Letters to St. John Tradewinds A St. John Miracle My husband and I recently visited your lovely is- land, and during the course of our visit I left my hand- bag at one of the bay view tumoffs. When I realized this — perhaps a half hour later — we immediately retraced our steps, but to no avail. We revisited Mongoose Junction, where we had been prior to our journey up the coast, and I prevailed on Tom at Bajo el Sol for the use of his cell to cancel our credit cards. My husband had remained in the car outside, as he was done climbing stairs for the day. While still on the phone, I heard Tom draw in his breath, and I turned to find my husband, handbag in hand, grinning from ear to ear. As it happened, a taxi driver by the name of Thom- as had been behind us on the way up the coast, and picked up the bag when he noticed it at the turnoff. His intention was to take it to the Police Department, but as he came down the terribly congested street in front of Mongoose, he thought just maybe the car my husband was in might be the car he had seen earlier. So, with nowhere to park, he left his taxi in the middle of the road and brought the bag to the side of the car to see if my husband recognized it. I consider this to be an incredible miracle. We were driving a rental car, in no way unusual, a Toyota Co- rolla, the same red as 25 percent of the cars around us. But Thomas took a chance. That, to me, was the miracle. He went that extra distance on a hunch, saving us no end of time and trouble. Your island is indeed lovely, but it cannot compare to the kindness, concern and genuine humanity of the people who inhabit it. I not only thank Thomas, but also Tom at Bajo el Sol, and the sweet woman who approached me as I was running about to see if I needed any money. Where in the world do you find people like that? Thank you all for being on the planet — you have renewed my faith. Joan Martinez An End to Racism Forever Racism n. {Disapproving} 1. Prejudice or animosity against people who be- long to other races. 2. The belief that people of different races have dif- ferent qualities and abilities, and that some races are inherently superior or inferior. In the world we live today, the overall lack of love and compassion I believe leads to most of the preju- dice and animosity that exists. Along with the fear that seems to rule our everyday lives. The ego and its belief that we need money and all it can buy to be better than the next, with fancy cars and the big house with two cars in the garage. How long can the list go on of our lack in faith and understand- ing of our connection to source or the energy that is behind all of creation? Our lack of understanding of just what a small part this human experience is of who or what we really are. Our existence in this form is but a mere fraction of a second in eternity. The oneness to this source which we all are will end the world as we know it. Once we understand our connection to this source we will realize we are all equal and perfect in every way — no one is better or less than the next. Love will take the place of hatred. An understanding that giving and receiving are in fact one in the same — to give is to receive. A world where there is no war. Pollution will end and respect for the planet we live on along with all that lives here with us will be way. New energy sourc- es will take the place of those we now use. We have been promised a garden and the time is soon here. Let us all see a positive light shining on our future and it will come to be! The news and headlines now seem to project a dif- ferent light — one of shortcomings, one of mass con- fusion and war, terrorists around every corner, hunger and disease, hatred and the lack of love. There is a lack of understanding that our purpose is to love and have compassion in this world we live in. It’s our choice in how we choose to see the world we live in. Shall it be a world filled with love and the joy and light that would follow it? Or one filled with dark and ugly days and more of what the past has brought us? We can create for our children and ourselves a bet- ter world. Let’s all bring these thoughts into play and let your light shine through — let love be the way. We all who live on St. John know we have a special place here on this planet. I believe we all know we have problems here also. Let’s all work together to make Love City live up to its nickname. Help when you see a need. Give a hug and a smile each and every day as these are free gifts we can give. Honor the spirit within each and all. We are at a crossroads in the history of mankind in which we can, through our thoughts and actions, make our world a place in which we all have what we need and the ways of the past are part of history. Choosing to be a part of this change brings us all one step closer to it becoming a reality. How much of what we have been taught in the world as it is do we find to be untrue? Part of a plan of control through the use of lies and fear. Have faith and believe in the power we have in be- ing part of the energy that has created all. Within this faith we will find the power to change our future and the future of our children. Within this oneness there can be no prejudice or animosity — and racism will be gone forever. Robert Sells What Do You Think? Send your letters to editor @tradewinds.vi St. John Tradewinds, November 9-15, 2009 = 15 St. John Tradewinds Keeping Track 2008 FINAL COUNT Homicide: 0 Solved: 0 Shootings: 0 Under Investigation: 0 Solved: 0 Stabbings: 1 Under Investigation: 1 Solved: 0 Armed Robberies: 2 Under Investigation: 2 Solved: 1 Arsons: 0 Under Investigation: 0 Solved: 0 1st Degree Burglaries: 1 Under Investigation: 1 Solved: 0 2nd Degree Burglaries: 18 Under Investigation: 18 Solved: 0 3rd Degree Burglaries: 67 Under Investigation: 67 Solved: 0 Grand Larcenies: 68 Under Investigation: 68 Solved: 0 Rapes: 0 Under Investigation: 0 Solved: 0 2009 TO-DATE Homicide: 1 Solved: 0 Shootings: 0 Under Investigation: 0 Solved: 0 Stabbings: 0 Under Investigation: 0 Solved: 0 Armed Robberies: 3 Under Investigation: 3 Solved: 0 Arsons: 0 Under Investigation: 0 Solved: 0 1st Degree Burglaries: 5 Under Investigation: 5 Solved: 0 2nd Degree Burglaries: 16 Under Investigation: 15 Solved: 1 8rd Degree Burglaries: 57 Under Investigation: 55 Solved: 4 Grand Larcenies: 55 Under Investigation: 52 Solved: 3 Rapes: 1 Under Investigation: 1 Solved: 0 St. John Tradewinds’ Keeping Track data comes from the V_I. Police Department’s Leander Jurgen Command Incident Log, an unofficial record of calls to the station, reports and arrests on St. John. Alcholics Anonymous Meetings Alcoholics Anonymous meets as scheduled: Sundays, 9:45 a.m. at Hawksnest Bay Beach; Closed meeting for alcoholic only at Nazareth Lutheran Church at 5:30 on Tuesdays; Open meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. at Moravian Church, Coral Bay. Narcotics Anonymous Meetings Narcotics Anonymous has open meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Saturday at St. Ursula’s Church. Al-Anon Meetings Al-Anon meets on St. John every Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the picnic table at the VINP ball field, and every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at St. Ursula’s Multi-purpose center. Alateen Meetings Alateen will meet on Mondays at St. Ursula’s Church from 6 to 7 p.m. and is open to anyone interested in attending.