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IRS heads to Jamaica for Pamela Watson’s nest egg

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, March 10, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

IRS agents will soon head to Jamaica to confiscate close to US$1.7 million traced by local investigators to Jamaican-born accountant Pamela Watson. The funds are part of a federal agreement forfeiting funds to the state following her tax fraud conviction. Watson, once a prominent leader among the Caribbean diaspora in South Florida, is currently serving a 78-month sentence.

Promoting a transparent financial sector is at the top of agenda today at the annual Caribbean Basin Anti-Money Laundering & Financial Crimes Conference, being held at the Conrad Hotel in Miami. The 2-day conference features finance officials from across the Caribbean discussing money-laundering and bribery prevention, as well as rising technologies such as Bitcoin.

Application are now being accepted online for the 2016 Miss Jamaica Diaspora pageant. Applicants must be 18 to 26 years of age, and must be born Jamaican or a child of a native Jamaican. The winner is an automatic finalist in the Miss Universe Jamaica competition. Entry closes tomorrow.

Celebrating Guyana’s 50 years of independence, the South Florida softball Cricket League will be hosting the 13th annual Florida Cup Cricket Festival, starting tomorrow, 9 am at Brian Piccolo Park. 16 teams from New York, Orlando, Guyana and South Florida will compete for 2 days for a spot in the finale, set for Sunday, start 9 am at the Central Broward Regional Park.

What’s trending:

Jamaican model Alexia Palmer is suing presidential candidate Donald Trump for $225,000 for racketeering and violating immigration wage laws. Palmer says Trump’s agency claimed on her visa application that she’d be paid $75,000 annual salary, though she only received $3,880 in pay from 2011 to 2013. A U.S. district court has until the end of March to decide if the case proceeds.

For Today’s Weather Forecast:

Cloudy in Broward County with a high of 81 and a low of 69. For Miami-Dade, cloudy with a high of 80 and a low of 70.

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

Floridians most harassed by debt-collectors

Survey shows increased reports from Florida residents of harassment

Debt is tough on everyone, but seems particularly tough on Floridians, according to a new report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Their 2015 annual survey shows increased reports from Florida residents of harassment from debt collectors, calling their homes and job to collect debts for their clients. More than half of the reports send to the FTC came from Florida alone.

Debt in Florida has been on the upswing since the 2008 market crash that saw many residents lose homes, jobs and benefits like unemployment compensation.

“Evidence of this increase in debt was the vast number of people seeking credit counseling between 2009 and 2014,” said Mark Leyland, former supervisor at Consumer Credit Counseling Services in Davie. “Most of these clients were unable to adhere to payment plans established through credit counselling and ended up with their delinquent accounts advancing to debt collection agencies.”

Such harassment isn’t allowed under the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA). The law prevents debt collectors calling at home before 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and calling a debtor repeatedly with the intent to harass or intimidate. Calling the debtor’s workplace after being instructed not to is also a no-no, as well as leaving a message regarding the debt with a third party.

Collectors and collection agencies who flout these rules can and have been sued by consumers, and have been reported to the FTC. But this hasn’t stopped collectors using grossly deceptive tactics, like pretending they are attorneys, or threatening the debtor with arrest or jail.

But many find the risk of lawsuit and sanctions worth it, says former collector Brooklyn Nevers, who was terminated last October after being reported by a consumer for flouting the FDCPA.

Breaking these rules, says Nevers, feels like the only choice, as “collectors work under severe pressure. The bulk of our pay is from commission from collection quotas we are given each month, and the agencies are pressured by their clients to collect the delinquent accounts. This pressure is passed on to collectors.”

Though Nevers was caught, he believes his case won’t be a deterrent at all for the collectors still at his old company.

“Some real nasty collectors are still employed at the agency,” says Nevers.

And many don’t have a choice, says Nevers, as they face the same bleak economic prospects and debts as those they call.

“Debt collection is the only job some people can find,” says Nevers. So they keep on trying, hoping they won’t be sued or fired by going outside the FDCPA.”

Tips and tricks to breathe new life into your healthy habits

Nearly 70 percent of Americans set a goal to stay healthy this year and 43 percent had the desire to lose weight by making healthier food choices, according to Nielsen data.

“Summer seasonal fruits and vegetables add color and variety to your meals with low-calorie benefits,” says registered dietitian,Jackson Blatner Dawn author of “The Flexitarian Diet.” “Enjoy the summer festivities and stay healthy by forming a few easy health-conscious habits.”

Stay in shape by eating healthy and breaking a sweat regularly. Try these simple tips to enjoy a healthy summer:

1. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and keep skin looking its best. Plus, hydration is a secret weapon for staying focused and energized.

2. Drink green tea rather than sweet tea

Sweet tea has a lot of sugar and calories, which is the last thing you want weighing you down in the summer. Instead, drink unsweetened green tea which is full of healthy compounds, like catechins, that give your metabolism a boost.

3. Make smoothie pops

Drinking smoothies is all the rage, but in the summer, freeze your favorite fruit and veggie smoothies into popsicles for a wholesome and refreshing treat.

4. Snack smarter

Keep cut-up seasonal vegetables such as cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchini and carrots in resealable containers for easy grab and go snacking. Splash NAKANO Rice Vinegar onto all of your veggies for a super flavor boost.

5. Stay balanced

Fill your plate with half veggies, a quarter lean protein and a quarter of whole grains for a balanced meal. This will keep energy levels up so you can enjoy more summer fun.

6. Grill fruit for dessert

When your sweet tooth needs a treat, grill seasonal fruits like peaches, plums and pineapple for dessert. The heat of the grill brings out even more of fruit’s natural sweetness.

 

Getting rid of that belly bulge

Muffin top. Love handles. The slang makes it sound so adorable. But if you’re like most adults over 40, this overspill of flesh is anything but that. In fact, belly fat ranks as the number-one biggest body complaint. Beyond making you cringe when you look in the mirror, belly fat is even more frightening on the inside.

Getting rid of your belly bulge is important for more than just vanity’s sake. Excess abdominal fat—particularly visceral fat, the kind that surrounds your organs and puffs your stomach into a “beer gut”—is a predictor of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and some cancers. If diet and exercise haven’t done much to reduce the size of your belly, then a toxic compacted colon, your hormones, your age, or other genetic factors may be the reason why.

We know that simple diet and exercise do not always work. Regardless of the vast and varying reasons for your stubborn weight gain, there are a number of natural multi-supplement formulas that are effective in reducing this ever increasing and unhealthy bulge.

It is a good idea to look out for certain important ingredients in your weight loss supplement. When buying your next supplement, check to make sure if it has these key natural extracts that have been proven particularly effective in burning out that stubborn belly bump.

Kelp

This is a natural super food loaded with trace minerals, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Kelp is also a rich, natural source of iodine, which can help stimulate a sluggish thyroid gland and speed up metabolism. Kelp also contains a compound known as fucoxanthin, which may help with weight loss as well as body fat.

Cinnamon

Consuming cinnamon is said to impact abdominal fat more so than fat found in other parts of your body. The spice has the ability to alter the metabolism of not only sugar, but of carbohydrates as well. So your body is better able to use your carbohydrate storage, so that they do not turn into excess fat around the waist. This is often a problem area for many, so this is good news for those who have struggled to lose belly fat.

African Mango Seed

irvingia-seed1

Sometimes called a “dikka nut,” this special ingredient will help naturally suppress appetite with none of the same severe side effects of other artificial appetite suppressers. It also help to speed up your metabolism while lowering cholesterol levels.

Garcinia Cambogia

From a tropical fruit also known as the Malabar tamarind, this extract blocks your body’s ability to make fat and it puts the brakes on your appetite. It could help keep blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check, too.

Flax seed

Flax seed is an insoluble fiber that acts like a broom sweeping off the compacted waste stuck on the walls of your colon. The majority of adult Americans “carry around” about 10 to 30 lbs. of old formed stools inside their bowels. Besides the serious health risks and discomfort such refuse causes, this can also make the entire abdomen continue to expand.

Correcting this issue is not an easy feat. It makes sense to use the help of a natural supplement that addresses multiple modes of fat reduction, such as improving thyroid function, speeding up metabolism, shrinking fat cells, suppressing appetite, blocking extra fat storage, as well as clearing and flushing the colon.

One such product that has shown tremendous benefit and covers all these areas is natural herbs brand BELLY FAT FLUSH. For more info visit www.GetNaturalHerbs.com

National Weekly March 10, 2016

JWOF “Next Generation” Scholarship open

Applications must be submitted by March 31

Applications are now being accepted for the Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) “Powerful Women – Next Generation” scholarship. The scholarship, renewable annually, is awarded to a first or second generation, Jamaican-American female high school student attending college in Fall 2016.  Valued at $1,000 yearly, the scholarship will encourage the recipient to achieve her four-year educational goal at a tertiary institution.  So far, two students have received the award.

To meet the criteria, the applicant must be a South Florida resident, and have a high school graduating 3.5 GPA, which has to be maintained throughout the tenure of the scholarship.  Applications must be submitted by Thursday, March 31, 2016.

The candidate is also required to demonstrate commitment as a volunteer in community projects, performing a minimum of 40 hours per semester. In addition, the candidate must compose an essay (not more than two pages, double-spaced), explaining why she should be awarded this scholarship.  The applicant’s study program should also include credits in International Studies and/or Women’s studies, if available.

Application material must be accompanied by candidate’s contact information (name/address/telephone/email address) and emailed to Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) at info@jamaicanwomenofflorida.com or mailed to 3325 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 206, Hollywood, FL 33021.

The Scholarship will be awarded at JWOF’s fourth anniversary celebration, which takes place at the Women’s Empowerment Conference and Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, April 23rd at the Jungle Island, Miami, Florida.

Attorney writes Barbados PM on new immigration policy

Attorney and social activist David Comissiong

Comissiong not sold on new policy

Attorney and social activist David Comissiong has written to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart calling on him to outline the reasons for introducing new immigration policies that would have Barbadians fingerprinted when leaving and entering the island from April 1 this year.

In the letter, Comissiong said that he had also written to the Minister Responsible for Immigration Darcy Boyce and the former Chief Immigration Officer Erine Griffith on the issue but to date has received no response.

In his letter, which was made available to the media, Comissiong said that he had informed that the Immigration (Biometrics) Regulations 2015 were made by Prime Minister Stuart in his capacity as Minister Responsible for Immigration.

“Apparently, you made these regulations virtually in secret by merely publishing them in a Supplement to the Official Gazette of 23rd April 2015 – an arcane document that 99.9 per cent of the Barbados population does not come into contact with,” Comissiong wrote.

“Please provide me with a clear written explanation as to why you consider it necessary or appropriate that I, a Barbados citizen, should be fingerprinted when I leave Barbados, and also, when I attempt to return to Barbados.

“Please treat this as an urgent matter, and – in keeping with the terms of the Administrative Justice Act of Barbados – kindly provide me with your written statement of reasons for your decision within a reasonable time,” he wrote.

Last month, former attorney general Dale Marshall questioned the wisdom in having Barbadian nationals leaving or returning to the country be subjected to being finger printed.

Griffith said the new measure would be followed later in the year, with one to facially scan passengers.

She said the only exemptions to these regulations will be holders of diplomatic passports and children under the age of 16.

Barbados said these security measures will bring Barbados in line with international ports of entry, and were mandatory under the Immigration (Biometrics) Regulation 2015.

Griffith urged visitors to co-operate with the Immigration Department, saying it is seeking to ensure the safety of all who used Barbados’s ports of entry.

But Marshall, who served as attorney general in a former Barbados Labour Party (BLP) Administration, said that Barbadians were “entitled” to return to their homeland unencumbered.

 

African Children’s Choir heads to Miramar

African Childrens Choir

Continues yearlong program to help children in Africa

On Friday, April 15, get a glimpse of African culture as the internationally acclaimed, African Children’s Choir will perform at the Miramar Cultural Center as part of a yearlong program that helps Africa’s most vulnerable children continue with their education.

The choir, made up of 18 children, ages 7 to 9 from African countries, will perform African songs and dances, along with children’s songs, spirituals and gospel favorites.

No stranger to the big stage, the choir has performed thousands of concerts around the world, including concerts for world leaders such as the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, and the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

They have also performed at the Pentagon, the United Nations, Royal Albert Hall in London, and have sang on stage with famous artists such as Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox and Keith Urban.

The choir’s parent organization, Music for Life, works in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to provide relief programs and education to “help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa,” according to organization officials.

IRS to confiscate Pam Watson’s Jamaican nest egg

Pamela Watson

IRS to recoup investments close to US$1.7 million

According to reports, IRS agents will soon be arriving in Jamaica within days to recoup investments close to US$1.7 million traced by local investigators to former Miami CPA and Jamaican-American Pamella Watson.

Watson, 61, is currently serving a 78-month sentence in the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Central Florida, following her tax fraud conviction in December. A former prominent leader among the Caribbean diaspora in South Florida as CEO of the accounting firm Watson and Co. P.A, she was arrested last May on charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and falsifying her clients tax returns, resulting in her defrauding the IRS of US$3.6 million. This included the $1.7 million traced to investments in Jamaica by the Financial Investigations Division (FID), as part of the country’s Ministry of Finance.

Read more: Jamaican-American CPA Pamella Watson sentenced to 78 months

The funds to be confiscated are part of a federal agreement forfeiting funds to the state following her tax fraud conviction. Prior to her sentencing, Watson agreed to a plea bargain, in which she agreed to restore significant portions of the funds she defrauded. Watson’s attorney Bruce Rogow said this agreement played a major role in reducing her sentence, which could have been as much as 20 years.

A close relative of Watson, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the IRS had been in touch with Jamaica authorities, and arrangements have been made for some of the related funds to be repatriated to the IRS.

“Although I cannot confirm that the IRS is sending agents to pick up the funds, I have been reliably advised that the funds have been prepared and checks drawn to make the relevant restitution, agreed between Pamela and the federal court,” said the anonymous source.

Watch now: CNW90: Jamerican accountant Pam Watson pleads guilty to fraud

Reclaiming fund in a foreign sovereign county, says Broward accountant Learie Mullings, is normal and perfectly within legal means in the case of tax fraud involving the IRS.

“If Miss Watson had not agreed to make restitution, the IRS would have exercised their legal right to seek restitution by obtaining a court order requesting the financial institutions and companies she made deposits and investments in Jamaica to liquidate these accounts and repay the IRS,” says Mullings. “In this case, since Miss Watson volunteered a court agreement to make restitution, she essentially gave the IRS the authority to collect the repayments from the Jamaican institutions.”

“The IRS is an agent of the U.S. government, and trust me, the government will find a way to get back its funds if it’s defrauded and can trace these funds,” said North Miami Beach fraud investigator Justin Nealy.

According to the Jamaican report, the IRS has so far identified J$107 million (US$880,545) at two licensed financial institutions in Jamaica and the institutions are working with the agency to deliver the related repayment checks. The report said further investigations are on-going to secure the remaining funds from Jamaican entities in which Watson made investments.

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Public and private partnerships at 2016 Capacity Building Conference

Jasmine Jones, Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) community relations and outreach manager (middle), shared a light moment with panel speaker Malcolm MacInnes of MGM General Contracting (left), and panel moderator and City of Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam at the recently held 2016 Capacity Building Conference at the Broward County Convention Center last weekend. (Photo by Uriah Bennett)

Conference focused on empowering small business development

Promoting collaboration between public and private sectors in Broward County was at the top of the agenda this past weekend at the first ever 2016 Capacity Building Conference, held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.  The two-day event, hosted by Broward County’s Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD), was filled with enlightening workshops, discussion panels and presentations all geared towards empowering small business development.

In his conference keynote address, State Secretary of Commerce and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Bill Johnson, praised Broward County for its pioneering work supporting small businesses, and on local enterprises for their continued innovation. Cooperation between both entities, said Johnson, will prove key to the region’s economic future.

“At Enterprise Florida, we look for opportunities to bring public and private together,” said Johnson. “Always we’re asking how we can be more responsible to our partners. Because economic development is always a local issue. Regional, local cooperation is where we succeed.”

Johnson also encouraged attendees to take advantage of the many opportunities available for collaboration and growth at this landmark conference, which sought to “provide a platform to truly empower, engage and educate small business,” said Jasmine Jones, conference organizer and OESBD community relations and outreach manager.

“People have always been interested in how people can participate and grow with Broward County, so we tried to bring speakers providing information that is fresh and specific to today’s needs,” said Jones. “We had a great session on marketing strategies with Cantrece Jones, as marketing is too often overlooked by small business owners. And we also learned about all the amazing services offered by the Florida Department of Transportation. Not enough people know about the billions of dollars they’ve invested promoting equal access.”

One key area for collaboration, said Broward County Commissioner, Dale Holness, was for local small businesses to “register with the county through OESBD as an official vendor.”

It’s not enough to have a license – you need to go to the next step,” said Holness. “You need to become a certified business enterprise in Broward County. That gives you notifications when Broward County and other entities have contracting opportunities.”

Beware of misleading food labels

Learn the importance of food labels

Do you know what words like: natural, organic, grass fed, free range, gluten free, cholesterol free, mean? They sound healthy and humane, but let us help you understand their meaning.

Organic—Food produced without any chemical fertilizers or growth stimulant, pesticide or antibiotics. This applies also to animals grown on organic farms, given organic feed, raised without synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics. Only farms that are certified can label their food organic. The process is expensive, and many small farms choose to forgo certification even though their practices meet or exceed requirements.

Natural—The FDA hasn’t developed a definition regarding the word “natural.” However, there are guidelines stating these food shouldn’t contain artificial flavors, colorings, or preservatives. Some natural products actually have high fructose corn syrup! So, how strict are with these guidelines is up to interpretation.

Grass-Fed—This label only appears on beef or dairy.  It applies to cows exclusively fed grass, hay and forage. No grains were included in the mix.

It’s possible that pesticides were used on the grass or hay and the cows were given antibiotics or hormones. Some grass-fed cows actually spend part of their lives in confined pens or feedlots. Grass-fed doesn’t mean organic.

Cage Free—This basically means hens are not in cages. They were in barns with limited access outdoors.

Free range—This also applies to poultry, making you think hens are running around outside. Unfortunately, all it means is the poultry has outdoor access. The USDA doesn’t specify the quantity or duration.

Cholesterol Free—Cholesterol is made by the liver, so only animal products contain cholesterol. Cholesterol

Gluten Free—The gluten free market is huge. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It functions as a flavoring agent, thickener, texture enhancer and leavening agent. People with celiac disease need gluten free foods because gluten wreaks havoc on their digestive track. Buying “Gluten Free” foods when you don’t need to doesn’t make you healthier; but could deprive you of vitamins, minerals and, of course, fiber.

I’m sure you’ve seen some or all of these labels, and I hope this helps you know what you’re buying and eating. But, if food packages have labels it means its processed, and therefore altered from its natural state. If it doesn’t have a label, you know exactly what you’re getting.

Brandpointcontent.com

Solutions needed to stop hunger among South Florida students

A student showing up for morning class hungry should be a non-issue in America’s land of plenty. But the sight is still all too familiar in South Florida public school, says Miami Social Worker Nancie Tobias.

“A significant number of Miami-Dade students of all ages, and all races – many from low-income neighborhoods – leave home without breakfast or at most a hot or cold beverage,” says Tobias. This problem continues statewide, with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer reporting that one in four children struggle with hunger, but only 43 percent of kids eligible for free or reduced priced school lunch are getting a school breakfast.

Part of the reason why, explains Tobias, is that although there is a federal funded breakfast program in South Florida schools, “often kids arrive at their schools late and miss the serving of this breakfast.”

This proves true for South Miami resident Mabel Proute, a hotel chamber-maid and mother of three public school students.

“It’s difficult to provide my kids with breakfast each morning,” says Proute. “I try to provide a good dinner, but cannot always afford breakfast. I encourage them to reach school early to get the school breakfast.”

No Kid Hungry, in collaboration with Florida Impact, is working to relieve this, with a new aggressive program expanding student access to breakfast.

“If we can make the school breakfast program more accessible, Miami-Dade can connect children with the healthy food they need each morning,” said Debra Susie, President/CEO for Florida Impact. “When school districts try innovative ways to serve children outside the cafeteria and after the first bell, we see a dramatic jump in kids eating breakfast.”

Florida Impact spokesperson Sandy Saintilus said the organizations are currently working with local schools to identify reasons why some students are not getting breakfast, and implement solutions. Florida Impact is one of six organizations through the No Kid Hungry, national Share Our Strength campaign to receive funding to implement a strategy to end childhood hunger.

“We know kids need a meal each morning to learn,” said Adrienne Allen, a director of the local No Kid Hungry. “We have seen the positive impact being served with school breakfast has on students’ classroom participation in school district after school district.”

 

Caribbean still suffering economic woes, says IDB

IDB President, Luis Alberto Moreno.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says, Caribbean countries continue to be affected by the global economic downturn of 2008, and some have still not recorded pre-2008 growth rates.

The IDB, which held a two-day meeting, here, for its Caribbean Regional Governors that ended last Friday, noted, that throughout the Americas, the region’s economies registered a mix of good and poor economic results, with some nations suffering sharp declines in commodity prices and others experiencing increases in tourism during 2015.

“As a whole, the Latin American and Caribbean region posted 3.8 per cent growth in GDP (gross domestic product). The countries of the Caribbean grew at 1.5 per cent in 2015 and are projected to grow at 1.6 per cent in 2016.”

The IDB said, the two-day meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss regional economies, and determine what role the IDB can play.

It said, the delegates also discussed responses to the effects of climate change, specific initiatives to diversify the region’s energy matrix and promote sustainable development, and the unique challenges to the Caribbean sub-region, posed by de-risking and the possible interruption of correspondent banking relationships.

The meeting also reviewed the details of the Bank’s operations in 2015 and discussed challenges and opportunities for 2016.

“Given that many of our borrowing member countries face strong macro-economic headwinds, it’s essential for the Bank to preserve its capacity to support growth recovery and stability. Our priority will continue to be supporting the region’s most vulnerable economies,” said IDB President, Luis Alberto Moreno.

A statement issued by the bank said, that the meeting also gave senior IDB managers an opportunity to explain the impact of the recent reorganization of the various departments of the bank, that work with private-sector operations.

“The new entity within the IDB Group was created in recognition of the importance of public-private partnerships in the financing of infrastructure, and how the IDB is better positioned to promote development in the Caribbean.”

According to data presented during the meeting, the IDB registered significant growth in its 2015 loans to its member countries, which include The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2015, the IDB approved US$557.2 million for improving the Caribbean’s citizen security, energy and transportation infrastructure and expanding the efficiency and coverage of basic social services in the region.

The IDB said, that disbursements in 2015 totalled US$351.3 million and that it also approved one of the bank’s largest-ever private sector loans to a Caribbean country for US$175 million, for the Kingston Container Terminal Project in Jamaica.

The IDB also approved US$17 million in grant-financing to its Caribbean member countries.

“These operations provided support to Caribbean regional initiatives in tourism, trade facilitation, logistics, energy integration, and transport,” the IDB added.

Michael Johnson says Usain Bolt is greatest sprinter of all time

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, March 9, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Lauderhill has officially appointed Constance Stanley as city Police Chief. Stanly has been with Lauderhill’s police force since 1994, serving as a sergeant, captain and major before becoming interim chief August last year, following the resignation of Jamaican-born former Police Chief, Andrew Smalling.

Jamaica’s sustainable energy industry gets a boost, as Florida-based biofuel developer, Benchmark Renewable Energy, announced plan to open a large-scale bioethanol operation on the island. The new plant will grow sweet sorghum to generate 10 million gallon of ethanol per year, and an additional 3 Mega Watts of electricity for the local grid.

Applications are now open online for the Jamaican Women of Florida “Powerful Women – Next Generation” scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a first or second generation, Jamaican-American female high school student attending college in Fall 2016.  The Scholarship will be awarded at JWOF’s 4th Women’s Empowerment Conference on April 23rd.

The U-17 Reggae Girlz Squad failed to stay in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship Group B showdown, despite a valiant effort by the players, including Florida’s own Madiya Harriott. The team lost to the defending champions, Mexico, 1 nil, at the Grenada National Stadium last night.

What’s trending:

American Olympic legend and 400-metre world record holder Michael Johnson says Usain Bolt to be the greatest sprinter of all time. Johnson, whose 200-metre world record was broken by Bolt at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, says the Jamaican sprinter may be better than the legendary Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens.

For Today’s Weather Forecast:

Partly Cloudy in Broward County with a high of 78 and a low of 71. For Miami-Dade, partly cloudy with a high of 80 and a low of 71.

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

Guyana and India sweep at Lauderhill T20

West Indies’s Sarwan makes sweet appearance

Guyana and India won the second round of matches in the City of LauderhillT20 Intl. Night Cricket Tournament this past Saturday at the Lauderhill Sports Park.

Guyana easily defeated Pakistan by 3 wickets. Batting first under clear conditions, Pakistan ended on 130 runs, with Irfan Khan smashing 28, including three fours. Taj Faisal scored 26 and Usman Ali-Malik 25. But Guyana kept dominance, as game MVP bowler Fizal Shariff grabbed 3 for 22 in his allotted four overs, while Simion Pierre bagged 2 for 17. Other useful spells came from Sameer Khan 1 for 17, Masood Mohammed 1 for 23 and Richard Louis 1 for 23. In reply, Guyana rolled over the Pakistani bowling attack, ending on 134-7 in 16.3 overs. Nasim Ali scored 36 including three fours and two sixes.

But the large crowd went a buzzing when former West Indies and Guyana captain Ramnaresh Sawran joined the pitch. Sarwan who made his international debut in 2000 against Pakistan in Barbados, played 87 tests, 181 ODIs and 18 T20s for the West Indies, was in town to participate in Sunday’s Legend of Cricket exhibition match at the Central Broward Regional Park. But Sarwan couldn’t fail to appease his South Florida fans with another showing, joining the Guyanese side for a round. And he didn’t fail to entertain the crowd, as spectators were delighted with a thrilling innings of 23, including two fours and one six. Sameer Khan and Akeem Charles contributed 14 and 13 respectively. Bowling for Pakistan, Rajesh Shurrma was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4 for 20, whilse Hassan Syed took 1 for 14, Rana Adil 1 for 28 and Zishawn Qureshi 1 for 40.

Meanwhile, Team India rolled over Combined Islands by 6 wickets in the third match. Winning the toss and electing to field, India restricted Combined Islands to 128 for 8 in the allotted 20 overs. Kenier Irvin slammed 35, which included two fours and three lofty sixes, while veteran Joey Pierre provided valuable assistance with 20 not out. Other contributions came from Alderman Lesmond, who scored 22, Swayne James 11 and Aston Dennis 10. Bowling for India, Sreeram Nimmala and Arun Parekh both bagged 2 for 22 and 2 for 24 each. In reply, Justin Holder led the charge for the India, slamming 38 from 18 balls highlighted by fours and two sixes. Opener Sarosh Siddiqui ended on 35 not out, featuring four fours and one six and Girish Gopalkrishnan chipped in with 22. Bowling for Combined Islands, Aston Dennis took 1 for 14, Joey Pierre 1 for 23 and Antoine Charlery 1 for 29.

Next group of matches are scheduled for this Saturday, March 12, starting 5 p.m. with Pakistan v. Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica v. India at 8 p.m.

LRCC honors local women leaders

(L-R) Dr. Celia Earle, Pauline Grant, MS, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Dr. Lanalee Sam, Alice E. Ancona, and Maria Munro

Women awarded for their professional and philanthropic contributions

From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to holding public office, the 2016 winners of the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) “Women of Distinction” honorees were a true testament to leadership in Broward County. These ten extraordinary women were awarded for their professional and philanthropic contributions at the recently held awards breakfast at the BB&T center.

In honor of March as Women’s History Month, the event was a true display of female talent, beginning with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Lauren Carter and a special performance by musical artist, entertainer and singer/songwriter April RaQuel. The Keynote address was delivered by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who praised the awardees for their valuable contribution to the county.

“To be in your company is to stand in awe of what each and every one of you do,” said Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz in her address. “It’s so important to underscore what women are doing in this community to make a difference.”

The Congresswoman also praised the awardees and the many illustrious attendees at the event for their visible commitment to promoting equal opportunity for women in the workplace and in community leadership.

“Our goal here at this luncheon is much larger than anything we could accomplish on our own,” said Wasserman-Schultz. “[We need] the equal opportunity to connect, to lead and succeed in all sectors. From the boardroom to the storeroom, we need gender parity in this country. We must take responsibility not to just celebrate our success but also lift up others. As we rise, we have to make it our personal responsibility to reach behind and bring another woman up with us.”

This year’s awards included: Nicki E. Grossman, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Pauline Grant, MS, MBA, FACHE, CEO of Broward Health North; Alice E. Ancona, Director of Global Outreach, Florida Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Lanalee Sam, Medical Director of Women’s Services, Florida Medical Center; Michelle Austin Pamies, Partner, Austin Pamies Norris Weeks, LLC; Captain Josefa Benjamin, Broward County Sheriff’s Office; Maria Munro, CEO of Unique Productions International; Danielle Knox, WSVN Channel  7, News Anchor and Entrepreneur; and Dr. Celia Earle, Governor, Kiwanis Florida Division, and Vice President at Brown and Caldwell.

A special “Woman of the Year” distinction was also awarded to Nicki Grossman for her 30 plus years of service with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Nurturing Haitian-American Leadership

Haitian-born Attorney General of Washington D.C., Karl A. Racine

New workshop to foster greater leadership among Haitian Diaspora

Creating any meaningful change for the Haitian-American community and their home cities requires meaningful representation. And that’s the goal at the upcoming 2nd annual workshop, “Roadmap to Success: How to Get Elected and Serve with Integrity.” The free forum, hosted by Haitian-Americans for Progress, is set for Saturday, March 19, from 10:30 am to 12:30 p.m. at the Center of Haitian Studies (CHS) in Miami.

This year, the keynote speaker will the Haitian-born Attorney General of Washington D.C., Karl A. Racine. At three years old, Racine and his family fled the Duvalier regime and emigrated to Washington, D.C., where he grew up. After graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia School of Law, Racine soon began a life of public service, inspired by the sense of equal justice formed by his family’s experience under authoritarian rule in Haiti. He served as a D.C. public defender, a board member of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia and as associate White House Counsel in the Clinton Administration. In his private practice, ehen Racine became Managing Partner at Venable LLP, he became the first African-American managing partner of a top-100 law firm. The National Law Journal named Racine one of the 50 most influential Minority Lawyers in the United States.

Racine will lead an intimate and interactive session discussing how to get elected, and the moral compass necessary for elected officials and those interested in public service. Haitian-Americans for Progress is a Florida political committee dedicated to empowering Haitian-Americans across the United States, and increasing awareness of issues that impact Haitian-Americans.

AARLCC hosts exhibit on Jamaican women artists

Corrine Wakeland

Jamaican artists “Color Outside the Lines”

Three landmark Jamaican women artists will be in the spotlight for upcoming exhibit, “Color Outside the Lines,” hosted by the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC). Celebrating March as Women’s History Month, the exhibit will feature artists Lorraine Maxwell, Corinne Wakeland and Rachel Stewart, and explores how their work both examines and challenges stereotypes about women, race and cultural identity.

They share a common thread as women with Jamaican roots, which gave birth to their art,” said the AARLCC about the featured artists in a statement. “They have transported these memories across time and place to record them on the canvases and sculptures in this exhibition.”

Lorraine Maxwell is a renowned muralist and education, known for her combination of media into distillations of color and light. South Florida-based Corinne Wakeland is a painter and jewelry designer, known for her colorful and elaborate wood and metal sculptures. Her paintings have been shown in a number of exhibitions in Florida, New York, Paris, Grenada and Aruba. Her paintings are also part of the permanent collections at Florida International University, Dade County Fire Fighters Museum and the City of Lauderhill. Rachel Stewart is a Christian artist working in Kingston, Jamaica. Inspired by her faith, Stewart uses non-traditional material to layer the surfaces of her sculptures and mixed media pieces.

The exhibit will launch with an official opening ceremony at the AARLCC on March 19, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Michael Johnson calls Usain Bolt the “greatest track and field star”

Michael Johnson

Johnson pays homage to Usain Bolt

Former American track star Michael Johnson has called Jamaican sprinter and Olympic champion Usain Bolt the “greatest track and field star” ever.

Johnson, who won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championships gold medals and is currently holds the world and Olympic records holder in the 400m, feels Bolt has surpassed the likes of him, and other American athletes Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens.

Speaking with Laureus, Johnson said, “You think of the great sprinters of the past who have done things that have never been done before like Jesse Owens, winning four gold medals, and Carl Lewis, doing that as well, and myself being the 200 metres and 400 metres world record holder and Olympic champion.

Usain Bolt (JAM) World record holder for 100m and 200m, poses with Academy Member Michael Johnson (R) after receiving the Laureus World Sportsman of the year award during a ceremony and press conference held at The Four Seasons Hotel on June 10, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images for Laureus) *
Usain Bolt (JAM) World record holder for 100m and 200m, poses with Academy Member Michael Johnson (R) after receiving the Laureus World Sportsman of the year award during a ceremony and press conference held at The Four Seasons Hotel on June 10, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images for Laureus) *

“So those are the names that you think of, the amazing sprinters of the past. But none of us has produced, in my opinion, the consistency and longevity that Bolt has and so to this point he has to be considered the greatest.”

Watch now: CNW90: Justin Gatlin trash talks Bolt again!

Johnson, a member of the Laureus was also asked if he thinks anyone has a chance at beating Bolt at the Olympics in Rio to which he responded, “If he’s healthy, I don’t think that anyone can stop him.”

Bolt is in the running for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award along with football star Lionel Messi and tennis ace Novak Djokovic, an award that Johnson believes bolt can easily win.

Read now: Actor Danny Glover predicts Usain Bolt will successfully defend his titles in Rio

 

Lauderhill names new Chiefs of Police and Fire Departments

Constance Stanley

City Manager Charles “Chuck” Faranda is proud to announce Acting Chief Constance Stanley has been appointed to the permanent position of Police Chief and Acting Chief Marc Celetti to the permanent position of Fire Chief.

Chief Constance Stanley has replaced former Police Chief, Jamaican-born Andrew Smalling. She began her law enforcement career in 1991 with another law enforcement agency and then joined the City of Lauderhill in 1994. She served Lauderhill in several units and divisions and was promoted through the ranks as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and now Police Chief. Stanley is very active in several Professional Organizations to include the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers, the Police Executive Research Forum, the American Society of Public Administrators, and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

Chief Marc Celetti joined the Fire Department in 1979 after first volunteering as a Youth Explorer at the age of 14. Upon his being hired as a Firefighter he worked his way to becoming a Division Chief, Fire Marshal (a title he still holds), and now the Fire Chief. During his time as Fire Chief he has reorganized the Fire Department to streamline the chain of command.  He also became very proactive in reaching out to the frontline firefighters.

One on One: Julius James of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers

Dancehall star Konshens donates water to Flint, Michigan

Jamaican dancehall star Konshens

Dancehall star Konshens donates 100 cases cases of water

Jamaican Dancehall Star Koshens announced on NY talk radio that he has donated 100 cases of water to the city of Flint, Michigan.

Flint made national headlines following reports revealing that the city’s water supply was laced with dangerously high concentrations of lead due to an aging water system.

Flint’s water supply was laced with dangerously high concentrations of lead due to an aging water system.

The deejay in a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer said that he heard about the developments in Flint through a friend and newscasts. He decided to help through an initiative launched by the Irie Jam radio station in Queens, New York.

“I decided to chip in. I think many people making small donations like mine will really make a difference, that’s a method we should employ in Jamaica as well, instead of waiting on one man or a big company to do something. Everybody can chip in small and get things moving,” said Konshens.

Reports out of Flint reveal that as many as 12,000 children may be exposed to the city’s tainted water, caused by lead from aging pipes.

A state lab analysing lead levels of tap water in Flint, is operating seven days per week and can process 1,000 tests each day, officials said.

Test results are mailed to homes and are available online, and people who get their water from Flint’s system were urged to have their water tested. Water samples must be taken with at-home testing kits provided by the State and dropped off at five Flint firehouses that also are operating as water resource sites, State officials said in a release.

Meanwhile, the city’s water crisis continues to garner attention outside Michigan, especially among celebrities.

Actor Michael Keaton told reporters backstage Saturday night, at the 22nd annual Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles, that reporters could have gotten ahead of the water crisis.

Dancehall star Koshens donates water to Flint, Michigan

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, March 8, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

A new U.S. State Department report says the Jamaican government is not doing enough to combat corruption. The report cited the country’s poor record in prosecuting corruption cases against high-ranking officials. Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, however, questioned the report’s veracity, citing lack of data to support the claims.

A new Florida bill expanding access to medical marijuana now heads to Governor Rick Scott’s office for a final signature or veto, after the bill successfully passed with bipartisan support in the Senate recently. If approved, Bill HB 307 will allow prescriptions for patients with terminal conditions, and expand what medical strains licensed organizations can grow and distribute.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center will be opening a special exhibit celebrating the work of 3 Jamaican female artists. The show, opening March 19th, will display works from Lorraine Maxwell, Corinne Wakeland and Rachel Stewart

The CASA Super league tournament continued this past weekend, as Melrose Strikers dominates Miami United 6 to 2, while Team Haiti neatly defeated Island Strikers 4 to 2. The tournament continues tomorrow night, 7:45 pm at the Lauderhill Sports Park, as the Ft. Lauderdale Blazers face Lauderhill Jrs, while FC Steelers face Island Strikers.

What’s trending:

Jamaican Dancehall Star Koshens announced on NY talk radio that he has donated 100 cases of water to the city of Flint, Michigan. Flint made national headlines following reports revealing that the city’s water supply was laced with dangerously high concentrations of lead due to an aging water system.

For Today’s Weather Forecast:

Mostly Cloudy in Broward County with a high of 76 and a low of 69. For Miami-Dade, mostly cloudy with a high of 77 and a low of 69.

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

How women can plan for their financial futures

Are women more diligent savers than men?

A 2014 study conducted by Fidelity Investments seems that women are more diligent savers. Research has found that women saved more than men in their 401(k) plans, as of the year ending Sept. 30, 2014. This stems from the fact that women joined their employer’s retirement plans in greater numbers than their male counterparts.

Yet women still aren’t without their own financial hurdles. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that women are 33 percent more likely to earn a Bachelor’s Degree than men, they still earn 77 cents for every dollar their male colleagues take home, and that wage gap has been difficult to close. This is a key reason why it’s important to make every dollar count.

Regions Bank, one of the largest U.S. banks with 1,650 branches across 16 states, recently launched a Women and Wealth program dedicated to helping women learn more about personal finance and investing – particularly women in their 20s and 30s, given that they have decades of work and saving ahead of them.

It all begins with developing good saving habits. A general rule of thumb is to save 10 percent of your income, specifically in a tax-advantaged retirement account such as an employer’s 401(k) plan. Simplified Employee Pension (SEP-IRA) plans are available for the self-employed and come with a tax deduction that will help you owe less to Uncle Sam each year.

No one knows what the future will bring, which is why it’s important to have at least three months’ worth of savings in the event of an emergency. This will allow you to cover key expenses such as rent or mortgage, food and car payments, and more. It’s true that creating this nest egg takes time, so give yourself a solid eight to 12 months to accumulate this cash, and keep it somewhere safe such as a savings account or money market account.

Now, is it possible to be too concerned with safety? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. While some may be tempted to avoid the stock market due to fears of volatility or the threat of a bear market, doing so could leave you at risk of falling short of your investment goals and not accumulating enough assets for a comfortable retirement. Investment vehicles such as your employer’s 401(k) plan or an IRA account can be great options, but your choices don’t end there.

For the savvier investor comfortable with a higher amount of risk, alternative investments such as real estate investment trusts (REITs) or private equity (PE) offer the opportunity for handsome returns and a level of diversification that can serve as a buffer from any momentary fluctuations in the stock market. That said, REITs and PE are somewhat more complex than traditional retirement accounts, which makes seeking the help of a professional all the more important.

The growth of women’s saving habits is important because, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly half (47 percent) of the U.S. labor force is comprised of women, and that percentage will likely climb higher in the years to come. By developing positive saving habits now, these women not only benefit themselves but the economy as a whole.

Two grape recipes the whole family will love

Main dish salads make a perfect entree. Ingredients can be prepped and mixed ahead of time, so when dinnertime rolls around, it’s a simple matter of just putting it all together. So end the summer with cool grape recipes.

This chicken and grape noodle salad is a favorite. All of the ingredients – from the grilled chicken and noodles, to the chopped veggies and spicy-sweet dressing – can be ready to go when you roll in the door or quickly made all at once. The grapes add just the right crisp texture, slight sweetness and brilliant color that lights up this dish.

And to cap off the meal with something that’s cool, sweet and oh-so-easy, try these delicious fro-yo pies. These mini-style treats provide just the right amount of sweet satisfaction and will help keep you from breaking the calorie bank. Plus they’re perfect for kid-size appetites, too.

Chicken and Grape Noodle Salad 

Serves 4

8 ounces dried rice noodles (also called rice sticks)

1/3 cup water

1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons chili garlic sauce

1/2 teaspoon peanut oil

1 1/4 pounds chicken breast

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cups shredded romaine

2 cups mixed red and green California grapes, halved

1 carrot, cut into thin matchsticks

1/2 cup mint leaves, torn

1/2 cup cilantro leaves, torn

1 tablespoon chopped peanuts

Preheat the grill or broiler.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and remove from the heat. Let stand eight to 10 minutes, or just until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the water, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, chili sauce and peanut oil. Remove 2 tablespoons of the dressing and reserve the remainder. Brush the chicken with the 2 tablespoons of the dressing, sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill or broil until cooked through, about eight minutes. Set aside.

Divide the noodles between four large bowls. Top with the romaine, grapes and carrots. Thinly slice the chicken and divide between the bowls. Drizzle with the remaining dressing, sprinkle with the herbs and peanuts and serve.

Grape-a-licious Fro-Yo Mini Pies

1/2 cup grape juice concentrate (divided use)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 1/2 cups California grapes

1 tablespoon corn starch

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 9 squares)

3 1/2 ounces vanilla frozen yogurt (softened)

Frozen grape clusters for garnish

Lemon slices (optional garnish)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 12 muffin tins with foil cup liners and set aside.

In a small bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs with the butter. Place 1 tablespoon of the graham cracker mixture into each muffin cup and gently press to form a crust in the baking cups. Bake for seven minutes; set aside.

Combine 1/4 cup of the grape juice concentrate, lemon juice, and grapes in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Meanwhile combine the remaining grape juice with corn starch and mix well, then add to the sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a boil for one to two minutes until thick. Allow to cool. Once this mixture cools, pour into a blender and blend until smooth. Add the softened yogurt and blend for a few pulses until just combined.

Place about 4 tablespoons of the grape-yogurt mixture into each muffin tin. Place in the freezer for four hours or more. Serve with small clusters of frozen grapes and enjoy.

Makes 12 mini-pies

Nutrition information per serving: calories 211; protein 6 g; carbohydrate 36 g; total fat 6 g (saturated fat 3 g); 22 percent calories from fat; cholesterol 43 mg; sodium 67 mg; fiber 0.5 g.

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