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.