CNW90: Lauderhill resident on Caribbean cruise goes missing in Falmouth, Jamaica
With a look at some of the top stories making the news today, November 13, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida, I’m… for CNW 90.
City of Lauderhill resident Latrice Graham has gone missing from a cruise ship after disembarking in Falmouth, Trelawny, in Jamaica. Falmouth police report that Graham, who was a passenger, was last seen at 10.10 am on Wednesday. Authorities are asking the public for any leads on her whereabouts.
The City of Palm Beach Gardens has fired Nouman Raja, the police officer who shot and killed Corey Jones last month. Raja had shot Jones, who was waited for a tow truck in his broken-down SUV off I95. Investigations by multiple agencies into the Oct. 18 officer shooting still are underway.
To promote a healthy lifestyle with Diabetes, the city of Miami Gardens is hosting their 4th annual Diabetes Awareness event, set for this Sunday, November 15, starting 3 pm at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational complex. The event includes healthy food tastings, a Kiddies’ zone, fitness activities, and Health Expert panel discussions.
In sports, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica cling to World cup hopes, as both teams face crucial CONCACAF World Cup semi-final qualifiers tonight. Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will do battle with Panama in Kingston, while the Soca Warriors face off against Guatemala in Guatemala City.
What’s trending:
New Jersey resident Kasia Rivera, who injected silicone into a man’s penis, killing him, could be deported to her native Jamaica, following a 5-year prison term. For more on what’s trending, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Caribbean National Weekly, and on Twitter at National Weekly.
For Today’s Weather Forecast:
Scattered thunderstorms in Broward County with a high of 87 and a low of 73. For Miami-Dade, scattered thunderstorms with a high of 86 and a low of 72. For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com.
Jamaica’s main opposition party cancels annual conference
The main opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has decided to cancel its annual conference this year, to focus on preparing for an upcoming general election.
JLP General Secretary, Dr. Horace Chang, however stressed that the there should be no fall out as a result of the cancellation of the conference that was scheduled for November 22.
“We are in the middle of an intense campaigning period, so the election of officials will take place at area council meetings next month ….we are continuing the mobilization of our .We are basically on the road – we are going to the people, rather than taking the people to the (National) Arena
Meanwhile the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) is on high alert as the nation awaits the announcement of a date for the general election. According to Director of Elections, Orrette Fisher, training is in progress and the recruitment of temporary personnel is underway.
“If the election is announced, we will just move to the next phase. In terms of preparedness we are at the level where we would need to be, so nothing will change unless the election is announced.
Ahead of a general election the two major political parties on Wednesday agreed to the stating of three political debates.
The People’s National Party (PNP) and JLP signed a memorandum of Understanding with the Jamaica Debates Commission .
The commission says the debates would be staged between Nomination Day and Election Day.
The MOU states that the first debate will be on social issues; the second on economic issues and the third will be between the contenders for the office of Prime Minister.
However, the parties say a formal agreement would require further negotiations on a number of areas including structure, format, production guidelines and duration.
The next general election is constitutionally due between December 29, 2016 and April 16, 2017, but at a recent PNP rally, the party’s campaign manager Dr. Peter Phillips signaled that the election is near.
“You need to get yourself ready for the sounding of the trumpet because you know not the time nor the hour,” Phillips said.
Meet the Master Chefs of the Miami Gardens Wine and Food Experience
Meet the culinary master minds competing at this year’s inaugural Miami Gardens Wine and Food Experience, set for this Saturday, November 14, at the Miami Gardens Municipal Complex.
Chef Myriam Charles
Claim to Fame: Owner of Divine Cakery, making wedding cakes for celebrities like Amar’e Stoudemire
Signature Flavor: Though a self-taught pastry chef, Charles brings her Le Cordon Blue culinary background to her technically masterful and whimsical cakes.
Chef Boy Ali
Claim to Fame: personal chef to sporting elite, like Miami Heat’s Norris Cole and NFL’s Antrelle Rolle and Frank Gore.
Signature Flavor: Cooking for such sport stars, Ali is the go-to guy for big flavors and Americana classics.
Chef Alain Lemaire
Claim to Fame: Co-owner and Executive Chef of Sensory Delights and a member of both the Silver Key Honor Society and the “Chaine des Rotisseurs.”
Signature Flavor: The Port-au-Prince native loves to bring fresh and bold Haitian flavors in his dishes.
Chef Troy Tingling
Claim to Fame: Celebrity personal chef to the stars, from Miami Heat royalty to former Jamaican Prime Minister, Bruce Golding.
Signature Flavor: Born in Jamaica, Tingling loves to mix a blend of Caribbean flavors in his dishes
5 easy ways to reduce food waste in your daily life
“What’s for dinner?”For many, the question is uttered nearly every evening, and the answer is easy.
But for 795 million people in the world — those who don’t have a reliable meal to look forward to according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — the question is more open-ended.
You might be surprised to learn that an important step in the fight to end hunger is to reduce food waste. In fact, 1.3 billion tons of the food produced around the world goes to waste each year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Here are five simple ways to cut back on food waste in your daily life.
Pay attention to packaging. Increasingly, high-performance food packaging makes it possible to better protect food as they make their way from grocery store shelves to your pantry. Take lightweight flexible pouches, for instance. You’ll find these packages used to protect some of your favorite foods at the grocery store, from frozen fruits and vegetables to cereals and crackers. The pouches’ layers keep contents from being damaged or spoiled. Resealable packaging allows you to use what you need and safely save the rest for later, preserving the remaining portions and making food last.
Moreover, Businesses looking to extend these benefits at scale often rely on food repacking services in Savannah to reconfigure bulk goods into consumer-ready, protective formats. These services ensure products are handled in compliant, hygienic environments while maintaining freshness and shelf life. By combining advanced packaging materials with efficient repacking processes, brands can reduce waste, improve distribution, and meet retail requirements more effectively.
Learn the dos and don’ts of food storage. Believe it or not, pre-wrapped vegetables purchased at the grocery store can last up to 5 times longer than vegetables without packaging. Take for example a cucumber pre-wrapped in plastic. It can stay fresh up to 14 days instead of just three days if not wrapped.
Call on technology for new recipe ideas. Download an app on your phone to help inspire new dishes that use up last night’s leftovers. Several apps available in the App Store generate recipes based on ingredients you’ve marked as currently stocked in your kitchen. They’ll help you look at the food in your refrigerator as delicious opportunities rather than garbage-bound.
Donate to local organizations. Find a local food drive to donate non-perishable foods to those in need. Start by organizing your pantry and piling the items you likely won’t use in the near future. Rather than tossing the items, turn your waste into an opportunity to feed the hungry in your community.
Brandpointcontent.com
Five simple yet smart money habits
There’s no denying that it can take some work to create good habits, and becoming more disciplined about your finances is no different. Yet smart money habits can add up over time to increase your bank account and help you create a more stable financial life. Consider these five tips that will help you examine how you think about and handle money to improve your financial acumen.
- Practice the principal of mindfulness. Mindfulness is the opposite of carelessness. It’s as simple as paying attention to your spending habits and putting the brakes on impulsive purchases. When you’re intentional with your money, you make rational decisions based on what you can afford and what you need. Strategies to help you be more mindful include creating a monthly budget, making lists before going to the grocery store and holding off on large purchases until you can really afford them.
- Keep tabs on your financial transactions. Be vigilant about every financial transaction, no matter how small. Even though checkout clerks use computerized registers, they can still make mistakes when entering items or making change. Whether you’re at the grocery store or the department store, watch as items are rung up to ensure you’re being charged appropriately. Check your receipts. Count your change. In the case of banking errors, what you don’t know can hurt your bottom line. Check your online bank statements daily to monitor charges and also watch for fraud, which is on the rise.
- Show respect for currency. When you mistreat money, you diminish its value and give yourself permission to abuse it. Whether you’re dealing with dollars or cents, take care of every penny. Don’t wad up your bills or allow change to accumulate on the bottom of your purse. Instead, store it carefully and keep track of what you have. Keep your change in a container and deposit it in the bank each month. You’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up.
- Play your cards right. It used to be that a major credit card was absolutely required for online purchases and travel reservations such as airline tickets, hotel rooms and car rentals. In today’s economy, it’s possible to manage many, if not all of these transactions with a debit card. Credit cards can provide advantages through their reward programs, and disciplined use can help build creditworthiness. Yet many cards come with an annual fee and hefty interest rates when you carry a balance. To limit credit card spending, consider keeping your credit card at home and carry only your debit card in your wallet.
- Look within and remove barriers to financial freedom. If you want to be wise with your money, yet repeatedly make poor financial decisions, you may be unconsciously sabotaging yourself. For the most part, money attitudes arise from a complex mix of upbringing, culture and self-control. To help overcome this, focus on the things you consistently spend too much on. Is it dining out? Shopping for clothes? Taking vacations? Hone in on whatever your “weakness” is and try to change your spending habits in a particular area.
While each of these five tips can help you build your financial muscle, one of the best things you can do for your financial life is to meet regularly with a financial professional. An experienced financial advisor can provide financial coaching, helping you identify specific strategies for saving and investing for your future. Find a qualified professional whom you can trust to discuss all aspects of your financial life. Meet annually or as often as you require to discuss your financial goals and adjust your spending and saving habits to stay on track.
Lindell G. Douglas, CFP®, is a Financial Advisor and Managing Director with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Lindell.g.douglas@ampf.com.
Venezuela’s First Lady heads to SVG to study English
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has announced that his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, will travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines, to study English.
Maduro did not provide details on his wife’s travel, but said it was part of an agreement recently signed with SVG to strengthen bilateral relations.
Maduro visited the island last week.
However, last month, Venezuelan journalist Rafael Poleo wrote an article stating that the real objective for Maduro’s wife trip to the country is not to learn English, but rather to pave the way for her family’s possible exile from Venezuela.
He said Flores perceives that Venezuela’s crisis is worsening, and that political support for the regime is faltering even among the presidential family’s own followers.
City of Miami Gardens to host 4th Annual Diabetes Awareness Event
To promote a healthy lifestyle with Diabetes, the City of Miami Gardens is hosting their 4th annual Diabetes Awareness event, set for Sunday, November 15, starting at 3pm at the Betty T. Ferguson complex.
Hosted by Councilwoman Lisa Davis, the event includes healthy food tastings, a Kiddies’ zone, fitness activities, and health expert panel discussion.
Free screening will also be available for those interested.
Jamaican woman sentenced to 5 years for giving fatal penis enlargement injection
New Jersey resident Kasia Rivera, who injected silicone into a man’s penis, killing him, could be deported to her native Jamaica, following a 5-year prison term.
Rivera, 38, of East Orange, in 2011 injected 22-year-old Justin Street with silicone that was not the kind used for medical procedures, causing an embolism that killed him.
On September 9, as the case was getting ready to go to trial, Rivera entered a guilty plea to second-degree reckless manslaughter.
Rivera must serve 85 percent of her sentence before she is eligible for parole. She received credit for 228 days she has already served at the county jail.
Jamaica to face Panama in CONCACAF World Cup qualifier
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz cling to World cup hopes, as the team faces a crucial CONCACAF World Cup semi-final qualifier against Panama.
The match, will be played in Kingston at 9pm, is one of six in the Fourth Round semi-finals series, which consists of three groups of four, from which the top two will advance to the six-nation to make the ultimate challenge for places at the 2018 Finals in Russia.
Reggae Boyz head coach Winfried Schafer has rounded up close to his strongest squad for the match, with practically all the players who participated in their successful summer campaigns at the Copa America and the CONCACAF Gold Cup at hand.
The Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors are also looking to take home as a win as they will go head to head with Guatemala in Guatemala City.
Florida police officer involved in Corey Jones shooting, fired
The City of Palm Beach Gardens has fired Nouman Raja, the police officer who shot and killed Corey Jones last month.
The October 18 killing of Corey Jones, 31, has sparked outrage amid growing attention on police violence against African Americans.
Jones was driving home when his car broke down along a highway. Palm Beach Gardens city police officer Nouman Raja, who was on duty but wearing civilian clothes, approached the car, believing it was abandoned.
He shot Jones when he saw he was armed, police say. A lawyer for Jones’s family has said the gun was purchased legally.
Investigations by multiple agencies into the Oct. 18 officer shooting still are underway and the city has said it will “continue to cooperate with all agencies involved.”
Broward County supports new entrepreneurs through new workshop
Targeting aspiring entrepreneurs, the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) is launching their free FastTrac New Venture Workshop Series, providing practical tools for the American entrepreneurial dream.
The program, in partnership with Kauffman FastTrac, is an intensive 10-week course providing intimate, hands-on guidance through the many trials and tribulations of starting a business, from identifying market needs, to accessing risk factors. The workshop also provides a valuable network of diverse business leaders, and well as access to both financial and human resources. All participants will also have a chance for their business plan to be evaluated by top industry experts. At the end of the course, the top three business proposals will be awarded seed money from to program to launch their new ventures.
To promote the exciting new program, the OESBD will be hosting an information session on Thursday, December 3rd, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Innovation Hub @ Broward College in Fort Lauderdale.
To join this free series, applicants must submit paperwork online at oesbd.affiliate.fasttrac.org between December 7th to 18th. Those accepted with be notified by January 6, 2016.
The workshop is part of the OESBD’s efforts to provide equal access for entrepreneurs to the county’s significant business resources – not just financial support, but also the invaluable knowledge that only comes through decades of experience. Positioning entrepreneurs within supportive communities proves just as valuable as any direct monetary investment.
“This office works hard to support the local business community through our services and programs,” said Sandy-Michael McDonald, OESBD Director. “We are constantly building partnerships and creating initiatives that will aid in developing firms and guiding them to success in Broward and beyond.”
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Weekend heads to Sunrise
The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) will return to the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre on Friday, November 13, for a weekend of screenings and special events.
This year’s highlights include:
Friday, November 13: “Silver Skies”
George Hamilton, Valerie Perrine and Jack McGee star in this funny and dark film about getting older and trying to hang on to each other and the American Dream. Screening at 7:15 p.m.
Special Event: FLIFF’s Centerpiece Party
Special Guests: Rosemary Rodriguez, writer/director; Nestor Rodriguez, executive producer; George Hamilton, actor; and Jack McGee, actor
Saturday, November 14: “Bonnie & Clyde”
Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway star in this classic film about a two-bit hood and small-town waitress who leave in their wake a string of violent robberies and spectacular newspaper headlines. Screening at 4:30 p.m.
Special Event: FLIFF’s Sunset at Sunrise Party
Special Guest: Estelle Parsons, actress
Sunday, November 15: “Hill Start”
When matriarch Ora Geva slips into a coma, her family members do everything they can to bring her back in this comic drama from Israel. In Hebrew with English subtitles. Screening at 6:30 p.m.
Special Event: FLIFF’s Israeli Party
The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) is a non-profit cultural institution that presents American indies and studio films, international films, special tributes and seminars and introduces industry leaders to South Florida audiences.
For a complete Festival schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.FLIFF.com.
Tropical Storm Kate forms in the Atlantic north of Bermuda
Tropical Storm Kate became the fourth named hurricane for the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season as it moved north of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda on Wednesday.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said that the hurricane, packing winds of 75 miles per hour (mph) was about 260 miles north of Bermuda.
NHC said that while there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, residents of Bermuda should monitor the progress of the hurricane.
According to NHC, the center of Hurricane Kate was located near latitude 36.0 North, longitude 65.7 West and is moving towards the northeast near 40 mph.
It said this general motion should continue Wednesday and a motion toward the northeast with some decrease in forward speed is expected later Wednesday and Thursday.
“Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected today. Kate is forecast to lose tropical characteristics by Thursday, but remain a powerful cyclone through that time,” NHC added.
It said that swells from Kate will affect Bermuda on Wednesday, warning “these swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”
CNW90: Broward County cuts small marijuana possession to a civic citation
A look at some of the top stories making the news today, November 12, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.
Broward County Commissioners have cut penalties for small marijuana possession from a misdemeanor arrest to a civil citation. County police officers can now give citations for possession of 20 grams or less, and a $100 fine for a first time offense. Cities within the county, however, can opt out of the new ruling.
Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has hailed the Jacksonville-based Northeast Florida Medical Society for providing free health services for residents in Hanover and St. James. The group, led by Guyanese Dr. Kenneth Jones, is currently in Jamaica for their second annual mission.
To promote home ownership among the Caribbean American community, the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Financial Forum on Home Ownership, this Saturday, starting 10 am at Florida Medical Center auditorium. Local industry professionals will be on hand to answer questions.
US Soccer has launched a campaign banning children 10 and under from heading balls. US Soccer was facing a lawsuit from parents and players, who accused the governing body of acting “negligently” over thousands of concussions. The lawsuit was dropped before the campaign by the body was announced.
What’s trending:
The U.S. Embassy has issued travel alert to American citizens, warning about rising crime in Barbados. For more on what’s trending, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Caribbean National Weekly, and on Twitter at National Weekly.
For Today’s Weather Forecast:
Partly cloudy in Broward County with a high of 88 and a low of 73. For Miami-Dade, partly cloudy with a high of 86 and a low of 73. For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com.
6 easy tips to avoid calorie overload during the holidays
From office parties to neighborhood gatherings — during the holidays, food is everywhere. Despite your healthiest of intentions, it’s not easy to eat right during the holiday season — no matter how determined you are to stay on track.
Fear not! With a few simple tricks and a game plan, you can still enjoy your favorite festive foods without feeling like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon by the time New Year’s Day rolls around.
Don’t waste calories. Before you place anything on your plate, survey the entire spread of food options. Decide which foods are must haves and which are better left on the table. Not only will selective eating allow you to savor your choices even more, you won’t waste calories on anything you won’t fully enjoy. If you find yourself standing in front of a table overflowing with options, step away. Survey the scene. Don’t stand near the food and only use one plate. Throw it away when you’re finished so you’re not tempted to go back for unnecessary seconds.
Snack smart. “When heading out to a holiday gathering, make sure to have a small snack before you leave home,” advises Nicki Briggs, MS, RDN, Food and Nutrition Expert for NatureBox. “Reach for one that offers a combo of protein and fiber, like nuts and dried fruit or hummus and whole grain crackers. It will keep you feeling full so that you’ll have the willpower to not overdo it at the buffet.”
Don’t drink your calories. Opt for lower calorie beverages like water, tea, or coffee whenever possible. If you’re going to indulge in an alcoholic drink, stick with light beer or a wine spritzer instead of punches or mixed drinks. (Some holiday drinks can have up to 500 hidden calories!) And make sure to drink a glass of water between each beverage to help you stay hydrated and keep your drink count in check.
Host with health in mind. When hosting your own holiday party, don’t skimp on the better-for-you options. Serve up feel-good foods like veggie trays and lean meats. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, try a convenient healthy service like Naturebox, who will deliver holiday-ready options right to your door.
NatureBox offers over 100 tasty snacks to choose from like Chocolate Peppermint Pretzel Pops, Cranberry Pepita Crisps, and Gingersnap Cookies so it’s never been easier to garner ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from your guests without having to slave over a hot stove or make a trip to the store.
Revamp your fitness routine. The holidays are a time to indulge in treats, but that doesn’t mean you need to forgo your fitness. Get some friends together and try a new workout class or make a point to get to the gym an extra time per week. Exercise releases endorphins, which will have you feeling extra cheery when you arrive at every holiday party.
Don’t beat yourself up. If you end up overindulging at a party, don’t let it get you down. Use it as a learning experience and take steps to do better next time. Tomorrow is a new day and you’ll be motivated to make smarter and healthier choices.
Follow these tips to feel your best during the holidays, while enjoying the food and company you love.
Brandpointcontent.com
A quick and easy shrimp pasta recipe that will leave you wanting more
The weekend is just a few days away. If you’re not going to be leaving the house, why not kick back and relax a little, make a quick and tasty dinner, grab a bottle of your favourite wine, get some good company, curl up on that sofa and enjoy a movie.
Creamy Shrimp Pasta
Ingredients:
1 packet fettucine pasta
2 Tbs butter
¼ cup olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
12 oz. medium shrimp, peeled
2 medium tomatoes, cut in small cubes or 10 cherry tomatoes, quartered
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup brandy
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Tbs white balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs parsley, finely chopped
Directions:
- Cook pasta in a large pot, until tender. Drain and return to pot.
- In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, stirring occasionally (about 2 mins). Add shirmp, tomatoes, salt and pepper, stirring, 30 secs.
- Pour in brandy; cook an additional minute to allow alcohol to evaporate. Add cream and vinegar. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring. Remove from heat.
- Add cream sauce and parsley to pasta. Toss together to allow flavours to blend. Transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with additional parsley. Serve immediately with your favourite wine – Red or White.
“Prayer Partner” play woos South Florida
Next Thanksgiving weekend, South Florida theater fans can enjoy a bellyful of laughs (and romance too) as Sunshine Theater presents David Tulloch’s new hilarious romantic comedy, “Prayer Partner.”
This special play premiers on Saturday, November 28th, starting 8 p.m. at the Miramar High School Theater. The play continues in Coral Springs, at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, starting at 7 p.m.
Written, produced and directed by David Tulloch (who also performs in a lead role), “Prayer Partner” also stars award-winning actress Deon Silvera, the exciting Michael “String Beans” Nicholson, the legendary, three-time Actor Boy winner Chris McFarlane, and the upcoming ingénue Allison McLean.
“Prayer Partner” is a humorous tale about just how far one man will go to win his lady love. And this romantic comedy is not just good family entertainment, but also proves to be a worthwhile commentary on the power of prayer in the development and maintenance of meaningful relationships. It is an interesting mix of comedy, religion, and romance that will leave you pleased with the outcome.
In “Prayer Partner,” Danielle (played by Shana Wilson and Allison McLean) is pursued by two men – her fiancé Giovanni (played by Chris McFarlane) and Peter (played by David Tulloch). After finding out Giovanni is a low down cheater, she sinks into a deep depression, leading her to seek help from an ad in the newspaper about a prayer partner program. Peter finds out her need for divine assistance and transforms himself into an awkward-looking woman named Peta Gaye, with the hopes of getting close to Danielle as her “prayer partner.” The play skyrockets into a circus of shenanigans when the real prayer partner, the “prayer warrior” Sister Grace (played by Suzette Barrett and Deon Silvera) shows up. What follows is the must-see theatrical production of the year.
There will be a special performance before the play by the exciting Reggae Gospel singer Sista Sasha (who teamed up with international recording star Sean Paul for their big number one hit “I’m still in love with you”). Since her conversion, her big hit “Jesus A Di Don” and her album “Breaking Free” are one of the fastest risers on the charts.
To learn more about the play and purchase tickets, log on sunshinetheatrecompany.com.
Former Miami Gardens education program gets revamped
Learning about photosynthesis and the migratory patterns of birds can take a whole new meaning under the cool shade of a maple tree. That’s the idea behind the City of Miami Gardens’ newly relaunched Environmental Science Center of Tomorrow, or ESCOT – an immersive educational program where the city’s elementary school students of all ages learn about science, math, social studies and reading in the great outdoors.
Located among the massive trees at Parkview Elementary, the center is broken up into stations targeting different subject areas. The science section can (quietly) examine firsthand the cycle of migratory birds that visit the park, while in another corner first graders learn to read along under the trees as sound speakers deliver tales during story time. The center will also serve as the launching ground for seven current science projects being conducted by students.
The return of the program, which initially launched as an event way back in 1988, has been a personal pet project for Miami Gardens Councilman, David Williams, who previously served as a PTA president at Parkview Elementary and has advocated for further STEM programs for students in the city, including the creation of school botanical gardens and aquatic labs.
“We truly believe that we should do a lot of things as it relates to education. You don’t have to be inside a classroom to learn,” says Williams. “This is the perfect learning environment, since we live in South Florida.”
The facilities were officially opened last week, with local officials, teachers and students attending to honor the occasion. Meanwhile, students were certainly ready to break the new facility in, fully equipped with pillows and notebooks to start lessons under the trees.
The new education facility will continue the city’s push for stronger STEM education in schools, which has also included Miami Gardens’ annual engineering and science fair.
Police body cameras not feasible, says officials
Little progress will be made for mandated police body cameras from that House Bill 93 currently being considered in the state senate. The bill, which unanimously passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee during its first hearing, only requires police departments throughout Florida currently using body camera to regulate officer training, the use of cameras and the management of footage captured.
The move comes at a disappointment for police body camera advocates seeking a statewide mandate. But Broward County State Representative Hazel Rogers said that while this demand is “understandable” in light of recent high-profile police shootings, “it may not be practical, as some departments may not be able to afford the cost of the cameras.”
Bill 93 sponsor Democrat Shevrin Jones of West Park admits “some departments don’t have the capacity to use the camera, and to impose a mandate would be costly and unfunded.”
Calls for state police officers to wear body camera has escalated since last month’s shooting death of church musician Corey Jones, 31, by a Palm Beach Gardens police officer. Jones was shot while waiting by his car on a highway for a tow truck after his car had broken down.
Last Sunday, at a vigil held in memory of Jones by Florida’s Black Law Students Association in Lauderdale Lakes, renewed calls were made for mandated police body cameras. The panelists, including Representative Jones and Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, supported the call for Body cameras. Israel told the audience that he would be advocating for the use of body cameras by county police officers.
To date, only a few departments in Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami Beach wear body cameras. While no departments in Broward are mandated to wear cameras, officials in Hallandale Beach, Coral Springs and Lauderhill are reviewing the possibility
Miami security consultant Manley Nichols said that while body cameras are “ideal, especially as controversial police shootings escalate, there are serious cost, training, and privacy implications, so this is an innovation that cannot be rushed.”
US Soccer Federation bans children aged 10 or under from heading balls
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has launched a campaign banning children 10 and under from heading balls as part of a series of safety measures aimed at tackling head injuries in the sport.
The Soccer Federation was facing a lawsuit from parents and players, who accused the governing body of acting “negligently” over thousands of concussions. The lawsuit however, was dropped before the campaign by the body was announced.
The revised safety measures will also limit the amount of headers in practice for players aged between 11 and 13, a statement on the US Soccer website confirmed.
The new rules will be followed strictly by USSF Soccer youth national teams and the youth sections of Major League Soccer teams but are only recommendations for teams and associations outside US Soccer control.
As part of the resolution, the USSF has developed an extensive program to improve concussion awareness and education amongst youth coaches, referees, parents and players, a statement said.
The lawsuit was dropped before the campaign by the body was announced.
