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Caribbean-Americans plan to vote early

Caribbean-Americans plan to vote early

Garth A Rose

Caribbean-American voters residing in South Florida intend to take advantage of early voting beginning on Monday, October 24, and not wait until Election Day, November 8.

A National Weekly poll  205 registered Caribbean voters (124 Democrats, 61 NPA and 20 Republicans) residing in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties conducted from October 17 to 20, indicates 67 percent plan to vote before November 8. Ten percent have already voted using the ballot-by-mail method, and only 9 percent said they were undecided if they’ll actually vote at all.

Of those saying they intend to vote early, 39 percent said they plan to vote during the first wo days of early voting, and 59 percent during the first week.

Asked why they plan to vote early rather than wait until Election Day, the majority, 84 percent, said they want to “make sure their vote is cast.”

Lola McIntosh said, “I am nervous about this election. I believe there could be problems on Election Day, especially with claims that outside forces could interfere with the elections. So, I’m going to vote early and avoid problems that could emerge on November 8.”

Other reasons given for voting early include “convenience”, 61 percent, and “more time to consider” when one is casting one’s vote, 34 percent. Granville Mills said “when I vote on an Election Day I feel pressured subconsciously as the polling station is usually crowded. During early voting I find I have more time to focus on all the items on the ballot which is quite long in general elections.”

The poll also indicated of those who will be voting either by mail, during early voting, or on Election Day, 85 percent “have definitely” made up their mind who they’ll be voting for; 10 percent said they were “leaning” towards one presidential candidate, and 5 percent said they’re “still unsure” who they’ll to vote for.

During early voting, voters aren’t restricted to vote by the precincts that they are restricted to voting at on election day. Rather, voters are able to cast their votes at a location designated  by Supervisors of Election i(SOE) in the respective counties. These locations mostly include public libraries and civic centers,

Early voting in South Florida’s Tri-County region ends on Sunday, November 6, and runs from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. However, voters are advised to contact the SOE offices in their respective county to be assured of the exact voting times.

In the 2008 general elections, and to a slightly lesser extent in 2012, voters had to contend with long lines during early voting, especially in between 7:00 to 10 a.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Representatives of the SOE offices in the three counties said they are expecting large crowds again this year especially during the first two days of early voting, the two weekends, particularly on Sunday October 23 and November 6.

“Churches usually organize ‘strong get-out-to the poll’ initiatives on the Sundays during early voting,” said Maria-Lee Rodriquez of the Miami-Dade SOE office. “We don’t expect this year to be different. With the intense publicity given to these elections since August, we are expecting and prepared for long lines of voters throughout the early voting period and, of course, on Election Day.”

 

Obama stomps for Obamacare in Miami

Obama stomps for Obamacare in Miami

Before addressing a large crowd at a Clinton campaign Rally at Florida Memorial College in Miami Gardens on Thursday afternoon, President Barack Obama made another case for the important legacies of his presidency, the Affordable Care Act, popularly called Obamacare.

Speaking at the Wolfson campus in downtown Miami, the president cited that Obamacare has improved the affordability of healthcare for millions in the country, including residents of South Florida. He said although the ACA isn’t perfect it has provided more Americans with health insurance. Because of the ACA the uninsured rate in the US was now 8.6 percent nationwide. “Never in American history has the uninsured rate been lower than it is today,” he said.

En route to Miami on Air Force One on Thursday, White House deputy press secretary Eric Shultz told reporters Miami-Dade Colle was selected for the president’s speech because of the role played by students and college staff in hosting Obamacare enrollment drives. The enrollment period for 2016/2017 begins on November 1, nationally.

Obama took the opportunity of his speech to urge Florida Governor Rick Scott and Republican members in the state’s Legislature to approve Medicaid Expansion “so more poor Florida residents can be covered.” Under the ACA provisions are made for lower-income Floridians to receive health coverage under Medicaid, and for the state to receive millions of dollars in federal money to meet the cost of expanding Medicaid to these residents. However, Scott and the majority of Republicans in the Legislature, have stubbornly opposed expansion of Medicaid. Obama said more than 700,000 Floridians would be covered under Obamacare if the state accept Medicaid Expansion.

Acknowledging that Obamacare was not perfect, the president urged Congressional Republicans and Democrats, state  governors and legislators should work together to improve the healthcare law, and forget about repealing it. “Repeal is not the answer.” He said he would support any plan to improve the law once this plan offers more Americans insurance coverage, “even if they change the name of the law to Ryancare (referring to House Speaker Paul Ryan) or Reagancare (referring to former President Ronald Reagan).”

Alongside expanding Medicaid to Floridians and the citizens of 18 other states Obama suggested that the impact of the ACA could improve by reducing the costs of prescription drugs; and increasing financial aid for people still struggling to afford insurance.

The president expressed concern that not enough young Americans have signed up for Obamacare coverage. He said this problem accounts for the higher premiums insurance companies are charging. He encouraged his audience, most of whom were students, to be sure to enroll this year.

Florida currently accounts for the largest number of people registered under the ACA. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 1.5 million Floridians signed up for health insurance for coverage in 2015/16. Miami-Dade County has the most enrollees with 392,901, followed by Broward County with 241,784. Palm Beach County had 148,961 enrollees.

 

Grenada elections to be held November 24

Grenada elections to be held November 24

Less than 24 hours after Attorney General Cajeton Hood announced that the Grenadians will no longer be voting in a referendum for a new constitution on October 27, the Supervisor of Elections, Alex Phillip Wednesday named November 24 as the new date.

In a statement Phillip said he was advised Wednesday by the Governor-General, Dr. Cecile La Grenade that the seven writs issued on September, 23 this year, have been revoked.

“Her Excellency has commanded me to inform the general public of Grenada that today, 19th October, 2016, seven writs of constitutional referendums have been issued.  The date appointed by the Governor-General as Constitutional Referendum is Thursday, 24th November, 2016,” Phillip said in the statement.

The statement explained that on this date, all registered electors would be entitled to vote “Yes” or “No” to the approval of each of the seven Constitutional Amendment Bills as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. As a result and in accordance with the Constitutional Referendum Act,  the Governor-General has declared November 1 as the final day for registration of electors for participation in Constitutional Referendum Day.

 

Government Elections to be held in Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister Keith Rowley

Government Elections to be held in Trinidad and Tobago

Local Government elections will be held in Trinidad and Tobago on November 28.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley who made the announcement on Thursday during a post Cabinet press briefing, also said nomination day will be on November 7.

Rowley told reporters that while the government could have had the election in January , other things were taken into consideration such as elections in the Tobago House of Assembly.

The last Local Government Election was held in October 2013.

Both the People’s National Movement and the United National Congress have been screening for candidates to represent the party as local government councillors since August.

Local Government reform, which was promised by the PNM prior to elections, is expected to also go to parliament before the year ends.

However, Local Government Minister Franklyn Khan has said changes would not affect the upcoming election.

Caribbean Insurance Company payout to rebuild

Caribbean Insurance Company pays out to rebuild

The Cayman Islands-based Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) says it has made payments totaling more than US$29.2 million to several Caribbean countries following the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew when it carved its way through the region earlier this month.

The CCRIF said payments were made to Haiti, the most affected country where at least 400 people were killed, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia.

CCRIF chief executive officer Isaac Anthony on Thursday presented a cheque for US$3.7 million to St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, who said “this cheque will be going directly to strengthening and rebuilding our agriculture sector and to paying for some of the costs that we have”.

Anthony congratulated St. Lucia on its commitment to securing catastrophe insurance through CCRIF and stressed that it is essential for all countries to have some form of disaster risk coverage.

The CCRIF said that 31 individuals here received pay-outs totaling US$102,000 on their Livelihood Protection Policies (LPPs) due to Hurricane Matthew.

This Day in History: National Hero George William Gordon is arrested

On this day in history, October 21, 1865, Jamaican national hero George William Gordon is unfairly arrested and sentenced to death. George William Gordon was a wealthy Jamaican businessman, magistrate and politician, one of two representatives to the Assembly from St. Thomas-in-the-East Parish.

After the start of the Morant Bay rebellion in October 1865, Eyre declared martial law, directed troops to suppress the rebellion, and ordered the arrest of Gordon in Kingston. He had him returned to Morant Bay to stand trial under martial law. Gordon was quickly convicted of conspiracy and executed, on suspicion of having planned the rebellion. Gordon’s quick execution on flimsy charges during the crisis and the death toll and violence of the suppression resulted in a huge controversy in Britain.

Opponents of Eyre and his actions attempted to have him prosecuted for murder, but the case never went to trial; he was forced to resign. The government made Jamaica a Crown Colony, governing it directly for decades. In 1969, Gordon was proclaimed a National Hero of Jamaica. Gordon’s death and the brutality of Eyre’s suppression of the revolt, with hundreds of Jamaicans killed by soldiers and more executed after trials, made the affair a cause célèbre in Britain. John Stuart Mill and other liberals sought unsuccessfully to have Eyre (and others) prosecuted. When they were unable to get the cases to trial, the liberals worked to bring civil proceedings against Eyre. He was forced to resign from office but never went to trial.

National Weekly October 20, 2016

Miami Heat signs Calabar High School phenom

With a look at some of the top stories making the news today, October 20th, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

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

Here’s a look at our top stories:

Wells Fargo has lost its accreditation with the Better Business Bureau after thousands of employees were fired for creating fake accounts. This comes after the government fined the company some $200 million for opening millions of accounts without customers’ knowledge.

National security minister Edmund Dillon confirmed on Saturday that five Trinidad and Tobago men who have been detained in Venezuela since 2014 are being released. The men were held on terrorism charges and sent home on the basis of time served in custody.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt will release a documentary titled “I am Bolt” next month in London. The movie was shot on location during Bolt’s exploits during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympic Games, the Germany World Championships as well as the recently concluded Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

In sports:

The Miami Heat has announced Monday that they have signed former Jamaican Calabar High School center, Vashil Fernandez, to a contract for the upcoming 2016-2017 season. The 6 foot 10 athlete is the all-time leading shot block at Valparaiso University.

Now, here’s what’s trending:

A museum devoted to the life and music of Peter Tosh is opened in Kingston Jamaica yesterday. The marked his birthday and the 40th anniversary of the release of the song “Legalize It”. The museum includes exhibits such as a guitar shaped like an assault rifle that he frequently used, as well as his unicycle.

For today’s weather forecast:

Partly cloudy in Broward County with a high 84 of and a low of 68. Scattered Showers in Miami-Dade, with a high of 83 and a low of 69.

For more information on these and other stories, visit Caribbean national weekly.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean – American outlet.

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

You’ve been watching CNW90, I’m Suzette Speaks.

Runway for Relief, Sounds of Little Haiti

Runway for Relief, Sounds of Little Haiti

Hurricane Mattehew swept through and devastated Haiti and a local South Florida charity is making moves to aid the survivors. On October 21 at 6 p.m., enjoy music and fashion during Sounds of Little Haiti’s Runway for Relief as they support the efforts of the Haitian American Hurricane Matthew Relief Effort. Help Haiti continue to rebuild by supporting this incredibly important fundraiser. There is a $10 suggested donation with VIP admission available. Enter the raffle to win designer apparel and round trip airfare. Live performances will include K-Zino, Rylax, Kapi of Tabou Combo and many more surprise celebrity artists. The event will be held at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, to make a donation directly to the Haitian American Hurricane Matthew Relief Effort, visit mandodo.org. K-Zino is a young musical group which started in May 2008. The group is dedicated to promoting Haitian culture throughout the world thanks to its rich and varied music. After a short period of inactivity due to the earthquake of January 2010, they returned to the music scene with the release of his first album “Tu Gol”, which was well received in Haiti, Canada, the United States, France and the Caribbean.

 

New Constitution for Grenada postponed

GRENADA

The Government of Grenada has announced the postponement of the October 27 referendum for a new constitution by at least one month. This is amid growing concerns as to whether or not one of the seven bills to be voted on encourages same sex marriages. Government officials have acknowledged the need for more public education on the bills, especially the Rights and Freedom Bill that some have claimed creates a loophole that could result in Grenada legalizing same- sex unions.

Gender equality, according to the legislation, provides for both men and women to be entitled to equal rights and status in all spheres of life, especially in economic, educational, political, civic and social activities.

There is also a bill that will allow Grenadians to decide whether or not to replace the London-based Privy Council with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the island’s final court.

All seven bills need to be passed by a two-thirds majority of those voting in the referendum to become law.

Take the pink pledge, take steps to protect yourself!

Take the pink pledge to know your risk and take steps to protect yourself!

Most people who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease. However, when a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer is present, there may be reason to believe that a person has inherited an abnormal gene linked to higher breast cancer risk. Some people choose to undergo genetic testing to find out. A genetic test involves giving a blood or saliva sample that can be analyzed to pick up any abnormalities in these genes.

Women with mutations in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 are five times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) That means that 60 percent of women with a BRCA mutation will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, compared to 12 percent of women in the general population. But less than 1 percent of women actually have a BRCA mutation, making costly genetic testing unnecessary for most. While the decision to get tested is a personal one, here are some guidelines that can help you make the call:

 

For women who are not of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, the NCI recommends genetic testing if you have:

  • Two first-degree relatives diagnosed with breast cancer, with one of them before age 51. First-degree relatives include your mother or sister;
  • Three or more first- or second-degree relatives diagnosed with breast cancer. Second-degree relatives include your grandmother or aunt;
  • A combination of first- and second-degree relatives diagnosed with breast cancer or ovarian cancer;
  • A first-degree relative diagnosed with cancer in both breasts;
  • A combination of first- or second-degree relatives diagnosed with ovarian cancer;
  • A first- or second-degree relative diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer;
  • A male relative diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • For women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, who are more likely to carry a specific BRCA2 mutation passed from generation to generation, the NCI recommends genetic testing if you have:
  • A first-degree relative diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer;
  • Two second-degree relatives on the same side of the family diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer.

About 2 percent of adult women have a family history pattern described above but, again, less than 1 percent of women will have a BRCA mutation.

“Not every woman in such families carries a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, and not every cancer in such families is linked to a harmful mutation in one of these genes,” according to the NCI website. “Furthermore, not every woman who has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will develop breast and/or ovarian cancer.”

Women without one of the family history patterns described above are unlikely to have a harmful BRCA mutation, according to the NCI.

Carrying a BRCA gene mutation does not guarantee a breast cancer diagnosis, but some women opt to reduce their risk with surgery. In May, Angelina Jolie explained her decision to surgically remove both breasts — an operation known as a preventive double mastectomy — after testing positive for a BRCA1 gene mutation.

“Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much as I could,” wrote the 38-year-old actress, who lost her mother to ovarian cancer in 2007 and her aunt to breast cancer in 2013.

Studies suggest that preventive mastectomy can reduce breast cancer risk by about 90 percent in high-risk women, according to the NCI. But surgery carries risks, too, so women are advised to talk to their doctors about the procedure’s pros, cons and possible alternatives.

Caribbean Americans gives Clinton a debate hat-trick

Caribbean Americans gives Clinton a debate hat-trick

As was the situation in the two previous 2016 presidential

Debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the majority of Caribbean-Americans gathered at n debate watch party in South-West Miami believed Clinton firmly won the third debate on Wednesday night.

Of twenty-six Caribbean American college undergraduates and graduates with an average age of 29 years, from five South Florida colleges, FAU, FIU, MDC. NOVA SE University and BCC, including 7 Hispanic Americans, 10 Democrat and 9 Republican supporters, and 7 who support nether, 18 believed Clinton won the debate, and 8 said Trump won.

Of the 9 Republicans, only 3 said that they would definitely be voting for Trump. Four said they will not vote for Trump nor Clinton and 2 said they are still undecided.

Daniel Duhaney said although he has been a registered Republican ever since he first registered in 2007 and thought the debate was Trump’s strongest of the three “ Trump messed up badly when he said if he would concede if he loses the elections and prefers to keep the country in ‘suspense’ as to what he would do if he loses.

Over the last week Trump have been telling supporters at his rallies that the 2016 presidential elections could be rigged, and he suspects there’ll be incidences of voter fraud to ensure  Clinton wins. Asked by debate moderator Chris Wallace at Wednesday night’s debate if he would concede if he loses Trump said he could not make that decision now (at the debate), but would answer that question at the time, meaning on Election Night, and would keep the nation in suspense as to what he would do. “I am afraid that Trump’s stance could provoke social upheaval in the country if he loses.” Duhaney said, “That’s not what the Republican Party stands for.”

Lourdes Castillo, a Cuban-American, who is registered without party affiliations said she “could never support Trump as he has not shown genuine support for Hispanics.. He dissed Hispanics again tonight when he said they are some ‘bad hombres’ that need to be deported from the US. Clearly by using the Spanish word hombre he was referring to Hispanic Americans.

Throughout the 90 minute debates several of those present at the residence of Vance and Andrea Thelwell, Jamaican-Americans, commented that Clinton looked “confident” and “presidential.” Beatrice Comrie, a Bajan-American, commenting on Clinton white outfit said “Her being dressed in white is a statement that she isn’t a dishonest or crooked person as her opponents claim all the time.”

Shane Dennis, a Clinton supporter, who is undecided if he will vote, said “I support Hillary, and think she is a better debater and candidate than Trump, but I still have some doubts that were not answered in this or the other two debates. I may leave my decision to vote until Election Day itself.”

This Day in History: Grenada Prime Minister was murdered in a coup

On this day in Caribbean history, October 20, 1983, Grenada’s Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop was murdered.

The commander, Gen. Hudson Austin, said on the state-run Radio Free Grenada that a ”revolutionary and military council” had been formed and that any Grenadians found on the street would be ”shot on sight.”

Mr. Bishop had been put under house arrest a week ago, but was freed by a throng of his supporters today and went to the Fort Rupert army headquarters, where some of his supporters were being held.

General Austin, a member of the Central Committee of the New Jewel Movement that brought Mr. Bishop to power in a 1979 coup, said three other members of Mr. Bishop’s Cabinet, a union leader and another man also had been killed. He said that ”many others” were shot and that two soldiers lost their lives.

Bishop was born in Aruba to Grenadian parents, Rupert and Alimenta Bishop, and migrated with his parents to Grenada in 1950, when he was six years old. He was a pupil at Wesley Hall Primary School and after a year moved to St. George’s Roman Catholic Primary School, from where he went on scholarship to the Roman Catholic Presentation College. In high school, he won the Principal’s Gold Medal for outstanding academic and general all-round ability. Leaving school in 1963, Bishop worked briefly as a civil servant at the Government Registry, before going to London to study law. He attended Gray’s Inn and earned his law degree from the London School of Economics, University of London. He began post-graduate studies at King’s College London but left this prior to being called to the bar in 1969, he practiced law in the UK for two years, co-founding a legal aid clinic and developing his interest in campaigns against racial discrimination, especially against West Indians in England.

Returning to Grenada, he became active in politics. In 1973, he became head of the Marxist New Jewel Movement (NJM) political party. He was elected to parliament, and for several years he held the position of leader of the opposition in the Grenadian House of Representatives, opposing the government of Prime Minister Eric Gairy and his Grenada United Labour Party (GULP).

Former Jamaican all-star signs with Miami Heat

Former Jamaican all-star signs with Miami Heat

The Miami Heat has announced that they have signed former Jamaican Calabar High School center, Vashil Fernandez, to a contract for the upcoming 2016-2017 season.

The Heat announced the signing of Fernandez on Monday but did not disclose the terms made with the 24-year-old. Fernandez, is the all-time leading shot block at Valparaiso University. The 6-foot-10 athlete could possibly start the season with the Heat or end up with their Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He has played all four seasons with the Crusaders appearing in 131 games. He averaged 4.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and two blocks while shooting 54 percent from the field. As a senior, he led the NCAA in blocks per game and was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Fernandez, who finished his career with 289 blocks, plans to wear the number 14 jersey for the Heat. He emerged as a game-changing defensive player especially his final two seasons, including the one he initially had lost after successfully appealing to the NCAA. Fernandez graduated from Valparaiso with a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees.

Bahamas bans air travel of all Galaxy Note 7 devices

With a look at some of the top stories making the news today, October 19th, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida, for CNW 90, I’m Suzette Speaks.

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

Here’s a look at our top stories:

Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity will raise the minimum wage by 5 cents in January. Earnings will go from $8.05 to $8.10 per hour with the minimum wage for workers who earn tips will be $5.08. The new rates reflecting the first increase since 2015 are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2017.

South Florida’s young ladies will compete for the title of Miss Jamaica Florida this Sunday. The Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant will be hosted by Barrington Russell Jr. and Simone Russell, and will feature international reggae soul sensation Blade Martin and pop star Blake G. The pageant will be held at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center starting at 5 p.m.

In bringing awareness of Breast Cancer the City of Miami Gardens is hosting the Healthy Happy Hour event with special musical guest, Saxophonist Al Johnson. The event will be held on tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with healthy refreshments being served in addition to cooking demos available.

In sports:

During the Gala at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday Prime Minister Andrew Holness stood firm on the Government’s Salute to Rio Sports Ambassadors Celebrations. Holness said giving them cash rewards of between $2,500 and $10,000 is justified because the nation could never repay the athletes for their role in building Brand Jamaica.

Now, here’s what’s trending:

Bahamian civil aviation authorities placed a ban on air travel in The Bahamas on all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone devices, effective Monday. The authorities say if passengers attempt to travel by air with their Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices, they are increasing the risk of a catastrophic incident and will be denied boarding.

For today’s weather forecast:

Partly cloudy in Broward County with a high 86 of and a low of 72. Partly cloudy in Miami-Dade, with a high of 83 and a low of 75.

For more information on these and other stories, visit Caribbean national weekly.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean – American outlet.

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

You’ve been watching CNW90, I’m Suzette Speaks.

Bolt to release “I am Bolt” documentary in November

Usain Bolt will release a documentary based on his life next month. “I am Bolt”  – will be premiered in London’s Leicester Square next month.

The documentary, to be released on November 28, will feature archival footage of Bolt’s youth, interviews with those closest to him as well as videos shot while he created history.
The movie was shot on location during Bolt’s exploits during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympic Games, the Germany World Championships as well as the recently concluded Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Bolt  – considered the greatest sprinter of all-time, recently confirmed that he will retire post the IAAF World Championship in London, admitting that his last race on home soil will be at the Racers Grand Prix in June.

FITCE opens in Broward County today, runs until Oct 20

FITCE opens in Broward County today, runs until Oct 20

The  2016 Florida International Trade & Cultural Expo (FITCE) opens today, Oct 19. The annual event will be conducted over a two day period, and hundreds of participants and guests are expected to attend.

According to Broward Commissioner Dale Holness, one of the primary organizers of the event, this year’s Expo is expected “to be better than ever.” Holness said “ If you missed last year’s event, which included attendance of over 1,000 people, this is your opportunity to experience two days of panels, workshops, networking, culture, and economic opportunities in Broward County.  Mingle with international delegations, consulates, bi-national chambers, local chambers, cities, countries and
much more.”

The objective of the Expo is to position Broward County as the hub of international trade not only in South Florida, but all of Florida, and a key hub in the USA.

The County has the advantage of a major international airport and a major seaport that enhances its position as an international trade hub. The Expo offers a unique opportunity for local business people, and business from the Caribbean and Latin America to establish negotiations for international trade.

The Expo features:

International Trade Expo & Demo Lounges offering an opportunity for businesses to market their products; a Technology/Social Media Lounge; international business matchmaking; keynote luncheons and  VIP receptions; legal, immigration, and customs brokerage advice, and investment visas; educational panel discussions  and multiple workshops; educational and initiatives for long-Term Prosperity, and international food and cultural interactive experiences networking with delegates, consul generals, former Country Presidents; and cultural expositions

The confirmed guest of honors for this year’s Expo include:

The Honorable Erwin Contreras, Minister of International Trade and Petroleum for Belize

The Honorable Oliver Joseph, Minister of Economic Development for Grenada

Mr. Noel Tshiani, Country Chair for Africa, World Bank (Washington) and 2016 Presidential Candidate for the  Democratic  Republic of Congo

The Honorable Derrick Simmons, Commissioner of Tourism for the Island of St. Eustatius

Some 30 countries represented by Consul Generals, Trade Commissions and/or Bi-National Chambers.

Admission to the Expo is free to the public.

 

Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill host seminar in Toronto

Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill (GK), the United States’ largest and fastest growing Caribbean franchise and the #1 selling brand of Jamaican patties, will host a Franchise Opportunity Seminar in Toronto, on Monday, October 31st, 2016.

Listed among the top 100 black-owned businesses in the United States, Golden Krust currently has over 120 stores in 9 states with another 6 under construction. Plans are to open another 100 stores over the next 3 years, across the United States and Canada. “Canada is a logical expansion area given the tremendous Jamaican/Caribbean population that resides in that country, and the time is now.” Golden Krust President and CEO, Lowell Hawthorne said.

For those interested in learning how to own a Golden Krust franchise, the Golden Krust executive team will be in Canada to host a Franchise Opportunity Seminar on Monday, October 31st from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the Holiday Inn Toronto Airport East, 600 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario. Participants will be provided with information on the cost of owning a franchise, how to become a franchisee and the various support systems provided by the corporation to franchisees.  Participants will also be able to meet and greet with the GK executives.

Florida court adjust voter signature problem

 Florida court rules not to disenfranchise voters whose signatures don’t match

Following his ruling to extend the deadline for Florida’s voter registration to October 18, US District Judge Mark Walker has made another ruling which favors state Democrats.

Judge Walker’s latest ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by the Florida Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee claiming mail-in votes from Florida voters shouldn’t be immediately rejected if a voter’s signature does not match the signature election offices have on file.

The claimants argued in past elections hundreds of voters have been disenfranchised when mailing in their vote and their signature did not match the one on file.  On the other hand, voters who mailed in their ballots without their signature were given the chance to sign the documents before Election Day.

Judge Walker in his ruling on Sunday, October 15, said these actions were a “bizarre double standard” and were unconstitutional. He said the existing rules were an “obscene disenfranchisement.” The judge ruled that Florida must provide a method for voters to fix the signature problems that could arise when voters mail in their ballots during the current presidential elections. He said all voters should have the same opportunity to have their votes counted.

In his ruling Judge Walker wrote, “It is illogical, irrational, and patently bizarre for the State of Florida to withhold the opportunity to cure from mismatched-signature voters while providing that same opportunity to no-signature voters,” he wrote. “And in doing so, the State of Florida has categorically disenfranchised thousands of voters arguably for no reason other than they have poor handwriting or their handwriting has changed over time.”

To stop the double-standard, the judge ordered Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, to direct all 67 of Florida’s election supervisors to notify voters whose signatures do not match their signatures on file, to submit a signed affidavit to their county elections office identifying themselves as the person who submitted the vote. This would be similar to the method used in the case of voters who forget to sign their mail-in ballots.

“In our democracy, those who vote decide everything; those who count the vote decide nothing,” Walker also wrote.

To support their lawsuit Democrats made reference to a study conducted by Daniel Smith, a political scientist at the University of Florida which indicated some 23,000 Florida mail-in ballots were rejected in the 2012 general elections. His study indicated the rejection of these ballots were more likely to occur in Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and eight other counties, and Democrats were more likely to have their ballots rejected than Republicans.

A call to the Florida Director of Elections office in Tallahassee confirmed the department has received the court’s ruling. A statement reportedly from the department’s spokeswoman Meredith Beatrice indicated the department is reviewing the ruling.

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers aim to make historic debut

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers aim to make historic debut

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have two matches remaining in the North American Soccer League (NASL) regular Season and remain in the thick of the postseason hunt. Should Fort Lauderdale qualify for the postseason, the club would become the first in the modern-era of the NASL to qualify for five postseason tournaments. The Strikers currently sit three points behind fourth-placed Minnesota United FC. The top four teams in the combined NASL standings qualify for the postseason tournament known as “The Championship.” Fort Lauderdale hosts Rayo OKC at 7:00p.m. on Saturday, October 22 at the Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill. In their effort to aid the Hurricane victims in Haiti, the Strikers have collected two vans full of goods at the last week’s home games for distribution in the Caribbean nation. In support of Breast Cancer awareness month, the Strikers are wearing pink uniforms for all matches in October as part of the #DrivePink Campaign in cooperation with AutoNation and the Breast Cancer Research foundation.

 

Miss Jamaica Florida contestants set to dazzle on Sunday

Miss Jamaica Florida contestants set to dazzle on Sunday

South Florida’s finest young ladies will compete and dazzle for the title of Miss Jamaica Florida on Sunday, October 23. The Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant hosted by Barrington Russell Jr. and Simone Russell, will feature international reggae soul sensation Blade Martin and pop star Blake G. The pageant is celebrating 27 years of elegance and sophistication at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center starting at 5 p.m. This year the Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant is celebrating Jamaicans around the world by embodying the theme, “Jamaica Land We Love, A Tribute to the Treasures of Our Culture”.

The pageant organization prides itself on being more than a beauty pageant, “We have always been an organization that places particular importance on the cultural development of youth in South Florida” said new director Orkisha Wright Edmond. Contestants between the ages of 5 to 24, will compete in four age categories; Little Miss, Junior Miss, Miss Teen, and Miss. More than 20 young ladies will showcase their grace, glamour, poise and pride in eveningwear, speech and creative expression segments. This year’s creative expression segment of the competition will showcase Jamaica’s most celebrated people, places and cultural charms.

The Pageant started in 1989 by the late Anthony Baker and has since been sustained by his late wife Marcia Rigg-Baker and a dedicated team. Installed this year as the pageant’s director is longstanding team member and former Miss Jamaica Florida titleholder, Orkisha Wright-Edmond. To learn more about the Miss Jamaica Florida Pageant, visit www.MissJamaicaFlorida.com, or follow Miss Jamaica Florida page on social media

 

This Day in History: Peter Tosh was born

On this day in Caribbean history, October 19, 1944, Peter Tosh, a Jamaican reggae musician, was born. Along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, he was one of the core members of the band The Wailers (1963–1974), after which he established himself as a successful solo artist and a promoter of Rastafari. He was baptized by Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He was murdered in 1987 during a home invasion.

Tosh was born in Westmoreland Jamaica, the nation’s westernmost parish. He was abandoned by his parents and “shuffled among relatives.” When McIntosh was fifteen, his aunt died and he moved to Trench Town in Kingston, Jamaica. He first picked up a guitar by watching a man in the country play a song that captivated him. He watched the man play the same song for half a day, memorizing everything his fingers were doing. He then picked up the guitar and played the song back to the man. The man then asked McIntosh who had taught him to play; McIntosh told him that he had. During the early 1960s Tosh met Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley) and Neville O’Reilly Livingston (Bunny Wailer) and went to vocal teacher Joe Higgs, who gave out free vocal lessons to young people, in hopes to form a new band. He then changed his name to become Peter Tosh and the trio started singing together in 1962. Higgs taught the trio to harmonize and while developing their music, they would often play on the street corners of Trenchtown.

In 1964 Tosh helped organize the band The Wailing Wailers, with Junior Braithwaite, a falsetto singer, and backup singers Beverley Kelso and Cherry Smith. Initially, Tosh was the only one in the group who could play musical instruments. According to Bunny Wailer, Tosh was critical to the band because he was a self-taught guitarist and keyboardist, and thus became an inspiration for the other band members to learn to play. The Wailing Wailers had a major ska hit with their first single, “Simmer Down”, and recorded several more successful singles before Braithwaite, Kelso and Smith left the band in late 1965. Marley spent much of 1966 in Delaware in the United States of America with his mother, Cedella (Malcolm) Marley-Booker and for a brief time was working at a nearby Chrysler factory. He then returned to Jamaica in early 1967 with a renewed interest in music and a new spirituality. Tosh and Bunny were already Rastafarians when Marley returned from the U.S., and the three became very involved with the Rastafari faith. Soon afterwards, they renamed the musical group The Wailers. Tosh would explain later that they chose the name Wailers because to “wail” means to mourn or to, as he put it, “…express one’s feelings vocally”. He also claims that he was the beginning of the group, and that it was he who first taught Bob Marley the guitar. A museum devoted to his life opens today in Kingston not far from the Bob Marley museum.

Daughter of Olympian Tyson Gay shot dead; Three charged

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, October 18th, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

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

Here’s a look at our top stories:

This Thursday President Barack Obama will campaign for Hillary Clinton in Miami Gardens. President Obama will discuss the importance of November’s election for Florida families and highlight Clinton’s vision for America. President Obama will also urge voters to take advantage of early voting, which begins on Monday, October 24.

Following his ruling to extend the deadline for Florida’s voter registration, US District Judge Mark Walker has ruled in favor to a lawsuit filed by the Florida Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee. Now, Florida voters will not be rejected if they’re signature does not match the signature election offices have on file. The argument is that hundreds of voters have been disenfranchised when mailing in their vote and their signatures did not. Their justification is that voters who mailed in their ballots without signatures were allowed to sign the documents before Election Day.

Third World vocalist ‘Bunny Rugs” was honored by Jamaican government posthumously yesterday on National Heroes Day among several Jamaicans. He was the lead singer on Third World hits like “Now That We Found Love” and “Satamassagana.” He died in February of 2014.

In sports:

The West Indies women defeated an England by 42 runs in the fourth one-day international. England was well placed at 133 to 1 in Kingston after half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield. Both teams are currently tied at two games each, the fifth and deciding match will be at Sabina Park tomorrow.

Now, here’s what’s trending:

Three men have been charged in connection with a shootout which left the 15-year-old daughter of Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay dead. Trinity Gay died at a Lexington, Kentucky, hospital Sunday after she was shot in the neck around 4 a.m. during an exchange of gunfire in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant.

For today’s weather forecast:

Partly cloudy in Broward County with a high 85 of and a low of 73. Partly cloudy in Miami-Dade, with a high of 84 and a low of 76.

For more information on these and other stories, visit Caribbean national weekly.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean – American outlet.

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

You’ve been watching CNW90, I’m Suzette Speaks.

Holiday entertaining tips guaranteed to help hosts impress guests

Holiday entertaining tips guaranteed to help hosts impress guests

The holiday season is packed with social events big and small. What makes some more memorable than others? The extra thought and special touches from the host or hostess.

Cookbook author and entertaining expert Gaby Dalkin recently teamed up with the Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds campaign to share how you can make a big statement this season with surprisingly little effort. These five entertaining tips are guaranteed to help you create a one-of-kind party, leaving guests impressed and full of holiday spirit.

Conquer holiday stress with to-do lists

To reduce stress, stay organized and ensure you maintain a merry attitude, use printed templates to create handwritten holiday party to-do lists.

“I start my to-do lists weeks before the celebration and break them down by day,” Dalkin says. “A few days before the big event, I stock up on beverages. Two days before I buy all the shelf-stable ingredients. The day before, all the produce goes into the fridge, and I make any sauces or appetizers that can rest in the fridge overnight without being affected. And then, the day of the party is broken down by the hour. If you’re making a roast, start it in the morning. A salad can be prepped ahead of time and dressed before serving.”

Elevate gifting with personalized presentation

Nearly half of Americans feel that gift presentation enhances the gift they give or receive, according to a Paper and Packaging Board survey. That means if you want to impress, don’t skimp on gift presentation.

“I grab a few rolls of brown kraft paper and make it special,” Dalkin says. “If I’m sending a present to someone who loves food, I’ll grab some stamps with fun food on them and stamp the paper so it’s customized for that individual. If it’s my younger niece, I’ll stamp it with some hearts. These small gestures make a big impact.”

Use a creative approach to assigned seating 

Assigned seating is particularly helpful when entertaining large groups. It takes the guesswork out of sitting down to dinner and keeps the evening flowing smoothly. It’s also an easy way to add festive style to the tabletop.

“If I’m entertaining for more than 10, I’ll make little fold-over name tags out of cute cardstock,” says Dalkin. “I’ll punch a hole in the paper name tag and weave in a bit of rosemary, paper ribbon or a fresh flower to give it an extra pop.”

Add pizazz with a Champagne bar

The survey also found that for approximately half of Americans, a cocktail bar stands out as a key component for an unforgettable holiday party.

Add an easy yet elegant touch to any holiday gathering by setting up a Champagne bar. Simply chill a few bottles, place on a bar cart and add bowls of fresh berries and carafes of fresh squeezed juices. Include handwritten cardstock labels near each ingredient so your guests can mix and match to their hearts’ content.

This no-fuss station encourages guests to make their own cocktails at their leisure, giving the host extra time to catch up. Plus, Dalkin adds, “I’ve found that Champagne bars are often one of the most photographed elements of the night.”

Send guests home with a little something homemade

Frozen cookie dough is one of the trendiest homemade gifts of the year. Just whip up your favorite batch of dough, tightly wrap it in parchment paper and freeze. Then add some holiday ribbons, a personalized paper label and handwritten baking instructions.

“Recipients can slice and bake at their leisure and file the recipe card for years to come,” says Dalkin. “You can make the same thing for everyone, or perhaps a few different batches to suit any sweet tooth. I think of it as a gift that keeps giving.”

High tide floods South Florida’s east coast

High tide floods South Florida’s east coast

Last week speaking at a Hillary Clinton campaign rally in West Kendall, former US Vice President Al Gore emphasized the dangers of climate change, including rising seas on the coast of Florida Over the past weekend flooded streets and yards along the east coast in Miami Beach, Wynwood, Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale bore evidence of Gore’s warning.

For another year, the high tide called King Tide resulting from the full moon caused the flooding along the region’s coast.

Haitian-American Danielle Pigon who works in a small restaurant  along South Beach said on Sunday morning the tide had inundated the restaurant’s parking lot and its patio, forcing the owner to remove chairs and tables and close off the section from use by patrons. She said the flooding was worse on the streets along A1A east of Fort Lauderdale. “Driving home from work to apartment in Fort Lauderdale, the water along the road was several inches high above the bumpers. I could see the water flowing into people’s front yards.

The situation in the coastline in Miami Dade was made worse by steady rainfall on Sunday, which escalated street and yard flooding.

Forecast from the National Weather Service in Miami is that the flooding from the King tide could continue to mid-week. The weather service said the flooding was a combination of high tide from the full moon, swells coming towards the Florida south-east coast from Hurricane Nicole which impacted Bermuda last week, and winds blowing towards the shore.

Pete San Antonio a worker with Miami Beach Public Works department said the city turned on pumps on Sunday to pump rising water from streets, parking lots, and yards. However, some residents said while they were aware the pumps were activated the flooding prevailed. “Perhaps more powerful pumps are need,” Pegon said.

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