<center>ISLAND NEWS</center> <br><br>Elections: SXM-info.com's reporter on assignment on the beach says that just before the elections the mud slinging was getting intense. It's kind of like in the States, but more honest. For example... <br><br>* Gregory Richardson (# 10 of the dominant Democratic Party, the red party) has come out in favor of campaign finance reform. As quoted in the paper, Richardson said: "There is a lot of talk about corruption, but we are setting the pace."<br><br>* Michel Deher (3# candidate in the NPP (National Progressive Party, the green party) has an honest, though uninspiring campaign slogan: "I will do!" <br><br>* It is a one person, one vote election; however, there is a mix-up in polling places between Cole Bay and Cay Bay. As reported in today's paper, there is mass confusion about where to vote, "namely Number 11, Charles Leopold Bell School on Union Road in Cole Bay, formerly Leonard Conner School, and Number 12, Leonard Conner School, formerly the annex of that same school." (Keep reading that over to see if it makes sense.)<br><br>* Then we have our favorite disc jockey, Bogart, who points out that the election is "all about the party," though I suspect he is not referring to the political party. Each candidate has been holding free barbecue rib fests, followed by boring speeches, followed by top notch fireworks displays. <br><br>* According to one candidate, the ruling DP party is attempting to buy votes by giving away government land in exchange for votes.<br><br>* Historical footnote. Long-standing residents remember when one key politician stood in front of polling stations passing out $5 and $10 bills to voters on the way into the polls. He also promised refrigerators and other appliances. I might show up tomorrow at a few polling stations to see if I can make a few bucks. <br><br>It's all over now and the Democratic Party won the election, but lost a seat, reducing their majority. My sources tell me that the close race seems to have convinced them to continue the flurry of construction activity begun in the runup to the elections. I hear that sidewalks (!) are going into Cole Bay and cables are being buried under the sidewalks. In an area with more than enough hurricanes, underground electric, phone, and cable TV is a very good idea, costly at first, but a bargain in the long term.<br><br><br>Tourism: - Veronique, wife of Jean-Pierre at Antoine (http://www.AntoineRestaurant.com), says that the island is very quiet. The cruise ships are discounting so heavily that the crowd being attracted is bargain-oriented. It's understandable, given the economy, the war (though over, the fear of travel remains), the anger at the French, and the strength of the Euro.<br> <br><br><center>GROCERIES</center><br><br>Mushrooms: It's been cool and very rainy in the northeast, so we have been harvesting oyster mushrooms from our woods. In France they are called Pleurottes and are available at US Import/Export at the French bridge. Pleurottes and Shiitaki (also available) are grown commercially. Chanterelles and Pied-Bleu (presumably wild) are generally available. <br><br>Cheese: We actually found some Epoisses here in upstate NY, despite Attorney General Elliot Spitzer's recent attempt to garner Republican votes from the farmers by cracking down on illegal milk products. If he succeeds, you'll have to get it at Match, US Import/Export, or possibly Chez Rene Boucherie in Bellevue. The cheese is made in Burgundy and tastes great with an old, smooth red Burgundy wine. There is a photo of its lovely round wooden box (it's about 4 inches in diameter and an inch thick) at http://www.SXM-shopping.com/groceries.html.<br><br>Wine: We were having lamb liver from a neighbor's farm and chose two big hearty red wines from the Rhône region: a 95 Côte Rôtie and a 96 Gigondas, both from Guigal. The Côte Rôtie at the northern edge of the Rhône region is considered a better area and its price at $22 reflected this. The Gigondas comes from the southern end of the region near Chateauneuf-du-Pape and cost a mere $12.50. There is no doubt that the Côte Rôtie (which means roasted hillside, named after its excellent south facing hill over the Rhône) was better. Find out for yourself. Sylvain at Vinissimo (http://www.SXM-Shopping.com/vinissimo) certainly can supply you with some. Rainbow, Cottage, Escapade, and Auberge Gourmande in Grand Case (http://www.GrandCase.com) have one or both on their wine lists. Note that the prices above were 25% off wholesale here in the US three years ago. These vintages are no longer readily available and you can expect to pay twice as much for more recent vintages at a wine shop and three to four times as much in restaurants. A cheaper, but quite good, alternative would be Côtes du Rhône "Parallèle 45" from Paul Jaboulet Aîné (about $25 at Auberge Gourmande). <br><br><br><center>ACTIVITIES</center> <br><br>Jimmy Cliff played at the carnival village on the Dutch side on 7 June. It was organized by Mr. Cool Productions who brought Shaggy and Sean Paul last April for the Dutch carnival, and he's dreaming about Eminem, but it's just rumours now, stay tuned ... Also in April Third World and Burning Spear (2 major reggae groups) played at at Bamboo Bernie's. (http://www.SXM-Restaurants.com/index.html#bamboo)<br><br><br><br><center>RESTAURANTS</center> <br><br>At the beginning of the month the Euro was at a 19% premium to the dollar and is still there now. It does make things on the French side considerably more expensive than last year.<br><br>On Saturday, 21 June, there will be a huge fund raiser at Hot Tomatoes for the Oasis of Love Children's Home with great prizes and bands. (http://www.HotTomatoesSXM.com). Also, on 1 July Brad, Gabe, Tekkie, and the rest of the HT crew celebrate thier first anniversary. It should be quite a party. <br><br>Claudette Davis at Paradise View, high above Orient, says her Sunday buffet is attracting a crowd. The STUFFED DUMPLING is really getting a big name on the Island. The buffet is only $20.00 dollars p/p with a complimentary drink. Head over to Orient on any Sunday, get a tan on the beach, then head up the hill and have a great meal with live music as you enjoy a view of Orient, all the nearby islands, and St Barts. Stop in any time between from 12pm - 4pm. (http://www.SXM-restaurants.com/orient/paradiseview)<br><br><br>Annual closings: <br>Citrus - 25 August - 25 October<br>Le Cottage - 9 August-25 September - the chefs are going for a stage in France!<br>Mario's Bistro - 8 June - 15 August<br>Perroquet - closed until 1 November<br>St Germain - 22 June - 4 July<br>Sol e Luna - 15 June-6 July<br>Thai Garden - September<br><br>No closings:<br>Antoine - Philipsburg<br>Bamboo Bernies - Simpson Bay<br>Belle Epoque - Marigot Marina <br>Escapade - Grand Case<br>