NoCal Lucians head for NYC Oct.17 to Back Jahvid

It's in the works! Peter "Dane" Best is co-ordinating plans for a huge contingent of Northern California supporters to join St. Lucians in the New York metro area, in strong support of Jahvid and the Detroit Lions when they play the New York Giants Oct. 17.

Peter is looking into plane ticket deals and game ticket options, including getting a party suite at the game. The suite includes unlimited food and beverages, game tickets and parking.
Keep your eyes on this blog as we will be announcing new developments regularly. Email us if you have an interest in attending or have any ideas that could make this a super successful event.

Photo above: (L-R)Peter "Dane" Best with Jahvid holding up his old Cal jersey.

Jet Blue Increases Flights to St. Lucia- Low Fares

The Voice of St. Lucia Online reports: As the island of Saint Lucia bucks the trend and harvests strong growth from the United States travel market, tourism officials are welcoming additional JetBlue Airways flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Saint Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) almost two months ahead of the official start of the summer season.

Read the full story here:

http://www.thevoiceslu.com/local_news/2010/april/27_04_10/NY_FLIGHT_INCREASES.htm

Laborie St. Lucia's most Popular Village

Laborie (Labowee) is fast becoming the most popular village in St. Lucia for visitors and locals alike.

"Located on a delightful, sheltered bay on the South West corner of Saint Lucia, Laborie is both a small village and a district, where you can still discover the real Saint Lucia. Known island-wide for our friendly people and rich traditions, Laborie has been a fishing village since the Amerindians discovered the reef-protected bay. Conch shells still blow every day as the fishermen arrive with their fresh catch. This historic and scenic community of beautiful beaches and lush vegetation is also one of the best place to experience the island's nature and explore its diverse fauna and flora." --ilovelaborie.com

Explore Laborie at this link: http://www.ilovelaborie.com/

Kweyol St. Lucia's Fascinating Folk Language

Would you like to learn to speak St. Lucian Kweyol? Start with a Kweyol Dictionay. Email us and we will send you a PDF free!

Many St. Lucians are more fluent in the French-based Creole, also referred to as a French patois, than English. The proper name for this language is Kweyol, which some say is the only indigenous Caribbean language. Kweyol is spoken not only on St. Lucia but Martinique, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Marie Galante, Dominica, Haiti and slightly in Grenada and Trinidad.

Since the 1990s, Kweyol has become more of a living language due to the publication of several important Kweyol-related books. The first English-Kweyol and Kweyol-English dictionary ever was published in 1992 but, unfortunately, its cost of several hundred dollars EC put it well out of the reach of most people. A Kweyol version of the New Testament that took 15 years to complete at a cost of US$ 1 million was completed in 1999; thousands of free copies were distributed. Finally, the first inexpensive Kweyol dictionary brought lines of eager buyers to the bookstores in 2002.

As yet, Kweyol is not taught in St. Lucia schools and the country’s one Kweyol newspaper closed down. However, brief news segments are presented on the radio in Kweyol and public figures frequently give addresses in Kweyol and English.

Learn how to pronounce properly some important places around St. Lucia:

Anse de Sables - ants deh SAb
Anse-la-Raye - Ants lay ray
Babonneau - BAH boh noh
Barre de l'Isle - bahr deh LiL
Cas en bas - KAHS eh bah
Canaries - kah nah REES
Choiseul - shwah ZEHL
Coubaril - koo bah RiL
Dennery - dehn REE
Des Cartiers - dehs kahr tee YAY
Fond D'or - foh DOOR
Fond Galet - FOHN gah LAY
Gros Islet - grow zee-LAY
Hewanorra - hyew ah NOR ah
Jalousie - zha loo ZEE
Jounen Kweyol - zhoo nay KWAY ohl
Laborie - LAH bree
Marigot - MAH ree goh
Mahaut - mah HO
Mamiku - mah mee KOO
Micoud - mee KOO
Moule A Chique - mool ah SHEEK
Mount Gimie - morne JIM mee
Praslin - PRAH leh
Reduit Beach - ray-DWEE Beach
Savannes - SAH vahn
Soufrière - soo frAY
St. Lucia - St. LOO-sha , not St. LOO-see-a
Vigie - vee GEE

Where Are they Now? Leo Donnelly

A blast from the past: Former resident of Northern California, Lucian Leo "Thaddy" Donnelly has been in Chicago for over a year now..."it's Ok" he says..."just a little colder than NYC." Thaddy is working with the Census Bureau.

Shabang! at Sam's Chowder House Half Moon Bay

Harry Best and Shabang! launch a series of summer concerts on the patio at Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay on Saturday, May 1, 2010; 4-8pm. Sam's is right at the beach. Beautiful scenery, great food, nice family atmosphere, and fantastic steelpan music. Come on down! Call 510 222 1123 for more info.

More Photos of Jahvid and Family - Draft Day in NY

Jahvid joins fellow teamate Suh and Lions officials in promo shot. He will wear No. 44

Jahvid holds up Detroit Lions jersey after he was picked #30 in the first round of the draft.

Jahvid's mom and dad, Lisa and Andy Best heading for Radio City Hall for the big event.

Still sporting the Cal colors Andy gets ready for NFL Draft Night.

Jahvid's dad, Andy gets some help with the tie from Godfrey Best.

L-R: Jahvid's position coach at UC Berkeley; and his former coach at Selesian High School in Richmond CA.

Jahvid and Family Celebrations in the Big Apple

Jahvid in New York NFL Draft day caught with Peter Lucian Best (T); and baby Peter Lucian Jr.-PB3 (B).

NFL Draft Party Celebrates Jahvid in El Sobrante

A small group of friends and family gathered to observe and celebrate Jahvid's entry into the NFL on Draft Night. L-R: Benjamin "Foggi" Glasgow, Charlo Jules, Dexter Bruce, Marcus Best, and Peter Best. Photo taken by Harry Best

Excitement as Jahvid is picked by the Detroit Lions in the first round. L-R: Peter Best, Benjamin "Foggi" Glasgow, John Bent, Charlo Jules, Marcus Best, and Dexter Bruce.

Chilling poolside and celebrating after the event. L-R: Benjamin "Foggi" Glasgow, Charlo Jules (seated), John Bent, Dexter Bruce and Peter Best. Photo taken by Harry Best.

Here's the video of the Detroit Lions picking Jahvid in NFL Draft last night:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d817b73fa/Lions-trade-up-for-Best

Jahvid Picked #30 in the first round by Detroit

Congratulations to Jahvid on being picked in the first round of the NFL drat Thursday night.

"The Detroit Lions with the 30th pick, which they got from Minnesota, selected Jahvid Best, the running back out of California. They gave the Vikings their second rounder, their fourth rounder, and a seventh rounder for the 30th pick and Minnesota's fourth rounder. As such, they only lost a seventh round pick and moved down in the fourth round to get Best. To secure a player they wanted, that was a worthwhile move.

On talent, Best would have been a top 15 pick this year. He's extremely fast and runs really well. He's a dynamic player, with almost as much skill as C.J. Spiller, who went ninth overall. So why did he fall to 30? Big time durability issues. He never played a full season in college, and health is a real concern. There is a definite risk factor here. For a team that needs quite a lot still, taking a risk usually isn't a good idea. However, Best is a tremendous playmaker who gives Detroit's offense a great weapon... when he's healthy.

You can think of Best as a poor man's Chris Johnson or a rich man's Aaron Brown. He's going to be fun to watch, and if he can stay healthy he's going to be a tremendous boost for the Lions. He provides a lot of what Kevin Smith can't do, and will be a great complement to him. Neither guy is going to have to carry the load, which is probably what is best for both of them. I like this pick for the Lions. He was the most talented player available at the time, and you know how the Lions front office loves talent. We might have to wait quite some time until the Lions pick again, and I really hope it's a cornerback, but for Jahvid Best, it's worth it." --Detroit Examiner

Congratulations to his proud parents Lisa and Andy Best!

St. Lucia Jazz Festival Kicks Off May 1st.

"Saint Lucia Jazz has become one of the major events on Saint Lucia’s calendar of events and surely a most anticipated on the Caribbean’s calendar. During the month of May, the island dances to the beat of jazz when music fills the air and tourism takes on a whole new meaning to all.

What started as simply a marketing event to boost tourism industry arrivals during a low peak period, has now developed into a truly Saint Lucian Festival.As the month of May approaches each year, Saint Lucia Jazz continues to draw attention to Saint Lucia as the world waits in eager anticipation of what promises to be a star studded line-up. In 1999, Saint Lucia Jazz took on a new dimension with the addition of more side attractions, i.e. supporting jazz performances aside from main stage events.

This created a more festive atmosphere and allowed the Saint Lucian public and visitors to participate in these events at little cost and quite a few free events as well. “Jazz in the South” with shows being in the village of Laborie and the towns of Vieux Fort and Soufriere all contribute towards making Saint Lucia Jazz a truly Saint Lucian experience for visitors and locals alike.

It's hard to imagine that Saint Lucia Jazz is almost twenty years old. In a region where music festivals tend to die off in their 7th year, the internationally acclaimed festival that our tiny island has managed to sustain is definitely something every St. Lucian can be proud of." --St. Luciajazz.org.

Check out St. Lucia Jazz 2010 lineup here:

http://www.stluciajazz.org/jazz_events/mainstage2010.asp

SAINT LUCIA NUMBER ONE IN THE CARIBBEAN

MAGAZINE NAMES SAINT LUCIA NUMBER ONE IN THE CARIBBEAN FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida - Porthole Cruise Magazine, the leading North American consumer magazine in the field, has named Saint Lucia the Best Caribbean Island for 2010.

In the magazine's Editor-In-Chief's 2010 Awards, Saint Lucia received the number one selection, while Soufrière's Jade Mountain was named the Best Caribbean Resort.

"With its dramatic scenery, rich history and vibrant culture, Saint Lucia truly is a Caribbean gem," said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Fort Lauderdale-based magazine. "You can never forget your first sight of Saint Lucia 's majestic Pitons rising from the sea. With its many attributes, Saint Lucia is poised to develop even more as a major cruise destination in the eastern Caribbean ."

Senator Allen Chastanet, Saint Lucia 's Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, said "this recognition tells us we are moving in the right direction. We have made strong progress in improving our cruise tourism product, and continue to work towards ensuring our visitors have the best experience."

Congratulating Jade Mountain for chalking up yet another accolade that puts Saint Lucia on the map, Senator Chastanet added: "We have set a goal to become a marquee tourism destination in the Caribbean, and these world class recognitions confirm that we are right on track."
From cover to cover, Porthole Cruise Magazine features expertly written, sophisticated cruise and travel editorial for savvy consumers worldwide.

Seasoned travel writers feature stories, opinions, tips, and insights into the places they go and adventures they experience. Writers and columnists cover everything from the latest trends in cruise travel to ship reviews, cuisine, popular culture and entertainment, luxury travel tips, and humor.

The Saint Lucia accolades appear in the magazine's February 2010 edition which is currently available on newsstands across North America .About Saint LuciaOne of the Windward Islands of the West Indies' Lesser Antilles , Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the eastern Caribbean archipelago.

The "Helen of the West Indies," Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a tropical rainforest and one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries , quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival.

Saint Lucia 's wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties.

Green (Banana) Fig Recipes from St. Lucia

Recipe 1: Green Fig (Banana) & Saltfish Pie

INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. green figs

1 lb. saltfish

½ lb cheese

½ cup milk

1 tbsp. lime juice

2 sweet peppers

2 tomatoes, thinly sliced

1 onion sliced

½ tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. bread crumbs

METHOD / DIRECTIONS:
Boil the green figs until tender. Peel and crush with fork while still hot and sprinkle with lime juice to prevent darkening. Soak the fish in boiling water to remove most of the salt. Remove the skin and bones; shred fish. Press half of the crushed fig in a greased baking pie dish. Sprinkle ½ of shredded fish on fig.

Spread half of sweet peppers (cut into thin strips) onion, tomatoes, cheese and black pepper. Repeat layer - beginning with green fig and ending with grated cheese and black pepper. Top with milk and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

Bake in an oven at 180° C, for 30-40 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is golden brown.

Recipe 2: Green fig (banana) salad

INGREDIENTS:
1 lime
2 sweet peppers
1 onion
6 green bananas
1 cup oil
1 egg
mayonnaise
salt and pepper

METHOD / DIRECTIONS:
Boil, then peel greenfigs. Allow to cool, dice and place in a bowl. Add prepared onions, sweet peppers and egg (boiled), add mayonnaise. Boil, then peel greenfigs. Allow to cool, dice and place in a bowl. Add prepared onions, sweet peppers and egg (boiled), add mayonnaise.

New York Metro's Fantasy WAG Draft

From the NY Metro:
The three-day affair known as the NFL draft begins tomorrow. What better time to supplement
your actual draft needs than with a hypothetical, athletes’ wives and girlfriends draft? None of these women have a blazing 40 time, or are going to wow you with bench press reps, but you’re probably familiar with their work, anyway.
Jason Raj McIntyre covers athletes off the field and runs Metro's Fantasy WAG Draft.

Check out Eva Longoria #12 for Jahvid's tete-a-tete comparison:

Wife of Spurs guard Tony Parker. A bit undersized to be a star.
Went from a relative unknown to a leading lady.
NFL draft equivalent: Cal’s Jahvid Best.

Read it all here:

http://www.readmetro.com/show/en/NewYork/20100421/1/23/

Greetings from SO CAL

Congratulatory greetings to SLANC on the launching of the blog, from Kimberly Best who now resides in Southern California.

She says: "I am doing well. My husband and I are approaching our first year annivaersay on June 20th. We recently purchase a lovely home in Anaheim, 2 miles from Disneyland and are just enjoying each other and life. I am currently working at the County of Los Angeles public Health Department and I teach at California State University Long Beach School of Nursing. I enjoy both aspects of nursing, especially education. My husband is also in the medical field, a respiratory therapist and works in a traum center in Los Angeles. We are looking forward to having my parents visit Memorial Day Weekend at our new home.

Kim is the daughter of Magdalene and Ashton Best of San Francisco.

Benjamin Glasgow Performs at B&B's

Benjamin 'Foggi' Glasgow will be performing solo on pan at B&B's Sports Bar and Grill on Friday April 23 2010, 8:00-10:00 pm. The address is 3190 Klose Way, Richmond @Hilltop near the Century Theater. The location was formerly The Red Lobster. Please pass it on.

Antanlontan- New Retro Pictures of St. Lucia

Check out this new set of retro pictures of St. Lucia at this website, Antanlontan (Long Ago):

http://www.antanlontan-antilles.com/caribbean-postcards/st-lucia.htm

St. Lucia - Live the Legend

If you saw St. Lucia featured on The Bachelor, take a second look at the legend:

http://stlucianow.com/whystlucia.aspx

St. Lucia Homecoming 2010

The Vision

In April 2008 the Government of Saint Lucia decided that special attention had to be given to the concerns of St Lucians resident in other countries. In June 2008, at a meeting held with the Saint Lucians living in New York, the Prime Minister committed himself to facilitating the reintegration of Saint Lucians living overseas into Saint Lucia. This commitment was reinforced with the appointment of Dr June Soomer, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for CARICOM and OECS, as the person who would be responsible for Diaspora issues.

In this regard, a Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit, headed by Ambassador Dr June Soomer, was established within the Office of the Prime Minister. One of the missions of this Unit is to facilitate the deepening and strengthening of connections between our nationals overseas and their homeland. At the 13th Biennial Convention of The Union of St Lucian Overseas Associations held in Barbados from 28 July to 03 August 2008, the Prime Minister further committed himself to ensuring that in the next few months systems would be put in place to ensure that there will have a one stop location that would be able to assist overseas nationals with a wide range of issues.

The 14th Biennial Convention of the Union of Saint Lucian Overseas Associations will be held in Saint Lucia in July 2010 and provides an opportunity for fulfilling some of these promises. To this end, Homecoming Saint Lucia 2010 is envisioned as a celebration of the contributions of Saint Lucians living overseas to their homeland and to their adopted countries. It is anticipated that this gathering will reunite old friends and families who have not seen each other since they said goodbye years ago.

Following on the theme of the 30th anniversary theme “….a journey to look forward to” we must continue to reinforce the foundation for that journey on a positive step, by including all Saint Lucians in our development. There are many Saint Lucians who have remained at home and who work very hard for the good of our country. Sometimes however they do not have the resources to make a bigger impact.

Saint Lucian Homecoming 2010 will give them a chance to form partnerships with their brothers and sisters who live overseas, who may have access to resources So in many ways Saint Lucian Homecoming 2010 will also be about taking the opportunity to say thanks to our people, wherever they live overseas or at home, for the ways in which they have held on to their country and have made it better in many ways. It also gives us a chance to revitalise of our communities and to encourage of all our people to come together for the development of our country, and to welcome our brothers and sisters home.

For this reason the theme for the Homecoming “Tout Sent Lisyen Se Yonn” signaling that it will transcend all lines that divide us This first Homecoming must signal to all that our nationals can continue to make their contributions to their country wherever they live. The mission therefore is to facilitate the deepening and strengthening of connections between our nationals overseas and their homeland. We have committed ourselves to ensuring that Saint Lucians living overseas are encouraged to invest their resources, skills and time in strengthening our society.

Check out the official St. Lucia Homecoming website here: http://www.saintlucianhomecoming.org/content/home

Amanda Bansgopaul in Burlesque Debut

Amanda Bansgopaul (C) recently debuted as a solo burlesque performer (Desiree DuBois) at the Uptown Night Club as part of the HUBBA HUBBA Review @ Uptown Night Club in Oakland, CA 94612-2202 (510) 451-8100
http://www.hubbahubbarevue.com/
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=323318186747
Above is Lucian musician Jahzuf of I-World fame, and resident of Sebastopol CA, Amanda (she is Derrick Compton's granddaughter) and Jahzuf's daughter Iyanola.

Jagartist from Laborie

Check out the beautiful artwork by this american artist that was done in Laborie:

http://www.jagartist.com/index.html

Lucian visitors to NoCal

In the Bay Area recently was Lucian, Keith Arnold Eugene also known as Archie to his friends. Archie grew up in La Clery with NoCal residents Ferguson Glasgow, Victoria and Conrad Collymore, and the Best family. In the picture: (L-R) Ferguson Glasgow, Harry Best, Arnold Eugene.

Retro La Clery Party

Check out these photos and see if you can find these Lucians now resident in Northern California: Ferguson Glasgow, Peter Best, Harry Best, Peter 'Dane' Best, Jude Ken Best, Denise March, Victoria Collymore, Cecilia Perkins.

St. Lucia United Assoc. 90th Anniversary Launching

Jahvid Best heads for New York NFL Draft Day

We have some EXCITING NEWS just hot off the press (maybe not quite off the press yet (smile). JAHVID HAS BEEN INVITED TO THE actual 2010 NFL DRAFT held at Radio City Music Hall 4/22-4/24. This is an HONOR to get invited, as only about 15 out of 300 athletes were invited. He has accepted the invitation today and we are so excited and happy for him. We were looking forward to rallying for Jahvid and celebrating with LOVING FAMILY AND FRIENDS, GREAT Caribbean Music and FOOD, and all that good stuff, but this is one time opportunity and we will make the best of it. God has just been blessing him each step in this journey!! ... we will be in New York with Jahvid for the entire week (4/19)...Continue to pray for Jahvid as his journey continues!

God Bless,

Lisa & Andy Best

Retro pictures of St. Lucia

Welcome! St. Lucians in Northern California

Welcome to the portal for news and events of St. Lucians in Northern California. We hope this will serve as a central source of news and events for a St. Lucia Association of Northern California in the near future. If you have anything to share please email us at slanc@comcast.net to have your information posted.