Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer 
YES, IT'S exam time, however, the children do need a break. Furthermore, teachers will have you know that it is consistently working all year long that produces good grades rather than cramming at the last minute.
This weekend, the last before the start of the hurricane season, have your children become enchanted by creative words or empower them with lessons about their bodies.
Calabash 2006
Jakes, Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth will again come alive with the creative words of several poets and authors.
In its sixth year, the Calabash International Literary Festival offers over three days of readings and music with other forms of storytelling in the mix. Calabash is known to be earthy, inspirational, daring and diverse. It is the only international literary festival in the English-speaking Caribbean.
The festival kicked off yesterday and ends on Sunday. All festival events are free and open to the public.
Quality of Life
Learn more about achieving a beautiful, balanced life body, mind, soul at today's Quality of Life Seminar and Expo.
The expo promises to be informative and inspiring with talks about the seven dimensions of wellness.
It will be held at the Temple of Light Church of Religious Science, 4-6 Fairway Avenue (corner of Fairway and Seymour avenues), in Kingston. The expo commences at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m.
Information about wellness can also be had from the booths while accessing free health checks. Admission: free
Mango Festival
On Sunday, journey to Delveland Community Centre in Westmoreland and have a mango time.
The Mango Festival offers a variety of dishes made from the fruit such as cakes, jams, sauces and juices. The community of Delveland is also known for the Graham mango.
Allow the children to be educated on the varieties of mango while enjoying the scrumptious fruit. The festival is also a fund-raiser for charitable events. Last year the festival's funds were used to refurbish a basic school in the parish.
Jake's Treasure Beach, the venue of the Calabash Literary Festival.
