As I visited the Virgin Islands over the last two weeks, I quickly noticed one common thread amongst many of our residents - an aggressive attitude. As I assessed further, I realized that this aggression isn't aimless or non-essential. It is all because of the pursuit of respect.   »

Local churches and community organizations will come together this weekend for an afternoon of prayer and recognition for those on the front lines in the fight against HIV and AIDS at the sixth annual Prayer Vigil and Honoring Ceremony, set to take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in the main lobby at Schneider Hospital. »

Being unintelligent on certain topics poses two major problems that continue to attack each other. First, you make dangerous decisions, and second, you usually can't see that you are in fact unintelligent in that area. »

As I mourn the recent passing of my grandmother, Emelda Frazer, I can't help but to think about how much debt she died with. This isn't debt as far as money and it isn't debt that she owed. She passed away leaving many relatives and friends in debt to her, and no matter how long she lived, many of us would still never be able to repay our debt to her. »

Revenge. Sweet revenge. »

ST. THOMAS - The split television screen in the University of the Virgin Islands MacLean Marine Science Center showed two very contrasting images of the ocean on Saturday morning. »

We were born of the spirit of love, power and a sound judgment. If this is how we were born, then why isn't this the way we die? What happens during our lives has the ability to rewrite who we naturally are. Hate typically comes with a strong aggressive series of emotions behind it. Violence, disrespect and disregard are some of behaviors that follow hate. But let's be honest. We mostly hate what we don't understand. We find ourselves hating people that we barely know. We end up hating cultures we don't know the history about. We even have "hate crimes" to highlight the motives of a criminal. However, we were born of love. »

Images By Design and Sandal Solé are hosting the first ever "Face of the Caribbean" online competition, a tribute to the beauty, talent and fashion industries, with seven competition categories open solely to native Caribbean islanders and 10 categories open to applicants from across the globe. »

St. Thomas teen Caprisha Richards is celebrating another pageant placement this year after traveling to St. Kitts in December to compete in the 30th anniversary edition of the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant. »

The students of the Emanuel Benjamin Oliver Elementary School on St. Thomas have put their artistic talents to work in recent weeks in order to help make a difference in the living conditions of children in New Orleans. »

Virgin Islands youth and young-at-heart are invited to worship alongside the youth of the Church of God of Prophecy in the weeks to come as they host a two-week youth revival series, titled "Moving Forward," scheduled from Feb. 10 through 21. »

The good thing about our memories is we are able to reflect and reminisce on the great things we've experienced and be inspired over our futures. The bad thing about our memories is we are able to remember and reconnect with the horrible things we've experienced and be doubtful and guarded over our futures. The significant difference about our good and bad memories is the good things allow us to trust and bad things cause us to judge. »

ST. CROIX - The Rotary Clubs of St. Croix and Harborside will hold their fifth annual health fair and blood drive today at the St. Croix Rescue Academy near Five Corners. »

The Catholic community of the Virgin Islands will come together to raise funds and to honor one of their own next weekend at the inaugural Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral Keys and Sword Award benefit beginning at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6 in the grand ballroom at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort. »

We trust people to not open the exit doors on airplanes. We trust folks not to toss us off of bridges as walk by each other. We trust folks to stay on their side of the road while driving. We even trust folks not to break our hearts. We are innately designed to trust. We believe that each of us share the same interests of peace, harmony and tranquility. We believe each of us value life as much as we do. So where does mistrust come from? »