Veronica Smart (right) receives token from a former co-worker

Click on image above for more photos from Veronica’s retirement party.

Comments can also be posted below.

Dean “Hawk” Lawrence, a longstanding employee of Point Fortin Based Oil Exploration and Production company, Trinmar, passed away on Thursday October 20th 2011.

Pointalive.com extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

WE WILL BE PROVIDING UPDATES REGARDING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS AND MORE,

Condolences for Dean can be posted in reply box below.

Dean Lawrence delivering the eulogy at his father's funeral in September of this year (2011)

On September 25th 2011, The point Fortin Borough Council celebrated the life of the country’s first Prime minister, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams, at the Victor Chin Kit Park in Point Fortin. In commemoration of the year birth-date of the “Father of the Nation” (1911-2011), the event titled “Oh My Papa”, attracted many members of the community including several dignitaries as His Worship the Mayor, Alderman Clyde Paul and Deputy Mayor, Abdon Mason.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO VIEW ALBUM FROM THE EVENT ---- Nimla from the Soleil Belly Dance Duet performs at the Victor Chin Kit Park on Septemner 25th 2011 for Republic Day Anniversary Concert "OH MY PAPA" In tribute to the Father of the Nation Dr. Eric Eustace Williams.

Patrons were entertained by members of the Sri Devi Dance Group, Tornadoes Steel Orchestra, Cap-de-Ville Folk Performers, Jeunes Agape Choir, Soleil Belly Dancers, Denika Andrews (1st place 2011 Talent Quest Competition), Brian London, Cindy Andrews–Duncan (2nd place, 2011 Talent Quest competition), Fitzryan St. Hilaire, the Imagination band featuring Mattew Guadeloupe and Dennis John and Calypso Icon, Cro Cro.
The Soleil Dancers showcased two females, Soleil and Nimla, doing belly dances which was well received by the audience. One patron mentioned that if the late Dr. Eric Williams was still alive, his reaction to this performance would have an outcry of “OH MY PAPA.”
Calypaonians Cro Cro and Brian London treated the audience to some authentic renditions from their personal vault which was well received by those present, while local choir Juenes Agape was well received with their selections.
Patrons were generally pleased with the effort put forward by the Borough Council and hope to be entertained by similar events in the future.

Shannon Louison (C) interviews His Worship the Mayor of Point Fortin Alderman Clyde Paul (R) and Deputy Mayor Abdon Mason (L)

OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, Ocean Conservancy, an International Organization has initiated a world wide Coastal Cleanup campaign which has become the world’s largest volunteer effort for ocean health.

Nearly nine million volunteers from 152 countries and locations have cleaned 145 million pounds of trash from the coastal areas worldwide on just one day each year

This year the community of Point Fortin has once again, join in the continued effort to promote Trash Free Seas, on Sept 17th  the date designated for, International Coastal Cleanup 2011

Spear-headed by Point Fortin based Atlantic LNG residents and community groups all came together for this one cause at the Clifton Hill / Guapo Beach.

Pointalive.com became part of the action and is pleased to share with our viewers what happened on the day.

View Video Above.

It’s the number-one question women have about dating. Does this scenario sound familiar? You have a great time with Mr. First Date. Not a so-so, marginal, you-can-sort-of-understand-why-it-didn’t work-out time. No, this was clearly fun that was had by all.
He says he’ll call you, but when the phone doesn’t ring, you think, “OK, maybe it’s too soon to hear from him.” One week later without a text, tweet, email, or call, and you wonder what you did wrong. Why did he disappear after the date that apparently only you thought was great?

You imagine dozens of reasons why he didn’t call you back. His phone fell into a pond. He lost his memory in an accident. The telephone company is on strike and no one can get through.

Yes, there could be dozens of bizarre turns of events that left him unable to contact you. But that’s probably not the case. To end the suspense, I spoke to men to uncover and share (in their words) some of the most common reasons they don’t call women back after that first date.

I wasn’t ready for a serious girlfriend
“When I first met her, I felt a hot connection with this girl I knew nothing about. During our date, I got to know her better, liked her, and could tell she was really looking for a serious boyfriend. I could sense our expectations were different. I didn’t have the energy to explain to her that I wasn’t looking for my future wife right now, so I just passed.”
— Allan, 27, Westchester, NY

Lesson learned: The woman he wants (eventually) to bring home to mom may not always be the woman he wants to date right now. If the guy in question was just looking for casual dates and you had different expectations (which is a good thing, unless that’s all you wanted in the first place), you are much better off putting your energies elsewhere.

She was too self-absorbed
“She gabbed with me like I was a girlfriend. I guess I made her feel comfortable, since she had no problem telling me the minutiae of her life. She seemed very focused on how she was coming across. I wasn’t feeling it.”
— Bill, 33, Bethesda, MD

Lesson learned: The idea that men are totally focused on a woman’s looks is a big myth. That’s not how building an attraction with someone works. In this area, woman and men are alike. Most men don’t want a self-absorbed woman who’s focused solely on herself — her friends, her job, her hobbies, her goals, etc. Ask him about his life, too. Focus less on making an impression and more on facilitating the best possible connection.

“More than most women realize, men judge a woman less on looks and more on how they feel around her,” says Evan Marc Katz, author of Why He Disappeared. “‘Do I feel attractive? Do I feel masculine? Do I feel funny when she laughs at my jokes?’ Those are the questions he’s asking himself before he calls her again.”

I didn’t want to deal with any confrontation
“Sometimes women get upset when you say it’s not working for you. The attraction we had shared initially faded pretty fast. I don’t know why. She’d probably press me for some logical reason why I asked her out in the first place if the attraction was so iffy. But attraction isn’t created by logic.”
— Chad, 34, Washington, D.C.

Lesson learned: Some men are too immature or scared to be honest and straightforward with a woman about their feelings. The truth is simply that, somewhere along the line, the attraction and connection vanished. Of course, a man’s definition of “confrontation” might be the same as your definition of “friendly, respectful call.” But if he’s scared, he won’t be calling you.

I’m keeping my options open
“I had a good time on the date, but I’m focusing more on another girl I’ve been seeing for a few weeks. Who knows, I might change my mind and call.”
— Jack, 38, San Diego, CA

Lesson learned: The timing just wasn’t right for the two of you. He’s otherwise occupied, and it has nothing to do with you or your charms (or lack thereof). Dating can be like musical chairs; your date is simply keeping his options open until the right one presents itself. Always assume that your dates are seeing other people until there’s a mutual agreement about exclusivity. Remember, some men don’t call women back because there’s someone else who’s picking up steam in their dating race.

“While men excel at compartmentalization, women tend to have a more difficult time separating their feelings, so multi-male dating may be a bigger challenge for the female set,” says Kimberly Dawn Neumann, author of The Real Reasons Men Commit.

She was annoying
“She had this annoying habit of throwing her head back when she laughed. It was too hysterical and weird for me.”
— Josh, 29, New York, NY

Lesson learned: Some guys carry the Seinfeld curse; that is, they share George Costanza’s obsession of overly picky and shallow physical or behavioral traits when it comes to their dating lives. In her book, Why He Didn’t Call You Back: 1,000 Guys Reveal What They Really Thought About You After Your Date, author Rachel Greenwald notes that 78 percent of women she surveyed believed that a man hadn’t called her back for reasons beyond her control, i.e. the elusive “chemistry” or a career that intimidates men. The truth is that 85 percent of men surveyed felt the opposite. In fact, there were sometimes small and always-specific behaviors women exhibited which ended up being deal-breakers for the guys.

Both men and women can nitpick their dates into obscurity. Ask your closest friends if you have any controllable, attraction-inhibiting habits that warrant adjusting, such as avoiding eye contact when you’re nervous. But if you’re being judged on characteristics you can’t control, don’t spend time obsessing over what you could have done differently. Move on, because the next person will likely have different expectations altogether.

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.”

Remember when your grandparents or maybe even your parents would sit you down
and tell you stories about the good old days? Wen if de neighbor see yuh doin wrong ting they wud be eager and willing to give you a good cut skin. And don’t you dare make the mistake and run home to tell your parents, because that meant another cut tail on top of the one you just got.
Or when the whole village was just like one big family, everybody looking out for one another.
Once they had a mango tree it meant you had one too.

Love was predominant in those times. Now, don’t get me wrong it still does exist in some
communities, but it is rare and far between. Nobody cares if the neighbor’s son is excelling at
school or not, all they want is to make sure their child is doing better than him. Sometimes they
don’t make the time, to even show care for their own. Families were important at one time, it was seen as a support
group, always there to be your greatest critic and your biggest supporter.

Today our nation is filled with crime; our streets are washed daily with the tears of our
mothers, weeping for their lost sons and daughters. Children search and often never find the love
and attention they desire from their parents, especially their fathers. Our schools are in disarray
and our businesses are corrupt. Our people no longer serve a God of mercy and love instead we
serve money and we hate.

But wait, hold your breath, in the distant can be seen a tiny ray of hope. The little boy
who brings flowers for his teacher, the little girl who says please or thank. The young man who
helps the elderly lady across the street, the woman who gives, all the loving care and attention that she can to her newborn baby or the man who every
morning before he goes to work kisses his wife and tells her he loves her. These are things to
smile about.

These are things that show us the importance of family and the values that they instill,
honesty, loyalty and love just to name a few. Not only for our immediate family but our extended
family as well; our communities, our churches, our schools and our jobs. Family life is vital,
it is what forms our foundation towards being great men and women of tomorrow. So if you
remember nothing from all that I’ve discussed remember this ‘We should never give up on
family for it is one of life greatest blessings.’

Written by:

Sha Sha

In loving memory of Norris Lawrence – December 6th 1934 – August 28th 2011