#FreshEyesFriday: Memorial Day Weekend 5.24
It has been a MINUTE. or really 20,160 minutes...and counting.
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| I'm slowly losing my mind. |
I also celebrated World Lupus Day on Sunday, May 10 and ended that week with Put on Purple on Friday, May 15 to help bring awareness to systemic lupus, a condition I live with and battle every day. In the days thereafter, I'd like to think I took a break from literally everything in honor of #MentalHealthAwareness Month. Health, health, health.
Always on the brain.
Welllllllllllll, anyways, I'll keep my yammering to myself. It's been far too long.
Let's get to the GOOD STUFF...
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| source: valeriesims.com |
The people of the Caribbean cannot be kept down, either, not even #Coronavirus will get in their way. So inspiring! So empowering! So motivating! With that said, I will quit my gushing and give you the FEEL GOOD NEWS that makes you so proud to be from the Caribbean.
Crucians Coming Together... highlighting the sunshine on island
Also give it up to all the organizations, businesses, and individuals utilizing their resources and skills to support all of our essential workers and vulnerable population:
VI Positive
VI Positive
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| The St. Croix Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority donated locally baked cookies to V.I. police officers at Wilbur Francis Command in Mars Hill. |
St. Croix’s Class of 2020 Makes the Most of Quarantine Graduations
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| Staff at Luis Hospital on St. Croix received sweet treats by Sorbetiere homemade ice cream. |
Fresh Eyes Creatives: Highlighting creative artists from the USVI & the Caribbean
The USVI is an island filled with so much talent and creativity it is overwhelming. The young people on island have this undeniable connection and gift of expression that needs to be shared with the world. Here are my creative highlights for the week...
↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑EPISODE 2! COMING SOON! ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
Alvin's heat up the hot sauce world
Renowned Restaurateur Reopening Landmark Galleon Restaurant
COVID Creativity: Assemblage by Lisa Etre
TizZi TizZi is a unique Local Rap Artist from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Making awesome music, like caviar for your ears. Check em out!
New favorite anthem: Kruziano "World"
stream it today on Spotify or Apple Music (or wherever you stream music)
Fresh Eyes Events: things to look forward to happening locally and virtually
Graduation dates -
St. Croix Central High School: Tuesday, May 26, 2020
St. Croix Educational Complex: Tuesday, May 27, 2020
Ivanna Eudora Kean High School: Wednesday, May 28, 2020
Charlotte Amalie High School: Friday, May 29, 2020
Learn about some of the VIDE's inspiring seniors in the Class of 2020! #GraduateTogether
CARES Act Extends Emergency Relief Grant Deadline to May 29The realest Virgin Islands talk show: OFF THE RECORD
Conversations, Great Music, Giveaways
Tune in every Saturday 3 - 5PM
Join the conversation: call or text 340-725-VSTX (8789)
Live on VIVID Streaming.
VI PaceRunners Virtual Road Race Set for May 25-31. This event is open to everyone, anywhere. It is free of charge.
UVI Safety in Paradise/VI SBDC Webinar to Help Businesses Reopen Post COVID-19. The webinar will be conducted in both English and Spanish on the following days:
UVI CELL Offers Series of Virtual Workshops for Veterans in Recognition of Military Appreciation Month. The Military Resiliency workshops are a series of workshops designed to provide support for members of the military and their families so that they can better cope with adversity, adapt to change and overcome challenges. The first workshop will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on May 26, 27 and 28. The three-day session will provide practical information on how to prepare, weather and bounce back from the storms faced as a warrior.
The workshop will be offered at no cost to qualified Virgin Islands veterans. To determine eligibility, veterans can submit an online application by visiting here.
UVI Safety in Paradise/VI SBDC Webinar to Help Businesses Reopen Post COVID-19. The webinar will be conducted in both English and Spanish on the following days:
Wednesday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to noon (English)
Thursday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to noon (Spanish)
Interested individuals are urged to register for the session in advance. To register, visit Zoom Meeting (English speaking) & Zoom Meeting (Spanish speaking). For more information, visit the Safety In Paradise website or email: safetyinparadise@uvi.edu.
The workshop will be offered at no cost to qualified Virgin Islands veterans. To determine eligibility, veterans can submit an online application by visiting here.
“My dream is to meet every kid in the entire world and give them art,” she said. “Who knows, maybe if we do that and then our kids do that, we’ll have world peace!” - Chelsea Phaire
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| Crayola unveils new packs of crayons to reflect world's skin tones |
Restaurants Reopen for Dine-In Tuesday
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| Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announces starting Tuesday bars and restaurants can offer dine-in service with restrictions. |
On Thursday, May 21, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. addressed the public and touched on COVID-19, restrictions, and the government's phased plan for re-opening. He also touched on continuing economic stimulus efforts, adding that:
- 8,074 unemployment insurance applications have been received and 6,629 checks processed for a total $4.6 million;
- 15,731 residential V.I. Water and Power Authority customers have received a $250 credit toward their electric bill, while 3,167 commercial customers have received a $500 credit; and
- More than 12,000 economic stimulus checks, totaling nearly $20 million, have been mailed out to eligible residents.
Bryan also urged residents to avoid packing the beaches over the long holiday weekend.
"These are not normal times...The virus is deadly, it has already claimed six lives in our community, so I ask you to please be safe and encourage your family and friends to be safe and adhere to the social distancing rules."- Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.
As USVI Plans Reopening to Leisure Travelers, Congresswoman Plaskett Casts Doubt on Accuracy of Coronavirus Numbers - Be safe out there! We are not in the clear, yet!
and finally, some FOOD FOR THOUGHT...
I know that with all this time on our hands and nowhere to go, stress levels are at an all time high. All this empty space in our lives can leave us with too much time to think and dwell and obsess. Couple that with the constant barrage of negative news reports and our less than fantastic governing body making mishap after mishap and you have a recipe for a breakdown. Our blood pressure's sky rocketing and must be THROUGH. THE. ROOF.
I know that with all this time on our hands and nowhere to go, stress levels are at an all time high. All this empty space in our lives can leave us with too much time to think and dwell and obsess. Couple that with the constant barrage of negative news reports and our less than fantastic governing body making mishap after mishap and you have a recipe for a breakdown. Our blood pressure's sky rocketing and must be THROUGH. THE. ROOF.
We can't live like this. We need change. We need leaders who LEAD. We need a collection of people who have the American public's best interest at heart, even us little people in American territories. We count. We have a voice, so we should have a say. A lot of these nerves and stresses are directly correlated to our current (lack of) quality of life.
Carve time out to learn about the issues that your community faces. Learn about who wants to lead your community. Start in your own backyard. Go out and vote!
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| Crested anoles are curious and not shy. (Source photo by Gail Karlsson) |
Oh! Last thing... look at this little guy: Getting To Know Your Virgin Island Lizards. CUUUUUUUUTE.
Hope you are having a safe and relaxing holiday weekend. My love to all celebrating the lives of those who served for Memorial Day, as well as the breaking of the month long fast (Eid Mubarak - end of Ramadan). If you go out, wear a mask and be careful. We are not in the clear yet. No matter how badly we want to be. Continue to practice social distancing. Be safe out there.
Until next time...
xx,
Solange
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