Get your announcement in The Daily News

All notices, announcements and other publicity for events must be sent by e-mail ONLY. Nothing sent by fax or postal mail can be printed. Call 774-8772 ext. 4138 for further information. Email:

notices@dailynews.vi

College fairs

A series of college fairs sponsored by Antilles School are being held through Oct. 30 for all V.I. high school students interested in attending a selective college. The dates, places, times and participating colleges are:

Sunday, 3 p.m. - Vanderbilt, Princeton and Northwestern Universities at Prior Jollek Hall, Antilles School

Oct. 30, 7 p.m. - Brown University at Kimelman Library, Antilles School

Call Chris Teare at 776-1600 ext. 3702 for information.

Carnival Queen applications available

Applications for the 2013 Carnival Queen Pageant are available for pick-up from the V.I. Carnival Committee's office across from the V.I. Finance Department or from any of the St. Thomas public or private high schools.

Applications can be picked up between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and must be completed and returned no later than Nov. 14.

Call 776-3112 for more information.

Free boating course at Nisky Center

The St. Thomas Sail and Power Squadron offers a National Safe Boating Course from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in room 212 of Nisky Shopping Center. The course is free but there is a charge for training material.

Call Tom at 774-2715 for information.

Steel orchestra needs new members

The St. Thomas All Stars Steel Orchestra is seeking new band members. No experience is required. Practices are held at 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the pan yard located in Sub Base next to American Legion Hall.

Bling bling bras for breast cancer

To celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Caribbean Palm Bonnet chapter of the Red Hat Society are hanging decorated bras on display to benefit a local breast cancer patient. The bras are currently on display in Betsy's Bar in Frenchtown until Oct. 9. From Oct. 10 through Oct. 24 they will be hanging in Red Hook Mail Services and from Oct. 25 through Nov. 1 in Cheers restaurant at Pavilions and Pools. Donations are accepted to vote for favorite bras.

Call 777-1733 or 201-0664 for information.

QuickBooks course available for business owners

The Small Business Development Center offers a five-session course on an Introduction to QuickBooks from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8, Oct. 15, Oct. 22, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12. All sessions will take place in the center's training facility, suite 720 of Nisky Center on St. Thomas. Topics include: setting up a company; creating a list of accounts; working with bank accounts; receiving and making payments; managing customers, vendors and employees. Space is limited.

Register online at www.sbdcvi.org or call 776-3206 for information.

Food drive benefits Catholic Charities

Banco Popular is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit the Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands. Collection stations are set up in all Banco Popular branches in the territory for canned, dried and non-perishable food items. The Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands has been working for the community for more than 46 years by providing food, shelter and clothing to those in need.

The food drive ends Nov. 16.

Call Keisha Prince at 693-2702 or 626-6146 for information.

Gang violence summit at Sugar Bay Resort

The St. Thomas - St. John Division of Special Education is hosting a youth summit through Oct. 12 at Sugar Bay Resort and Spa to provide students in grade five through grade 12 relevant information about gangs and violence. Local and national gang experts will share personal experiences and knowledge in the field of gang affiliation and speak about the importance of not getting involved in gang activities. The summit schedule is as follows:

Oct. 10 - grades seven and eight

Oct. 11 - grades nine and 10

Oct. 12 - grades 11 and 12

Call 774-4399 for information.

Rotary Club scholarship

The fund raising committee for the Rotary Club of St. Thomas is holding a raffle to benefit the Rotary Scholarship Fund. Raffle prizes are a 14.5' Brig Rigid Inflatable Falcon Rider courtesy of Caribbean Inflatable, a Heavenly Days Catamaran six-hour charter for 48 people courtesy of Bolongo Bay Beach Resort and a weekend for two at the Palms at Pelican Cove Hotel on St. Croix. The goal of the scholarship program is to help as many students as possible to graduate from college. Raffle ticket donation is $10 per ticket or $100 for a book of 11 tickets. Raffle tickets can be purchased from any member of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas or at Tutu Park Mall. The drawing will be Oct. 11.

Department of Education holds education expos

The Department of Education will hold the second annual Education System Improvement Process Expos from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Tutu Park Mall on St. Thomas and Oct. 20 at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center amphitheater on St. Croix. Up-to-date software and classroom technology, teacher services and vocational programs will be showcased. Entertainment will include performances by marching bands, musical combos, mocko-jumbies, junior calypsonians and pantomime groups.

Call Yvette at 773-1095 ext. 7086 for information.

Beach Jam at Magens Bay

The October Sunday Beach Jam will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Magens Bay Shed No. 4. There will be live music, a potluck table and birthday cake for everyone. Games for the kids and a flea market from Cece's Closet will also be available. All proceeds support The Family Resource Center.

Contact Polly Watts at 775-2814 or pollywatts@earthlink.net for information.

Department of Labor hosts breakfast seminar

The Department of Labor will hold a free employer breakfast seminar from 8 to 11 a.m. Oct. 18 at Windward Passage Hotel on St. Thomas and Oct. 31 at The Buccaneer on St. Croix. The seminar is designed for human resource professionals, business owners and managers, attorneys and other employers interested in learning more about tax credits, the H-2B Labor Certification Program and the Federal Bonding Program offered by the Department of Labor. Registration is required.

Contact Jacqueline M. Blyden at jblyden@vidol.gov or 774-6700 for information.

Downtown Revitalization will hold public forum

Downtown Revitalization will hold a forum on pending downtown construction projects from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 on the second floor of Grand Hotel Galleria. The forum will feature presentations on plans for Main Street from Market Square to Post Office Square and the waterfront from Long Bay to Frenchtown. This is an opportunity for the community to gain valuable information about several projects already in the planning stage, their timetables and funding.

Contact David Bornn at 774-2501 or david.bornn@bornnfirm.vi for information.

Pistarckle opens season with 'Cabaret'

Pistarckle Theater starts the new season with the musical, "Cabaret". It's 1931, in Germany the Weimar Republic is crumbling. Nazism is on the rise, Anti Semitism is growing, a raw sexuality is pervasive everywhere, but inside the Cabaret all ones troubles are forgotten and everyone is beautiful. Local musicians will perform live for the show. Pay-as-you-can preview night will be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 11; opening night is at 8 p.m. Oct. 12. Performances will also take place at 8 p.m. Oct. 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27.

- The theater needs a volunteer to operate the light board during "Cabaret" performances.

Call 775-7877 or visit online at www.pistarckletheater.com to volunteer or to purchase tickets.

Visual arts after-school program

The School of Visual Arts and Careers will hold an after-school program for high school students in grades nine through 12. Students will receive training in artistic techniques, explore art-related careers and develop a portfolio for college entrance or professional employment. Instructors and guest artists will expose students to a variety of mediums and approaches to creating art. The school is a non-profit program located on Main Street and is funded in part through grants from the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, local contributors and corporate donations.

Call Edie Johnson at 344-4369 for information and an application.

UVI events

- The Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities will host the Voices That Count policy forum, "An Inclusive Workforce is a Strong Workforce" from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Administration and Conference Center on the St. Thomas campus and from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 and Oct. 16 in the Great Hall on the St. Croix campus. Registration is required online at vtc.viucedd.org or by contacting Ms. Forde at 776-9200 ext. 2334 on St. Thomas or Ms. Pierre-Louis on St. Croix at 692-4266.

- World Food Day will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 14 on UVI's St. Croix campus. Included will be a food vendor court, farmer's market, workshops, field tours, seedling distribution, a petting zoo for children, music and competitions. Entertainment will be provided by Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, DJ Porter, St. Croix Martial Arts and the Ay Ay Cultural Dance Company. Non-perishable food items will be collected for the food drive to alleviate hunger. Call Clarice Clarke at 692-4060 for information.

- Members of UVI's class of 1998 are reminded to make a contribution to the "50 for 50" Class Challenge toward making UVI the first Historically Black College and University to attain a 50 percent alumni participation rate. The class with the highest participation rate and highest contribution wil be publically recognized at the end of the challenge. Contact Keith James at 877-241-6687 or kjames@urassociation.com or Linda Smith at 692-4231 or lsmith@live.uvi.edu for information. Visit www.uvi.edu to make a contribution.

- The Environmental Finance Center and the V.I. Recycling Partnership are seeking university students interested with assisting in developing and delivering a sustainable organics materials management educational program for K through 12 schools and other local organizations from Oct. 2012 through May 2013. The program will focus on waste reduction, reuse and recycling, with a special focus on organics management. Free training will include organics management and composting methods, developing K through 12 curriculum and developing programs to schools throughout the islands. Students may use the program to receive college credit. Contact Ana V. Arache at avarache@syr.edu for a detailed program timeline and information on applying. Application deadline is Oct. 15.

- UVI's President for a Day Competition will give two UVI students an opportunity to trade places with UVI President David Hall. Over the course of three days, the winning students will shadow President Hall to observe and learn the role of a university president, assume the role of president while President Hall participates in the student's full schedule, and President Hall and the student will provide public presentations on what they learned from the exercise. Applications are available from the Student Life section of the UVI website, www.uvi.edu. Deadline to enter is Feb. 7, 2013 for St. Croix students. Contact Astrid Carmora at 693-1047 or president_for_a_day@myuvi.net for application requirements.

Cancer Society offers low-cost mammograms

To celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society offers low-cost mammograms for men and women over the age of 40 through Oct. 31. Registration is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Cancer Society office in Suite 108 of the Medical Foundation Building behind Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays at the St. John Community Foundation Office at Market Place and from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily at the Sunny Isle Shopping Center office on St. Croix.

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.

Call 775-5373 on St. Thomas or St. John or 778-2882 on St. Croix for information.

Walkathon will raise awareness for mental illness

Clear Blue Sky will hold their annual walkathon, "A Mindful Walk," at 3 p.m. Oct. 14 at Fort Christian. Registration will start at 2 p.m. in the Fort Christian parking lot. Participants will walk from Fort Christian to Crown Bay and back to raise awareness for mental illness.

Call 774-9688 or visit www.cbsvi.org for information.

Pistarckle Theater's STARZ program

Pistarckle Theater will offer an eight-week, after-school program for students ages nine and above from Oct. 15 through Dec. 14. Supervised theatrical classes will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and will include dance and movement for the stage, beginning acting and voice lessons. Admission is based on auditions. Cost is $10 per class, $45 weekly or $360 for all eight weeks.

Contact Estelle Andrew at 775-7877 or education@pistarckletheater.vi for information.

Antilles fall festival

Antilles School will host the second annual fall festival from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at the school. This family event will feature a pumpkin patch, crafts for all ages, early holiday shopping, food, games and entertainment by Cool Session Brass. Admission is $3 for children ages 18 and younger and $5 for adults.

Contact Jamie Aubain at 776-1600 ext. 1801 or jaubain@antilles.vi for information.

Family fun day at Emille Griffith Park

The Department of Human Services Division of Family Assistance will commemorate Family Month in October with a family fun day from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Emille Griffith Park on St. Thomas. Festivities will include a Bug Association exhibit, Bike Club exhibit, fencing demonstrations, softball games, the Solberg Petting Zoo, a pee-wee vs. co-ed basketball game and the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Dynamite Rays Percussion Ensemble. Admission is free and refreshments will be for sale.

Call Carmen Rogers-Green at 774-0930 ext. 4477 for information.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority of St. Croix will hold the second annual Put Ur Feet in Pink for the Cure event will be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Rotary West in Frederiksted. Proceeds from this breast cancer charity event will be donated to the YAG Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Call 643-3322, email nuchizeta@hotmail.com or visit www.zphibvi.org for information.

WAPA holds Energy Star Days

During Energy Awareness Month, the V.I. Energy Office and WAPA will hold Energy Star Days on all three islands. Events are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 23 at Sunny Isle, St. Croix, Oct. 25 at Market Place, St. John and Oct. 26 on at Tutu Park Mall on St. Thomas. The purpose of Energy Star Days is to inform residents of ways to reduce energy consumption. Information and give-away items will be available.

Call Don Buchanan at 713-8436 or visit www.vienergy.org for information.

Urban and Community Forestry Council to hold annual conference

The Virgin Islands Urban and Community Forestry Council will host the Caribbean Urban and Community Forestry Conference Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 in the Administration Building's conference room on UVI's St. Thomas campus. The conference theme is, "Beyond Beautification: The Real Value of Urban Forest."

Contact Mario A. Francis at 774-3745, 626-4269 or mfrancis_253@yahoo.com for information.

Golf tournament takes place at Mahogany Run

The St. Thomas-St. John Ladies Golf Association will host its annual Pumpkin Cup Tournament at 9 a.m. Oct. 28 at the Mahogany Run Golf Course on St. Thomas to benefit the Family Resource Center. Registration is $125. Interested players can register as an individual, sponsor the tournament or volunteer during the event.

Call 776-3966 to register or for information. For sponsorship, call Loraine at 690-7020 or email lorraine@stsjlga.com.

Human Services holds Adopt-a-Family

The Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services will hold the annual Adopt-A-Family program. Community sponsors and families may provide a memorable Thanksgiving and Christmas for a less fortunate family.

For information, call Michelle Benjmain at 774-0930 ext. 4340 or Heather Lambertis at ext. 4245 on St. Thomas. On St. Croix, call Jean Nesbitt-Matthew or Kimberly Edwards at 773-5303.

The St. Croix Economic Development holds essay contest

The St. Croix Economic Development Initiative is holding an essay contest to discover the best and brightest business and economic ideas, solutions and plans. Winners within each group will receive $500 and the necessary guidance to execute and implement their viable business ideas, plan or solutions. Essay contest criteria requires a comprehensive overview of current economic conditions, identifying deficiencies, necessary infrastructure enhancements, recommendations for viable approaches to address problems and the introduction of new business models and ideas.

The contest will be managed on line at www.sedi2012.com. Winning essays will be posted online and winners identified in the media. Visit www.sedi2012.com for details and instructions. Essays can also be submitted by fax to the St. Croix Foundation at 773-8727.

Joseph Sibilly School will celebrate fright night

The Joseph Sibilly Elementary School's annual fright night will take place at 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at the school. Children of all ages may come in costume and join the costume parade. Activities will include costume competitions, a haunted house, games, crafts, food and music.

Email josephsibillypta@gmail.com for information.

Spinal analysis at Wisdom Waves

Chiropractor Tammi McKnight will hold a free posture check for children ages four to 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 at Wisdom Waves Wellness Center. A posture check for adults will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the center. Complimentary posture workshops will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 12 at the center. Wisdom Waves Wellness Center is located in Compass Point Marina at 6300 Estate Frydenhoj No. D1-A, St. Thomas, VI 00802.

Call 774-3020 to make an appointment.

Barktoberfest will celebrate animal adoption

The Humane Society of St. Thomas will celebrate Humane Society animals at 11 a.m. Oct. 21 at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort. Iggie's will be serving food and satellite drink bars will offer Red Stripe and Captain Morgan. Activities will include vendors, live entertainment, raffle prizes, dog contests and a special kids area sponsored by Kool Kidz. Entrance is free. Prizes will be awarded to winners of pet contests. Shelter dogs will be present and available for adoption and shelter staff members will provide information about the adoption process, tips on pet training, information about the new shelter and other animal related topics. Proceeds from the event will support the educational program of the Humane Society and go toward maintaining the new Humane Care campus.

Call 514-4238 for information.

Expo will support local businesses

The St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual Business Expo from noon to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Mark Marin Center at Antilles School. A reception sponsored by Captain Morgan will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2. The expo will provide an opportunity for businesses to foster new relationships, build business leads and gain a better knowledge of networking groups and businesses that partner with the chamber. Consumers can do one-stop shopping and learn about chamber members and the products and services offered. Admission is free.

Visit www.chamber.vi or call 776-0100 to register or for information.

Reichhold Center hosts Agriculture and Food Fair

The St. Thomas-St. John Agriculture and Food Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 at Reichhold Center. Entry fee is $3 or $1 for children ages 12 and under. Vendor applications can be picked up from the Department of Agriculture on St. Thomas or St. Croix, UVI Cooperative Extension Service, Sea Chest and Natural Livity Kulcha Shop. Participants and judges are needed for the Best Tasting Sweet bread, Maubi and Ital contests. Raffle prizes and a coal pot lighting contest will also be featured.

Call 693-1080 or 774-5182 or email dcooper@uvi.edu for information.

Food celebration will support local television

The annual Taste of Two Islands event will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Mark Marin Center at Antilles School. The best of the food and beverage community on St. Thomas and St. John will display signature dishes and delight the palates of WTJX supporters with a variety of scrumptious delicacies. This partnership with the food and beverage community helps WTJX raise funds to support local programming for the local PBS station. Entertainment will be provided by Spectrum Band. Advanced ticket cost is $45 for WTJX members and $50 for non-members. Tickets at the door will be $55.

Visit WTJX or call Yvette at 774-6255 ext. 246 for tickets and information.

Celebrity Golf Tournament

The 29th annual American Airlines Charity Golf Classic for Queen Louise Home for Children will be held Nov. 9 through Nov. 11 on St. Croix. The tournament provides an opportunity for sponsors to enjoy three days of golf with celebrity athletes and benefits Queen Louise Home for Children, a 501(c)3 organization on St. Croix. This year's celebrities include Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 Winter Olympics United States team that defeated the Soviet Union in the famous "Miracle on Ice" game and Bert Blyleven, 2011 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1970 to 1992 and current color commentator for the Minnesota Twins on Fox Sports North. Festivities include a celebrity draft and cocktail party, gala and auction.

Email info@lssvi.org for information.

Reef Fest takes place at Coral World

Coral World Ocean Park at Coki Beach will hold Reef Fest 2012 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18. Activities will include treasure hunts, snorkel clinics, ocean bingo, paddleboarding and snuba demos, a sand castle contest, games, prizes, music and food. All proceeds support environmental education. Admission is free.

Contact Valerie Peters at 775-1555 ext. 246 or marketing@coralworldvi.com for information.

Arts Alive holds Art in the Garden

The Arts Alive Holiday Art in the Garden will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 24 and Nov. 25 at Tillett Gardens at 4126 Anna's Retreat, St. Thomas. Festivities will include live music from local musicians, food, local artists, a children's art table, raffle drawings and a cupcake bake-off.

- The bake-off cupcake challenge is open to all island bakers. Cupcake entries will be judged on taste, texture, presentation and creativity. The baker of the winning cupcake will be awarded $100 cash. Following the contest all cupcakes will go on sale to benefit Arts Alive and the Youth Scholarship Fund.

Call 776-8566, email artsalive@tillett.net or stop by the Arts Alive office in Tillett Gardens for information or booth space rental.

Family and Youth Crisis Intervention Program

- Adolescent Anger Management classes are held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Dec. 4. The program assists youth who are exhibiting negative behaviors and may be having trouble in school, at home or socially. Space is limited.

- Parenting classes are held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 4. The program assists parents who are experiencing difficult times with their children and who desire an improved relationship with their children.

- The Rites of Passage component is currently accepting registration from parents with sons ages nine to 12 years. Classes will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday from Sept. 8 to Dec. 8. The component offers field activities, Tai-Chi, computer literacy, social development/skills, cultural literacy and ecological art.

All programs are free but space is limited. Call Greg McGriff at 776-9085 for information or to register.

Peacemaker Gala supports Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center will hold a Peacemaker Gala from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 24, 2013 at Prior/Jollek Hall at Antilles School on St. Thomas. The event will include tapas with wine pairings, a silent auction and an awards ceremony to honor Ed Thomas and Scott Bradley. Cost is $125 per person and all proceeds support the Family Resource Center.

Contact Vernon Araujo at 513-9245 or frcdevelopment@gmail.com for information.

St. Thomas Humane Society

The Humane Society of St. Thomas is seeking volunteers to foster homes for animals. Fostering a pet is an opportunity for an individual or family to provide a dog or cat with the one-on-one attention it needs. Volunteers also can use the fostering experience to see what it would be like to have a pet companion.

Call 775-0599 for information or to volunteer.

JazzHaven

Free jazz concerts are currently held the third Saturday of each month through November at Yacht Haven's esplanade. The performances feature talented youngsters from St. Thomas as well as internationally acclaimed musicians from Puerto Rico. Fat Turtle and Grande Cru are providing specials and lawn service for concert viewers.

- The next concert will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, featuring fiddler/violinist Alana Davis, Denise Hummer and the Flamboyant Band and Liza Micceli.

Contact Alicia MacDonald at 244-4663 or Alicia@ambagent.com for information.

Pre-GED program

The Caribbean Institute for Training and Development holds pre-GED classes from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday nights at the institute in Mandela Circle across from Wendy's. The program is free to those who qualify and will prepare participants for all five modules of the Pre-GED and GED exams. Visit the Department of Labor for an application to apply and register. Seating is limited.

Call the institute at 776-3320 or the Department of Labor at 776-3700 for information.

Disability Mentoring Day

Work-Able is seeking sponsors, businesses, employers, work site coordinators, mentors and mentees to support and participate in 2012 Disability Mentoring Day on Oct. 17. Disability Mentoring Day is celebrated annually as a part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month to promote career development through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing and mentoring relationships. Students who participate will receive six community service hours and a particicipation certificate.

Contact Work-Able at 514-6600 or workableinc@gmail.com to make a contribution or for information.

Volunteers of the Virgin Islands

The not-for-profit organization is accepting school supplies to help children in the community for the 2012/2013 school year. Supplies needed include backpacks, child safety scissors, crayons, glue, colored markers, pens, notebooks, sanitizer, used elementary school books, Kleenex, pocket folders, glue sticks, no. 2 pencils, rulers and liquid hand soap.

Call Eunice Robert at 998-9479 for information.

Chiropractic workshops

Local chiropractor Tammi Reeve McKnight has recently achieved the highest level certification in Network Spinal Analysis, an advanced form of chiropractic that is on the cutting edge of neuroscience. Mcknight holds weekly community workshops at no charge to empower people on living at their highest potential. All workshops are held at Wisdom Waves Wellness Center in Compass Point Marina on St. Thomas. Email info@wisdomwaves.com to request a schedule and descriptions of workshops.

Diabetes support group

The Food and Nutrition Department at Schneider Hospital hosts a diabetes support group from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the sun room of the hospital's Island Breeze Café. The support group is open to anyone interested in learning more about diabetes and self-care.

Contact DeAnna Dahlem at 776-8311 ext. 1031 or ddahlem@srmedicalcenter.org for more information.

Alternative Movie Night

Sevenminusseven presents a free "Movie Night" at 7 p.m. every Wednesday evening. Film selections are foreign, art and independent films. Movies are shown in Blu-ray with a high definition projector on a big screen in the air-conditioned media room. Sevenminusseven is located in Sub Base next to Pueblo. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Call 267-424-4699 or email sevenminusseven@yahoo.com for more information.

Adult Education registration

The Adult Education Pre-GED and GED Day Program began Jan. 31 starting from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Garden Street (yellow building).

All of the following Evening Programs began Feb. 6 : High School Diploma and ESL (English as a Second Language) from 6:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at Charlotte Amalie High School; Pre-GED, GED, ESL and Adult Basic from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at Lockhart; Pre-GED and GED from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Julius E. Sprauve School.

Registration is ongoing, for more information call 227-5295.

No-flea boutique

The Humane Society of St. Thomas' new No-Flea Boutique is now open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The resale shop is located at the Humane Care Campus, off Weymouth Rhymer Highway and across from Cost-U-Less. Humane Society members who show their membership card at check-out will receive an extra 10 percent off, and all purchases directly benefit the island's homeless pets.

The Nadir market is still open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon - and everything there is selling for $.50 and up until the store is cleaned out.

The Humane Society is no longer accepting clothing and household item donations at the Nadir location. Bring them to the new site during its open hours.

If you are interested in volunteering and can donate one 4-hour shift each week, email Leslie Maxwell at lesliemaxwell50@yahoo.com.

Dorcas Care

The Department of Human Services Family Caregiver Support Program, which provides support and resources to persons caring for the elderly, has implemented Dorcas Care adult day care services.

Volunteers are needed to administer the program and will receive training in First Aid, CPR, and general caregiving for the elderly. Family caregivers who need assistance are urged to register for services.

For more information contact Arleen Evans O'Reilly at 773-2323 ext. 2024 on St. Croix and Shirma Henry at 774-0930 ext. 4120 on St. Thomas.

GED classes

House of Refuge Empowerment Programs offer GED tutoring that assist students in learning essential theorems and principles of the sciences to prepare them for taking the GED examination. For more information, contact Mrs. George or Mr. Celaire at 473-6925 or 513-3288.

Community orchestra auditions

To be a member of the New Community Orchestra of St. Thomas pick up an application at G-Clef Music Academy or V.I. Montessori School and International Academy. The orchestra is open to all musicians from 8 years old through adults. Participants must be able to read music. Pre-orchestra classes are also being held for those who don't read. Rehearsals are held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.

- The New Community Orchestra is looking for instruments in any condition. Donations can be dropped off at G-Clef Music Academy in Tillett Gardens or V.I. Montessori School and International Academy in Red Hook.

For more information, contact Leah at 617-290-5797 or leah.aronin@gmail.com or Sherrie at 998-1823 or sherriedavis50@yahoo.com.

Movie night

"Family Movie Night" is held at 7 p.m. the second Friday of each month at Yacht Haven Grande. Bring your own chair and blanket. Admission is free, but a small donation will be accepted.

Weatherization program

The Virgin Islands Weatherization Program provides low income, elderly and handicapped residents with energy measures such as Energy Star refrigerators, hot water heater timers, compact fluorescent light bulbs low-flow shower heads, aerators and power strips at no cost to the resident.

Applications are available on St. Croix from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Methodist Outreach and Training Center at 195 Richmond across from Henneman Ice Plant. Call 773-1155 for more information.

Client intake on St. Thomas will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays at the Methodist Outreach and Training Center at 4A Kronprindsens Gade. Call 714-7782 for more information.

On St. John, client intake services will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursdays at the St. John Methodist Church. Client intake services will be also be at the St. Ursula's Multipurpose Center and the Adrian Senior Center. Call the centers to find out the times and days at 693-8580 or 776-6144.

Energy program

The Virgin Islands Energy Office is unveiling a program to help small businesses territory-wide cut their power consumption. The program is known as the Worthwhile Investments Save Energy and is part of the Better Buildings Initiative of the federal Department of Energy. Participants in the WISE program will be eligible for rebates of up to 40 percent of their project costs for energy efficiency retrofits to their businesses.

Eligible applicants are small, retail and service businesses with utility usage of 30,000 kWh monthly or less. To qualify, businesses must own their buildings or have long-term leases. An application for the rebates is on the Energy Office website at www.vienergy.org.

For more information, contact Miguel Quinones at 714-8436.

Zumba class

Zumba fitness classes are held at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Winston Raymo community center next to Lionel Roberts Stadium. For more information, call Christine at 690-4307 or email cdejl@yahoo.com.

Solar water heaters

The Virgin Islands Energy Office is urging residents to take advantage of its Sun Power Loan program to purchase a solar water heater and substantially reduce their electric bill. The Sun Power program allows residents to purchase and install a solar water heater with no upfront costs. Rebates up to $2,500, along with loans up to $3,500, are available to cover the costs.

Energy Office Director Karl Knight said that the Energy Office has conducted a successful appliance rebate program and a successful rebate program for fuel efficient vehicles, paying out more than $1.2 million in subsidies to 2,462 residents and small businesses, but federal money is no longer available for those two programs.

The Sun Power program is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is administered in a partnership between, the Water and Power Authority, the Economic Development Authority, and the Energy Office.

Almost 600 residents have already been approved for the program. It is estimated that another 200 residents will be able to go through the program the way it is before the program is revised or shutdown.

The no-money-down loans are financed through the Economic Development Authority at a 1 percent fixed interest rate over five years and are repaid through borrowers' WAPA bills.

Information and applications can be found at www.vienergy.org or call 713-8436 on St. Croix and 714-8436 on St. Thomas.

Sewing classes

Sew Stylish is offering sewing and designing classes for kids and adults from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays. For information, call 201-0812.

Notary public applications

The Lieutenant Governor's Office announces that notary public applications are now available online. New and renewal applications, as well as the Notary Public handbook, can be accessed at the Lieutenant Governor's website, www.ltg.gov.vi.

Online availability of the documents enables the Lt. Governor's Office to be more responsive to inquiries about the notary public application process and responsibilities. For more information, contact the Lt. Governor's office at 774-2991 for the St. Thomas-St. John district or the Division of Banking and Insurance at 773-6459 for the St. Croix district.

Red Cross seeks donations

Hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters have taken a toll in the Virgin Islands. The American Red Cross of the Virgin Islands reminds willing residents to make tax deductible donations to lessen the blow of such disasters. To make a donation, visit the Red Cross at 6035 Castle Coakley, Christiansted, or call 774-0375, or visit their upstairs office at Nisky Center.

CPR classes

St. John Rescue conducts community CPR classes, with instruction in CPR, automated external defibrillator use and the Heimlich maneuver, taught in a three-hour, one-day class.

Contact Bob Malacarne via email training@stjohnrescue.com or 626-5118 for more information.

Weekly feeding event

Volunteers of the Virgin Islands feeds the homeless and people in need between 8 and 10 a.m. every Saturday at Market Square across from the Methodist Church and is accepting donations of food and grocery items and clothing.

Call Eunice Robert at 998-9479 for more information.

Creque Dam volunteer days

Volunteers are needed to help out at the Creque Dam farm from 9 to 11 a.m. or from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Email shellibrin@gmail.com for more information.

UVI Wellness Center

The UVI Wellness Center on the St. Thomas campus is accepting alumni memberships at discounted rates. The Center is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Bolongo Bay Chess Club

The new Bolongo Bay Chess Club is open to players of all skill levels, children and adults. The club meets from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturdays in the karaoke area next to Iggies.

Contact Corinne at 626-1199 or email corinnevanrensselaer@yahoo.com for more information.

Visit www.chessvi.com for upcoming events.

New Beginnings

New Beginnings for a Better Tomorrow offers two-hour private computer tutorial sessions in English and Spanish from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, and from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Instruction is given on Office 2003, 2007 and 2010; Word; Excel; Power Point; Access; Publisher; keyboarding; career development and preparation; and job skills training.

After-school family tutorial sessions, to be held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, are to be discussed in the areas of technology, reading, writing, math, science and other subjects; piano and violin; fashion and design, sewing, embroidery and crochet; and drawing, painting, arts and crafts and scrapbooking.

Call 227-6515 for more information.

Community awards

Southland Gaming of the Virgin Islands has established a Community Award program to recognize and reward the positive efforts of Virgin Islands individuals and organizations. The company has dedicated $25,000 to the program, and one successful nominee will be selected every other week to receive $1,000.

The Community Award program is designed to spotlight selfless individuals and organizations that continue to make the Virgin Islands a unique and wonderful community. Limitations have not been placed on the categories. Examples include sports and recreation, music, education, environment, social change, early childhood and youth mentoring. Nominations may be submitted by individuals and organizations for themselves, or by a third party on behalf of another individual or organization.

Applications will be reviewed and references checked by a panel. Award winners will be announced every other Friday by media release. There is no restriction on what funds may be used for.

The two-page application must be fully completed and then submitted to Southland Gaming for review. Applications are available online at www.sgvi.com/awards. Once completed, the application can be emailed to awards@sgvi.com, faxed to 776-4185 or mailed to Awards, Southland Gaming of the V.I., 1003 Estate Ross, St. Thomas, V.I. 00802.

For more information, contact Shaine Gaspard at shaine@sgvi.com.

Pet licensing

Pet licenses are available online from St. Croix Animal Welfare Center at www.atcroixawc.org/pet-licenses.

According to Virgin Islands law, pet owners should buy identification tags each year from St. Croix AWC. Tags start at $5 and offer the benefit of reuniting lost pets with their owners.

Visit www.atcroixawc.org/pet-licenses for more information.

COAST recruitment

For over 34 years, The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of St. Thomas and St. John has endeavored to address the many serious alcohol and substance abuse problems plaguing the Virgin Islands. COAST remains alive and well and is in the process of redeveloping new leadership, new office space, new programs and relationships with existing agencies working to combat the war on drugs, alcohol and violence. COAST is recruiting new members to serve the organization in a number of areas such as executive council, volunteers and regular membership.

Call 774-4358 or email coast_vi@yahoo.com for more information.

Call for volunteers

The Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged is looking for committed volunteers to share with resident seniors. The rewarding opportunity offers training and fellowship.

Call Jacqueline Douglas at 778-0708 for more information.

Foster grandparent program

Persons aged 60 or older who are interested in working with children are invited to call the Department of Human Services Foster Grandparent Program.

Eligible applicants can receive a tax-free stipend, free transportation to the work site, a free annual physical, free monthly training and more.

Call 772-9811 ext. 27 on St. Croix and 774-5265 ext. 1 on St. Thomas for more information.

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