Like everywhere, St. Barth school kids have shed the recent school year like an old skin and turned their full attention to the what summer is really about : vacation. For the lucky, that includes travel and may mean a trip to France or to the USA to show doting grandparents how much they've grown over the past year. It may mean braving the torturous summer lines at Disneyworld for the 2-minute thrill of a roller coaster ride, or, reconnecting with cousins and family friends on neighboring islands. For the less fortunate‚, summer vacation shall be spent in St. Barth, playing at the beach or attending the Lorient summer camp.
Typically, the international music festival, held annually on June 21, provides the last occasion for kids to show off what they've learned in end-of-the-year recitals and concerts. Such was the case this year as younger musicians performed for Gustavia audiences as the warm-up performers for their musical elders, among them, the Suzuki school kids.
St-Barth Harmony is one of the most popular music schools in St. Barth, if not the most established. It was started in 1995 under the impulse of Frances Debroff, who convinced Gatien Vilain to run the Suzuki method program for violin. Since its inception, more than 40 kids have learned to play the string instrument, and today, St-Barth Harmony has recently grown to include a piano department. Despite the shoestring budget, the parent association that runs the school manages to send students to Suzuki workshops overseas at least once a year so they can improve their technique and meet other music students.
Summer, alas, has not been so lighthearted for the island's adults. Two fires, both attributed to arson, have underscored the fact that bad things don't just happen to other people in other places. Police suspect that hoodlums started one of the fires, which occurred at the Mireille Choisy, the island's only middle school. When their attempts to steal cash from the schools safe deposit box failed, the still-unidentified arsonists set fire to the administrative building, causing extensive damage. The incident caused a public outcry, and mayor Bruno Magras asked home owners to screen candidates more carefully before accepting to rent out their homes.
Security was a topic that made the agenda of the last municipal council meeting. More precisely, the head of the civil aviation administration has been asking local leaders to equip the airport with screening devices for both passengers and baggage. Elected officials are dragging their feet on this one or simply passing the buck in order to dodge the costs of bringing St. Barth's airport up-to-par with current airport security standards. Says St. Barth mayor Bruno Magras, "The international rules set forth by the civil aviation administration could hinder the operation of the St. Barth airport and mean longer waits for passengers. Anyway, the security controls are all done in Sint Maarten." But if locals are hedging when it comes to investing in airport security, they are running out of time when it comes to the reconstruction of the runway. No date has been set, the project is only in the bidding procedure, and it will probably be years before the reconstruction actually get underway, but when it happens, it is going to be a major job that will necessitate shutting down the airport for several weeks and figuring out how to get St. Barth-bound passengers to St. Barth in the meanwhile.
Summer will put closure on the dossier concerning the island's new status. Members of the local business community and legal counselors met one final time on June 29, to prepare the delegation that will meet with the new minister for France overseas departments on July 15. Its mission: to go over the definitive text that exonerates St. Barth residents from paying French income taxes. Optimism is running at an all-time high, especially since France' Prime Minister confirmed that the country's will be revised in autumn. The revision will include provisions for the à la carte‚ addition of status modifications for France' overseas departments.
Yves Bourel
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
