february 2009 presortedufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/uf/00/09/92/85/00035/00002-2009.pdfpresorted...

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

MIAMI, FLPERMIT NO. 7315

Vol. 20 No. 3

FEBRUARY 2009

Tel: (305) [email protected][email protected]: 654-7282W e c o v e r y o u r w o r l d

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INSIDE

This may not be the year youcelebrate Valentine’s Day in anelegant restaurant. Or, maybeyou’re skipping your intimatelobster dinner to trim your budg-et. Thank goodness chocolate,the ambrosial route to romance,is still affordable, page 11.

With intense global economicstorm clouds now threateningon the horizon, Jamaica’s finan-cially troubled national carrierhas unveiled a new businessplan that calls not only for theditching of jobs and aircraft, but also some unprofitableroutes in the U.S., page 14.

News ....................................2Black History Month ........6Viewpoint ............................7

Health ..................................9Food ....................................11Arts/Entertainment ..........12

Tourism/Travel ..................14Feature ..............................15Sport ..................................16

Business ............................19

T H E M U L T I A W A R D - W I N N I N G N E W S M A G A Z I N E

CALL CARIBBEAN TODAY DIRECT FROM JAMAICA 655-1479

~ Caribbean people in the UnitedStates, the region and the world wereoverjoyed when Barack Obama wassworn in as the 44th American presi-dent. Now they are waiting - and hop-ing - for the new commander-in-chief toconnect with them, pages 4 and 5.

Tanya Ragbeer, left, has trans-formed the tragic loss of herdaughter Tatiana into opportu-nities for others via TATI, Inc., anon-profit organization with amission to unite, educate, andmentor Caribbean Americanyouth to become productive citizens and leaders, page 15.

Jamaica’s Florida-based World and Olympicsprint champion Veronica Campbell-Brown,happily married and training hard, has herfocus set on taking the double – 100 and 200meters – at this year’s IAAF WorldChampionships in Athletics, page 17

EVERYTHINGIS GOOD

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NASSAU, The Bahamas,CMC - A Bahamian lawmak-er accused of being involvedin a plot to extort money fromAmerican actor JohnTravolta, after his teenage sondied, has resigned.

SenatorPleasantBridgewater,who wasamong threepeopledetained aspolice hereinvestigatedthe allegedscheme, wascharged late last month withabetment to extort and con-spiracy to extort. She wasreleased on $40,000 bail.

However, Bridgewatervowed to prove her innocenceof the “untrue and unfaircharges” that resulted fromactions she took in her capaci-ty as a lawyer.

Up to press time policehad also declined to explainwhat the alleged schemeinvolved.

Another politician, formerTourism Minister ObieWilchcombe, and ambulancedriver Tarino Lightbourne,were also taken into custody bythe authorities. Wilchcombe,who said he was a close friendof Travolta, was released pend-ing further investigations. Theambulance driver remained inpolice custody up to press time,

although he had not beencharged. A police source saidhe could possibly face a chargeof attempted extortion.

EXTORTIONJett Travolta, 16, died on

Jan. 2 after a seizure he hadwhile his family was vacation-ing on Grand Bahama.Lightbourne was the one whorushed the younger Travoltato hospital and has since spo-ken publicly - including anappearance on United Statestelevision - about his efforts torevive him.

Travolta’s lawyers recentlydisclosed that the family fellvictim to per-sons seeking toextort fromthem, butdeclined todivulge thesuspects’demands orwhat threatswere made ifthey did notget what they asked for.

Jett was the only son ofTravolta, 54, and his wife,actress Kelly Preston, 46. Hisbody was cremated in TheBahamas and his ashes takento Florida, where a memorialservice was held.

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BUFFALO, New York – ABarbadian national has plead-ed guilty of smuggling “daterape” drugs into the UnitedStates.

Warren Maynard, 51,pleaded guilty in a U.S. feder-al court here of smuggling theillegal drugs in containersmarked “religious water”.

He had been charged witha felony for international nar-cotics smuggling and appearedbefore U.S. District JudgeWilliam M. Skretny.

Prosecutors said Maynard,who had been living inBrooklyn, New York, wasarrested Oct. 16 at theLewiston-Queenston Bridge in upstate New York by U.S. Customs and BorderProtection agents. Acting U.S. Attorney Kathleen M.Mehltretter said Maynard hadsecreted ketamine — an illegal“date rape” drug — in 43 bot-tles of what was labeled reli-gious water.

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MIAMI – A union represent-ing health workers in SouthFlorida says Caribbeannationals are the fastest grow-ing group of that sector.

“It has been an interestingdemographic transformation,”said Monica Russo, presidentof the Florida State Council ofthe Service EmployeesInternational Union.

“The newer folks arefrom Haiti and Jamaica andall across the West Indies,”she added.

Russo said the majority ofCaribbean nationals in SouthFlorida seek careers as homehealth aides, medical assis-tants, nurses, surgical techni-cians, among others. Theunion boss said, in Lauderhilland Lauderdale Lakes, twoBroward cities with a highconcentration of Caribbeanimmigrants, technical schools

offering specialties in healthcare are multiplying.

GROWTHSome schools say the

community grew aroundthem, but newer schools saythey were drawn to the areaby the concentration of poten-tial students.

“We build our schoolsthrough referrals,” saidBernadette Edwards, senioradmissions representative at the American Institute School of Health Careers in Lauderdale Lakes.

“We’re not just selling aprogram, we’re selling adream,” she added, revealingthat over 60 percent of her stu-dents are of Caribbean ancestry.

The scene is similar atMedVance Institute, anotherhealth school in LauderdaleLakes, where more than 50

percent of the students arefrom the Caribbean. JamaicanMichael Hayle, 48, a father offour, said he is studying to bea surgical technician atMedVance Institute. He saidhe worked for years inGeorgia as a janitor in ahealth care facility, and thathe had a hard time finding asimilar job when he relocatedto South Florida last year. Hesaid he then decided to trysomething new.

“My only regret is that Ididn’t start sooner,” he said.

Pauline Bremmer, anotherJamaican native, said she hasjust finished a 15-month surgi-cal technician program, alongwith her 18-year-old sonJerome. Both graduated fromMedVance with perfect aver-ages.

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NEW YORK, CMC - ATrinidadian-born resident ofQueens, New York faces mul-tiple charges for an allegedscheme in which he is accusedof promising to get officialUnited States “green cards”and other documents fordozens of Trinidadian immi-grants but instead stole nearly$100,000.

Nazim Hosein, 36, wasarrested last month when hearrived on a flight from Portof Spain and was laterarraigned on multiple chargesincluding grand larceny, crimi-nal possession of stolen prop-erty and scheme to defraud.

Prosecutors claim Hoseinduped dozens of members ofthe Trinidad and Tobago com-munity in New York by prom-ising to speed up their appli-cation process. They allegethat he claimed to know a fed-eral employee who couldassist them to get their docu-ments for fees ranging from$5,000 to $20,000.

Hosein pleaded guilty. Hislawyers declined to commenton the matter.

DEAD DREAMSProsecutors said he told

the alleged victims to meet

him at on Oct. 10, 2008 toreceive their documents, butthat they waited more thanfive hours not knowing thatHosein was in Trinidad.

“The victims in this caseare all hardworking immi-grants who bought into thedefendant’s alleged assurancesto hasten their AmericanDream and trustingly turnedover large sums of money tohim. Instead of a brighterfuture, they found theirdreams quashed by the defen-dant’s alleged unscrupulousactions and their moneygone,” District AttorneyRichard A. Brown said.

Hosein, who was releasedon $100,000 bail, could faceseven years in prison if con-victed.

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Bahamas senator detained inTravolta extortion plot resigns

Barbadian pleads guilty to smuggling‘date rape’ drugs into the United States

Caribbean American residents form fastestgrowing group in South Florida health care

Trinidadian accused in N.Y.‘green card’ scam

2 CARIBBEAN TODAY February 2009

N E W SN E W Swww.caribbeantoday.com

Wilchcombe

Bridgewater

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February 2009 CARIBBEAN TODAY 3

I believe en ing worl hunger is impossible.b b

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NEW YORK - Several promi-nent members of the WestIndian community in theUnited States have joined oth-ers in expressing elation overthe inauguration of BarackObama as U.S. president.

Congresswoman YvetteD. Clarkedescribed the“pure joy”that she andothers wereexperiencingbecause of thehistoric occa-sion.

“I feel alot of excite-ment, a strong sense of prideand a spirit of determination,”Clarke told the CaribbeanMedia Corporation (CMC)the day after Obama was offi-cially sworn in as the 44thpresident.

“This is a unique moment,where people from all walksof life are feeling a great senseof hope and an urgent needfor change,” added Clarke,the daughter of Jamaicanimmigrants, who representsthe 11th CongressionalDistrict in Brooklyn, thelargest district of Caribbeanimmigrants in the country andwhose mother,Jamaican-born UnaClarke, is aformer NewYork citycouncil-woman.

“…As aCaribbeanAmerican,whose parents immigrated tothis nation and became a partof the civil rights movement,it’s both thrilling and hum-bling to see the look of dignityon their faces, knowing thattheir hard work has paid off.”

‘GREAT DAY’St. Vincent and the

Grenadines’ New York ConsulGeneral Cosmus Cozier saidJan. 20 was “a great day notjust for black people, but forthe world over.”

“The only thing that wor-ries me is so much (needs) tobe done,” he said.

“But the example he(Obama) sets goes well for the future,” he added.“Government can’t do every-thing.”

Cozier said Obama willput a lot of programs in placeto help nationals and theworld, adding that he hopesthe new U.S. presidentrescinds the draconian immi-

gration laws.“It’ll be a better place for

us,” he said. “I’m looking for-ward to having a lot ofchanges in immigration.”

Jamaican-born New YorkAssemblyman Nick Perry,representative for the pre-dominantly Caribbean, 58thAssembly District inBrooklyn, described Obama’sinauguration as “a sense ofmission accomplished.” Hesaid this was in keeping with“everyone’s fight for equality,for an America, as MartinLuther King, Jr. said, thatlives up to its creed – whereall people are treated equally,where black Americans,Asian Americans, are notjudged by the color of theirskin but by the content oftheir character.”

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NELSON KING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – TheCaribbean community in theUnited States has high hopesfor a Barack Obama presiden-cy, with one Jamaican-bornpolitical scientist hailing hisofficial swearing in ceremonyon Jan. 20 here as representa-tive of “a new dawn forAmerica, the Caribbean andthe world.

“Under Obama, we hopeto see expansion of trade, and,hopefully, expansion of invest-ment in the Caribbean,” saidDr. Basil Wilson, provost andprofessor emeritus at John JayCollege of Criminal Justice inlower Manhattan, New York.

“The Caribbean should beable to see significant changesin U.S. relations with Cuba,”he told the Caribbean MediaCorporation (CMC), shortlyafter watching live televisioncoverage of Obama’s inaugu-ration as the 44th president ofthe United States.

Obama took the oath ofoffice as the first black presi-dent of the U.S. in a simpleyet elegant ceremony, wit-nessed by two million peopleand watched on television bymillions around the world,including the Caribbean.

“I stand here today hum-bled by the task before us,grateful for the trust you havebestowed, mindful of the sac-

rifices borne by our ances-tors,” said Obama, the 47-year-old son of a black fatherfrom Kenya and a white moth-er from Kansas.

ASSURANCEHe assured the world that

he will address - head on - direeconomic and other challengesit faces. The new U.S. presi-dent also pledged to workwith all nations in the world,

including the Caribbean.In response to Obama,

Wilson, considered one of theforemost Caribbean politicalscientists in the U.S., said hewas hopeful that particularattention would be paid to theplight of the people of Haiti.

“We hope Haiti will get a‘Marshall Plan’, as well, tobring it into the 21st century,”said Wilson, stating that Haitisuffered “dreadfully” under

the previous George W. Bushadministration.

Kawal Toteram, aGuyanese lawyer in Queens,New York, told CMC Obamabrings much-needed hope toall nations around the world.

“It’s a hair-raising experi-ence to see the inaugurationof the first black president ofthe United States,” he said.

“It’s a great moment forall people of the world, espe-

cially people of colorand all immigrants.”

‘NEW DIRECTION’Steve Alexander, a

former Grenada NewYork consul general,said the Caribbean“yearned” for the dayfor new leadership inWashington.

“I think I’ll see anew direction for theCaribbean,” he toldCMC.

Holding back tears,Derek Ventour, a Grenadian-born entertainment promoterin Brooklyn, New York, said:“I didn’t know that I wouldsee a black man as president(of the U.S.) in my generation.

“But I must say, this is anew dawn, a new beginning notonly for this great country butfor the world over,” he added.

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West Indians feel ‘pure joy’ atU.S. president’s inauguration

Caribbean Americans have high hopes for Obama


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~ A Caribbean Today special feature

Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president ofthe U.S. with his wife Michelle by his side.

Clarke

Perry

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Secretary General of theCaribbean community(CARICOM) Edwin

Carrington says the region islooking forward to “veryfriendly and productive rela-tions” with the new BarackObama administration.

Speaking as Americansand the rest of the worldjoined in celebration ofObama’s inauguration as the44th president of the UnitedStates last month, the CARI-COM official noted that thenew administration couldpresent some advantages tothe regional grouping.

“A number of elements ofBarack Obama’s election plat-form, as well as the informa-tion given by his incoming sec-retary of state in her confirma-tion hearing last (month),point to the rebuilding or the

strengthening of U.S. diplo-matic links throughout thehemisphere including theCaribbean; points to thestrengthening of security coop-eration; it points a greater sen-sitivity to the threat of climatechange and global warmingand a readiness to addressthose issues,” he said.

The CARICOM secretarygeneral said the inclusion ofpersons of Caribbean descent,such as Attorney General EricHolder, should work to theregion’s advantage and resultin the region having a moresympathetic ear with the U.S.government. He added thatshould Obama’s economicplan prove to be successful,member states would alsoreap the rewards.

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HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC– Bermuda’s Premier EwartBrown said he could not holdback the tears listening toBarack Obama’s speech dur-ing his inauguration as thefirst African American presi-dent of the United States.

Four decades ago, Brown

was an outspoken student and civil rights activist inWashington, D.C., and when hereturned to the capital on Jan.20, he admitted he was over-come with emotion.

“I was filled up and, infact, could not hold back mytears, especially when he

referred to his father who 60years ago would not havebeen able to eat in a restau-rant in Washington, D.C.,”Brown said of Obama’sspeech.

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CARICOM ready towork with Obama

Atop regional academichas issued his own listof priorities for the

new United States administra-tion, which calls specifically onPresident Barack Obama totackle economic and securityconcerns in the Caribbean.

Professor Norman Girvanof the University of the WestIndies also believes the cur-rent situation in Gaza isenough to warrant immediateattention by the president, buthe also believes there can beno side stepping the issuescurrently facing the impover-ished Caribbean nation ofHaiti or neighboring Cuba,which continues to reel fromthe effects of a decades-oldU.S. embargo.

In the case of Haiti,Girvan has called on the new

Obama government to under-take “full and unconditional”cancellation of the country’sbilateral debt to the U.S. Hehas also urged the new U.S.government to use its influ-ence with other bilateral andmultilateral donors, includingthe World Bank, to have themdo the same.

Girvan has also called onthe Obama administration to“initiate an international part-nership for Haitian recon-struction and development”and to restore “TemporaryProtected Persons status” toundocumented Haitians in theU.S., which provides themwith the opportunity to makea case against forcible repatri-ation.

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• “From Paris to Port-ofSpain, and from Tokyo toTunis, people are drawn tothis phenomenon because ofwhat it says about the powerof the human spirit...the abili-ty of human beings to charttheir own destiny...the possi-bility of mankind to over-come tremendous, stupen-dous, even frightening odds”– Prime Minister DenzilDouglas, St. Kitts and Nevis.

• “In Barack Obama, there issomething unique. He repre-sents change, but not just as aslogan, he represents changethat could come about, thepossibility of change in the

whole world” - Guyana’sPresident Bharrat Jagdeo.

• “I think it is a good thingfor (the Caribbean). It placesus in a position where I thinkwe are in a stronger bargain-ing position” - Grenada’sPrime Minister TillmanThomas.

• “It was a very movingevent, the very drama of theoccasion” – Ralph Gonsalves,prime minister of St. Vincentand the Grenadines.

Stories on pages 4 and 5compiled from CMC.

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Caribbean academic issues ‘wish list’

What they said about Obama’s inauguration:

I couldn’t hold back the tears ~ Bermuda’s premier


O B A M AO B A M A ’’ SS I N A U G U R A T I O NI N A U G U R A T I O N www.caribbeantoday.com


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Art exhibitions, danceperformances, filmsand educational work-

shops will be among the high-lights of Nova SoutheasternUniversity’s (NSU) BlackHistory Month activities.

The South Florida institu-tion’s celebration this month isopen to the public.

Below is a partial listing ofevents. Unless otherwise noted,all events will be held onNSU’s main campus, 3301College Ave. in Davie.

Feb. 9, 16 - “Food for the Soul”Series

Lunch-speakers series fea-turing Tiffany Jordan, 1 p.m. to2 p.m., Knight Auditorium. CallCarla Withrow, 954-262-5149.

Feb. 12 - Strengths of BlackFamilies Film Festival

Viewing and discussion of“Pursuit of Happyness”, 7 p.m.to 10 p.m., Knight Auditorium.Contact Dr. Debra Nixon at 954-262-3008 or [email protected] more information.

Feb. 15 - Discover Your Roots,Discover Your World… AfricanAmerican Genealogy Resources.

Learn about AfricanAmerican genealogicalresources plus new free databas-es. Open to the public and free,4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the AlvinSherman Library on NSU’smain campus. Call 954-262-4613.

Feb. 16 - Jeopardy Night,6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Student teams will competein the Black History JeopardyNight game. Contact JulieHamrick at [email protected].

Feb. 18 - African World ArtistsCollective Opening Receptionand Exhibit

Farquhar College of Artsand Sciences will host thisevent, which includes a tour ofthe art exhibit, performancesand refreshments. Call TennilleShuster at 954-262-7611.

Feb. 19• “Body & Movement” pre-

sented by Corpo e MovimentoCapoeira Academy, noon to 1p.m. in the University CenterFlight Deck. Contact KennyMcCallum at 954-262-1289 [email protected].

• Master Class and discussionwith Marc Bamuthi Joseph, 1p.m. to 3 p.m.

This dance workshop anddiscussion will take place in theDivision of Visual andPerforming Arts DivisionOrchestra Room in theUniversity Center. For reserva-tions, call Chetachi Egwu at 954-262-8073.

Feb. 20 - Strength of the BlackFamily Film Festival

Festival continues with“The Great Debaters”, 7 p.m.to 10 p.m., Knight Auditorium.Contact Dr. Nixon.

Feb. 21 - Black Law StudentAssociation presents NSU LawDay

The free event gives highschool and undergraduates ataste of what it’s like to attendlaw school. From 9 a.m. to 2p.m., in the Shepard BroadLaw Center. Contact BethHall, 954-262-6121 [email protected].

Feb. 24 - Dessert and Dialogue:Hip Hop and the BlackExperience in America

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. inthe University Center FlightDeck. Contact Cherise Jamesat [email protected].

Feb. 27 - Strength of the BlackFamily Film FestivalFestival concludes with “Meetthe Browns”, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.,Knight Auditorium. ContactDr. Nixon, 954-262-3008 [email protected].

A blog site is available to encourage ongoing discussionaround the various NSU Black History Month events.The address ishttp://blogs.library.nova.edu/blackhistory.

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The National Associationfor the Advancement ofColored People will

mark its 100th anniversary onFeb. 12. The NAACP, whichhas 1,700 units in the UnitedStates, has scheduled severalevents this month to celebratethe milestone:• 6 p.m. Feb. 12 – 100th birth-day celebration, Old DillardMuseum, 1009 N.W. FourthSt., Fort Lauderdale, Florida.• 8 p.m. Feb. 12 - 40th annual

NAACP Image Awards airslive, nationwide on the FOXtelevision network. • Feb. 21 - ExecutiveCommittee and general mem-bership meeting - “Visual ArtSkills and Philosophies” at theOld Dillard Museum.• 7 p.m. Feb. 26 - NAACP“Adult” Branch Meeting, 1409Sistrunk Blvd. Fort Lauderdale.

For more information,call 754-366-3735.

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The Miami-Dade PublicLibrary System (MDPLS)will celebrate “Black

History Month” with three spe-cial art exhibitions in the SouthFlorida city.

The exhibitions will fea-turing works from Haitian-born artist Asser Saint-Val,children’s book illustratorAdjoa J. Burrowes, and artistand historian Wendy Allen.

The public is invited, at nocost, to view the exhibitions atthe following branches:

• North Dade Regional,2455 N.W. 183 St.Asser Saint-Val: “TheMelanin Project” - ThroughMar. 23.

Melanin is the biologicalpigment that gives human skinand hair its color. Saint-Val,interested in the way scienceand biology have been used tojustify false perceptions aboutpeople of color, made a study of“the phenomenon of melanin”and the role it plays in people ofall races. His findings became a

series of paintings, of imaginaryembodiments, of this phenome-non - part figurative, part some-thing you would see under amicroscope.


• Main Library Auditorium,101 W. Flagler St.

“Color All Around” -Illustrations by Adjoa J.Burrowes – Through Mar. 31.

Features 42 original cut-paper collages from picturebooks illustrated by Burrowes.She combines her expertise as

a graphic designer with use ofcollage and mixed media. Herillustrations feature cut-paperfigures, organic shapes andangular forms.


• Main Library, 1st floor exhi-bition space, 101 W. Flagler St.“The People’s President:Portraits of Lincoln by WendyAllen” – Feb. 7 through April 6.

Created exclusively withone subject in mind: a man whowas one of America’s mostbeloved presidents. In obser-vance of the 200th anniversaryof Abraham Lincoln’s birth, theMDPLS has collaborated withAllen to create a site-specific,salon-style installation of herobsessive oeuvre of Lincolnportraits.


Additional details of thethree exhibitions may beobtained by visitingwww.mdpls.org.

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Black History Month is acelebration of the accom-plishments of African

Americans. Not many haveaccomplished more than the latecivil rights leader Dr. MartinLuther King Jr. His words, somepublished here, continue toinspire people all over the world:

• “Man is man because he is freeto operate within the framework

of his destiny” -1959.

• “Darkness cannot drive outdarkness; only light can do that.Hate cannot drive out hate;only love can do that” - 1963.

• “Nonviolent action, the negrosaw, was the way to supple-ment, not replace, the progressof change”- 1964.

• “The curse of poverty has no

justification in our age” - 1967.

• “A good many observers haveremarked that if equality couldcome at once the negro wouldnot be ready for it. I submitthat_the white American is evenmore unprepared” -1967.

• “To be a negro in America isto hope against hope” - 1967.

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NSU offers variety ofevents in February

NAACP marks 100th anniversary

Miami libraries display special art exhibitions

African Americans, the world inspired by MLK


B L A C KB L A C K H I S T O R YH I S T O R Y M O N T HM O N T Hwww.caribbeantoday.com


A piece from Asser Saint-Val’s “TheMelanin Project”.

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I’ve heard some storiesabout hell that I just had toshare.True, they say that hell is

what you make it, and indeedsome people make the lives ofothers a living hell, even asthey attempt to derive heaven-ly pleasures. But even thoughthey say that first impressionsare the most lasting, many firstimpressions leave an indeliblemark that we would prefer notto be lasting at all. It’s animpression that is a hellishone.

Hellish encounters I callthem, and he or she who feelsit, knows it. In fact this firstone is from afriend of minewho seems tohave morebad luck withwomen of allraces, sizes,religions andcreeds, thananyone Iknow. His sadstory beginswhere hebemoans thefact that we live in a self serv-ing society that puts such a

huge emphasis on materialgain and vanity, that peoplelose themselves in the struggleto keep up. Nevertheless, heconsidered himself lucky tohave attracted beautifulwomen of all races, as youknow what our makeup is likein the diaspora.

Unfortunately, this racialpotpourri made no difference tohis hellish experiences asdemons come in differentforms. One young lady, on thevery first date, made him driveout over half a tank of gasbefore she decided on where

she wanted to eat. Now we allknow what the price of gas isnowadays, irrespective of what-ever country you live in, so todrive around town searching fora suitable restaurant is not onlyno fun, but impacts seriously onthe pocket.

Apart from being angry,miserable and hungry, he waseven more distressed to watchhis gas gauge move from full toempty as they endlessly drovearound town. The lady simplycould not decide on fast food,

Obama’s hopes face reality Hellish encounters of the dating kind


V I E W P O I N TV I E W P O I N T www.caribbeantoday.com

TONYROBINSON

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 8)

WASHINGTON - Irony ishard to define but you knowwhen you don’t see it.

Irony isthe gapbetweenideals andreality, thegap betweenexpectationsand whathappens.

It wasironic ofThomasJefferson todefend as“inalienable”the rights of allmen to life, liberty and thepursuit of happiness while heowned slaves.

It was ironic of AbrahamLincoln to author anEmancipation Proclamationthat only freed the slaves inthe states that had brokenaway from the Union.

It was ironic of AfricanAmericans to fight a waragainst Nazism abroad andreturn to racial segregation athome.

But as my wife and Iwatched Pete Seeger andBruce Springsteen on televi-sion, singing “This land is yourland, this land is my land...” atthe Lincoln Memorial programbefore the inauguration ofBarack Obama - and we beganto sing along - there was noirony in that moment. Theinauguration of a biracial presi-dent with African roots and aglobal autobiography causeseven the most cynical among usto feel proud to be part of acountry that made this possible.

JOYYou would have to have a

heart made of stone to beunmoved by Laurie Madsen, awoman I met on a Metrotrain, who jokingly called her-self “one of the few liberals inUtah.” Old enough to witnessthe tragedies of the 1960s ontelevision, “I marched withMartin Luther King Jr. in myhouse,” she said, choking backtears. “Now I feel blessed tomarch to Obama.”

I felt her joy. WatchingKing deliver his “I Have aDream” speech at the LincolnMemorial made me want tobe a journalist. I wanted towitness history while it washappening. Like others of mygeneration, I did not dare toexpect to live long enough tosee King’s dream become asmuch of a reality as it has.Irony recedes as Obama’s vic-tory raises the expectationsthat we Americans have ofourselves and our country’scapacity for racial fairness.

Yet, disabuse yourself ofany notion that irony has died,despite such suggestions frompublic intellectuals as diverse

as author Joan Didion and“The Daily Show” host JonStewart. Political honeymoonssoon end. A gap betweenexpectations and realityinevitably opens. Critics andcomedy writers quickly regaintheir footing.

REALITYAre expectations of

Obama too high, journalistsask? It’s easy to see how theworld might get that impres-sion. Obama iconography wasabundant long before he tookhis oath of office.

You could see it in thering of Obama-branded com-merce around the WashingtonMall - a bizarre bazaar ofObama caps, T-shirts, playingcards, bobble-head dolls andother paraphernalia ofObama-love.

Top of the kitsch pile isthe “Barack Obama condom”.“Use with good judgement”(sic) its foil wrapper advices.Irony lives. At least, the com-pany didn’t try to use the realObama campaign slogan,“Yes, we can!”

Like the “John McCaincondom” offered by the samecompany, it has no official linkto the man whose name andphoto it features on its foilwrapper. And neither does theblissfully irrational exuberancethat many well-wishers aroundthe planet have expressedabout Obama’s victory.

Reverend EugeneRobinson, the first openly gaybishop in the EpiscopalChurch, offered this realitycheck in his opening prayer atpre-inaugural ceremonies:“Bless us with patience andthe knowledge that none ofwhat ails us will be fixed any-time soon,” he prayed, “andthe understanding that ournew president is a humanbeing, not a messiah.”

Obama supporters withwhom I have talked seem toknow that, despite die-hardcritics who mock his “Savior”appeal to liberals. Once theinaugural party lights havefaded, everyone should knowthat President Obama becomesjust another chief executivewho must sink or swim on hisability to handle the job.

He seemed to say as muchin the subtle appeal for helpthat he included in his inaugu-ral address, even as he tried tokeep hopes aloft. “What isrequired of us now is a newera of responsibility,” he said,“a recognition, on the part ofevery American, that we haveduties to ourselves, ournation, and the world, dutiesthat we do not grudginglyaccept but rather seize gladly,firm in the knowledge thatthere is nothing so satisfying

CLARENCEPAGE


Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:20 PM

fine dining, fish or fowl, andwas clearly a hellish encounter.

LADIES TURNLadies have hellish

encounters too, although theyusually take on a sexual tone.The man wants to move toofast, grope too early, see hernaked too soon; hell for awoman.

Still, there are a few othertypes of hellish encounters asthis lady told me. This manexpressed an interest in herand asked her out for what hepromised to be a wonderfulevening. Naturally, after givingit some thought, she acceptedand went on a spending spree,spending not only time, butmoney to prepare for this won-derful evening, new dress, newshoes, expensive perfume, theworks. Well, the evening start-ed going downhill from whenthe guy showed up on footafter his friend dropped himoff, and promptly asked her ifshe could drive her car, as hiswas, “In the shop for servicingand wouldn’t be out for a dayor two.”

If she was smart, shewould have followed her mindand cancelled the date on thespot, but what the heck, maybehis story was true, she thought.If she was wise, she shouldhave pitched him out of hercar when he asked to use hercell phone, as his was “Havinga problem with the SIM cardon his,” and couldn’t makecalls. If she was astute, sheshould have felt the flames ofhell beating down on her,when instead of directing herto the trendy restaurants fordinner, as he had promised, heinstructed her to drive to someseedy joint on the back roads,where curiously all the waitersand girls on the corner knewhim by his first name.

During the meal, on plasticplates of course, he then pro-ceeded to boast about his pre-vious involvement with women,adding that, “Since it’s so late,why don’t we just check intothe hotel next door and savethe bother of driving back totown? I’ll book a room forabout three hours.” That washer cue, as the young lady, bynow mortified, ran to her carand never saw the creep again.

Truly a hellish encounter.

BAD LUCKBut back to the story of my

poor unfortunate friend whowas so perennially unlucky withwomen. Some people just seemto attract that sort of experi-ence, over and over again.

He was the quintessentialnice guy, and many women justseemed to zoom in to exploitthis. On the very first date, thisgirl promptly told him that shehad four kids. Now for many

guys, that would have been thecue to get the hell out ofDodge City, but not Mr. NiceGuy, who was full of sympathyand empathy. So the very nextday he found himself pickingher up from work, then thekids from three differentschools, plus the youngest onefrom her mother, then on toanother town where she lived.

I always say, don’t startanything that you can’t finish,but the poor man started thedaily equation of distance plusgas plus time which equalsmajor frustration plus econom-ic meltdown. To top it off, hehad to feed the entire tribe atKFC every day, so you can justimagine what the bills came to.After two weeks he simplycould not take any more andtold her that his job had reas-signed him to work in thecountry parts.

This other young lady hadthe unfortunate experiencethat every woman dreads.During what she thought was alovely evening, her date keptlooking at a photograph in hiswallet and sobbing as he did.She thought perhaps that itwas some dearly departed rela-tive. But when she asked, heinformed her that it was aphoto of his wife whom hesimply adores.

Surely a jaw dropping hell-ish experience.

MAIN ATTRACTIONBut back to the tale of my

hapless friend who tried his luckwith yet another lass. Doing hisbest to impress, he brought hisdate a dozen red roses as hepicked her up. So impressedwas she, that she immediatelycalled her mom to inform herhow wonderful the guy was. Offthey went to the movies, and itwas during this drive that shetold the guy how her ex-hus-band of 10 years had given hera hard time and then left her.

But it was during themovie that all hell broke loose.During the scene where thefemale star got tied up, the girlwent berserk and startedscreaming about how mentreat women and how all menare wicked and bad. Shebecame the main attraction.

Washed with shame, shockand awe, my friend took herhome, politely called her thenext day, but mercifully neverheard from her again.

I know that people areseeking companionship andwill even resort to dating serv-ices, but buyer beware. Lookfor the signs. My advice is, ifthe evening starts to take onhellish proportions, get the hellout of there as fast as you can,because you will burn foreveras hell does not get cooler.

[email protected]

®

to the spirit, so defining of ourcharacter, than giving our allto a difficult task.”

With that he raises a new

question: It is not onlywhether he will live up to our expectations that matters,but also whether we will liveup to his.

© 2009 Clarence Page.Distributed by Tribune MediaServices, Inc.

®

Hellish encounters of the dating kind


V I E W P O I N TV I E W P O I N Twww.caribbeantoday.com

The Florida Lottery was introduced in 1988 to raise non-tax revenue for public education. Since then, Lottery games have contributed

more than $19 billion to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. No less significant, however, is the multibillion-dollar impact the Lottery has had on small and minority-owned businesses throughout the state.

Business owners looking for new andexciting products, and seeking ways tobring more customers into their stores and add a new revenue source, should consider becoming a Florida Lottery retailer. Based on a study conducted by Ernst and Young, selling Lottery products boosts customer traffic by 11%. This study also found that frequent Lottery customers spend two-and-one-half times what non-Lottery customers spend.

The economic impact begins withthe network of more than 13,000 retailoutlets that sell Lottery products,generating billions of dollars in revenuefrom commissions, redemption andincentive bonuses, and enhancedmerchandise sales. Retailers receive a5% commission on ticket sales, plus a1% cashing bonus on the redemptionof winning tickets. As a direct resultof offering Lottery products, Floridaretailers earn additional profits whenLottery customers make other non-Lottery purchases in their stores.

From inception of the Lottery through fiscal year 2006-2007, more than $47.9 billion in Lottery tickets has been sold. This activity has netted retailers across the state in excess of $2.68 billion in commissions and redemption bonuses.

Reaching Out to Minority EntrepreneursMinority business development is a very important part of the small-business equation. After all, small business represents the lifeblood of the Florida economy, accounting for the lion’s share of jobs and payroll. And it is to small business that the Florida Lottery has pledged its support on a statewide basis.

In the spirit of diversifying its small-business partners, the Lottery is committed to increasing the number of minority-owned retailers statewide. From February 2006 to February 2008, overall the agency’s number of minority retailers increased by 3%.

By developing retailer incentives and providing support for special promotions, the Florida Lottery works with retailers throughout the state to make them as successful as possible. Ultimately, this success helps create jobs and an increased demand for merchandise. During FY 2006-2007, Florida Lottery retailers received $234.3 million in commissions and bonuses. In the retail sector alone, the Florida Lottery sparks a commercial chain reaction that benefits all Floridians.

Education is Our Beneficiary; AllFloridians are Our ShareholdersOperated according to the same for-profit business model as a private corporation, the Florida Lottery contributes more than $1 billion annually to education statewide, making it one of the most successful public-sector programs of its kind in the country.

However, unlike a private corporation where the dividends go to shareholders, the Lottery’s more than $19 billion in “dividends” has gone to the residents of Florida through contributions to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. When you look at the big picture, the Lottery is a win-win situation for Florida. Education, Florida residents, businesses and players are all beneficiaries of the Lottery’s success.

Being a Florida Lottery retailer is now

more profitable than ever.

Becoming a Florida Lottery retailer willadd a new dimension to your businessand help raise funds for education inFlorida. Here are a few advantages ofbecoming a Florida Lottery retailer:

Increase store traffic

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Bonus commissions for sellingtop prizes in FLORIDA LOTTO™, MEGA MONEY® and FANTASY 5®

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LOMN12644 Business ad_Caribbean Today.indd 1 12/22/08 5:44:52 PM

• “Time is not onour side” –Caribbean com-munity SecretaryGeneral EdwinCarringtonunderlines theurgency for theregion to take “bold and decisive”action to weather the current eco-nomic crisis.

• “He will do a few things hecan’t avoid, like rolling backrestrictions” – United States-based Cuban affairs expert PeterHakim last month predictingthat the new Barack Obamaadministration will go furthertowards a new relationship withthe Caribbean island than prom-ised during the presidential cam-paign.

• “There are too many youngmen in the region’s prisons.

Young people are not to be inprison” –Deputy Premier andMinister of Social TransformationHensley Daniel announcing plansby his ministry to designate 2009 asthe year of the family in Nevis.

• “This crisis could possiblyslow down the pace of theCARICOM integrationprocess” – Suriname’s FinanceMinister Humphrey Hildenburg,last month expressing his concernover the far-reaching effects theworld’s economic crisis couldhave on the Caribbean.

• “It’s like I have a duty to per-form, to represent myself, mycountry, myfriends and myfamily. Andthose are thethings I focus on,getting the jobdone” –Jamaica’s Worldand Olympicgold medal winner VeronicaCampbell-Brown explains hermotivation to be a champion.

• “There is a little dinghy thatwe have that we call our policelaunch, which cannot serve thepurpose of protecting ourshores” – Government back-bencher Eastern Taylor-Farrelljoins voices in Montserrat look-ing to Britain for help in copingwith asylum seekers and otherrefugees.

• “We accepted this enormousresponsibility with pride andconviction” – Antigua andBarbuda expresses its pleasure atserving as chair of the UnitedNations’ Group of 77.

• “This crisis provides an opportu-nity for us to raise standards and toachieve cost-effective delivery ofgoods and services to the public” –Barbados’s Prime Minister DavidThompson last month trying torally his country in the face of tougheconomic times.

Compiled from CMC and othersources.

®

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7)


Obama’s hopes face reality

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:20 PM

MIAMI, Florida - Sculpturesby artist John Magnan, con-veying a visual vocabulary forovarian cancer awareness andhonoring the women and theirfamilies affected by the dis-ease, are currently on showhere at the University ofMiami’s gallery.

The exhibition, titled“body image/body essence”,opened last month. It is beingpresented by the NationalOvarian Cancer Coalition(NOCC) and is scheduled torun through Mar. 21.

According to a releaseissued by the NOCC, thenationally touring body of work done by theMassachusetts sculptor ismaking its 17th city stop inMiami. The 16 sculpturesoffer a visual journey, depict-ing a universal story of hope,courage and love.

The sculptures, therelease stated, were created in response to Magnan’s wife’sdiagnosis and treatment andher seven-year battle withovarian cancer. The worksspeak to the struggles of peo-ple living with cancer.

CONFLICT“body image/body essence”,

the release explained, exploresthe conflict between “who I am”and “what I look like” faced bywomen with ovarian cancer afterits invasive surgery and follow-up treatments. The art alsoaddresses aspects of changed

self-image, both serious andlighthearted. Issues such as scar-

ring, fatigue and fertility are dis-played in some of the pieces andalso playful explorations of“chemo brain” or hair that refus-es to grow back.

The University of Miami’sCollege of Arts & SciencesGallery is located at 1210Stanford Drive, Coral Gables,Florida.

Admission is free, butdonations will be accepted forthe ovarian cancer awarenessand education. Viewing hoursare noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays

through Saturdays; and noonto 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

For more information,call 847-884-0000. ®

DR. MICHAEL CRAIGMILLER

QUESTION: My 27-year-oldson is trying to quit smokingpot. He’s gone three days nowwithout smoking, but now he’sexperiencing stomach cramps,nausea, and headaches. He hasno appetite, is often angry, isunable to make decisions, andhas insomnia. Are these symp-toms normal? How long willthey last?

ANSWER: Quitting marijuanais surely difficult, so your sonhas my sympathies, and I canunderstand your pride.

Marijuana withdrawalsymptoms are not particularlywell known, because not every-one gets them. But it’s not rareto have symptoms of withdraw-al from pot. As many as two-thirds of marijuana smokerstrying to quit will experiencethem in some form. Althoughnot as dangerous as, for exam-ple, alcohol withdrawal, thediscomfort of marijuana with-drawal can indeed underminethe determination to quit.

In the last decade, severalstudies have defined the syn-drome of marijuana withdraw-al. Your son’s symptoms fit the

picture - anxiety, feeling shakyor restless, irritability, anger,aggression, low appetite,weight loss, stomach pain, andsleep problems.

The time frame youdescribe makes sense, too.Symptoms usually start in thefirst three days after quitting,peak during the first week, andare fading by the end of twoweeks. Effects can last longer,although by week three thesymptoms are usually minimal.

CRAVINGCraving is the one symptom

that can persist for a very longtime, as can the way a personresponds to cues, such as mari-juana imagery and parapherna-lia, or the people and places heassociates with marijuana.

I wouldn’t assume thatevery symptom is a withdrawalsymptom. Stay alert to the pos-sibility that your son is experi-

encing the return of symptomsthat made marijuana appealingto him in the first place. Thatis, sometimes people are morevulnerable to marijuanadependence because they areusing it to treat some underly-ing mental disorder. For exam-ple, irritability, indecisiveness,and insomnia can all occur aspart of anxiety or depression.

If your son has questionsabout quitting marijuana or anunderlying illness, it can bevery helpful for him to discussthem with a professional.Certainly it’s a good idea forhim to seek help if his symp-toms persist beyond threeweeks. His primary care doctormay have some advice or couldmake a referral to an appropri-ate person to do the evaluation.

Dr. Michael Craig Miller is anassistant professor of psychia-try at Harvard Medical Schooland an associate physician atBeth Israel Deaconess MedicalCenter in Boston,Massachusetts.

© 2008 President and Fellowsof Harvard College. All rightsreserved. Distributed byTribune Media Services, Inc.

®

DR. RONALD REIMER

Dear Mayo Clinic: What doyou think of acupuncture as atreatment for various ail-ments? How does it work?

Answer: Acupuncture, whichhas been used and studiedthroughout the world formore than 4,000 years, can beutilized to rebalance the flowof energy (Qi) in the body andeffectively treat many condi-tions. At Mayo Clinic,acupuncture has been usedsuccessfully for pain manage-ment, postoperative nausea,anxiety relief, drug addiction,insomnia and headaches, toname a few.

Acupuncture is adminis-tered by inserting up to adozen or more tiny needlesinto very precise locations(points) determined by symp-toms. The needle insertionpoints are based on a series ofpoints along meridians orchannels that interconnectthroughout the body, eachwith a different function.There are 12 principle meridi-ans within the body, contain-ing almost 400 acupuncture

points.Patients rarely have any

discomfort with needle inser-tion. Needles remain in placefor 15 to 45 minutes. During atreatment, the acupuncturistmay gently stimulate the nee-dles manually, apply heat witha ceramic lamp at a safe dis-tance, or attach low-frequency

electrical stimulation. Thegoal is to improve energy flowin the body, thus relievingpain and other symptoms,allowing people to sleep bet-ter and improve their qualityof life.

For some conditions, onetreatment provides rapidrelief. Other situations, suchas chronic pain management,may require a series of treat-

ments. In some cases, symp-tom relief is not always imme-diate and may require a peri-od of two to three days for thepositive effects to be noted.This is in part related todelayed secretion of endor-phins.

MAINSTREAMWhile some patients and

providers remain skeptical ofits therapeutic value, acupunc-ture is becoming more main-stream in Western medicine asa stand-alone treatment or asone element of a comprehen-

sive treatment plan. As apracticing neurosurgeon, I cancite several examples ofacupuncture’s beneficialeffects.

Not everyone will experi-ence similar results, nor mighteveryone even be a candidatefor acupuncture. Acupuncturehas an excellent safety profile,with negligible risk of infec-tion or bleeding. It can safelybe performed on patients whoare on blood thinners, unlikemany other pain managementmodalities. Patients shouldseek treatment by physicians

who’ve received extensivetraining in the art and scienceof acupuncture.

Dr. Ronald Reimer, is in neu-rosurgery at Mayo Clinic,Jacksonville, Florida.

Edited for space. © 2008Mayo Foundation forMedical Education andResearch. Distributed byTribune Media Services Inc.All Rights Reserved.

®

Marijuana withdrawal can be tough

Sculptures promote ovarian cancer awareness

Acupuncture becoming more mainstream medicine


H E A L T HH E A L T H www.caribbeantoday.com

Magnan’s “Echo” shows a stance ofpower and determination, displaying thestrength of women living with ovariancancer.

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:20 PM


Tel: 697-1442-3, Fax: 697-0342

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Website: www.pariasuites.com

RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 15TH 2009

Standard US$115.00 Executive US$165.00

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Email: [email protected], Website: www.kapokhotel.com

FIVE NIGHT PACKAGE RATES

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Standard1 Double Bed/(no view) – US $1400.00/$1550.00

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Suite/Balcony SuiteUS $1940.00EXTRA PERSON RATE: US$ 175.00 per night

Tel: 868.625-3366, Fax: 868.625-4166 or 868 624-4677

Email: [email protected], Website: www.crowneplaza.com

CARNIVAL RATES ARE BASED ON FIVE (5) NIGHTS

MINIMUM STAY FROM FEBRUARY 20th THROUGH

(check-out) on FEBRUARY 25th 2009*

SINGLE OCCUPANCY: US $300 .00 (per night)

US $1,815.00 5 nights (Inclusive of taxes)

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: US $320.00 (per night)


Tel: (868) 623-3511, Fax: (868) 625-8514

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Single: $250 US Double: $260 US

Inclusive of taxes and full buffet breakfast

Additional persons are $30 US per night

Paria Suites, La RomaineParia Suites, La Romaine

Breakfast not included.

Courtyard by Marriott, Port of SpainCourtyard by Marriott, Port of Spain

Crowne Plaza, Port of SpainCrowne Plaza, Port of Spain

Kapok Hotel, Port of SpainKapok Hotel, Port of Spain



Cascadia Hotel & Conference Centre, Port of SpainCascadia Hotel & Conference Centre, Port of Spain

Tel: 627-5555, Fax: 627-6317

Email: [email protected], www.marriott.com

Carnival Rate - USD 320.00 – Single or Double Occupancy*

Cara Suites Hotel & Conference Centre, Claxton BayCara Suites Hotel & Conference Centre, Claxton Bay

*Subject to taxes and service charges

*Contact hotels directly for rates & availabilty.

Rooms on first come first served basis.

The Tourism Development Company assumes no liability.

Tel: 1 868 659-2271, Fax: 1 868 659-2202


Website: www.carahotels.com

Thursday 19th thru Sunday 28th February, 2009

‘Stay for Seven (7) Nights, Pay for Six (6).’

Executive Room:

US$181.68 for single occupancy

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Thursday 19th thru Sunday 28th February, 2009Thursday 19th thru Sunday 28th February, 2009

‘Stay for Seven (7) Nights, Pay for Six (6).’

Come to the Carnival capital of the world -

Enjoy these great hotel rates

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:20 PM


BEV BENNETT

This may not be the yearyou celebrateValentine’s Day in an

elegant restaurant. Or, maybeyou’re skipping your intimatelobster dinner at home to trimyour budget.

Thank goodness choco-late, the ambrosial route toromance, is still affordable.

Unlike some ingredientsthat are expensive, chocolatehas a luxurious allure, whilebeing within reach, accordingto Beth Kimmerle.

“You can get exotic fla-vors in a (chocolate) bar andyou don’t have to spend a lotof money,” says Kimmerle, acandy and chocolate historianin New York City.

In fact, if you can’t prom-ise your sweetheart the worldfor Valentine’s Day, you cando the next best thing andprovide a taste of chocolatesfrom different cocoa-growingregions.

“You can have a fun nighttasting bars from all over the

world,” says Kimmerle,author of “Chocolate: TheSweet History” (CollectorsPress, 2005).

EXPLORINGYou can also take your

chocolate explorations further.Kimmerle suggests preparingan unusual dessert of choco-late pudding with a friedbacon strip as an accompani-ment. Dip the bacon in thechocolate for a taste that’ssimultaneously salty andsweet.

For another easy and fundessert, melt semisweetchocolate in the top of a dou-ble boiler over simmeringwater and drizzle it over slicedbananas alternating with salt-ed pecan halves and crumbledmacaroons in a tall glass.

Don’t overlook hot choco-late as a source for seduction.

“The aroma of a choco-late drink wafting through theair is very sexy and romantic,”Kimmerle says.

RECIPESThe following two nontradi-

tional hot chocolate recipesare luscious enough to warmup your celebration:

Spiced hot chocolateIngredients• 1 tablespoon unsweetened

cocoa• 1 tablespoon sugar• 1/16 teaspoon crushed red

pepper flakes• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon• 1/4 cup half-and-half• 1 cup milk• 2 ounces semisweet choco-

late, broken into smallchunks

• 2 small red or greenjalapeno or serrano chiliesfor garnish

Method

Combine cocoa, sugar, redpepper flakes and cinnamonin a small, heavy-bottomedpot. Gradually add half-and-half, stirring constantly.

Press out any lumps fromcocoa. Stir in milk. Bring to asimmer over low heat. Stir inchocolate chunks.

Simmer over very lowheat, stirring frequently, until

chocolate melts and hotchocolate is sipping tempera-ture.

Pour into two heatproofglasses or mugs. For chili gar-nish, make a slash in the tip ofeach chili. Balance the chili onthe glass.

Note: If desired, strain outchili flakes before serving.Makes two servings. Eachserving has: 280 calories; 15grams total fat; 6.5 grams pro-tein; 31.5 grams carbohydratesand 150 milligrams sodium.

© 2009, Bev Bennett.Distributed by Tribune MediaServices Inc.

®

Two’s company: Spice up your romance with hot chocolate

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F O O DF O O D

www.caribbeantoday.com

Seafood is always aCaribbean delight. Thismonth Caribbean Today,

with help from Publix’s Apron’sSimple Meals recipes, is offer-ing a special treat of shrimpwith coconut milk over rice,plus some green bean salad towelcome the New Year. Enjoy!

Ingredients• 1/4 cup frozen sofrito• 1 1/4 cups water• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin

olive oil• 8–10 sprigs fresh cilantro

(rinsed)• 1 lemon (for zest, rinsed)• 1 cup instant rice• 1 pound large

peeled/deveined shrimp(thawed, if needed)

• 1/4 cup white wine• 1/2 cup light coconut milk

MethodThaw sofrito under cool

running water. Combine waterand oil in medium saucepan;bring to a boil on high.

Chop cilantro leaves fine-ly (two tablespoons); set aside.Peel several strips of lemonwith zester (or vegetable peel-er); chop finely for zest (atablespoon).

Stir lemon zest and riceinto boiling water. Removefrom heat, cover, and let standfive minutes or more.

Preheat large sauté panon medium-high two to three

minutes. Place a quarter cupsofrito in pan (chill remainingsofrito for another use); stir inshrimp and cook three to fourminutes, stirring often, or justuntil shrimp begin to turnpink.

Stir in wine, coconut milk,and cilantro. Cook two minutes,stirring often, or until thorough-ly heated. Fluff rice with fork;serve shrimp over rice.

Green bean saladIngredients• 1 (7.5-ounce) box frozen

green beans with almonds• 8–10 sprigs fresh cilantro

(rinsed)• 1/4 cup pre-diced red onions• 1 lime (for juice, rinsed)• 2 tablespoons light olive oil

vinaigrette• 1/4 teaspoon salt

MethodThaw green beans under

cold running water (about twominutes); set almond toppingaside.

Chop cilantro leaves fine-ly (two tablespoons). Drainbeans thoroughly; place inmedium bowl. Stir in cilantroand onions. Squeeze juice oflime over salad (two table-spoons); add dressing and salt.

Toss until well blended.Chill until ready to serve.Sprinkle almond topping oversalad and serve.

®

Caribbean treat: Shrimpwith coconut milk over rice

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:21 PM

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -Police here have launched aninvestigation into the death ofpopular gospel artiste andevangelist Kasim Grant, whowas also known as “Moses”.

Grant’s body was found ina ravine along the GordonTown road, just on the out-skirts of the Corporate Area,one morning late last month.

Police said they hadlaunched a search for Grantfollowing a shooting incidentin the same area that left oneman wounded. The gospelsinger was accused of firingshots at two people during adispute before fleeing thescene.

At press time, police saidit was not known if Grantjumped or accidentally fell tohis death.

The evangelist had previ-ously been shot and seriously

injured during a gang feud fol-lowing which he proclaimedChristianity.

His music is well knownin Christian circles in Jamaicaand across the Caribbean.

®

MIAMI - Old school, newschool, crooners, rappers andinstrumentalists will all bepart of the mixed flavor line-up slated for this year’s “Jazzin the Gardens” next month.

Radio show voice TomJoyner will host the fourthannual event Mar. 28-29 at theDolphin Stadium here.

A fusion of soul and cooljazz can be expected fromMaze Featuring Frankie

Beverly, aveterangroupknown forhits such as“Joy andPain”,“SouthernGirl”, “LoveIs The Key”,“Back InStride” and“Can’t GetOver You”.

American rhythm and blues,soul and neo soul singer, song-

writer, and record producerAnthony Hamilton is also inthe line-up. His platinum-sell-ing second studio album“Comin’ from Where I’mFrom”, featuring the singles“Comin’ from Where I’m

From” and“Charlene”was a reve-lation whenit wasreleased in2003.

RAP“Jazz in theGardens”will alsofeature aninjection of

hip hop from Common. Therapper’s release “Be” wasnominated for Best RapAlbum in 2005. He won BestR&B Song in 2003 for “Loveof My Life (An Ode To HipHop)” when he teamed upwith singer Erykah Badu, who

is also in the show’s line-upthis year.

Saxaphonist Kenny G., R&B legend Kenny“Babyface” Edmonds, plusWill Downing, Roy Ayers,Angelique Kidjo andJonathan Butler help bolsterthe “Jazz in the Gardens”appeal.

The show is scheduled torun from 4 p.m. to midnighteach day.

Visit www.jazzinthegar-dens.com for more informa-tion.

®

Popular gospel singer ‘Moses’dies following dispute in Jamaica

‘Jazz in the Gardens’ invites mixed flavor

The talents of contempo-rary Haitian artists inFlorida will be show-

cased in a month-long exhibitat Miami-Dade College’s WestArt Gallery in South Florida.

“Here, There and Beyond;The Work of 16 Haitian Artistsof Florida” will open on Feb. 6and run through Mar. 6.

“This work is a ‘kombit’(collective effort) that aims todefine the tendencies of thisnew breed of Haitian artistsevolving in the diaspora,”artist and author Fred Thomassaid in a recent press release.

“It will provide them themeans to access the main-stream art world. While Haiti

is well known for its rich artis-tic traditions, its artists arelagging behind as far as recog-nition and financial remunera-tion are concerned.”

Other participating artistsinclude Alphonse “Alpi” Piard,Dominik Ambroise, AlexandraBarbot, Turgo Bastien, ClaudineCharles, Yvan Danthier, MicheleFrederic, Sophia LaCroix,Francesca LaLanne, GizouLamothe, Louis Louissaint, GuyScillien, Robert Sylvain, and theexhibit’s curators Christian“Kristo” Nicolas and RegineMercier.

“The imprint of the moth-erland on these artists is everpresent with bright colors and

bold moves of contrast,” saidNicolas in the same release.

“At the same time, thesubjects are brushed with avariety that can only be foundin the living surroundings oftheir creators. The result ofthis artistically unique culturalblending can no longer remainin the shadows. It must stepinto the light and be revealedto the world.”

The gallery is located onMDC’s west campus, 3800N.W. 115th Ave. in Doral.

For more information,contact Odessa Simmons at305-237-7186 [email protected].

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Florida’s Haitian artists create ‘Here, There and Beyond’ exhibit

In a fashion reminiscent ofhis glory days on the calyp-so stage, veteran calypson-

ian Mighty Duke was lastmonth laid to rest in his nativeTrinidad and Tobago.

The singer, whose realname was Kelvin Pope, diedafter a battle with myelofibro-sis – a serious bone marrowdisorder that disrupts thebody’s normal production ofblood cells.

Regarded as one of thecalypso art form’s greatesticons, he created history inTrinidad and Tobago calypso bywinning the National CalypsoMonarch title four consecutivetimes, from 1968 to 1971.

The legendary calypson-ian, whose work spanned aperiod of over 50 years, hasalso been credited for hismeasured lines, beautifulmelodies and well-chosen

lyrics that have served toestablish him as one of the alltime greats in calypso.

The Jan. 22 funeral serviceat Coronation Park in PointFortin, south Trinidad wasbilled as a celebration of his life

and saw the crème de la crèmeof the artform take to the stageto perform renditions of Pope’s

popular songs. Those includedcalypso hits such as “What isCalypso”, “Freaking Streaking”,“All Night” and “Black isBeautiful” that were among thehighlights of his masterfulcareer.

In delivering the homily,Dean Knolly Clarke describedPope as an advocate for theart form and a person whocared about the dignity ofhumanity. He also called Popea modern prophet, as he madereference to his well knownanti-apartheid song “HowMany More Must Die”.

After the service, a pro-cession was held through thestreets of Point Fortin to thePoint Fortin Cemetery, whereMighty Duke was laid to rest.

- CMC

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Calypsonian Mighty Duke laid to rest in T&T


A R T SA R T S // E N T E R T A I N M E N TE N T E R T A I N M E N Twww.caribbeantoday.com

Mighty Duke

Kenny G

Common

Erykah Badu

Moses

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:21 PM


Black History MonthEnjoy a month ofhistory, art, music,

“Power Revealed”—African Presence 2009 Sixth Annual Art Exhibition

Featuring African art from the collection of the Museum of Art—Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University

Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and InformationTechnology Center, Second Floor Gallery

My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage Film and Panel Discussion

Attend the Florida film premiere and discussion of My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage, the award winning documentary on black hair featuring Kim Fields,Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and Vivica A. Fox. Connect with the

community discussion on the historical, professional, andpersonal accounts of the black hair journey.

Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium, NSU Main Campus Call Kimberli Kidd at (954) 262-5477.

For a complete listing of events, visit www.nova.edu/blackhistory.

Discover Your Roots,Discover YourWorld:African American Genealogy Resources

Does your family have African American roots? Come learn about African American genealogical resources and explore exciting, new, free databases l ike FamilySearch.org andSlaveVoyages.org.

Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology CenterCall (954) 262-4613.

Back to Africa

Stephen Campbell, professor, and eight doctoral students inclinical psychology participated in a two-week humanitarian trip to Swaziland in 2007. This presentation will address the stigma of mental illness and HIV/AIDS among blacks in the United States and South Africa.

Carl DeSantis Building, Room 1124Contact Sarah Valley-Gray at [email protected].

01-064-09RJC

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:21 PM

The United StatesPassport Card allowsU.S. citizens a conven-

ient and cheaper alternative toa passport book when travel-ing to some overseas destina-tion, including the Caribbean.Below are some of the mostfrequently asked questionsabout the passport card:

Question: What is thePassport Card?Answer: The passport card isa wallet-size card that canonly be used for land and seatravel between the UnitedStates and Canada, Mexico,the Caribbean and Bermuda.The card will provide a lessexpensive, smaller, and moreconvenient alternative to thepassport book for those whotravel frequently to these des-tinations by land or by sea.

Q: Why can’t I use thePassport Card to fly toCanada, Mexico, theCaribbean or Bermuda?Answer: The passport card isdesigned for the specific needsof the northern and southernborder resident communitiesand is not a globally interop-erable travel document as isthe traditional passport book.While the passport card haslimited use, the passport book

will remain the premier inter-nationally accepted travel doc-ument.Q: Where do I apply for aPassport Card?A: First time applicants canapply at any one of thousandsof Passport ApplicationAcceptance Facilities acrossthe U.S. Applicants can locatea facility nearest to them bychecking the websitehttp://travel.state.gov.

Q: Can I apply for thePassport Card and passportbook at the same time usingthe same application?A: Yes.

Q: What documents will Ineed in order to apply for aPassport Card?A: The passport card is a fullyvalid passport that attests tothe U.S. citizenship and iden-

tity of thebearer. Assuch, thepassport cardis adjudicatedto the exactstandards asthe passportbook.Applicantsmust providedocumentswhich attestto their U.S.

citizenship and identity suchas birth and naturalizationcertificates.

First time adult and minorapplicants under age 16 willneed to submit a completedForm DS-11 “Application fora U.S. Passport”, two photos,evidence of citizenship, theapplication fee for the pass-port card and the executionfee. These applicants mustapply in person at a PassportApplication AcceptanceFacility.

Adult applicants with fully-valid passports can apply forthe passport card by mail bysubmitting Form DS-82“Application for a U.S.Passport By Mail”, two photos,fully valid passport issued with-in the last 15 years, and thepassport card application fee.

Check website

http://travel.state.gov forcomplete details on applyingfor the passport card.

Q: How much will thePassport Card cost?A: For first time applicants,the passport card will cost $45for adults and $35 for children

under the age of 16, whichincludes the execution fee of$25. Adults with fully validpassports issued within thelast 15 years can apply for thecard by mail using Form DS-82, at a cost of $20.

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U.S. Passport Card offers convenient, cheaper alternative


T O U R I S MT O U R I S M // T R A V E LT R A V E Lwww.caribbeantoday.com

TOPS IN TOURISM

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has named David Callaghan,center, vice president of resort sales and service for Interval International, as its“2009 Allied Member of the Year”. Alec Sanguinetti, left, director general and chiefexecutive officer of CHTA, along with the association’s President Enrique deMarchena Kaluche, were present at a recent awards function to congratulateCallaghan. Meanwhile, Albert Gurley, head houseman at Grenada’s Spice IslandBeach Resort, was named CHTA’s “Caribbean Hotel Employee of the Year”. PhyllisJohnson-Smith, manager of housekeeping at Sheraton Cable Beach Resort in TheBahamas, was chosen “Caribbean Hotel Supervisor of the Year”.

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:21 PM

DAWN A. DAVIS

Jan. 24, 2009 was an eveningof celebration; remember-ing the life of Tatiana

Renee McIntosh - affectionatelyknown as “Tati”.

But Mar. 18, 2007 will forev-er be etched in the mind of TanyaRagbeer, Tati’s mother. Ragbeer’slife was changed forever whenshe learned about her daughter’sfatal accident on her drive backto school at the University ofFlorida. She was 19.

“She was on her way backto Gainseville after springbreak,” Ragbeer recounts. “Iwas in touch with her on theride, and I said to her ‘I don’twant to talk to you too muchwhile you are on your cellphone, but I will check in withyou again within an hour’. It wasin that hour that it happened.”

It has not been easy forRagbeer and her family, butthey have healed somewhat.Tati’s sisters, Katrina Ragbeer,10, and Natassjia Ragbeer, 12,“have adjusted well; they talkabout it freely, they honor her,”notes Ragbeer.

FITTING TRIBUTEBut, out of the tears and

mourning, an organization wasborn, to carry on the legacy ofgiving and compassion thatmarked Tatiana’s life. Lastmonth the second annual“TATI Dream Fete” fundraiserbrought together friends andsupporters of TATI, Inc.(Transforming AmericaThrough Interaction), a non-profit organization created tohonor Tatiana’s selfless spiritand enthusiasm for life. With amission to unite, educate, andmentor Caribbean Americanyouth to become productivecitizens and leaders, TATI, Inc.works to merge cultures andbridge social, cultural and gen-erational gaps, says Ragbeer,the organization’s founder andpresident.

“TATI, Inc. strives to posi-tively impact the lives of ourchildren in the CaribbeanAmerican community,” saysRagbeer about the non-profit’sCaribbean American focus.

“Not that all other childrenare not important, but thatthese are our children, weunderstand them, understandtheir needs, their insecurities,

and if we don’t make it a prior-ity to groom them for thefuture, who will? We are not anexclusive organization, but asthey say, the best place to startanything is in your own backyard.”

It is in that spirit that FortLauderdale’s New River Inncame alive with Caribbean

music, laughter, and scholar-ship as guests listened to thesweet pan sounds of theLauderhill Steel Ensembleunder a cool, star-lit sky. A spe-cial musical performance byreggae icon Freddie McGregorwas a fitting tribute to Tatiana,who was also a talented singer,musician and dancer. She wasalso bright, focused, and an“A” student.

“She was so lively andbubbly. I could feel her spiritdancing”, Tati’s mother says.“That child was so talented, Ilooked at her in awe. She wasacademically strong and com-mitted. She danced, played thepiano, she was a model, anartist and she also sang. Shedid it all. I guess that is all partand parcel of somebody who isjust passing through.”

SCHOLARSHIPSAs a catalyst for youth, the

organization provides scholar-ships and positive mentors forhigh school and college stu-dents. Launched in Jan. 2008,TATI, Inc. has awarded threescholarships, the most recentpresented to Miami’s CoralReef Senior High School stu-dent Ryan Murray for his essayon the three issues that wouldbe top priority if he were run-ning for president of theUnited States.

TATI, inc. partnered withthe Caribbean AmericanChamber of Commerce and theInstitute of Caribbean Studies

to create the scholarship knownas the “Caribbean AmericanHeritage Month Youth EssayCompetition”. This endow-ment, with its community focus,encourages 11th and 12th gradehigh school students with aCaribbean background tobecome positive contributors intheir community. First place

awardees receive$500.

The TatianaMcIntosh MemorialScholarship awards$500 to college stu-dents experiencingfinancial difficulties,while the Universityof Florida TatianaMcIntosh MemorialScholarship pro-vides a $2,000 grantto meritorious stu-dents in a first or

second year bachelor’s degreeprogram at the Gainesvilleinstitution.

An award of $500 is alsogiven to an adult through theUnsung Heroes MentorshipAward program. This individ-ual is lauded for working tire-lessly and providing “extraordi-nary community service” foryouth in need, as did Tatianathrough her involvement in theCaribbean American Chamberof Commerce’s youth activities.She was once lauded with theUniversity of Florida’sPresidential Scholarship for her“outstanding volunteerism”.

Those attributes live on inTATI, Inc., with its sponsorshipand involvement in local andJamaican schools. For example,in June 2008 the organizationprovided school supplies forthe Richmond Park PrimarySchool in Clarendon. In addi-tion, the non-profit group alsodonated formal gowns toKingston high school studentsfor their graduation.

Since its launch, TATI, Inc. has served many in theCaribbean American, AfricanAmerican and Jamaican communities. According toRagbeer, the organization is

ready to go even further. Itsfuture plans include hosting aleadership academy and build-ing through community forums.

“Our number one goalremains to get our youthinvolved and to make themaware of how much their con-tribution to their communitiesmatter in building a bettertomorrow,” she said. “Whenyou look at people like (U.S.

President) Barack Obama and(golfer) Tiger Woods, they did-n’t get there by being average,they had to be above the norm.We want to create successful,bright, well-rounded citizenslike them.”

Dawn A. Davis is a freelancewriter for Caribbean Today.

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Silver lining: TATI creates opportunities for Caribbean students


F E A T U R EF E A T U R E www.caribbeantoday.com

Ragbeer, left, has turned the tragic loss of her daughterTatiana into opportunities for Caribbean students.

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:21 PM

Top Caribbean soccernations Jamaica andTrinidad and Tobago will

face tough North Americanopponents the United Statesand Canada, respectively, inopening round games of the

CONCACAF Under-20Championship next month.

The young Reggae Boyzand Soca Warriors are two ofthree possible Caribbeanteams which will play in theMar. 6-15 tournament in

Trinidad. Four places in theUnder-20 World Cup in Egyptlater this year are up for grabs.

St. Vincent and theGrenadines (SVG) must beatHonduras in a two-leg playoffto become the third nationfrom the region in the finalCONCACAF round.

The eight teams from theCaribbean, Central Americanand North America have beendivided into two groups forthe CONCACAF round.Jamaica has been placed inGroup A with the U.S., El

Salvador and Honduras orSVG. T&T is in Group B withCanada, Mexico and CostaRica. The top two teams fromeach will advance to the semi-final round and book a placein the Under-20 World Cupfrom Sept. 23 to Oct. 16.

The CONCACAF U-20Championship schedule inTrinidad is as follows:Mar. 6 - Honduras/SVG v. ElSalvador; Jamaica v. U.S.Mar. 7 - Mexico v. Costa Rica;T&T v. CanadaMar. 8 - El Salvador v.

Jamaica; U.S. v.Honduras/SVGMar. 9 - Canada v. Mexico;T&T v. Costa RicaMar. 10 - Jamaica v.Honduras/SVG; U.S. v. ElSalvadorMar. 11 - Costa Rica v.Canada; T&T v. MexicoMar. 13 - semi-final one andsemi-final twoMar. 15 - third-place matchand final

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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’sOlympic Committee (TTOC)President Larry Romany sayshis country is determined tomake the inaugural CaribbeanGames this summer a success.

The Caribbean Games,being staged by the CaribbeanAssociation of National OlympicCommittees (CANOC), is setfor July 13-19 and is an Olympic-styled project.

Romany said the organiz-ing committee has new chal-lenges in the face of the cur-rent global economic crisis, butthe TTOC remains confidentthat the collective support ofthe Caribbean NOCs, govern-ments, athletes and public willprove the decisive factor.

“In the 1960s, the WestIndian Federation came apart.In 2009 history will not repeatitself. The Caribbean will proveto the world that we havematured as a people and gonepast insularity and self-servingagendas,” Romany said.

“The Caribbean Gameswill be a symbol of that matu-rity and shared responsibility.”

Romany added that theTTOC considers it a “privilegeand honor” to be entrusted ashost NOC with the first everCaribbean Games. The inau-gural Caribbean Games willinvolve five sporting disci-plines, track and field, boxing,tennis, netball and volleyball.

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Caribbean launches bid for places in soccer’s Under-20 World Cup

St. Croix’s Joseph suffers TKO,loses bid for IBA boxing title


S P O R TS P O R Twww.caribbeantoday.com

GORDON WILLIAMS

HOLLYWOOD, Florida –Caribbean boxer ChristianLloyd Joseph was subjected toa relentless assault beforebeing stopped early in his bidfor the International BoxingAssociation (IBA) light mid-dleweight title here lastmonth.

From the onset of the 12rounder, the feature bout ofthe “Hard Knocks at the HardRock” nine-fight card promot-ed by Seminole WarriorsBoxing, Joseph was subjectedto a steady barrage of blowsfrom American SechewPowell before the refereeended the fight in the thirdround.

And while he did notappear to be seriously hurt byPowell, openly protesting thereferee’s call, Joseph’s strategyof covering up in defense andoffering only sporadic coun-terpunches, was not pleasingto watch in the hugely one-sided bout.

The loss dropped therecord for the native of St.

Croix, Virgin Islands to 12wins, eight losses and twodraws. Powell improved to 25wins and two defeats.

NO BELLThe fight card was wit-

nessed by some well-knownnames in boxing, includingJamaican-bornformer undis-puted worldheavyweightking LennoxLewis.

Jamaican-born GlenJohnson, a for-mer worldlight heavy-weight cham-pion, was also present, work-ing both as a television com-mentator and fight trainer.American Timothy Taggart,his charge in a four roundsuper middleweight bout, losta unanimous decision.

The most notable absentee on the night wasJamaican-born O’Neil Bell, aformer undisputed worldcruiserweight champion. Bell

had been slated to make hisdebut as a heavyweight at“Hard Knocks”. According tothe promoters, Bell, who isbased in the United States,agreed to the fight. However,they said a contract sent to thefighter last year was neversigned and returned to them.Bell’s camp, they said, laterinformed them he would notenter the ring.

“He decided not to fight,”said Chico Rivas, a match-maker for Warriors Boxing.

Leon Margules, WarriorsBoxing’s chief executive, saidBell never gave a reason forhis decision to pull out of thebout.

“I don’t know why,”Margules said the day beforethe Jan. 14 fight card. “Weagreed to the purse, opponent.His trainer called two weeksago to say he’s not fighting…It’s disappointing, very disap-pointing.”

Johnson, who is scheduledto fight American DanielJudah on Feb. 27 in a tune-upbout for a title challenge later

Johnson


T&T aiming for success with Caribbean Games

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:21 PM

NEW YORK CITY, NewYork – Guyana’s AliannPompey ran a national recordand world leading 51.85 sec-onds to win the women’s 400meters at the 14th NewBalance (Indoor) Games latelast month here.

Pompey, a 30-year-oldthree-time Olympian, regis-tered a lopsided win and wasall alone at the finish as shelowered her own Guyanarecord of 52.17 at the NewYork’s Armory’s Track &Field Centre.

“I felt like I could (run a

personal best),” she said.“I haven’t run indoor in fiveyears (and) I was wondering if I could do that,” addedPompey, who wonCommonwealth Games gold in 2002.

Pompey enjoyed a 30-meter lead 150 meters into therace and showed little sign offatigue the entire way as shecame home in front of SophiaSmellie (54.94) and NicoleDumpson (55.01).

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this year, also expressed disap-pointment at the failure of hisfellow Jamaican to take lastmonth’s fight.

“I was looking forward tosee him fight,” said the manknown as the “Road Warrior”,“and it’s disappointing for himnot to be fighting here.”

Johnson also praised Bell,who was born in Montego Bayand migrated to the U.S. as achild, for his boxing abilityand the determination thathelped him become an undis-puted world champion in the

sport.“He’s such a great talent,”

Johnson said. “If a man cancome from where we comefrom in Jamaica and be aworld champion he must be agreat talent.”

Caribbean Today’s effortsto contact Bell were unsuc-cessful as he did not returncalls made to his cellular tele-phone.

Gordon Williams is CaribbeanToday’s managing editor.

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GORDON WILLIAMS

WINTER GARDENS,Florida – Jamaica’s two-timeOlympic champion VeronicaCampbell-Brown is on trackto make a strong bid for thesprint double at this summer’sIAAF World Championshipsin Athletics in Berlin,Germany.

Campbell-Brown, a nativeof the parish of Trelawny whocurrently lives and trains inFlorida, United States, saidher preparations for the 2009season are going well.

“Everthing is good,” shetold Caribbean Today lastmonth here.

Campbell-Brown is thereigning world champion inthe 100 meters, a race she wonin an extremely close finish inOsaka, Japan in 2007. Thattitle guarantees her a place in the field for the event inBerlin this August. However,despite being two-timeOlympic champion in the 200meters, she will have to finishin the top three of the event atthe Jamaica trials in June toqualify for a spot on the teamfor that race.

Campbell-Brown said,barring injury, the progress of

her preparations so far indi-cates she will be ready for thetask.

“I’m feeling pretty good,”said the 26-year-old who lostonly two races in 2008 – onein each sprint – and success-fully defended her 200 meterstitle at the Olympic Games inBeijing, China.

“Training has been goingwell. We’re just trying to makesure we do everything that wepossibly can to eliminate anymistake that have occurred inthe past and to just look for-ward to the 2009 season.”

PROBLEM STARTAmongst the problems to

be corrected is her notoriouslysluggish start. According toher coach, American LanceBrauman, that technical areais receiving special attention.

“We’ve put some extratime into that,” Brauman toldCaribbean Today.

“The world knows thatI’m not one of the greateststarters,” Campbell-Brownexplained. “The beginning ofmy races are always where Imake a mistake or (I am) notas good to set up the entirerace. So, with that said, we’reworking on my start.”

That tardiness out of theblocks was a key reason shedid not finish in the top threeat Jamaica’s 2008 Olympic tri-als in Kingston and failed tomake the team in that event.

“I think, when I look backat the race at the trials, if I’dhad a better start I would be ina better position,” Campbell-Brown said.

DETERMINEDHowever, that disappoint-

ment has already been shelvedaway. Brauman believes that,at this point, Campbell-Brown

is already ahead in her prepa-rations from last year and herdetermination to succeed isstill as strong as ever.

“You know, you’re talkingabout Veronica Campbell-

Brown,” Brauman said. “Imean, she’s a champion.She always will be. She’salways been. She’s hungry.She wants to defend hertitle. She wants to win thedouble.

“We’re doing everythingwe can to prepare her to doso,” he added. “She alwaystakes her training seriously.“She has ever since I hadher (as coach) in 2002 andnone of that has changed.She’s very focused anddetermined and ready forbig year.”

Campbell-Brown admit-ted that the success ofJamaica’s athletes at last

year’s Olympics, plus Jamaica’soverwhelming response to thecountry’s performance at theGames, has added inspiration.That has been compounded by the realization that the performance appeared to helpquell other problems facingthe Caribbean nation.

“They are great fans oftrack and field,” she said of

Jamaicans. “They’re alwaysrooting for us, they’re sup-porting us and I was verypleased to know that duringthe two weeks when we werecompeting in Beijing every-thing in Jamaica was smooth,quiet. There weren’t as manycrimes and I was very happywith that.

“Because for us to bringthe country together throughtrack and field, which we areso good at, is very good.”

Jamaica, led by sprinterUsain Bolt’s triple worldrecords and gold medal per-formances, finished third onthe Olympic Games medaltable with 11. The countryearned six gold, three silverand two bronze. Only the U.S.and Russia finished aboveJamaica.

Campbell-Brown is hop-ing to lead her country to arepeat showing at the WorldChampionships in August,and possibly make it better.

Gordon Williams is CaribbeanToday’s managing editor.

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Record indoor track winfor Guyana’s Pompey

St. Croix’s Joseph suffers TKO,loses bid for IBA boxing title

‘Everything is good’ for VCB in bid for World Championships sprint double


S P O R TS P O R T www.caribbeantoday.com


Campbell-Brown, right, celebrates her 200meters win at the 2008 Olympics. She’s eyeingthe sprint double at this year’s WorldChampionships.

Feb2009.qxd 2/2/09 7:21 PM

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -Owen Arthur is not exactly ahappy man.

In fact, by his own admis-sion, the former Barbadosprime minister, who has beencredited with stout leadershipof the Caribbean community(CARICOM) Single Marketand Economy (CSME) proj-ect over the past decade, isquite bothered by what he hasbeen hearing of late and hasbeen left to conclude that allis not well with regional inte-gration.

“CARICOM is at large,”he recently told the CaribbeanMedia Corporation (CMC)while promising to say morein a later interview.

But from the perspectiveof his successor in office,David Thompson, Arthur isnot totally blameless for thecurrent state of affairs inCARICOM. The newBarbados prime minister isequally critical of other for-mer leaders, who he says areconstantly bashing CARI-COM “as if had they beenhere in my position or theother prime ministers thatthey would have carried theregion to the next step.”

Thompson further pointsout that the two issues onwhich CARICOM is movingthe slowest - monetary policyand free movement - “are twoof the most difficult issues forthe region that they (formerleaders) left unresolved.”

DEFENSEIn his own defense, the

Barbados leader also says hewas not privileged to receiveany briefing from his prede-cessor when he took office onJan. 15, 2008 and further sug-gests that neither were his col-leagues, who recently werehanded leadership reins inother countries of the region.

“Other prime ministerscame into office in very chal-lenging situations and havehad to face the idea of shoul-dering their national responsi-bilities and getting up to speedin relation to CARICOMmatters…this is not as easy atask as it appears,” Thompsonadmitted.

During a recent televisednews conference called toassess his first year in office,the Barbados leader alsoresponded to his critics, aswell as others who are of theview that the regional integra-tion process, in particularlythe march towards the CSME,has slowed under his watch.He said while such a percep-tion exists, the real issue hasbeen that the region has seena changing of the guard.

“…The electorateis responsible for that.The electorate electedfive new prime minis-ters who do not buytheir stature in theregional movement atthe supermarket. Youearn it and learn it,”he said.

The CSME, whichmakes provision forthe free movement ofpeople, goods, servicesand capital within the15-member CARI-COM grouping, is duefor full implementa-tion by 2015.

IMMIGRATIONGUAGE

On the substantiveissue of immigration, whichmany, including critics of theyear old administration, arenow using to gauge the gov-ernment’s commitment to tak-ing forward the regional inte-gration process, Thompson’sdeputy, Freundel Stuart, hasbeen more explicit.

Stuart, who is also attor-ney general, argues that thatwhile Barbados understands itsobligations under the RevisedTreaty of Chaguaramas, andwill discharge those responsi-bilities efficiently, its interestsmust be clearly understood.

“I’m just going to quote ayoung lady from St Philip whoraised this issue with me andwho said: ‘Mr. Stuart, it’s allright for the people to talk,but I have never gone to theairport yet and seen anybodycoming through the arrivalhall with house and land, theycome with bags’.

“And of course you canextend that, they do not bring

along schools and hospitalseither,” Stuart said.

The deputy prime minis-ter says although Barbados iscommitted to promoting thelong-held dream of integratingthe people of the region, itcould not simply close its eyesto the fact that the environ-ment has changed, as has itscapacity to absorb large num-bers of immigrants.

“This is not people whoare coming to stay for two

weeks and go back, but whoseresidence here can and doesplace enormous strain on oursocial services,” he said.

“We haveto be carefulabout thetransplanta-tion of racialtension fromone part of theCaribbean toanother.”While thespotlight hasrecently been turned onBarbados’s position withinCARICOM, Stuart suggeststo critics that they need tofocus their attention else-where. He questions if mem-ber states are not willing to commit to theCaribbean Court of Justice(CCJ), how could they beready for a CARICOM SingleMarket and Economy?

“If you are still at a stagewhere you do not trust your

own people to dispense jus-tice, to interpret your law, (toensure) that justice can bedone to your citizens, can youtell me that you are ready fora Caribbean Single Marketand Economy?” he asked.“You can’t be ready. If youstill believe that your formercolonial masters have valueshigher than the people youwant to lead, you cannot beserious about any CaribbeanSingle Market and Economy.”

STUMBLING BLOCKBut in an editorial here

last mont, the island’s leadingdaily, The Nation, pointed outthat one of the critical stum-bling blocks in any integrationprocess is always the surren-der of sovereignty. The paperalso warns that for if any suchprocess is to succeed, thenmember states will have tocede some power to a highercentral authority.

It, however, agrees withStuart that it is high time thatother CARICOM govern-ments join with Barbados andGuyana in upholding theirobligations to the CCJ.

“Frankly put, the CCJallows us to remove our jus-tice system from foreign con-trol and bring it home to ourown judges. Considering thateven some of the PrivyCouncil judges feel that it isbetter for us to have our ownfinal court, then it is nothingshort of scandalous that only

Barbados and Guyana recog-nize the final appellate juris-diction of the court.

“There comes a timewhen all the posturing muststop. The Single Market andEconomy may not be the easi-est mechanism to put in place,but if regional countries areseriously committed to theintegration process, then theymust move speedily to sign upto the CCJ. Whatever may bethe technical hurdles to theimplementation of the SingleMarket, such objections donot apply to the CCJ”, thepaper states.

In his weekly column,noted Caribbean journalistRickey Singh also took issuewith recent comments madeby members of the BarbadosCabinet.

“I never realized thatCSME had become such amajor burden for Barbados,”said Singh, noting that “intra-regional migration has longbeen a CARICOM reality.

“As Errol Barrow, thevisionary CARICOM archi-tect, stressed in his 1986address in Georgetown: ‘If we(as leaders) have sometimesfailed to comprehend theessence of the regional inte-gration movement, the truth isthat thousands of ordinaryCaribbean people do, in fact,live that reality every day”,the column stated.

In delivering the ErrolBarrow memorial lecture herelast mont, Sir ShridathRamphal - one of the stal-warts of the regional integra-tion process - also cautionedthat “today we devalue thegoals of the CSME at ourperil.” Quoting from 2007CARICOM Secretariat fig-ures, he noted that the CARI-COM market accounted for58.4 percent of Barbados’stotal exports of goods, whilepointing out that “Errol(Barrow) was committed todeeper Caribbean integrationbecause he firmly believed inthe validity and importance ofits economic dimension.”

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Arthur, Thompson disagree as CSME debate rages on in Barbados

BRADES, Montserrat, CMC– Montserrat is looking toBritain for help in coping withasylum seekers and otherrefugees after a boatload ofillegal Haitian and Sri Lankanmigrants arrived here last July.

Elected members ofParliament made the call dur-ing debate in LegislativeCouncil on the Immigration(Amendment) Act, whichaddresses how asylum seekers

and other refugees areprocessed upon arrival on the island. The measure waseventually passed but notbefore lawmakers made anappeal to the United Kingdomgovernment to provide newfinancial assistance to theBritish-administered territoryto help it cope with the recentdemand.

Prior to the amendment,Montserrat had no legal provi-

sions to deal with personsseeking asylum on the island.The change brings Montserratin line with an internationalconvention signed by theBritish government for thetreatment of such persons.But with the passage of thelegislation, government back-bencher Eastern Taylor-Farrell also believes the U.K.government should take acloser look at the security

needs of the island.He lamented that the

Royal Montserrat PoliceForce (RMPF) was inade-quately equipped to patrolMontserrat’s coastline.

“In light of the incidentwhere persons are brought inon ships from wherever anddropped off on our shores, ifthe police had a proper coastguard to patrol our shores, wewould deter such persons

from taking such action,”Taylor-Farrell, referring to thearrival last year of the groupof 40 migrants.

“It is in this light that Iwould suggest that this honor-able House ask the Britishgovernment for funds so thatthe Royal Montserrat PoliceForce can purchase a decentvessel to patrol our waters,”the government M.P. said.

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Montserrrat calls on Britain to assist with growing asylum requests


R E G I O NR E G I O Nwww.caribbeantoday.com

Arthur, left, Thompson

Ramphal

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NEW YORK - A BritishVirgin Islands-based hedgefund has lost over $350 millionas a result of an alleged mas-sive securities fraud scheme ledby American businessmanBernard Madoff, its mainshareholder has claimed.

Jacques Rauber, themajority shareholder of AurigaInternational Advisers, con-firmed reports last month thatthe company’s fund was whollyinvested in Fairfield Sentry - aUnited States-based fund,which had placed all its $7.3billion in assets with Madoff.

Madoff, 70, a former chair-man of the NASDAQ stockmarket in New York, wasarrested in December andcharged with running a multi-billion dollar hedge fund swin-dle scheme. He has beencharged with a single count ofsecurities fraud and faces up to20 years in prison and a fine ofup to $5 million, if found guilty.

‘REGRET’Rauber said that Auriga

investors paid managementfees to their own fund, andalso, indirectly, to FairfieldSentry, for the privilege of hav-ing all of their assets inMadoff’s alleged scheme.

“I deeply regret that theinvestors of Auriga International,to which I too belong, fell victimto this incredible case of fraud,”the Zurich-based Rauber said,disclosing that another fund,Auriga Alternative Strategies,was affected “to a much lesserextent.”

Madoff, who is underhouse arrest, is alleged to haveoperated the scheme throughhis hedge fund business, whichwas separate from his better-known market-making businessBernard L. Madoff InvestmentSecurities (BMIS).

‘GIANT PONZI’According to a criminal

complaint filed by the U.S.Attorney’s office in New Yorkand the Federal Bureau ofInvestigations (FBI), Madoffsaid his business was “a giantPonzi scheme” – a reference toCharles Ponzi, one of the great-est swindlers in U.S. history.

Madoff told investigatorsthat it was entirely his fault,and that he “paid investorswith money that wasn’t there,”according to the complaint.

- CMC

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MIAMI, Florida - MayorManny Diaz has launched theCity of Miami’s 2009 EarnedIncome Tax Credit (EITC)and free tax preparation cam-paign.

During last month’slaunch, information on over20 city-sponsored locationsthat will be offering free taxpreparation services as part ofthis year’s EITC campaign wasmade available.

Eligible residents who filetheir tax returns at these sitescan learn if they qualify toreceive a federal income taxrefund of up to $4,824 via theEarned Income Tax Credit(EITC) and up to an addition-al $1,000 per child via theChild Tax Credit (CTC).There was also more informa-tion about the City’s newBenefit Bank locations offer-ing access to Federal and Statebenefits, such as Food Stamps,cash assistance and Medicaid.

EITC tax credits canresult in sizable refunds forlow-income working families.Each year, thousands of eligi-ble households in Miami failto claim this entitlement, leav-ing millions of dollars worth ofEITC benefits unclaimed.

Partners in the 2009 EITCcampaign include the InternalRevenue Service (IRS),

Eastern Financial CreditUnion, the Benefit Bank, andthe City’s Economic Initiativesand NeighborhoodEnhancement Team (NET)department. The “YourMoney Bus Tour” is spon-sored by the City of Miami,

ACCESS Miami, TD AMER-ITRADE Institutional,NAPFA Consumer EducationFoundation, and Kiplinger’sPersonal Finance magazine.

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KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC– A local charity organizationand a fast food outlet inJamaica are the latest to fallprey to the deepening globalrecession.

Faced with a decline indonations, “Food for thePoor, Jamaica” late last monthsent home 14 members of itsstaff, including ExecutiveDirector Bradley Finzi Smith,in a redundancy exercise.

The decision was made at arecent retreat held with theorganization’s overseas admin-istrators.

“Following a review of itsoperations, administrative

costs are being significantlyreduced in order to ensurethat the aid we provide to thepoor is not at all diminished,”said FFP Jamaica ChairmanFather Burchell McPherson.

McPherson said theaffected workers will be dulycompensated. The organiza-tion has also offered counsel-ing as well as character andjob references to the work-ers. The redundancies havecome in the wake ofDecember’s announcementthat Food for the Poor,Jamaica’s parent companythat it was listed as the num-ber one international aid

agency in the United States.

SHUTDOWNMeantime, the interna-

tional fast food chain Wendy’shas announced the closure ofone its Jamaica stores. Thestore, located in the businessdistrict of New Kingston wasscheduled to close on Jan. 30.

“With what is happeningin the global market and withthe slide of the dollar, weactually decided that the storehad been suffering since theend of last year…,” saidManager of RestaurantOperations Sophia Pusey.

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American’s ‘Ponzi’ scheme costsBVI hedge fund over $350 million

Miami launches free tax preparation campaign

Global recession impacts Jamaican firms


B U S I N E S SB U S I N E S S www.caribbeantoday.com

- Photograph by Jorge R. Perez/City of MiamiMayor Manny Diaz announces the kick-off the 2009 City of Miami’s Earned Income TaxCredit Campaign.

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