Features

THERE are many reasons why the west coast town of Soufriere has been dubbed “the Mecca of Saint Lucia’s tourism”. The town has a rich history that includes its own formation itself: the collapse of a huge crater that caused a land mass of six kilometres in diameter to drop resulting in a bowl-like feature of the landscape known as the Qualibou Caldera.

PHILIP Wells, the entrepreneur behind the mobile app startup Parent Teacher Advisor made the finals of the PitchIT 2016, which was held in Trinidad and Tobago last week. The entrepreneur was one of 25 finalists competing for more than US$75,000 in cash and prizes through the challenge organized by the Caribbean Mobile Innovation Project (CMIP). PitchIT is a competition to discover new startup and mobile app ideas from across the Caribbean. It is funded through EPIC, which is a World Bank Group and Government of Canada programme to stimulate entrepreneurship in the region.

SIX miles from the town of Soufriere is a small community that at one time was the butt of several jokes in the country on account of the lack of attention given it by government. Unknown to many who laughed at the jokes was that this community, Bouton, was home to some of the most glorious scenery this country could produce. Despite the several modern and technological strides Bouton has made today, many still view it as a place that is “behind-God’s-back.”

WITH the festive season upon us, a great deal of focus will be on people spending as much as they can on food, clothes and luxury items they would have wanted all year. Many might even present expensive gifts to their friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, there are people in desperate situations who would settle for no more than a can of peas, a pair of shoes or a shirt to lift their spirits. In many instances, parents who might have lost their jobs – or couldn’t find one all year – are feeling a deeper pain at this time in not being able to provide their children with the basic necessities let alone any semblance of the Christmas cheer.

ART LOVERS are being urged to patronize the “Perspectives” art exhibition now on at Alliance Francaise being hosted by Artist Circle St. Lucia. The exhibition opened on Monday and runs through December 19 and features works from some of Artist Circle’s members, namely Nancy Cole-Auguste, Gary Butte, Cedric George, Janet Lang, Ken Lawrence, Solange Lawrence, Jean Mederick, Chester Williams and Nicole Edgecombe.

THE holiday season takes place at the same time every year. However, most of us are still caught off-guard when December rolls around. With so much to plan for and to execute, the whole experience sometimes proves overwhelming. This becomes even more apparent when an everyday work life is added to the mix. Usually, by the first week of December our brains have begun conjuring up thoughts of presents, decorating and entertaining at home. Therefore, when at the office it can prove difficult to switch off and focus on the day to day tasks that we are faced with. However, a little thought and planning can aid in preparing for Christmas and the New Year without infringing on work assignments.

BRAF pwéson(fish broth) with breadfruit, green fig, yam or other provision. According to the Creole style, fish is prepared as a ‘one-pot’ together with green bananas, plantains, macanbou or any one of a variety of yams. Breadfruit, dasheen or potatoes while accompanying the fish meal are not cooked together with the fish but are prepared separately.

FOR the past 25 years, Silver Shadow Performing Arts Academy has been known for raising the bar as far as …