The Margaritaville on Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos, which opened in 2006, only suffered minimal damage from Hurricane Ike, according to the Caribbean Net News:

According to a Carnival press release, an engineering survey confirmed that no damage was sustained to the cruise ship pier, which can accommodate up to two ships at one time, while minimal damage occurred to the facility’s retail and restaurant complex.

“We believe we can complete repairs to the cruise centre within a 30-day period and bring cruise ships back to Grand Turk,” said Giora Israel, Carnival’s vice president of strategic planning and port development. “We will be able to provide many of the wonderful, beach, snorkeling and water sports experiences that Grand Turk is famous for, along with the oversized pool and food and shopping opportunities at the cruise center, including the extremely popular Margaritaville restaurant.”

Jimmy Buffett’s latest Margaritaville cafe is scheduled to open next month at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Business Wire reports:

The saying, “The third time’s the charm,” couldn’t ring more true when it comes to Mohegan Sun’s third major expansion, Project Horizon. On August 29th, one of the largest gaming facilities in the world will get a little bigger as it opens the first portion of its $925 million expansion, the 64,000 square-foot Casino of the Wind, which will offer a 42-table poker room, more than 650 slot machines, 28 table games, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and Chief’s Deli – a quick-service restaurant.

“We are very excited to reveal Casino of the Wind to the world,” said Mitchell Etess, President and CEO of Mohegan Sun. “The Rockwell Group, who have been our architects since the beginning in 1996, have outdone themselves. This may be their best work yet.”

The new facility, which broke ground in June 2007, makes its much-anticipated debut on Friday, August 29th at 10:00am immediately following a Tribal blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is slated to open in September 29th.

Read the entire article here, and learn more about Buffett’s business empire here.

Freddy and the Fishsticks (better known as Jimmy Buffett and a condensed version of the Coral Reefer Band) will play a special show at the New Orleans Margaritaville Thursday night.

Proceeds from the show will benefit BORN (Better Opportunities Right Now) and NOAAHH (New Orleans Artists Against Hunger & Homelessness).

It appears that the show will not be aired on Radio Margaritaville, so if you attend the show please help us out and provide the set list.

“Hello Carolina, We’re still here!” started stop number four on the Year Of Still Here Tour in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Returning to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (or the Blockbuster Pavilion as it once was known) for the first time in two years, the first set was almost the same as Frisco, the lone difference being the return of “Tryin’ to Reason with Hurricane Season”, not played since opening night in Houston, in the #8 slot.

The second set was similar as well, however “Why Don’t We Get Drunk” was dropped and “Scarlet Begonias” returned to the set. Jimmy once again told his story of the time the Grateful Dead played 2 nights at the same venue in Charlotte and Jimmy followed them by playing the next night and the following afternoon. Research has indicated that this event took place in 1992, although it was not at the same venue, as the Grateful Dead played the Charlotte Coliseum June 17 and 18 while Jimmy played the Blockbuster Pavilion June 19 and 20.

The first encore again featured “Fins” and the Bob Dylan classic “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35.” But the second encore featured perhaps the biggest surprise of the tour as Jimmy pulled out “God’s Own Drunk” for the first time since Last October in Vegas. This was just the third time in the last eight years it was played and the first time it has closed a show since August 1, 1998 in Bristow, VA.

View the entire set list here.

Did you attend the show? Share your thoughts on our Discussion Board or post your photos in our Photo Gallery.

The 2008 “Year of Still Here” tour will continue Saturday Night with a show at Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Don’t forget that Thursday night “Freddy and the Fishsticks” will be performing at the Margaritaville in New Orleans. Get your tickets now!

Tickets for the May 1st Freddy & The Fishsticks (better known as Jimmy Buffett and a condensed version of the Coral Reefer Band) show at the New Orleans Margaritaville Cafe will go on sale Friday, April 25th at 10 am central time via Blacktie-Louisiana.com.

Ticket prices are $200 each, with proceeds going to BORN (Better Opportunities Right Now) and NOAAHH (New Orleans Artists Against Hunger & Homelessness).

There are no physical tickets for this event and no advanced pick up available. You must have Positive Photo ID to present at the door. Entire party must be present to enter and must be 21 years of age. No Exceptions. There is a limit of 4 tickets per person.

(hat tip to Barefoot)