An evening devoted to AimÈ CÈsaire began with only a few people in attendance. The famous poet, playwright, politician and human rights activist was remembered at the Alliance FranÁaise Pyramid on Wednesday for his contributions to black history.

Bank of Saint Lucia, gold sponsor of Jazz in the South once again assisted the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation and Labowi Promotions in staging yet another spectacular year. Bank of Saint Lucia has in the past made a valuable contribution to the communities in the South of the island and continues to do so not just as a sponsor but as a corporate partner.

Prime Minister Stephenson King lauded a weekend retreat for members of his cabinet and permanent secretaries. The retreat was held at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa, St Lucia, in the south of the island, under the theme, "Good governance and effective public sector management for Cabinet ministers and permanent secretaries." The prime minister said the retreat was long overdue, having been in the making since 2006, when government assumed office.

Police Constable Lester Remy received his final farewell on Tuesday morning throughout the streets of Castries. The officer was shot at least five times on April 27, allegedly by a man who he was pursuing in relation to a number of crimes.

Depending on who you ask, the word ‘youth’ has varying definitions. To some, only those under 25 can be classed as youth. For others, like organizers of the recently held youth awards, one can be considered a youth once they’re under 35!

Much more goes on behind the scenes than imaginable for any large scale event like the St Lucia Jazz Festival which started May 3 and runs until May 11. The organizers, the St Lucia Tourist Board, have to deal with more than a dozen artistes, their agents and managers. And negotiations, a source at the SLTB told us, can get sensitive sometimes when dealing with different celebrity personalities and some inflated egos as well.

I want to warn the persons at the Ministry of Youth and Sports who want to pick senseless battles with the National Youth Council that those adversarial days are over." These were just a few of the loaded words that president of the beleaguered National Youth Council, Marvin Edgar, wanted to say to the audience at the recently held youth awards. Edgar says he was not allowed to read his prepared speech and has since demanded an apology from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Jazz on the Square, an event which started off as a fringe event and has grown into a main event which has rivaled the main-stage Jazz shows, did not have the easiest time for sponsors this year according to organizers. Ironically the event is organized by the St Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the island’s largest grouping of private sector businesses.

The sponsors just keep coming for organizers of St Lucia Jazz 2008 and the good thing is, funds aren’t just going towards the hosting of main stage Jazz. Lately other events, commonly referred to as the fringe, have been receiving monetary and other contributions from private sector companies and hotels around the island.

Some may say that the work of the opposition St Lucia Labour Party was never easier. That Kenny and Co could recline as a seemingly self-destructive UWP government implodes. But the Labour Party is not taking that route. Instead the SLP has maintained incessant political meetings and conferences, protests and late night speeches, one of which on Wednesday, kept the CDC residents wide awake.

The working life of Alexis Alcide has been no bed of roses. Several times he had featured in this newspaper, following public questions about his post. And now the worse has come to pass. Recently, the President of the General Workers and Seamen Union, Alexis Alcide, came under fire from his own members for a decision to send the general secretary of the union home.

During the last budget debate, the issue of time came up on several occasions, when the members of parliament felt their allotted hour was insufficient and requested an extension. Though it is often granted, the amount of extra time given became a point of discussion between the leader of the opposition and the prime minister.

Immigration advocates in cities across the US hoped to use May 1st to again stress the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States. Organizers across the country were mobilizing on Wednesday for the May Day rally, which they hoped would mirror the rallies of 2006, in which thousands took to streets all across the country demanding earned legalization for the millions living without legal status in the US. They also were calling for an end to work site raids and deportations, which have been stepped up in recent US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Rising above expectations . . . Thinking beyond boundaries." These are watchwords of the newly restructured, refocused and re-branded Landmark Events—St Lucia’s most comprehensive special events company which launched on April 25, 2008. "Expect to be dazzled" was the warning on the corporate invitation to the gala affair at Sandals Grande this Friday evening.