
With Mother's Day coming up this weekend, you might be in the market to buy a unique piece of art for someone special! If not, maybe for yourself? We love Helen Shapiro's attention to detail and passion, not just for her artwork, but everything she does and what she stands for!
Helen is one busy lady! Not only does she still make her delicious jams and chutneys (see article we published about this a few years ago entitled: Which jam tickles your fancy: Pomegranate/Plum, Apricot/Ginger, or Wisteria Petals?), but she also makes beautiful wall art and jewelry!
Using resin along with her statement 3D cold porcelaine flowers that she crafts herself, Helen incorporate found bits in nature such as sticks and pine cones to add 3D effects.
What if I told you can buy, in the canton of Geneva, Migros and brand products, fresh vegetables and fruit, meat, frozen produce, pet foods, fresh bread, cut flowers, basic hardward, first aid, beauty products, and more on a Sunday? Well, you probably would have to go to Cornavin or the airport to satisfy your needs.
A new Migros shop, Voì Bellevue, hosted as a franchise by Migros, opened last week in Bellevue. It is situated at the new Champ du Château neighborhood next to the Les Tuileries train station. It is very convenient for those in the neighborhood but also for anyone not able to make it to the shops before closing time or on a Sunday. They even are open 1/2 hour before regular Migros opens.

Fleur de vie
The laser cutting of this stamp allows the color of the envelope to show through. Make sure to get some brightly colored stationery when using this one representing the "Fleur de Vie". You will have the impression of fusing stamp and paper into a harmonious work of art!
200 ans de navigation à vapeur en Suisse
The William Tell was the first steamboat in Switzerland and made its first crossing on Lake Geneva on 18 June 1823, thus inaugurating the new era of machines. Although there are hardly any pictures of this boat, a special stamp depicts it 200 years later. The special stamp is 80 × 33 millimeter.
Versoix River
The Versoix is a river in France and in Switzerland. Its source starts in the commune of Divonne-les-Bains, crosses the communes of Grilly, Sauverny and Versonnex. Or in terms of cantons, it has its source in the canton of Gex and crosses the canton of Ferney-Voltaire before continuing in Switzerland. In the canton of Vaud, the Versoix flows along four communes of Terre Sainte: Bogis-Bossey, Chavannes-de-Bogis, Commugny, Chavannes-des-Bois. Then in the canton of Geneva, it crosses the commune of Collex-Bossy and the commune of Versoix, where it flows into Lake Geneva.

Read to bottom to enter the competition to win a copy!
We recently heard of another local expat who has published a book! We had to find out more so we caught up with Chris Baball to explain what the book is about. He explained, "It is a collection of short stories and a few poems, set in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1960s. It also contains 19 tailored, colour images. Many are based on snippets of experiences, others totally imaginative. Some stories of innocence, most are presented through the eyes of a boy around 6-10 years old."
He continues, "The book covers several topics not well known now or remembered, I think, such a making laglee (a substance used for catching birds), old-time movies and the first time an X-rated (not triple X) movie was shown in a small town and the havoc it created. Some themes are universal, such as predation, confusion over religion, family challenges…. A few poems are also included, some intended to be light, others quite sombre and reflective.
"Some stories are written in the Trinidad and Tobago dialect, and the spoken word is usually in the local dialect too. A glossary is also added.
"I think some stories will make the reader laugh, while others may even cause some sadness."
What is the meaning of the title: COMFORT FOOD AND BREAKIN’BICHE; Tall Tales, Short Stories and Poems from the Rio
The title refers to two of the stories in the book. Comfort Food we know provides a feeling of well being, even happiness, and maybe fond memories. Breakin’ biche, however, is an expression used in Trinidad and Tobago meaning sneaking away from school, but is now more widely used to also mean avoiding work.
Rio is the short name for town of Rio Claro in Trinidad and Tobago, the setting for the stories in this book.
Why did you start? What has been the inspiration?
I retired from the United Nations in 2015. I prepared a bucket list of things to do during the next 10-15 years, and one of the top projects was writing for my children and relatives, portraying life in the 1960s in Trinidad and Tobago, a small developing country. Those were days before many of the things common now seemed like science fiction, colour TV, 3D, 4D, computers, not to mention WIFI, emails, and social media!

This second-hand charity shop, La Frip’, is a team effort of 7 volunteers who sort out items that are donated from people in the local area. All profits are donated to children’s charities including Compassion International, orphanages, and schools.
They have 3 objectives:
- To reuse items therefore reducing waste
- To be a nice place to have a coffee and meet up with friends
- To donate money towards charities serving underpriviledged children
Drop by for tea/coffee in a relaxing environment or conversation. You won't be disappointed.

- Baum all naturals® cosmetics inspired by the Swiss Alps and the Burkina Faso Desert
- Ariel Pierre Haemmerlé publishes his 5th book about Geneva
- Choose local currency when shopping with your credit cards and other tips
- Pre-order Christmas and Lego® stamps from the Swiss Post Office
- Balexert recycles old banners into bags for charity
- The first natural stamps using green coloring from plants: chlorophyll pigments
- Swiss Post announces “Cute animals” photo competition
- Vachement Suisse offers quality Swiss unusual items
- Simply Zoë offers feminine clothes and accessories for those diagnosed with cancer
- New prices for Courier A and B for your Swiss letters
- Know-it-all Marketplace unites 35 local creators under one roof
- Chêne-Bourg hosts an artistic duo, Kathleen Redly and Sophie Tracewski Grange
- Creative locals are invited to participate in our 6th Know-it-all Marketplace 2022
- The third book in the Grondère series is hot-off-the-press
- Design Dogs Switzerland - Digital Seasonal Cards
- Fabric canvas stamps available at the Swiss Post office
- Rocky's Adventure: A naughty parrot in Switzerland
- Rome est une femme: A thriller for your Christmas wishlist!
- Do you know someone who needs some Swiss Blue Jewellery?
- Kathy Overlack uses locally-sourced products handmade with love... and lavender
- Coucoudre - refugees help repair clothing, create products, and hold a repair café
- My experience selling gold in Geneva and who to trust
- New book out about John Calvin's Geneva by John Glass
- Broccoli Brocante sale on May 1st with 2 vouchers to be won
- “Sketch of Pets” exhibit of animal portraits by local artist
- Beautiful personalized illustrations and patterns by Groseille
- New book from a Swiss woman’s perspective in 1959: Voting Day
- EMO-Photo is offering a special photo shoot to one lucky reader
- Bergli’s latest publication about 50 Amazing Swiss Women
- Newly launched, Mookaite silk scarves' first collection makes a big splash
- Online Furniture and Home Decor in Switzerland
- Local teenager, Ashley Lucking, writes a novel at age 16
- Diccon Bewes teams up with Bergli books for The Expert Guide
- How someone tried to scam me on Facebook - Hoping this helps someone
- The newest series of Swiss and French stamps are now out
- How sustainable fashion relates to slow fashion
- Are you looking for a business opportunity? Brappz is looking for a new owner
- Summer Shadows in Grondère: just published by local author
- Ceramist's creativity born from confinement is amazing
- When a scent can melt away all your worries
- Swisstory, an entertaining illustrated history of Switzerland for all
- Ordering food or other items with delivery options in Switzerland
- Send a letter to a friend so you can use these beautiful stamps!
- SMART EVASION solves the problem of having to choose between a DSLR camera and your portable telephone
- Clients to get their ‘flower fix’ at Royal Bloom in Lausanne
- MaRen chic tween undergarmets designed by a local mother
- Joining the IWCN and get involved in some charity work, make friends, and discover the area
- Receive 2 flamboyant red Strappz and 1 free heart Snappz with your Brappz order!
- Special rate for knowitall.ch readers on the new Body Pass 2019!
- Stay-at-home STEAM toys to keep your kids happy during Covid-19
- A personalized photo book for your child brings family into the picture
- Brappz teams up with SmileyWorld to create new line in athleisure jewelry!
- Federesque: the perfect gift for tennis fans!
- Reduce your waste and contribute to a more sustainable future with the help of Zero Waste Switzerland
- Lifestyle photographer, Sophie Robert-Nicoud, captures the joy in your life!
- Giant Advent calendar in the middle of Cornavin Station!
- First designer life-style product launched by Sufixe to be sold at Know-it-all Marketplace!
- Find out all about Know-it-all Marketplace on WRS!
- Full range of English TV options from Williams Services
- 25th Year of Geneva Writers’ Group Begins with 14th Edition of Offshoots, Writing from Geneva
- On-demand delivery service brings goods 2yourdoor in Lausanne!
- Special rate for knowitall.ch readers when purchasing Body Pass 2017!
- 50% off everything at All For Kids closing-down sale – including the last 5 copies in stock of the new 10th Edition of Know-it-all passport!
- Special Christmas offer for knowitall.ch readers on the new Body Pass 2017!
- Hand-made cards with the personal touch from Groseille
- Get your Know-it-all passport® guidebook signed by Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman in Manor Lausanne this weekend!
- Great savings on diving equipment and lessons for knowitall.ch readers at Scuba Dream and Aqua Diving
- New online necklace business, Le Joli Collier, is launched!
- Free delivery within Switzerland on all toys purchased from Swiss e-store, My Little Room
- Contemporary furniture by British and Swiss designers from Heidi & James
- Receiving and shipping international parcels by post
- Everything you ever needed to make the perfect cake at Genevacakes!
- 2015 Christmas Markets in Geneva, Vaud, and neighboring France
- Around Switzerland in 80 Maps - A magical journey by Diccon Bewes
- Brappz gives away free Neon Brappz fashion accessories to knowitall.ch readers
- 50% off silk scarves from Audrey Soie Haute Couture
- Payot Libraire opens brand new book store in Geneva
- The perfect souvenir of Switzerland: figurative oil paintings of Swiss scenes painted by local artist, Rita Mancesti
- Special opening of Soul of Asia showroom featuring high quality cashmere shawls and Ayurvedic body products
- Add style to your wardrobe with Venus Secrets’ exclusive range of handcrafted jewelry and exquisite lingerie
- Get addicted to junking - go bargain-hunting with Lisa and find something unique for your home!
- Tissuandco.ch online fabric and haberdashery store is launched in Switzerland
- ASK – All Special Kids teams up with Rush Pop Up Store to launch Geneva’s first charity fashion shopping event!
- Geneva-based entrepreneurs get you hooked on brappz – the cool alternative to bra straps, which can also be worn as bracelets and necklaces too!
- Get 20% off your books this summer with OffTheShelf’s Fr. 20.- Summer Pass
- New regulations on customs allowances announced
- New “On My Way” dry cleaning service makes clients' lives easier
- Renowned Studio Harcourt portrait photographers to hold 3 days of photo shoots at the Hotel d’Angleterre in Geneva
- Exercise your brain with mind games from www.PuzzleYoga.com
- Use SMS on your phone to buy Swiss postage stamps
- Buy your copy of the beautiful "Lake Geneva - As time goes by" poster!
- Deal of the month: hardware stores
- New edition of Know-it-all passport® 2013/2014 now on sale!
- Some simple ideas for party nibbles
- Choose any book for only Fr. 8.- at OfftheShelf English Books
- 100% Geneva milk is used to make authentic fresh mozzarella
- Some simple ideas for party nibbles
- Customs allowances
- Stylish and seasonal ideas for your home
- Know-it-all passport tops best-selling charts!





