Jahvid invades Raider Nation! Group tickets!

Greetings Family & Friends,

The Lions are Restoring the Roar, and will soon bring their Roar to Raider Nation!! The Detroit Lions face the Oakland Raiders on Dec 18th at 1pm @ the Oakland Coliseum.

Our high school alma mater Alumni Association Director, Henry Moe, has done the leg work for this game, by blocking off a group of seats. Ticket purchases are open to all Salesian Alumni (Laurie c/o 2003 & Jahvid c/o 2007) and their family & friends. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please use the attached order form. Tickets are $76, and the seats will be in Section 135 or 136, behind the away team bench and are on hold for this group until late October.

You must complete the attached order form, indicating the number of tickets, etc. with your payment info (debit/credit/check) and mail it back to Henry Moe, by October 26th. Please see the form for mailing address.

Please indicate"Best Family" to the bottom of your order form.

Goooooooooooo Lions!!!

Tailgate info to follow!!

Please feel free to e-mail me, call or text me with any questions,
Laurie :)
707-704-3762

Famous St. Lucian artist is Bay Area resident

By Jan Biles

When Winston Branch goes into the studio, he's looking for the poetry in his paint.

"It's about process, handling the paint and surface," the St. Lucia, West Indies-born artist says. "I believe in the sensuality and morphosis of paint."

Branch, whose abstract paintings have been exhibited throughout the world, was in Lawrence recently to meet artist Roger Shimomura, a visit arranged by Lawrence artist Henri Doner-Hedrick.

Hedrick is a graduate student in art at Kansas State University, where Branch has accepted a one-year appointment to teach painting. Prior to coming to Manhattan, he taught for one and a half years at the University of California-Berkeley.

Read full story at this link:

http://www.lawrence.com/news/2000/nov/09/inner_vision/

More here: www.winstonbranch.com

Meet and Greet New Lucian in the Bay

Everyone, please come out and meet the new member of our community. Laura McDonald recently moved to the Bay Area from New Jersey. She is a native of St. Lucia. Some of us might remember her as the secretary to George Odlum when he led the Labor Party. Laura is the manager of a Cosmetic company at the Sun Valley Mall in Concord. A meet-and-greet is organized for this saturday, May 21, 6:30-9:30pm at Tiki Tom's, 1535 Olympic Blvd Walnut Creek. Also performing that evening will be Harry Best and Dexter Bruce Steel Drum duo. Come out and have some Saturday fun and meet Laura. For more info call Harry at 510 222 1123.

CARIBBEAN GOES WEST ROADSHOW

TO ALL TRAVEL AGENTS SELLING & INTERESTED IN SELLING THE ISLANDS OF THE CARIBBEAN:

You are invited to attend the Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTOs) 'Caribbean Goes West Roadshow' to be held at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose on May 11th from 5-830pm. This is a free event and will allow you to meet various Caribbean Island representative and vendors. It will be fun and educational with a presentation on the 'Diversity of the Caribbean', a tradeshow, roundtable presentations by Caribbean government representatives, dinner and Prize drawings!

Caribbean Island tourism representatives - currently there will be: Anguilla, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia.

In addition, tour operators such as American Express, Apple Vacations, Classic Vacations and Pleasant Holidays will also be exhibiting.

Please plan to attend and support the CTO, the Caribbean Island representatives as well as your Caribbean suppliers.

If you are interested in exhibiting your Caribbean product, please contact Ronald Allen of CTO-New York office at Allen@caribtourism.com or 212-635-9530.

For those of you who have already - thanks for your support!

THANKS & HOPE TO SEE YOU ON MAY 11TH IN SAN JOSE!

Vicki Lundy-Revels, President
Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)-Northern California Chapter
CTO - YOUR LINK TO THE CARIBBEAN!


Owner, Carefree Travel & Entertainment
925-776-5793-Office/Fax

The truth about coconut water

Whenever I visit a local health food store, I make it a point to walk down all of the aisles and scan for products that are new or beginning to take flight. Yesterday I stopped at the refrigerated beverage section and noticed quite a few coconut based drinks. I recently became interested in coconuts mainly because of my experimentation with their fiber (coconut flour) and the unique oil contained in the flesh of these tropical fruits. However, the milky liquid found inside Cocos nucifera is the one part that I hadn’t yet tried.
Read more:
http://www.healthyfellow.com/278/the-truth-about-coconut-water/

Condolences to the Sifflet Family

St. Lucians in Northern California suffered the loss recently of a very new member of our community. June Sifflet who lived with her daughter Ruby in Richmond passed last week. Her body will be cremated and her ashes returned to her beloved St. Lucia where she served as a school teacher for many years. June is remembered by some of us here who attended school with her at the Methodist Primary School and later at St. Joseph's Convent. She will always be remembered as a kind, beautiful and pleasant person. May she rest in peace.

Penn and Ace - Touch Road Riddim

Touch Road Riddim - Penn & Ace

Videos from St. Lucia Fundraiser

Photos from St. Lucia Fundraising Event

Ashton Craig (T&T) with Ambassador St. Aimee

Sasha Werblin (US) and Leroy Boldon (T&T)

Bill Richardson (St. Vincent) and friend

Liz Eugene and Antonie Andrew (St. Lucia )

Ferguson Glasgow (St. Lucia)

Ambassador Donatus Keith St. Aimee, Irie Dawta, Harry Best

Sharon Baird (T&T), Jovan Andrew Odlum (St. Lucia)

Paulette Gairey (T&T), Bill Richardson (St. Vincent), Sharon Baird (T&T)
Kojo Mason (St. Vincent)

Antonia Andrew (St. Lucia), Paulette Gairey (T&T), Sharon Baird (T&T)

Koudmen: Bernard George (Dominica)

Koudmen: Harry Best of Shabang (St. Lucia)

Koudmen: Tony D of 'Junglz Apart' from (Trinidad and Tobago)

Benefit Concert raises $1,000 for St. Lucia

One hundred and fifty friends of St. Lucia showed up on a Sunday night to show their support at a benefit concert hosted by Ashkenaz Dance and Community Center in Berkeley. The event raised $1,000.00USD for the recovery efforts underway from the devastation caused by Hurricane Tomas last October.

The honored guest at the event was St. Lucia's ambassador to the UN, H. E. Dr. Donatus Keith St. Aimee. The ambassador gave a brief account of the current status of the reconstruction underway on the island and of areas where there is still great need by those affected by Tomas.
The evening opened with a stellar performance by the award-winning CSM Panhandlers Steel Orchestra led by Jim Munzenrider. the Panhandlers have been the premier steelpan program in the Bay Area for over 20 years.

A special slide show of the hurricane damage was provided by Caroline Trist and Charlotte Orishiao.

The show ended with dancing to Zouk and Soca music operformed by Koudmen,a group of Caribbean musicians in the Bay Area who came together especially for this event. Members included Dominican Kreyol Poet RasMo Moses; Bernard George (Dominica); Harry Best (St. Lucia); Ashton Craig (Trinidad and Tobago), Clayton Hazel (Dominica); Dilly George (Dominica);Danny Bittker (USA); Cliff Manswell (Trinidad and Tobago)and Tony D Durham (Trinidad and Tobago).

A great time was had by all present.

Proceeds from the event will go to the St Lucia Red Cross, a non-governmental, non-profit making organisation. The SLRC is a voluntary auxilliary to the government in its humanitarian services. It is responsible for development, programmes and outreach services in St Lucia.
The Red Cross in St. Lucia was founded in 1949 as a branch of British Red Cross. It ecame a national society in 1979 after St Lucia gained independence. Was formally recognised in 1983 by the Government of St Lucia, through the St Lucia Red Cross Act of 1983.

St. Lucia Ambassador St. Aimee is Honored Guest at Fundraiser

St. Lucia’s Ambassador to the UN Dr. Donatus Keith St. Aimee will be the honored guest at the benefit concert for St. Lucia scheduled for January 16. Dr. St. Aimee said he was very pleased to be attending as the representative of the Government of Saint Lucia and he was looking forward to meeting St. Lucians and supporters who are involved in the fundraising effort.

The event will be hosted at the Ashkenaz Dance and Community Center starting at 8pm. The concert will feature the music of ‘Koudmen’ and the ‘CSM Panhandlers Steel Orchestra’.

Koudmen is a group of veteran Bay Area musicians who come mainly from the Kweyol-speaking islands of the Caribbean. These musicians are featured performers with local Caribbean bands in the likes of Shabang, Pan Exstasy, Tropical Vibrations and the Harmonics.

Also featured that evening is the award-winning CSM Panhandlers Steel Orchestra led by Jim Munzenrider, the top steelpan program in the Bay Area for over 20 years.

How you can help rebuild St. Lucia

The St Lucia Red Cross continues to provide support for hurricane victims.
The St Lucia Red Cross is continuing to function in the emergency response mode. That is the organization will continue its work of providing immediate relief items to persons most in need as a result of Hurricane Tomas. These include hygiene kits, water, kitchen sets, blankets, clothing, tarpaulins, jerry-cans, buckets, food and water. Yesterday Tuesday 2nd November, the organization was able to airlift 10 tons of immediate relief items including food and water to the community of Fond St Jaques, Soufriere with the assistance of a French helicopter from Martinique. As the challenge of accessibility improves with the clearance of more road networks, the organization is reaching more persons with relief items.

St Lucia Red Cross Damage and Needs Assessment (DANA) Teams are continuing their assessments in various communities around the island. These assessments will ensure that the organization responds adequately to the situation of the most vulnerable in the communities.

Meanwhile the St Lucia Red Cross has made arrangements to accommodate persons willing to make donations to support the hurricane victims.

In St Lucia, financial donations can be made to:

First Caribbean International Bank Acc #264 5392
or Royal Bank of Canada Acc #100 842 4.

Persons outside of St Lucia wishing to make donations can remit funds through
Bank of America, New York, N Y, 10048-1191 Swift Code: BOFAUS3N
Chips member ID: 015035
ABA Number 026009593

Donations of non perishable food items can be made at the following locations:
Super J Gablewoods Mall, Rodney Bay, JQ, Mega J and GL Foods Baywalk.

Source: St. Lucia Star

Local Lucian Musician Undergoes surgery

Our prayers go out to 'Jahzuf' our St. Lucian brother and long time resident of northern California who is undergoing surgery today at Kaiser in Redwood City. Jahzuf is best know as the leader of I -World an iconic reggae band which he launched in the Bay Area back in the 1980s. Jahzuf is from Soufriere where he makes regular visits and performs especially during the jazz festival. Best wishes for a positive and complete recovery.
In the picture above, Jahzuf is seen playing with the Harmonics Steelband together members of the Best family, Peter, Harry and Albert Best.

'Koudmen' for St. Lucia Victims of Tomas

Ashkenaz Dance and Community Center will host a benefit concert January 16, 8pm, for the victims of Hurricane tomas on the island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. The concert will feature the music of ‘Koudmen’ and the ‘CSM Panhandlers Steel Orchestra’.

Koudmen is a group of veteran Bay Area musicians who come mainly from the Kweyol-speaking islands of the Caribbean. These musicians are featured performers with local Caribbean bands in the likes of Shabang, Pan Exstasy, Tropical Vibrations and the Harmonics.

Members include Harry Best (St. Lucia), Peter Best (St. Lucia), Benjamin Glasgow (St. Lucia), Rasmo (Dominica), Bernard George (Dominica), Clayton Hazel (Dominica), Dilly George (Dominica), Andrew Charles (Barbados), Cliff Manswell (Trinidad&Tobago) and Ashton Craig (Trinidad&Tobago). Their musical repertoire is a mix of original and cover tunes with a decided emphasis on Kweyol lyrics in the Zouk genre.

The players agreed to come together for this special performance in support of the victims of Hurricane Tomas in St. Lucia, a member of the Kweyol-speaking family of Caribbean islands. ‘Koudmen’ is Kweyol for ‘helping hand’.

Also featured that evening is the award-winning CSM Panhandlers Steel Orchestra led by Jim Munzenrider, the top steelpan program in the Bay Area for over 20 years.
The Panhandlers will be performing some new music recorded recently for the upcoming CD.

A representative from the St. Lucia Ambassador’s office in Washington will also be on hand to give a note of thanks to those present.

We will be posting more details as they become available.

Update on Hurricane Tomas Relief effort

From: Consulate General of Saint Lucia
Subject: Update on the Hurricane Tomas Relief effort
To:
Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 11:57 PM

Dear Friends and Nationals:

On behalf of the Consulate I wish to advise you of the Hurricane Tomas Relief effort to date.

As of 14 December 2010, the balance in the Saint Lucia Disaster Relief Fund is CAD$7 652.74.

The shipments of Hurricane Tomas Disaster Relief Donations to date are as follows:
Shipment 1: 7 skids of donations; ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) 29 November 2010
Shipment 2: 9 skids of donations; ETA 6 December 2010
Shipment 3: 1 skid of donations; ETA 13 December 2010
Shipment 3: 4 skids of donations; ETA 20 December 2010

Shipment 4: An extremely generous donation from Swish Canada in the form of cleaning products which will used to sanitize hospitals, schools and public places valued at CAD$100 000.00. A total 50 skids were shipped on Monday 13 December 2010 including miscellaneous hurricane relief products: water, canned foods, clothing and the cleaning products. Also donated as part of this shipment were 53 plastic barrels, 49 of which are empty and will be used for the purpose of water harvesting and 4 with food items. Included in this shipment were 50 boxes of donations from the St. Lucia Ottawa Association.

I wish to extend a sincere gratitude to the following:
Mr. Ken Chitolie and the staff of KLC Freight Services Ltd: who not only shipped all Hurricane Tomas Relief donations free of charge and allowed us to use his warehouse as a drop off for donations. He also donated the 40-foot container which was used for the shipment on 13 December 2010.

Mr. Hilary Mark of Bones Trucking Services: who has provided his services to pick up and drop off all donations to aid the Hurricane Tomas Relief effort.

The Hurricane Tomas Relief Committee: which comprise of Mr. Melanius Alphonse, Mr. Monty Thomas, Dr. Joan Lesmond, Mr. Malcolm Hinkson, Mr. Tony Hinkson, Ms. Mary Alcindor, Deacon Eustace Beausoleil, Ms. Laura Wilfred, Ms. Delores Watson, Ms. Kathleen Mathurin, Ms. Naomi Jules, Mr. Michael George, Ms. Janelle St. Omer, Mr. Robert Graham, Mrs. Althea Regis and the staff at the Consulate who have generously donated their time to coordinate the donation of supplies and to organize fundraising efforts to aid the Hurricane Tomas Relief effort.

The Saint Lucia Associations in Canada: especially the St. Lucia Calgary Cultural Association, the St. Lucia Ottawa Association, the St. Lucia Toronto Association and the St. Joseph’s Alumni, for their support and contributions.

Mr. John Allen, Honorary Consul for St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Eric Pierre, Honorary Consul for Haiti, my colleagues from the Caricom Consular Corps and Swish Canada for their support and contributions.

I also wish to offer Saint Lucia’s heartfelt appreciation to all our Friends and our Nationals who have generously contributed supplies and funds to assist in Saint Lucia’s recovery. Please know our efforts are ongoing and we look forward to your continued support.

We also wish to remind everyone of the Fundraising Gala to take place on Friday 14 January 2011 at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. Please see the attached flyer.

May you all have a Merry Christmas and Prosperous 2011. We look forward to your continued support to assist us in the monumental task of rebuilding Fair Helen.
Sincerely,


STEPHEN C.J JULIEN
CONSUL GENERAL
Consulate General of Saint Lucia
65 Overlea Blvd., Suite 250
Toronto, ON M4H 1P1
Tel #: 416 203 8400


Government of Saint Lucia Website: www.stlucia.gov.lc
National Investment Promotion Agency of Saint Lucia: www.investstlucia.com
Saint Lucia Constitution Reform Commission: www.saintluciaconstitution.org
National Printing Corporation: www.slugovprintery.com
Saint Lucia Yellow Pages: www.stluciayp.com
Saint Lucia Customs & Excise: www.customs.gov.lc

St. Lucia Fundraiser Planning Meeting

A meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17, 2010 at 7:30pm for all those who wish to help in planning a fundraising event to benefit victims of Hurricane Tomas in St. Lucia. The 4489 Whitecliff Way, El Sobrante CA 94803.

The fundraising event will take place January 16, 2011 at Ashkenaz Dance and Community Center. Danny Joyeux who organized several St. Lucian events in Northern California has talked to the St. Lucia Ambassador about coming over for the benefit and the St. Lucia Ambassador to the United Nations, Annette Collymore has expressed interest as well.

We hope as many people as possible can come and share ideas at the Dec. 17 meeting. Please pass the word even if you cannot be present. For more information call Harry Best at 510 222 1123 or email coconuthut@msn.com.

Ashkenaz to host benefit for St. Lucia

Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center has graciously agreed to host a benefit concert to raise funds in support of victims of Hurricane Tomas in St. Lucia. The concert will be held on January 16, 2011. Ashkenaz is located at 1317 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley.

According to organizers of the event there will a guest appearance by either the St. Lucia ambassador to the US, or one of his representatives.

More details will be posted on this blog as they become available.

'Have a Heart' goes viral

A calypso about the politics of aid in the Caribbean in the aftermath of Hurricane Tomas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy8n3T7CMEI


Have a Heart
Music and Lyrics
by Harry Best 11/12/10

I
Kamla ‘had a little sister
Used to ‘live up in St. Lucia
When de ‘master of disas’ter
Tomas trash on she

Helen ‘call on de family
For sup’port in this tragedy
Kamla ‘say if I ‘help
What’s in it for me

Chorus:
Have a heart, Kamla
Have a heart
In de Ca’ribbean sea
All ah ‘we is one family
Have a heart, Kamla
Have a heart
Don’t ‘tear us apart
Kamla, Have a heart

II
We know ‘you still green in de game
But you ‘put you country to shame
You should ‘check your self
And ex’tend an apology

Tell me ‘where is fancy bred
In the ‘heart or in the head
Did you ‘set de ‘same condition
For sister Haiti

Chorus:
Have a heart, Kamla
Have a heart
Is ‘one day for dog
And ‘one day for manicou
Have a heart, Kamla
Have a heart
(Put) Po’litics apart
Kamla, Have a heart

III
Now de ‘rest of de family
Say three cheers for Brother Rowley
When he ‘stand up and say
I am my Brother’s keeper

Brother ‘Eric we remember
Spared no cent in his ‘endeavor
To ‘keep us together
And ‘grow as one family

Chorus:
Have a heart, Kamla
Have a heart
In de Ca’ribbean sea
All ah we is one family
Have a heart, Kamla
Have a heart
Don’t ‘tear us apart
Kamla, Have a heart


Refrain:

Let’s make a new start
Kamla, Have a heart
Let’s do it right smart
Kamla, Have a heart
Repent and restart
Kamla, Have a heart

What goes around must come around, Kami
The love you save might be your own, Kami

Feel we pain, Kami
Look how we sleeping in de rain, Kami

Feedback:

"Thanks for shareing with me… that is hot… you should send it to Kenny at WACK …dont sit on it you would be the first… dont let croco and them boys beat you to the punch… keep up the good works, again that is hot."-- Kenrick Wharf

"Kaiso! Is damn good calypso, boy!" –Michael Oliver-Goodwin

"A strong composition. I like how you introduced and then developed the theme, using metaphors and idioms, while maintaining clear diction throughout. I enjoyed listening." –Clevil James

"Beautiful song...lyrics intelligently written...which amazes me...Guys like you and Dieghton Charlemange with amazing song writting and musical skill are not making commercial music. This one is a winner!" –Leo Donnelly

"Kaiso! Kaiso!" –fishboy55

"That was awesome. Thanks for sharing. Best regards, and keep ‘em coming."--Norma Birch

"Great job Harry. I love it." –Isa Cyril

"Nice lyric Harry… i like the song..,sounds like all you!! Continued creativity" –Andrew Charles

"OMG!!! I like." –Jacqueline Nicholas

"You're great !!!" –Walter Downes

"Like St. Lucia 'Simply Beautiful'. No condemnation in there but a plea to give love." –Percival Goodman

"Nice calypso..." –Ossie Gomez

"Nice song" –David Reid

"A beautiful calypso - It is a beautiful piece of poetry and music., welldone Harry!" –Monty Thomas

St. Lucia devastated by Hurricane Tomas

Click this link to view photos of damages done by Hurricane Tomas:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55373451@N06/show/

Hurricane Tomas threatens east Caribbean

A woman walks by damaged power lines and infrastructure after Tropical Storm Tomas affected St. James parish, Barbados, Saturday. (AP Photo/Chris Brandis)

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Newly born Hurricane Tomas barreled through a cluster of eastern Caribbean islands Saturday, tearing off roofs, damaging houses and downing power lines in its path.
Authorites in St. Vincent were trying to confirm reports that three people died, including two men who might have been blown off a roof, said Jimmy Prince, emergency management spokesman.
Fierce winds tore roofs from nearly 100 homes and more than 400 people sought emergency shelter as the island plunged into darkness, he said.

Read full story here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101030/ap_on_bi_ge/tropical_weather