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SIJUNE 2009


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c o v e r y o u r


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V-o
Vo l/. 20


PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
MIAMI, FL
PERMIT NO. 7315
S ) Tel: (305) 238-2868
1-800-605-7516
editor@caribbeantoday.com
ct ads@bellsouth.net
No. 7 Jamaica: 655-1479


A senior
official in
United States
President
SBarack
Obama's
i administration
says Cuba g
has agreed to month, the United
resume talks
with Washington on immigration Stateswillimple
and direct mail that were sus- ment laws requiring
pended under former U.S. alltravelers
President George W. Bush, page 3. entering the U.S.
rom the Caribbea
Miramar City h'nada and Mexico
Commissioner
Commissioner to show passports
Winston
Barnes dis- approved travel
cusses the documents to U.S.
fall of fellow stoms and Border
Jamaican- Protection, page 2.
born politician
Fitzroy
Salesman, who
was convicted on a gun charge in
Florida, and its possible impact on
the Caribbean American commu-
nity in the U.S., page 9.


"Barrel children". The term elic- Eint w r ko a u
its a myriad of emotions amongaB u n a a ed
Caribbean people. It is a label soo
borne out of disrupted family
relationships as one parent or b y s a e 8 m0
the other leaves the region to N i g et I J i"=
make a better way for those left h i r em o a s ad ,
behind. The connection or the o a se ae r as
lack of it is explored in an art
exhibition in Fort Lauderdale,
page 11.
CALL ARIBBEAN TODAY IRETRO AMAICA 6547


News...........................2.
Feature .........................7.
Viewpoint .......................9.


INSIDE
Arts/Entertainment ..............11
Caribbean American Heritage
M onth ......................... 13


Sport .......................... 15
Local/FYI ...................... 17
Health ......................... 18


W e


I I









- usw^caribbeantody..c.I


CARIBBEAN TODAY

n e WS


Jamaican-born former city commissioner jailed in U.S.


MIAMI, Florida A
Jamaican-born, ex-commis-
sioner for a city in southern
Florida was sentenced to 30
days in jail and a year on pro-
bation after being convicted in
a firearms charge.
Last month, a Broward
County jury convicted Fitzroy
Salesman, 52, a former
Miramar commissioner, of a
misdemeanor firearms charge,
but acquitted him of a felony
count that could have sent
him to prison for three years.
Salesman was charged
with aggravated assault with a
firearm after prosecutors said
he drew his gun inside a super-
market during a confrontation
with another shopper in Nov.
2007. He was found guilty of
the lesser offense of improper-
ly exhibiting a firearm.


St. Luci

smuggles
LONDON, England, CMC -
A St. Lucian woman who
allegedly tried to sneak cocaine
into the United Kingdom by
placing it under her wig was
one of three persons traveling
from the Caribbean who were
nabbed by authorities for sus-
pected drug smuggling late last
month.
The U.K. Border Agency
(UKBA) said Chermisa Lisa
Daniel, 32, was detained at
Gatwick Airport after arriving
from a flight from her home-
land on May 31. UKBA said
she was found with one kilo-


Salesman said he drew the
weapon after being confront-
ed by Lazavius Hudson, 19,
during an argument over
Hudson's choice of checkout


Salesman


lines. He said Hudson threat-
ened him by saying, "let's take
it outside."


Salesman could have been
sentenced up to 364 days in
the Broward County jail for
the conviction.
Florida Governor Charlie
Crist suspended Salesman from
the Miramar City Commission
when he was first charged with
the felony. Salesman lost his
bid for re-election since the
charges were filed against him.
Salesman has said he
wouldn't rule out running for
elected office again some day.
"It's a calling," he said.
"But first, I have to put the
pieces back together."

Jamaican-born Miramar City
Commissioner Winston
Barnes discusses the fallout
from Salesman's conviction,
Viewpoint, page 9.
0


an woman allegedly

cocaine under her wig


gram of the drug worth an esti-
mated $66,247 in her possession.
Daniel is scheduled to
appear in court on June 10.
Mack Andrew Hamilton
Graham, 28, also of St. Lucia
was detained by UKBA offi-
cers on May 30 after arriving
on a flight from Barbados,
while a London woman,
Alisha Youngblood, was held
after disembarking a flight
from Jamaica.
Graham was allegedly
found with two kilograms of
cocaine with an estimated
street value of $132,494. He is


also due in court on the same
day as Daniel.
Peter Avery, the assistant
director of criminal investiga-
tion at Her Majesty's Revenue
and Customs, said British
authorities are serious about
thwarting efforts to traffic nar-
cotics across their borders.
"Our investigators and
their U.K. Border Agency col-
leagues have demonstrated
that we are determined to
stop Class A drugs reaching
our streets," he said.
0


Proper Home Chemical

Management

It's good for the earth, good for the environment!
Household products like oil-based paints, pesticides, fertilizers, solvents,
pool chemicals and fluorescent light bulbs should never be thrown into
the garbage. They contain chemicals that can harm our environment and
pollute our drinking water.
Help protect our environment by bringing your home chemical waste to
the Department of Solid Waste Management's Home Chemical Collection
Centers for recycling or proper disposal.
West Dade 8831 NW 58th Street
South Dade 23707 SW 97 Avenue, Gate B
Centers are open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call 3-1-1 or click www.miamidade.gov/dswm for a free copy of the
department's home chemical management brochure and for additional
tips on managing your home chemical waste.


MIAMI, Florida Roman
Catholic priest, Father Gerard
Jean-Juste, a prominent spiri-
tual and political leader in the
Haitian community in South
Florida has died. He was 62.
Ira Kurzban, a Miami
attorney who represented
Jean-Juste's Haitian Refugee
Center in several lawsuits
against the United States gov-


Jean-Juste


ernment, said he died on the
evening of May 27 at Miami's
Jackson Memorial Hospital
following a stroke.
"The Haitian American
community has lost a visionary
and a central figure who
helped to establish the Haitian
community in South Florida.


June 2009


New passport rules for travelers

re-entering U.S. from Caribbean


WASHINGTON United
States authorities this month
began implementing laws
requiring all travelers entering
the country to possess a valid
passport.
The U.S. Department of
State and the Homeland
Security Department said the
new rules were part of the
Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative, which mandates that
"all Canadian and American
citizens entering the United
States from Canada, Mexico
or the Caribbean must show
passports or approved travel
documents to U.S. Customs
and Border Protection".
Previously, a photo identi-
fication or driver's license was
required.
Caribbean countries had
earlier indicated that the new
measure would severely affect
their tourism sectors.
Approved travel docu-
ments include a regular pass-
port, a new passport card, a
IruiLd traveler" card or an
"enhanced driver's l. L n 1
proving citizenship of every
traveler over the age of 16.

WIDE INITIATIVE
The new travel require-
ments are part of a wider ini-
tiative outlined by the George


W. Bush administration in the
aftermath of the September
11, 2001, terrorist attacks on
the U.S. For years, Americans
who visited Mexico, Canada
and the Caribbean were
exempt from presenting iden-
tity papers at U.S. borders and
seaports.
Effective June 1, U.S. citi-
zens returning by land or sea
from those countries will need
passports or other secure
identification, unless travelers
are youngsters or on certain


exempt cruises.
Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano
said some Americans were
unaware of the new require-
ments or may have forgotten
to get the necessary docu-
ments.
"We'll work with them at
the border," she said.
0


"They (have) lost a friend
whose arms and heart were
always open," he said, adding
that the death was unrelated
to the leukemia that he was
treated for three years ago.
Marliene Bastien, execu-
tive director of Haitian Women
of Miami, said Jean-Juste, a
liberation theologist, was "an
icon, someone who gave him-
self wholly, selflessly to others
without any need to."
She described him as
the gr aL Li champion of
refugees' who fought tirelessly
for the rights of immigrants.
"He showed that we, as a
country, could do better in
the way we treat people who
leave their native land to come
here."

'TERRIBLE'
Jean-Juste was an ardent
supporter of ousted Haitian
President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide and his Fanmi
Lavalas Party.
"This terrible, terrible
news [is] a big loss for us," said
Maryse Narcisse, a Lavalas
leader and spokeswoman for
Aristide, who resides in exile
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 4)


Prominent Haitian priest

Jean-Juste dies in Miami





CARIBBEAN TODAY


n e WS


Cuba, U.S. agree to resume

immigration, direct mail talks


WASHINGTON The
United States says Cuba has
agreed to resume talks with
Washington on immigration
and direct mail.
A senior official in U.S.
President Barack Obama's
administration said on May 31
that the Cuban government
had expressed interest in
resuming the talks that were
suspended under former
President George W. Bush.
Speaking on the condition
of anonymity, the official told
reporters in Washington that
Havana "would like to resume
migration talks (and) engage
in talks on direct mail service.
"We and the Cubans have
to determine a mutually con-
venient place and time," he
added.

DIALOGUE
The official also indicated
that Cuba would like to
"explore areas of additional
dialogue" on counter-narcotics,
counter-terrorism, hurricane
and disaster preparedness
response, among others.
In May, the Obama
administration proposed the
resumption of migration talks
between both countries that
had been conducted every two


years until Bush suspended
them in 2003. A month earlier,
Obama eased travel and
money transfer restrictions on
Cuban Americans with rela-
tives in the Spanish-speaking
Caribbean country. Obama
has also been under enormous
pressure, primarily from


Amselem


Caribbean and Latin
American countries, to lift the
decades-old economic and
trade embargo against
Havana.
"These talks are part of
our effort to forge a new way
forward on Cuba that
advances the interests of the
United States, the Cuban peo-
ple and our entire hemi-
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 4)


NEW YORK New York City
has settled a wrongful death
lawsuit with the family of a
Jamaican psychiatric patient
who died last summer on a
hospital floor in Brooklyn for
$2 million.
The IlJ 11 Ill was
signed on May 27 in Brooklyn
Supreme Court before Justice
Allen Hurkin-Torres. It came
11 months after Esmin Green,
49, collapsed and died at the
sprawling Kings County
Hospital Center.
"To anyone who saw the
video clip, it was clear this was
a horrible, wrongful and negli-
gent act," said Stanford
Rubenstein, the lawyer repre-
senting Green's Jamaican-
born daughter Tecia Harrison,
who had filed the lawsuit
against the city for negligence.
"What remains most
important to this family is the
criminal culpability for those
responsible for what hap-
pened and those who attempt-
ed to cover it up, which con-
tinues, after all this time, to
remain under investigation
by the New York City
Department of Investigation,"
Rubenstein added.
"In no way does this set-
tlement affect that investiga-


LWW-crbbatoa.co


tion, and the family remains
adamant in its demands that
anyone who committed a
criminal act with regard to the
death of Esmin Green or the
attempt to cover it up be pros-


Green
G reen


ecuted criminally to the full
extent of the law."

LOSS
Alan D. Aviles, president
of the Health and Hospitals
Corporation that oversees 11
municipal hospitals, including
Kings County Hospital
Center, said the settlement
"is not meant to put a value
on a life and the loss of a
loved one," adding: "That
remains priceless."
Green's death was cap-


tured on video, showing that
hospital staffers ignored her
for hours.
Green, who had a history
of mental illness, had been
taken to the psychiatric emer-
gency room on June 18 last
year. Reports say she may
have been sitting in the wait-
ing room for nearly a day,
including an hour during
which she lay on the floor.
An autopsy determined
she had a fatal blood clot in
her lung caused by "physical
inactivity".
The city Department of
Investigation said it is looking
into whether hospital staffers
falsified Green's medical
records. A medical chart says
Green was "sitting quietly in
the waiting room" at 6:20
a.m., but the video shows she
was dead on the floor.
"The family wants anyone
who committed a criminal act
with regard to this act to be
prosecuted," Rubenstein
stressed.

CONCERN
Green's death came amid
mounting concern over psy-
chiatric service at the Kings
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 4)


June 2009


N.Y. settles lawsuit in wrongful death


of Jamaican hospital patient for $2M





CARIBBEAN TODAY


U.N. names Bill Clinton special


UNITED NATIONS United
Nations Secretary General
Ban Ki-Moon has officially
appointed former United States
President Bill Clinton as the
U.N. special envoy for Haiti.
Ban said he hopes Clinton
will attract private and govern-
ment investment and aid for the
poorest country in the Western
Hemisphere, building on his
extensive engagement Haiti.
"I am confident that
President Clinton will bring ener-
gy, dynamism and focus to the
task of mobilizing international
support for Haiti's economic
recovery and reconstruction,"
said the U.N. secretary general.
Ban and Clinton joined
forces to help Haiti when they
visited the French speaking
country in March "to raise
awareness of efforts to help its
people and government bolster
their economic security," the
U.N. said.

SETBACKS
Haiti suffered a string of


Clinton


severe setbacks last year, and
was deeply affected by the rise in
global food and oil prices. In
addition, the country was devas-
tated by four successive storms
last year, leaving 800 people
dead and another million either
homeless or badly affected.
"It is an honor to accept
the secretary general's invita-
tion to become special envoy
to Haiti," Clinton said.
As special envoy, the U.N.


envoy for Haiti
said Clinton will support the
efforts of the Haitian authorities
to "jumpstart sustainable social
and economic development.
"He will focus attention
on the importance of new part-
nerships and efforts among the
private sector, civil society, and
donors, as well as strengthen
local capacity, and create a
more stable and prosperous
future for the children of
Haiti", the U.N. stated.
Clinton said Haiti is "better
positioned to make progress for
all its people than at any time"
since he first visited the country
in 1978. He is no stranger to the
U.N., having previously served
as the U.N. special envoy for
Tsunami Recovery after the
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.
In April, international
donors pledged $324 million,
including $57 million from the
U.S., to help in Haiti's rebuild-
ing efforts.
0


N.Y. settles lawsuit in wrongful death of Jamaican hospital patient for $2M


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3)
County Hospital Center, the
only mental health provider
for many poor people in
Brooklyn. In May 2007, the
New York Civil Liberties
Union filed a lawsuit alleging
abuse and neglect of psychi-
atric patients at the hospital,
and that December, the
United States Department of
Justice began an investigation.
In February this year, the
authorities issued a scathing 58-
page report that found other


problems, including that
patients were not treated for
suicidal behavior, were routine-
ly subdued with physical
restraints and drugs instead of
receiving individualized psychi-
atric treatment, and were fre-
quently abused by other
patients. The report found that
conditions at the psychiatric
unit were "highly dangerous
and require immediate atten-
tion".
It also concluded that in
at least three cases, including
Green's, employees falsified


records to hide their neglect.
Green had migrated from
Jamaica in the late 1990s to
earn money for her six chil-
dren back home. A devout
churchgoer, she had worked
caring for the elderly and
helping at a day care center
for children, before she lost
her job. She suffered from
depression, authorities said.
Rubenstein described the
il. I n~ liii as "fair and reason-
able."
0


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'Be prepared', U.S. experts warn

Caribbean as storm season begins


rI nhe 2009 Atlantic hurri-
cane season officially
started June 1 with
weather forecasters predicting a
near-normal six-month period.
But Caribbean countries
were warned that, as with any
season, they need to be pre-
pared for the possibility of a
storm hitting home.
In its initial outlook for
the 2009 Atlantic hurricane
season, the United States-
based National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) had indicated a 50
percent probability of a near-
normal season, a 25 percent
probability of an above-nor-
mal season and a 25 percent
probability of a below-normal
season.
"Global weather patterns
are imposing a greater uncer-
tainty in the 2009 hurricane
season outlook than in recent


SL~., the NOAA stated,
noting that forecasters were
indicating a 70 percent chance
of having nine to 14 named
storms, of which four to seven
could become hurricanes,
including one to three major
hurricanes.
"This outlook is a guide
to the overall expected sea-
sonal activity. However, the
outlook is not just about the
numbers, it's also about taking
action," said Dr. Gerry Bell,
lead seasonal hurricane fore-
caster at NOAA's Climate
Prediction Center.
"Prepare for each and
every season regardless of the
seasonal outlook. Even a
near- or below-normal season
can produce land falling hurri-
canes, and it only takes one
land falling storm to make it a
bad season."
0


prisoners, and move toward
democratic reform," Clinton
continued.

CONSENSUS
The OAS' Permanent
Council last month agreed to
create a working group to try
to find a consensus text for the
re-admission of Cuba. The
agreement came after the U.S.,
in a surprise move, said it was
willing to re-admit Cuba in the
Washington-based organiza-
tion, a sudden reversal of its
long-standing opposition.
0


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3)
sphere," said U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton ahead of
the Organization of American
States (OAS) summit in
Honduras earlier this month,
where Cuba's re-admission
into the hemispheric body was
expected to be discussed.
"These talks are in the
interests of the United States
and also in the interests of the
Cuban people," she added.
"At the same time, we
will continue to press the
Cuban government to protect
basic rights, release political


Prominent Haitian priest dies in Miami


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)
in South Africa.
Jean-Juste was jailed
twice in Haiti for his protest
actions, demanding the return
of Aristide after a 2004 violent
revolution and attack on gov-
ernment corruption.
"He's going to be missed a
whole lot, and he's going to be
remembered in a very positive
way even by some of his detrac-
tors," said Yvon Neptune, a for-
mer prime minister under
Aristide, who exchanged notes
with Jean-Juste from adjacent jail
cells after both were arrested by
the interim government of
Gerard Latortue.
"Especially in the 1980s,
he was very instrumental in
having the U.S. government
consider the case of the
Haitian refugees," Neptune
said, adding that the former
priest had been involved in
social work "not only in help-
ing the Haitians solve their
legal problems but in helping


them in many ways."

FIRST PRIEST
In 1971, Jean-Juste became
the first Haitian to be ordained as
a priest by the Catholic Church
in the U.S. He described the U.S.
g I\ L rnlk n111i' policy towards the
Haitian "boat people" as "heart-
less, racist, and criminal."
In 1980, he launched The
Haitian Refugee Center Inc. in
Miami as an independent agency,
and in that same year, U.S.
District judge James Lawrence
King ruled that the Immigration
and Naturalization Service (INS)
had systematically discriminated
against Haitian refugees by issu-
ing sweeping deportation orders.
The judge told the agency
to conduct new hearings for
5,000 Haitian refugees.
Mary Ross Agosta, a
spokesperson for the Miami
Catholic archdiocese, called
Jean-Juste "a voice of the
poor, both here and in Haiti."
0


Cuba, U.S. agree to resume

immigration, direct mail talks


June 2009





CARIBBEAN TODAY

n e wS


Nine Haitians die in smuggling

operation 'gone wrong'


MIAMI, Florida The United
States Coast Guard confirmed
that nine migrants, all believed
to be Haitians, were found
dead in waters off South
Florida last month.
The Coast Guard said 16
survivors were adrift for more
than 10 hours before they
were rescued in what is being
described as "a smuggling
operation gone wrong".
It said the migrants were
part of an apparent operation
that set off from Bimini in The
Bahamas in a vessel carrying 30
people, including children and
one pregnant woman. The
Coast Guard said the over-
loaded boat sank around 2 a.m.
May 13, but it did not learn
about the incident until 10 hours
later, when a passing boater
spotted three passengers in the
water about 15 miles from
Boynton Beach, near Miami.
RESCUE
The Coast Guard said the
discovery triggered a massive
and dramatic air-and-boat res-
cue at sea.
Chief Warrant Officer
James Mullinax said three of
the survivors were taken
ashore after a doctor aboard
the Cormorant decided they
required immediate attention


at a hospital. At least one per-
son died in the hospital.
Coast Guard Captain Jim
Fitton said the boat was
"obviously overloaded" and
that authorities believe the
boat was being used to smug-
gle Haitians into the U.S.
UPSURGE
Coast Guard officials said
there has been a recent
upsurge in the number of
Haitians caught at sea. Nearly
1,400 have been apprehended
since last October, up from 972
during the same seven-month
period a year ago, it said.
Duty Officer Sergeant
Alexander Bannister of The
Royal Bahamas Police Force
in Nassau said his force was
also investigating the incident.
Sergeant Yvonne Cacioli,
of the marine unit of the Palm
Beach County Sheriff's office,
said her unit was among the
first to arrive after the migrants
were spotted. She said people
were found scattered across the
water along with shards of boat
debris, adding that survivors
were dehydrated, exhausted
and "in total shock.
"The ones who were able
to hold on, thank goodness we
could get to them," Cacioli said.
0


lW-SW-caribbeantoda y


aoomi


Major religious group launches campaign

seeking refugee status for Haitians in U.S.


WASHINGTON A major
religious organization in the
United States has launched a
campaign urging President
Barack Obama to grant
refugee status to thousands of
undocumented Haitians.
The Washington-based
American Friends Service
Committee (AFSC), a
Religious Society of Friends
(Quaker) affiliated organiza-
tion, has appealed to Obama
to reverse the George W.
Bush administration's position
and grant temporary protec-
tion status (TPS) to Haitians.
"Given the devastating
and overwhelming conditions
in Haiti, TPS is the most
immediate form of humanitari-
an assistance the United States
government can provide," said
AFSC last month, noting that
the U.S. government has grant-
ed TPS to nationals from other
countries "that face significant
hardship and suffering".
AFSC identified among
those countries Sudan,
Liberia, Somalia, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, El Salvador and
Guatemala, due to political
unrest, and Honduras and
Nicaragua after devastation
by Hurricans Mitch in 1998.
"The Bush administration,


however, was adamant in its
refusal to grant the same sta-
tus to Haitians", the group
stated, adding, "one has to


Clinton


wonder why".
DISASTERS
AFSC noted that storms
and hurricanes in Haiti have
left scores of people dead, an
estimated one million families
and children homeless and
destroyed local crops needed
for food.
It said presently 70 per-
cent of the Haitian people are
unemployed, while others still
wait for relief and assistance.
"Deporting Haitians in
the United States by not
granting TPS aggravates the


political, economic, social and
humanitarian crisis", the
group stated.
Ninaj Raoul, founder and
executive director of the New
York-based Haitian Women
for Haitian Refugees, said it
would be fair for the estimated
30,000 Haitians who face
deportation because of their
immigration status, to get TPS.
"They certainly meet the
standards," she said.
"It' hard to know what's
going to happen with the TPS,
because it seems that this
administration is, above all,
focused on border enforce-
ment."

CONSIDERATION
In April, Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton, en route
to the Fifth Summit of the
Americas in Trinidad and
Tobago, said in Haiti that the
U.S. was considering granting
TPS to illegal Haitians.
"We are looking carefully
at the policy, which we inherit-
ed," she said.
"And we are going to be
considering how best (for
those) who are here to contin-
ue to have those resources,"

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 6)


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(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5)
added Clinton, who held dis-
cussions April 16 with Haitian
President Rend Preval.
Clinton, however, cau-
tioned that Washington did
not want to encourage other
Haitians to make the danger-
ous journey across the water.
"People who were there
before President Obama
became president would be eli-
gible," she said, adding: "People
who came after would not be."

SLOW GOING
But Haitian advocates say
Washington is not moving fast
enough. Consequently, they
have increased pressure on the
Obama administration to grant
TPS to Haitians, with Preval
among immigration advocates
and U.S. lawmakers urging the
president to act faster.
Two prominent U.S.
Democratic senators Charles
Schumer of New York, chair-
man of the Senate
Subcommittee on
Immigration, Refugees and
Border, and Patrick Leahy of
Vermont, chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee -


June 2009


CARIBBEAN TODAY


n e WS


St. Vincent elected to U.N. organizations


UNITED NATIONS, St.
Vincent and the Grenadines
has been elected to two
organizations within the
United Nations.
Ambassador Camillo
Gonsalves said the island had
been elected to serve on the
Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice
and the Executive Board of the
International Research and
Training Institute for the
Advancement of Women.
The elections took place
during last month's organiza-
tional session of the 54-mem-
ber U.N. Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC).
"The election to these
two critical bodies represents
another facet of St. Vincent
and the Grenadines' active
foreign policy," Gonsalves
told the Caribbean Media
Corporation (CMC).
"In seeking election to
pivotal governance and organ-
isational bodies within the
international community, St.
Vincent and the Grenadines is
able to bring its unique per-
spectives to bear on the shap-
ing of policy in matters of par-
ticular interest to Vincentians


uonsalves


and the wider Caribbean.
"Along with the diplo-
matic outreach to friendly
countries, this institutional
activity is a critical pillar of
the Vincentian foreign poli-
cy," he added.

CRIME FOCUS
The Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal
Justice, based in Austria, is a
subsidiary body of the United
Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime. Its four mandated pri-
ority areas are: international
action to combat national and
trans national crime, promot-
ing the role of criminal law in
protecting the environment;


crime prevention in urban
areas, including juvenile crime
and violence; and improving
the efficiency and fairness of
criminal justice administration
systems.
St. Vincent and the
Grenadines' three-year term
on the Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal
Justice begins on Jan. 1, 2010.
The Executive Board of
the International Research and
Training Institute for the
Advancement of Women,
based in New York, is the lead-
ing United Nations Institute
devoted to research, training
and knowledge management
in partnership with govern-
ments, the U.N. System, civil
society and academia "to
achieve gender equality and
women's. imp< \\ rim i. iii. The
island's three-year term on the
10-member Executive Board
also begins on Jan. 1, 2010.
Gonsalves said St. Vincent
and the Grenadines was unsuc-
cessful in fielding a candidate
for the International Narcotics
Control Board, missing the
final slot by three votes.
0


uw.WannadoCki~..om- 1 S92'6'.6236,
www.browmhd~m'E/hde93435.540
b*=:pp ohm *I'.SO Qwrrhn'pI'
h~uls u *,mui-uwOdW NIO bwu P...


Stanford was U.S. informant BBC


LONDON, England -
American-born Sir Allen
Stanford, who became a citi-
zen of Antigua and Barbuda
and has been accused of being
at the center of a multi-billion
dollar fraud scheme, has found
himself the target of fresh alle-
gations.
The British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) reported
that according to its sources,
Sir Allen, 59, was an informer
for the United States Drug
Enforcement Administration
(DEA) and that he cooperat-
ed with the agency to track
money laun-
dering by
Latin
American -
drug cartels.
That helped
spare him ear-
lier because
he was an
informant of Stanford
the U.S. gov-
ernment.
The claims were made in
the weekly investigative televi-
sion program, Panorama: The
Six Billion Dollar Man, which
aired last month. The program
claims some U.S. officials were
aware of Sir Allen's links to
cartel for nearly two decades,
dating back to 1990.
"Sources told Panorama
that if he was a paid anti-drug
informer, that could explain
why a 2006 probe into his
financial dealings was quietly


dropped," the BBC reported.

ACCUSATIONS
Panorama, which prides
itself as the world's longest
running investigative television
show, said there is "strong evi-
dence" that the businessman
was a "confidential agent" for
the DEA and that he turned
over details of money launder-
ing by clients from Colombia,
Mexico and Ecuador.
The Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC)
filed civil charges against the
investor and financier of the
glitzy Stanford Twenty20
cricket tournaments, alleging
that he perpetrated a $8 billion
investment fraud "of shocking
magnitude" using his Antigua-
based Stanford International
Bank. However, no criminal
charges have been filed against
the principal of the Stanford
Group of Companies.
Sir Allen has vigorously
denied any wrong doing and
has vowed to clear his name.
"I would die and go to
hell if it is a Ponzi scheme," he
said in an earlier interview.
"It's no Ponzi."
He has also insisted that
involvement with drug cartels
"is something absolutely for-
eign to everything in my body."

Information obtained from
CMC.
0


have been among many writ-
ing Obama, expressing deep
concern about the status of
Haitians in the U.S. They said
that Haitians "may be in dan-
ger of being prematurely
returned to their homeland,
despite its devastation from
four recent hurricanes and
tropical storms.
"Because the country -
the poorest in the Western
Hemisphere is still reeling
from the impacts of these
storms, we urge you to extend
Temporary Protected Status
for Haitian nationals currently
residing in the United Siii, ,
they wrote.
The National Association
for the Advancement of
Colored Peoples (NAACP),
the largest civil rights organiza-
tion in the U.S., has also joined
a chorus of calls on Washington
to grant TPS to undocumented
Haitians. The NAACP said it
"strongly supports" legislation
introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives by Florida
Democratic Congressman
Alcee Hastings to grant TPS to
Haitians.
0


Major religious group launches campaign

seeking refugee status for Haitians in U.S.






CARIBBEAN TODAY


F nT U R 6


LWW-crbbatoa.co


Cariboh.u t Silver lining: T&T star Thompson has no regrets finishing second to Bolt


nthe hoopla that surrounded
the triple gold medal and
world record-breaking per-
formances by Jamaica's Usain
Bolt at the 2008 Olympic
Games, some forget that other
Caribbean,, athletes shone as well
in Beipg. Trinidad and
Tobago's Richard Thompson
who finished second to Bolt in
the 100 meters final and was part
of T& T's il ,' medal-winning
4x100 meters relay team, was
among them. Caribbean Today's
Managing Editor Gordon
Williams caught up with the
United States-based Thompson
last month in Kingston following
his appearance at the Jamaica
International Invitational (III).
That meet was part of his prepa-
ration for this summer's IAAF
World ( I.'m.'pi.-,- .-./I.q in
Athletics in Berlin, Germany.
The following is an edited ver-
sion of that interview:

Q: Where are you now, in rela-
tion to where you want to be
come August at the World
Championships in Athletics?
A: Well, the thing is last year
at this time I was well ahead of
where I am right now...I got
into an accident January 1st
and that set me back in my
training about a month...I1
think I'm ahead of where a lot
of people expected me to be.


I'm ahead of where I expected
to be at this point...By the
time Berlin rolls around...I'm
gonna be ready.

Q: What did the accident actu-
ally do to you, physically?
A: I got a bad whiplash. My
neck was giving me problems
for a very long time. Lower
back was hurting. I still have
marks on my knee from the
accident. My knee was hurting
really badly as well as my inner
thigh.

Q: What was your first reaction
when you heard of Bolt's acci-
dent in Jamaica, did it bring
back any memories?
A: Yeah, it certainly did
because you know I kinda
traced back to January 1st
when it happened to me. Now
Usain. We're both very fortu-
nate to have been in a com-
plete wreck where the car was
a write-off and still be able to
walk out of it. I think it's really
a blessing that Usain is still
here. It would have been really
bad for this sport, and for him
as a person...I think he still has
room for improvement and,
you know, taking the sport to
another level. So I'm really
glad to know that he's O.K.

Q: Bolt is obviously a rival on


T&T's Thompson finishes second to Bolt in the Olympic 100 meters final.


the track...
A: Right, and, you know, I
think in this sport, or any
sport, anyone who is very com-
petitive who wants to win they
should see lih ImsNL% ,s as being
the best someday. You know,
you're being realistic about
your goals, and I'm a realist. I
won't step into a competition
and say 'Hey, I'm gonna beat
Bolt today or beat Bolt tomor-
row'. It may not happen this
year...But if he's in any kind of
shape that he was in last year, I
don't think there is anyone in
the world who is capable of
beating him.. .But who knows,
by 2012 (Olympic Games in


London), maybe someone else
will emerge. Maybe...I will be
able to beat him, especially
2012 because that's the goal.
Everyone wants the gold
medal, so...I don't think on my
best day and his best day that I
would be able to beat him.

Q: Coming into JII it's
announced that Bolt is not
running...How does it feel to
be the next in line, everybody
is looking to you, right?
A: Right. Well I understand
that and when you're in a posi-
tion like that it's definitely an
honor. It's something that you
work for. You want your name


to be mentioned in a meet. It
shows that you've worked hard
and you've earned a certain
level of respect from the
crowd, the promoters and
everybody. But at the same
time, you know, you're given
that pressure and sometimes I
don't mind being the under-
dog. I prefer, just like last year,
I was the underdog in nearly
every meet I went into...I was
seen as the underdog and it's a
lot less stressful.

Q: You don't like top billing?
A: No, I wouldn't say I don't
like it. I could handle it, but I
just like being the underdog,
preferably.

Q: Going into the Olympic
Games, the atmosphere first.
Obviously you're comfortable
with where you were, in terms
of your preparations?
A: I was very comfortable,
especially with the rounds and
so on, because I had been
doing 200s (meters) for the
entire year for LSU (his school
Louisiana State University in
the U.S.)...So I knew that if I
could handle rounds of 200s,
rounds of the 100s would be
nothing for me and I was in
the best shape of my life. I told
my parents before the meet, I
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 8)


Financial experts offer grim outlook for Caribbean economies


PROVIDENCIALES, Turks
and Caicos Islands No one
came to the Turks and Caicos
Islands expecting to hear good
news regarding the economies
of the Caribbean.
In fact, the governors of
the Caribbean Development
Bank (CDB), some of whom
are finance ministers of their
own respective regional coun-





Oft


Bourne


tries, had traveled here late last
month prepared to accept the
diagnosis that Dr. Compton
Bourne, president of the
region's main lending institu-
tion, was about to deliver.
Bourne did not hold back
any punches. He made it clear
that "we are not in ordinary
times." In fact, he warned that
for seven of the 13 English and
French speaking Caribbean
countries that are members of
the bank, negative economic


growth is projected for 2009,
and in the case of the other six
countries, the growth rate,
although positive, would be
slower this year than in 2008.
Trinidad and Tobago's
Central Bank Governor, Ewart
Williams, participating in a
panel discussion that discussed
the "Global Economic Crisis:
Implications for Caribbean
Sovereigns and the Private
Sector", said he is expecting
economic growth to be at least
one percent in his country even
though the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) said it
would be below that figure. It
is a disclosure that holds impli-
cations for the rest of the
region, since oil rich Trinidad
and Tobago has been able to
weather the global crisis much
better than any of the other
Caribbean countries and more
so provide millions of dollars to
a regional fund to assist disad-
vantaged Caribbean countries.
"We were getting accus-
tomed to oil at a price at well
over U.S. 100 dollars and sud-
denly we wake up and it is less
than 50 dollars and it has seri-
ous implications for us,"
Williams said, adding that con-
sumer confidence which is
necessary for rebuilding the
economy has declined as "peo-
ple see the whole world with
problems."


Williams
WORRY
CDB Director of the
Economics Dr. Denny Lewis-
Bynoe, said that another wor-
rying problem for the region is


www.casthelyortho.com


that while some countries are
in a better position than others
to deal with the global melt-
down, all are still "challenged
by the magnitude of the situa-
tion."
The United States-based
international rating agency,
Standards & Poor's (S&P),
said that economic activity in
the Caribbean during the first
half of last year had increased,
with some countries taking
advantage of the international
capital markets. But by the
year-end the picture had
changed drastically. S&P noted
that the nine rated Caribbean
countries ended 2008 with real
Gross Domestic Product


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versus 3.2 per cent in 2007.
"Although no one knows
for sure the duration and the
depth of the global economic
downturn, the picture seems to
worsen with every new fore-
cast," said Olga Kalinina, a
director at Standards & Poor's.
"Similarly our ratings pre-
dictions for 2009 also lack
much optimism."

SHOCKS
Grenada's Finance
Minister, Nizam Burke, whose
country is now facing an uphill
task in meeting a multi-million
dollar debt owed to Taiwan,
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 8)


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CARIBBEAN TODAY


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Silver lining: T&T star Thompson has no regrets finishing second to Bolt


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)
told my coach, anyone who
was close to me, that I wasn't
leaving Beijing without a
medal.

Q: Based on the times that
were being run...the medal
color you were looking at was
not silver?
A: Well, going into the Games
I believe I had the fourth
fastest time in the world. Bolt,
obviously, he had broken the
world record. Asafa was sec-
ond in line and Tyson Gay had
run 9.77 in their (U.S.) trials,
but then he got injured the
next day in the 200. So that put
me third in line. Everyone
expected me to get the bronze
medal. But you know, as fast
as Bolt had run all year and as
fast as Asafa had run all year,
my mentality going into the
race, was that I was going in to
win. You know, as I said, I'm a
realistic person and being real-
istic you go into an Olympic
final and stuff happens, you
know...I knew I was able to
handle pressure because I was
doing it for the entire NCAA
season and I was very well pre-
pared.

Q: You step to the line in the
100 meters final...
A: Well, anyone who knows
me, knows that I thrive off of
things like that...I love things
like that so it just gave me an
adrenalin rush and I was excit-
ed.. .When they zoomed in on
me to announce that I was in
lane four, whatever, 'from
Trinidad and Tobago, Richard
Thompson', anyone who
remembers, I was jumping
around and I was smiling and


so on. So I was very confident.

Q: So the gun pops. Bolt does-
n't get out as well as everybody
else, but you know he is going
to show up at some point.
A: The gun goes off and I have
the best start I have ever had in
my entire life. I'm in front for
30 meters. Bolt isn't too far
behind me. I know I'm in front
of everyone else. I'm executing
the race perfectly. I go all the
way to 30 meters and I'm driv-
ing. I come up slowly, relaxed
and everything and generating
power at the same time. And
then I just feel Usain pull up at
the side of me and within 10
meters, between 40 to 50, I
could just feel him separate
himself so quickly and it's the
most crazy thing I've ever seen
in my entire life. It's kinda like a
full bus passing you (he laughs).

Q: You feel the breeze?
A: (He laughs again.).. .He just
shot off. And at that point I
wasn't even fooling myself, I
knew the race was over. I knew
the gold medal was gone
unless he had gotten injured or
he had fallen. If he had fallen
he may still have beaten us.
That's how far ahead he was...

Q: Bolt's acceleration, the
speed, have you ever seen any-
thing like that before?
A: No. Bolt is extraordinary.
It's not everyday you see a guy
6' 5" being able to turn his legs
over so quickly. I think that's
what separates him from
everyone else...

Q: Outstanding accomplish-
ment, Olympic silver medal,
especially running against
someone, as you describe it, in


a different class. What was
your first thought coming
through the finish?
A: I couldn't believe that it had
happened, even though I knew
I was capable of doing it. It
was surreal...


Thompson


Q: Your expectations have
gone up now?
A: Yeah, certainly, because there
are a lot of people who didn't
even know who I was in Trinidad
prior to the Olympic Games and
now they know who I am and
they expect that, after such a per-
formance like the Olympic
Games, they want me to be con-
sistent all the time. You know,
I'm only human. I'll have good
days, I'll have bad days. But the
major thing is to be able to pull it
together when it counts, which is
the World Championships...
So, I just wanna be able to do
that again and pull through for
myself, my country and friends,
fans, everybody.

Q: Do understand the expecta-
tions of your nation?
A: I do. I do. It's definitely
there. No doubt about it.


Q: Is it something that you
feel? Does it pressure you?
A: No it doesn't pressure me. I
just try to take the same
approach to what got me to
where I am and I believe that
once I think like that every-
thing will work out the way it's
supposed to.

Q: Usain Bolt being at a differ-
ent level in the sprinting, does
that make your job easier,
when people don't expect you
to beat him?
A: I wouldn't say it necessarily
makes my job easier. It actual-
ly makes it harder for me and
the rest of the athletes.

Q: I mean, if you lose to Bolt,
in other words, people will say
'O.K.'
A: I understand what you're
saying now. Losing to Bolt is
kinda like winning the race to
everyone else. No, seriously,
because really, you step on the
line with Usain Bolt, everyone
expects you to come nothing
other than second because he's
expected to win the race. So
yeah, it makes it easier on me
and the rest of the field every
time we step on the line to run
against Usain. He's the one
with all the pressure. Everyone
expects him to win every time.

Q: Is that a blessing or a curse
for you as an athlete?
A: You could see it as both.. .All
the pressure is on him. But then
it's a curse because if you contin-
uously let him win all the time
then that expectation will always
be there and you will always be
number two...

Q: On a scale of one to 10,


Financial experts offer grim outlook for Caribbean economies


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)
said that the global crisis had
indeed exposed the region's
vulnerability to external
shocks.
"Many of our economies are
contracting, people are losing
their jobs and poverty is on the
rise," he said, noting that some
of the Caribbean countries'
plans for the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals
(MDG) by 2015, including a sig-
nificant reduction in poverty,
were "now in j I'prd)
But when he spoke later at
the breakfast panel discussion,
Burke was confident that the
crisis provides an opportunity
for the Caribbean to approach
multilateral institutions, such
as the International Monetary
Fund (IMF), for better lending
practices.
"I am seeing a wonderful
window of opportunity," he
said, even as he acknowledged
that "we are not seeing the
kind of creativity (from the
region) that the situation


demands.
"I can't say why," he
added.

ASSISTANCE
Britain has already indi-
cated that it is prepared to
assist the Caribbean ride the
crisis as well as to deal with
matters relating to climate
change, which are also present-
ing both a financial and social
burden to the small coastal
countries of the region.
International Development
Minister Mike Foster, who
chaired the CDB nflli n Iw said
that while global economic
growth would return, for the
Caribbean with its own unique
dynamics, strengths and vul-
nerabilities, "recovery will
come differently and it won't
be the same across the region."
In addition, London
is promising to help the
Caribbean move forward in its
vision for better integration
and building viable areas for
growth, including environmen-


tally sustainable growth.
But despite such promises
of goodwill, the CDB president
has issued a warning to region-
al governments. With declining
revenues from the various sec-
tors including tourism, con-
struction, remittances and a
reduction in the availability of
trade credit to Caribbean
importers, his message was that
if those trends persist, even
moderately into the medium
term, it would be catastrophic
for everyone, more so the
most vulnerable members of
Caribbean society.
"It is therefore a matter of
major public importance that
the slide be halted and eco-
nomic growth re-started,"
Foster said. "Determined,
national economic leadership
by governments is required."

'POSITIVE'
Bourne has promised that
the CDB would be sending a
pI)sI'iI message to the
Caribbean countries that it was


seeking to help them deal with
the financial crisis.
"The message we want to
send from the bank is that the
bank is very conscious of the
special economic difficulties
the countries are facing at this
time," he said adding that the
sub-regional Organization of
Eastern Caribbean States
(OECS) would be the main
beneficiary of the decision to
provide loans to regional coun-
tries to meet the premiums for
their insurances during the
hurricane season that would
have normally come from the
World Bank.
In addition, the CDB is
also examining other options,
including expanding its capital-
ization base with Bourne not-
ing Ns 'n1L of our countries are
close to the borrowing limits
and will not be able to access
funds if we do not increase the
capitalization base."

- CMC
0


with 10 being very realistic and
one being no chance at all,
where do you see yourself in
terms of beating Bolt?
A: For 2012? Nine.

Q: Representing the
Caribbean, how much of the
responsibility of the region do
you carry into competition?
A: Every time I step on the
line, whether it's in Trinidad
and Tobago wear or whether
it's in Nike, I represent
Trinidad and Tobago and the
Caribbean. It's not just one
country. It's an entire region
and I understand that, you
know, and it made me feel
really proud to be part of his-
tory in the Olympic Games,
with Bolt and I finishing one-
two. And not just that. If you
look at the line up for the 100
meters final, there were six
Caribbean athletes in the eight
man final. So, yeah, every time
we step out there we certainly
represent the Caribbean...A
lot of people know that the
U.S. were dominant, back
in the days when it came
to sprinting. Now it's the
Caribbean. So it's something
that I have to live up to.





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Vol. 20, Number 7 JUN. 2009

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June 2009





CARIBBEAN TODAY


VIEW uPO n T


Salesman has 'purpose,

service to offer' ~ Barnes


Last month, a South
Florida court sentenced
Jamaican-born Fitzroy
Salesman to 30 days year in jail
on a firearms charge. Winston
Barnes, along with Salesman
and fellow Jamaican George
Pedlar, made history in 2003 as
Car bb'ean Americans by com-
prising the majority of the elect-
ed Miramar City Commission.
Pedlar no longer sits on the
commission. Salesman's convic-
tion cost him his seat. Barnes,
discussed the impact of
Salesman's fall from grace with
Caribbean Today's Managing
Editor Gordon Williams.

QUESTION:...What kind of
effect do you think that
Salesman's conviction has on
the Caribbean community? Is
it a big letdown and do you
sense that in the American
community they're looking at
it as that, saying that probably
Caribbean people cannot suc-
ceed or cannot handle success?
ANSWER: I want to think
that they have learnt to under-
stand the situation in a more
wider scope.

Q: You mean the Americans?
A: The larger community as I
like to say. At first I was shrug-
ging off the situation, saying
'Hey, they know it's an individ-
ual, not a community'. But to be
very honest, I got some intima-
tion and, after a while, I became
extremely aware that something
of a focus was on me, being the
last one (Caribbean American)
left in there (on the Miramar
City Commission).

Q:...Are you suggesting or
thinking that they are looking
for you to be the next one to
fail?
A: Hopefully not, because I
think that the community and
especially from the commis-
sion's standpoint, I think people
understand very, very clearly
that I came in there with my
own persona intact. I didn't go
in there and start that notoriety
or fame, whichever you choose.
I came to the situation with
that. That's what brought me in


there, with people who listen to
my radio program saying, 'Hey,
do this'. But no, as I said, when
situations like that happen, my
response, for example, to
callers on the air is, 'Listen, it is
an individual, people can't be
judging'. But they will, they
will. But I think what has hap-
pened now is that I have so dis-
tinguished myself, in whatever
way, differentiated myself, if
you prefer, on the commission,
people are saying, 'Whoa,
O.K.'. And whether it's misfor-
tune or whatever has hap-
pened, where Fitzroy is con-
cerned, something of a pattern
has developed.
So it can't be
said, 'Hey, this
is how
Jamaicans
behave'. This
is how an indi-
vidual
behaves.
Barnes
Q: You're say-
ing people understand, but are
probably not surprised, that it
has happened to Fitzroy
Salesman based on what has
happened in the past?
A: Not necessarily I say that in
the context of saying it does not
necessarily parlay to another
individual. This is how a partic-
ular individual behaves. So it
cannot be said, at least I'm
thinking the larger community
is saying, this is how this indi-
vidual behaves, not necessarily
this is how Jamaicans behave.

Q: How will it impact, some-
thing like this, because it's one
thing for him to be accused on
different occasions and being
incarcerated? How do you
think this will impact on future
Caribbean American candi-
dates, not just in Miramar, but
how it's viewed on a wider
scale in the United States?
A: Not much, to be honest.
I'll tell you why: I am con-
vinced now that Americans are
smarter than that. Like a say-
ing from an old Jamaican song
was 'All kinda people come a
dance'. So different personali-
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 10)


r ww6cribeanoa.com


Deleting a lover with a stroke on the keyboard


ow many of you
have had regrets "
about your love
life, even as you suffered
through it, even as you
marked time to the dull
beat of a thrumming heart
that has lost its excite-
ment?
You have two choices,
either you endure the tor-
ment of being with some-
one who you do not care
for, or you can delete
them, just as you press the
"delete" button on your
computer.
In the old days, gallant
men would write a letter
and have it delivered to
the hapless lady. Women
too, would write a 'Dear
John' letter, named after
the song about this guy who
went off to war and his
fiancee wrote him a letter of
termination. Or as Tom Jones
sang, "Please release me, let me
go, for I don't love you any-
more, to waste our lives, would
be a sin, release me, and let me
love again."

INTERNET CUT
Those days are long gone,
and people now delete lovers
in the coldest, cruelest, crass,
callous ways. Imagine my sur-
prise to learn that people
delete lovers via the Internet,
which is a sort of letter I sup-
pose: To John.com from
Sheila.com: Message: deleted:
Dear John, I don't love you
anymore, goodbye: ps: I put a
block on your e-mail so don't
try to e-mail me: Message
sent.
Now that's cold, but what's
even colder is deleting your
lover by text. Hi it's me I dnt
luv u n e mur, it's ovr, u r
history, by.
The fact is, teenagers are
fickle and flit from one to
another, and clearly, they con-
trol the text market, so I guess
we shouldn't be surprised that
they use that preferred way to
drop each other. Folks used to
utilize the phone too, and
have long talks explaining why
they're dropping their lover,
but with phone credit being


what it is
nowadays,
that is not an
option.
"Karen, I
have some-
thing to tell
you.. .lis-
ten...I
was.thinking
about us
and...Damn,
me credit run
out."


TONY
ROBINSON


See, it just wouldn't work
in these times.
Way back when, I have
known men who sent flowers
with a note saying that the
relationship has run it course
and he has to move on. But
that too has proven to be too
expensive, plus those same
flowers are better used to woo
his new lover anyway.

DINNER DUMP
Deleting your lover can
be an expensive venture, and
that's why dinners are out too,
for men do not spend money
on food and drink for women,
only to drop them. Dinner is
usually introductory, rarely
valedictory.
Plus it's always risky to
delete your lover in a public
place, for many do not go off
quietly into the night. Many
women swear off men after
being deleted, and often seek
solace in the church. Yes, non-


believers or not, emotional
trauma has driven more women
into church than all the evan-
gelists in the world combined.
The man on the other
hand, after being deleted, usu-
ally mistrusts women forever,
and lives a life playing the
field, having short flings for
fear of being dropped again.
Few things are worse for a
man than being dumped by a
woman. The first thing that
he's going to think, is that it's
because of another man. But
some women simply want to
move on, and a future of
uncertainty, possibly loneliness,
is a far better prospect than
staying with him. Sadly, many
men cannot cope with this
emotional trauma, and suc-
cumbing to their bruised egos
and pride, they do something
drastic, like murder/suicide.

INVESTMENT LOSS
If the woman doesn't
want you and says so, why not
just walk and don't look back?
But I guess everyone's differ-
ent, and some men view being
dropped as a loss of invest-
ment.
Some women may not go
the murder/suicide route, but
might just do a half of the
tragi-comedy and commit sui-
cide alone, as the emotional
pain is simply too hard to

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 10)


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CARIBBEAN TODAY


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v 1 6w 0


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9)
bear. But low self-esteem
plays a major role in these
actions. Sometimes the person
doing the deleting is also
wracked with guilt and makes
matters worse by prolonging
the agony, dr,_,-,iniiI out the
inevitable, remaining friends
with the victim when she
wants more than mere
friendship.
People should not take
being deleted as being the end
of the world, but instead treat
it as a new beginning, and a
chance to meet new people
and cultivate new friendships.
But whoa, not so fast, as some
ladies told me that their bio-
logical clocks play a huge role
in the after effects of being
dropped. "When I was a


teenager and was dropped
is one thing, but my man
dropped me at age 52, where
am I going to find another
lover at my age?!"
Well, she might have a
valid point, but does she really
have to acquire another lover?
Can't she survive and live off
her memories? Apparently it's
not so easy for women, and
just recently one told me that
what she misses most now, is
being in love and having
someone love her. That's the
downside of being deleted, it
erodes your self esteem and
also leaves you feeling lonely
and empty.
Bear in mind that there is
a distinction between being
left and being deleted. If you
cheat on your lover and he


AirJamaica.com


leaves you, that's not being
dropped, but if things are
going fine from your end, you
play by all he rules, do every-
thing for her, and she still
leaves you, then that's being
deleted.
But listen, you shouldn't
have to rely on someone else
to make you happy or feel
loved. So what if he deleted
you? Life sucks, get over it, be
a whole person by yourself,
join a service club, start read-
ing again, buy a dog. Being
deleted by your lover is not the
worse thing in the world, but
may just be a sweet release.

seidol@hotmail.comr
0


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9)
ties make up different commu-
nities. So, no, people ought to
look beyond that. And there is
a possibility that you say,
'Whoa, another Jamaican', but
no, I think not, because
through the very diversity a
word I don't particularly care
for -the very diversity of our
community, the people say,
'Hey, no, it's just one member
of the community'.

Q: ...When you and Mr. Pedlar
and Mr. Salesman were elected
to the commission, a lot was
made of the fact that you are
Caribbean American and it
reflected, in most people's eyes,
as a sign of progress in the
Caribbean American communi-
ty. What has happened to
Salesman, is that like a huge
setback for the Caribbean
American community?
A: Not necessarily and I'll tell
you why: When that big thing
was made of the Caribbean
American thing I absolutely
and totally rejected it. I just
rejected it because I think too
much was being made of it.
And I understand. I understand
the newsworthiness of it. I
understand it could be an indi-
cator of a certain amount of
progress for a community. I
understand all of that. But
from the get go I was fearful of
just wearing that brand. I just
never subscribed to it at all. In
a number of situations I just
flatly rejected it. Maybe, sub-
consciously, I was aware that,
'Huh, once you put that brand
on people start focusing on it'.

Q: Intentionally or not, the fact
that that occurred, those three
persons, yourself, Mr. Pedlar
and Mr. Salesman, were looked
upon as possibly role models for
accomplishments by Caribbean
American people. You don't
agree?
A: That is a distinct possibility.

Q: So now that this has hap-
pened (to Mr. Salesman), is this
something they would look at
and say this is a letdown?
A: O.K., look at it from another
perspective: America is a fairly
politically savvy country You
have politicians here that go
to jail sometimes. So to unfairly,
in my opinion, unfairly say
Jamaicans behave in a particular
way, Caribbean people; all peo-
ple behave in that fashion. I
don't want to for one second
deny that whole C(.rihlain
Jamaican thing. But no, it's a
reality that happened and it
could happen to anybody.

Q: On a more personal note
regarding Mr. Salesman, what
has happened to him in the
past with a track record of him


running into the law...do you
think he should have taken on
a more responsible role and
understood what he represent-
ed within the community and
just, more or less, be far more
careful than he has been?
A: I have to agree with that.
And I also respond in this way:
I've been extremely fortunate,
because of my substantive
work situation, I am absolutely
aware of that whole public
thing. And I know you just
walk a straight line in public.

Q: You don't think he fully
understood, as they would say
'he never got it.?
A: You know something, he got
it, but maybe from a different
perspective. He got it from the
perspective of service, because
he has a connection with the
community that I'm never going
to have. I mean it's just incredi-
ble, the kind of connection he
has with what is sometimes
called 'the ,i r,, I'. I mean, I
have it too, but from a different
level in the sense that every-
body knows Mr. Barnes and
stuff. But he's in the street, with
people. Honestly, I hope that he
can find a way to serve the com-
munity. He has a connection,
that knack that none of us have
and a lot of it is personality.

Q: Do you think he has blown
it, finally?
A: I hope not, because...I'm
convinced that he has a partic-
ular purpose and a service to
offer the community.

Q: And you think the communi-
ty, the huge Caribbean American
community, will forgive him?
A: A lot of them have already.

Q: Has he talked about coming
back and running again?
A: That is something that you
say under those circumstances,
but the thing is this, I want to
believe that he can serve the
community even if he's not on
the commission again.

Q: Have you spoken to him
personally?
A: I saw him the very day that
he came from court. He was
looking at the possibility of an
appeal.

Q: Has something hit him to
say 'Wow, what have I done
now?'
A: I fear maybe not. I'm being
frank, you know. I mean he and
I have had some harsh words
over the years about that whole
thing. Some people have been
not so pleased with me that I
don't show myself in certain sit-
uations, but he knows where I
stand. He has a pretty good
idea where I stand...
0


Deleting a lover with a stroke on the keyboard


I n T


Salesman has 'purpose, service

to offer' ~ Barnes


4' A I^RAjSj


/ S atth A

Save time at the Airport



Web Check-In is easy + convenient

* Visit www.AirJamaica.com between 90 minutes and 24 hours
before your flight departure time.

* Click on Web Check-in and complete the information requested.

* Select your seat number and print your boarding pass.

AT THE AIRPORT


No Bags to Check, arrive at the airport at least
60 minutes before departure. Go directly to the
security checkpoint then to the boarding gate.


* Bags to Check. arrive at the airport at least
90 minutes before departure. Go directly to
the Web Check-In counter to check your bags.


June 2009


llj,,Iimm 40, 0











Art's reflection of 'barrel life' renews Caribbean connection


DAWN A. DAVIS

Barrel children". The
term elicits a myriad of
emotions among
Caribbean people.
It is a label borne out of
disrupted family rela-
tionships as one par-
ent or the other (tra-
ditionally, the moth-
er) leaves the island
for "fahrin" to make
a better way for
those left behind.
Once overseas, the
barrel, filled with
day-to-day necessi-
ties, trinkets and
toys, becomes the
one tangible connec-
tion these children
have with the parent.
That connection
- or the lack of it is
explored in an exhi-
bition dubbed
"Reflections of the
Barrel Child:
Symbols of
Caribbean Family
Life" at Fort
Lauderdale's "The Barrel"
Sailboat Bend Artists
Lofts' 1310 Gallery. As part of
a larger exhibition ("Signs of
Oneness") that examines sym-
bolism and the human spirit,
"Barrel Child" nudges the
viewer to question his or her
concept of family and rela-
tionships.
"We have left our people
and our families for decades
in search of a better life," says
Nerissa Street, exhibition host
and the architect of this
Caribbean focused piece.
"What they remember of us,
while we stay in 'fahrin' are
the things we send back. What


American-born of
Jamaican parents, Street con-
structed the piece around
memories of her grandmother,
a "barrel child" who spoke
freely about the separation
from her mother. Old photos


dot the crocos (burlap) bag
wrapped around the open bar-
rel spilling out its contents of
cornmeal, diapers, and half
forgotten memories.
Street references the too-tight
shoes and clothes that were
often part of the contents,
alluding to the washing away
of memories and familiarity
distance and time create. The
pain of separation is evident
in the photos strewn across
the barrel contents. Some
relationships mend upon
reunion, others flounder.
Si r, L i mother, Pat, confirms


mother maintained strong
bonds in spite of the distance
that marked them.
In prose, Florida International
University professor and poet
Donna Aza Weir-Woley paints
a poignant picture of the


scene that is so familiar to
many Caribbean children.
"The scent of 'foreign' fills the
air once the barrel is opened,"
she says. "The smell of old
and new clothes, mixed with
Dial soap and boxes of Tide
detergent, perfumes, choco-
late and assorted candy assails
my nostrils as I reach for
Blow-pops and Snickers bars.
Stick fingers clutch at brand


new shirts and jeans from
Aunt Bertine and second-
hand wool skirts and sweaters,
hand me downs from cousins I
have never met. There is
laughter and sadness in grand-
mother's living room, anger
too..."

PATRIARCHIAL IDEAS
The symbolism in Jamaican-
r


Simone de Bernard Mas's work questions the
male dominated society and the role of womei

born artist Simone de Bernard
Mas's work highlights another
form of connectedness. Her
molded sculptures of female
genitalia questions the


Caribbean's male dominated
society and the role women
play.
"As I observed the women of
my culture attempting to live
up to these patriarchal ideals,
I became more aware of the
necessity to break free of the
enforced mold," she explains.
"Bound", the beautifully
sculpted bronze-like vagina
trapped in a rusting
clamp speaks vol-
umes about the
controlled existence
of women.
Bernard Mas uses
the female form in
all her work her
jewelry, her paint-
ings, her sculpture.
She explains that
this specific form of
art is her way of
looking at women's
self image and how
it is formed. It is
also a bold state-
ment about the
female as "god-
dess".
Using color as a
means of bringing
balance and ordEr
to t II,' is how
Haitian-born artist
Eddy Jean-Baptiste
Caribbean's depicts his
n. Caribbean heritage.
The high-ceilinged
gallery walls
becomes his canvas, with
abstract digital pieces flashing
across the white space, leaving
impressions of rich Caribbean
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 12)


Hot summer for Caribbean music festivals


they want is us." that her mother and grand- ajor festivals featur-
ing Caribbean music
iY are popping up on
Dancehall star Ninja M an, son this summer's entertainment

denied bail on murder charge


KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -
A court here has denied bail
to popular dancehall artiste
Desmond Ballentine (aka
Ninja Man), who is accused of
murder.
The court has also denied
bail to the singer's son Janeil
Ballentine, 20, and another
man, Clayton Dennis, who
have all been charged with the
murder of 20-year-old Ricardo
Johnson.
Police allege that on Mar.
16, Ninja Man, his son and
Clayton were traveling in a car
through the corporate area
inner city community of
Olympic Gardens when they
fired bullets at a man, but
missed the target and instead hit
Johnson who was pronounced
dead upon arrival at hospital.
The singer later surren-


Ninja Man
dered to the police, while the
other two accused were cap-
tured in a police operation in
the northern parish of St.
Ann.?
The three accused were
scheduled to return to court
on June 1.
0


Among the artistes sched-
uled to perform are Jamaican
dancehall star Mavado and
American soul singer Regina
Belle.
Next month, Jamaica will
draw the spotlight with the
17th staging of "Reggae
Sumfest". The weeklong festi-
val, billed as "the world's
greatest showcase of reggae
music", will be staged from





lip


iviavauo


calendars across the region.
This month, St. Kitts will
host the 13th annual "St. Kitts
Music t,,Ii al The three-
day event, to run from June
25-27, is expected to feature
an assortment of musical fla-
vors, including reggae, hip-
hop, calypso, jazz, gospel and
R&B.


beenie-siae


July 19-25 in Montego Bay. It
will kick off with a beach
party. Live performances,


beginning with "Dancehall
Night" on July 23, are among


Bounty Killer


the highlights.
Up to press time Sumfest
organizers said they were still
finalizing the show's line-up of
artistes. However, dancehall
stars Beenie Man, Mavado
and Bounty Killer are report-
edly set to perform. Singers
Tarrus Riley, Etana and Coco
Tea, plus the group Morgan
Heritage are also slated to
take the stage.
0


i


June 2009


CARIBBEAN TODAY








CIRT & E TE RTAn I nm nT


IT FROM 'YARD' Art's reflection of 'barrel life'
-. renews Caribbean connection


I STRAIGHT


Popular Jamaican actor unlver Samuels, seated Tar rignt, will leaa mne cast OT PatricK Brown's play "bneep in wolfs Clotning" dur-
ing a June 20 performance at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Georgia, United States. Showtime for the
play, which is being presented by the Sunshine Theatre Company, is 8 p.m. Call 770-875-7370 or 786-237-5493, or visit
www.SunshineTheatreCompany.com for more information.

ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS


* 'Isaiah', the Caribbean musical
Two performances of "Isaiah",
a Caribbean musical, will be staged
this month at the Gwinnett Center,
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth,
Georgia, United States.
Performances, presented
Missionaries of the Poor, are set for
June 27 and 28. For information,
call 404-287-1641 or visit
www.missionariesofthepoor.org.

* 'Caribbean Fashion Extravaganza'
Online publication Synjen


Magazine will host a Caribbean
Fashion Extravaganza this month in
South Florida.
The event, which will take
place at 8 p.m. June 28 at the
Renaissance Plantation Hotel, is
expected to feature a lineup of
fashion designers, makeup artists,
hair stylists and models.
For more information, contact
Zach Matzuga via e-mail at zach-
matzuga@johnalessiprfirm.com
or call 954-639-6922.


* Belizaire's art exhibition
To mark "Caribbean Heritage
Month", the works of Haitian artist
Frankin Belizaire will be on display
through June 27 at the Miramar
Branch Library and Educational
Center in South Florida.
For more information, call
954-404-3071 or 954-437-
1806, ext. 235.
Compiled from various sources.
0


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11)
landscapes.
Disturbing landscapes
also took shape in Louis
Davis's photo art. A social
activist through his work,
muted watermark
images of a homeless
man, a swastika, a
swinging noose, a
Christian cross, all
splattered with
blood, brings home
messages of racism,
hypocrisy, depravity.
Davis's work often
leaves the viewer
questioning his role
in humanity.
That is why
"Signs of Oneness",
or the search for the '
common thread that
connects all humani-
ty, is about self-
determination, says
Street. And, the
artists in this show
demonstrate that the
images and symbols
we create are signs
of society exploring
and evolving.
Sailboat Bend Dahlia Wall
Artist Lofts is a com- her mark o
munity of artists liv-
ing in one space. The three-
storey downtown Fort
Lauderdale building of one,
two and three-bedroom apart-
ments serve as living and stu-
dio space for visual artists,
writers, and performers who


feed off each creatively. Each
month the residents put on an
exhibition featuring their
work and that of guest artists.
"Signs of Oneness" continues
through June 13 and will also
showcase films, performances


ker-Huntington, a Jamaican American, makes
on an interactive art piece.
and a book signing.

Dawn A. Davis is a freelance
writer for Caribbean Today.
0


6300 W.Atlantic Blvd. Margate, FL 33063

VI A(954) 956-9500



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Physician
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Stay & Save This Summer
Can't splurge on your summer vacation this year? You don't have
to.
A library book is free, portable fun! Kids, teens and adults can
win prizes in the Summer Reading Fun for Everyone challenge,
June 13 through July 25.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is offering buy one, get one
FREE on weekday admission for Miami-Dade residents, June 1
through August 31 .*
Get the Golden Ticket Arts Guide for seniors 62 and over and
attend great cultural events FREE. Available in English and
Spanish.
For more Stay & Save choices, visit miamidade.gov or call 3-1-1.
*Restrictions apply. Call or click for details.


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CARIBBEAN TODAY


June 2009








SRA0 A RMERIECAN RHERTGE TAYMON .

~ A Caribbean Today special feature


Florida's kids to gain from 'Caribbean Heritage Summer Institute'


Jamaica Awareness is
scheduled to launch a
"Caribbean Heritage


United States President
Barack Obama has
issued the following
proclamation marking
Caribbean American Heritage
Month:
"Caribbean Americans
have made lasting contribu-
tions to our Nation's culture
and history, and the month of
June has been set aside to
honor their cultural, linguistic,
ethnic, and social diversity.
Generations of immi-
grants have preserved the tra-
ditions of their homelands,
and these traditions have
defined our Nation's identity.
Caribbean Americans bring a
unique and vibrant culture.
This multilingual and multi-
ethnic tradition has strength-
ened our social fabric and
enriched the diversity of our
nation.
Millions of individuals in
the United States have
Caribbean roots. Unfortunately
some Caribbean Americans
were forced to our country as
slaves; others arrived of their
own volition. All have sought
the promise of a brighter
tomorrow for lth ImLL 1 and


Summer Institute" this month
for children ages 11 to 18 in
South Florida.


Brooklyn music fest to

pay tribute to Caribbean


Caribbean culture will be the
focus of the "Brooklyn Music
It L,\ ml scheduled for June
21 at the Floyd Bennett Field
in the New York City bor-
ough.
This year's event is
being tied in with Caribbean
American Heritage Month
and is expected to feature a
line-up of Caribbean and
Caribbean-inspired artistes.
Among them will be reg-
gae-fusion acts like Asian
band Brown Rice Family,
BennyBwoy, acclaimed actor
Leon and his reggae-soul band
The Peoples, 'skragga' musi-
cians The Rudie Crew, ska
musician King Django, and
the New York Ska-Jazz
Ensemble.
"This music festival
brings together the best in
Caribbean music-not just from
the Caribbean, but from the
Caribbean influenced neigh-
borhoods right here in New
York," said Crooks.


BennyBwoy
"Caribbean music isn't
just island music," said
Caribbean music promoter
George Crooks, who initiated
the annual Brooklyn Music
Festival in a recent press
release.
"We purposely scheduled
the concert in June -
Caribbean Heritage Month.
We want New Yorkers as a
whole to celebrate Caribbean
music and culture."
0


their children.
In their pursuit of success,
Caribbean Americans exhibit
the traits all Americans prize:
determination, a devotion to


Obama


community, and patriotism.
They have made their mark in
every facet of our society,
from art to athletics and sci-
ence to service. Caribbean
Americans have also safe-
guarded our Nation in the
United States Armed Forces.
This month we also recog-
nize the critical relationship
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 14)


The program, aimed at
empowering youth and strength-
en their performance skills, will
run from June 8 to July 3 at the
Holy Family Episcopal Church
in Miami Gardens.
According to Sydney
Roberts, executive director of
the non-profit organization,
the goal of the program is to
develop children's understand-
ing of the cultural heritage of
the Caribbean region and the
ways in which this heritage
has shaped both the local and
broader community.
"As we look to the future,
it is essential that we work to
empower our youth for school
and community development,"
said Roberts in a recent press
release.
"This summer institute is
designed to ensure that partic-
ipants leave with a heightened


appreciation for culture and a
strong sense of the role they
can play in strengthening the
development of their commu-
nity by making a meaningful
contribution through the
arts."

TARGET
Targeting middle to high
school youngsters, the
Caribbean Heritage Summer
Institute is designed to grab
their interest through diverse
hands-on, interactive activities
where they will learn new
crafting and performance
skills, fine-tune existing ones,
and move on to present their
work to the community in a
variety of settings. Dr. Marva
McClean, program director,
will lead a team of educators
from local school districts and
professionals in the cultural


arts in providing the students
with a creative and innovative
visual and performing arts
curriculum over the four week
period.
All students will participate
in five core areas: Caribbean
Heritage, Dance and Music,
Caribbean Games, Art of the
Caribbean, and Celebrations:
Carnival and Festivals.
"Our vision is that during
the time they are with us, the
Institute's participants will
receive an II''''in challeng-
ing and relevant community
based education which they
can use as a springboard for
their future development,"
said Roberts.
For more information,
call 305-519-8043, 305-652-
6797 or 305-405-2712.
0


Obama praises

Caribbean contribution


... .Ca









0 -n Augtust 6, 2009, the island
O..Jof Jamaica marks the 47th
Anniversary of its independence as a
sovereign nation.
Caribbean Today invites the
business community in Jamaica and
the United States to celebrate this
significant milestone.
OUR INDEPENDENCE
SUPPLEM ENT! Ja~mataa at 47
to be published in July 2009, will pay
tribute to Jamaica's history, culture,
growth and development including the
achievements and global contributions
of a remarkable people.
Promote your products and services in this 32-page keepsake edition,
to be distributed widely throughout Florida, New York, Atlanta,
and the Caribbean.

CALL NOW TO ADVERTISE!
1-800-605-7516 305-238-2868
Fax 305-252-7843
e-mail: sales@caribbeantoday.com

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: JUNE 19th, 2009


KI)0


June 2009


CARIBBEAN TODAY





CARIBBEAN TODAY


-www^caribeantoday.co a


L ike his boss, President
Barack Obama, Attorney
General Eric Holder Jr.,
has scored a first in United
States politics.
Obama is the first African
American to lead the most
powerful nation in the world,
while Holder, 58, has become
the country's first black attor-
ney general.
Both have intriguing and
similar family backgrounds.
Obama's father was born in
Kenya, while his mother was an
American. In Holder's case his
father, Eric Holder, moved to
the U.S. from Barbados when
he wasHl years old and even
though his mother, Miriam, was
born in New Jersey, her family
roots are in St. Phillip, the east-
erly Barbados parish.
A highlight of his three-
day visit at the invitation of


OCRIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MN011l

~ A Caribbean Today special feature


s to San Juan to host 'Taste of the Caribbean'


the Barbados government last
month was the official opening
of Tamarind Hall Municipal
Complex in Horse Hill, St.
Joseph. This complex was be
renamed in Holder's honor.
Prior to the re-naming
ceremony, Holder held bilat-
eral talks with the Prime
Minister David Thompson.
Holder, who grew up in
Queens, New York, is the
82nd attorney general of the
U.S. He previously served as a
judge of the Superior Court of
the District of Colombia and
deputy attorney general. He
was a senior legal advisor to
then Senator Obama during
the presidential campaign and
was one of three members of
Obama's vice-presidential
selection committee.
0


Food and beverages will
be the toast of San Juan,
Puerto Rico when the
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism
Association (CHTA) presents
"Taste of the Caribbean" June
12-14.
The three-day event,
billed by its promoters as the
largest and most important
culinary event in the region,
will feature educational semi-
nars, workshops and demon-
strations for hoteliers, restau-
rateurs and food and beverage
professionals.
"T.,iL is being held in


conjunction with the Puerto
Rico Convention Bureau,
Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism
Association and Puerto Rico
Tourism Company. Sponsors
include Bahama Breeze, Albert
Uster Imports, Inc., Certified
Angus Beef, Dowman
Design, Fosters Wines, U.S.
Dairy Export Council and U.S.
Meat Export Federation.
It will begin at the Caribe
Hilton in San Juan on June
12, with two days of work-
shops, tasting and demonstra-
tions on June 13 and 14.
"With global competition


reaching a critical mass during
one of the most difficult
tourism markets we've ever
faced, it is increasingly impor-
tant to distinguish ourselves as
a region through culinary
excellence and creativity in
our food and beverage offer-
ings," said Enrique De
Marchena Kaluche, president
of CHTA.
For more information,
call CHTA at 305-443-3040 or
visit www.caribbeanhoteland-
tourism. com/taste.php.
0


'Caribbean Expressions' come to Miramar, Florida


outh Florida will welcome
1992 Nobel Laureate
Derek Walcott as part
of its literary fest during
"Caribbean Expressions"
this month in Miramar.
The four-day Caribbean
American book and art fair, set
June 18-21 to mark Caribbean
Heritage Month, will be staged
at the Miramar Cultural Arts
Park.
The Caribbean-born
writer is scheduled to be the


main attraction during "The
Night of the Nobel Laureate:
A Celebration of the Work of
Derek Walcott" on June 19.
"Caribbean Expressions"
will also feature literary pan-
els, readings by authors, artist
presentations, film ,t r.LL niniII'
poetry and spoken words pre-
sentations, and Caribbean
music and culinary arts.
An awards night, recogniz-
ing Caribbean women of excel-
lence, is slated for June 18.


During those days of cele-
brations Walcott and Jamaica's
Professor Rex Nettleford will
also receive recognition for
their accomplishments at the
event being staged under the
patronage of the CARICOM
Consular Corps.
For more information,
call 954-357-7478, 754-224-
8150 or 786-537-5897.
0


N.Y. hosts 'Caribbean Week' June 8-12


W WRW .IMORSECIY BERKONIFE .RCOM
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Phone: (305) 279-2900 Phone: (561) 799-2828
EXPERIENCE IN SERVICING JAMAICA AND SOUTH FLORIDA


NEW YORK, New York -
The Caribbean Tourism
Development Company has con-
firmed venues for "Caribbean
Week in New York", June 8-12.
The following is a list of
activities:

June 8-12 Celebrity Chef
Program: Clh ,1 will prepare
distinctive Caribbean dishes at
prestigious events held all over
the city to showcase a taste of
the region to consumers, travel
industry professionals and
media.

June 11
Caribbean Media
Awards Luncheon at the New
Yorker Hotel, 12:15 p.m. to
1:45 p.m.
Workshop for Travel
Agents at New Yorker Hotel, 4
p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: The workshop
will offer niche market presen-
tations on "Weddings and


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13)
the United States maintains
with Caribbean nations. In a
world of increasing communi-
cation and connectivity, this
friendship has become even
more important. We are
neighbors, partners, and
friends; we share the same
aspirations for our children;
and we strive for the very
same freedoms. Together, we


Honeymoons" to a select group
of travel agents invited by CTO,
its chapters and member coun-
tries.
Caribbean Media
Marketplace at New Yorker
Hotel, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: The
media are invited to interact
with tourism officials, hotels,
tour operators and airline rep-
resentatives to gain informa-
tion about the Caribbean.
Caribbean Treats: Food,
Rum & Rhythm at Manhattan
Center, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: A
Lt lLbrliti n of the Caribbean
region's award-winning rums,
including sampling of premium
rums and rum cocktails, celebri-
ty chef demonstrations and
musical performances.

June 12
Caribbean Marketing
Conference at New Yorker
Hotel, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: To
be attended by ministers, com-


can meet the common chal-
lenges we face.
Now, therefore, I, Barack
Obama, president of the
United States of America, by
virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Constitution and the
laws of the United States, do
hereby proclaim June 2009 as
National Caribbean American
Heritage Month. I urge all
Americans to commemorate


missioners and directors of
tourism, as well as senior
tourism industry representa-
tives from the private sector.
Allied Awards Luncheon
at New Yorker Hotel, Bank
Room, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.:
To be attended by ministers,
commissioners and directors of
tourism, as well as senior
tourism industry representa-
tives from the private sector.
36th Annual Governments
of the Caribbean State Ball and
Awards Presentations at Plaza
Hotel, 7 p.m. to midnight:
The official closing event to
Caribbean Week in New York.
Highlights include the presenta-
tion of the Lifetime Achievement
Award, Special Recognition
Award and Excellence Award.
For more information, visit
www.onecaribbean.org or call
212-635-9530.
0


this month by learning more
about the history and culture of
Caribbean Americans.
In witness whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand this sec-
ond day of June, in the year of
our Lord two thousand nine,
and of the Independence of the
United States of America the
two hundred and thirty-third."
0


Holder return


Barbadian roots


Obama praises Caribbean contribution


June 2009


/





CARIBBEAN TODAY


DAWN A. DAVIS
Seventeen-year-old Frankie
Telfort is among the elite
in high school American
football. Even before he
reached his final year, the 5'
11", 200-pound linebacker with
strong Caribbean roots was
being courted by top universi-
ties in the United States.
And, with more than 35
colleges vying for his atten-
tion, making a decision
proved challenging. But,
Telfort has made his choice.
"I chose the University of
Southern California (USC)
because they have a great
coaching staff and the school
excels in preparing athletes
for their careers," the soft-
spoken star linebacker told
Caribbean Today.
The young man is serious
about his future, and it goes
way beyond football.
"I plan on pursuing a dou-
ble major, pre-med and writ-
ing," said Telfort. "Medicine is
my career choice, but I also
want to focus on my writing."
The son of a Haitian
father and American mother,
Telfort has been writing poet-
ry and short stories for several
years. Shakespearean-style


sonnets is a large part of his
poetic repertoire. One of
Telfort's poems is slated to be
published soon in a literary
magazine.


Simpson MillerTelfort is USC bound.

"I was reading Hamlet
and I figured I would try writ-
ing a sonnet, and it came out
pretty well," said the native of
Miami, Florida.

TOP RANKING
The multi-talented teen
also stands out on the football
field. He helped carry his high
school team, Miami-based
Gulliver Prep Raiders, to the


2A state championships this
past season, Telfort recorded
an impressive 163 tackles and
four sacks. College recruiters
took note, resulting in the
footballer's top ranking
among popular recruiting
database website rivals.com.
So, what's the secret that
makes Telfort so marketable?
"It is definitely my
speed," he said. "I run a 4:3
(seconds) 40 (yard dash). It's
my speed and my mind; I have
a great knack for the game."
Invariably, practice and
drills are also part of the
equation. Telfort explained
that he works out with child-
hood friend Dacoi Sumler, a
wide receiver from Gulliver
Prep. Constant training and
inspiration from his friend
makes him to work harder.
"Basically, we do a lot of
lateral drills to make sure the
footwork is right," Telfort
explained. "We work with
truck tires for coordination.
We push each other to make
each other better."

FOCUS
Telfort is not just a natu-
ral in football. He also runs
track. He has competed at the
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 16)


World rated Haitian fights in U.S. on June 12


GRAND RONDE, Oregon,
CMC World-rated Haitian
middleweight boxer Daniel
Edouard is booked for his
first appearance this year
when he fights American
Dumont Welliver this month.
Square Ring Promotions
announced last month that
Edouard, ranked number
nine by the World Boxing
Association (WBA), will face
Welliver in the main event of a
June 12 card at the Spring
Mountain Casino.
The bout will be televised
on ESPN2.
"It's exciting to be back
on Friday Night Fights,"
Edouard said in a Fightnews
website story.
"I feel that winning pro-
duces results and I have posi-
tioned myself on the edge of
contention and hope that con-


tinued success will result
in a title challenge," added
Edouard, who holds a number
14 ranking with the World
Boxing Council (WBC).
Edouard boasts a solid
ring record of 21 wins (12


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knockouts) against two losses
and two draws and is expected
to have little trouble disposing
of Welliver, who has 18 wins
(six knockouts) against 18
losses and one draw.
Welliver has lost 12 of
his last 16 fights including a
points defeat to Barbadian
Christopher Henry when the
two clashed in November 2003
for the vacant International
Boxing Union (IBU) light mid-
dleweight title.
0


ON THE FRONT FOOT


West Indies cricket great Brian Lara, left, offers some batting tips to fellow left han-
der Barack Obama, during the United States president's recent visit to Trinidad and
Tobago to attend the Summit of the Americas.

T&T's Glen returns to MLS soccer


PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,
CMC Trinidad and Tobago
striker Cornell
Glen is mak-
ing a return to
United States
Major League
Soccer (MLS)
after signing
with San Jose
Earthquakes,
the Trinidad
and Tobago Glen
Football
Federation
(TTFF) Media has reported.
The Earthquakes signed
Glen until the end of the sea-
son with the option to extend
for the next season after the
28-year-old impressed coach
Frank Yallop at trials last
month.
Glen had MLS appear-
ances between 2004 and
2006 with stints at New York,


Dallas, Columbus, Colorado
and Los Angeles, where an
injury sidelined him for the
last half of the 2006 season
"It's great to finally get a
chance to come back out with
an overseas club," Glen told
TTFF Media.
"I've been working very
hard towards this and coming
here I felt this was the chance
I had to grab.
"It's good for me because
I have the experience of play-
ing in the MLS before and
hopefully now I can establish
myself again and help the
club go on to greater things.
They are an ambitious club
and I hope to play a part in
helping them achieve suc-
cess," Glen added.
Glen joins Jamaican Ryan
Johnson as Caribbean players
on the San Jose roster.
0


SPORT


Rhyme and reason: Haitian American


eyes big time on field, in classroom


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June 2009


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CARIBBEAN TODAY


- usw^caribbeantody..c.I


SPORT


Jamaica's Reggae Boyz draw twice on U.S. soccer tours


GORDON WILLIAMS
R eigning Caribbean soc-
cer champions Jamaica
failed to secure a win in
two friendly internationals
played in the United States
late last month, but the Reggae
Boyz showed improvement in
their build-up for the CON-
CACAF Gold Cup tourna-
ment scheduled for July in the
U.S.
Jamaica, playing a man
short for all of the second
half, came from behind to
snatch a late 2-2 tie against
fellow Caribbean team and
Gold Cup participants Haiti
on May 23 in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida.
The following weekend, the
Reggae Boyz played to a goal-


less draw with El
Salvador, a Central
American team still in the
hunt for a place in the
2010 World Cup.
Against Haiti,
ranked 122nd in the
world by the game's
governing body FIFA,
Jamaica (70th) were
unimpressive early, but
took the lead at
Lockhart Stadium when
striker Nicholas Addlery
pounced on his own
blocked shot in the 29th -
minute to score in the
on his senior interna-
tional debut. Ten min-
utes later Haiti drew
level when substitute
Jean Robbens Jerome
redirected a cross inside
the far post.

SETBACK Jamai
But the Boyz suf- Victor
fered a major setback
right before half time when cap-
tain Claude Davis was cau-
tioned for the second time and
sent off. Playing a man short,
Jamaica fell behind in the 65th
minute. Goal scorer Jerome
turned provider when his cross
was slotted in by teammate
Lesly Fellinga.
Jamaica battled back and
was rewarded two minutes
before full time when Damion
Stewart headed home a free
kick taken by teammate Jason
Morrison.
"The team did not play
well as a whole," Jamaica's
coach John Barnes admitted
after the game. "...I expected
a hard match and I got that."
However, Haiti's
Colombian-born coach
Jairo Rios was overjoyed
with the result.


ca's Jermaine Johnson dribbles away from El Salvador opponents Julio Martinez, left, and


Turcios during last month's game.Simpson Miller
"Haiti did a great job," he
said. "...For us this is very,
very good news."

SALVADORIAN TEST
The following weekend the
Boyz traveled to Washington
D.C. where they held World
Cup hopeful El Salvador,
which is drawn in the same
group for the Gold Cup. The
May 30 game offered the two
teams, which will meet on July
10 in the final group game, a
preview of what to expect in
the tournament, which matches
teams from the Caribbean,
Central and North America.
Not much was settled last
month, however, despite the
improved performance by the
Jamaicans.
"It was much better (than
the Haiti match)," said
Barnes. "...For most of the


time, we kept the ball. We
probed, we created chances."
Both teams missed some
scoring opportunities as well.
But the game was highlighted
by a fine performance from
Jamaica's Jermaine Johnson.
His speed and skill troubled El
Salvador all night at the RFK
stadium, as he rallied a largely
inexperience Reggae Boyz unit.
"I'm the senior player on
the team so I just tried to do
my thing," Johnson said. "So I
tried to make the other play-
ers base off me."
Johnson and the Boyz
were scheduled to host Panama
in another friendly internation-
al on June 7 in Kingston.

Gordon Williams is Caribbean
Today's managing editor.
0


Rhyme and reason: Haitian American eyes big time on field, in classroom


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15)
state level in the 100 meters
and is making a name for him-


self in the event.
Asked how he
keeps it all in perspec-
tive and does well both
academically and athlet-
ically, the Telfort admit-
ted that he is not much
of a partygoer, but
instead has his mind set
on making something of
himself.
"I am definitely
focused and I really
appreciate my parents
for being totally sup-
portive and steering me
in the right direction,"
he said. "They are very Telfort
proud of me and want to
see me succeed in life."
With a 3.3, and when
weighted a 3.9 grade point
average, Telfort has set his
sights on staying among the
top of his class at USC. His
quiet confidence should keep
him at the top of his game.
However, don't count out his
academic side. Telfort intends


to make a mark in the literary
and medical field. And part of
his strategy is to "put God
first and use my brain."

Dawn A. Davis is a freelance
writer for Caribbean Today.
0


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June 2009





CARIBBEAN TODAY


tI cAn tf/ry I


LWW-crbbatoa.co


South Florida Ia

job program ft
In an attempt to mitigate
the impact of youth unem-
ployment, the South
Florida Workforce Investment
Board (SFWIB) recently
launched its Summer Youth
Employment Program to assist
youth between the ages of 14
and 24 gain an understanding
about careers, the workplace
and appropriate employment
skills by linking them to
employers for work experi-
ence and career exploration.
The program is a public/pri-
vate partnership between the
South Florida Workforce
Investment Board, the businesses
community, and the public sector.
The initiative is being
supported pursuant to the
American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. The pro-
gram's concept is to encourage
local employers (both public
and private) to provide career
exploration opportunities to
young people within their


STEVE ROSEN

It can be painful watching
your young worker fritter
away a summer's worth of
lawn-mowing or baby-sitting
income on video games, music
downloads and frequent fill-ups
of gas.
Might I tIk_-JLI an alterna-
tive to summer spending? Invest
the money in the stock market.
Terrible timing? Hardly.
Despite the stock market's
choppy waters, socking away
money in stocks when you're
young is always a timely idea.
It's a great way to beat inflation
and build wealth. Besides, chil-
dren have a long time to watch
current losers turn into winners.
As you consider investment
options with your son or daugh-
ter's summer-job money, watch
out for fees that could eat away
at returns and minimum invest-
ment requirements that may be
too restrictive. Start by putting
your youngster's investing on
automatic pilot by having a set
amount withdrawn from his
bank account or paycheck every
payday. That way, for example,
you could put away 10 percent
each month for college, another
chunk in a long-term invest-
ment plan, and leave plenty left
over for spending.

MUTUAL FUND
One approach for small
investors is a mutual fund with a
low minimum investment. For
example, the Monetta Young
Investor Fund can be opened
with a minimum deposit of $100
if you commit to investing at


launches summer

or young people
organizations during the sum-
mer months. The SFWIB will
cover the youth participant's
wages for the hours worked.
According to Rick
Beasley, executive director of
South Florida Workforce, "the
Summer Youth Employment
Program is a great opportunity
for local employers to make a
contribution to their commu-
nity and help create a simula-
tive economic impact on the
local economy; at the same
time providing career expo-
sures to our future workforce.
I encourage anyone who is in
a position to provide a place-
ment opportunity to contact us
for information about the pro-
gram. It's a great investment
in our youth."
For more information
about the SFWIB's Summer
Employment Program, visit the
agency's website at www.south-
floridaworkforce. com.
0


least $25 a month. The fund
invests in kid-friendly stocks such
as Disney, Apple and Google
and offers educational materials
geared to novice investors.
Also, Vanguard, Fidelity, T
Rowe Price and other large fund
companies have choices suitable
for small investors. Plus, they
offer a heavy dose of online
investment-education tools.
Another way for beginners
to invest small amounts in stocks
is through ShareBuilder.com, an
online brokerage firm. Ch< It, >I
from three low-cost pricing plans
that allow you to buy shares for
as little as $4 a week through
automatic purchase plans in more
than 7,000 companies, exchange-
traded funds and mutual funds.
Similarly,
MyStockDirect.com allows
small investors to bypass bro-
kers and buy from companies'
direct stock purchase plans.
Dividends are automatically
reinvested.
Remember, young workers
can contribute up to $5,000 annu-
ally in earned income in a Roth
individual retirement account.
Though contributions are taxable,
the money can be withdrawn
decades from now tax-free.
Finally, if you'll be shipping
off a new high school graduate
to college in a couple of months,
an investment in a couple of
hours' worth of time with a
financial planner may have a
longer shelf life than the latest
video game or iTunes download.

2009 Tribune Media
Services, Inc.
0


Kaye Chong, right, Air Jamaica's manager of community and special markets, accepts a special community service award from
actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. Chong was among six Jamaicans to receive the honor from Jamaica's Consul General Sandra Grant-
Griffiths for her significant contribution to community development in her adopted homeland during a recent ceremony at Jungle
Island in Miami, Florida. Ralph served as patron of the event.

Program offers help for Miami's homeowners


r e City of Miami's
Department of Community
Development "Foreclosure
Prevention Program" has
announced the availability of
money to assist ligihk 1, lw-
income homeowners, within city
limits, who are facing foreclosure.
According to information
released last month by the city,
the program offers eligible
homeowners up to $7,500 in
assistance towards late fees
and delinquent payments asso-
ciated with their home loan.
To be ligibk, the home-
owner must meet the follow-
ing qualifications: have
received a foreclosure notice
from their mortgage lender; be


80 percent average median
income or below as defined by
the United States Department
of Housing and Urban
Development; the property
must be located in Miami, be
single-family, and owner-occu-
pied (have a homestead
exemption); the property's
maximum tax assessed market
value cannot exceed $300,000;
the homeowner must prove
that delinquency on their
home loan was due to a signifi-
cant loss of household income,
such as loss of employment,
sudden medical illness, death
in the family, predatory lend-
ing practices, etc.; and the
homeowner must demonstrate


their ability to make future
mortgage payments after the
assistance is received and pro-
vide a revised monthly budget.
Applications are available
at the Department of
Community Development,
444 S.W. Second Ave., 2nd
Floor, Miami, FL 33130; and
on the web for downloading at
www.miamigov. com/commu-
nitydevelopment.
Applications will be accept-
ed at the department.
Assistance will be provided on
a first-come, first-ready, first-
served basis. For more informa-
tion, call 305-416-2016 or 311.
0


SERVICE SPECIAL


Put some summer job

money in stock market


Most of us try to attract other people by the friends
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impression of ourselves to other people we meet
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If we agree on that, then think of this. Why should it
be any different for your business? If you want to
S L project a favorable image of your company, in
order to win customers, you should keep your com-
pany with good friends and... dress your company
well in...


I Caibbeanueday
Peter A. Webley, a dible
Publisher Consistently credible
For information, please call
305-238-2868, or fax 305-252-7843


June 2009






CARIBBEAN TODAY


- usw^caribbeantody..c.I


Fish with buttery yucca serves up

Caribbean seafood lovers' delight


Most Caribbean people
are from countries
surrounded by the
sea and they love seafood.
This month Caribbean
Today is serving up a sumptu-
ous feast of fish and buttery
yucca, courtesy of Publix
Apron's Simple Meals. Enjoy!

Caribbean fish
Ingredients
* 2/3 cup orange juice
* 3 tablespoons diced
pimientos
* 2 tablespoons sliced black
olives
* 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
seasoning salt
* 2 teaspoons cornstarch
* 2 teaspoons prepared horse-
radish
* 1 1/2 pounds white fish fil-
lets such as snapper,
grouper, or orange roughy
(thawed, if needed)
* plastic wrap
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 3 cups frozen pepper stir-fry
(sliced bell peppers and onions)
* 1 cup shredded green or


red cabbage

Method
Combine orange juice, in
microwave-safe baking dish,
with pimientos, olives, lemon
pepper, cornstarch, and horse-
radish.
Cut away any dark red
flesh on fish (for mildest fla-
vor); cut into four portions.
Place fish in sauce mixture;
turn to coat (wash hands).
Cover dish tightly with
plastic wrap; microwave on
HIGH 8-10 minutes or until
fish is opaque and separates
easily with fork.
Meanwhile, preheat large
saut6 pan on medium-high two
to three minutes. Place butter
in pan; swirl to coat. Add
remaining ingredients; cover
and cook five to seven minutes,
stirring often, or until tender.
Serve fish and sauce over
vegetables.

Buttery yucca
Ingredients
* 4 cups water


yucca
* 1 tablespoon minced onions
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Method
Place medium saucepan
on high. Add all ingredients;
cover and bring to boil.
Reduce to medium-high;
cook 20 to 25 minutes, stirring
occasionally, or until tender.
Drain and serve. Note: For
a richer flavor, melt additional
butter on yucca after draining.
0


No harm done from a very fishy diet


Question: Dr. Bruce Bistrian, I
read in an earlier issue that one
of the nutrition experts eats
five servings of fish a week.
Why so much? And isn't there
a risk from the contaminants?

Answer: I believe research has
shown that eating fish has a
variety of benefits, but for me,
the science came much later
than my love of fish did.
Eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA) and docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA), the two omega-3
fats found in fish, have been
shown to reduce the risk of
death from coronary artery dis-
ease by about 35 percent when
consumed in modest amounts.
Modest means a daily average of
about 500 milligrams (mg) of
EPA and DHA together (not
each), which you can get by eat-
ing two servings of fish a week
- provided, of course, it's oily
fish.
Two servings provide from
3.0 to 4.5 grams of EPA and
DHA, and because much of it
is stored, that's equivalent to
ingesting about 500 mg daily.
There's less definitive evidence
from epidemiologic studies that
omega-3 fats in that amount
will reduce risks of such widely
disparate disorders as depres-
sion, metabolic syndrome,
Alzheimer's disease, and some
kinds of cancer. The American
Heart Association recommends
a daily average of 500 mg for
prevention of coronary artery
disease, and twice that much -
a gram a day for people


with established heart disease.
In even greater amounts -
three grams a day fish oil can
significantly lower elevated
triglyceride levels, another risk
factor for coronary artery dis-
ease. If you're taking prescrip-
tion-strength fish oil Lovaza is
a brand name for triglyceride
lowering, then physician moni-
toring is indicated. Intake at the
multi-gram level has shown
promise as a treatment for
inflammatory disorders such as
rheumatoid arthritis and inflam-
matory bowel disease. And
research I've been involved in
shows that it helps people who
are critically ill from conditions
like adult respiratory distress
syndrome or because they're
recovering from major surgery.

CONCERN
As for contaminants, methyl
mercury and toxic organic com-
pounds such as polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin are
the ones that have caused the
most concern. (Meat and dairy
products also contain methyl
mercury and toxic organic com-
pounds). In 2006, Harvard
researchers Dariush Mozaffarian
and Eric Rimm wrote a compre-
hensive review about the risks
and benefits of eating fish that
was published in The Journal of
the American Medical
Association, and some of the fol-
lowing information is taken from
their review.
Methyl mercury is found in
highest concentrations in four
types of fish: swordfish, shark,


king mackerel, and tilefish
(sometimes called golden bass).
Because methyl mercury can
impair neurologic development
and function, these species
should be avoided by pregnant
women, those who may
become pregnant, those who
are brLaIl-fLLin-, and infants.
However, it's still impor-
tant for the people in these
groups to consume two serv-
ings of fish per week with high
EPA and DHA content,
because DHA is an essential
nutrient for optimal brain
development, which occurs
during gestation and early
infancy. The dangers of methyl
mercury aren't an issue for
adults unless they eat more
than five servings of fish a
week. Even then, the risk can
be managed by limiting intake
of the four species with high
mercury levels.
The risks of PCBs and
dioxin are essentially below the
level of detection when consum-
ing store-bought fish, and
because these compounds are
also found in similar amounts in
meat and dairy products, there
doesn't seem to be any disad-
vantage from swapping one
good protein source for another.
However, there may be advi-
sories about contamination of
freshwater fish in certain areas,
and these local recommenda-
tions should be heeded.

2009 Copyright Harvard
Health Publications.


PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,
CMC The Trinidad-based
Caribbean Epidemiology
Centre (CAREC) has con-
firmed that three Caribbean
countries have reported posi-
tive cases of the deadly
Influenza A (H1N1), which is
commonly referred to as
"swine flu".
"A total of four con-
firmed cases have been
reported two from
Jamaica, one from
Bahamas and one from
Bermuda. All four cases
had a recent travel his-
tory to affected areas in
the USA," CAREC
noted in a statement on
its official website.
CAREC warned
that with an increase in
travel between affected
areas and the Caribbean,
particularly during the Cases
school vacation period
"countries should continue
enhanced surveillance for
fever and respiratory illness".
The center stated that
several affected countries
were "now only testing severe
cases and as such reported
numbers are no longer a com-
plete description of burden of
dl,"Ll .M .

VISITOR
The Ministry of Health in
The Bahamas said that the
reported case occurred in a
young adult visitor who came
from New York to that coun-
try on May 25 and returned
home the next day to recover.
"Due to heightened sur-


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veillance activities by the
Department of Public Health
necessary tests were done that
same day. The results were
received on the evening of
May 29. All necessary precau-
tions were taken at the facili-
ties where the visitor stayed
for the brief period and there


s of swine flu are affecting children and adults.

are on-going surveillance
activities at other contact
,n,, the ministry stated.
The Bahamas said that as
there continues to be wide-
spread global occurrence of
the virus it would continue to
monitor the influenza trends,
"which at present do not indi-
cate any increase in cases at
this time".
The World Health
Organization (WHO) said
that as of June 1, 62 countries
officially reported 17,410 cases
of influenza A (H1N1) infec-
tion, including 115 deaths.
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June 2009


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CARIBBEAN TODAY


REGIO n


ow www-.caibeatoa.com I


Caribbean's gender, diversity issues to benefit from IDB multi-donor fund


WASHINGTON The Inter-
American Development Bank
(IDB) has approved the cre-
ation of a multi-donor fund to
support initiatives geared
towards tackling gender and
diversity issues in Latin
America and the Caribbean.
The new fund will pro-
vide grants for initiatives that
advance gender equality,
reduce discrimination and
support equitable develop-
ment in the IDB's 26 borrow-
ing member countries.
Women and men affected
by gender-based inequalities,
indigenous peoples, and Afro-
descendant communities are
the three main target popula-
tions to be served by the fund.
The IDB said that up to
$10 million from its ordinary
capital will help finance the
fund's operations, including
an initial $4 million allocation


approved for 2009.
"The fund's long-term
objective for these resources is
the integration of gender and
diversity perspectives in the
development plans of bank


member countries throughout
the region", the IDB stated.
"This is an important
opportunity for the bank to
establish itself as a leader of
gender and diversity issues in


Call for Bids or Proposals

For a listing of available Broward College (BC)
open procurement solicitations, visit:
www.broward.edulpurchasing/bids
or contact

954-201-7455

BC strongly encourages participation by minority and women-
owned business enterprises (MWBE firms)


Latin America and the
Caribbean," said Kei
Kawabata, manager of the
IDB Social Sector, in charge
of the program's activities.
"It enhances our role as a


partner for this region and it
improves our capacity to pro-
mote equitable development,"
Kawabata added.
0


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1-595 EXPRESS PROJECT

Dragados-USA, Inc. is seeking qualified, capable, certified DBE contractors
specializing in heavy civil roadway and bridge construction for the 1-595 Expansion
Project. We anticipate to award contracts in the following areas including but not
limited to; Heavy Bridge Construction, Excavation, Earthwork, MSE Walls, Barrier
Walls, Sound Walls, Highway Asphalt Paving, Jack & Bores, Water & Sewer,
Roadway Lighting, Signalization, Structural Steel, Roadway Striping, Roadway
Drainage, Directional Bores, Trucking, On Site and Off Site Hauling.

At the present time Dragados-USA, Inc. is in the design and permitting stages and
will make plans specification packages available by specific scope of work as the
plans are completed.

Please email or fax Dragados USA, Inc. if your company is interested in being a potential bidder,
your area of Interest, along with a copy of your company's certification. Email Address;
l196ContractAdmln@Drgados-USA.com or via fax: 964-827-2336. Drageados USA, Inc. Is an Equal
Opportunity Employer


I


June 2009




CARIBBEAN TODAY


M-


U


a


4
-w *~


I


S


I


A


S


June 2009


:r43





26 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010


Dr c A h d wwwci cra


Drawing card: Art helps develop children's creativity


O ne way to support and several studies.
sustain a child's natu- The United States govern-
ral inclination towards ment is working to verify this
creativity is to give them connection, with the U.S.
access to art education. Department of Education
When a child receives (DOE) funding a nationwide
quality art education, his or initiative called Arts in
her ability to succeed in aca- Education Model Development
demic achievement is often and Dissemination. This pro-
interconnected, according to gram allows grant recipients to


examine the value of arts edu-
cation in strengthening academ-
ic achievement and learning in
elementary and middle school
students, and to identify and
assess best practices.
A research study called
"Thinking Through Art",
completed by the Isabella
Stewart Gardner Museum in


Boston, was funded through
the DOE's grant. This study
measured the impact of its
multi-visit museum arts educa-
tion pro-
gram on the
develop-
ment and
use of criti-
cal thinking
skills in
urban ele-
mentary stu-
dents in
grades three
through
five. Its
findings
revealed a
significant
positive
impact of Art and academic achi
arts educa-
tion on criti-
cal thinking and learning for
the students who participated.
The Dana Foundation, a
private philanthropic organi-
zation, concluded from its
study entitled "Learning, Arts,
and the Brain" that the arts
can train children's attention,
which in turn improves cogni-
tion and might even improve
math and reading skills.

FIRST CUT
Unfortunately, art educa-
tion is often the first thing cut
during budget crises. Bob
Buchsbaum, chief executive
officer of Blick Art Materials
states, "Without thinking of
the long-run impact that the
loss of art-based curriculum
has on students, some schools
are making cuts."
Art-based curriculum cuts
often leave parents looking
for options outside of their


childr
ing. P
altern
valual


IV^^^^
^^.^^^O


evement are often interconnected.

as grade-level specific lesson
plans at www.dickblick.com
and at other companies that
cover a variety of ages and
have inexpensive associated
supply lists. While supple-
menting an art education
for your child is helpful,
Buchsbaum encourages par-
ents to remember that sup-
porting art education at their
children's local schools is the
most direct way to provide for
quality art education. Other
opportunities for getting
involved in your child's art
education include enjoying an
art project or activity together,
visiting a museum together or
enrolling in a community cen-
ter art class together.

Courtesy ofARAcontent
0


U.S. federal aid form for

college applications now easier

to complete


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24)
tronic form mostly in reaction
to complaints that the process
had become too complicated.
That's one reason why 24 per-
cent of families sending chil-
dren to college did not bother
completing the FAFSA in the
2009-2010 academic year,
according to a national study
from Sallie Mae and Gallup.
Other reasons for not fil-
ing the FAFSA: Families did-
n't think they were eligible for
aid or weren't aware of the fil-
ing requirement.
As for this year, set aside
quiet time to concentrate, take
a deep breath and remember
that the reward for submitting
the FAFSA may well be low-
cost or free money to pay for
college.


Filling out

the FAFSA

Students will need their
Social Security number, driver's
license, 2009 W-2 forms (and
other records of money earned)
and 2009 federal income tax
return.

You may also need your par-
ents' 2009 federal income tax
return if you are a dependent.


2010 Tribune Media
Services, Inc.
0


bbeantoday.com




en's traditional school-
arents can consider
atives that still provide
ble art instruction, such




CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010* 5


SMALL JUST

12.29
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.. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I .. .... IImo o


Prc, iuratonri cp- an may ar YD C;i O ItJ ,OIcnai.:[r


lil






CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010 27

C L AL S Sp DA


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12 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010





Broward Library unveils 'Quiet Reflections

of a Haitian Painter' through May


Collection of paintings
reflecting the cross-
cultural experience of
Haitian-born, New York-
based painter Yolkne Legrand
opens this month at the
African-American Research
Library and Cultural Center
in Broward County, Florida.
The exhibition, which will
present more than 40 works in
oils, pastels, drawings and
intaglio prints by Legrand, is
scheduled to be on display
through May.
Many of her early Haitian
pieces serve to capture and doc-
ument Haiti's history as the
country began to modernize. For
example, her "Sugarcane
Vender", an oil piece which is
part of the exhibition, depicts the
image of a hardworking Haitian
man who, despite a laborious
way of life, seems happy.

LANDSCAPES
Although she still paints
figures, she is better known
for landscapes. Inspired by the
art of French painter Camille
Jacob Pissaro and other
impressionists, Legrand's land-
scape repertoire consists of


TUIUIIU LUylld U ) IeIIUIIIUIIU uI ndiIl I IIIUUUe s a
scene".
places that have been part of
her psyche, such as Central
Park in New York City, south-
ern France, Cape Cod, Long
Island and Haiti.
Her coloring technique is


drawn from training
with colorists Peter
Homitzky and
Leatrice Rose. She
fluctuates between
using paint directly
from a tube and cre-
ating her own
palette, and she adds
light to express bal-
ance and shape.
Legrand is a
former student of
the Art Students
League of New
York. She studied
anatomy and figure
drawing with the
late Kay Hazelip
and also attended
portrait-painting
workshops with
David Leffel.
The African-
American Research
Library and
"Market Cultural Center is
located at 2650
Sistrunk Boulevard
in Fort Lauderdale.
For more information,
call 954-625-2800.


www.catibbeantoday.com


Calypso king back in

court April 14


ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC -
The trial of reigning king of
calypso Leston "Young
Destroyer" Jacobs has been
adjourned to April 14 due to
the unavailability of the three
attorneys involved in the gun
and ammunition possession
case.
The case was set to
resume last month in the St.
John's Magistrates' Court
before Chief Magistrate Ivan
Walters. However, the prose-
cutor told the court that
defense attorneys Vere Bird
Jr. and Ralph Francis were
both ill, while Steadroy
"Cutie" Benjamin, was said to
be attending another matter in


the High Court.
Jacobs, 27, as well as
Ceylon Howe, 20, and
Charlesworth Ambrose, 23,
have pleaded not guilty to the
eight gun-related charges. The
three men were arrested in
Nov. 2009 after two firearms
and more than 100 rounds of
ammunition were found at
Jacob's home in Potters on the
outskirts of the capital.
Jacobs is a former
Caribbean Festival of Arts
(CARIFESTA) calypso
monarch and was the recipient
of a national award the
Order of Princely Heritage -
three years ago.
4


CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC
- Popular Jamaican dancehall
artiste Mr. Vegas and
Trinidadian soca star Fay Ann
Lyons have teamed up to pro-
duce the tournament song for
the upcoming ICC Twenty20
World Championship, which
bowls off in the Caribbean
this month.
The song, entitled "Bring
It", is an upbeat fusion of soca
and dancehall and is named
after the event's slogan.
Michelle Gibson, the tourna-
ment's regional marketing
manager, said the song cap-
tured the major elements of
the glitzy Caribbean show-
piece.
"ICC World Twenty20
represents a more stimulating,
fun and fast-paced version of
cricket and the song fits in
with that spirit and energy.
It's designed to catch younger
cricket fans, especially
throughout the Caribbean -
which is one of our primary
objectives," Gibson explained.
"This song makes you
want to move, to dance. The
lyrics, the melody they are


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11)
singing lead vocals and riling
up the dancing crowd with
ease, the band kept the audi-
ence at a climactic peak with
their high energy.
Four original members,
including Shoubou, remain
from thel2-man band, which
started in 1968. Singing in cre-
ole and French, the group,
which has a worldwide follow-
ing, belted some crowd
favourites like "Tu as Vole",
"Tabou's Back" and "Bolero


reflective of the essence of our
lifestyle and cricketing passion
in the West Indies.
"Partying and playing
cricket go hand in hand.
Music has always been an
essential part of cricket
matches in the Caribbean,


Mr. Vegas


whether it's deejays or tuk
bands or the unmistakable
sound of the conch shell."
Featuring 12 nations
across four zones, the tourna-
ment is scheduled to run from
April 30 to May 16.
*


Jouci Li Jou".
No language barrier here,
the music of konpa, mixed with
a little merengue, soca and
syncopated drums affected the
Jamaicans, Americans, Bajans,
Trinidadians, just as it did the
Haitians who were now spent.

Photograph and story by
Dawn A. Davis, a freelance
writer for Caribbean Today.


Mr. Vegas, Lyons 'Bring It'

on glitzy T20 cricket song


its dep encc as a sovereign nation.
Cribr Ta invites the busin-ss ommunity in Jamri a ain the
niaed Statves wot-f clbuatit thia yignif icani mileAtone.
O I T\ RPFPENENCI SUPPT.F, MNT! uiv+a a~t -.
o Ie published in Ju3ly 201(1, will pay -ib1hl to (n .]amaica's hlistonrv
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'To Haiti With Love': Caribbean vibes,

flavor rock South Florida








wwwcari bbeantoday.com


Inexpensive ways to lose

weight, stay fit


Trying to lose weight
could cost you a lot of
money gym member-
ships, special diet foods, exer-
cise equipment for your home
or even hiring a personal
trainer.
But there are ways you
can lose weight without
spending a lot of money. You
will still need dedication, time
and a willingness to make
changes in your life to achieve
your goal. Here are some
inexpensive ways to lose
weight and stay fit:
Start a neighborhood
walking club Invite neigh-
bors who have dogs to come
along. Or join a local pick-up
game of dodge ball, basketball
or racquetball. At the most,
you'll need the equipment for
the game. Set a weekly time
for games and a daily time for
the walks. Having other peo-
ple involved will help encour-
age you to continue moving
and exercising.
Add healthy ingredients
that benefit your body to your


Doing household chores like laundry can
help keep you fit.
daily menu For example,
relaxing with a cup of natural
tea can help you reduce body
fat and increase your metabo-
lism rate. Oolong tea contains
rich amino acids and cellulose,
which can help lower your
cholesterol levels. Green tea
leaves contain vitamins C and
E and a good amount of fiber.
If you prefer black tea, its
benefits include help with
digestion.
Drinking a cup of tea
(without the sugar or cream
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 22)


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20)
attacks. Often the first is iden-
tifying triggers so you can
avoid them. Keeping to a reg-
ular, stress-reducing schedule
that includes a full night's rest,
balanced meals, and exercise
can make a difference.
Anything that reduces stress -
yoga, meditation, exercise -
can help.
People who are sensitive
to light tend to react more to
the red end of the spectrum,
so wearing blue- or green-tint-
ed glasses helps fend off an
attack.
If non-pharmacological
changes don't help, medica-
tions may. The drugs most
commonly prescribed for pre-
ventive purposes are beta
blockers, tricyclic antidepres-
sants and anticonvulsants. All
have side effects, so they
should be taken at low doses
and only if migraines are fre-
quent.
The alternative medicines
used for prevention include
feverfew, coenzyme Q10, mag-
nesium, and riboflavin and
that's just the tip of the ice-
berg. Judging by studies, none
of them is a surefire bet, but
that doesn't mean they won't
work for some individuals.

How can they be stopped?
It used to be that
migraine sufferers had no


CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010 21




- A CARIBBEAN TODAY SPECIAL FEATURE


A patient, right, gets ready for a health check during North Shore Medical Center's recent community heart fair. The event took
place in the auditorium on the hospital's Fort Lauderdale, Florida campus and included complimentary cholesterol, blood pressure,
diabetes and stroke risk screenings. Attendees were also offered literature on living a heart healthy lifestyle and allowed to speak
with cardiac specialists and other healthcare professionals. Additionally, the event featured lectures from two of North Shore
Medical Center FMC Campus' heart health professionals. Dr Lou Isaacson, of the Emergency Department, discussed recognizing
the signs of chest pain and heart attack. Anthony Vito, stroke coordinator lectured on being aware of stroke risks.





*AGAIN
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she was kiriablh lo gI Lt u of her car.
"I'm so thnkful I found out about the
anterior approach to hip replacemiet. I
almost didn't know I had a choice. Thenks to
Dr. NHde, my recovery was quick and easy
I was back to yoga In JiUSt 3 week "
-Donna lippin

The Joint Replacement Center at
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choice but to take refuge in a
dark, quiet place and wait it
out. The drugs available to
abort an attack weren't very
effective and had bad side
effects. Now many people cut
an attack short with one of the
triptan drugs, a class that
includes eletriptan (Relpax),
sumatriptan (Imitrex), and
zolmitriptan (Zomig).
The triptan drugs seem to
work by inhibiting pain signal-
ing in the brainstem, but they
also constrict blood vessels. For
that reason, people with a his-
tory of cardiovascular disease
(heart attack, stroke, uncon-
trolled hypertension) are usual-
ly advised not to take them.
Pain relievers like ibupro-
fen (Advil, Motrin) and
naproxen (Aleve) can halt a
mild attack, but rebound
headaches may develop if
they're taken too often.
Rebound headache occurs
after the body gets used to
having a medication in its sys-
tem; when it's not there,
headaches happen.
Migraines can quickly
snowball into more serious
pain, so it's important to treat
the headache early, regardless
of the medication.

Edited from Harvard Health
Letter. Tribune Media
Services Inc.


COMMUNITY CHECK-UP


Six frequently asked questions

about migraine headaches









www.caribbeantoday.com



Towards a new future in Haiti


CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010* 9





Gay rehab? Old Caribbean tales debate 'cure'


T he Petionville Golf
Club sits upon a hillside
overlooking Port-au-
Prince, Haiti and the sea.
These days, its once-groomed
fairways are home to nearly
50,000 people, among the 1.2
million displaced by the earth-
quake and crowded together
in tents or tarpaulin lean-tos
provided by the United
Nations or international relief
agencies.
When I visited last
month, the sun was shining.
Life went on, it seemed: chil-
dren played, mothers washed
clothes in open-air tubs. Many
people had set up businesses
and informal
markets sell-
ing food,
charcoal,
fruit, shoes,
shampoo.
In the
sunlight it
might be easy
to see this as BAN
a sign of KI-MOON
hope, life
amid the
ruins. But when the rains
come, the steeply sloping
ground will turn to mud, dan-
gerous and diseased. For
those trapped in the camp,
hope will seem far away.
On Mar. 31, world leaders
gathered at U.N. headquar-
ters in New York for a critical
donor's conference a very
tangible expression of solidar-
ity with the Haitian govern-
ment and its people. President
Rend Prrval calls it a "ren-
dezvous with history," a com-
pact to build what he calls "
a new Haiti," a Haiti trans-
formed. It is a mission to offer
(and deliver) hope.

'ACTION PLAN'
For weeks, experts have
been assessing the needs and
costs of the Jan. 12 disaster. In
tandem, President Prival and
his government have worked
out a strategic national
"action plan" to guide the
country's recovery and devel-
opment. It is, by any measure,
a visionary document.
Touring his devastated
capital with the U.N.'s special
envoy, former United States
President Bill Clinton, one
top Haitian official pointed
out the ruined national
Parliament and presidential
palace.
"We don't want to restore
them," he said of the col-
lapsed colonial-style land-
marks.
He spoke of replacing
them with something com-
pletely new, something mod-
ern and more suited to Haiti's
ambitions for itself as a self-
reliant developing nation with
genuine hope for a fresh start
and prosperous future. That is


our challenge in New York -
not to rebuild, but to "build
back better," to create quite
literally a new Haiti. Under
the plan, a new Interim Haiti
Reconstruction Commission
would channel nearly $4 bil-
lion into specific projects and
programs during the next 18
months. Over the next 10
years, Haiti's reconstruction
needs will total an estimated
$11.5 billion.
Clearly, this assistance
must be well spent and well-
coordinated. It must provide
for continuing emergency
relief: food, sanitation and,
most urgently at this moment,
shelter.
So far we have provided
one million people with tents
and tarpaulins (roughly three-
quarters of those in need) and
will distribute 300,000 more
within the next few weeks. We
now have a number of major
sites around Port-au-Prince to
which we can relocate people
from areas vulnerable to
flooding when the rainy sea-
son begins in earnest.

RENEWAL
Meanwhile, the U.N. mis-
sion is taking all measures to
maintain security and, in par-
ticular, ensure that women
and children in the camps can
be safe from sexual violence.
As we move from emer-
gency aid to longer-term
reconstruction, let us recog-
nize that we cannot accept
business as usual. What we
envision, today, is wholesale
national renewal, root to
branch a sweeping and
ambitious exercise in nation
building.
In partnership with the
international community,
Haiti's leaders are committing
to a new social contract with
their people. That means fully
democratic government,
grounded in sound economic
and social policies that
address extreme poverty and
deep-rooted disparities of
wealth. It also means fair and
free elections, conducted with
the U.N.'s help, preferably by
the end of this year. This
social contract must empower
women as heads of house-
holds providing for their fami-
lies, as entrepreneurs develop-
ing businesses, as advocates
for the vulnerable, with full
rights as decision-makers in
evolving democratic institu-
tions and civic action organi-
zations. It must offer new
opportunities for economic
advancement above all, jobs.
The U.N.'s cash-for-work pro-
gram should be a model. At
the end of the day, only
Haitians can rebuild Haiti -
again, build back better.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 10)


recent poll
showed that
one great fear
of fathers was that
their sons would turn
out to be gay.
Whether it's right
or wrong to be gay is
not the question, but
if the polls are accu-
rate, they show just
where the men are.
Now, before the
gays reading this
accuse me of gay
bashing, please be
assured that I am not,
but a news report out
of the United States
prompted me to
address this issue.
The report stated that
this high ranking gay
person had gone to a
therapist, spent a few
weeks and a lot of
money in rehab, then
proclaimed that he
was no longer gay.
Now folks, this is
fact, not fiction, and
the U.S. media, plus
the talk show circuit, went to
town with the story. So based
on that report and what the
guy said, being gay is akin to
an illness from which you can
be cured. Well, old people in
the Caribbean have been say-
ing so for years, as whenever
gay people were discovered,
they always said, "Dem damn
b-man dem, is sick dem sick to
carry on so!"
Still, I am not here to
judge, but merely reflect a few
possible remedies, antidotes,
cures and medicines for this
perceived malady. A few
weeks ago in Jamaica, these
gay guys were exposed in one
of the popular shopping
plazas. How they were discov-
ered I do not know. Was it
their earrings, the weaves in
their hair, the gossamer mesh
stockings, the bleached skin,
the moist painted lips, the


mascara, the plucked eye-
brows, the
open toed
sandals, the
delicate whiff
of perfume,
the sensuous
sashay as
they shopped,
the feminine
vocal intona- TONY
tions, the ROBINSON
lisp...I do not
know.

MOB HUNT
But what I do know is
that they were flushed out and
set upon by a mob intent on
berating those gays. In the
nick of time they were saved,
but as usual, in the vein of 'no
good deed goes unpunished'
the very same cops who saved
them from perhaps a very
unpleasant experience, were


cursed, berated and vilified by
the victims and also by some
gay organizations.
Yet, the fact is, the mob
was intent on 'curing' those
guys of their illness in no
uncertain terms, shouting,
"Mek we beat it outa dem."
The old folks say that a
few well-placed licks would
cure anything, including being
gay. But violence is usually
always a negative response to
any problem, so perhaps there
should be a cure, an elixir, a
tonic, a tincture, a tipple of
something that could be
administered to the newly gay
to reverse what some perceive
as a disorder. It's a thought,
but perhaps the gays don't
wish to be 'cured'.
So with no panacea in
sight, you'll simply have to
resort to home remedies and

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 10)





CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010* 19


JJ:11 "Icm :l


wwwcari bbeantoday.com


A CARIBBEAN TODAY SPECIAL FEATURE

Caribbean American Congresswoman MARCH

applauds 'historic' U.S. health reform


WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Caribbean American
Congresswoman, Yvette D.
Clarke has lauded the historic
Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act that
passed the United States House
of Representatives and was
signed into law by President
Barack Obama last month.
"I was both overjoyed and
honored to witness history as
the president signed compre-
hensive health care reform leg-
islation into law," said Clarke
after attending a White House
ceremony where Obama
signed into law comprehensive
healthcare reform. "Americans
have been waiting for this day
to come for decades and we
can finally celebrate this great
success together.
"Today, we won the fight
for those who were denied
coverage because of a pre-
existing condition. We expand-
ed coverage to over 32 million
people and put the American
people in charge of their health
care. This reform will be solidi-
fied through the tangible and


invaluable effects it will have
on all Americans, providing a
foundation for future genera-
tions."
Obama
was also in a
jubilant mood.
"Today,
after almost a
century of try-
ing...health
insurance
reform
becomes law Clarke
in the United
States of
America," he said. "The bill
I'm signing will set in motion
reforms that generations of
Americans have fought for,
and marched for, and hun-
gered to see."

BENEFITS
He that while it will take
four years to implement fully
many of the reforms in the
current law, several will take
effect this year. Those include
offering tax credits to about

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 20)


FMU to host 'Relay for Life' April 9-10


F lorida Memorial
University, in conjunc-
tion with the American
Cancer Society (ACS), will
host the third annual "Relay
For Life" event from 6 p.m.
to 6 a.m. April 9-10 on the
university's front lawn.
Formerly called the City
of Destiny Classic 24-Hour
Run Against Cancer, the
Relay For Life is an overnight
event designed to celebrate
the lives of cancer survivors,
as well as to raise money for
research and programs for the
American Cancer Society.
During the all-night affair,
different teams of people will
get together at a venue and
take turns walking or running
laps. Each team strives to


keep at least one member of
the team on the track at all
times.
Relay For Life offers stu-
dents a chance to celebrate
the lives of cancer survivors,
remember those who have
passed on, and help to fight
for those who currently deal
with the disease.
"The Relay For Life is an
all night event because cancer
never sleeps," said Seymone
Ramsey, the event's co-chair.
"We want the university and
community to be supportive
by coming out and participat-
ing."
For more information,
call 786-217-8386.
0


Springing back to health this spring


DR. FIDEL GOLDSON JR.


One of the most com-
mon things that I see
in my office is men
and women who have spent
there entire lives working
hard. As a result of focusing
on the demands of work and
of their families they have
ignored their own health.
We talk about how they
used to be a lot more active
and how athletic they once
were. Now, they feel more
aches, soreness and more dis-
comfort, in fact I often hear
the same complaint from these


patients, "Doc, I feel old."
You don't have to feel
old, because you're not old.
What we have to do is retune
our body, regain flexibility,
improve the lung functions
and lastly put things in our
body that will be good for our
body.
While our bodies certain-
ly change as we age, the dif-
ference between how you feel
today compared to 10 or 20
years ago has less to do with
you getting older and more to
do with the changes in your
activities and lifestyle as the


(CONTINUED ON PAGE 22)


AGAINST'TB'


Miami City Commissioner Audrey M. Edmonson, second left, leads a "World TB Day March" in South Florida last month to
bring awareness to the disease. The march, staged on Mar. 23, was organized by the Miami-Dade Health Department to call
attention to the high incidence of tuberculosis in the United States. Tuberculosis, also known as TB, is a bacterial disease
which usually attacks the lungs, but could also affect any part of the body. While it can be treated, people who are unaware
that they have been infected could die from illness. For more information regarding TB prevention, contact the Miami-Dade
Health Dept. at www.dadehealth.org.





16 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010

:U Le 14 ,


www.caribbeantoday.com


U.S. reports high visa rating for Eastern Caribbean Antigua's P.M. vows to stay 'on the job'

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, IV third country nationals despite ruling declaring election invalid
('-A C ('r n ii Cn r l Nr1i rnnpp liT n- in Ai t


Theriot says the Eastern
Caribbean is not considered a
major problem area for the
United States government and
currently enjoys a high
approval rating in terms of its
applications for visas for entry
into the U.S.
She said less than 20 per-
cent of persons applying for
non-immigrant (visitors) visas
were currently being turned
down by the Barbados-based
regional consular office.
"Actually it is a very low
refusal rate, 87 percent of
the folks who come for
visas receive them, they are
approved and they get their


I neno


visas in a few days," Theriot
told the Caribbean Media
Corporation (CMC) last
month.
"That's a very high approval
rate actually, especially when
you consider we are not just
interviewing Barbadians, we
have folks from the British
Virgin Islands, Grenada and
of course we have all of these


Haitians all sorts of different
nationalities."
The U.S. government offi-
cial further explained that the
13 percent refusal rate was
based on a large pool of appli-
cations from 17 regional coun-
tries, including the Dutch
Antilles. She, however, made
it clear that the burden of
proof rests with the applicants
to show that "they have strong
ties to their home country and
that after they go to the U.S.
for their visit they are going to
come back home."


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ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC -
Prime Minister Baldwin
Spencer has vowed to contin-
ue as the head of government,
while expressing confidence a
ruling that declared his elec-
tion invalid will be thrown out
when the matter is brought
before the Eastern Caribbean
Court of Appeal.
"I'm certainly still on the
job," Spencer said when con-
tacted by the Caribbean
Media Corporation (CMC)
following High Court Judge
Louise Blenman's recent rul-
ing that his election and those
of two of his Cabinet ministers
were not legitimate.
The judge based her rul-
ing on polling day irregulari-
ties, particularly the long
delays before voting began in
the three constituencies at the
Mar. 12, 2009 general elec-
tions.

STAY
However, the ruling
United Progressive Party
(UPP) was eventually able to
get the court to grant a stay,
effectively putting the brakes
on the judgment and allowing
Spencer, Tourism Minister
John Maginley and Education
Minister Jacqui Quinn-


Cabinet
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -
Barbados's Prime Minister
David Thompson relieved
two government senators of
their duties as part of a shake-
up that has resulted in the re-
ordering of several ministerial
responsibilities and the eleva-
tion of a former backbencher
to his Cabinet.
The changes were
announced last month in a
nationally televised address in
which Thompson stated that
the process of review and
restructuring would continue
over the course of his adminis-
tration's five-year term in office.
After being in govern-
ment for two years, he
revealed that the services of
senators Damien Griffith and
Patricia Inniss would no
longer be needed in the
Upper House. They are to be
replaced by Reverend Dr.
David Durant and human
resource management con-
sultant Andre Worrell.
In terms of his Cabinet,
Thompson also relieved Dr.
Esther Byer-Suckoo of the
portfolio of family, youth affairs
and sport in favor of govern-
ment backbencher Stephen
Lashley, who has been brought
into the fold. However, Byer-


Leandro to continue in gov-
ernment for now.
Despite the stay granted
by the High Court,
Opposition Leader Lester
Bird led scores
of placard-
bearing sup-
porters of his
Antigua
Labour Party
(ALP) on a
picket outside
the prime min-
ister's office, Spencer
calling for the
immediate
removal of the Spencer-led
UPP administration as the
government of this twin-island
nation. Bird said he would
also be filing an injunction,
seeking to overturn the stay.
But Spencer blasted the
Opposition's move as "an
abuse of the court and a total
waste of time."
Based on the original rul-
ing handed down by Blenman,
both the ruling UPP with the
support of the lone Barbuda
People's Movement parlia-
mentarian, and the ALP con-
trol seven seats each in the 17-
seat Parliament.



shake-up
Suckoo will replace Ami
Walters in the Ministry of
Labour following his recent re-
assignment from the position of
minister of state in the Ministry
of Labour, Immigration and
Social Partnership to the post
of executive chairman of the
Barbados Water Authority
(BWA).
Thompson, who is the
substantive minister of immi-
gration and social partnership,
also added two new parlia-
mentary secretaries to the
Office of the Prime Minister.
Financial analyst Jeptor Ince
is to be joined in the senate
by Harry Husbands, trade
unionist, local talk show
host and former head of the
Barbados Employers
Confederation.
Meantime, Patrick Todd
keeps his job as a minister of
state, but moves from the
Ministry of Education to the
Ministry of Economic Affairs,
while Senator Irene Sandiford-
Garner was transferred from
the prime minister's office to
the Ministry of Health, where
she will have direct political
oversight for the state-run
Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
4


Barbados PM. announces


I





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The Bruce
Golding
adminis-
tration has
made an
apparent
about-turn
in a bid to
end the controversy surround-
ing a United States request to
extradite Jamaican don
Christopher "Dudus" Coke,
page 6.

Jean
Caceres-
Gonzalez is
founder and
executive
director of
North
Miami's His
House
Children's
Home, which has been a
refuge for Haitian children
affected by the 7.0 magnitude
earthquake that devastated the
Caribbean island, page 7.











Asafa Powell, Tyson Gay, Usain
Bolt, and the three fastest
humans of all-time, are sched-
uled to face the starter in the
men's 100 meters at the IAAF
Diamond League athletics
meet in Aug. 27, page 23.


Is crime in Jamaica

out of control?
The Caribbean country's new Police Commissioner
Owen Ellington insists it's not; and he came all the way
to South Florida to try and convince a worried diaspora,
page 3.


INSIDE INSIDE INSIDE INSIDE INSIDE
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2 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010


wwwcaribbeantoday.com


Billions pledged for earthquake-damaged Haiti at international donors conference


UNITED NATIONS -
Dozens of nations and organi-
zations late last month
pledged almost $10 billion in
immediate and long-term aid
to help Haiti recover from the
January's devastating earth-
quake.
The pledge came after
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-
moon opened the day-long
donors' conference on Mar. 31
by calling for the wholesale
rebuilding of the French-speak-
ing Caribbean country. The
U.N. said, of that amount, more
than $5 billion has been pledged
for the next 18 months, well
above the $3.9 billion sought for
that period.
"Today, the international
community has come together,
dramatically, in solidarity with
Haiti and its people," Ban said
in a closing press conference at
U.N. Headquarters in New
York.
"Today, the United
Nations are united for Haiti,"
he added. "Today, we have
mobilised to give Haiti and its
people what they need most:
hope for a new future. We
have made a good start, we
need now to deliver."


Haiti's President Rend
Preval expressed thanks on
behalf of his nine million
countrymen.
"The international com-
munity has done their part,"
he said. "Now it is up to the
Haitian people to do theirs."

APPEAL
Opening the conference,
Ban appealed to donors to
provide money over the next
10 years to help the Caribbean
nation recover and rebuild
after the quake.
"What we envision, today,
is wholesale national renewal,
a sweeping exercise in nation-
al-building on a scale and
scope not seen in genera-
tions," he told delegates from
more than 130 nations attend-
ing the high-level meeting.
Ban said reconstruction
work must move in tandem
with emergency relief and
urged donors to provide fur-
ther support to the revised
humanitarian appeal for Haiti.
That appeal is calling for $1.4
billion, but is currently only 50
percent funded, the U.N. said.
"The rainy season is fast
approaching. Some camps for


Preval and the rest of Haiti can be happy
knowing the world has come to the
country's aid.
displaced persons are at risk
of flooding. Heath and sanita-
tion issues are growing more
serious," Ban explained.
Addressing the represen-
tatives of more than 130 coun-
tries gathered for the confer-
ence, Preval reiterated the
need for the international
community to find ways to
better respond to disasters
across the world, as he
thanked donors for the sup-
port given to his country in
the aftermath the quake.

'GENEROSITY'
Air nf rT rain frrmc har


been pouring into Haiti since
the magnitude 7.0 quake
struck. Governments, the
business community and pri-
vate citizens have all mobi-
lized to assist the people of
Haiti.
"If this solidarity and
fraternity, which we have
experienced since the 12th of
January doesn't evaporate but
rather broadens, deepens, it is
because the dream of each
country, each nation belonging
to a global partnership can
come about in the future," he
said, noting that there was
also a need to take stock and
learn lessons from the Haitian
disaster.
"This Haitian earthquake
has shown us that the generos-
ity of nations must also be
more disciplined. The oppor-
tunities afforded me here to
underscore, as I have done in
the past, to the Secretary
General, the need for the cre-
ation of a Humanitarian
Emergency Response Force
under the aegis of the United
Nations to coordinate the
responses to the various disas-
ters which undoubtedly will
occur in the future earth-


quakes, tsunamis and other
disasters resulting from cli-
mate change," Preval told the
gathering.
"International aid must be
coordinated upstream if it is
to be effective."
Preval, United States
Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton, and U.N. Special
Envoy for Haiti Bill Clinton
co-hosted the conference,
entitled "Towards a New
Future in Haiti". They noted
the courage and solidarity
shown by the Haitians in the
midst of the unprecedented
suffering resulting from the
quake and the outpouring of
generosity and support from
the country's international
partners. At the same time,
they underscored that Haiti's
road to recovery will be a long
one and one which will
require continued global sup-
port.

HEAVY DAMAGE
The January quake struck
close to the capital, Port-au-
Prince, and resulted in the
deaths of approximately

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 4)


Free at last: Haitians detained in U.S. after earthquake released from detention


MIAMI, Florida United
States federal authorities say
they have released three
dozen Haitian earthquake sur-
vivors from Florida detention
centers after more than two
months in custody of the
Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE).
Officials said the evacuees
were placed in detention after
arriving in the United States
without proper paperwork fol-
lowing the catastrophic earth-
quake that struck Haiti on
Jan. 12.
Up to press time, authori-
ties said three of the Haitians


were still being held because
they refused to sign the depor-
tation order or had no spon-
sor. Matt Chandler, a
spokesman for the U.S.
Department of Homeland
Security, said a total of 65
Haitians had been detained in
Florida and other states.
"I'm free now! That's all I
can say," Fratzo Isna, 23, told
reporters, as he left the
Broward Transitional Center
in Pompano Beach in south-
ern Florida.
Isna, of Port-au-Prince,
the Haitian capital, had been
in detention since arriving in


Florida just after the quake
that reduced much of his
home city to rubble.
"I lost everything. I'm
happy to be here now," he
said.

TRAUMA
Lawyers at the Florida
Immigrant Advocacy Center
here had been pressing for the
release of the Haitians. They
said that in the chaotic days
and with the aftershocks that
followed, Haitians had been
seeking security, food or treat-
ment at the Port-au-Prince
airport when they were waved


onto military transports or
other planes by U.S. Marines,
only to be detained for lack of
visas when they landed.
Cheryl Little, director of
Florida Immigrant Advocacy
Center, said her lawyers discov-
ered the detained Haitians dur-
ing routine visits to the deten-
tion facility. Little said she had
written to the Department of
Homeland Security on Mar. 19,
pleading for the Haitians'
release.


U.S. federal officials said
those detained were not med-
ical evacuees who suffered
injuries in the quake; nor was
anyone detained who accom-
panied a victim. They said
those without valid papers
were detained and placed in
deportation proceedings, as
part of the U.S. policy to dis-
courage Haitians from trying
to make the dangerous trek to
the U.S.
0


Ex-Antigua cop wants to defend

criminal charges against him U.S.


WLON is exild to announe ha PS mowa ed p



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ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC -
A man wanted in the United
States to answer to charges
including attempted murder,
has waived his right to extradi-
tion proceedings, saying he
wants to go to the U.S. to
defend charges against him.
Weston Gordon appeared
before Senior Magistrate
Asquith Riviere here last month
when his attorney George Lake
notified the court of his decision.
Director of Public Prosecutions
Anthony Armstrong did not
oppose Gordon's waiver of his
extradition rights.
Riviere said he is satisfied
that the offenses for which
Gordon is charged are extra-
ditable crimes under Section 9
of the Extradition Act No.12
of 1993. The judge later com-
mitted Gordon to be extradit-


ed to the U.S. pending the
decision from Prime Minister
Baldwin Spencer in his capaci-
ty as minister of external
affairs.
In addition to the attempt-
ed murder charge, Gordon, an
ex-policeman, has been slapped
with four counts of aggravated
assault and one count of being
in possession of a weapon for
unlawful purposes.
The U.S. government is
alleging that in Sept. 2005, in
New Jersey, Gordon allegedly
stabbed Earl Matthias twice in
the stomach. Gordon was
arrested and was granted bail,
but failed to show up for his
trial on July 17, 2006. He sub-
sequently left the U.S. for his
homeland.
*I






CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010* 7

. dli


wwwcari bbeantoday.com


'His House' offers sanctuary for Haitian kids after devastating earthquake


DAWN A. DAVIS

North Miami's His
House Children's
Home (HHCH) has
been a refuge for Haitian chil-
dren affected by the 7.0 mag-
nitude earthquake that devas-
tated the Caribbean island
early this year.
Under contract with the
United States federal govern-
ment, "His House" is the offi-
cial drop-off point for children
up to age 18 who were in the
adoption process prior to the
quake with already identified
new American families. But
children injured in the Jan. 12
earthquake and flown to
Florida for urgent medical
attention are being temporari-
ly placed at His House until
they are well enough to return
to their parents in Haiti.
"I think it happened
because the federal govern-
ment saw the excellent care
that we give to children here,"
explained Jean Caceres-
Gonzalez, the house's founder
and executive director. "We
value them. As God has said,
they are precious, they are a
treasure."
Caceres-Gonzalez
explained that His House
was founded on Christian
principles and shares the bibli-
cal passage that describes the
spiritual underpinning of the
organization.


of His House.
"Proverbs 24 says by wis-
dom a house is built and by
knowledge it is established,
and its rooms are filled with
rare and precious treasures,"
she said.
The executive director
noted that HHCH had already
been taking care of unaccom-
panied immigrant children,
specifically young men who
cross the U.S. border from
Mexico, and other countries


g and hope as he and Caceres-Gonzalez walk the grounds


such as Guatemala, Nicaragua
and Honduras. Too young to
be incarcerated based on the
Florida Settlement Act, these
youth (under 18) are housed
and offered an education
through His House. Some
have been determined to be
eligible for asylum and will
stay in the U.S.

HAITIANS' ARRIVAL
Military planes delivered


the first 68 Haitian children to
His House's north Miami cam-
pus following the earthquake.
"By the end of January to
the beginning of February we
were receiving military planes
with the children," said
Caceres-Gonzalez. "It was the
responsibility of the Office of
Refugee Resettlement. They
also created an operation cen-
ter here in my conference
room, which is still is operating.
"We would be responsible
for the care of the children
and many of their (adoptive)
parents that had slept on the
embassy floor for days, waiting
to get out (of Haiti)."
His House has since
received another 12 of the 382
adoptees that were left in Haiti.
According to Caceres-Gonzalez,
these children will come through
HHCH as they proceed through
the adoption process.
"This is the gateway to
family in the United States of
America," she said. "We are
the welcome center. We get to
receive them, love them, and
tell them its gonna be O.K."
The U.S. government
worked day and night to get
paperwork processed, review-
ing documents, making sure
the adopting parents and fami-
lies were screened so the chil-
dren are provided stable
homes.

BUILDING BLOCK
His House, which is


licensed by the Florida
Department of Children and
Families, was opened in 1989.
Caceres-Gonzalez, a former
advertising executive, estab-
lished it in her parents'
home, a sanctuary that would
eventually house 10 children.
According to Caceres-
Gonzalez, the non-profit orga-
nization's first official building,
a 2,300 square foot location in
Miami's Doral area, was a gift
from a generous citizen. It was
home for His House children
for three years.
"It took the three years to
get that building up to code and
with a license to operate as a
residential facility for children,"
she explained "... In the midst of
that I took care of the 12 chil-
dren. God brought me a home-
less carpenter who was meticu-
lous about his work. He reno-
vated that house almost single-
handedly with another very spe-
cial volunteer who became my
lifetime volunteer he became
my husband, Mario."
Since 1995 Caceres-
Gonzalez, affectionately called
Mami Jean, and her staff at
HHCH, have provided help
for more than 2,700 children.
In 2009, 144 adoptions were
completed. Now in its 21st
year, the His House continues
to take in abused, neglected,
and drug-exposed children
from across the U.S., in addi-

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 8)


U.S. paints bleak picture of Caribbean's human rights practices
'ON, D.C. The detainees by security forces, police remained low". In addi- quake as "failure to hold violence and soci
s government poor prison and jail condi- tion, the U.S. government timely parliamentary elec- nation against wo
the view that the tions, and lengthy pre-trial agency said there were reports tions, alleged unlawful killings abuse; human trail
Each person detention". Other problems of corruption in the GPF by HNP (Haitian National ineffective enforc
lal moral value is included "government corrup- The report said violence Police) officers, HNP partici- worker rights...
f-evident truth", tion and sexual and domestic against women, including pation in kidnappings, over- The State De
a world in which violence against women and domestic violence, was "wide- crowding and poor sanitation said prison condit
se the rights that abuse of minors", spread and crossed racial and in prisons, arbitrary threats "harsh" and that


are naturally theirs is an
"immense practical chal-
lenge".
In its 2009 Country
Reports on Human Rights
Practices released here recent-
ly, which the U.S. State
Department boasts is the most
comprehensive record avail-
able of the condition of
human rights around the
world, Washington painted a
bleak picture of human rights
practices in some Caribbean
community (CARICOM)
countries.
While the State
Department said the region
generally respects such rights
of individuals, it was particu-
larly critical of practices in
Guyana, Haiti (prior to the
devastating January earth-
quake), and Jamaica.
In Guyana, it said "the
most significant reported
abuses included killings by
police, torture and mistreat-
ment of suspects and


The State Department
said the security forces "com-
mitted unlawful killings" and
while the law prohibits tor-
ture, "there were numerous
allegations that prison officers
tortured inmates". It also
alleged police abuse of sus-
pects and detainees.

POOR PRISONS
The State Department
said prison and jail conditions
in Guyana were "poor and
deteriorating, particularly in
police holding cells". It said
the Prison Authority reported
that, at the end of September,
there were 1,989 prisoners in
five facilities, which had a
design capacity of 1,580.
The State Department
said "poor training, poor
equipment, and acute budget-
ary constraints severely limit-
ed the effectiveness of the
GPF" (Guyana Police Force),
and that "public confidence in
and cooperation with the


general prison conalions in me uariooean ala noi get a gooa graae i-nuwi me u.b.


socioeconomic lines", adding
that "reports of physical and
sexual abuse of children were
common".
The State Department
highlighted Haiti's human
rights problems prior to the
devastating January earth-


and arrests, (and) prolonged
pretrial detention". It said
other problems comprised "an
inefficient judiciary, subject to
significant influence by the
executive and legislative
branches; severe corruption in
all branches of government;


metal discrimi-
men; child
flicking; and
ement of

partment
ions were
prisons and


detention centers throughout
the country remained "over-
crowded, poorly maintained,
and unsanitary". Additionally,
the report noted that in some
prisons the incidence of pre-
ventable diseases such as
HIV/AIDS, malaria, and
drug-resistant tuberculosis
remained a "serious problem".
The State Department
also said that while the law
provides criminal penalties for
official corruption, "the gov-
ernment did not implement
the law effectively, and offi-
cials often engaged in corrupt
practices with impunity".

JAMAICA'S PROBLEMS
In its focus on Jamaica,
the report said while the gov-
ernment generally respected
the human rights, "there were
serious problems in some
areas, including unlawful
killings committed by mem-

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 8)


WASHINGT
United State
puts forward
principle that
possesses equ
a "simple, sel
but securing
all can exerci




28 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010


-fi






10 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010


MTA I:*A


www.caibbeantoday.com


Just say no to anonymous back-stabbing online bloggers


It must have seemed like a
great idea at the time.

There was this new medi-
um, the Internet, and newspa-
pers were posting stories on it,
and someone decided to cre-
ate a forum where readers
could discuss and debate what
they just read. It must have
seemed an inspiration kissed
by the spirit of Jefferson: a
free public space where each
of us could have his or her say.
Unfortunately, the reality
of the thing has proved to be
something else entirely. For
proof, see the message boards
of pretty much any paper. Or
just wade in the nearest
cesspool. The experiences are
equivalent. Far from validat-
ing some high-minded ideal of
public debate, message boards
- particularly those inade-
quately policed by their news-
papers and/or dealing with


highly emotional matters -
have become havens for a
level of crudity, bigotry, mean-
ness and plain nastiness that
shocks the tattered remnants
of our propriety.
For every person who
offers some trenchant obser-
vation on the point at hand,
there are a dozen who are so
far off point they couldn't find
their way back with a compass
and road map. For every per-
son who brings up some
telling fact, there are a dozen
whose "facts" are fantasies
freshly made up to suit the
exigencies of arguments they
otherwise cannot win.

ANONYMITY
Why have message boards
failed to live up to the noble
expectations? The answer in a
word is, anonymity. The fact
that on a message board -
unlike in an old-fashioned let-


ter to the edi-

required to
identify them-
selves, no one
is required to
say who they
are and "own"
what they've LEONARD
said, has PITTS JR.
inspired many
to vent their
most reptilian thoughts.
So, some of us are
intrigued by what recently
happened in Cleveland. It
seems someone using the alias
"lawmiss" had posted
provocative comments and
scathing personal attacks on
the website of the Cleveland
Plain Dealer. Some of those
comments and attacks evinced
an unlikely familiarity with
cases being heard by a local
judge, Shirley Strickland
Saffold. When lawmiss made a


Towards a new future in Haiti


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9)
Haiti's leaders are well
aware that this new partner-
ship requires a commitment to
good governance, transparen-
cy and mutual accountability -
between the government and
the governed, between the
public and private sectors,
between Haiti and the
international community. It
requires fresh approaches to
long-standing problems.
Among them: the future of


Haiti's over-crowded capital.
If Haiti is to flourish,
social infrastructure and eco-
nomic development must be
dispersed from Port-au-Prince
to regions and cities through-
out the country. That is why
Haiti's national plan contains
ample provision for environ-
mental recovery, land reform
and new investment in fish-
eries and agriculture.
Worlds leaders will rise to
stand by Haiti in solidarity a


solidarity to be measured in
years, long after the initial
shock of disaster has passed. I
am confident that, together,
we can set Haiti on the road
to a new and very different
future.

The above is an edited ver-
sion of an article written by
Ban Ki-moon, United
Nations secretary-general.
4


Caribbean Today invites you, the reading public, to participate in our
"Dear Mamm" contest. Write arid te61 us why you think thait you
mother is the best in the world and you
could find your mother and your self
jetting away to any Caribbtiean island
that Air Jamaica flies to for free.,
This is a great chance for you to
show the world how much your
mother means to you, and what's
even better you ceuld
WINH VVIN!! WINI!!

Mai your enf~tmnF0S to
Caibbeao Todal
9020 SW 1 52nt Stret
Miami, FI. 33157
Orfe-ftOd 3our fltrnces to
caiiktoday e ta linkat t
or fx to 305-252-7843.


comment about the mental
state of a reporter's relative,
the paper decided to trace the
nickname. It found that the
postings came from Judge
Saffold's personal e-mail
account.
Saffold claims her 23-
year-old daughter authored
the comments. Sydney
Saffold, who lives in another
city, supports her mom's story.
Believe them if you choose.
Meanwhile, some
observers have criticized the
paper for unmasking lawmiss,
and there is some merit to
that. It's wrong to offer
anonymity, then yank it away.
But it would've been "more"
wrong to have evidence that a
judge viewed an attorney
appearing in her court on a
capital case as "Amos and
Andy" to use one example -
and do nothing about it.

'LICENSE'
The larger point is that
the paper should not have
offered its message posters
anonymity in the first place.
"No" paper should. A confi-
dential source necessary to
break the big story is one
thing. But the only imperative
here is to deliver more eyes to
the website.
As any student of


Sociology 101 can tell you,
when people don't have to
account for what they say or
do, they will often say and do
things that would shock their
better selves. That's the story
of the mousy, mosque-going
schoolteacher swept up in the
window-breaking mob during
the big blackout. It's the story
of the milquetoast accountant
who insults the quarterback's
mother from the safety of the
crowd. And it is the story of
newspaper message boards,
which have inadvertently
licensed and tacitly approved
the worst of human nature
under the guise of free speech.
"Enough." Make them
leave their names. Stop giving
people a way to throw rocks
and hide their hands. Any
drop off in the quantity of
message board postings will
surely be made up in the qual-
ity thereof.
That's my opinion. If you
don't like it, well, at least you
know who to blame.

Leonard Pitts is a columnist
for the Miami Herald. 2010
The Miami Herald Distributed
by Tribune Media Services,
Inc
4


Gay rehab? Old Caribbean tales debate 'cure'


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9)
bush cures and basic old time
common sense.

CAMPAIGN
Now bear in mind that the
gay world has an enormous
and vibrant media campaign
going. Just watch cable televi-
sion, where many shows have
a gay component, a character
or two who are colorful, witty.
Either that or the entire series
is dedicated to gayness. In
those shows it's okay to be
gay, and in fact being straight
is seen as staid, dull, boring,
unnatural and backward.
It's no longer shocking to
see two men or two women
locked in embrace on television.
Children watch this and don't
even bat an eye. However, some
will never forgive them for tar-
nishing the image of cowboys
by making the movie
Brokeback Mountain. The
image of John Wayne, Clint
Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and
those hard core on-screen cow-
boys is now seen by some as
ruined forever by that movie.

'CURE'
So is one so-called 'cure'
banning television from your
young child if you suspect him
of being gay or if he starts to
exhibit signs of gayness? One
argument is that if your boy


shows gayness, too much
exposure to, and mingling
with, males may perhaps exac-
erbate the condition. Nothing
is wrong with male bonding,
but can too much hugging and
kissing from members of the
same sex lead to increased
gayness? Recently a guy wrote
to an advice column describ-
ing how he was molested by
an uncle at age 11 and now his
sexuality is all messed up as
he now desires men and not
women.
So love your son yes, hug
him, but only you as a father,
and do not have too many dif-
ferent man and man all over
the youth. Neither can you
have him immersed in too
much feminine influence
either. Strike a balance.
So all this, brought on
because I saw where a gay
man in the U.S. proclaimed he
was cured after therapy. Well,
they have oils for all ills in the
Caribbean, administered by
our local apothecaries, oil of
dis, oil of dat, oil to hold him,
oil to tie him, oil to bind him,
oil to mek him love. Perhaps
they'll soon have an oil they'll
claim can cure gayness.
Don't curse the messenger
now.

seidol@hotmail.com





CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010* 17




Serve sweetness with Caribbean

chicken salad and plantain pie


Caribbean chicken salad


Dinner and dessert have rarely
been so simple and delicious
as this Caribbean chicken
salad with plantain pie combi-
nation served up by Caribbean
Today courtesy of Publix
Apron's Simple Meals.
Ingredients
* 1 lemon (for juice, rinsed)
* 1 (10-ounce) package roast-
ed, diced chicken
* 1 (8-ounce) can pineapple
tidbits in juice (drained)
* 1/3 cup light mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup diced pimientos
(drained)
* 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
* 12-16 Bibb lettuce leaves
(rinsed)
Method
Squeeze juice of lemon
into medium bowl. Stir in
remaining ingredients (except
lettuce) until well blended.
Chill salad (or may be
served at room temperature).
Arrange lettuce leaves on
serving plates; mound chicken
salad in center and serve.


Plantain pie
Ingredients
* 1 prepared 9-inch pie crust
* 2 very well-ripened plantains
(rinsed)
* 1 (24-ounce) jar mango slices
in light syrup (drained)
* 2 eggs (or 1/2 cup egg substi-
tute)
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Method
Preheat oven to 4500
Arrange pie crust in 9-inch pie
plate; pinch or fold edges of
dough to finish.
Cut ends off plantains;
slice through peel lengthwise
for easy removal. Remove and
discard peels; place plantains in
blender (or food processor).
Add remaining ingredients and
process 20 to 30 seconds, scrap-
ing sides down as needed, or
until smooth and fully blended.
Pour mixture into piecrust.
Bake 30 minutes or until cen-
ter of pie is set and crust is
golden. Cool completely and
serve. (Makes eight servings.)
Shortcuts and tips
Fresh mango can be used
instead of the jarred mango
for the pie. Four or five ripe
mangos should yield the 2 1/2
cups of fruit needed.


Pack a 'greener' brown bag lunch
O ne easy way to live a tics, polyester and canvas.
more earth-conscious
lifestyle is to turn brown Try sandwich bags that are
bag lunches green this school better for the environment -
year. By thinking Feel better about
green every time you using plastic sand-
pack a lunch, you can wich bags to pack
save money and take a your family's lunch
small step forward for with new Ziploc
the environment, evolve sandwich and
Do right by your storage bags. The
wallet and the envi- protective, ultra-light
ronment with these bags are made using
simple tips: j 25 percent less plastic
c than traditional sand-
* Buy local foods wich bags, and man-
Look for a farmer's Save money, live healthy ufactured using wind
market or grocery with 'brown bag' lunches, power a cleaner,


store that promotes
locally grown and produced
food. Local foods are pro-
duced close to home and
deliver the freshest taste.
* Tote a reusable lunch bag -
Instead of using an old-school
brown paper bag, invite your
kids to help pick out a reusable
lunch bag. This small lesson in
sustainability is an easy way for
kids to help the environment.
Many reusable bags are
insulated to help keep lunches
cool. Reusable lunch bags
come in a variety of fabrics
from neoprene, recycled plas-


renewable energy
source. Visit www.ziploc.com
to learn more.
* Double fruits and veggies -
Make lunches extra green by
packing plenty of fruits and
vegetables. Teach your kids to
eat a colorful variety of fruits
and vegetables to get the most
nutrients. Think beyond car-
rot sticks and apples and try a
simple salad of red peppers,
cucumbers and green beans
dressed with vinegar.
- Edited from ARAcontent



Save here.



Let's face it. Right now, we're all looking to

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in the same place where you find great quality

and get treated nicely. But actually, at Publix

you'll find thousands of items on sale every

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Love to shop here. Love to save here.


Publix,








wwwcaribbantoday.com



Obama pushes U.S. Congress

to act on immigration reform


WASHINGTON, D.C. -
United States President
Obama is turning his attention
to immigration reform.
Obama last month issued
a statement urging Congress
to act at the earliest possible
opportunity on immigration
reform while praising a bipar-
tisan immigration reform
framework unveiled by sena-
tors Chuck Schumer of New
York and Lindsey Graham
of South Carolina.
"I am pleased to see
that senators Schumer and
Graham have produced a
promising, bipartisan frame-
work which can and should be
the basis for moving forward,"
said the president.
Details of the plan were
not been revealed, but the
immigration "blueprint", out-
lined in an editorial by both
senators and posted on The
Washington Post's website
claims it would require "bio-
metric Social Security cards to
ensure that illegal workers
cannot get jobs; fulfilling and
strengthening our commit-
ments on border security and
interior enforcement; creating
a process for admitting tempo-
rary workers; and implement-
ing a tough but fair path to
legalization for those already
here".

FRAUD-PROOF
Additionally, it would
require all U.S. citizens and
legal immigrants who want
jobs to obtain a high-tech,
fraud-proof Social Security
card.
"Each card's unique bio-
metric identifier would be


stored only on the card; no
government database would
house everyone's information.
The cards would not contain
any private information, med-
ical information or tracking
devices. The card would be a
high-tech version of the Social
Security card that citizens
already have", the senators
stated the newspaper's editori-
al.
Obama
said the blue-
print so far
"thoughtfully
addresses the
need to shore
up our bor-
ders, and
demands
accountability Obama
from both
workers who
are here illegally and employ-
ers who game the system."
So far, Democratic
Congressman Luis Guiterrez
has introduced the House bill.
In 2007, Congress rejected
Republican President George
W. Bush's plan to revamp
immigration policy. That plan
was also a bi-partisan one,
presented by late Democratic
Senator Ted Kennedy and
Republic Senator John
McCain.
Obama promised during
his 2008 campaign for the
presidency to promptly tackle
immigration. However, critics
have complained that he has
been slow to do so a year-and-
a-half into his term.

- Edited from CaribWorldNews


MIAMI, Florida Visa's Latin
America and Caribbean
(LAC) headquarters in Miami-
Dade will be the location of
the credit card company's new
customer service center, slated
to open later this year.
The center, which will be
co-located in the same building
as the LAC, is expected to cre-
ate more than 350 new posi-
tions in Visa's Global
Customer Care Services group,
according to a company press
release issued last month.
The Miami-Dade employ-
ees will provide support for
Visa's financial institution
clients, merchants and card-
holders, including Visa's glob-
al customer assistance pro-
gram, Visa Extras rewards
program and debit processing
services. Once operational this
summer, the center's multilin-


gual team will be expected to
respond to calls from around
the world.
"This is a great opportunity
for both Miami-Dade County
and Visa Miami's vibrant
business community will gain
350-plus additional jobs, and
Visa will continue to enhance
the level of customer support
we provide to our clients," John
Partridge, president of Visa
Inc., stated in the release.
The addition of the new
positions is expected to
increase the number of people
Visa employs in Miami to
nearly 600. The decision to
build a customer service cen-
ter in Miami-Dade follows the
November opening of Visa's
new data center in the north-
eastern United States, which
employs 290.
*


CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010 13





Nova symposium to explore homophobia

controversy in the Caribbean region


FORT LAUDERDALE-
DAVIE, Florida A sympo-
sium exploring the controver-
sial issue of homophobia in
the Caribbean will be held at
Nova Southeastern University
(NSU) April 8-10.
The three-day event, fea-
turing presentations, speakers
and debates, will be held in
NSU's Health Professions
Division's Assembly Building,
3200 S. University Dr.
Admission is free and open to
the public.
"Homophobia is a multi-
faceted phenomena that
touches upon varying percep-
tions of nationalism, inde-
pendence and civil rights,"
said Jane Cross, director of the
Caribbean law programs at
NSU's Shepard Broad Law
Center and one of the organiz-
ers of the symposium.
"Several Commonwealth
Caribbean countries retain
pre-Independence sodomy
laws, which remain in effect
due to both constitutional pro-
visions and social, cultural and
religious attitudes. Over the
last decade, discrimination and
violence against gays have
increasingly become a focus of
human rights efforts in the
region."
The schedule for the sym-


posium is as follows:

* April 8, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. -
"Issue Identification
Presentation" and discus-
sion on Caribbean history and
attitudes toward homosexuals
in the region. Scheduled pan-
elists include: Charlene Smith,
executive director of the Inter-
American Center for Human
Rights (IACHR) and profes-
sor of law at NSU's Shepard
Broad Law Center; Jason
Campbell, assistant professor
in the
Department of
Conflict
Analysis and
Resolution at
NSU's
Graduate
School of
Humanities
and Social Nelson
Sciences; Jane
Cross, program director of the
IACHR, director of
Caribbean law programs and
associate professor of law at
NSU's Shepard Broad Law
Center; and Kathy Gonzalez,
an attorney from Trinidad and
Tobago.

* April 9, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. -
"Lyrical Assault".
Camille Nelson, a visiting


professor of law at Hofstra
University, will give a presen-
tation titled "Dancehall
Music's Role in Perpetuating
Homophobia". Nelson has
written on Jamaican dancehall
music, which is similar to
American hip-hop music and
often includes homophobic
lyrics.

* April 10, 11 a.m. Panel
discussion on homophobia in
the Caribbean featuring:
Reverend Robert Griffin,
minister at the Sunshine
Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale;
Maurice Tomlinson and Jason
McFaralane, Jamaica Forum
for Lesbians All-sexuals and
Gays (J-FLAG); Professor
Camille Nelson; Shahabudeen
Khan, critical skills instructor
at NSU's Shepard Broad Law
Center; and William Adams,
dean of the Western
University College of Law,
who will be the moderator.
The symposium is being
presented by the Inter-
American Center for Human
Rights at NSU's Shepard
Broad Law Center.
For more information,
call 954-262-6329.


Guyanese co-authors 'The Real Alice In Wonderland'


NEW YORK A Guyanese-
born author has co-written a
new book titled "The Real
Alice In Wonderland".
The book, which has been
released by AuthorHouse and
is written C.M. and Gabriella
Rubin, tells the story of the
character featured in the
movie currently being shown
in theaters.
"The Real Alice in
Wonderland A Role Model
for the Ages", is a compre-
hensive biography about the
life of Alice Pleasance
Liddell, who was the inspira-
tion for Lewis Carroll's Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland


(1865), and the sequel,
Through the Looking Glass
(1871).
The Real Alice in
Wonderland has been written
by the children's author,
Rubin, and her daughter,
Gabriella Rubin. Alice
Liddell was C. M. Rubin's
great aunt's aunt. The authors
assembled over 500 illustra-
tions and photographs depict-
ing the life and times of Alice
Pleasance Liddell, as well as
art inspired by Alice and her
namesake, Alice in
Wonderland, which has been
remade into a Disney movie
starring Johnny Depp and


Mia Wasikowska.
The book by the Rubins,
however, recounts the dramatic
saga of Alice Liddell, the cre-
ative, curious, and magnetic
girl who became the muse for
Lewis Carroll and grew up to
become a widely loved and
respected cultural icon, both in
England and around the world.
C.M. Rubin was born in
Georgetown. Her family
migrated from Guyana when
she was age six and travelled
to the United States.


CaribWorldNews


Visa sets up customer service hub

at Caribbean HQ in Miami-Dade


MIAMI FREIGHT & SHIPPING CO. LTD.
S(305) 8854558
Sa Suite 887 ei: t84
10125 NW 116 Way, Suite 6 Medley, Florida 33178 email: xjohnston@miamifreightnet





24 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010

1 [i


www.caibbeantoday.com


U.S. federal aid form for college applications now easier to complete
STEVE ROSEN However, here's some been simplified). Don't con- Most families fill
news that should make filers fuse the government's site out the student-aid
Think it's safe to say most rejoice: The federal aid form, with online filing services that application online.
high school seniors in the known as FAFSA, is more charge a filing fee. Parents and students
United States and their streamlined and much easier The FAFSA is required will need their 2009
parents would rather sand- to fill out this year. for nearly all college students income and investment
blast the oil stains from the The 2010-2011 documents seeking financial aid. This information from their
garage floor or rearrange the from the U.S. Department of year the federal government federal income tax
attic than fill out the Free Education are available online alone is expected to award return to answer some
Application for Federal at www.fafsa.gov (even the more than $168 billion in stu- FAFSA questions,
Student Aid. government Web address has dent aid. though it's fine to pro-
vide either estimates or
numbers from your
1 71 i1c rtfllrn th t


TAKE 10 MIUTES


The deadline for mailing back your
2010 Census form has passed, but you still have
a chance to participate. Census takers will be
visiting neighborhoods from April through July
to assist households that haven't sent back their
questionnaires. The form is safe, easy and takes
about 10 minutes to complete.
Taking part in the Census is the only way
to get our fair share of federal dollars
and fair representation. So when a census
worker knocks on your door, it's okay to answer.
The future of our community depends on it,


IT'S IN OUR HANDS
Your privacy and safety is a concern we take seriously,
For questions about how your information is used
and to verify the identity of a census worker,
call the Regional Census Center toll free at 1-800-923-8282.


pl^VVIU lkL tUlll LllttL
can be updated later.

TIME SAVER
Completing the
paperwork normally
takes several hours.
This year you should
be able to shave some Applying
time off the job
because of the application
makeover that was rolled out
Jan. 1.
According to some reports,
the 2010-2011 FAFSA shortens
the application process by
about 20 questions. The new
version also skips questions
that don't apply to your circum-
stances, said Patricia Nash
Christel, a spokeswoman for
Sallie Mae, the higher educa-
tion services company. For
example, she said, female stu-
dents are not asked about
Selective Service registration.
Online filers also will see
more help boxes and prompts
based on information provid-
ed in the filing process. Also
new, said Christel, is an


MIAMI A Broward County
detention center isn't every
student's ideal spring break
getaway. But for more than
three dozen law students from
across the country, that's just
where they wanted to be this
year.
The students have partici-
pated in an alternative spring
break experience organized by
the law schools at Florida
International University and
the University of Miami to
help Haitians in South Florida
apply for temporary protected
status (TPS) and other immi-
gration relief.
Law students from Yale,
Fordham, University of
Minnesota and City
University of New York vol-
unteered last month to help
undocumented Haitians fill
out the proper paperwork that
would allow them to legally
live and work in the United
States on a temporary basis.
They have also assisted
Haitians who arrived in the
U.S. after the Jan. 12 earth-
quake and who are now
detained at a detention center


instant estimate of eligibility
for the Pell grant, the nation's
largest student-aid program.
Previously, she said, students
had to wait several weeks for
the information.
The fixes in FAFSA are
only the beginning, Christel
said. By summer, families
should be able to transfer
their federal income tax infor-
mation to the financial aid
form by clicking on a link,
thereby eliminating another
batch of questions.

COMPLAINTS
The Department of
Education revamped the elec-
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 26)


in Broward County seek
temporary legal status based
on humanitarian concerns.

EXPERTISE
FIU law students, who
have staffed TPS clinics since
Haitians were first granted the
status, provide ongoing tech-
nical expertise and support. In
addition, the FIU law clinic is
providing logistics support for
the visiting students, including
translator training and coordi-
nation.
Following the devastating
earthquake in Haiti, the
Department of Homeland
Security allowed undocument-
ed Haitians to file for TPS.
Applicants must have been
living in the U.S. prior to the
earthquake. Homeland
Security officials have estimat-
ed that between 100,000 to
200,000 Haitians will seek
TPS. The majority live in
South Florida. The window
for applying for this legal sta-
tus ends on June 21.
*


Law students help

undocumented Haitians


l


;I






20 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010




A CARIBBEAN TODAY SPECIAL FEATURE


www.caribbeantoday.com


Six frequently asked questions about migraine headaches


Although migraines are notori-
ous for causing pain, they've
created a lot of confusion, too.
We hope the answers to the six
questions below will clear up a
few misunderstandings and
provide some useful informa-
tion.

What exactly is a migraine?
Not all severe headaches
are migraines nor are all
migraines severe, although


many do live up to their repu-
tation for excruciating pain.
The "classic" migraine is pre-
ceded by aura, which typically
consists of strange visual dis-
turbances zigzagging lines,
flashing lights, and, occasion-
ally, temporary vision loss.
Numbness and tingling affect-
ing one side of the lips,
tongue, face and the hand on
the same side may also occur.
But only about a third of


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migraine sufferers experience
aura, and fewer still with
every attack.
The migraine headache,
with or without aura, tends to
produce pain that usually
begins (and sometimes stays)
on one side of the head. A
migraine headache often has a
pulsating quality to it. Many
people also experience nau-
sea, extreme sensitivity to
light or sound or both. Some
studies have found that about
40 percent of migraineurs
have headache pain on both
sides of the head. Children
with migraines usually have
pain on both sides.
It's also possible to con-
fuse other sorts of headaches
with migraines. Migraines can
cause nasal congestion and a
runny nose, so they're some-
times mistaken for sinus
headaches. A regular
headache can have some of
the features of a migrainous
one, such as unilateral pain
and nausea.
Women are three times
more likely to have migraines
than men, the tendency to
have migraines runs in fami-
lies, and they occur less often
as people age. But, obviously,
these are guideposts, not diag-
nostic criteria.

What causes a migraine?
There is now near-total
agreement that migraines
originate in the brain, not with
the blood vessels that sur-
round it. One prevailing theo-
ry is that migraines are caused
by rapid waves of brain cell
activity crossing the cortex,
the thin outer layer of brain
tissue, followed by periods of
no activity. The unwieldy (and
potentially confusing) name
for this phenomenon is corti-
cal spreading depression.
Cortical spreading depres-
sion makes sense as a cause of
aura, but researchers have


also linked it to headache.
Some leading researchers
have expressed doubt about
whether migraines start with
cortical spreading depression.
Experimental drugs that
inhibit cortical spreading


Migraine mysteries continue to baffle
researchers.

depression have been devel-
oped, but study results report-
ed in 2009 for one of the
most promising, a drug called
tonabersat, showed a preven-
tive effect on aura, but not on
migraine headache.
So, say some researchers,
migraines are best explained
as beginning lower in the
brain, in the brainstem. The
theory is that if certain areas
of the brainstem aren't work-
ing properly or are easily
excited, they're capable of
starting cascades of neurologi-
cal events, including cortical
spreading depression, that
account for migraine's multi-
ple symptoms.

What triggers a migraine?
There are too many trig-
gers to list them all here.
Many migraine sufferers are
sensitive to strong sensory
inputs like bright lights, loud
noises and strong smells. Lack
of sleep is a trigger, but so is
sleeping too much, and wak-
ing up from a sound sleep
because of a headache is a
distinctive characteristic of


migraine.
Many women have men-
strual migraines associated
with the drop in estrogen lev-
els in the days just before and
after menstrual bleeding
begins. Alcohol and certain
foods can start a migraine.
One of the most common
triggers, stress, is one of the
hardest to control. Interestingly,
migraines tend to start not dur-
ing moments of great stress but
later on, as people wind down.

Do migraines cause strokes?
Numerous studies show
that migraine with aura is a
risk factor for stroke, and that
migraine without aura proba-
bly is not, or is minimally
so. Researchers have also
found that people who have
migraines with aura are at
increased risk for accumulat-
ing small infarcts areas of
dead brain tissue resulting
from inadequate blood supply.
Still, there's a reluctance
to claim that migraines defini-
tively cause strokes. The asso-
ciation might be there because
migraine with aura and stroke
may share a common cause.
People who have migraines
with aura are strongly encour-
aged to avoid adding other
stroke risks on top of it, such
as smoking or oral contracep-
tives.

How can migraines be
prevented?
Migraines are not like
heart disease, a condition with
many risk factors that we can
modify to lower our chances of
getting the disease in the first
place. With the possible excep-
tion of losing weight if you're
heavy, there isn't much known
about how to prevent migraines
if you've never had one.
But if you are prone to
migraines, there many steps to
take to prevent or diminish the
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 21)


Caribbean American Congresswoman applauds 'historic' U.S. health reform


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19)
four million small business-
men and women to help them
cover the cost of insurance for
their employees; ensuring that
tens of thousands of uninsured
Americans with preexisting
conditions, the parents of chil-
dren who have a preexisting
condition, finally be able to
purchase the coverage they
need and allowing for all new
insurance plans to offer free
preventive care.
Additionally this year,
young adults will be able to
stay on their parents' insur-
ance policies until they're age
26 and seniors who fall in the
coverage gap known as the
"doughnut hole" will start get-


ting some help. They'll receive
$250 to help pay for prescrip-
tions, and that will, over time,
fill in the doughnut hole.
Over the next four years,
as the reform is fully imple-
mented, health insurance
exchanges will be created
making for a competitive mar-
ketplace where uninsured
people and small businesses
will finally be able to purchase
affordable, quality insurance.
"They will be able to be
part of a big pool and get the
same good deal that members
of Congress get," said Obama.
"That's what's going to hap-
pen under this reform. And
when this exchange is up and
running, millions of people


will get tax breaks to help
them afford coverage, which
represents the largest middle-
class tax cut for health care in
history. That's what this
reform is about."
Meanwhile, several states
filed suit in federal court to
challenge the law, arguing
that it undercuts states'
rights, and congressional
Republicans, who had unani-
mously opposed the bill,
vowed to keep fighting it.
The Senate later
approved a package of
changes aimed at improving
the $940 billion overhaul.

- CaribWorldNews
0


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18 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010




A CARIBBEAN TODAY SPECIAL FEATURE


www.caribbeantoday.com


How to help when family or friends fall ill keep them connected


When you learn that a
friend, family mem-
ber, co-worker or
neighbor is seriously ill or
recovering from injuries or
surgery, do you wonder how
you can best show your sup-
port?
It depends upon the situa-
tion. Sometimes the best way
to show your support is to just
stay in touch, but other times,
it's to provide help that your
friend or loved one needs.
"When someone you
know experiences a serious
health event, or is in the hos-
pital recovering from a major
surgery, connecting them
with family and friends is
very important," says Sona
Mehring, founder of
CaringBridge.
"Often, people in this sit-
uation don't know how easy
and helpful it is to gather their
family and friends and show
support in an unobtrusive


Helping family or friends through illness
is important.
way."
When you receive news
that a loved one is going
through cancer, premature
birth or another health crisis,
consider some of the following
ideas in ways to best show
your support:
Offer your help Make
a specific offer like cooking a
meal, driving the person to
appointments, babysitting for


children, picking up groceries,
calling other family members,
writing thank-you notes, etc.
By specifically offering to help
in a way that uses your talents
and won't overwhelm you,
you will be able to show sup-
port in a healthy way.
Be positive You don't
have to be talking about your
loved one's illness all the time.
Maybe you saw a funny online
video that you know will tick-
le their funny bone. Copy the
link and share it with your
friend. Or tell him the story


about your child's perform-
ance in a school concert that
had you beaming with pride.
By keeping your loved one
involved through your stories
in real world events, you are
helping them stay connected.
Create an online social
networking page For a per-
son trying to recuperate from
an illness, repeating health
information time and time
again is exhausting even if
the information is good news.
Consider setting up an online
support network page through


CaringBridge, so your loved
one can share updates once,
post photos and receive mes-
sages of support.
CaringBridge is a non-
profit organization that offers
free, personalized websites for
patients to post health
updates, photos and connect
with family and friends.

- Courtesy ofARAcontent
0


QUESTION: Do the contrast
agents used with MRI scans
have side effects?

ANSWER: Not all magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI)
scans require contrast agents,
but a contrast agent is some-
times used to show blood ves-
sels or the amount of blood
flowing to a particular struc-
ture.
Most of the contrast
agents for MRI scans contain
a metal called gadolinium.
The gadolinium is attached to
other chemicals to keep it
from causing any harm. If
your kidneys are healthy,
you'll excrete the contrast
agent before that complex has
a chance to break down.
But if your kidneys aren't
working well, it may break
down before it is excreted, so
unbound gadolinium persists in
the body. When that occurs, it
may lead to a complication
called nephrogenic systemic
fibrosis (NSF), which can thick-
en the skin and connective tis-
sues throughout the body.
While there are reports of
NSF as far back as 1997, the
association with gadolinium
was first identified in
Denmark in 2006. Since then,


IN r llas v uCII ICUgInzLCU as
an extremely rare but poten-
tially debilitating complication
of giving gadolinium-based
contrast agents to patients
with poor kidney function.
As a result, it's now rou-
tine to screen patients for kid-
ney function before giving
contrast for an MRI scan. The
screening isn't complicated: a
simple blood test of creatinine
levels is all that's needed.
Some MRI centers can meas-
ure creatinine on the spot, so
the blood sample doesn't need
to be sent to an outside lab.


rantciui alio occaMsinally
experience nausea or vomiting
from MRI contrast agents.
True allergic reactions are
rare and usually mild (itching,
a rash). Very infrequently, the
contrast agent provokes an
anaphylactic allergic reaction
requiring emergency treat-
ment. All of these rare com-
plications can be minimized
through appropriate screening
of kidney function and allergy
risk factors.

- Harvard Health Letter
0


PAUL W. MOO YOUNG, D.D.S.

FAMILY DENTISTRY
EMERGENCY WAXK-IN SERVICE


u 1
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By the way, doctor: Are MRI contrast

agents harmful, have side effects?

DR. AARON SODICKSON


Cosmnelc
Restorative
Preventive






14 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010


Sowww.car bbeantoday.com


Tricks of the trade: tips to avoid tax rip-off traps Small business workshops April 17, 24


Income tax returns are
soon due to the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) in
the United States and most
people hope for a nice lump
sum refund.
However, as you prepare
forms, be aware that others are
plotting ways to steal
your hard-earned money. The
following is a Miami-Dade
Consumer Services Department
list of some of the common
schemes to steer clear of:
Making Work Pay
refund This phishing e-mail,
which claims to come from
the IRS, references the presi-
dent and the Making Work
Pay provision of the 2009 eco-
nomic recovery law. It says
that there is a refundable
credit available to workers,
consumers and retirees that
can be paid into the recipient's
bank account if the recipient
registers his or her account
information with the IRS. The
e-mail contains links to regis-
ter the account and to claim
the tax refund.
In reality, most taxpayers
receive their Making Work
Pay tax credit, which was
designed for wage earners, in
their paychecks as a result of
decreased tax withholding,
not as a lump sum distribution
from a federal fund.
Additionally, consumers and
retirees who are not wage
earners are not eligible for
this tax credit.
Instant rebate scams -
Some unscrupulous and
predatory tax preparers prey
upon low-income earners with
promises of "fast money" at
tax refund time. Their victims
often do not realize that an
instant refund is actually a
"refund anticipation loan"
that could drain away as much
as half their refunds in the
form of interest rates and fees.

CONSUMER SMARTS
Taxpayers do not have to
complete a special form to
obtain a refund. Taxpayer


refunds are based on the tax
return they submit to the IRS.
The IRS does not initiate
taxpayer contact via unsolicit-
ed e-mail or ask for personal
identifying or financial infor-
mation via e-mail. If you
receive a suspicious e-mail
claiming to come from the
IRS, take the following steps:
Do not open any attach-
ments to the e-mail, in case
they contain malicious code
that will infect your computer.
Do not click on any
links, for the same reason.
Also, be aware that the links
often connect to a phony IRS
website that appears authentic


and then prompts the victim
for personal identifiers, bank
or credit card account num-
bers or PINs. The phony web-
sites appear legitimate
because the appearance and
much of the content are
directly copied from an actual
page on the IRS web site and
then modified by the scam-
mers for their own purposes.
Be cautious when choos-
ing a tax preparer. Filing false
income tax returns with inflated
personal or business expenses,
false deductions, unallowable
credits or excessive exemptions
could result in penalties.
Regardless of whether the pre-
parer is responsible for manipu-
lating income figures, it is ulti-
mately the taxpayer who is
faulted and required to pay
additional taxes.


Avoid tax preparers
who claim they can obtain
larger refunds than other pre-
parers.
Ask about service fees
and be wary of preparers who
base their fee on a percentage
of the amount of the refund.
Use a reputable tax pro-
fessional who signs your tax
return and provides you with
a copy for your records.
Consider whether the
individual or firm will be
around to answer questions
about the preparation of your
tax return months, or even
years, after the return has
been filed.
Review your return
before you sign it and ask
questions on entries you don't
understand.
Find out the preparer's
credentials. Only attorneys,
certified public accountants
(CPAs) and enrolled agents
can represent taxpayers
before the IRS in all matters
including audits, collection
and appeals. Other return
preparers may only represent
taxpayers for audits of returns
they actually prepared.
Find out if the preparer
is affiliated with a professional
organization that provides its
members with continuing edu-
cation and resources and
holds them to a code of ethics.
Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-
1040 to determine whether
the IRS is trying to contact
you.
If you think you have
been targeted by a fraudulent
tax scheme, forward the suspi-
cious e-mail or URL address
to the IRS mailbox phish-
ing@irs.gov, then delete the e-
mail from your inbox.
You can learn the status
of your refund by going to the
IRS.gov website and clicking
on "Where's my refund?"

- ConsumerWise
*


IRS ADVICE


MDC offers free small business education


MIAMI, Florida The Citi
Foundation and Miami Dade
College's (MDC) School of
Business will continue their
community building partner-
ship through the Small Business
Education Program, specialized
training targeted to entrepre-
neurs who live in the South
Florida neighborhoods of Little
Haiti, Little Havana, Flagami,
Overtown, Liberty City,
Allapattah and Wynwood.
The sessions are designed
to enhance the operations of
small businesses. They are
expected to cover such topics
as cash flow management,


sourcing funding for expan-
sion, QuickBooks and mar-
keting.
The first session was
scheduled for mid-March and
sessions will conclude at the
end of April.
Residents from one of the
target neighborhoods must
apply online at
http://www.mdc.edu/kendall/
smallbusiness.

SCHEDULE
Below is the schedule for
the remaining sessions, which
will be held at MDC's
Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E.


Second Ave., downtown
Miami:
Financial Literacy
Event and Expo: 9 a.m. to
noon, Thursday, April 8.
QuickBooks Workshop:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday,
April 17.
Community Forum -
"Going Green": 9 a.m. to
noon, Friday, April 23.
For more information,
call Winston Imhoff at 305-
237-7429 or Josie Lorenzo
(for the Spanish seminars) at
305-237-7430.


Two free economic stim-
ulus workshops,
designed to mentor and
train small, minority and
women-owned businesses to
maximize economic opportu-
nities and expand market
share, are scheduled for this
month in South Florida.
The workshops, offered
by Community Business Link,
Inc. in West Park, are aimed
helping prepare small firms to
become pre-qualified to com-
pete for government contracts.
They will train entrepreneurs
on how to start a business and
will help business owners
become more profitable.
The workshops will be
held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on
consecutive Saturdays, April
17 and April 24, at the
Koinonia Worship Center,
4900 W. Hallandale Beach
Blvd., Pembroke Park.


Busy days ahead for
The following is a listing of
upcoming activities highlighted
by the Jamaican Diaspora
Southern United States and
scheduled for locations in
South Florida:
April 10, 5 p.m. South
Florida Caribbean Chorale at
Plantation United Methodist
Church, 1001 N.W. 70th Ave.,
Plantation.
April 9-11 36th Florida
Caribbean Students Association
Conference, University of South
Florida, Tampa.
For registration and infor-
mation, visit
http://www.fcsainc.org.
April, 17, noon St.
Mary High School's first annu-
al reunion, CB Smith Park.
For more information, call
Maria (Roper) Kong at 954-
818-2516.
April 17, 8 p.m. -
Jamaica Ex-Police Association
of South Florida, Inc.'s annual
ball, Faith Tabernacle
Banquet Hall, 7100 W
Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise.
For more information, call
Malachi Smith at 305-302-
5365; John T at 954-347-3237,
Dervin Johnson at 954-553-
4956 or Edgton Wright at 954-
258-2052.
April 30, 11a.m. to
5 p.m. "Expressions Of The
Caribbean", a showcase of
Jamaican/Caribbean and
American products and servic-
es presented by Unique
Creations By Liz, Signature
Grand Ballroom, 6900 State
Rd. 84, Davie. For more infor-
mation, call 954-292-6848 or
954-435-4717.
May 8, 9 p.m. The 16th
Annual Awards Banquet and
Dinner Dance presented by
The Jamaican Association of
Miami-Dade Educators,
Signature Gardens, 12725 S.W.


The April 17 program will
deal with how to start a busi-
ness, insurance and bonding.
The April 24 workshop will
focus on understanding and
qualifying for government
Set-Aside Programs.
Pre-registration and orien-
tation will be held at 7 p.m. on
April 6 and 13 at the center.
The event is co-sponsored
by the City of West Park,
www.cityofwestpark.orgl,
and Calvin, Giordano &
Associates, www.calvin-gior-
dano.com, a multi-disciplinary
professional consulting firm
that specializes in public sec-
tor contract services.
Reservations are suggest-
ed. For more information, call
or e-mail Melissa Hans at the
Community Business Link
(CBL), 954-239-4297 or
mhansl9@mail. com.



Caribbean diaspora
122 Ave., Miami. For more
information, call 305-989-3564.
May 21,10 a.m. to
2 p.m. Jamaica USA
Chamber of Commerce's
"Trade Jamaica/Invest
Jamaica" Forum and annual
recognition and installation
luncheon, featuring the
Jamaican Milestone Awards,
Sheraton Hotel, Griffin
Road/I-95 in Dania. For more
information, call 877-528-7222
or 305-576-7888.
May 22, 6 p.m. The
Sixth Annual Peacock Ball
presented by The American
Friends of Jamaica Inc.,
Biltmore Hotel, 1200
Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables.
Black-tie gala honoring
Jamaica National Building
Society with the International
Achievement Award
for exemplary contributions to
Jamaica in education, eco-
nomic development and phi-
lanthropy. Visit
http://www. theafj.org.
May 23 16th Annual
Unifest presented by The
Greater Caribbean American
Cultural Coalition, Vincent
Torres Park, 4331 N.W. 36th
St., Lauderdale Lakes. For
more information, call 954-
730-8885.
May 29, 7:30 p.m.
to 2:30 a.m. Montego Bay
High School Alumnae of
South Florida celebrates its
75th year of academic excel-
lence, St. Mary Armenian
Banquet Hall, 4050 N.W. 100
Ave, Hollywood. A "Family
Fun Day" will be held the fol-
lowing day at the John U.
Lloyd Beach State Park, 6503
N. Ocean Dr., Pelican
Pavilion, Dania. For more
information, call 754-423-3169,
954-330-4500 or 305-299-3561.
0






8 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010


www.caibbeantoday.com


Caribbean Today's publisher inducted into Miami Dade College Hall of Fame


Peter, Webley, publisher
of Caribbean Today, is
among the latest batch
of inductees for the Miami
Dade College (MDC) Alumni
Hall of Fame in the field of
journalism.
One of the pioneers in
Caribbean media in South
Florida, Webley founded
Caribbean Today in 1989. He
said he launched the monthly
newspaper realizing the need
for greater and better news
coverage of the Caribbean
region and of the Caribbean
diaspora in the South Florida
community.
Today, the newspaper,
which is free to the public,
enjoys circulation of nearly
40,000 in cities across the
southern and northeastern
United States and throughout


the Caribbean.
A graduate of Calabar
High School in Kingston,
Jamaica, Miami Dade College
and University of South
Florida in Tampa, Webley
began his career delivering
newspapers for Miami Today,
a weekly publication. He
worked in several depart-
ments at that newspaper,
including circulation and
advertising. He also worked as
a reporter where he noticed
the detriment caused to the
people of the Caribbean by
the negative stories being pub-
lished.
Webley decided to pursue
what he thought was a voice
for Caribbean immigrants.

POSITIVE PROFILE
As publisher and owner
of Caribbean Today, Webley


proudly described the newspa-
per as a communications vehi-
cle that has contributed great-
ly to raising the positive pro-
file of the Caribbean diaspora
across the U.S. and the
Caribbean. He told JIS News
that the newspaper has helped
the community
to understand
the diverse
cultures that
embrace the
various com-
munities
across the U.S.
"Readers
of Caribbean Webley
Today have,
over the years, enjoyed a
refreshing positive portrayal
of minorities including our
Caribbean people," said
Webley.
His involvement in busi-


ness and community develop-
ment in South Florida earned
him induction into the City of
Miami Hall of Fame. He has
also earned several awards,
including the Caribbean Peer
Awards Lifetime Achievement
Award; the United Coalition of
Minority Business Enterprises;
the Minority Enterprise
Development (MED) Week,
2003; the Broward Black
Elected Officials Business
Leader Award, the Consulate
General of Jamaica, Miami,
Community Service Award in
2007.

'SON OF JAMAICA'
Webley is also a founding
member of the Jamaica USA
Chamber of Commerce
(JAUSACC) in South Florida,
the Kendal South Dade chap-
ter of the Kiwanis Club, and


the Caribbean American
Journalists and Media
Association (CAJMA) in
South Florida.
Sandra Grant Griffiths,
Jamaica's consul general in
Miami, in a letter of congratu-
lations to Webley, noted that
the "recognition bestowed was
for his notable achievements as
a son of Jamaica", adding that
his "sterling contribution will
continue to impact positively
on the Caribbean Diasporic
community and the wider soci-
ety to the benefit of future
generations who can aspire,
guided by your example".
Miami Dade College was
started in 1960 and has a
diverse student population of
nearly 170,000.
*


U.S. paints bleak picture of Caribbean's human rights practices


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)
bers of the security forces,
abuse of detainees and prison-
ers by police and prison
guards, poor prison and jail
conditions, (and) impunity for
police who committed
crimes".
In addition, it said other
"serious problems" included
"an overburdened judicial sys-
tem and frequent lengthy
delays in trials; violence and
discrimination against women;
trafficking in persons; and vio-
lence against person based on
their suspected or known sex-
ual orientation.
"Sources indicated that
many police killings were
unreported, with police met-
ing out the justice they see as
unavailable through the judi-
cial system", it added.
"The Minister of National
Security referred to citizens
killed by police as 'collateral
damage' and vowed to 'use
every effort' to defend police
officers who were 'hauled


before the court like common
criminals'", the State
Department noted.
The State Department
said prison conditions
remained poor, "primarily due
to overcrowding and poor san-
itary conditions". It said
although the law prohibits
prostitution, "it was wide-
spread, particularly in tourist
areas, and that trafficking in
women for prostitution and
sex tourism "continued to be a
problem.
"Most trafficking victims
were poor women and girls,
but also increasingly boys,
who were trafficked from
rural to urban and tourist
areas for commercial exploita-
tion", it noted.

ABUSE
In Antigua and Barbuda,
the State Department said
human rights violations
included "excessive use of
force by police, poor prison
conditions, some limits on
press freedom, societal dis-


crimination and violence
against women, and sexual
abuse of children".
For The Bahamas, "there
were problems in some areas,
including complaints of abuse
by police and prison and
detention centre guards; poor
detention conditions; a poorly
functioning judicial system,
leading to delays in trials and
lengthy pre-trial detention;
violence against women and
children; and discrimination
against persons of Haitian
descent", it said.
Barbados's human rights'
problems included "excessive
use of force by police and
societal violence against
women and children", the
report stated.
Poor prison conditions,
corruption, domestic violence
against women and children,
and adverse conditions experi-
enced by indigenous Kalinago
(Carib) were the problems
highlighted in Dominica.
In Grenada, the State
Department said problems


included allegations of corrup-
tion, violence against women,
and instances of child abuse.
Use of excessive force by
police, poor prison conditions,
and violence against women
were the major issues in St.
Kitts and Nevis.
St. Lucia's human rights
problems, according to the
State Department, were pri-
marily abuse of suspects and
prisoners by the police, long
delays in trials and sentencing,
violence against women, and
child abuse.
Impunity for police who
used excessive force, poor
prison conditions, an overbur-
dened court system, violence
against women, and abuse of
children were underscored in
St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
And, in Trinidad and
Tobago, the report said there
were problems in police
killings during apprehension
or custody, inmate illness and
injuries due to poor prison
conditions, high-profile cases
of alleged bribery, violence


'His House' offers sanctuary for Haitian kids after devastating earthquake


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)
tion to being a caring partner
for the children of Haiti.
"These children are
amazed," said Caceres-
Gonzalez. "They are eating,
they are sleeping in real beds.
They are all delighted to be in
a safe place. No one wants to
go back. If we sensed that a
child did not want to go under
or on top of a bunk bed, we
pulled the mattresses down
and did it slumber party style.
It was never a problem."

RECOVERY
She said some of the
children came to U.S. with
injuries such as fractured
bones and skulls, open


wounds, and conditions such
scabies, parasites, impetigo
that were all treated. They
undergo occupational and
physical therapy and wound
care each day. Wounded chil-
dren who are not slated for
adoption, but were brought to
HHCH after being treated at
U.S. hospitals, will be cared
for until they are well enough
to go home, or until their par-
ents are stable enough to take
them back.
"They (the parents in
Haiti) are distraught as well,"
said Caceres-Gonzalez. "There
is still a lot of instability and
confusion. Most are not ready
yet for the return of their chil-
dren, they are getting there


though. Probably by the end of
April some will be able to go
home and by that time, maybe
moms and dads back home
have been able to at least get
some sort of shelter and meals
everyday because these chil-
dren will need follow-up care."
In the meantime, HHCH
will care for ITS new charges,
and school them through His
House International Creole.
Many are catching on fast.
Eleven-year-old Mo will soon
be placed with his U.S. par-
ents. An outgoing youngster,
he seems to fit in easily with
the other children and the
adults around him.
"I like American food,"
said Mo in perfect English as


he chewed on a slice of pizza
recently. "I want to be a pilot
when I grow up."
He added that he likes to
cook and has made a lot of
friends at His House. Mo was
taught English at the Haitian
orphanage where he lived
before the earthquake.
Caceres-Gonzalez noted that
he is bright and has been assist-
ing creole-speaking teachers in
the classroom. Mo, it appears, is
well prepared for his transition.

Photographs and story by
Dawn A. Davis, a freelance
writer for Caribbean Today.


against women, inadequate
services for vulnerable chil-
dren, and unsafe working con-
ditions.

- CMC





Street Address:
9020 SW 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33157
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6010
Miami, FL 33116-6010.
Telephone: (305) 238-2868
(305) 253-6029 Fax: (305) 252-7843
Toll-Free Fax: 1-866-290-4550
1-800-605-7516 Jamaica: 654-7282
E-mail: editor@caribbeantoday.com
Send ads to: ct ads@bellsouth.net
Vol. 21, Number 5 APRIL 2010

PETER A WEBLEY
Publisher

SABRINA HOPKINS
Production

DOROTHY CHIN
Account Executive

SHARON LEE
Account Executive
CARMEN CHANG
Account Executive

JACQUELINE RUBIANO
Accounting Manager
Caribbean Media Source
Media Representatives


Opinions expressed by editors and writers
are not necessarily those of thepublisher.
Caribbean Today, an independent
news magazine, is published every month
by Caribbean Publishing & Services, Inc.
Caribbean Today is not responsible
for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. To
guarantee return, please include a self-
addressed stamped envelope.
Articles appearing in Caribbean
Today may not be reproduced without
written permission of the editor.







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22 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010




A CARIBBEAN TODAY SPECIAL FEATURE

Inexpensive ways to lose weight, stay fit


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21)
calories added) after each
meal will help you slowly
dissolve fat in your body.
Premium tea leaves give you
the best quality and best taste.
Do your own home
workout Grab a full jug of
laundry detergent and use it
for some lifting. If you're
looking for something lighter,
fill a plastic bottle with water
to use as a weight. Start danc-
ing around your house and in
no time you'll break a sweat.
This is great for cardiovascular
exercise
Borrow a fitness video
from the library and tone your
body with the experts -
Repeat the video several times


and then switch it for a new
one from the library. If you
have cable or satellite televi-
sion, tune into some of the fit-
ness channels for different
programs. You'll find styles
ranging from yoga workouts
to belly dancing to step aero-
bics. Set specific times each
week to run through a 30-
minute workout.
Clean the house -
Pushing a vacuum at a rapid
pace is good exercise. So is
scrubbing floors or bathtubs.
These activities also are good
for toning muscles.

- Courtesy of ARAcontent
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(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19)
years have gone by. Activities
that once required the entire
use of your body and joints
have been replaced by less
challenging activities. The old
saying, "if you don't use it,
you lose it" applies to the
joints that make up our spine,
knees, shoulders, hands and
feet. Retuning your joints and
increasing flexibility is the first
step in feeling healthier, hav-
ing less discomfort when get-
ting up from sitting, being
able to lift your arms in the air
without pain, and reducing
soreness when waking up in
the morning.
Take a break from reading
this right now and take three
deep breaths. If you feel like
you are restricted from taking
in a full breath, you probably
are. Every cell in your body
needs oxygen to survive-from
your toe nails up to the hair on
your head. When your body
does not take in enough oxy-
gen all bodily functions
become limited causing reper-
cussions such as compromised
brain function, decreased mus-
cle strength and a sluggish
digestive system.


DIAPHRAGM
Let's talk about your
diaphragm: "My dia what?",
you say. The diaphragm (DIE
ah fram) is a muscle that lines
the bottom of the lungs. In a
sense it is sandwiched
between your lungs and your
abdomen. When the
diaphragm contracts it pushes
down on the abdomen allow-
ing the lungs to expand and
take in air. This along with
other muscles around the rib
cage is the basis of us being
able to breathe. Like any
other muscle, the more you
work it the stronger it
becomes. Cardiovascular exer-


cise such as jogging; walking
at a medium to fast pace; rid-
ing a stationary bicycle; or just
lifting light weights while
watching television are all
ways to work your heart,
diaphragm, and the other
breathing muscles. A good
routine will allow you to sleep
better and breathe deeper
within three to six weeks.
Outside of oxygen and
sunlight, nothing is more
essential to life than water.
Why then is it that most of us
don't drink more of it? Most
of us enjoy the taste of a cold
fruit punch or a soda with a
meal. But water works on a
cellular level. Water allows
your muscles to remain lubri-
cated and loose, your diges-
tive system to work properly
and allows you to remain
mentally oriented. In fact, all
of the cell and organ functions
made up in our entire anato-
my and physiology rely on
water for proper function.
Many people don't like
drinking pure water. If you
avoid pure water, here's a tip
for you: gaining water from
eating fruit high in water con-
tent is a great way to boost
water consumption without
drinking it directly. Fruit will
also help fill up the stomach
with low calories and gain
tons of vitamins, minerals and
other nutrients to increase
vitality. In fact, any food with
high water content can boost
water consumption. Most
foods high in water are natu-
rally occurring, healthy foods,
another reason to eat a
healthy diet!
Spring is the perfect time
to put that "I feel old" notion
behind you and start anew.

Dr. Fidel Goldson Jr. is a
chiropractor and licensed
physical therapist.
0





CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010* 3


wwwcari bbeantoday.com


C arlbohut Jamaica's top cop asks diaspora for help in island's crime fight


T e Lauderhill City
Commission's chamber
was packed last month as
residents from that and other
South Florida communities
attended a town hall meeting
to hear Jamaica's Acting
Commissioner of Police Owen
Ellington. Lauderhill is some-
times referred to as "Jamaica
Hill", due to the high percent-
age of its residents who are
linked to the Caribbean island.
The meeting, hosted by the
Consulate General of Jamaica,
gave the new Jamaica


Constabulary Force (JCF)
boss a chance to reach out to
members of the diaspora and
address their concerns.
Caribbean Today's freelance
writer Dawn A. Davis dis-
cussed some of those issues
with the new chief
Question: Is crime in Jamaica
out of control?
Answer: No...The control of
crime is not simply a matter of
arresting people. It has to be
part of a more functional
criminal justice system. And,


therefore,
there are
weaknesses in
some areas,
which are
being
addressed. I
^d think that
Ellington once all the
areas have
been strengthened then we
will have better results in
terms of controlling crime in
the country.
Q: What are some of the


strategies being employed to
fight crime in Jamaica?
A: We are mainstreaming
community policing because
we believe that there is value
in engaging the citizens in
what we do. We are very keen
on building partnerships and
we are very keen as well on
building back public confi-
dence in the Police Force.
We have policemen who
have designed a crime and
intelligence management sys-
tem for the Jamaica
Constabulary Force, and we are


now using GIS (Geographic
Information System) to map
the positions of crimes so that
we can pinpoint exactly where
we have the concentration of
crime...The Jamaican
Constabulary Force has a very
sophisticated microwave com-
munications platform...We are
now going to be able to use all
those secure communication -
video, CCTV, telephony, using
the system.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 4)


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CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010 25

............


wwwcari bbeantoday.com


Caribbean students' confab


to focus on 'Culture Shock'


TAMPA, Florida "Culture
Shock: Spotlight on the
Caribbean" will be the theme
of the 36th annual conference
hosted by The Florida
Caribbean Students
Association (FCSA).
The three-day event is
scheduled for April 9-11 at the
University of South Florida
here.
The FCSA
conference is "This confer
among the lead- highly antici
ing Caribbean nity to conn
student events from other c
in Florida. It around the I
encourages rep- Florida"
resentation by a
wide cross sec-
tion of
Caribbean coun-
tries.
This year's conference is
expected to attract more than
500 participants, including stu-
dent and community leaders,
business representatives and
other officials.
It will explore ways in
which the students of the
Caribbean community in
Florida can maintain the
integrity of their cultural iden-
tity and stay connected with


enc
pat
ect
am
;tat

-Ke


the Caribbean region. It will
also address traditional and
evolving Caribbean culture,
socio-economic and political
concerns and specific chal-
lenges of the Caribbean dias-
pora. In addition, the confer-
ence will incorporate a
"Career & Education Fair" to
allow students to explore
employment,
internship and
:e is our graduate school
:ed opportu- opportunities.
with friends "This confer-
puses ence is our high-
:e of ly anticipated
opportunity to
connect with
rri-Jo McLean friends from
other campuses
around the State
of Florida, to conduct the
business of improving the
quality of our student experi-
ences, to explore our own pro-
fessional and personal devel-
opment, and to revel in the
vibrancy of our culture," stat-
ed Kerri-Jo McLean, confer-
ence chair in a recent press
release. "It is a must attend
event for any student of
Caribbean descent."
*


UNESCO honors Haitian writer


AHaitian writer has
been named an artist
for peace by the
United Nations' Educational,
Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO).
Frank6tienne was given
the recognition for his contri-
bution to French-language lit-
erature, commitment to pre-
serving Haitian culture and
contribution to the promotion
of the agency's ideals, accord-
ing to a statement issued last
month.
A writer, actor, painter
and teacher, Frank6tienne is
considered an emblematic fig-
ure in Haitian culture. The
author of 40 books in French
and creole, including "Dezafi"
and "Ultravocal", he has
received numerous awards
and literary prizes. His play
Melovivi or Le Pi6ge (The
Trap) was staged for the first
time at UNESCO headquar-
ters last month.
Irina Bokova, the
agency's director-general,
bestowed the honor on
Frank6tienne during a forum
at UNESCO's Paris headquar-
ters to discuss the reconstruc-
tion of Haiti's social, cultural
and intellectual heritage fol-
lowing the earthquake which


-ranKetlenne
hit the Caribbean country in
January.
Appointed for two years,
Frank6tienne will provide
support to UNESCO's pro-
grams to promote books and
linguistic diversity.
The UNESCO "Artists
for Peace" are personalities
who use their influence,
charisma and prestige to help
promote the organization's
message.

- CaribWorldNews
0


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6 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010


wwwcaribbeantoday.com


Jamaican court to decide on 'Dudus' Coke U.S. extradition matter RM.


KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -
The Bruce Golding adminis-
tration has made an apparent
about-turn in a bid to end the
controversy surrounding a
United States request for
notorious Tivoli Gardens don
Christopher "Dudus" Coke.
Prime Minister Golding
announced late last month
that the extradition matter
will be taken before the local
court, contrasting a previous
position of his administration
that the request was being
denied on the grounds that
the U.S. government illegally
obtained the evidence to sup-
port its case against Coke,
who hails from the prime min-
ister's constituency.
An application will be
made seeking the declaration
on the powers held by the
minister of justice in dealing
with breaches of treaties
between Jamaica and its pow-
erful neighbor to the north.
Golding said he was anx-
ious to bring closure to the
extradition saga, so the appli-
cation will be made within a
few days.
"Based on the advice
that we have received, I have
instructed the minister of


oluuiug
justice to prepare to seek a
declaration from the courts of
Jamaica, not in relation to the
breach of the treaty...but to
seek a declaration as to
whether the minister has the
authority or obligation to con-
sider breaches of our laws and
breaches which lead to a
breach of the treaty in coming
to her decision," said Golding
during his monthly radio call
in program "Jamaica House
Live" on Mar. 31.
He also stressed that the
Jamaica government will
abide by whatever declaration
is issued by the court.
Additionally, in an effort
to ensure transparency, pri-


vate counsel will be retained
to handle the legal proceed-
ings, the prime minister said.
Golding disclosed that
Jamaica has been engaged in
discussions with the U.S.
authorities on the extradition
matter, but the parties have
failed to reach an agreement.

CONTROVERSY
The controversy has been
deepening since Golding
rejected arguments from the
U.S. for Coke's extradition to
face narcotics and gun smug-
gling charges. Concern has
been raised in several quarters
that the issue could result in a
major breakdown in the
Kingston's relationship with
Washington.
Meantime, the prime min-
ister has sought to clear the
air on whether an American
law firm specializing in extra-
dition and other treaty mat-
ters had a contractual rela-
tionship with the Jamaica gov-
ernment. Golding has instruct-
ed Justice Minister Dorothy
Lightbourne to write to
Manatt, Phelps and Phillips
and request that it clearly
states that it had no contract
with the administration and


Jamaica names new top diplomats to U.S., U.K.


Jamaican businesswoman
Audrey Marks has been
named her country's
ambassador to the United
States.
Marks replaces Anthony
Johnson, a former Member
of Parliament and university
lecturer, who will become
Jamaica's new top diplomat
at the Jamaican High


Marks


Commission in London,
England. Johnson will replace
Ambassador Burchell
Whiteman, who retired last
year.
Both will begin their new
assignments next month.
A career entrepreneur,
Marks, founder and chief
executive officer of Paymaster
(Jamaica Limited), has started
and operated several busi-
nesses, including a 100-acre
banana exporting farm, trans-


portation company, and a real
estate sales and development
company. She has also man-
aged a venture capital compa-
ny with diverse investments
including manufacturing, trav-
el and entertainment activi-
ties.
At a national level, Marks
is the deputy chairman of the
Urban Development Company
(UDC), director of the board
of RBTT Securities Jamaica
limited, Jamaica Trade and
Investment Company Limited,
National Health Fund and the
University of the West Indies
(Mona School of Business), as
well as several private and pub-
lic sector bodies.
A graduate of
Immaculate Conception and
Marymount high schools in
Jamaica, Marks holds bache-
lor's and master's degrees in
business administration from
the University of West Indies
(UWI) and Nova University
(Florida), respectively.

SPOKESMAN
Johnson took up his post-
ing in Washington in Jan.
2008, succeeding Professor
Gordon Shirley, principal of
UWI. He has served as minis-
ter of state with the ministries
of industry and commerce,
and agriculture during his
stint as a Member of
Parliament from 1983 to1993.
He has also been Opposition


spokesman on a variety of
subjects including education,
agriculture, mining, energy


Jonnson


and technology. From 1980 to
1983 and 1993 to 2007, he was
a senator, serving as minority
leader from 1991 to 1995.
Johnson has been a member
of the Jamaican Electoral
Advisory Committee, senior
economist, journalist and civil
servant. He has also been an
executive director of the
Private Sector Organization
of Jamaica.
Johnson is a graduate of
the University of California
with a master's degree in inter-
national trade and finance,
and a bachelor's degree in eco-
nomics. He is a past student of
Kingston College.


also to clarify its dealings with
local attorney Harold Brady.
Golding insists that the
government was not contrac-
tually involved with the U.S.
firm although there were dis-
cussions between the two par-
ties.
"But at no
stage during
those discus-
sions was any
decision taken
nor was any
action taken to
retain their
services; that
they are not Coke
authorized to
represent the
government of Jamaica; that
Mr. Harold Brady was not
authorized to engage any legal
firm on behalf of the govern-
ment of Jamaica; that he is not
a consultant to the
Government of Jamaica and
to make that clear and to
ensure that the position of the
government of Jamaica is
clearly stated," the prime min-
ister told his radio audience.

CUTTING TIES
Golding's comments on


Manatt Phelps and Phillips
came only hours after it was
reported that the U.S. law
firm had publicized informa-
tion about the termination of
its contractual relationship
with the government through
Brady. In a document placed
on the website of the U.S.
Department of Justice the US
law firm stated that it ceased
activities on behalf of the
Jamaican government on Feb.
8. This was done just two days
after the Opposition People's
National Party (PNP), Dr
Peter Phillips first raised the
matter in Parliament.
The public notice of the
termination of the contract
implies that despite repeated
denial by the Golding admin-
istration there was a contract
between Brady and the U.S.
firm to provide contract serv-
ices on behalf of the
Government of Jamaica.
Meanwhile, Information
Minister Daryl Vaz said the
government expects to receive
a report early this month on
the relationship between
Brady and Manatt Phelps and
Phillips.
4


'Shower Posse' leader dies in Jamaica


KINGSTON, Jamaica The
53-year-old founder of the
infamous Jamaican "Shower
Posse" died at a hospital in his
homeland last month.
Media reports from the
island indicated that Vivian
Blake, who was returned to
his native land
more than a
year ago after
serving time
in a United
States prison,
died at the
University
Hospital of
the West Blake
Indies a day
after suffering a heart attack.
Blake's lawyer, George
Soutar, told the Associated
Press that prior to his client's
death, he had been working
on a screenplay about the
Shower Posse.
Blake also had kidney
problems and was on dialysis.
He had spent eight years in U.S.
prison on federal racketeering
and drug and was deported to
Jamaica in Jan. 2009.

'PERFECT STORM'
The Shower Posse origi-
nated in the Tivoli Gardens
section of Kingston, Jamaica,
and its members have report-
edly been avid supporters of
the Jamaican Labor Party
(JLP). The subsequent emi-
gration of battle-hardened
Posse members to the U.S.,
along with the sudden rise of


the 1980s crack epidemic, cre-
ated a perfect storm of violent
crimes for money, with the
Posse blamed for as many as
1,400 murders.
Shower Posse networks
were involved in the sale of
cocaine and marijuana in the
New Jersey cities of Newark,
East Orange, Irvington,
Camden, Atlantic City and
Vineland.
In Sept. 1988, a U.S. fed-
eral grand jury indicted 34
members of the Shower Posse,
including Blake and Lester
Lloyd Coke, alias Big Jim
Brown, the Shower Posse
leader in Kingston. Blake's
two half-brothers, Errol
Hussing and Tony Bruce, who
headed the New York City
operations of the Shower
Posse, were also indicted.
In Dec. 1988 Blake slipped
out of the U.S. on a cruise ship
and entered Jamaica in Ocho
Rios, St. Ann. He managed to
remain free for five years
before he was arrested on an
extradition warrant in 1998. He
spent five years fighting extra-
dition to the U.S. before he
was eventually handed over to
U.S. authorities and ended up
spending eight years in a U.S.
prison before his deportation
last year.
Blake was featured in
the BET series "American
Gangsters".

- CaribWorldNews
4






4 CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010


wwwcaribbeantoday.com


Jamaica's top cop asks diaspora for help in island's crime fight


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3)
Q: How difficult is it to gain
the trust of the community?
How do you measure it?
A: It's going to take some
time to really get an accurate
gauge on that. But, very early,
we are seeing more respon-
siveness in terms of citizens'
calls with information, with
intelligence. We are seeing
some form of restoration of
confidence in terms of people
coming forward to give evi-
dence in court as witnesses.
We are getting very positive
feedback from citizens about
the presence, the responsive-
ness of the police and general-
ly commending us for some of
the things we are doing. That's
the kind of feedback that we
think is very helpful, especial-
ly in the early stages.

Q: Is there a concern about
political interference within
the Jamaica Constabulary
Force?
A: Not for me; it's not my
experience.

Q: There is concern about the
connection between garrison
criminals and politicians, can
you address that?
A: Our approach to dealing
with crime is purely to investi-
gate, get the evidence against
the offender, whoever they
are, and put them before the
courts...Anywhere in the
world where you have a con-
nection between crime and
politics, it undermines gover-
nance, and therefore it pres-
ents even a greater challenge


for law enforcement...As of
right now, given the laws that
we operate with in Jamaica,
we have to pursue criminals
on the basis of evidence, irre-
spective of whether they are
connected to political parties
or not.

Q: You have been "cleaning
house" so to speak. Are you
sending a message to the citi-
zenry?
A: I am just doing my job. I
am just doing what needs to
be done, and dealing with the
corruption problem is a part
of the overall strategy...I have
made it clear that the JCF,
with all the effort we can put
in, with all the patrols we can
put out, with all the arrests
that we can make, cannot
become any more effective
unless we are able to shed the
burden of corruption and
criminality, which existed in
the Jamaica Constabulary
Force...Last year we made in
the region of 90 arrests for
corruption issues. Year-to-
date, I think we have gone
over 20 already because of the
work that is going on.

Q: What has been your
biggest challenge in your role
as acting commissioner of
police?
A: The biggest challenge real-
ly is to get citizens to under-
stand that they too have a role
to play in assuring their own
safety and security. I am more
particularly focused on getting
people to understand that as
long as they are involved in


any criminal activity, any act
of dishonesty, then they are
exposing themselves to danger
from criminals. Once that
message is across, then we are
going to see fewer people get-
ting involved in rascality and
fewer people being at risk to
criminal violence.

Q: What has been your
biggest accomplishment?
A: I haven't started to check
on those as yet, it's too early.

Q: What can you take from
the United States law enforce-
ment system that you think
would work in Jamaica?
A: There is a very well refined
community policing strategy
here in most jurisdictions that
I have visited. They do place a
lot of emphasis on partnership
with the community. I think
that is one area that we need
to expand on. Another one
has to do with integration of
technology into their work
programs; that will come in
time.

Q: Many Jamaicans in the
diaspora are afraid of going
back home, even for a visit,
because of the level of crime.
How can you allay those
fears?
A: We appreciate the interest
you have in Jamaica. We
appreciate the concerns you
have about the crime problem
out there. Our response to this
is to appoint a senior officer in
the Jamaica Constabulary
Force as the diaspora liaison
officer Mr. James Forbes


(telephone numbers: 876-383-
2511,
cell; 876-920-8903, landline).
...How can you in the diaspora
help us? We believe that the
first battle to be won is the
battle for information. I know
that there are activities taking
place right here in Florida
which are instigating crime
and violence in Jamaica...The
JCF toll-free numbers (311,
811, 1-800-CORRUPT) have
never, ever been compro-
mised...Through these num-
bers we have been able to get
very, very valuable intelli-
gence and information which
we have used to either disrupt
criminal activities, prevent
violence and capture violent
criminals.

Q: What are some of the insti-
tutions and organizations that
you partner with in Jamaica?


WASHINGTON, D.C. The
United States Congress has
posthumously honored
Professor Rex Nettleford, the
late Vice Chancellor Emeritus
of the University of the West
Indies (UWI), for his out-
standing contribution to
Jamaica, the Caribbean and
the U.S.
A congressional
proclamation issued by U.S.
Congresswoman Yvette
Clarke, was presented to UWI
Chancellor Sir George Alleyne
at a memorial service held last
month at Dunbarton Chapel
on the Howard University
campus here.
The proclamation, states
"on behalf of the United
States House of
Representatives, I salute Rex
Nettleford for his service and
dedication to our community
and highlight that his positive
and legendary contributions
are what make our nation


A: We work with the military,
we work with the Office of
Disaster Preparedness and
Emergency Management, we
work with the of the Office of
the DPP (Director of Public
Prosecutions) on prosecution
issues, and I have to work
with the courts as well, the
correctional institutions, the
schools...the churches, the
schools, the human rights
groups...Just about every sec-
tor. In fact, the partnership
program is about really
expanding that kind of inte-
gration between agencies so
that we can be more effective
in what we do.

Q: What do you say to human
rights activists when they
accuse the Force of torture,
etc.?
A: We are on the same side.
$


great, and I bestow upon
you the highest honor as a
Member of the 1llth Session
of Congress".
In paying tribute to
Nettleford, the
UWI chancel-
lor described
him as a man
with a "pas- I
sion for peo-
ple, a passion
for perfection
in whatever he
did and a pas- Nettleford
sion to perfect
the perception
of our people about their
proper and rightful pride in
themselves and their intrinsic
worth".
Nettleford 76, died at the
George Washington Hospital
in the U.S. on Feb. 1, six
days after collapsing in a U.S.
hotel.
$


Billions pledged for Haiti


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)
300,000 people. It also left one
third of the country's people in
need of aid. The total value of
damage and losses sustained
has been calculated at about
$7 billion, according to the
U.N. Development Program
(UNDP). Its administrator,
Helen Clark, voiced hope that
last month donor's conference
"will pave the way for building
back better in Haiti.
"With sufficient
resources, the vision present-
ed today by the Government
of Haiti on behalf of Haitian
people can become reality,"
she said.


She also emphasized the
need for Haitian ownership of
the recovery process, with
international assistance being
aligned with the country's pri-
orities.
"With the necessary
resources, we can assist the
government to develop effec-
tive social protection to combat
extreme poverty," Clark said.
"We can help improve
access to education, health
services, and clean water and
sanitation; and we can help
promote food security and
nutrition," she added.
$


U.S. Congress honors late

Rex Nettleford






CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010 11


wwwcari bbeantoday.com


U.S. revokes top Jamaican artistes' visas ~ newspaper St. Lucia jazz fest rolling out
EW YORK The United revoking the visas of the fol- No reason was cited for G am m y-W innin In -
States visas of five top lowing citizens of Jamaica". the cancellation, leaving many
Jamaican entertainers have The names of the artistes are to sneculate whether the can-


been revoked, according to
reports out of the Caribbean
island.
Jamaica media reports
indicate that the visas of reg-
gae's Bounty Killer, Mavado,
Beenie Man, Adonia and
selector Ricky Trooper have
been cancelled and airlines
have reportedly been advised
not to allow any of the enter-
tainers on to flights bound for
the U.S.
Up to press time, repre-
sentatives of the artistes have
said that they were unaware
of the new development. But
the Jamaica Star newspaper
claimed a document obtained
stated: "The Embassy of the
United States in Kingston,
Jamaica, is in the process of


CLEARWATER, Florida A
judge here has refused to
release Jamaican reggae star
Buju Banton on health
grounds, saying that the singer
could flee the country if
released.
Magistrate Anthony
Porcelli said he was also not
going to interfere with the
operations of the Pinella
County Jail where the
singer/deejay is being held.
The Grammy Award-win-
ning artiste, whose real name
is Mark Myrie, is being held
on charges of conspiracy to
possess with intent to distrib-
ute more than five kilograms
of cocaine in a deal to buy
drugs from undercover federal
agents in Sarasota, Florida.
Last month his attorney David


Bounty Killer Beenie Man Mai

The apparent document
also stated: "The people men-
tioned here currently hold a
U.S. visa that we have not yet
been able to physically cancel.
Do not allow these passengers
to board any flights bound for
the United States in reliance
on this visa".


Markus filed an emergency
motion in the Middle District
of Florida Court, citing health
concerns for his client.
Makus said in his motion
that Buju Banton, 36, had lost


40 pounds since being jailed
and that his mental health was


cellation relates to gay rights
protest against
Jamaican dance-
hall acts or the
Jamaica govern-
ment's denial of
the extradition
request for West
Kingston strong-
man Christopher
"Dudus" Coke.
lado The cancella-
tion could mean
the artistes will be
unable to appear this summer
in many U.S. cities where reg-
gae and dancehall shows usu-
ally abound.

CaribWorldNews


declining.

WEIGHT
But prosecutors presented
records refuting Markus's
claims about Banton's weight.
They said the singer weighed
150 pounds when he was
booked on Jan. 5, and that he
is now weighing 161 pounds.
In addition, they said the
Jamaican singer is being
served vegetarian meals.
His trial is scheduled to
start this month.
Media reports last month
claimed that Buju Banton had
been moved to a more secure
unit in the jail as punishment
for giving his food to another
inmate.


listed.


i


]
<


'To Haiti With Love': Caribbean vibes, flavor rock South Florida


DAWN A. DAVIS
Persistent overcast skies
did not keep away the
hundreds who came out
to celebrate life and pay trib-
ute to Haiti through entertain-
ment late last month in South
Florida.
The Lauderhill
Commission-sponsored "To
Haiti With Love A Benefit
Concert for Life" at Lauderhill's
Central Broward Regional Park
rocked with konpa (Haiti's
national dance music), reggae,
hip-hop, soca and R&B as
Haitian Americans and others
helped raise funds for the belea-
guered Caribbean nation.
As patrons satisfied their
appetites with Caribbean
delights from the many food
vendors, they were constantly
fed with musical selections
from a loaded conveyor belt
of artistes. They were treated


to sweet steel pan music
from the Lauderhill Steel
Ensemble, stimulated by the
dance antics of Pretty Ricky,
serenaded by the soothing
voice of Jamaican crooner
Glen Washington, and musi-
cally assaulted by some "new-
bies" to the business. With the
wide gamut of performances,
the audience went from bored
to phrenetic as night fell.

CONNECTION
Twiggi, a petite Jamaican
songstress, was perhaps the
first artiste to connect with the
expectant crowd who showed
its appreciation for her musi-
cal homage to Haiti. Local
band Code Red kept pace
with "wicked" rhythm and
bass lines.
Jovi, another Jamaican
female singer, also managed to
keep the crowd's attention
with her natural soprano voice


Tabou Combo's lead singer Roger "Shoubou" Eugene takes "Miss Haiti International"
Jennifer Lovelace for a spin.


and singing style that smacked
of Jamaica's own Millie Small.
Antiguan-born singer
Causion, with ankle-length


locks flying, gave an energetic
performance that kept up the
tempo.
But, the set truly


belonged to Washington,
who gave the crowd some
old school Dennis Brown
favorites as well as his own
popular hits in a signature
soulful, raspy voice.

ENERGY
Subsequent sets were dot-
ted with rookie performers
that robbed the crowd of
energy. But, all that would
change with the appearance
of Haitian recording artiste
Sweet Micky (Michel
Martelly) and his band. They
re-stimulated the audience
with popular konpa music,
getting them ready for the
headliners. When Tamou
Combo, one of the most
famous Caribbean groups,
took the stage, the boisterous
crowd was one mass of gestic-
ulating bodies. With front man
Roger Eugene (Shoubou)
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 12)


No early jail release for Buju Banton


rammy-winning
recording artistes Ne-
Yo, Corinne Bailey
Rae, Shaggy and Steel Pulse
are set per-
form at St.
Lucia Jazz
from May 1-
9, 2010.
Also
joining the
musical line-
up will be 22-
year-old
R&B singer
Laura Izibor;
the music of
Cuban
ensemble Ne-Yo
Buena Vista
Social Club;
Haitian
kompa band
T-Vice; reg-
gae star Maxi
Priest, along
with singing
veterans
Jeffrey
Osborne,
Freddie
Jackson, and
Teddyson Sha
John and shaggy
Ronald
"Boo"
Hinkson of
St. Lucia.
St. Lucia
Jazz, consid-
ered one of
the leading
music festi-
vals in the
Caribbean, is
marking its
19th anniver-
sary this Bailey Rae
year.


"We are ready to host
travelers from all corners of
the globe who come to St.
Lucia to experience our leg-
endary spot in paradise," said
the island's Minister of
Tourism and Civil Aviation
Allen Chastanet.

SCHEDULE
The festival's scheduled
highlights include:
Wednesday, May 5 -
Laura Izibor at Gaiety in
Rodney Bay. Izibor will
appear on the same stage as
guitarist Earl Klugh, who
returns to Saint Lucia Jazz
after five years; and the Saint
Lucia School of Music Jazz
Band (Black Ants), whose
repertoire includes swing,
funk, reggae, calypso, salsa
and bossa-nova.
Thursday, May 6 Jean-
Luc Ponty, master of violin in
the arena of jazz and rock, at
Gaiety.
Friday, May 7 Ne-Yo,
who has hits such as "Because
of You", "Closer" and "Miss
Independent".
Saturday, May 8 British-
born singer Corinne Bailey
Rae, who has hits like "Put
Your Records On" and "Like
a Star".
Sunday, May 9 Jeffrey
Osborne, Freddie Jackson,
Phil Perry and Howard
Hewett, plus before Jamaican
and Caribbean music greats
Maxi Priest and Shaggy.
For more information,
visit www.stluciajazz.org.





CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010* 23


wwwcari bbeantoday.com


World's three fastest men set for 100 meters showdown in August


BRUSSELS, Belgium Usain
Bolt, Tyson Gay and Asafa
Powell, the three fastest
humans of all-time, are sched-
uled to face the starter in the
men's 100 meters at the IAAF


Bolt won the gold in the
final of the 100 meters at last
year's World Championships
in Berlin, where Gay grabbed
silver and Powell copped
bronze in the fastest 100 in


Gay and Powell will have
their hands full if all three
men last through the season
and are fully fit since Bolt
also holds the meet record of
9.77secs in a duel with Powell
two years ago. Last year, Bolt
also ran an astonishing 200
meters in 19.57, the fourth
fastest time over the distance


in history.
But Powell cannot be
discounted. The Memorial
Van Damme is one of the
Jamaican's favorite meets. He
is the most victorious sprinter
on the Brussels track after
winning the event no less than
five times. His personal best
of 9.84 seconds in Brussels


dates back three years.
American Gay also has fond
memories of the Brussels
track. He made his debut four
years ago with a blistering
19.79 seconds in the 200
meters.
0


The trio of, from left, Powell, Gay and Bolt will clash again in August.


Diamond League athletics
meet on Aug. 27 here.
This followed recent con-
firmation that Bolt will attend
the Memorial Van Damme for
one of the most anticipated
races of the season in the
King Baudouin Stadium. The
Memorial Van Damme is the
final stop on the new IAAF
Diamond League circuit, and
so far is only one of the 14
meets at which all three
sprinters will run.


Alumni from prominent
Jamaican high schools
will take their compet-
itive spirit to the soccer field
this month during the True
Blue/Ziadie Cup in South
Florida.
The event, scheduled for
April 16-18, will feature repre-
sentatives of four Florida
alumni associations St.
Andrew Old Girls', St.
George's College Old Boys,
Convent of Mercy Academy
"Alpha" and Jamaica College
Old Boys.
"This three-day event dis-
plays the unwavering support
J.C. and George's have from
their 'sister schools'," said
Deirdre Benka-Coker, presi-
dent St. Andrew High School
Old Girls Association of
South Florida, Inc., in a recent
press release.
"We are pleased to take a
trip down memory lane with
our 'brother school', revisit-
ing one of the most exciting
rivalries in Manning Cup foot-
ball...Battle of the Blues."
The True Blue weekend is
an expansion from the annual
Ziadie Cup soccer match


history. The Jamaican sprint
megastar set a new world
record of 9.58 seconds, while
Gay became the fastest-ever
American athlete at the dis-
tance, and Powell increased
his world-record number of
sub-10 second races.
All three are IAAF
Diamond League ambassa-
dors and they will gather in
Brussels for a rerun of this siz-
zling final.


The Miami-Dade
Board of County Commissioners


Cordially invite you to view
an exhibit highlighting
Cuban history throughout
the month of May


A commemoration ceremony will
take place on the anniversary of
Cuban Independence Day
Thursday, May 20, 2010 10:00 a.m.


Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street Miami, FL 33128

Free concert featuring famed Cuban artist
Marisela Verena immediately following
commemoration ceremony

For government Informatlon call 3-1-1
or click miamidade.gov


between alumni of St.
George's and J.C. The annual
match is in memory of Dennis
Ziadie, who coached both
schools to Manning Cup victo-
ries. This year will mark the
24th year of Ziadie's death in
a car crash in Mexico at the
1986 World Cup.
Scheduled True Blue
weekend festivities include the
following events:
Friday, April 16, 7 p.m.
to midnight The True Blue
Mixer/Party at I.T. Parker
Community Center (On the
Intracoastal Waterway), 901
N.E. Third St., Dania Beach.
Saturday, April 17, noon
- The Sixth Annual Ziadie
Cup, Jamaica College Alumni
vs. St. George's College
Alumni Soccer Match. Silver
Shores Park,15700 Pembroke
Rd., Miramar.
Sunday April 18,
10 a.m. True Blue Church
Service, Church of the Holy
Family, 18501 N.W. Seventh
Ave., Miami Gardens.
For more information,
call 305-652-6797.
*


Jamaican high school alumni soccer

tourney in South Florida April 16-18






CARIBBEAN TODAY APRIL 2010* 15


wwwcari bbeantoday.com


Buyers beware: Rising loan modification scams target homeowners


WASHINGTON, D.C. An
estimated 4.5 million people
in the United States are at risk
of losing their homes to fore-
closure.
While some will seek relief
in the form of loan modifica-
tion services, reportedly many


Warning: Do not be rushed into signing
any document.

will become victims of scams.
"Foreclosure rates in
America are now at an all-
time high and so is the need
for help," said Kenneth D.
Wade, chief executive officer
of NeighborWorks America.
Scams aren't always easy
to spot, but there are warning
signs to look for. Here are six
red flags to indicate that you
may be dealing with a loan
modification scammer:
1) A company/person asks
for a fee in advance to work
with your lender to modify,
refinance or reinstate your


mortgage. They may pocket
your money and do little or
nothing to help you save your
home from foreclosure.
2) A company/person
guarantees they can stop a
foreclosure or get your loan
modified. Nobody can make
this guarantee to stop foreclo-
sure or modify your loan.
Legitimate, trustworthy HUD-
approved counseling agencies
will only promise they will try
their very best to help you.
3) A company/person
advises you to stop paying
your mortgage company and
pay them instead. Despite
what a scammer will say, you
should never send a mortgage
payment to anyone other than
your mortgage lender. The
minute you have trouble mak-
ing your monthly payment,
contact your mortgage lender.

PRESSURE
4) A company pressures
you to sign over the deed to
your home or sign any paper-
work that you haven't had a
chance to read, and you don't
fully understand. A legitimate
housing counselor would never
pressure you to sign a docu-
ment before you had a chance
to read and understand it.
5) A company claims to
offer "government-approved"
or "official government" loan
modifications. They may be
scam artists posing as legiti-


Caribbean duo billionaires ~ Forbes


NEW YORK Where are the
Caribbean billionaires?
According to Forbes maga-
zine, there are just two at
least two who were born in
the region,
even though
they no longer
call those
countries
home.
Huang
Maoru and
family, born in
Belize but Maoru
based in
China, continue to be listed
among the world's richest with
a net worth of $1.2 billion.
Maoru is now ranked at 828
on the Forbes list. Maoru is
chairman of Maoye
International (00848.HK), a
retailing giant in Shenzhen of
Guangdong province.
Maoru 43, started busi-
ness in real estate in 1992 and
developed several real estate
projects in Shenzhen. Huang
and his wife Zhang Jing held
82.68 percent of the Maoye
International stock. He also
operated 19 shopping centers,
some office buildings and
hotels.
Joining him is Jamaican-
born, Canada-based Michael
Lee-Chin, though he is only


ranked 937th globally with a
net worth of just $1 billion.
Lee-Chin is the founder and
chairman of Portland
Holdings Inc., a privately held
investment company which
owns a collection of diversi-
fied operations in sectors that
include media, tourism, health
care telecommunications and
financial services.
He is currently executive
chairman of AIC Limited (a
Canadian mutual fund) and
the National Commercial
Bank of Jamaica, which last
month announced staff cuts of
100 despite earning a profit
last year.
The top
spot this year
goes to a Latin
American -
Mexico's
Carlos Slim.
Slim, 70, the
son of an
immigrant Lee-Chin
shopkeeper,
has managed to amass a
whopping $53.5 billion for-
tune, including a major stake
in the New York Times news-
paper.

- CaribWorldNews


mate organizations approved
by, or affiliated with, the gov-
ernment. Contact your mort-
gage lender first. Your lender
can tell you whether you qual-
ify for any government pro-
grams to prevent foreclosure.
And, remember, you do not
have to pay to benefit from
government-backed loan
modification programs.


6) A company/person you
don't know asks you to release
personal financial information
online or over the phone. You
should only give this type of
information to companies that
you know and trust, like your
mortgage lender or a HUD-
approved counseling agency.
For more information,
visit www.LoanScamAlert.org.


Edited from a release issued
by NeighborWorks America,
a national nonprofit organi-
zation created by the U.S.
Congress to provide financial
support, technical assistance
and training for community-
based revitalization efforts.
0


And you're invited to the party.



Miarni-Dade Caunty rolls out the green carpet and invites you to a hands-on,
interactive and educational expo that celebrates 40 years of envianronenal
awareness. Join in green fun and take home FREE money-saving, energy-
saving items and walk away a little greener inside and out.

9 a.m. 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 20th
Stephen R Clark Center Lobby
111 NW Ist Street

Featured Exhibits

Eco-Adventures
Reptiles from the Miami Science Museum
Florida-friendly Plants and Landscaping
Hybrid Vehicles
Green Building Materials

Partners
Bureau Verilas City of Miani Beac City of Miami Gardens Miami-Dade Cooperaive
Extension Miai Science Museurn Dream n Green Flida Deparme~a of Transportation
SFriends ol the Everglades Great Miami Chainbe of Conrvnerpe Miami-Da3e
Expressway Authority Soalh Florida Commuter Services South Fkxida Water Manaeent
Dislrid Southeastern Recycling Swee< Vine TREEmrnedous Miri Waste Manageneenlt
Waste Serices Wor Wasle Operation Green Leaves Youth Environmental Programs
Plus more han 20 county agencis proudly doing green in your oormunity!