2 St. John Tradewinds, December 14-20, 2009 Hollander’s Holiday Sculpture “Plumb” Iluminates Coral Bay By Jaime Elliott St. John Tradewinds Local artisan Gorge Hollander is spreading his particular style of Holiday cheer again this year from high atop his Coral Bay home. Hollander, well known for his modernist sculp- tures and lamp designs using natural materials, erects a special holiday piece each year at his home up a steep slope overlooking Coral Bay harbor. This year’s piece is composed of rebar, lights, plexiglass and wood and is called “Plumb,” which is a play on the plumb rule included in the sculpture. A plumb line or plumb rule is an architecture term for an instrument used to find verticality, explained Hollander. “What you do is create a vertical position,” Hol- lander said. “You start at some height and using a line and weighted object, it allows you to align the verti- cality point.” The sculpture is reminiscent of a pyramid as the re- bar poles positioned at the corners of the square base meet in a point at the top. A plexiglass disk hangs suspended from the tip of the structure, which also features a light bulb and several strings of twinkling Christmas lights. The lights dance off the hanging plexiglass disk below to create a special glow after dark. “At night the plexiglass disk seems to float over Coral Bay,” said Hollander. “The light reflects off the disk and it seems suspended in air.” The light is visible from many vantages in the Coral Bay area and also beckons vessels entering the harbor. Hollander used many pieces from holiday sculp- tures past to create this year’s “Plumb,” conjuring memories of those ghosts of Christmas past from Dickens’ classic tale. “This piece is a composite piece of some of the other pieces I’ve made,” said the artisan. “I’ve used St. John Tradewinds News Photo by G. Hollander “Plumb” sculpture by George Hollander. the same rebar year after year. One year they were a Christmas tree, another time they created one bulb, and this year theyre ‘Plumb.”” “Tt all just came together,” Hollander said. While it’s not difficult to read deep meaning into Hollander’s stark sculpture that beams a warm glow across the harbor, the artisan offered at least one sim- ple idea. “Maybe it was a prayer to the construction gods,” said Hollander. To see more examples of Hollander’s work check out his website georgehollander.com. MaLinda Media Goes Live on “Face To Face” TV Show ss Broadcasting live from the Havensight Tree Light ceremony on St. Thomas, St John Magazine publisher MaLinda Nelson, right, was invited to discuss the lastest issue with host Addie Ottley, center, on Wednesday, December 9. Photo by Tom Oat Coral Bay Sing-Along Is December 14 The Coral Bay community Christmas tree lighting ceremony and carol sing-along is set for Monday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Coral Bay basketball court. Join everyone in singing carols and welcoming Santa for the kids! This annual tradition brings neighborhoods out to sing — in a “competitive challenge for festiveness” between neighborhoods. Bring a voice and lots of neighbors, so the carols are loud! No tal- ent is required, just lots of holiday and community spirit. The Coral Bay Community Council is encouraging everyone to bring gifts for Santa to give the children. Please bring a wrapped gift or two labeled for boy or girl and the appropriate age. CBCC- designated gifts can also be dropped off at Connections in Coral Bay. PSC To Tackle Ferry Matters on Dec. 16 The VI. Public Services Commission will meet on Wednes- day, December 16, at 3 p.m. at the PSC office in Barbel Plaza, St. Thomas. Commissioners will go into executive discussion first and will discuss ferry boat matters starting around 4:30 p.m. The St. John petition for a change in the operation schedule and the profitability of the Cruz Bay to Charlotte Amalie run will be discussed. PSC members will also discuss a proposed adjustment to the reduced schedule in effect, which has eliminated the 9 and 11 p.m. ferry runs. Water and Power Authority and telecommunication matters are on the PSC agenda as well. Toy Drive To Fill Community’s Need With the Holiday season quickly approaching, it’s time to re- member those on St. John who won’t have any presents to open without the community’s help. Joe Palminteri and Lori Dudkin are hosting the annual St. John Toy Drive for the fourth time this year. The local toy drive ensures that all gifts collected are distributed to children in need right on Love City. Residents are asked to drop off new unwrapped toys for chil- dren between the ages of 4 and 18 at collection sites across the island by Thursday, December 17. Collection sites are located at: the St. John Tradewinds office on the third floor of The Marketplace; Canines, Cats and Critters at Palm Plaza; Connections in Coral Bay and Cruz Bay; Gifft Hill School’s lower campus; the Tourist Trap near Estate Concordia; and the Tap Room at Mongoose Junction. St. John Singers Christmas Concerts Set for December 16, 18 and 20 The St. John Singers, under the direction of John Cahill, will present three holiday concerts this season on December 16, 18 and 20. In addition to a wide range of Christmas carols, the choir will perform short works by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Pergolesi. Gylchris Sprauve, best known for his pure tenor voice, will be the featured guest artist. Born in Puerto Rico and raised on St. Thomas, Sprauve has devoted his life to sacred music. Sprauve will accompany the choir on piano and Detra Davis will also be a guest performer. The first concert will be in Cruz Bay on Wednesday, December 16, at the Nazareth Lutheran Church. The next two concerts, on Friday, December 18, and on Sunday, December 20, will be in Coral Bay at the Emmaus Moravian Church. All three concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for children and will be available at the door.