6 St. John Tradewinds, December 14-20, 2009 You're Golwg To Love Our NEW DINNER MENU Join us for a Great Casual Dinner in the Gracious Courtyard of Mongoose Junction Monday to Friday 5:30 to_9:00 pm Spinach Mushroom Quesadillas $10 » Pizza Margherita $12 Grilled Chicken Ceasar $12 »* Maryland Crab Cakes $14 The Burrito that Ate Cruz Bay $14 * Jamaican Jerk Soft Tacos $14 Steak Fajita Soft Tacos $16 * Shrimp Vera Cruz $16 Grilled Chicken Pasta Caprese $16 Grilled Coconut Crusted Mahi $16 Grilled Ribeye Steak $21 Plus Dinner Specials! Saturday December 19, 2009 Breakfast with Santa Claus? ») The Elves are cooking up a special breakfast and a special guest appearance by Santa himself is expected. Prizes and surprises. Suggested Donation $10/adult $6/child With over 40 extraordinary Fre we provide on-island 24-hour personalized service to every guest. Expansive ocean views, glittering pools, lush landscaping, spectacular decks—we have it all. We live here too—join us and be Catered To! Book on-line at www.cateredto.com Located on the second floor at the Marketplace 340-776-6641 * FAX 340-693-8191 * 1-800-424-6641 Mongoose Junction * 776-6909 @ One Stop Holiday Shopping f / Holiday Cards, Gifts, 2010 Calendars, Quality Wrapping Papers and Stocking Stuffers Remain Totally Anonymous Collect Rewards in Cash 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) Help Our Community be Safe JESS Football Team Closes Perfect Season By Jaime Elliott St. John Tradewinds A perfect season is no easy task in any sport. There are so many things that can go wrong on any day, that not dropping a single game during an en- tire season is a rarity. The chances of accomplishing a perfect season are even less when a team is in its first season. It seems that no one told those odds, however, to members of the Julius E. Sprauve School’s flag foot- ball team. The Cruz Bay public school formed a flag football team for the first time this year and, while officials hoped the students would do well, the team far ex- ceeded anyone’s expectations. Not only did the JESS flag football team members — composed of students in seventh, eighth and ninth grades — win all of their St. John/St. Thomas district games, but they also beat the best St. Croix team. After not losing a single game during the regular season or the playoffs, the JESS flag football team traveled to the big island on December 5 to face the St. Croix district champions, whom they handily de- feated to keep their perfect record intact. “They had an undefeated season,” said JESS prin- cipal Mario Francis. “We were already the district champions and then we went to St. Croix and played St. John Tradewinds News Photo File The JESS team didn’t lose a game during their first season. the St. Croix champions and we won 16 to 8, so we’re now the territorial champions.” The JESS flag football team won all nine regular season games before heading to the Turkey Bowl on November 25. A win at that game put the football players in the playoffs where they kept their perfect season alive and went all the way to take the champi- onship game. The win in St. Croix two weeks ago capped the team’s perfect season. “This is our first year having a team and we won the whole thing,” said Francis. JESS Gala Postponed Until April; Kitchen Improvements Still Planned By Jaime Elliott St. John Tradewinds After trying to host their annual gala in late Janu- ary, Julius E. Sprauve School officials have decided to hold off until spring. The annual JESS gala is now scheduled for Satur- day, April 10, at Caneel Bay Resort. The fundraiser usually takes place in early January, but a multitude of projects at the Cruz Bay public school campus de- layed the planning committee this year, according to JESS principal Mario Francis. “We had a lot of activity taking place here on our campus from right when we came back in Septem- ber,” said Francis. “It’s our main focus to improve instruction and the folks on the planning committee are basically the same people involved in a lot of the projects that take place on the campus so they were just busy.” Instead of throwing the party together at the last minute, JESS gala planning committee members de- cided to postpone the event, Francis explained. “It’s really a very difficult task to take on and to do it as well as possible,” he said. “Instead of rushing it and not doing it to our full capacity, we met with Caneel Bay and asked if we could change the date to later in the year.” “We came up with something in April which I think will be excellent for the community,” said Francis. Francis was not ready to share this year’s gala theme or which specific project the funds raised at the event will be used for, the principal added. “The staff has given us some input, but we still need to have some discussions before decisions are made,” said Francis. Last year’s gala raised about $50,000 that was earmarked for new kitchen and cafeteria equipment including new appliances, stoves, fans, air condition- ing and a speaker system — none of which has been purchased yet. “We have our plan in motion but that has been de- layed,” Francis said. “We hope now to have the work done in early January. Where before we didn’t put the work out to bid, we’re doing that now.” “So instead of just going with one vendor, we’re trying to see how we can maximize the funds to our best use,” said the JESS principal. “But the process becomes a bit more time-consuming.” The Department of Education is responsible for covering some some of the upgrades, Francis added. “Some of the improvements are the responsibility of the Department of Education and they have some funding for the project so we’re not going to trump their efforts,” he said. The new equipment should be installed by the end of January, and Francis looks forward to being able to show off the improved kitchen and cafeteria, he explained. “Way before the gala in April, we'll have an open house and invite everyone to come and see the im- provements,” said Francis.