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Marcus Garvey’s son to present National Hero medal to Liberty Hall in Jamaica

Marcus Garvey’s son to present National Hero medal to Liberty Hall in Jamaica

The youngest son of Jamaican National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Julius W Garvey, is set to present his father’s National Hero medal and other memorabilia to Liberty Hall in downtown Kingston, Jamaica.

Scheduled for Thursday, 2 p.m. the event will include live entertainment of Nyabinghi drumming, is free of cost and open to the public. Jamaican-born, US-based director and Hollywood stuntman Roy T. Anderson will be on location filming for his documentary-film, Marcus Garvey: A Son’s Story.

Following on the heels of Queen Nanny: Legendary Maroon Chieftainess, (Action 4 Reel Flimworks, 2015), Anderson’s award-winning film on Jamaica’s only national heroine, production has begun on Marcus Garvey: A Son’s Story, a 90-minute feature-length film chronicling the story of an unparalleled civil-rights leader.

Little Haiti mural to honor man associated for naming the community

Little Haiti mural to honor man associated for naming the community

Viter Juste the Haitian gentleman associated with the foundation of the Haitian community in Miami-Dade County that has become generally known as Little Haiti is being honored with a colorful mural depicting his likeness.

Originally known as Lemon City, from the late 1950s onwards as Haitians fled their homeland leaving repressive administrations and increasingly harsh economic situations, several settled in this area of Miami-Dade. As the community of Haitians expanded Viter Juste, a Haitian immigrant, businessman, community leader and activist suggested that the area be known as Little Haiti. And, the name stuck. The Northeast Second Ave and NE 59st region of Miami was commonly known as Little Haiti. In fact few people even knew of the name Lemon City. “Where is Lemon City?” people would ask. Even those who lived in the region for some time.

Last year, on the repeated urging of Haitian community activists, City of Miami commissioners voted to designate Lemon City to be officially known as Little Haiti. The community is quintessential Haitian in culture, language, cuisine, worship and in business, and it is a community that thrives throughout several challenges.

The officially designation of the community was the fulfilment of the dream and objectives of Viter Juste.

 

The mural to honor Juste, and to be placed on property adjacent to NE 2nd Ave  and NE 59th Street, is being created by Haitian artist Serge Toussaint. The artists says besides honoring Juste, he wants the mural to depict that very unique Haitian culture as one enter the community of Little Haiti.

 

 

Jamaican businessman believes Donald Trump will be a successful US president

Jamaican businessman believes Donald Trump will be a successful US president

Renowned Jamaican businessman and hotelier Gordon “Butch” Stewart, also the owner of the Jamaican newspaper “The Jamaican Observer” in a letter to the editor of that newspaper says there’s no reason for Jamaicans, or others, to fear the pending presidency of US businessman Donald Trump. Trump surprisingly defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the US presidential elections last month.

Trump’s unorthodox statements and behavior have created a high degree of uncertainty, and even fear, in the US and other areas of the globe including Jamaica.

However, Stewart, in his letter indicates he has known Trump for about 20 years and have found him to be neither a bigot nor a racist as he has often been alleged to be. “There’s no need to fear Trump….I personally think Trump will be great for all of us.”

The letter was written to encourage Jamaicans to have a positive and successful 2017, a year which Stewart predicts will “offer  extraordinary opportunities and possibilities for those who dare to dream big.”

He wrote that he’s aware some people “are laboring with fear and apprehension about the new US President-elect Donald Trump. I, personally, think a Trump Administration will be great for all of us.”

Stewart says he has known Trump since the 1990s and their  paths have crossed several times.

Subtly criticizing the media, Stewart said Trump may have his faults, but “a great many of the things the mainstream media say about him are just not true.”

“The Donald Trump I know is by no means crazy, prejudiced or a bigot. He is probably the most patriotic, nationalistic American I have ever met. He is always engaging and respectful. He is….. someone I regard as a highly international man. He’s not a politician and so he does not polish his words as well as a seasoned politician would. Instead, he shoots from the hip and says it like it is,” Stewart wrote.

The Jamaican founder and owner of the Sandals Resorts chain, believes Trump will be good for the US, and the Caribbean region including Jamaica. He said on each occasion that he met Trump, he expressed “tremendous respect for our region. He was particularly very inquisitive about Jamaica and always wanted to know about life in our country.”

In his letter Stewart disclosed that after the US presidential elections, Vice-President-elect Mike Pence called Jamaican PM  Andrew Holness. In Stewart’s opinion, “That immediate, warm, welcoming telephone call is a signal that this new US Administration intends to keep Jamaica in its focus.”

Reiterating his view that there’s no need to fear Trump’s presidency, Stewart wrote, “I believe he will end up being one of the best American presidents ever…..It is the kind of presidency that the world needs now. When America has robust economic growth, the world grows. Right now, the continued low growth is not enough to drive the global economy…..I believe that a lot of people are going to be surprised at the results he will achieve.”

 

Four children killed in pesticide accident

Four children killed in pesticide accident

Early Tuesday morning the police were called to rush a family in Texas to the hospital due to a dangerous toxin which killed four minors.

One was a high school senior on the brink of graduation. The other three were her little brothers; the youngest was 7 years old.

Amarillo police explained what went wrong: Some of the family members started feeling sick Monday after the pesticide was sprayed under their mobile home which led one of the residents to try and dilute it with water. That was an uncommon fatal mistake.The aluminum phosphide pesticide under the mobile home when mixed with water creates toxic phosphine gas, which can cause excess fluid in the lungs and respiratory failure.

There were 10 people inside the mobile home at the time when Emergency crews arrived just after 5 a.m. after receiving a call that people there were sick. In addition to the four children killed, five other people from inside the home were hospitalized.

Join as the City of Sunrise celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK Jr. Day

The City of Sunrise is set to celebrate the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with free cultural events all month long including a gallery reception, a concert, a poetry workshop for teens, and a screening of “The Great Debaters.”

  • A NIGHT OF THE ARTS in Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sunday, January 15, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Sunrise Civic Center

  •  “Sankofa: Looking Forward, Reaching Back” at 6 p.m.

Opening Reception in the Art Gallery features work by local professional artists, as well as talented high school students from across Broward County. Teen artists can visit www.sunrisefl.gov/MLK to download our Sankofa entry form and view our submission requirements. Intake is set for January 11 and 12. Pieces in the exhibit illustrate how we must learn from the past to ensure a strong future. The artwork is complemented by historical items on loan from the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

  • Concert and Poetry in the Theatre at 7:00 p.m. 

Enjoy live music by the Gary Palmer Band and the nationally renowned Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Ensemble, along with performances by youth poets. Seating is limited: Four free general admission tickets per family are available. Visit the Sunrise Civic Center Box Office (954-747-4646) to request tickets.

  • WRITE YOUR DREAM: A Poetry Workshop for Teens

Monday, January 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Sunrise Civic Center students age 13 to 19 are invited to participate in a creative and intensive writing workshop that integrates the literary arts and civic responsibility. This hands-on session will be facilitated by poet, playwright, and educator Darius Daughtry; and award-winning poet Ashley M. Jones. Participants will receive a copy of Ms. Jones’ newly-published poetry collection, “Magic City Gospel.” There is no cost to participate, but pre-registration by Monday, January 9, is required. Visit www.sunrisefl.gov/mlk for a registration packet or call (954) 747-4662.

  • Movie Screening: “THE GREAT DEBATERS”

Monday, January 16, at 1 p.m. in the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre. Denzel Washington directs and stars as Melvin B. Tolson, the poet and professor who in 1935 started a debate team at the predominately black Wiley College. “The Great Debaters” is rated PG. Seating is limited: Four free general admission tickets per family are available.

Nearly 500,000 immigrants deported in 2016, reports USCIS

We’re taking a look at some of the top stories that are making the news across your Caribbean-American community here in South Florida. Today is Tuesday, January 3rd and for CNW90, I’m Jahlisa Harvey

The news today is brought to you by Grace Aloe, Aloe Vera Drink, Refreshingly Delicious.

Here are today’s top stories:

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says nearly half million immigrants, including many from the Caribbean, were deported in 2016 according to the end of fiscal year statistics released by the US Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Jeh Johnson said the effort by this Administration was an enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws, with a particular focus on public safety and border security.

Travelers flying into South Florida airports were stranded for up to three hours with delays, and extremely long custom lines, due to an outage in the computer system used by US Customs and Border Protection. The outage  began at around 6 p.m. and continued to just before 10 pm. This caused long lines extended in the immigration and customs halls with some passengers expressing torture like conditions as they endured the long wait.

Among new Florida laws that became effective on January 1st was one that bans minors under the age of 18 from purchasing some cough syrup brands over the counter. The law is meant to curb youth substance abuse, and people misusing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan found in cough medication.

In Sports:

The Amateur Swimming Association Of Jamaica is already preparing their National and Developments Squad for the 2017 season after having a great year in International Swimming. Thirty eight swimmers have been participating in an intensive 4 day Training Camp at the National Aquatic Centre with the purpose of training the fastest and most mentally driven swimmers.

Now, here’s what’s trending:

The Office of the National Electoral Litigation in Haiti has ruled that while there had been irregularities in the tabulation of votes cast in the November 20, 2016 presidential elections, these did not “affect the electoral process”.

For TODAYS weather forecast:

Partly cloudy in Broward County with a high of 84 and a low of 69. Scattered Thunderstorms in Miami-Dade, with a high of 80 and a low of 70.

For more information on these and other stories, visit us online at Caribbean national weekly.com.

Today’s news is brought to you by Grace Aloe. Aloe Vera drink, Refreshingly Delicious.”

This has been CNW90, I’m Jahlisa Harvey

Black Florida: Pompano Beach by artist Johanne Rahaman

Black Florida: Pompano Beach by artist Johanne Rahaman 

The exhibit will be open starting February 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. the Bailey Contemporary Arts gallery 

Johanne Rahaman is an emerging documentary photographer, working in both digital and film formats since 2002.  Her latest work, Black Florida, has been profiled in New Yorker magazine. The collection is  an ongoing photographic archive of shifting urban and rural spaces occupied by the Black communities throughout the State of Florida.

Rahaman’s images consists of environmental portraits, landscape, architectural and still life images, underscoring the urgency and importance of recording these neighborhoods that are in a constant state of flux.

In February, 2017, BaCA will exhibit the images as a result of her focus on Pompano Beach in honor of Black History month, and as a continuing narrative that began with last year’s exhibit, “What’s Your Story?” that showcased portraits of Pompano Beach’s black community in the 1930s.

Rahaman’s drive for documenting these communities that mirror her hometown; the stigmatized Laventille Hills of Trinidad, was born out of a sense of duty to offer the public an alternative view of Black ghettos, and ghetto life, unashamedly, as a sense of place, as home.

In the absence of newsworthy events, her work takes a look at the simplicities and the complexities of entrepreneurship, beauty, sensuality, aging, mortality, youth, and resilience within the African Diaspora.

“Black Florida” is supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project (EHRP), an organization who aims to change the national conversation around both poverty and economic insecurity. They commission stories – from narrative features to photo essays and video – that put a human face on financial instability. They fund and place their reportage and photojournalism in renowned and popular sites and magazines, from The New York Times to Slate to MSNBC.

Help prevent headache days in the new year

Help prevent headache days in the new year

The start of a new year is a busy time for everyone. Between celebrating with friends and family, jumping back in at the office after time off for the holidays, and getting a start on those New Year’s resolutions, Americans are busy and raring to go. But people with Chronic Migraine are left worrying about when their next headache day will strike.

Many people get headaches from time to time. But those living with Chronic Migraine can spend at least half of each month with a headache. Different from episodic migraine, Chronic Migraine is a distinct neurologic condition defined as having 15 or more headache days each month, each lasting four hours or more, with at least eight of those headache days being associated with migraine.

Kelly has lived with Chronic Migraine since her early 20s. Living with this condition means that half of every month is spent dealing with debilitating headaches.

In a study with 512 patients, only approximately 25% of patients who meet the clinical definition for Chronic Migraine were diagnosed, it’s critical to seek out a headache expert to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss treatment options. Recognizing symptoms and receiving a diagnosis is important – while there is no cure for Chronic Migraine, there are treatment options that can help. For example, BOTOX (onabotulinumtoxinA) is the first and only FDA-approved, preventive treatment in adults with Chronic Migraine (15 or more headache days a month, each lasting 4 hours or more) shown to prevent headache days before they even start.

BOTOX prevents on average 8 to 9 headache days a month (versus 6 to 7 for placebo). BOTOX is not approved for adults with migraine who have 14 or fewer headache days a month.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
BOTOX may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX:

  • Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
  • Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.

Court hands down ruling to challenge Presidential election results

Court hands down ruling to challenge Presidential election results

The Office of the National Electoral Litigation (BCEN) has that while there had been irregularities in the tabulation of votes cast in the November 20 presidential elections last year they did not “affect the electoral process”.

One month after voters had cast ballots in the legislative and presidential elections, the BCEN had handed a lifeline to three political parties that had been challenging the victory of businessman Jovenel Moise, when it ordered a review of the preliminary results.

The Electoral Court in its ruling on December 20 ordered that 12 per cent of randomly drawn presidential minutes be verified and that the verification exercise be carried out in the presence of the parties concerned and the national and international electoral observation organizations.

The court has set no deadline for completing the process, but the BCEN said that after “deliberation in the Chamber of the Council, acting in accordance with the Decree of 2 March 2015 in force without appeal…declares that after analysis of the 12 per cent or one thousand five hundred and sixty (1,560) Minutes at the Vote Tabulation Centre (CTV), it does not detect any massive fraud but irregularities which cannot affect the electoral process”.

Incoming CARICOM chairman calls for deepening of regional integration movement

Incoming CARICOM chairman calls for deepening of regional integration movement

Guyana assumes the chairmanship of the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping with President David Granger saying that 2017 holds great promise for the Caribbean countries to advance” our integration process which can only be possible through the involvement and participation of all.

“Let us resolve to play our part in strengthening our Caribbean Community and to making regional unity a living, breathing experience,” Granger said in a message ahead of taking over from Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit from January 1.

Granger, who will hold the position for the next six months, said that 2016 marked the mid-point of the Five-Year Strategic Plan which he described as “a foundational element in the Community’s Reform Process.

Granger said that Caribbean people made a considerable contribution to the global community in the sphere of culture and that later this year, the region’s premier cultural exposition, the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA), will be held in Barbados.

The 13th edition of this festival, bringing together the peoples of CARICOM as well as the wider Caribbean, will take place under the theme ‘Asserting our Culture: Celebrating Ourselves,” and Granger added “we certainly look forward to widespread participation to make the event a tremendous success”.

In his statement, Granger said that the safety and security of the region is of paramount importance, noting “as we move forward with implementing a regional crime and security strategy, we will be building on the platform already established by concluding legal agreements with respect to Arrest Warrants and Asset Forfeiture”.

Trinidad and Tobagos national football team makes strides in Nicaragua

Trinidad and Tobagos national football team makes strides in Nicaragua

Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s football team head coach Tom Saintfiet was pleased with the teams recent trip to Nicaragua while urging all players to focus and be committed to the team.

The footballers gathered on New year’s Day to begin preparing for the Caribbean Football Union Gold Cup playoff matches against Suriname Wednesday and Haiti on Sunday. Saintfiet has made his intentions clear after having sent home Daneil Cyrus and Jamal Williams due both players arrived late for the start of the camp.

“We have two difficult games to go, Suriname and Haiti, and we can’t underestimate them,” Saintfiet said on Sunday. “The pressure is on us as the home team and we will need to win both games to qualify. I was very pleased with our trip to Nicaragua. I think it was good preparation but now the real work starts. We need good results.”

The matches will be played at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad Wednesday before going up against the French Caribbean nation of Haiti on Sunday.

This Day in History: Jamaica becomes the founding member of the WI Federation

On this day in Caribbean history, January 3, 1958, Jamaica becomes a founding member of the West Indies Federation, a group of Caribbean islands that formed a unit within the Commonwealth of Nations.

Various islands in the Caribbean that were colonies of the United Kingdom, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, and those on the Leeward and Windward Islands, came together to form the Federation, with its capital in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The expressed intention of the Federation was to create a political unit that would become independent from Britain as a single state—possibly similar to the Canadian Confederation, Australian Commonwealth, or Central African Federation; however, before that could happen, the Federation collapsed due to internal political conflicts. The territories of the federation eventually became the nine contemporary sovereign states of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago; with Anguilla, Montserrat, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands becoming British overseas territories. British Guiana (Guyana) and British Honduras (Belize) held observer status within the West Indies Federation.

The total population of the West Indies Federation was between 3 and 4 million people, with the majority being of black West African descent. Minorities included Indians from the subcontinent (called East Indians), Europeans, Chinese, and Caribs. There was also a large population of mixed descent (mainly mulattos, but also Afro-Indian, Euro-Indian and mixed-Chinese). In terms of religion, most of the population was Protestant, with significant numbers of Catholics and some Hindus and Muslims (both almost exclusively from the East Indian population).

Haiti celebrates 214th Independence

Haiti celebrates 214th Independence

Haiti marked the 214th anniversary of its political independence acknowledging that after so many years “we are still unable to feed our people, educate our children, provide care health care to our compatriots and to rebuild the infrastructure necessary for the economic development of our country”.

The celebrations come amidst growing tensions in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country where citizens still await the official results of the November 20 last year presidential and legislative elections

In his address to mark the independence anniversary, Interim President Jocelerme Privert said Haiti has a historic place in the shared struggle for independence in the Western Hemisphere.

“In spite of the accidents of our history which brought us humiliations, the date of 1st January carries for us a particular density of emotions and feelings, through the asperities of the path travelled.

“January 1st find us each year to this pilgrimage to the heart of the spirit in the authentic time of Gonaives the pole of all the patriotic convergences where the ancestors for obvious reasons have chosen to lay the foundation stone of the national edifice.”

But he acknowledged that for 213 years “our country has faced a series of challenges and conflicts which should no longer frighten the descendants of 1804.

Privert, who came into office after President Michel Martelly left in February without an elected successor, said that he does not intend to give lessons to anyone, on how “we are all responsible, we are obliged to agree, to do our mea culpa so that we move forward.

“We are all Haitian, we must accept with humility that every Haitian has his contribution to bring for the search for the solution. We must create a better tomorrow for all our children”.

Usher feels the reggae beat with chart topper

Usher feels the reggae beat with chart topper

Usher is the latest U.S pop star to feel the reggae beat collaborating on a new dancehall inspired song titled “Wait For It”, with Jamaican producer ‘Supa Dups’. “Wait For It” is a song from The Hamilton Mixtape, a Broadway play, which topped the Billboard 200 Album Chart in its opening week.

Wait For It is from Act 1 of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, based on the life of American statesman Alexander Hamilton, which premiered on Broadway in 2015.

The Hamilton Mixtape features songs from Hamilton performed by other popularly known U.S artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, The Roots, John Legend, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Wiz Khalifa, Chance The Rapper, Jill Scott, Sia, and Queen Latifah.

Computer system outage cause long delays at South Florida airports/nationally

Computer system outage cause long delays at South Florida airports/nationally

Travelers, some returning from vacations overseas, and others traveling to South Florida for personal and business reasons were stranded for hours at airports In Miami-Dade and Fort Lauderdale. The long, up to three hour delays, and extremely long custom lines, was experienced nationally, caused  by an outage in the computer system used by US Customs and Border Protection.

The outage at South Florida international airports began at around 6 p.m. and continued to just before 10 pm. During these times, several flights arrived from overseas destinations, and long lines extended in the migration and customs halls. In some instances passengers were kept on planes waiting for the crowd waiting on customs to abate.

Among the passengers caught in the frustrating long lines at the Miami-International Airport were Southwest Miami residents Jacob and Melissa Nevers  and their two young sons who were returning from a Christmas/New Year’s vacation in Montego Bay, Jamaica, their home country.

Jacob arrived at the airport shortly after 7 p.m. and was stuck in customs for almost three hours. He described the experience as “very rough. Like torture.” He said he and his family, especially, the boys were hungry, tired and wanted to use the bathroom, and couldn’t. He said it was also very hot and humid in the hall as the crowd made the air conditioning relatively ineffective. He saw people fainting, and vomiting on the floor of the customs hall.

There were also reports of some passengers fainting. These passengers were processed manually by customer officers, and treated by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

The custom officers also tried to cope with the computer breakdown by processing passengers manually, but this was a very slow process and did little to alleviate the long lines and wait.

As news and images of the delays at the local and other airports across the nation spread rapidly on social  media, and ‘breaking news’ alerts on television, speculations grew  that the computer outage was caused by illegal hacking. However, officials, while investigating what caused the national failure of the Customs’ computer system, did not give any indication it was due to hacking or any other malicious act.

 

According to a study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, in 2016 15.4 percent of women 18 and older in Florida are living below the federal poverty line of $11,880 for individuals

Happy New Year, We’re taking a look at some of the top stories that are making the news across your Caribbean-American community here in South Florida. Today is Monday, January 2nd and for CNW90, I’m Jahlisa Harvey

The news today is brought to you by Grace Aloe, Aloe Vera Drink, Refreshingly Delicious.

Here are today’s top stories:

The man who had a large role in giving Little Haiti its now recognized name is being honored in the community that he helped to build by being immortalized through a mural. Viter Juste (Vee-ter Joo-st)  was a Haitian-born businessman, community leader and activist who is credited with being the first to call a section of the Northeast Second Avenue corridor  “Little Haiti.”

According to a study conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, in 2016 15.4 percent of women age-18 and older in Florida are living below the federal poverty line of $11,880 for individuals. The study stated that for a single adult to afford the basic needs for living decently and have some extra to save, they should be paid at least $14.52 per hour, with work benefits.

Jamaican dancehall artist, Mr. Vegas is confirming the release of a gospel album titled Soul Therapy, which is set for a February release date. Vegas says the album will have a very strong message that many people can relate to

In Sports:

This week in the Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup 5th Place Playoff , Trinidad and Tobago are set to play Suriname on Wednesday and Haiti on Sunday. The winners will be taking on the fifth-place finishers from the Central American championship for a spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup set for July.

Now, here’s what’s trending:

Haiti’s Chamber of Deputies member, Cholzer Chancy, called on the Provisional Electoral Council to publish the final results of the recent presidential election on December 29 as scheduled on the electoral calendar. However, the council has postponed publishing the results until January 3.

For TODAYS weather forecast:

Sunny in Broward County with a high of 82 and a low of 71. Mostly Sunny in Miami-Dade, with a high of 81 and a low of 74.

For more information on these and other stories, visit us online at

Caribbean national weekly.com.

Today’s news is brought to you by Grace Aloe. Aloe Vera drink, Refreshingly Delicious.”

For CNW90 I’m Jahlisa Harvey, Happy New Year…

This Day in History: Funeral for Jackie Mittoo is held at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica

On this day in history, January 2, 1991, the funeral for Donat Roy Mittoo aka Jackie Mittoo, who passed away on December 16, 1990, is held at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica.

Reggae celebrities who attended the funeral included Hortense Ellis, Tinga Stewart, Desmond “Desi Roots” Young, Ruddy Thomas, Tommy Cowan, Clement “Coxsone” Dodd. A memorial concert was held in same time. Vin Gordon, Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace, Glen ‘Bagga’ Fagan, Pablo Black, Robert Lynn, Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, Carlene Davis, Tinga Stewart and others gave memorial performance.

In the 1960s he was a member of The Skatalites, The Sheiks, The Soul Brothers, The Soul Vendors and Sound Dimension. Mittoo’s compositions in this period included “Darker Shade of Black”, “Feel Like Jumping”, and “Baby Why”. He played with Lloyd “Matador” Daley in 1968 and 1969.

He emigrated to Toronto, Canada at the end of the 1960s. There he recorded three albums, Wishbone (Summus), Reggae Magic (CTL) and Let’s Put It All Together(CTL). He also set up the Stine-Jac record label, as well as running a record store.

In 1970, his song “Peanie Wallie” was reworked into a song called “Duppy Conqueror” and recorded by The Wailers. Mittoo’s song Wishbone was a hit in 1971. He performed in local Toronto lounges throughout the 1970s. Mittoo assisted Toronto-area reggae musicians, including Earth, Roots and Water, Esso Jaxxon (R. Zee Jackson), Carl Harvey, Lord Tanamo, Boyo Hammond, Carl Otway, The Sattalites, Jackie James and Jason Wilson. Mitt continued to record for Jamaican producers in the 1970s, mostly Bunny Lee. He co-wrote “Armagideon Time” (later recorded by The Clash) with Willi Williams, released in 1980.

In the 1980s, he often worked with Sugar Minott. In 1985 he travelled to Ghana with British band Musical Youth, and while there recorded tracks that would later be released on the album Jackie Mittoo in Africa. In 1989, he briefly rejoined The Skatalites, but left when his health started to deteriorate. In 1989 and 1990 he recorded Wild Jockey for Lloyd Barnes’ Wackies label.

Mittoo entered a hospital on 12 December 1990 and died of cancer on 16 December at the age of 42.

Brisbane Heat win over the Hobart Hurricanes

Brisbane Heat win over the Hobart Hurricanes

Cricket

The West Indies star Samuel Badree failed to have a major impact during the match between the Brisbane Heat and the Hobart Hurricanes, however, they still came out ahead by seven wickets to keep their unbeaten recored and stay on top of the standings in the Big Bash League.

Playing at the Gabba stadium in Brisbane, Badree claimed just one for 26 from his four overs as Hurricanes, sent in, posted 173 for nine off their allotted 20 overs.

Daniel Christian top-scored with 33 off 23 balls and Jonathan Wells chipped in with 28 off 25 balls, but they were the only two to pass 20.

The Heat raced to their target with 22 balls remaining, with Chris Lynn stroking an unbeaten 84 off 50 balls to follow up his 85 not out against Andre Russell’s Sydney Thunder three days ago.

Mr. Vegas to release Gospel Album, Soul Therapy

Mr. Vegas to release Gospel Album, Soul Therapy

Jamaican dancehall artist, Mr. Vegas is releasing a new track off of his gospel album “Soul Therapy”, which is set to be released in February says it “will be well received. It has a very strong message that many people can relate to,” he said.

His upcoming release of “All That & More” will be officially released on Friday and is produced on the MV Music label. Its rhythm was created by Dutch musician Rowen Reecks. An accompanying video is slated for the end of this month.

Florida women are getting poorer, study shows

Florida women are getting poorer, study shows

According to a study titled, “The Status of Women in Florida by County: Poverty and Opportunity, women in Florida are declining financially.

According to the report, conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, in 2016 15.4 percent of women age-18 and older in Florida are living below the federal poverty line ($11,880 for individuals) compared to 12.2 percent of men of a similar age. Comparatively, in 2004 the percentage of women living below the poverty rate was 12.6 percent.

From the data provided by the study, the poverty rate among Florida women is the highest rate nationally, where the average percent of women living under the poverty line is 14.6 percent. The 12.2 percent average for men over 18 living below the poverty rate is also  higher than the national average of 11.1 percent.

The study which is published annually stated, “Poverty, and especially poverty among women and women of color, continues to be a persistent problem” in Florida.

The report also states that women living close to or under the poverty line have less access to healthcare and development opportunities compared to other women in the state.

It further established that the poorest women in Florida are  black women, followed by Native Americans and then Latin women.

More positively, the study indicates more women are getting a college education, and more are owners of their own businesses than 12 years ago.

More women living in poverty were found in the state’s northern and southern counties including in Alachua, DeSoto, Gilchrist, Hamilton and Hardee counties.

The poverty rate among women in Miami-Dade was found to be relatively high with 20 percent living below the poverty level. However, on the other hand, women own 40 percent of businesses in this county.

The study recommended that to improve the earning power of Florida women and take them from under the poverty line, the minimum wage of $8.10 cent per hour should be raised, and men and women should receive the same pay for doing the same job.

The study further stated that for a single adult to afford the basic needs for living decently and have some extra to save, they should be paid at least $14.52 per hour, with work benefits.

 

Jazz Picnic in the Park continues

Jazz Picnic in the Park continues

Mayor Richard J. Kaplan and the City of Lauderhill are proud to present another fantastic season of the anticipated free Jazz Picnic in the Park. Mayor Kaplan is inviting all members of the community and friends to join in for live music and family fun from some of the best local bands in the area.

All jazz concerts will be held at Ilene Lieberman Botanical Gardens in Lauderhill. The next concert is scheduled for Sunday, January 8, 2017 starting at 10:30 a.m. and will feature the vocals and musical stylings of Heather Pierson. Bring out your blanks, your chairs, and food and meet up with your friends at the park.

There is absolutely no cost for admission and parking for the event is free at the Inverrary Vacation Resort and at Lauderhill Sports Park. Visit the City website for information on other musicians in the lineup.

 

Drive-In to a free Movie on Friday, January 6

Drive-In to a free Movie on Friday, January 6

The City of Sunrise is hosting the first Drive-In Movie of the new year on Friday, January 6, at Markham Park. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and the film starts at 6:30 p.m. Early arrival is strongly recommended to ensure that you get a good seat. Don’t worry about bringing your wallets because admission to this city event is free!

The animated feature presentation, The Secret Life of Pets, is rated PG and produced by Universal Pictures. The story follows the quiet life of a dog Max, a terrier, whose world is turned upside down after his beloved owner adopts Duke – a mangy and bumbling mutt. When the two dogs get lost in Manhattan, they have to join forces against Snowball, the rabbit, voiced by Kevin Hart, and his gang of abandoned pets in order to return home. Come along for their adventures!

Enjoy the show from the comfort of your car, or bring your own lawn chair and grab a spot up front. (Audio will be broadcast via radio frequency.) Food will be available for sale from vendors, along with a free children’s fun zone.

The Sunrise Drive-In Movie is presented in partnership with Broward County Parks & Recreation. Call the City’s Leisure Services Department for more information: (954) 747-4600.

 

Early Stages of Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options and Results

Early Stages of Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options and Results

According to a new study, surgery and radiation is found to be equally reasonable options for treatment of men with early-stage prostate cancer.

However, the New England Journal of Medicine article states that the option to rely on “active monitoring” of the prostate cancer, is the same as not opting for any treatment. Researchers found that death rates from prostate cancer in the men followed over 10 years were low overall. A total of 82,429 men, 50 to 69 years of age, were tracked in the study. About one per cent of patients died 10 years after diagnosis. But the disease was more likely to spread in the men who opted just to monitor their prostate cancer. Moreover, about half the men who started with the “active monitoring” opted for surgery or radiation at some point.

“At a median of 10 years, prostate-cancer–specific mortality was low, irrespective of the treatment assigned, with no significant difference among treatments,” the study’s authors state. “Surgery and radiotherapy were associated with lower incidences of disease progression and metastases than was active monitoring.”

How prostate cancer is treated in the early stages has become a subject of debate in the medical community. Active monitoring involves regular doctor visits, physical exams of the prostate, periodic biopsies and blood tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is now more widely used to track progression of the disease. It is estimated that 40 to 50 per cent of men with early prostate cancer in the United States now opt for active monitoring. And it is a trend that seems to be growing. Men at 50 or older should routinely undergo a digital-rectal prostate examination as part of a general screening, and it is still considered the most reliable initial test. The physician will feel the prostate for hard, lumpy or abnormal areas. Most men with a family history of prostate cancer should be screened earlier than age 50.

“The most important thing for men at this age is to get screened by their doctor, especially the physical exam,” said Dr Antonio Muina, an oncologist with Baptist Health South Florida. “If prostate cancer is diagnosed early, there are several options that you can discuss with your doctor. Every treatment option depends on many individual factors, including age and other underlying health conditions. And, of course, the progression of the disease.”

Nicki Minaj collaborates on new tropical inspired song

Nicki Minaj collaborates on new tropical inspired song

Trinbago rapper/singer Nicki Minaj has released her new song bringing a Caribbean flair to yet another hot track. Collaborating with U.S rapper Fetty Wap for the new tropical-tinged pop song titled “Like A Star” the track’s bouncing and catchy lines mixed with a ‘trap star’ groove underline Wap’s signature vocals. The combination partners well with Minaj who always brings her dynamic lyrics to every rhythm.

Minaj first hinted at “Like A Star” during an interview in October with a local South Florida radio station, and through social media post. Minaj has released several one-off tracks including “Ain’t Gone Do It,” from her new mobile app game The Empire and a remix of Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” re-titled, “Black Barbies.”

Nicki Minaj is considered one of the world’s biggest female hip-hop stars drawing attention to the ways in which she proves power can be embodied by a woman standing up for herself and speaking her own mind. Minaj previously worked with reggae dancehall artist Mavado on the song ‘Give it all to me’ filmed in New York bringing the Caribbean to the Big Apple. The song was produced as part of the Cash Money Records Inc. run by Birdman and We the Best Music Group run by DJ Khaled.

2016 taught tough political lessons

2016 taught tough political lessons

Among the more anti-climatic dates in America are December 26 and the days following. On December 26, Christmas suddenly ends. No more Christmas carols, and even the decorations seem irrelevant.

With Christmas 2016 fast becoming history, reality sets in, causing people to reflect on the year that’s rushing past.

For most people 2016 was a political turmoil. Both in Jamaica, and the US, the pundits and party supporters of the Peoples National Party (PNP) and the Democratic Party got it awfully wrong.

The PNP’s general election loss stunned Jamaicans, even members and supporters of the winning Jamaica Labor Party (JLP). The party, led by former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller had been making inroads to improve the Jamaican economy, resulting in impressive domestic and global reports and ratings. However, the PNP ran an inexplicably poor campaign, perhaps taking its reelection for granted. Instead of winning in the expected landslide, the party lost by just one seat on February 25.

The loss badly shocked the PNP leadership, exposed major flaws within the party’s organization, and led to the withdrawal of financial support from Jamaica’s private sector. So, it was, that a damaged PNP limped into last November’s Local Government Election. This time the defeat was not surprising.

However, the twin defeat prompted Simpson Miller to announce plans to step away from the helm of the party. Earlier this month, responding to calls for her resignation and the rebuilding of the party, Simpson Miller announced she wouldn’t be seeking re-election as party leader next September. Indicative of the pressures on her to demit leadership, within days after her announcement the party executives coalesced around PNP Vice president Peter Phillips to succeed Simpson Miller. His installment as party leader is expected early in 2017.

The lesson learnt from the surprising demise of the PNP from the seat of government in Jamaica was that people cannot be taken for granted. While the PNP administration focused on reviving the Jamaican economy, the mass of voters felt neglected, and expressed opposition to this neglect at the polls.

In the USA, various polls predicted that Hillary Clinton would win the November 8 presidential elections, and massive crowds turned out at her rallies in most states. With even larger crowds supporting rallies at which her top surrogates, Barack and Michelle Obama spoke, Clinton’s victory seemed assured.

Like the JLP in Jamaica, the Republican Party and its Presidential candidate Donald Trump apparently did not expect victory. On the other hand, the Clinton campaign pre-planned a big victory party, and fireworks, ready to celebrate the election of America’s first female president.

But, while voters in the urban regions in almost every major state voted for Clinton overwhelmingly, enabling her to amass some three million more popular votes than Trump, other voters, like some voters in Jamaica’s general election, felt neglected by the incumbent Democratic administration. Voters from rural USA, mostly white working class, supported by more minority voters than originally envisaged, voted against Clinton, giving Trump an implausible victory with 306 electoral votes.

Understandably, with a Clinton victory strongly anticipated, there’s strong disappointment and even resentment over Trump’s pending presidency. Since Clinton’s defeat, there has been criticism of the Electoral College system, and renewed arguments for America’s president to be elected by popular vote. Blame for Clinton’s defeat has been cast at FBI director James Comey for reviving investigation into her emails just days before voters went to the polls. Even more blame has been cast on the Russians for hacking the emails of the National Democratic Party Committee.

However, truth is, hard though it is to accept, like the PNP, the Clinton campaign took victory for granted, lulled into over confidence by the pundits and polls.

Elections in 2016, including the surprising Brexit vote in Britain, showed parties that take voters for granted do so at their own peril. The surprising defeats have revealed that parties can no longer depend on specific voting blocs to win. It is those political candidates, and those political parties that can best reach and get the votes of a cross section of voters that will likely win elections in the future. Neglecting a key bloc of voters could, as is evident in Trump’s election victory  – push neglected voters to the opposing parties, guaranteeing them unlikely victories.

The surprising election results also showed a government will likely lose power if its governance doesn’t include all the people. The art of governing today is to have policies that embrace the concerns of all people.

2016 taught harsh political lessons. Now, people only hope those recently elected to govern have learned these lessons, and bear in mind it’s the people who elected them and the people will surely vote them out if neglected.

 

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