Dazzle magazine issue 7

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Seasons Greetings Protect Your Children From Impetigo

Julian Biscette

High-Flying Volleyball Star Has an Eye on the Big Leagues Ginger: A Wonder Healer

Sir Lancealot Knight of the DJ Round Table

Debbie KhodraJames weaves more than just another stylish curl

Issue 7

Coaks

St. Lucia’s Undisputed King of Comedy

Dale Elliott

‘UNTOLD STORIES touching hearts and changing lives!

Roberta Polius -Desir

Young, Empowered and Savvy and Making a Difference in Business Try me!

From the Publisher

Welcome to Dazzle Magazine Salutations and thank you for picking up Dazzle Magazine issue 7. It is often said that the pleasure of life is to work hard, but also to work smart in trying to achieve your goals. Many of the personalities we have featured in past and current issues have been a living testament to this adage. They’ve managed to survive in these difficult economic times and reap the rewards of success by virtue of pure determination.

Those young and talented Saint Lucians have shared their experiences with us so that we can better understand the challenges they’ve had to face, and also to encourage others. I would like to wish all of them continued success in the New Year.

In issue 7, Dazzle Magazine got the opportunity to explore Dale Elliot’s UNTOLD STORIES and discover why he believes passionately that there is no greater joy than helping to create positive change in the lives of others; Sir Lancealot tells us why he did not take the traditional route to fulfill his dreams but instead, followed his heart in his bid to become a Man of Music; Debbie Kohdra James, one of Saint Lucia’s leading hairstylists and cosmetologists brings us up-to-date with current trends in hairstyling and skin care, and reveals how she has managed to keep on top of her game; Funny-man Coaks who continues to promote Saint Lucia’s culture at home and abroad through comedy, shares his life story and shows how the art of comedy can help to transform lives and the society; we meet high-flying volleyball star, Julian Biscette who is all set to take the sport of volleyball to the next level; and our main feature, Roberta Nadia PoliusDesir discloses why she’s not afraid to take risks and how she always succeeds in rising to the occasion.

With that said, I hope issue 7 captivates and delights you! On behalf of Dazzle Magazine, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Rankin Morgan Publisher/Managing Editor

Dazzle Magazine is a new and dynamic Saint Lucian bi-monthly publication that provides much-needed exposure to young professionals and entrepreneurs, and established businesses.

It covers an array of topics and categories key to starting and running a business. It also offers practical advice on everyday living, tips for a healthy lifestyle and interviews with popular and up-and-coming personalities.

Dazzle Magazine is designed to appeal to a diverse range of readers but is especially targeted at working professionals and business owners between the ages of 21-50 years. We provide our advertising clients with value for money by offering them a powerful medium to market their products, offer deals and build their brand. Best of all, we give them the opportunity to be a part of a nationwide and online marketplace of actively engaged consumers who are ready to buy, all at an affordable price.

To advertise in Dazzle Magazine, contact our sales agent via telephone (758) 452 0123 or email advertising@dazzlethemag.com for more information and terms and conditions.

table of

contents

Features

18. Dale Elliot - ‘UNTOLD STORIES’, Touching Hearts and Changing Lives!

36. Roberta Polius-Desir - Young, Empowered, Savvy and Making a Difference in Business 46. Coaks – St. Lucia’s Undisputed King of Comedy 54. Sir Lancealot: Knight of the DJ Round Table

Profiles

28. Debbie Khodra-James - Weaves More than just Another Stylish Curl

Sports

26. Julian Biscette - High-Flying Volleyball Star has an Eye on the Big Leagues

The 411

14. Buying or Building Your Home: A Step-By-Step Guide

Going Green

10. Going Green Can Be Great for Business

Mastering Marketing

Publisher Rankin Morgan Editor Tony Williams Sales & Marketing Alana Williams Contributors Reginald Andrew Michelle S. Charles Mindy Chicot David E.M. DuBoulay Andra Allen-Joseph Gareth Jules Laura Morgan Tony Williams Studio MIA Graphic Design Aldrin Henry Photography Aldrin Henry Orisphotography Accountants BDM Consulting

16. How to Totally Ruin Your Reputation on Facebook

Professional Progress

24. How to Stay Professional and Avoid the Drama at Work

Health & Fitness

12. Ginger: A Wonder Healer 44. Protect Your Children From Impetigo

Style & Fashion

49. Eyelash Extensions – How to Make Them Look Great!

50. How to Look Hip for the Festive Season

Eating In

53. It’s Just Not Christmas without Black Cake!

Instagram

58. Christmas is HERE

On the Cover Roberta Nadia Polius-Desir

contact us

For more information visit us at www.dazzlethemag.com or call us at 758.460.4126

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Young, Empowered and Savvy and Making a Difference in Business Read about Roberta on page 36

AND WIN

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DAZZLE

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Going Green Can Be Great for Business “Going green” is a popular phrase that is being bandied about a lot these days. It refers to using various everyday methods to preserve the environment and conserve energy and resources.

Businesses in St Lucia are becoming more ‘green’ conscious and changing how they operate by investing in environmentally sustainable solutions or by taking measures to reduce the amount of resources consumed.

• You can reduce or eliminate the need for sticky notes and note pads by using free or inexpensive software programs, such as NoteWhen. Just like electronic calendars and task lists they can be set to remind you of an event or task.

Ultimately, electronic files save floor and file space.

They can also be password protected or encrypted to prevent unauthorized access or alteration. In the long run, this means less wastepaper ends up in our landfills.

No matter your area of business, there are many steps you can take to reduce its negative impact on the environment. It can also help to reduce costs, which is always welcome, especially in a tough economy. Here are some ways your business can go green and be a more environmentally friendly place.

Upgrade Your Equipment • Invest in more energy-efficiency computers, fax machines and copiers or fuel-efficient vehicles.

This can help to lower your company’s energy bills.

• Shut off lights, equipment and machinery when not in use to conserve energy. Leaving electrical gadgets on can also put stresses on them and reduce the items’ life span.

Use Less Paper • If you only need one page of a document, set the print menu so only that page is printed. Also, when printing a web page, copy and paste the text into a Word document instead of printing web pages to avoid printing a lot of stuff you don’t need, and wasting colour inks.

• Print on both sides of a sheet. You can actually set your photocopiers and printers to print on both sides by default.

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Change Your Bulbs Should your company switch from incandescent to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL)? Here are a few things to consider: You save money: An incandescent bulb that uses 75 watts can be replaced with a CFL bulb that uses only 20 watts. The average CFL bulb lasts from 8,000 to 12,000 hours – 10 to 20 times more hours than incandescent bulbs.

You use less energy: By using a CFL bulb you help to keep 450 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over the lifespan of the bulb. That’s almost like taking two small cars off the road for a year.

More efficient: Incandescent bulbs usually last less than a year. A CFL bulb can last 8 to 10 years.

less than 1.5 gallons of water per minute compared with 2.2 gallons for standard faucets.

Use water tanks: Install rainwater tanks to water gardens or lawns, flush toilets and for other processes in your business operations.

Fix your leaks: Encourage staff to report leaks and get them fixed promptly.

Change your toilets: Upgrade single flush toilets to new dual flush toilets which use 3 litres for a half flush and 4.5 litres for a full flush. Older toilets use nearly 5 gallons of water per flush, while some newer ones use two.

Save Water By using less water, organisations can save quite a lot on water supply and wastewater disposal charges.

Here are some ways you can do this: Go low-flow: Try outfitting your taps with low-flow restrictors. A low-flow faucet aerator discharges

Use the hose less: Use a mop and broom to clean floors rather than a hose, and car wash products instead of water to clean your vehicles.

By taking proactive steps toward going green, not only is it good for the environment, it could also be great for your bottom line.

li mi ted

Reduce Cost | Advertise Online | Increase Your Reach Save the Environment

Contact Us Today Tel: 758.452.0123 Email: info@123digitallimited.com www.123digitallimited.com www.dazzlethemag.com

DAZZLE 11

Ginger Ginger: A Wonder Healer

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inger is a perennial root plant recognised by its thick and long twisting stem. The ginger plant is known to have originated in South Asia, including India and China. It was introduced to Western Europe, including England, France and Spain, around the 11th century. By the early 15th century it was being exported to the Caribbean colonies and West Africa, principally by Portuguese and Spanish explorers and traders. Ginger is now grown in tropical countries around the world.

Over the years, ginger has long been recognised for its aromatic, culinary and medicinal properties. It has also become famous for its spicy aroma because of its composition of natural essential oils. Ginger contains anti-viral, anti-toxic and anti-fungal properties. It acts as an antihistamine.

Apart from being sold in its natural form, this powerful herb is also processed and available in the form of powders, crystals and flavourings widely sold in health food stores.

Ginger contains properties which aid digestion, reduces inflammation and acts as an antihistamine in the treatment of allergies.

Over the centuries, ginger has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments. Scientific research done over the years has confirmed its natural healing properties. Some of the health benefits of ginger include: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Ovarian and cancer treatment Alleviation of morning sickness A remedy for motion sickness Reduces pain and inflammation Heartburn relief Cold and flu prevention Relief of menstrual cramp Relief of migraine Prevention of kidney damage

Go ahead and test the benefits for yourself by simply crushing, grating or slicing some ginger and pouring hot water over it in a cup or, if you prefer, you could add it to your food. Enjoy it!

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Dale Elliott “UNTOLD STORIES”

touching hearts and changing lives Read about Dale on page 18

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Buying or Building Your Home: a step-by-step guide

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he advent of the Construction Stimulus Package has resulted in increased opportunities for potential homeowners looking to buy or build a house, and for existing homeowners seeking to extend their house or purchase another one. One of the most important decisions that you will have to make in your life is whether to buy or build a home.

The process of buying or building a home involves several stages. When building, one must first find the plot of land that fits within one’s budget and that can accommodate the house you want to build. Usually this involves a real estate agent and a lawyer. Your agent will help you find the plot of land which suits your needs. Your lawyer will ensure that the land is conveyed (sold) to you properly and all the requisite fees are paid to the government.

Secondly, your home should be designed by an architect and you need to ensure that you receive approval to build it from the Development Control Authority (DCA), as well as the necessary approvals from the Water and Sewage Company (WASCO) and Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) for the supply of water and electricity to your home.

Always ensure that your plans have received the requisite approvals before you proceed to build.

Failure to do this will result in the construction being halted and the possibility of fines being imposed on you. After all of the above has been done, you will need to acquire the necessary financing.

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Deciding on the bank or lending institution to finance the transaction is probably the most important part of the decision to purchase a home. The bank you choose will be with you for the next 25-35 years, so you need to gather all the relevant information regarding its requirements and policies and, most importantly, the rates that will apply to your mortgage/loan. I have done some of the work for you by providing a guide to the current rates being offered and what you need in order to qualify for a mortgage.

But even before you take that step you must first consider the following: 1) What collateral (security) am I going to use? The Bank accepts many different forms of collateral (property, life insurance policies, cash etc.). The more collateral you pledge, the more likely it is the bank will grant you the loan, and you’re likely to have more bargaining power when negotiating for a lower interest rate and/or better repayment terms.

2) How much you can comfortably pay to the Bank?

You should always think about the amount you can afford to pay each month while having to meet your other expenses (family, car payment, medical bills, groceries, entertainment, saving for a rainy day).

Always aim to set aside some money each month for savings. If you can still save after paying your bills, you are in good shape.

3) Will you need alternative accommodation? While

the house is under construction you will be required to make your monthly mortgage payments even though you are not living in the house yet. This means you may have to continue paying your house rent (if applicable) or whatever other accommodation costs you had before the mortgage, along with the mortgage. Always remember that unforeseen circumstances will inevitably arise, and being short on cash at this stage can be an unpleasant experience.

Some banks do, however, offer a moratorium on loan payments for a few months during the construction phase to ease the burden on new homeowners, so you should always ask about the availability of this with your loans officer.

Now that you have done your homework, you are ready to meet a loans officer and advise him/her that you want to buy a house or build a new one. Which bank do you choose? Here is a list of the current rates being offered at the time of writing:

First Caribbean - 5.99% Contact Ruphena Alleyne: 456-1000 Bank of Nova Scotia - 8% (can be reduced to 6.99% if refinancing from another bank). Contact Krystal Emmanuel: 456-2008.

Royal Bank of Canada/RBTT - 7.5% Contact Lisa Monroque: 456-9200 or Alister Daniel: 457-6300 Financial Investment & Consultancy Services Ltd (FICS) - 7%. Call 453-0225.

Capita Financial Services Inc - 8% Contact Leona Cadette: 451-5626

Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL) - 5% increasing to 8% (explained below). Contact Analicia Edmunds: 456-6000 BOSL‘s mortgage rate starts off at 5% interest for the first year and increases by increments of 0.75% until it levels off at 8% (or after four years). There are other factors which the bank will take into account such as your credit history, your relationship with the bank and your security, all of which may slow down this rate of increase. Bank of Saint Lucia has a package called Complete for Life which offers customers a rate of 7.5% per annum once they agree to utilise two or more of the bank’s products or services. Your loans officer at BOSL would be happy to explain this to you in detail.

Ideally, banks require that mortgages be within the ages of 18-65 years and continuously employed for a period of 3 years. This means if you have been employed in your current job for less than 3 years, the time served in your previous job should make up that shortfall. As stated earlier, banks prefer that you have strong collateral as this reduces the risk in lending you money.

Most banks will require either a 5 or 10% deposit on your loan facility, meaning that if you take a loan for $100,000 you would be required to deposit either $5,000 or $10,000. This varies between banks but in some instances, if your collateral is strong enough, the bank may be willing to go below 5% or, even waive this altogether. Remember, the less money you put down as a deposit, the higher your monthly repayment will be. Your decision to buy or build a new home is something you will be proud of and cherish for many years, so ensure that you equip yourself with all the necessary information. That way you will find that this life-altering process becomes significantly easier.

David E.M. Du Boulay is the Managing Director of Innovative Concepts Ltd, a property development company which will soon be offering affordable homes for sale. Please visit www.buildyourdreamslu.com or contact david@buildyourdreamslu.com for more information.

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DAZZLE 15

Dis How to Totally Ruin Your Reputation on Facebook

H

“

ow about I tell your boyfriend about the twelve abortions you got that you hid from him; or the fact you said you are a lesbian and needed to end things with him ... or the random men that came to spend the night at your house before he moved in ... I can make statuses too b***h ... lm*o. Okay I’m done.”

Did you gasp? Is your mouth wide open? This one surely deserves a “whhaaaaattttt?”

That, Dazzlers, was a Facebook status I was privy to after a Facebook friend of mine commented on it. After viewing the comments I gathered that the author of the status was betrayed by someone she once considered a friend. Further comments by the author indicated the only reason she opted not to beat her betrayer to a pulp was because the traitor would call the cops.

Well, I’ve never! Who am I kidding? Of course I have!

Dazzlers I know this type of behaviour is not new to you. We see it time and time again; Baby Daddy and Baby Mama drama, “f bomb the haters” and other such rants using profanity and crude insults. I have to wonder to what extent people consider the implications of their Facebook posts.

If you have already settled into a life of mediocrity and have no intentions of moving far beyond your

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current status, by all means carry on. Post as many middle-finger, 6:30, marijuana-smoking, drunk, lingerie-and-cleavage photographs as you like. Publicly air your dirty laundry about the father or mother of your child, talk about how much of an arse you think your boss is, defame the characters of others by tagging their names in statuses and comments like the author of our opening tirade. I mean after all, you’re not trying to move up the professional ladder or connect with people who can help propel your life to the next level, right?

“But it’s MY Facebook. I don’t understand you. What I choose to put on there is my business and neither yours nor my boss,” you may argue. That, my dear, is a very true statement indeed. “Besides, my Facebook is private anyway. Only my friends can see what I post.” All 1000-plus of them? Give me a break!

Let us recall how I came across the example presented above. The author of the status is not my Facebook

friend. A mutual Facebook friend of ours commented on the status and there it was in MY News Feed. Need I say more?

There is no such thing as a private Facebook page.

Viewing the contents of your profile is as easy as loaning your account information to a friend to browse your page after an attempt to share a little piece of your “private” postings has failed. It is as easy as hitting “Share”, “Like”, posting a comment or copying and pasting. It is called a social NETWORK

for a reason. This does not only apply to Facebook, but rather to all social networks and media. As much as we would all like to freely express ourselves without any repercussions, the world just does not work that way.

Your posts are a reflection of you. Your social network accounts are your marketing tools in the personal and professional realms. It’s not JUST Facebook or JUST Twitter or JUST Instagram. Take that into consideration the next time your middle finger itches before the camera lens.

MORE CITIES TO GO TO, COME BACK TO, OR STAY IN. FROM ST. LUCIA TO MORE THAN 340 DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD.

DELTA.COM

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DAZZLE 17

Dale Elliott “UNTOLD STORIES” touching hearts and changing lives

In his autobiography ‘A Long Walk to Freedom’ Nelson Mandela wrote: “And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Dazzle would like to introduce you to a man who shares the same philosophy, and believes that there is no greater joy than helping to create positive changes in the lives of others. Brought up from humble beginnings, Mr. Dale Carneige Elliott has gone from being “so poor that we had to save up to be poor”, to realising some of his greatest passions. Dale candidly shares his journey with us.

L

ike many other Saint Lucians, Dale was raised by his grandmother. Although he left home at the age of 18, she has been his greatest influence and, in his opinion, she remains the most intelligent person in the Western hemisphere. Dale attended the Ciceron Primary School and then moved on to St. Mary’s College. Dale reveals that, at St Mary’s, he was one of the tiny tots as he didn’t start growing till he was 14. He recalls being less than five feet throughout his attendance at the school. He later moved on to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and then the University of the West Indies, which for him is still a work in progress.

Dale has been fascinated with cars from a very tender age and this is something which he holds close to his heart. “All I ever wanted to do was fix cars, so I spent fourteen years fixing, selling and racing cars!” A true car person at heart, he tells Dazzle, “Nitrous oxide runs through my veins!”

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While many dread entering the workforce, Dale has been working from age ten and hasn’t stopped since then.

“I had my first job at age 11. I was pumping gas, which I did for about four years. When I got to form four, I was moved to accounts and later the garage and parts department, then finally the supermarket.

After leaving A-Level, I did some merchandising for Brydens where I stayed on for about three months.

I then moved to DBS Television where Pete Ninvalle (The General) was the news director, Kendal Burton, Dominic Fedee and Deborah Raphael were news correspondents. With his interest in television production and journalism aroused, Dale went on to broaden his skills and enhanced his knowledge of TV production, and today he is the producer for the popular television series UNTOLD STORIES. He also writes infomercials and documentaries for companies.

Additionally, he does script writing and copywriting of TV commercials. In the process, he has built life-long friendships. He tells Dazzle who first introduced him to film.

them behind your house, unless it is mainstream and everyone is doing it, people tend to have a certain reluctance to accept it. In television production, in magazines and a lot of other businesses in Saint Lucia, being novel is sometimes a bad thing. And that is one of the challenges. I am not a mundane kind of person and neither are the businesses I have founded in the last couple years. The challenges have always been getting that initial ball rolling.”

“Much of what I’ve learnt can be attributed to Pete Ninvalle and Bradley Lacan. I must add that all the trouble I have been in, in my life has been because of Germaine Anius. Or maybe it was the other way around. Seriously, though, Germaine has been there for me from the onset. We have a beautiful love-hate relationship. He has always been the one to push me, even though Pete and Bradley have been there to create a balance, both in terms of production and guidance with scripting. Germaine has always been the one who displayed the most confidence in me. It has been that way for about 16 years. “

“Social transformation is one person helping another to change their life, which is why I started producing UNTOLD STORIES. Whether it is through the voice of the homeless, which is the perfect example of where profit maximisation has never entered into the equation, I produce UNTOLD STORIES now as I did 16 years ago, for the primary purpose of changing lives.

The word entrepreneur is often bandied about casually but Dale explains what sets him apart from other entrepreneurs.

“The Government Registry says I own three companies and I have owned my own business, Bumper to Bumper for 15 years or so. I certainly see myself as an entrepreneur. What sets me apart from other entrepreneurs is that my efforts are for social transformation, as much as it is for profit maximisation.”

While Dale admits that there have been a few setbacks in his professional career, nothing has discouraged him as he is determined to succeed.

“People don’t really appreciate things that are different, it takes a little while to grow on them. So whether you’re going to Japan to buy cars to sell, or you are buying them off the internet, or building

Dale says what motivates him most is his desire to help change other people’s lives and, of course, making a profit. That’s what keeps him going even against the odds at times.

“Primarily two things keep me going; social transformation and profit maximisation, but more so social transformation because making a lot of money does not guarantee you a lot of happiness.

“Sixteen years ago when I produced Voice of the Homeless, it was to help some of these people get off the street and to raise awareness of their plight.

This resulted in the establishment of Cornerstone

fun facts Favourite Quote: En rouge What inspires you?

Social transformation Gros-Islet Friday Night or Anse La Raye Fish Fry? Gros-Islet Friday by Kyle Basketball or Football?

Drag Racing Favourite character?

Jeremy Clarkson

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DAZZLE 19

Humanitarian Society founded by Juliette Braithwaite.

Fifteen years later, Juliet now houses 42 people at Cornerstone.

“This time around, whilst working on a documentary in Central Castries, I could not avoid it. I had to be with many of the dispossessed from eleven p.m. to two o’clock in the morning when I was filming. It is very tough coming across seven or eight people in one night who are asking for a dollar; whom you have to watch sleep under Singer and fight for cardboard.

Or meet a 17-year old who has absolutely nowhere to go. It is very tough but I wanted to bring to the floor their plight, so I decided to produce ‘UNTOLD STORIES: Voice of the Homeless’ again, and that was it. I would produce it, no ads, get on television, pay for it out of my pocket and just walk away. But … I couldn’t do it!

that meets international standards.

“The mandate for producing UNTOLD STORIES has always been social transformation. It is also to show that inasmuch as you produce stuff, it doesn’t have to be run of the mill. You can produce a local programme with an international feel which is well researched, professionally delivered, draws an audience, is scripted properly and it does not have to be a talk show. Years ago when I first did UNTOLD STORIES it was to prove the same thing. Two and a half years ago when I produced it again, it was to show that it could still be done.

“I choose the topics for the season long in advance. So at the launch of the film ‘The History of Saint Lucia,’ all the programmes I planned to do in season two, I spoke about them in detail; what the theme was going to be, how it was going to be accomplished and what I wanted the outcome to be. I am happy to say that at the end of season two we have done that. Some persons come to me, others I have to sift through and weed out. I try to stay away from sensational stories. I try my very best to research my stories and get as many that are as Saint Lucian and grass roots as possible. I would like to think that my audience is everybody but I am targeting the ‘common man.’“ Some of the topics that the series have dealt with can be termed ‘controversial.’ We wanted to know what difficulties Dale has faced in producing them.

“I did ‘Voice of the Homeless Part II’ and it was the same thing. Luckily we were able to help one person who had been on the streets for 21 years, get him into rehab, stay with him for his six to eight week programme, get him out of rehab, get him a job (government job at that) and get him back on track.”

UNTOLD STORIES currently airs in 22 countries in the region, and also in the USA in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. It is extremely captivating and thought provoking. Dale believes that the sheer honesty of the programme is what keeps audiences so intrigued. He also believes Saint Lucia is hungry for a different level of production for local programming 20 DAZZLE

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“Bureaucrats do not like to speak about things that are ‘untold’, so to get the Minister of Justice to explain to you why there is still a long list of fugitives at large yet successive ministers have ignored that list – that is difficult.

The prison reform programme that every minister has spoken about has never come to fruition because they still look at prisoners and the prison system as a burden. They do not want to speak to you. When I was a reporter, it was the same way. I am not very good with PR when it comes to government.

I think the questions need to be asked, they need to be asked straight and I need to get a straight answer.

My biggest challenge is getting the bureaucrats to make the difference in social transformation aspects in Saint Lucia and to speak with you honestly.

“The rise and fall of ‘Green Gold,’ and the untold story of Jean and Dinah, from two different angles. Banana wars have been used to derail governments and propel political parties. The figures do not lie and every time that particular sore is opened up, then people get angry. But again, the production figures don’t lie and when I was producing this story I got a lot of resistance again, from bureaucrats. ‘The Untold Story of Jean and Dinah,’ on the other hand, was a bouillon of comedy, stark reality, the laws of nature, the laws of business with a touch of good journalism. What it brought out were the hypocrites in our society sitting on the fence saying ‘how dare you put that on television?”

Although the programme has received phenomenal feedback from the public, Dale still believes there is room for improvement. As with most ventures, securing adequate funding for the production is a major factor he has to grapple with. With increased funding he hopes to improve picture quality, secure better equipment, hire more staff and enhance international distribution across existing and evolving platforms so that more stories could be told. Ultimately, he wants to produce stories that can change not just Saint Lucia but the region.

Meanwhile, he has some advice for Dazzle readers.

“Find something you love doing, whether it be bartending, fixing phones, being a tourism worker, find something you love doing and do it to the best of your ability. Whether it brings you reward in the short run or the long run, find something you love doing. In the end the things that will bring us the greatest joy or greatest pain will be the career path you have chosen and the mate you have chosen. So choose them wisely.”

One of Dale’s goals is to have his own television station which he can pass on as a legacy to his children.

Notwithstanding all his hard work and achievements over the years, he says his children are his greatest accomplishment, adding the greatest achievement anybody can have is “bringing forth life.”

We wish Dale immeasurable success in all his undertakings and may he continue changing the lives of others. Watch out for season III of UNTOLD STORIES. You will be informed, you will be baffled, you will be entertained, and most of all, you will be inspired!

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DAZZLE 21

Khodra James weaves more than just another stylish curl Read about Debbie on page 28

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23 www.dazzlethemag.com DAZZLE

How to Stay Professional and Avoid the Drama at Work

O

ur level of professionalism can be apparent in many of the things we do from day to day, even the way we dress. However, one’s conduct in the work environment is one of the truest reflections of their professionalism. We often find ourselves saying things or conducting ourselves in a manner which we believe is appropriate for the workplace. In order to create a good impression and gain respect on the job it is important to have a clear idea of what is deemed to be professional conduct.

First, you should try to keep your personal issues away from the workplace. Your co-workers do not need to know your personal issues which have nothing to do with the work at hand. Sharing your personal problems with workmates can even be used against you for all the wrong reasons. In addition, if you are too moody, this can affect your productivity and it’s a sign of poor work ethic. No one wants to be around a moody person who gives off negative energy. This sends the wrong signals and, invariably, your co-workers will begin to distance themselves from you.

Another characteristic that is a sign of one’s professionalism is when an individual makes a

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conscious effort to help their co-workers. If you are a very efficient worker with spare time on your hands, lend a helping hand to those who need it. This also goes hand-in-hand with managing your time wisely.

Arrange your goals and tasks into time frames and strive to achieve them during working hours. This will enhance your performance and it sets a good example for others. Your workmates and manager may also view it as a sign that you are a team player and even a potential team leader.

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Showing up at work on time and maintaining a good attendance record is also conduct which can be considered professional. If you cannot get to work on time, do not be afraid to call your manager or supervisor and explain your situation. Whatsapping or BBMessaging is not the way to go. Also, try your best to remain on the company compound during working hours unless your job requires that you be away from the office or out in the field. If you are certain that you will be late from lunch, inform your manager or supervisor, or someone else in authority. Good communication is essential for an effective flow of information in the workplace. Managers will scrutinise all of this, in addition to your mode of dress and tidiness.

When communicating, try your best to be respectful to superiors and co-workers. Foul language is not appropriate, no matter how close you may be to a co-worker. Try to be as proper and articulate as you can in your speech. This is a sign of confidence.

Greet persons when you encounter them and keep your composure even in distressing times.

Sometimes things may not go your way. However, following company policy at all times will ensure that mishaps do not occur, although circumstances are sometimes unpredictable. Be fair, honest and sincere in everything you do and say. Avoid company gossip.

Last but not least, learn to take criticism. Do not view it as a sign of someone disliking you, but rather as a stepping stone to further self-improvement and achieving success in the organisation. Let it motivate you to become a true professional.

Here are a few more things you should consider: • Avoid making personal calls on the company’s phone. Ask a supervisor if it’s an emergency.

• Try not to show up to work intoxicated or yawning.

• Stay off social media at work.

• Be ready and willing to work, as well as reliable.

If one takes all these factors into consideration with regards to their career, they will surely succeed in achieving an exemplary level of good conduct and this will aid them to become a true professional in the workplace.

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DAZZLE 25

High-Flying Volleyball Star has an Eye on the Big Leagues

R

anked among the major competitive sports on the island, the game of volleyball continues to grow in popularity. The latest edition of the sport - Beach Volleyball – is increasingly in the spotlight on the global circuit. Julian Biscette, one of the island’s top players, has proven he has the ability to excel at the sport and he certainly has star appeal.

Julian hails from the Babonneau community, which has produced such gifted athletes as Levern Spencer, the region’s ace high-jumper. He is currently employed as a junior coach in the Ministry of Youth and Sports through its ‘Elite Athlete’ program, which has nurtured athletes such as Levern, Dalton Polius, Keddy Lesporis and others.

Julian, a formidable member of the dynamic ‘Salt & Pepper’ duo, wants to take his sport to the next level.

In so doing, he has established himself as a virtual high-flyer in the game while representing his country and has received high praise.

Julian, 23, is a St. Mary’s College (SMC) graduate.

He sat down with Dazzle during a break in this year’s NORCECA Beach Volleyball tournament at the picturesque Pigeon Island to share his and his teammates’ fondest dreams and their desire to make it big in the sports world.

Despite coming up against a tough challenge at this year’s NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, which was held here in October, the sturdy six-footer was still able to impress in the matches and is now more determined than ever to gain better rankings in future tournaments.

Julian cites as his ‘defining moment,’ his ability to qualify for the Under-23 World Championships in Poland, this year. He said, “It was like an eye-opener for me and I realised that I am at the level of world champs, and to play against good teams and push them to the limit was something outstanding.”

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Dazzle: How long have you been playing volleyball as a competitive sport?

Julian: I have been playing volleyball for the past four years. I began playing at SMC and intensified my game during my final two years at the school. A friend encouraged me to play the game and I fell in love with it. I have devoted my time to playing with one club in Saint Lucia, the Jet Setters Volleyball Club.

Dazzle: How do you rate your current status in the game?

Julian: I feel that right now there are prospects for me to become a professional player. That’s because

now the country, the St Lucia Volleyball Association and the St Lucia Olympic Committee sponsor us in such a way that we get to travel to places like Cuba, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico to get the exposure we need. We spent two months training in California and we are getting places. We just need the financial assistance and support to continue. Our goal is to compete at the Olympics, and to make it to the Olympics you have to be rated at a professional level.

Making it to the Olympics is my goal right now and, step by step, to qualify for next year’s CAC and Pan American games, and then hopefully to make it to the Olympic Games in the qualification rounds.

Dazzle: Tell us briefly about the various techniques employed in the game?

Julian: Every volleyball game starts off with a serve and that is one aspect of the game. Serving has different aspects, such as; the jump-float, float serve and jump serve. Then you have the reception with the opposing team receiving that serve, then the setting and also the spike. You then have the block, and the dig. So you have five skills and each skill is well defined, with different body motions for each one and this, in itself, can be quite challenging at times.

win a medal at the Olympics. For us, we know that our training and our hard work, and our coaching sessions assisted by some foreign coaches, as well as the support from the Ministry of Sport and other volleyball administrative bodies, help us a lot.

They understand that we have been getting better every year; and we have started to defeat teams like Puerto Rico and Canada, countries that are much bigger than us … and for a small island team to be able to compete against teams from the USA, Canada and put up a challenge, is quite revealing. At the end of the day, I feel really proud about all of this and I know that maybe within the next two years we will be unbeatable.

Dazzle: How fascinating is the beach volleyball contest and what new experiences have you gained from it?

Julian: Well, I know for some guys the attraction is in the two-piece bikini outfits and all that ... but for people who really love the sport, they know that beach volleyball is really attractive when you have two guys or two ladies throwing themselves around and hustling to not give away anything. Hustling on the sand is more difficult and poses a challenge, since while playing on the beach you have to use all your assets and skills to play the game.

Dazzle: Why do you think Saint Lucia has produced so many good volleyball players, and what motivates players to do well in the sport?

Julian: Most people get involved with basketball or cricket, and more so popular events like the IPL T20.

But, truthfully, we have the better chance of being the first sports team to represent Saint Lucia and

My favourite team at the Beach Volleyball contest was the US team. They played well together and we are trying to look up to them and get some of their movement patterns, and work on that. I see us getting better at the sport and I am proud of that.

Hopefully, our goal - our dream - is to win Saint Lucia’s first Olympic Gold Medal and we feel that we can achieve this within the next ten years.

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DAZZLE 27

Khodra James T weaves more than just another stylish curl

he ability to apply one’s skills in delivering quality service in the high-fashion industry is no mean feat, and when it comes to the competitive cosmetology field, no ‘short-cuts’ (pun intended) are acceptable. St. Lucian hair stylist and cosmetologist, Debbie Khodra-James has a fervent desire to excel in her field, and she definitely has what it takes to succeed. On her way to becoming a skilled professional, Debbie has had to follow a rigid training and educational regimen, which necessitated learning how to cater for varying styles and tastes. What she offers her clients is not just another hair salon but a service of class.

As a young woman Debbie had several career options to choose from, but her foremost passion was for hair designing. Over the past 15 years she has mastered the art of hair design with a certain touch of finesse. She has also taken an integrated and holistic approach by offering her clients a blend of nutrition and style that leaves them very satisfied.

This 30-something year-old entrepreneur is the owner of JAZ by Debbie Hair Salon. She is quite proud of the business which has been very successful. She caters to varied clientele, from the high-fashion jet-setters to the average female patron, and also men.

She admits that though hairdressing was always a passion of hers, initially she didn’t see it as being her career.

After graduating from high school, Debbie worked for a while in her family’s electronic store but soon realised she was not cut out for that field.

“My other passion was for interior designing, but I realised there was not much scope for it here,” said Debbie.

Her husband Darren is a businessman and a freelance pilot. His frequent flying stints required them to be travelling and moving about quite a bit. After their marriage they moved to Jamaica in 2001 where they resided for three years. They have since settled down in Saint Lucia in order to allow Debbie to operate her business.

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JAZ by Debbie, located at the Bois D’Orange business complex, underscores the strong bond that exists between Debbie and her family; the title bears the first letter of her daughters’ names, namely nine-year old twins Janina and Zaida and six-year old Anushka.

Debbie completed her schooling in Barbados in 1997, and then returned home where she worked for a short stint at the Le Sport Hotel, managing the salon.

Whilst at school in Barbados Debbie obtained a certificate in cosmetology with honours. With her sights set on enhancing her knowledge of the art of exquisite hair fashion and style, she attended hair shows in Trinidad & Tobago and also travelled to the USA where she participated in ‘New York hair shows.

In Jamaica she worked with a prestigious hair salon.

Upon her return to Saint Lucia she established her business, which she has managed astutely for the past 10 years.

Debbie is now poised at the pinnacle of her career as a cosmetologist. Her salon offers a full suite of services such as massaging, waxing, manicures and pedicures, plus a whole range of other services, including hair treatment. However, she admits, “My passion for hairdressing is really in the areas of hair-cutting and hair coloring.”

But what does Debbie think it takes to be rated as a good cosmetologist, and what makes her business stand out from the competition? The feedback she gets from her clients is very important, she says.

“Generally, I think it is the environment, the service that we offer and we are very professional. Most people have attached a stigma to salons as being a place where you come to gossip, but that is a no-no.

It does not happen here. We have clients from different backgrounds; professionals, teenagers, grown-ups, a wide range of clients, and we also cater for men. I also keep up to date with the current trends and styles by educating myself through courses and attending various hair shows.”

Cedilia, the spa manager, makes for an affable assistant, and she and Debbie complement each other and work together as a team. A high level of professionalism is essential to run a successful business and Debbie is delighted to have achieved that status.

declares. “We do not have clients waiting for hours before they get service, since we adhere strictly to a timely appointment schedule.”

How much does her business operation impact on her social life? It does play a part in her social relations and general outlook, she admits: “It is quite nice to find that everywhere you go people commend you and they introduce you as ‘the best hairdresser.’ It is quite a compliment.”

Debbie emphasizes that furthering her education was a ‘stepping stone’ to achieving her goals, as well as being a ‘stickler’ for good health and hygienic practices.

Combining top-quality hairstyling with good hair nutrition is vital to the sustainability of the business and she openly admits that she offers critical advice and tips to her clients. She also recommends essential hair products. However, when a client shows signs of serious or extreme hair and skin conditions, she dutifully refers them to an expert nutritionist or dermatologist.

“It is a combination,” she says. “You cannot have one without the other. It is obvious that you need to eat properly to have healthy hair, and it is an

fun facts What is your favorite pastime?

Listening to music.

What is your most pleasant time of day?

Early mornings … I am a morning person.

What is your favorite fruit or juice?

Grapefruit juice.

Which appeals to you more – modeling or fashion design?

Modeling.

Who is your favorite celebrity?

Harrison Ford - I love the adventure stuff.

“Professionalism is the key. That is top priority and, of course, we have our reputation to maintain,” she

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DAZZLE 29

enhancement because your skin, nails, the environment and the conversations that you have, all these impact positively or negatively on your persona.”

Debbie has catered for several high-end clients, including offering her services to a Miss Universe show, a television show and other stakeholders. With a potentially booming career on the horizon, she is looking to expand business outfit. For the time, she does not want to let the cat out of the bag, stating instead that, “… we do intend to expand and offer a range of different things.”

Dazzle would like to wish Debbie all the best in her future endeavors and may she keep striving for excellence!

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Young, Empowered and Savvy and Making a Difference in Business Read about Roberta on page 36

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DAZZLE 31

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Young, Empowered and Savvy and Making a Difference in Business

M

eet Roberta Nadia Polius-Desir, a young, dynamic and savvy business professional, and one of a growing pool of female executives who are building and running some of St Lucia’s next great companies.

Roberta, 39, is the Country Manager of Falcon Holdings Limited, the operators of the Rituals Coffee House, Church’s Chicken, Rituals Diner and Rituals Sushi franchises in St Lucia. Her journey to the top has been a momentous and testing one but through it all she has stood firm and steadfast, pushing against the tide in her bid to achieve success. Her life story is truly inspiring.

Roberta attended the Ave Maria Primary and St. Joseph’s Convent. After leaving the Convent she worked as a tour guide at Barefoot Holidays.

Subsequently she went to Bergen College in New Jersey, USA where she studied Hotel and Restaurant Management. On returning to St Lucia she began her hospitality career as a receptionist at Sandals Regency.

Thereafter she did an 18-month management- trainee programme which took her on training stints through all the departments in Saint Lucia, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas. On completion of this program she was appointed Suites Concierge Manager and later, Front Office Manager.

In 1998 Roberta moved to Florida where she worked as an Assistant Property Manager of a large residential apartment complex. In 2002 she returned to Saint Lucia for the opening of Sandals Grande. She served as the resort’s Front of House Manager for two and a half years, after which she was promoted to the position of Executive Assistant Manager with responsibility for Front of House, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Suites Concierge, and Laundry departments. On leaving Sandals she took over the helm at Falcon Holdings, the St Lucia subsidiary of the Pizza Boys Group of Companies of Trinidad & Tobago.

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In a chat with Dazzle Magazine, Roberta spoke at length about her career and the challenges she has had to overcome to realise her dream.

Dazzle: Give us a brief history of your life as a child?

Roberta: I was raised by my maternal grandparents.

I lived with them until I was thirteen. I then went to live with my mom until the age of 16. When she migrated to the US I moved back with my grandparents. They are largely responsible for who I am today. They weren’t the most literate people but they were highly intelligent and very wise. Many of the values I live by, like the importance of saving, investing, believing in oneself, being proud of who you are, not forgetting your roots, having a strong belief in God and a sense of family and personal responsibility, all of these values they instilled in me.

My mother was a single mom who raised three kids on her own. I believe my strength as a woman comes from her. She’s very strong-willed and independent, so I would definitely say that I get my strong sense of independence and free spirit from my mom.

Dazzle: As a woman, what are some of the challenges you have faced in the workplace?

Roberta: If I am to be honest, I can’t say that personally I’ve had any tremendous challenges. I think I have either been very lucky or very blessed in that opportunity has always presented itself to me. I guess I should also credit my success to hard work and my work ethic. I’ve had a fairly easy time manoeuvring my way from where I started to where I am today. It never came through any personal favour, I’ve worked very hard. I know what some of the challenges are that many women face but I have not shared those same experiences. In some instances there have been not-so-subtle occurrences of sexual harassment, and it takes a certain level of personal conviction and strength to work your way through those situations.

I can proudly say that I have! I have never succumbed to those sorts of pressures. I have not had other hindrances to my career, I had a great run with Sandals where I advanced quickly. Similarly, with Falcon Holdings I have had a very fulfilling six years. I have autonomy to make decisions, and I’m involved in every aspect of the operations so that I feel I am well-rounded and fully engaged in what I do. This job, in particular, has been my most gratifying position. In retrospect I believe that my passion for my career speaks for me.

Dazzle: How did you succeed in acquiring this job?

Roberta: I think me being in this position is testament

to the fact that I believe everything you do, especially professionally, you must be prepared because you never know where your next opportunity is going to come from and one should always remember that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

In 2007 while working at Sandals Grande I took the initiative and assisted a guest at the resort. It turned out he was the owner of the Rituals franchise and the Chairman of Global Brands Group of Companies, Mr Mario Sabga-Aboud. From interacting with him during his stay at the resort, he basically said to me that if he ever brought his business to Saint Lucia, he would want me to run it. At the time I was amused by his offer. I had no idea what the scope of his organisation was but he was persistent. A year later he contacted me and said he was ready to invest in Saint Lucia. I did some more research on his organisation; I flew to Trinidad and I realised this was a huge business with over 1,000 employees and over 100 restaurants.

I thought it was a fantastic opportunity, to grow something from the ground up, although most people told me I was crazy to leave a great job (which it was, at Sandals) and open a coffee shop. I was told “Saint Lucians don’t drink coffee”; “The weather is too hot!”; “It won’t work,” but in my gut I knew it was the right decision. It was a risk but one worth taking because if it was successful, there would be tremendous opportunity to grow the business.

Six years later I have no regrets, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. We have gone from one restaurant in 2008 to our tenth restaurant which we recently opened. In addition to managing Rituals, I have since expanded my own personal portfolio because I now have a firm grasp of the food aspect of hospitality. In addition to managing Rituals, I also manage Church’s Chicken which is a different entity

fun facts Country & Western or Zouk?

Zouk Top 3 National Landmarks?

The Pitons, the Pitons, the Pitons White, red or rose wine?

White

altogether and an international franchise. Further, we have just opened a Sushi bar, so I have a wide knowledge of the food-service industry and every aspect of restaurant operations, from the build-out to the purchasing and service aspect and cost control. I have had a very exciting run over the last 20 years.

Dazzle: Which of the businesses do you manage and how do you handle them all?

Roberta: Our company in Saint Lucia is called Falcon Holdings Limited; it is the local parent company.

Under that umbrella we have Rituals Coffee House, Church’s Chicken, Ritual’s Diner and our newly opened Rituals Sushi Restaurant. I have to give credit to the people who work with me. I handpick my team especially those on my management team whom I work closely with. That’s because I realise that in order to be a successful leader you must have a good team. It’s like a general going to war; if your soldiers aren’t good enough you’re going to lose. I strongly believe in succession planning because it makes the process of growing a business a lot easier by having people who can step into each other’s shoes, people who can grow into other roles as others move. The relationships that I have built, especially with those close to me have helped to build trust. I can rely on them and they provide a tremendous amount of support.

Dazzle: How do you juggle between such a busy career and your family?

Roberta: My son said recently, “Mummy loves her job more than she loves us,” but he is eight years old so I forgive him. It is a challenge because my children would like to see more of me but I try to make sure I’m there for the things that are truly important like school meetings, birthdays, recitals, swim meets. We have a cuddle programme at home, my husband and my two children, where we bargain with cuddles. Also, as a woman it is a tremendous benefit that I have the full support of my husband and a great network of support in my family and close friends.

Dazzle: What are some of the challenges you are likely to face as a manager/business owner in St. Lucia?

Roberta: ‘RED TAPE’ is a big issue. The ease of doing business on a day-to-day basis, whether it’s with customs or retrieving import licenses. Sometimes it can be very frustrating. Some of the policies that are in place make it very difficult to succeed as a 38 DAZZLE

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business. You often end up questioning some of these policies. Another area is the overhead costs, some of which make doing business in Saint Lucia very cost prohibitive. The cost of utilities, especially electricity, and the various duties on certain items make it very daunting. People may want to invest in St. Lucia but, the implementation of VAT along with the already exorbitant other overheads make it extremely difficult for businesses to survive in Saint Lucia. I think at some point there really is going to have to be some roundtable discussion as to what can be done to facilitate more investment in the island. I think there’s a need to re-visit some longstanding policies and decide whether they make sense in the current global economic climate. I don’t believe we are the most competitive place to do business in the region, yet that’s the direction we need to go. We need to see what we can change to make Saint Lucia more competitive for both local and international investors.

Dazzle: Is there anything specifically you would like to see done in Saint Lucia to help young people fulfil their dreams, especially young entrepreneurs?

Roberta: YES! YES! YES! I think our schools need a social programme but from a very early level.

Children become victims of their circumstances when they are limited by their environment and they don’t know the possibilities that exist. We need more social programmes to help them develop, and not just academically. Not every child is an academic; there are children who possess tremendous skills in other areas but they never get an opportunity to develop them because our curriculum is limited to academics. We need to offer more creative programmes in schools to help kids tap into their other talents. Jobs that require Maths and Sciences will always be limited, and as time goes by and the world moves in a different direction, there’s going to be a greater need to diversify and to inspire people to be creative. This will also train people to think more towards creating self employment.

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Protect Your Children From Impetigo Impetigo is a bacterial infection of the skin which is usually contagious and autoinoculable. It is most commonly seen in children aged 2-5 years but can affect individuals of all ages. The incidence in male and female children is equal. The dissemination of this infection can be rapid in daycare centers and infant schools.

What bacteria cause Impetigo? a. Staphylococcus aureus b. Streptococcus group A Beta- hemolytic These bacteria can be found on the skin in small quantities. However, intact skin is usually resistant to infection.

Chronic Carriers These are persons who harbor the Staphylococcus bacteria in their nostrils. They may be the source of continued infection to themselves and others.

Factors which may promote skin colonization/ infection with the impetigo bacteria 1. Early childhood (younger children’s defenses are not as developed as adults) 2. High temperatures or humidity 3. Mechanical factors (scratching, trauma, burns, surgery) 4. Insect bites (mosquitoes, sand flies, ticks) 5. Preexisting skin disease/infections (fungal infections, scabies, varicella, eczema) 6. Recent use of antibiotics 7. Immunosuppression (topical or oral steroid use, chemotherapy, diabetes mellitus) 44 DAZZLE

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8. Dialysis (promotes bacterial growth) Manifestations of Impetigo The infected child may complain of itching and thereafter, lesions in the form of macules, vesicules, bullae and pustules with thin walls may appear, and eventually develop a honey colored gummy crust. On the rupture or removal of these lesions, a red base is seen Location of the Lesions - Face - Upper and lower extremities (legs, thighs, arms) - Other covered parts of the body Diagnosis This is usually determined from the history of the infected person, which may outline factors that

promoted the skin infection and the manifestation of the lesions at the time of examination. A skin swab of the lesion can be sent for specific bacterial diagnosis but that is usually not necessary.

Treatment 1. Systemic antibiotics (Oral Antibiotics) Cloxacillin, Erythromycin, Septrin 2. Topical antibiotics (Ointments) Bactroban, Fucidin, Bactin 3. Antihistamines to prevent pruritus Carriers Using topical antibiotics inside of the nose three times daily for five days each month can decrease the spread of the infection, along with the use of systemic antibiotics such as Clindamycin and Cloxacillin, which may also help.

Prevention • Since the infection is contagious, towels, clothing and other personal items of the infected person should not be shared with other family members or children.

• Clothing and other items belonging to the infected person should be washed separately.

• Children should be restricted from class until 24 hours after medical treatment has been administered to prevent transmission to other classmates.

• Carriers should be treated to prevent autoinoculation and constant shedding of the bacteria.

Note: topical antibiotics alone are not as effective as systemic oral antibiotics.

Complications • Post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (a kidney disease that comes on 10 to 14 days after a skin or throat infection) • Lymphangitis (inflammation or swelling of the lymphatic system, which comprises a major part of the immune system) • Cellulitis (a bacterial infection of the dermis - the deep layer of skin - as well as the fat and soft tissue layer under the skin) • Osteomyelitis (a bone infection, usually caused by bacteria) • Septic Arthritis (an infection in a joint) • Septicemia (occurs when a bacterial infection enters the bloodstream) Note: Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection especially amongst young children. The child should be examined by a general practitioner or pediatrician who will provide the necessary medical attention.

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DAZZLE 45

Coaks

St. Lucia’s Undisputed King of Comedy

T

he Caribbean has produced many celebrated comedians such as Paul Keens Douglas, Oliver Samuels and Louise ‘Miss Lou’ Bennett-Coverley, among others. Saint Lucia’s very own stand-out, homegrown comedic icon is none other than Carlton Cyril, popularly known as ‘Coaks.’

Coaks got an early initiation into the world of acting through his depictions of Bible stories. This served as a platform to launch his comedy career. Yet as humorous and carefree as he may seem, there is another side to Coaks that evinces a deep concern about serious social issues and the development of theatre locally.

Young Carlton lost his mom at age four whist attending the St Aloysius RC Boys’ Infant School. He was raised by his paternal grandmother who, from early, instilled in him a strong code of ethics and brought him up in a Christian family. He is the son of former Acting police superintendent, Gerald Cyril and the second of three children of his mother, seven brothers and six sisters by father.

He grew up in L’abayee, Bexon and attended the SDA primary school in Ravine Passion. The L’abayee community would transform young Carton’s life in a way he never quite imagined.

From performing with a junior church group he got to ‘hang out’ with the older church group members, rubbing shoulders with them until he got a foot in and a shot at doing short acting stints periodically. Eventually he became a member of the popular Che Campeche.

The group was officially registered as a company in October 2002 and went on to release their first comedy CD, ‘Zafe Moun’. Although the Che Campeche members had no formal training they participated in workshops to develop and fine tune their acting skills, script writing and stage presentations.

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Coaks sat down with Dazzle to speak candidly about his love for the arts and his career as an actor and comedian.

Dazzle: When did you first sense that you had a knack for performance comedy and drama presentations?

Coaks: Well, truthfully, it is a natural talent that I possess. I have always been the ‘comic’ - the kind of jovial guy who, anytime and anywhere, I would always make fun of people. With the gradual transformation within the group it was not that difficult because I had that talent in me and it was a process that evolved for me. Since I had been exposed to acting through school plays it gradually became a part of me. It really hit me at about age 15 to 16 when I became more involved in acting with the older group members.

However, during that time the group broke up twice as some members migrated overseas and it was on the third time that we registered as a company. That is when we began putting things together and I began to get leading roles. It was smooth sailing from there.

Dazzle: How did you go about preparing for big stage productions?

Coaks: Interestingly, these were guys much older than me who were involved in the productions … and the good thing about all this is that we all came from the same community. This allowed me to be more comfortable with them. Everybody knew each other; Angelbot lived right next door, Bishop, Gonzag and those persons lived across from us, and Stepanie and Anglasia lived down the road. What we did at the time and what we continue to do is portray ‘popular theatre’ and not regular plays per se. It is popular theatre which addresses social issues and we bring it out in our own Saint Lucian context with the use of the Creole language in our general themes and presentations. We held rehearsals and thrashed out ideas, but later down the line it got to be different.

For instance, I got a call from Derek Walcott about three years ago, requesting me to take up an acting role in his play ‘Ti Jean and his Brothers, and I was to audition for the role of Mi Jean… which I got. But though it never materialized, I gained experience at the rehearsals where we did some extensive work.

Dazzle: Other than your jovial personality and hilarious comedy scripts, there seems to be another part of you that is inclined to tackle social issues.

Coaks: This is something that developed along the way as we noticed that it was a strong selling point; so for our scripts we came up with the strategy where our plays always had a moral. In all, we addressed the issues, but there was a moral to the story we were telling. We continue to address social issues in our presentations. We have done the political, everyday economic situations but when it comes to gender relations, man and woman, these kind of everyday social issues appeal to the people and they respond positively.

Dazzle: How far do you see this art form developing in Saint Lucia and the wider region?

Coaks: Honestly, I am very disappointed. I feel enough is not being done in that regard. For instance, in our annual budget the Folk Research Centre allocation for culture is a meager $30,000. If we are talking about culture and where we want to go with it, I mean this is ridiculous. Can you imagine that for Creole Day alone, or the month of October, there are bars that make at about $30,000 profit from that month event? And to tell me that is what you are allocating yearly for culture, I am really not pleased with that.

It is true that we have the ‘Creative Industries’ which was a political promise as far as I am concerned, but the way that we are going about it, do we want it to grow? Jamaica planted that seed in their athletes and artistes and they are reaping the benefit now. That did not happen yesterday. Again, I must emphasize enough has not been done. I strongly feel that with acting it should start at the primary school level, the grass roots level because not everyone is the theory-type academic. You would be amazed to know the number of persons that possess vocational skills and have a talent.

Dazzle: What are your future aspirations for further development as an artiste?

Coaks: Well, firstly as a group Che Campeche has always been a part-time activity. But personally I have established a company called ‘Coaks Productions’ which started off doing advertisements, radio shows and stage performances for different occasions. In the future I am looking forward to using my studio to do my work, and as anything else, I am always interested in representing the art form. I am keen on imparting knowledge to younger persons and I am preparing to conduct workshops with some secondary schools

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and other children. I challenged some youngsters to participate in Head Phunk ‘spoken word’ sessions and interestingly, they came and performed, and were well received. As for me, I like a challenge and I am currently hosting a Creole show on Calabash TV for Creole Day, I emcee at functions, I am all about the place.

My first advice to young people when I interact with them is that they make sure this is what they want to do, so that they never end up regretting getting into it in the first place. First and foremost you must have a love, passion and commitment for your particular art form and then the monetary rewards will follow.

“Sir Lancealot” Lance Mongroo

Knight of the DJ Round Table Read about Sir Lancealot on page 54

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H S A L E Y E ENSIONS EoXwTto Make Them H eat!

Look Gr

I

f the eyes are truly the windows to the soul, it isn’t surprising that people usually make so much fuss about the ‘window dressing’ – Eyelashes!

Eyelash extensions are still new to Saint Lucia, and unfortunately they are often confused with “tabbing.”

Tabbing is a way to cheaply add false eyelashes in little chunks, or ‘tabs’ that contain 2-4 eyelashes per tab. These are usually applied using hair glue in nail-and-hair salons. In most cases they cause extreme discomfort during and after the application. The end result is that it often damages your natural lashes, leaving gaps on your lashline for as long as three months.

We asked Saint Lucia’s first certified Novalash Eyelash Extensionist, Andra Allen-Joseph to explain exactly, what eyelash extensions are.

Eyelash enhancement is the fastest growing sector of the beauty industry. Even during the recent US recession, this segment was the only one that registered growth. Take a closer look at celebrities Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Naomi Campbell - they have been wearing extensions since the early 2000’s.

She explained: “Eyelash extensions are applied by certified extensionists using medical grade adhesive.

One single lash is applied to each one of your own natural lashes, resulting in the appearance of beautiful, fuller, longer, darker eyelashes, which reduce the need for makeup, brighten your eyes and add instant glamour. While eyelash extensions do cost more than eyelash tabs, they cause no damage to your natural eyelash, there is no discomfort and most importantly, they last 3 to 4 weeks!”

Lashes by Andra, exclusively at

Semi-Permanent Eyelash Extensions Enhance your eyes with the perfect accessory for every season. Also available: coloured and glitter extensions.

(758) 485-0696 andra.allen@gmail.com Find me on PlanetStiletto

How to Look Hip for the Festive Season

W

ith the Holiday Season upon us, you can bet your bottom dollar that one question lots of people will have on their minds is “What should I wear and how can I make an impression?” Many will also be trying to figure out what color of clothing to wear and how to accessorize without taking away from the ensemble itself. If you don´t feel like recycling your clothes, yet you want to dress to impress, here are some tips on how you can look really chic for the festive season.

Embrace the holiday spirit with funky prints on button-ups but don’t go overboard with a snowman tie or reindeer socks. If your shirt is a bright colour, keep the trousers in a neutral or dark shade. For the festive season, opt for colours like deep red, dull gold, burgundy or green.

Many holiday parties will not require a suit but this does not mean you can show up in your Pigeon Island gear. This holiday season consider wearing a sports jacket or blazer. Match it with a pair of jeans and button-down shirt for a casual yet smart appearance that can be spruced up for a night out bar hopping in Rodney Bay or going house-to-house in your neighbourhood.

Why sports jackets and blazers are a must-have • Jackets build up your shoulders and make you look taller. Broad shoulders create a more masculine appearance.

• A jacket and dress shirt meet the business casual dress code – so you can skip the tie.

For more on this article visit www.dazzlethemag.com Brought to you by 50 DAZZLE

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K's Lounge is a sophisticated bar in Castries. We offer a friendly and efďŹ cient service, where we serve international, local cocktails and beers, freshly prepared ďŹ nger foods are available for our guests.

We are also available to hire for parties and functions and we are open 7 days a week from 11am.

Free WIFI and LIME TV available.

For Bookings Contact Us at

37 Jeremie Street, Castries, St. Lucia | Tel: 758-458-1540 | ksloungeandbar@gmail.com 51 www.dazzlethemag.com

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ingredients

method

1 lb butter or margarine 1 lb sugar 12 Eggs 1 lb flour (use a bit more if necessary) 4-5 tablespoon (or more) of browning 1 tablespoon vinegar (optional) Flavourings: cinnamon, nutmeg, bitters (angostura) to taste or about 1 teaspoon ½ bottle Nikolski Vodka 1 pint Stout 1 pint Wenneker cherry brandy Other liquor if desired, from RJB Hotel Supplies Wenneker line of over 40 flavours 4 lbs of dried fruits, 1 lb raisins & prunes, ½ lb currants, citron peel & cherries ¼ lb each of almonds & wlanuts if desired

At least one month before baking, soak all the dried fruit except the cherries. Add in Stout, Wenneker Vodka, Wenneker liqueur cherry brandy & any others from our Wenneker 40 flavour selection. Mix in with cinnamon powder, nutmeg, bitters & an additional ½ lb of sugar.

brought to you by

However, if there is no time for soaking, dried fruits may be boiled with all the above ingredients for 30mins in order to use for baking.

Cream the butter & sugar & add eggs. Fold it in the flour and add the soaked fruit & the cherries. Thereafter, add browning until the desired colour is obtained, along with vinegar. You can also add almonds & walnuts if you wish.

At this point, the mixing spoon should be able to stand up on its own in the cake mixture. If the mixture is not firm enough you can add one or two handfuls of flour.

Grease & line the cake tins with grease-proof paper, & bake the mixture in the oven with the cake tins placed in a pan of water at 350 degrees F for about 2 hours, until the cake is baked. Your caketester comes out clean when it is fully baked.

“Sir Lancealot” Lance Mongroo

Knight of the DJ Round Table

H

e’s bold, dashing and unassuming with a flair for adventure. These are the notable traits of Lance Mongroo aka ‘Sir Lancealot,’ a young, up-and-coming Saint Lucian artiste currently making his mark on the local music scene. His boyish zeal for a challenge has propelled him into the spotlight as an energetic deejay and Soca star.

Even his sobriquet, ‘Sir Lancealot’ says a lot about this young talent who is always ready to face the competition and explore new horizons; such as taking on a moniker that is unlike that of any of the other DJs. His adventurous nature is akin to the exploits of his hero - Sir Lancealot, the undisputed Knight of the Round Table.

While in Canada pursuing studies in computer networks, Lance got to ‘hook up’ with an enthusiastic bunch of deejays and was exposed to a broader spectrum of the entertainment field, including radio, the party scene and sound systems, while on campus. He holds his Diploma in Computer Network Administration.

Lance’s three-year stay in Canada set up his introduction into the deejaying business. He did some brief stints as a radio DJ, hosting his own show with a live stream. On returning home, he scouted around for opportunities for about 18 months, initially producing his own commercials before he got his first break with Radio Caribbean International (RCI) in 2006/07. He was employed as a production manager/radio announcer/deejay for two years.

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This was one of his two stints with RCI, before moving to Blazin FM, where he has been employed for the past three years. He describes his transition to Blazin FM as an intervention that rejuvenated his career and gave him creative freedom.

Lance was adjudged first-runner up at both the 2013 Groovy Soca and Soca Monarch competitions. He was also involved in singing the theme song for the St Lucia Zouks at this year’s inaugural CPL T20 tournament, and considers it a great accomplishment and a major breakthrough in his career.

Sir Lancealot was on the edge of his seat ‘eager to explode’ as he took Dazzle Magazine on a trek into his life’s adventures.

Dazzle: What prompted you to take up a career in the entertainment field?

Sir Lancealot: From the inception, music has always been my passion and I always knew that I wanted to do something that embodied music. I was young and naive and though I’m not quite sure why, I just knew that my passion was music. I was linking with a bunch of deejays and having fun, not realizing that I was actually beginning to embrace and re-create the craft.

I had just graduated from school and was employed with Cable &Wireless at the time - now LIME. What really propelled me into the music was that, whilst driving, I grew tired of hearing the same monotonous songs on the radio station so I started to create my own mix tapes. I then shared my mix tapes with some of my colleagues and never really took it serious until I left Saint Lucia to further my education.

However, my whole vibe was just music... When I went on to do my studies I felt that a part of me was trying to satisfy my parents’ expectations of me, but at the same time I felt it was time for me to do something for myself.

Dazzle: How were you able to flex between your stints as a deejay to become a Soca artiste?

Sir Lancealot: I was introduced to soca in 2007; the same year that Ricky T bust up the place with a song entitled ‘Pressure Boom.’ That song penned by Iwa was initially written for me to sing. At the time, I felt I would not have done justice to it because I was not ready. I must give a big ‘shout-out’ to Iwa and Penn from Studio 758, as these are the guys who have been instrumental in shaping my career as a soca artiste.

They are the ones who really stuck behind me and believed in me, even when people doubted me.

I decided to put my singing talent on the line since I felt that I had nothing to lose in exploring my abilities.

I gave it a shot in 2008 with my first soca song called ‘My Band is the Best,’ written by me and produced by 758. Penn has really been the one pushing me to take up the art even when I was not sure of myself. I began by visiting the studio. We developed a beat, the melodies came in and everything followed, and it was like clockwork. I later enrolled at the School of Music to do vocal training.

Dazzle: Upon reflection, and in your estimation as a soca artiste, has 2013 been your best year thus far?

Sir Lancealot: Yes, within the soca arena and by the grace of God - and with an amazing team. The reason why I was able to accomplish so much this year is because my team was behind me, and there was a lot going on behind the scenes that we had to put in to make it happen. Just the fight to get to that final round and then execute it was a real challenge. (Thank you Filamena Day, Brandon Ramjeawan, Steve Chitole, Jelani Paul and Krystal Jn.Baptise) Dazzle: So what next for you? What is your thrust and your goal?

Sir Lancealot: My mantra has been and will always be Saint Lucian. In everything I do, I just need to put Saint Lucia on the map in an even bigger way. We are

fun facts Favorite song of all time?

Sir Lancealot’s ‘Happy Song’ A government ministry you’d like to run?

Ministry of Bacchanal /People’s Affairs (lol) Favorite movie or TV series?

Game of Thrones Sponge Bob or Scooby Doo? Scooby Doo Who inspires you?

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on the map but I want to take it to another level. I put God first, and I do it for my family and friends, but I feel that I have to give something back to my fans.

They support me one hundred percent in everything I do, and really and truly I want to do something for Saint Lucia.

Dazzle Magazine takes this opportunity to wish Sir Lancealot good luck in his pursuits and hopes he succeeds in fulfilling his dream of ‘doing something big’ for his country.

The message in my music has always been the same.

It is love and unity. If you ignore these two virtues, the foundation gets weak. We really need to come together and build this brand as Saint Lucians. We have our own indigenous style that we need to embrace and market, because the Trinis, Bajans, Antiguans, Jamaicans and the rest, they are creating change and opportunities for themselves.

Maintaining consistency in my work is definitely crucial to me. I feel good, I feel very positive, and I am optimistic about everything that I do. Gratitude has always been my watchword and I am just very thankful for every single opportunity that I get, even the opportunity to work with Dazzle Magazine. It is an honour and a blessing … and even this is a major step forward for me.

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Seasons Geetings

from the management and staff of Dazzle Magazine & 123 Digital Limited

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