be visiting young players from Tennessee who will take the classes as well. An exchange of Anguillian tennis players to Tennessee is planned for the future. Also the Anguilla Tennis Academy will be spending time in St. Martin to help set up a similar program on that island, donating rackets and expertise to get it jump started.

Villa Mortons
This large villa on the Searocks between Shoal Bay and Island Harbour seems designed for those with a large party. It has 9 air-conditioned bedrooms and a swimming pool.

Wednesday, April 03, 2002

Hotels.ai:
All the resorts/hotels/inns.

New web site: www.anguillalife.com
Not associated with Anguilla Life magazine or to any other print publication.

Devonish Gallery, New Show.
Paintings by Paul Elliot, quilts by Carol Richardson. Opening Saturday April 6, 2002. 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Devonish Gallery, West End Road. 264.497.2949

Tuesday, April 02, 2002

Menus.ai:
Restaurants and menus.

New business: www.peacocksdesign.com
Stanya Peacock has a new interior decor business in Anguilla: She manufactures cushions, pillows, slipcovers ... and much more for hotels, resorts, villas, and restaurants. Tel: 264.4975342. Email: [email protected]

Monday, April 01, 2002

Beachshack Update.
Mary Ann's tropical construction page has been updated with a picture of the front door and some email feedback from readers.

Villas.ai:
Private villas for rent.

Triathalon.
The annual Optimists Club traithalon will be held April 7th at Meads Bay. The three legs of the race include biking, running and swimming. Teams are encouraged to enter!

Friday, March 29, 2002

Sale of Glass Blowing Art. Glassisland at the Old Manse in Sandy Ground is closing their glass studio on Friday 5 April. They are having a sale of all their products and equipment starting on Tuesday 2nd April, after the Easter weekend, until Friday 5 April.

Wednesday, March 27, 2002

Beaches.ai:
Over 30 Anguilla beaches.

Web site update: Long Pond Condos
The web site for the Long Pond Condos under construction on the coast between Sandy Hill Bay and Forest Bay has been updated with lots of pictures of the new interiors, furniture, etc.

Chef's Table at Altamer
Joyce and Steve Tibbetts ([email protected]) of Boston, Massachusetts write:
My husband and I were recently in Anguilla for our 13th year and brought along our friends who were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. As a surprise we booked the Chef's Table experience at Altamer restaurant. The dinner was exquisite. Each course was served with a flourish that hardly did it justice....the presentation was a work of art, the offerings at each course more heavenly than the previous. Chef LeDuc and his staff were very gracious...made the whole evening very special and one we won't forget. I would highly recommend this special treat when visiting as a way to complete the perfect get-away.

Submit a News Story.

Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association Newsletter.
The latest issue of SCOOP, the newsletter of the AHTA, contains an article entitled "Proposed Villa Rental Fee Angers Alien Land Owners". Here is the text:
A new Government proposed Alien Land Holding Rental Policy has many alien land owners crying foul.
The villa owners are taking aim at Government for a set of draft measures that have been proposed to regulate the rental of villas and privates homes by aliens (non-belongers). The group is largely angered by a hefty increase in the annual fee that allows for the rental of private residences as villas. Under the proposed measures, the annual fee for the rental of alien owned private homes would increase from the current US$1200.00 to US$5000.00 for the first 2000 square feet and US$0.50 for each additional square foot. The villa owners are also taking issue with the provision that would require all villas to be registered with a local agent who would then be responsible to ensure all conditions of the license are met.
The Government proposed changes to the villa rental policy following a six month review of the villa rental sector. Government had reversed an earlier decision to discontinue all future alien land holders from renting their homes as villas after the decision met with harsh criticism , especially from the island's real estate agents and villa management representatives who felt that the ruling would destroy Anguilla's real estate market and the island's growing popularity as a luxury villa destination. A series of meetings were held with the various stakeholders on the issue including representatives from Lands and Surveys, villa management companies, realtors, the Anguilla Tourist Board, hoteliers ,villa owners and the AHTA. As it stands currently the Alien Land Holding policy allows for the rental of private residences, provided permission is granted by Government and an annual fee is paid. While over 50 properties have been granted permission since the inception of the policy in January 1996, Government reports that very few are actually paying the current US$1200.00 fee.
In revewing the policy, Government officials maintain that their position was taken with a view to maximizing revenue potential on Anguilla's land, a very limited and valuable commodity according to the officials and the enhancement of Anguilla as an exclusive, upscale tourism destination. "All decisions in this draft report were made with two things in mind" explained Mr. Orris Proctor, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services. "We looked very carefully at the expatriation of Anguilla's land ,which must be closey monitored and controlled to protect and maximize a very limited resource, and we also considered the fact that tourism is Anguilla's number one industry and we must continue to develop Anguilla in keeping with its upscale image." he stated.
The AHTA has received several calls from alien land holders in recent weeks who currently rent out their homes on a very limited basis and feel that the US$5000.00 annual fee will be prohibitive to their business. While the AHTA supports greater controls and accountability of the villa sector, it questioned the 300 per cent increase in the annual rental fee in a recent meeting and suggested that a more reasonable sliding scale fee be considered. Government officials contend however that the fee is in line with what is assessed in the rest of the region and already represented a sliding scale that would see larger villas paying proportionately more. The Government has also proposed that an annual fee of US$1000.00 be assessed on all alien owned private homes that are used for personal reasons and not rented as villas.
Barring any further review, the proposed measures are to be submitted to the Executive Council for consideration and approval.

Tuesday, March 26, 2002

Art Show: Romare Bearden.
A world premier exhibition of water color paintings, Colors and Jazz, by Romare Bearden. Opens Saturday March 30, 2002 and runs until April 30, 2002 at Frangipani Resort on Meads Bay. Mon to Sat 11am to 6pm. Dorothe Rohan Dow, Art Director. 264.497.6442

Monday, March 25, 2002

Baby's Vacation Needs: www.travellightanguilla.com

Stories from the previous and earlier News.ai issues.
The Enclave	Tania Recipe
Agricultural Fair	March Diary
Shoemaker Ramon	February Diary

About Anguilla

Anguilla is a coral island in the North Eastern Caribbean, six miles from St. Martin. Click Here for a map showing Anguilla's relative location. The web pages about Anguilla have been indexed by topic in an Internet Yellow Pages:

Anguilla Internet Yellow Pages
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Searching the News.ai Site

Indirectly, this page links to all known Anguilla web sites, including the many articles in the Bob Green's Anguilla News. To read past issues by date, Click Here. The four year news archive can also be searched by key word:

Recommended Vacation Villas

Our villa on Shoal Bay beach: Bellamare.

And ten minutes away by small plane, our Azu villa in St Barth, that is totally secluded and private, but only a short walk to everything in St Jean, and with unbelievable views.

NWO wins big race! . . .