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Two Boca Raton teachers barred from classroom for a year

Teachers fired

Two Boca Raton teachers have been barred from working in Florida classrooms for at least one year.

One teacher is accused of allowing students to cheat on a test, while the other is alleged to have made inappropriate comments to students.

The state’s Education Practices Commission recently suspended the licenses of Gabriel De Simone, a science teacher at Boca Raton Middle, for questionable comments he made, and Lisha Daigle, a kindergarten teacher at Hammock Pointe Elementary, regarding testing and class supervision issues..

In De Simone’s case, some seventh grade girls accused De Simone in January 2015 of saying, “I’ll give you a nickel to tickle my pickle,” according to a state report.

De Simone denied making the exact comment. He told his principal, Peter Slack, that the students were engaged in tongue twisters and he said, “Lick a pickle for a nickel,” a state report says. He said he didn’t use the word “my” and a there was no intent to have the phrases construed in a negative way.

Slack gave De Simone a verbal reprimand.

While there’s no indication the district conducted a formal investigation, the state reviewed the case and De Simone’s history. A state report says he was also counseled by Slack in October 2012 “regarding complaints from female students that he stared at girls’ buttocks and chest area and engaged in inappropriate conversations with them.”

After reviewing his file, the state commission decided to revoke his license for a year. De Simone resigned from the school district in October 2015 in the midst of the state investigation.

In Daigle’s case, she received a reprimand in January 2015 for allegedly giving students the answers to a test. But the state decided recently to suspend her license for a year.

Daigle assessed her kindergarten students in the spring of 2014. Ten out of the 13 students got much lower scores when they were assessed again in the fall, which the district called “beyond a statistical anomoly,” according to a district reprimand.

Murder in Riviera Beach

A man was shot and killed in Riviera Beach Monday afternoon.

Cops from the Riviera Beach Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Silver Beach Rd and 6th Street.

The victim was found dead at the scene. He has been identified as 18-year-old Jeffree Pierre. Police say Pierre was talking with people in two vehicles near Park Manor Drive when he was attacked.

Neighbors said there are shootings in this area all the time.

One bullet from the shooting went through a bedroom window across the street and about 5 homes away. No residents of that home were injured.

Police have not made any comment about motive or suspects in this shooting.

Jamaica underline CARIFTA dominance with record-equaling 86 medal haul

Jamaica once again underlined their dominance of the CARIFTA Games in Curacao by amassing 86 medals -39 gold, 28 silver and 19 bronze – in the three-day competition held between 15-17 April.

The regional athletics competition for Under 18 and Under 20 athletes was attended by IAAF President Sebastian Coe, NACAC President Victor Lopez and fellow IAAF Council Members Stephanie Hightower and Pauline Davis-Thompson among other athletics dignitaries.

The Jamaicans stamped their authority from the opening day where they broke two field event records. Roje Stona, competing in the Under 20 boys’ discus, launched his first attempt out to 66.41 meters, erasing his countryman Chad Wright’s seven-year-old record of 63.11 meters. Fiona Richards, threw 54.19 meters in the girls equivalent to smash the 15-year record set by Claudia Villeneuve of Martinique.

In the Under 18 girls’ high jump, Janique Burgher and Lamara Distin collected Jamaica’s first two medals on the opening morning claiming gold and silver with clearances of 1.77 meters and 1.74 meters respectively.

In the afternoon, the Jamaicans led by team captains Christopher Taylor and Junelle Bromfield captured three out of four of the 400 meters finals.

Bromfield, the IAAF World U20 bronze medallist, looked in commanding form as she destroyed the field in 53.51. The battle for second between Barbadian Tiana Bowen and Jamaica’s Kimorla Mushette was extremely close after both athletes registered 55.62; Bowen got the nod by .001.

Taylor, the 2015 World youth champion, made light work of the opposition registering his second sub-46 clocking this season as he cruised to victory in 45.97 in the Under 20 boys’ 400 meters. Caymanian Jamal Walton, Taylor, was a distant second in 46.46. In the Un der 18 boys’ 400 meters Jamaica’s Antonio Watson (47.86) and Ramone Lindo (47.99) copped the gold and silver respectively.

Megan Moss of Bahamas halted the Jamaican winning streak in the quarter-mile events with a convincing victory over Kimara Francis (54.24) in the Under 18 girls’ 400 meters. Moss won in 53.69, a new personal best.

The Jamaicans continued their gold rush winning all four 1500m finals.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Tyriq Horsford continued his country’s rich legacy established at these games by 2012 Olympic champion Kershorn Walcott, when he set a new record in the boys’ Under 18 javelin, throwing 76.50 meters. Latia Saunders of Bahamas won the Under 18 girls’ javelin with 45.29 meters.

Glenn Kunst of Curacao, who won the Austin Sealy award, sent the home crowd into raptures when he soared to 4.65m in the pole vault to erase the meet record (4.60m) set by Jamaica’s K’Don Samuels in 2008. He was involved in a keen tussle with Baptiste Thiery of Martinique who led, based on count back, up to 4.50m.

Jermaine Francis of St. Kitts and Nevis etched his name in the record books when he raised the high jump bar to 2.22 meters and cleared it to replace joint record holders Damon Thompson (Barbados) and Jamal Wilson (Bahamas) who both cleared 2.20 meters in 2001 and 2007 respectively.

Daniel Cope became the first Under 18 athlete to launch the shot put beyond 18 meters. The Jamaican did it with his final effort (18.17 meters). Cope returned on the final day to set another record (61.25 meters) in the U18 discus. Lacee Barnes won the Cayman Islands’ first gold medal when she threw 13.06 meters with her last effort in the Under 20 girls’ shot put to upstage early leader Sah-Jay Stevens (13.02 meters) of Jamaica.

Boynton Beach woman killed after crashing into tree

160 people killed

A 31-year-old Boynton Beach woman was killed in the wee hours of Monday after she crashed her vehicle into a tree.

She has been identified as Jenean Kiera Davis. Davis was traveling just south of Gateway Boulevard, in a 2010 Mercury Mariner when the car careened off the roadway and struck the tree.

The crash occurred at about 2 a.m., police said.

Miami-Dade schools to honor top students

students

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools will be honoring it top students at its annual Scholar-Athlete Luncheon on Monday at the DoubleTree Convention Center Miami Airport Hotel in Miami.

The Dade Schools Athletic Foundation, in association with its presenting sponsors the Miami Dolphins Foundation and the Orange Bowl Committee will honor the best and brightest student-athletes from Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Male and female student-athletes from Miami-Dade’s public schools will be recognized for their athletic and academic achievements.

The Scholar-Athlete event was established over 25 years ago to recognize and honor top scholar-athletes and present scholarships.

CDC encourages better epilepsy surveillance in Zika age

epilepsy in infants

Recent studies show that seizures and epilepsy are being reported in some infants with congenital Zika virus infection, according to a commentary co-authored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in JAMA Neurology.

The effects Zika virus can have on a developing brain are similar to those of other congenital central nervous system infections associated with epilepsy. Seizure symptoms in infants and young children are difficult to recognize. This means that cases of Zika virus-associated epilepsy may be misdiagnosed or underreported.

Caregivers’ and healthcare providers’ ability to recognize seizures and increase epilepsy monitoring and reporting is critical for early recognition and treatment. Better recognition, diagnosis, and reporting of seizures and epilepsy in infants and young children will help guide interventions to make sure families receive the right support and treatment

IMMIGRATION NEWS & UPDATES

Immigrants

WEEK OF APRIL 17, 2017

** Contributions to this Column are made by Attorney Caroly Pedersen, Esq. of the American  Immigration Law Center – Call 954-382-5378

IMMIGRATION NEWS & UPDATES

U.S. Economists Tell Trump That Immigrants Benefit The U.S. Economy! 

In a recent letter to the Trump Administration and Congress, nearly 1,500 economists made it clear that Immigrants provide benefits to our economy and give America important competitive advantages in the global economy. The letter emphasizes that Immigration boosts our country’s growth, jobs and wages and urges Congress to modernize the U.S. Immigration system, saying: “We urge Congress to modernize our immigration system in a way that maximizes the opportunity immigration can bring, and reaffirms continuing the rich history of welcoming immigrants to the United States,”. Among the benefits Immigrants bring to our economy, economist site that they start new businesses which then hire American workers, bring young workers who contribute to our Social Security system to offset baby boomer retirements, bring diverse skills that enable American companies to grow and increase the productivity of American workers; and that Immigrants are  more likely to work in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — and other innovative fields that drive economic growth. Good to know!

USCIS Announces That It Has Reached The Cap For This Year’s H-1B Work Visas

The USCIS began accepting H-1B work visa applications on April 3, 2017 for the 2018 Fiscal year which begins on October 1, 2017. As with previous years, the USCIS received the allowable number of such new H-1B work visa applications during the first week and will soon begin sending the hundreds of thousands of excess applications back to applicant companies. Under current law, there are  only 65,000 new H-1B visas available each year for qualifying foreign professionals with Bachelor’s Degrees and an additional 20,000 for those with U.S. advanced degrees  (known as the master’s cap). 

THIS WEEK’S IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Question:  I was sworn in as an American Citizen in December of last year when my parents were here visiting me for the Christmas holiday. They came in early December and got 6 months to stay, so they have to leave by June 2017.  Things are getting really tough in Venezuela with food shortages and lots of protests in the streets and I am urging my parents not to return because it’s not safe. My parents want to stay here with me, but are afraid if they don’t return when their time is up, they could be deported. My question is, can you file for their green cards now while they are here with me in Miami and can they stay here and wait or do they have to go back to Caracas and wait? What if their I-94 expires? If they can stay, how soon can I get them a work permit and social security card?

 

Answer: U.S. Citizens can sponsor their Parents to immigrate to the U.S., either through the U.S. Consulate if they are abroad, or by adjustment of status to U.S. Residency if they are in the U.S. and entered legally (even if they have overstayed their visa). Parents in the U.S. who entered legally can file for Residency and wait to receive their Green Card here – since there is no need to travel back to the home country. Parents of U.S. Citizens are in a special immigration category called “Immediate Relatives” which allows them to obtain a Green Card in the U.S. – even if their I-94 cards are expired.

Therefore, if your parents decide to stay, I can file for their Residency, so that they can  adjust status to U.S. Permanent Residency (a Green Card) here in the U.S., it will not be a problem if their I-94 period of stay expires, even before applying. Currently, after applying for Residency, it takes about 3 months to receive a work permit and several more weeks to be issued a Social Security card. If filed properly, the entire Residency process for Parents of U.S. Citizens is about 6+ months from start to finish to receive a Green Card.  

Question: My boyfriend is a green card holder since 2014 through his mom who sponsored him. I am here visiting him from Jamaica while he is on spring break from college. We plan to get married soon after he graduates from college this june. We were wondering, if I get married to him now, while I am in fort Lauderdale visiting him, will I be able to get some kind of  temporary work permit to allow me to work here while he waits on getting his citizenship in a few years? I wanted to start working now so that he and I can save some money to buy our own apartment next year. Thanks

Answer: That is a great question. It’s important to understand that once you get married, as the spouse of a U.S. Resident , you will not obtain any immigration benefits, work permit or legal status in the U.S. until an Immigrant Visa becomes available for you, which may take about 1 ½  years in the F2A Immigration Category for Spouses and minor children of U.S. Residents. During that time, you must not overstay your time in the U.S., otherwise, you will not be eligible to immigrate here when the time comes. For now, you can get married, have a nice visit with him, then return home and begin waiting for the visa to be available. You should be able to come and visit him while your case is pending, as long as you do not stay in the U.S. for long periods of time. I hope this is helpful. You can find out more about sponsoring a spouse for Residency by visiting our Website at www.Immigratetoday.com or by calling our office at: 954-382-5378.

Helpful Immigration Tips You Can Use

Send USCIS Applications and Correspondence by U.S. Express Mail For Easy Tracking and Delivery Confirmation

Immigration applications and any follow-up correspondence with the USCIS are such important matters, that you should take the additional step of sending these documents to the USCIS by a safe, quick method, which allows you to verify the date and time of delivery to the USCIS. This is especially critical when you have received a Request For Additional Evidence from the USCIS and must provide the requested documentation by a specified deadline.

Many applicants do not know that if the response sent to the USCIS is postmarked before the deadline date, but is actually delivered and received by the USCIS after that date, the case is likely to be denied.

Not only is this a tragedy for the beneficiary of the immigration application, but in such instances, all the USCIS filing fees are lost, which in some cases can be thousands of dollars. Certified Mail is not delivered quickly  and other private courier services like Fed-ex cannot be delivered to the regular USCIS P.O. box address.

So, since the USCIS is a government agency, like the U.S. Priority Mail (U.S. Postal Service), the safest way to send applications/documents and to safeguard against the unfortunate situation above, is to use the U.S. Priority Mai. The cost is about $17.00 and well worth it. You will receive a tracking# so you can go online and confirm delivery. Be sure to send any responses requested by the USCIS at least one week or more before the deadline. Also, make a copy of everything you send to the USCIS including the initial application, supporting documents, Money Order and all follow-up responses before sending to the USCIS and never send originals! Good luck!

St. Lucia health ministry to conduct medical survey for schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis

The Ministry of Health has announced plans to conduct a medical survey to test for schistosomiasis, in order to determine whether the disease has been eliminated across the island.

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a disease caused by parasitic worms that causes illness in humans including fever, chills, muscle aches, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and anemia.

The medical survey will sample 2000 school-aged children between the ages of eight and 11.

The survey will determine the level of prevalence, or the percentage of school aged children who may have bilharzia or schistosomiasis.

Health officials predict that it will be a very low percentage.

“Right now we’re seeing very few cases of schistosomiasis, but in order to determine whether we have actually eliminated the disease we need to carry out a survey,” Dr Merlene Fredericks, Chief Medical Officer with the Ministry of Health, said.

“We have been meeting with the schools and a sample of children was selected. We would have liked to involve the entire country and every child in every school, but because of limited resources we were not be able to involve everyone.”

Two thousand children out of a total of 9000, were selected to participate in the survey. The participants were selected by a random method that cannot be influenced by those working the survey.

 

Broward cops investigate baby’s death

coroner

An investigation is now underway into a baby’s death on Monday morning.

According to the Broward Sheriff’s Officer, deputies responded to a call regarding a 2-month-old infant’s death just after 10 a.m., at 2791 N.W. 15th Court. The baby was found dead in one of the bed’s inside of the home.

Homicide and crime scene detectives have begun a death investigation and remain on the scene.

Female Trinidad teen bandit nabbed

Haitian Man killed by fellow country man in Bar Brawl in Portland, Jamaica

An 18-year-old girl was among three persons arrested in connection with armed robbery at a Chinese restaurant In Trinidad.

The woman and two men were collared when police stopped the getaway vehicle in a road block in Freeport.
Police said two other men, jumped out of the vehicle and escaped.

The teenager and two men, both in their 20s, were detained. Police said the robbery occurred at a Chinese restaurant in Carapichaima.

The gang of three men and the woman entered the business place pointing a gun at the employees. Police said one man was waiting inside the vehicle outside. The restaurant employees handed over $1,000 and several packets of cigarettes to the hoodlums.
Freeport police was contacted and an all-points bulletin was issued. Officers conducting a road exercise along Taitt Madoo Road, Freeport, spotted the vehicle. The officers intercepted the car, but two men jumped out of the car and ran.

Police held three other occupants in the vehicle. A manhunt was mounted for the two suspects.

Facebook killer at large

The Facebook killer

Ohio man posts video of murder on social media

 

 

A man who killed a 74-year-old man in Cleveland, Ohio and posted a video of the act on FaceBook, is now being hunted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cleveland police.

The video of the murderous act, was posted on the social media website on Easter Sunday, by a man identified as 37-year-old Steve Stephens.

Stephens is believed to be hiding out in Ohio or may have fled to Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, or Michigan.

In the video, Stephens pulled up in his white Ford Fusion on a road in East Cleveland around 2 p.m. Sunday and said in the video, “I found somebody I’m about to kill.”

The victim identified as Robert Godwin Sir, was seen in the video reportedly looking for aluminum cans when Stephens approached him.

“Can you do me a favor?” Stephens asks Godwin before requesting the victim to say the name Joy Lane.

“She’s the reason why this is about to happen to you,” said Stephens before he raised the gun and pulled the trigger.

Stephen’s mother, Maggie Green, 53, told media reporters she learned of the shooting from her younger son, which prompted her to call Stephens.

In a brief phone call Stephens told his mother he was “shooting people” because he was “mad with his girlfriend.”

Joy Lane, Stephen’s ex-girlfriend, sent a text to CBS News expressing her sadness for the loss of an innocent life.

“We had been in a relationship for several years. I am sorry that all of this has happened. My heart and prayers goes out to the family members of the victim(s). Steve really is a nice guy… He is generous with everyone he knows. He was kind and loving to me and my children. This is a very difficult time for me and my family. Please respect our privacy at this time,” Lane wrote.

Authorities said the two men did not know each other.

In the video, Stephens claimed to have killed more than a dozen people in what he calls his “Easter day slaughter”, although police said they have not confirmed any other victims. .

Cleveland Chief of Police, Calvin Williams, said detectives spoke with Stephens by cellphone after he shot Godwin but had not made contact since.

“Obviously, he’s got deep, deep issues. Whether he was calm or not, he committed a heinous crime in this city,” Williams said.

The police chief also stated the victim’s family said there are several GoFundMe pages that have been created by people outside the family and have requested the public refrain from contributing to them.

The victim’s family is scheduled to give a statement on Monday afternoon.

Fourth St. Lucian quarry explosion victim dies

St Lucia quarry explosion

Close to one month after a quarry explosion in which over 30 persons were injured – three fatally, a fourth person died in hospital Sunday.

Relatives have confirmed the death of Jude Skelly, 43 one of the four critically injured patients flown to a hospital in Martinique after the March 21 explosion.

Jude was an employee of the Rayneau Gajadhar-owned quarry, operated by the RG Group of Companies – Construction & Industrial Equipment (CIE) Ltd and RG. Quarry (RGQ).

Investigations are continuing into the explosion, which employees initially said was caused when workers were wielding the top of a container in which dynamite was stored.

Relatives said that Jude received a blow to the head, and remained in a coma for two weeks.

But they held out hope for a full recovery after Jude talked and laughed when they last spoke to him on Thursday.

However, on Friday, the family was told that Jude developed breathing problems, suffered heart failure Saturday and never recovered.‎
The explosion, nearly a month ago, caused widespread damage to offices and heavy-duty equipment on the plant and nearby buildings in the Cul De Sac valley.

Jamaican woman is the world’s oldest person

Violet Moss Brown

Jamaica’s supercentenarian Violet Moss Brown, is now the world’s oldest living person.

Moss Brown, became the world’s oldest living person following the death of Italian Emma Morano. Morano was the last living person born in the 1800s.

Moss Brown, affectionately called Aunt V, lives in Duanvale, Trelawny. Her eldest child, Harold Fairweather, at age 96, is said to be the world’s oldest living child with a parent alive.

Japan has the most supercentenarians. The top 10 oldest people alive are all women. The highest ranking male is 112-year-old Israel Kristal, a Polish/Israeli citizen who was born on September 15, 1903.

A supercentenarian is someone who has lived to or passed their 110th birthday. There are estimated to be 300–450 living supercentenarians in the world, though only 50 verified cases are known.

Jamaican super-centenarian Violet Moss Brown now the oldest person in the world

Jamaican super-centenarian Violet Moss Brown now the oldest person in the world

Protesters in cities across the country came out Saturday to call on President Donald Trump to release his tax returns. Demonstrators came out in large numbers in about 200 cities, including a few outside the U.S., according to organizers. Images of tax protesters in cities including Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and New York flooded social media. Trump has said that Americans “don’t care at all” about his tax returns, but polls show 74% of Americans say he should release them. .

South Florida water managers have issued a water shortage warning, asking more than 8 million residents from Orlando to Key West to follow lawn-watering rules and conserve water. If the shortage persists, South Florida Water Management District officials say the agency may consider mandatory restrictions. This winter, the region received only 44 percent of its average rainfall, about 6.75 inches shy of what it normally gets. Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties all follow lawn-watering restrictions stipulated by the district.

Jamaican health officials have recorded almost 10,000 notifications of suspected cases of the Zika virus in Jamaica between January 2016 and March 2017. Figures released by the health ministry indicate that 7,767, or 77 per cent, were determined to be suspected cases of ZIKA. So far, 203 confirmed cases of the virus have been recorded. According to Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health Dr Winston De La Haye, the numbers are not causing panic among health-care officials, but underscore the need for alertness and vigilance.

And in sports.

Double Olympic women’s sprint champion Elaine Thompson stopped the clock at 10.75 seconds in her season’s opener at the UTECH Classic on Saturday. While Thompson’s time is the fastest in the world this year, it was run with a wind aid above he legal limit. Former World 100 meters champion, Yohan Blake, slipped from the starting blocks and finished last.

Here’s what’s trending…

Jamaican super-centenarian Violet Moss Brown is now the oldest person in the world, after the death of previous oldest person Emma Morano of Italy. Morano, born on November29, 1899, was officially the last person born in the 1800s still living. She died at her home in Verbania, at age 117. Brown, of Duanvale in Trelawny, was born on March 10, 1900, and is also 117 years old. Known as ‘Aunt V’ in Duanvale, Brown’s eldest child, 96-year-old Harold Fairweather, is believed to be the world’s oldest living child with a parent alive.

Dom Rep author wins Caribbean literary award

Rita Hernandez

Dominican Republic author Rita Indiana Hernández was awarded the Grand Prix Littéraire Région Guadeloupe at the fifth Caribbean Writers Congress hosted by the Guadeloupe Regional Authority for her novel “La Mucama de Omicunlé”, published by Périférica.

Rita Indiana was born in Santo Domingo in 1977. A writer but also singer-songwriter, she started writing when she was quite young before developing a passion for music and reinventing the merengue. Her songs lyrics as well as her novels focus primarily on Caribbean social and ethical issues.

La Mucama de Omicunlé (Omicunle’s Room Maid) informs the reader about the undeniable and inevitable destruction of our world and portrays a clear picture of what will happen if we do not stop the process of dehumanization and violence.

The novel deeply Caribbean and Latin American.

The Grand Prix Littéraire Région Guadeloupe is intended to honour and reward a literary work published in the previous three years in French, English or Spanish. It is awarded by the members of an international jury comprising major literary figures and writers from the Caribbean.

For the fifth edition of the Caribbean Writers Congress, four nominees competed for the Award:

  • Olive Sénior, “The Pain Tree”, (Jamaica), published by Cormorant Books
    • Anthony Phelps, “Je Veille Incorrigible Féticheur” (Haiti), published by Bruno Doucey
    • Roland Brival, “Nègre de Personne” (Martinique), published by Gallimard; and
    • Rita Indiana, “La Mucama de Omicunlé” (Dominican Republic), published by Périférica

The international jury members were: Andrès Bansart (Venezuela); Earl Lovelace, president of the Caribbean Writers Association (Trinidad and Tobago); Camila Valdés (Cuba); Patricia Donatien (Martinique); Lyonel Trouillot (French language area); Prof. Funso Aiyejina (English language area); and Ariel Camejo (Spanish language area).

The Caribbean Writers Congress aims to contribute to the cultural development of Guadeloupe and Caribbean citizens as a whole.

This year’s Grand Prix Littéraire Région Guadeloupe, initiated by the Association of Writers of the Caribbean, honored the Dominican Republic and a new generation of writers.

Earthquake rocks St. Kitts Nevis

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 rocked St. Kitts Nevis early Monday, but there are no reports of injuries or damage.

The Trinidad-based Seismic Research Unit says the tremor was recorded at 1:23 am (local time) at a Latitude of 17.48 N, Longitude of 61.20 W at depth of 10 km.

The Seismic Unit said the center was located 83 km NE of St. John’s, Antigua; 141 Km NNE of Point-Pitre, Guadeloupe and 171 km East of Basseterre, St. Kitts

National Weekly April 13, 2017

Victoria Mutual to host Dutch Pot meetings for South Florida Jamaicans

Victoria Mutual Dutch Pot meeting
Victoria Mutual, Let's meet at Dutch Pot

The Victoria Mutual Building Society’s (VMBS) Florida Representative Office has announced its “Let’s Meet @ Dutch Pot” program, scheduled for April 22 to May 27.

The meetings will be held Saturdays at Dutch Pot restaurants in South Florida. They will assist the Victoria Mutual team to interact with the Jamaican Diaspora community.

Dutch Pot Miramar Victoria Mutual meeting
Dutch Pot Miramar: Where Victoria Mutual will have one of their meetings

“Let’s Meet @Dutch Pot” will provide the Diaspora with information on the various products and services offered by Victoria Mutual Florida Representative Office. The outlet provides information on savings or fixed deposit accounts, mortgage loan options, and financial guidance.

Watch: One on One: CEO of VMBS, Courtney Campbell

What Victoria Mutual offers

Through its Florida Representative Office, VMBS offers a variety of products. One in particular is the “1st Home Mortgage” option, which affords special discounts for individuals who would like to save towards owning a home in Jamaica. Additionally, the “Come Home Sweet Home” mortgage option offers interest rates as low as 4.25 percent on a U.S. currency mortgage loan.

Victoria Mutual Cheif Representative Officer Suzette Rochester
Victoria Mutual Cheif Representative Officer Suzette Rochester

According to Suzette Rochester, Chief Representative Officer, VMBS – FL. RO., “Let’s Meet @ Dutch Pot” also aims to facilitate interaction between the Diaspora community and Victoria Mutual. This will provide valuable information on various Jamaican properties.

These include: The Meadows in Irwin, Montego Bay; The Bermonde in Portmore, St. Catherine; Forest Ridge in Kingston 5; and Fern Court in Richmond, St. Ann.

Read More: VMBS forum highlights pathways for investment

VMBS’ local offices are at 2600 South University Dr., Suite 109 in Miramar. Or call 305-770-2643, for further information.

Brazilian icon Marta signs with Orlando Pride

Marta to sing with Orlando Pride

Five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Marta, is returning to the USA to continue her club career after signing with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Orlando Pride last Friday.

The Brazil captain has agreed to a two-year contract, with an option for a third year, with the Florida-based outfit.

She will suit up for her first Orlando Pride’s match this Saturday April 15 away to the Portland Thorns.

The 31-year-old, who had spells in the USA with Los Angeles Sol, Gold Pride and Western New York Flash of the old Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) from 2009 to 2011, joins Orlando after a recent stint in Sweden with Rosengård.

One of women’s football’s most recognizable faces, Marta brings a wealth of experience to the Pride. Not only was she honored women’s world player of the year for five consecutive years from 2006 to 2010, she has appeared in four FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments and the last four editions of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament with Brazil.

Her many individual achievements include winning the adidas Golden Ball as the best player at both the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship Thailand 2004 and FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007, as well as the adidas Golden Shoe as the top scorer at China 2007 with seven goals.

International cricket returns to Lauderhill this summer

International T20 returns to Lauderhill

Cricket, lovely cricket, will return to Lauderhill in Broward County this summer.

After a successful 2016 Hero Caribbean Premier League tournament at Central Broward Stadium, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved T20 fixtures for the venue this year.

The Hero Caribbean Premier League is scheduled to take place from August 4 to September 10. Match schedule and ticket information will be announced shortly.

Last year, six matches were played at Central Broward Stadium. Along with the excitement and interest the games generated, they contributed $12,583,246 to the local economy. The Hero CPL invested $1,668,151, and visitors to Broward County spent $4,751,872.

The CPL organizers are confident there will be an improvement on the estimated 30,000 fans who attended matches last year. In addition, there is a potential television audience of 12.7 million viewers.

Damien O’Donohoe, chief executive of the Hero CPL, said: “On behalf of Hero CPL, I am delighted that the biggest party in sport will return to the USA later this year. Over 30,000 fans packed our American leg of matches in 2016. Over half of those attendees travelled from New York and Texas, and as far west as Los Angeles.”

He added that, “We welcome the opportunity to play our part in USA cricket’s future plans. We have committed to a community outreach program to ensure the impact of the Hero CPL goes beyond the field of play….. we believe the quality of cricket on the field, coupled with the party off it, will generate even greater interest for the upcoming season.”

Broward Commissioner Dale Holness, who was involved in promoting last year’s tournament, endorsed O’Donohoe’s pledge.

“I welcome the return of international cricket to Broward County. As was proven during last year’s games at the Central Broward Stadium, cricket and sports generally have a very positive economic impact on the local economy. It’s my goal, as a county commissioner to make every effort to bring more sports to Broward, and all South Florida, to grow jobs and the economy.”

Holness revealed that management at Central Broward Stadium is seeking a  manager to develop cricket in South Florida. This post should be filled in weeks.

City of Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan is also looking forward to the frenetic pace of T20 cricket returning to his town.

“The return of the Caribbean Premier League also known as the ‘Biggest Party in Sports’ to Lauderhill has many people excited including myself! We warmly welcome the players, officials, and many spectators of CPLT20 2017 to a place we call the North Caribbean and the Cricket Capital of the United States of America – Lauderhill!”

Reggie Wilson’s Citizen By The Fist & Heel Dance Company scheduled for Miami

Citizen, with Reggie Wilson/Fist & Heel Performance Group will showcase their unique talent on Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22, at the Miami Dade County Auditorium.

The event which will commence 8:30pm both nights will see the performance group draw from the cultures of Africans in the Americas combine with post-modern elements. Wilson says he will use his own personal movement style to create what he calls “post-African/Neo-HooDoo Modern dances.”

In Citizen, Wilson asks, “What does it mean to belong?” and “What does it mean to not want to belong?” core questions of his investigations for the evening-length dance work.

Bunny Wailer launches Museum in Kingston, Jamaica

Bunny-Wailer-2017-launches-Bunny-Wailer-Museum

Reggae legend Bunny Wailer has launched the Bunny Wailer Museum in the Washington Gardens area of Kingston, Jamaica on April 9.

The singer, an original member of The Wailers with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, turned 70 the following day. And the Bunny Wailer Museum was a great way to celebrate.

Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer
Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer

“It means a lot…the Bunny Wailer Museum relates to things I have done over the years. We have a Bob Marley Museum an’ a Peter Tosh Museum so it’s appropriate for me open one at this time,” he said.

Read More: 5 things you didn’t know about Peter Tosh

The Bunny Wailer Museum site

The site that houses the Bunny Wailer museum is special to Wailer. It was owned by his father, Thaddeus ‘Shut’ Livingston who died in 1991 on Bunny Wailer’s birthday.

Photos, original album covers and a document signifying a change in The Wailers Tuff Gang record company to Tuff Gong, are some of the pieces on show at the museum.

Bunny Wailer’s awards including three Grammys, his boyhood bamboo guitar and a gramophone that belonged to his father, are also displayed.

Read More: When Bunny Wailer was hospitalized in South Florida

The Bunny Wailer museum launch is part of a series marking the singer/songwriter’s birthday. He is the sole survivor of the famed Wailers troika. Marley died from cancer in May 1981 at age 36 while Tosh was murdered at his St Andrew home in September 1987 at age 42.

Three of Wailer’s children, Tamara, Sasha and Asadenaki, and grandson Mark, attended the opening.

Stranger Cole, Fred Locks, Capleton and Dre Tosh were some of the artistes at the event.

An escovitch fish recipe for a Caribbean Easter

escoveitched fish recipe

An Escovitch Fish Recipe for Easter

Easter is the perfect time to test your culinary skills with this escovitch fish recipe. “Escovitch” is a Jamaican variation of Ceviche. It is a process of cooking whereby fish is usually fried and then doused liberally with a pickling sauce made from vinegar, pimento, onions, pepper and carrots. It has been a staple Jamaican Easter dish, along with fired sprats, sorrel and of course bun and cheese. This escovitch fish recipe will have you and your guests pining for more.

In this dish, you can use a filet of snapper or a light white fish. The marinade only needs to be as spicy as you would like it at home.

Preparation Time: 10 – 15 Minutes

Cook Time – 20 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs  whole or sliced fish
• ½ cup cooking oil
• 4 tbls fish seasoning
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 whole lime or lemon or ¼ cup vinegar

Read More: Caribbean Easter Egg Dye Recipe

METHOD:

• Clean fish and wash with lime / lemon juice or vinegar
• Put fish to drain on paper towel and make a diagonal cut on each side of the fish.
• Combine fish seasoning, salt and black pepper in a small dish
• Place oil in frying pan to heat.
• Crush the garlic and place in the frying pan, while the oil is being heating.
• While oil is being heated, rub seasoning in the fish cavity, and on the outside, make sure to season thoroughly.
• Ensure that the oil in the frying pan is very hot
• Place 2 fish at a time in the preheated oil
• Fry until each side of the fish is golden brown
• Place each fried fish in dish that can be covered

escovitch fish recipe vinegar sauce
Vinegar sauce for your escovitch fish recipe

Sauce

• 3 tbsp oil from the pan that fish was fried in
• 2 cups white or cider vinegar
• 3 medium sized carrots, julienned
• 2 large onions cut in rings
• 3 scotch bonnet or hot pepper cut in rings
• 6 pimento berries 

Read More: Jamaican Easter Bun Recipe

Method

• Combine oil, vinegar, carrot, onion, pepper and pimento in sauce pan
• Cook carrot and onion until tender
• Pour sauce while hot onto fish
• Cover dish and marinate for 2 hours

Add slices of pepper, onion, and carrots to add additional garnishing. Now serve fish with your favorite side dish, and enjoy. This would be an escovitch fish recipe to remember.

Source: www.my-island-jamaica.com

Are you a visual learner? Check out this video below as an Escovitch Fish recipe guide. Bon Appetit!

 

Caribbean Easter Egg Dye Recipe

Dyed Easter Eggs
  • 12 large Eggs
  • 8 cups Boiling Water
  • 1/4 head Red Cabbage
  • 1 teaspoon Vinegar

Directions

  1. Place eggs in a single layer in the bottom of the pot. Add water, vinegar and cabbage.
  2. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove eggs from pot and place in large bowl.
  3. Strain liquid through a coffee strainer and pour strained liquid into bowl with eggs.
  4. Cover and refrigerate overnight for deeper color.
  5. Remove from liquid and keep refrigerated.

Source: www.Foodfanatic.com

JERK PORK for Easter

Jamaican Jerk Pork

5 lb. Pork Shoulder (ask your butcher to cut into medallions or cubes)

5 tsp. Salt (season salt)

5 Garlic Cloves (minced)

4 sprigs Fresh Thyme

10 Whole Pimento (allspice berries)

1 tbsp. Burnt Sugar

1 cup Jerk Marinade (see recipe below)

Wash pork in cold water then drain. Rub in the season salt, minced garlic and jerk marinade (see marinade recipe below). Add the burnt sugar and rub in to give a rich dark hue. Let marinate overnight or for at least two hours with the thyme and pimento then cook on the barbeque grill or in your oven at 400º F for about 30 minutes then lower the temperature to 275º F until done. Serve with Mango Salsa and Rice-N-Peas. Enjoy!!!

Source: www.Sams247.com

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