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Daring pairings: matching food and wine for the perfect meal

Recently, malbec received praise for being a versatile wine and a great choice for food pairing. When surveyed, more than half of culinary professionals agreed that malbec pairs with many types of foods. Whether you’re serving something wildly daring, such as five-spice crusted short ribs with miso black garlic jus, or something mildly daring, like rigatoni with spicy salami and tomato sauce, you can’t go wrong pairing it with malbec.

Alamos Malbec, America’s most preferred malbec, is grown in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina. The result is grapes that combine bold layers of flavor and excellent natural acidity for a wine that pairs beautifully with just about any Valentine’s Day meal.

“Our unique growing conditions of intense sunlight and cool evening temperatures produce malbec grapes with incredible flavor making the wine highly versatile for pairing with food,” says Alamos Winemaker Felipe Stahlschmidt.

Entertain with confidence by leaning on malbec’s versatility. Consider pushing the culinary envelope this Valentine’s Day and pair malbec with daring cuisine, such as this recipe for Manchego and Chorizo-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers. Your guests will be impressed as they fall in love with you and your food.

Manchego and Chorizo Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

Pair with Alamos Malbec

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 pound smoked firm Spanish chorizo, chopped

3/4 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup seeded, chopped tomato

1/3 cup Alamos Malbec

1/4 cup chopped yellow bell pepper

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 cup shredded Manchego cheese, plus extra for topping

12 canned or jarred piquillo peppers, well drained (may substitute roasted red bell peppers if piquillo peppers are unavailable)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 F. Cook chorizo, onion and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat for 10 minutes or until onion is soft, stirring frequently. Stir in tomato, malbec, yellow bell pepper and seasonings and cook for 10 minutes more or until all excess liquid has cooked off. Stir in cheese. Fill piquillo peppers with equal amounts of filling and place stuffed peppers in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with additional cheese, if desired, and cook in preheated oven for 5 minutes or until peppers are hot and cheese is melted.

Makes 6 appetizer servings.

The easiest way to prevent diseases: take care of your teeth

Millions of baby boomers set for retirement are facing the question of whether to buy dental insurance. In many cases, they’ve had dental insurance their entire working lives, thanks to employer-sponsored plans. But teeth are not immune to aging, and many people will find themselves paying for costly procedures like crown replacements, extractions, implants and dentures unless they continue with the preventive care usually covered by dental insurance.

“If you’re on the verge of retirement, now is not the time to quit going to the dentist,” says Dr. Jed Jacobson, chief science officer of Renaissance Life & Health Insurance and the director of the Renaissance Dental Research and Data Institute. “If anything, it’s more important than it was when you were younger. Baby boomers are the first generation to have had access to great dental insurance and care throughout their working lives. When they make the switch from an employer-sponsored health plan to Medicare, they might think they no longer need dental insurance — but it’s vital for seniors to have it.”

In addition to the obvious benefit of preserving dental health, regular care by a dentist can help seniors spot signs of up to 120 different diseases, including oral cancer and diabetes. With diabetes, for example, your dentist is often the first person to detect early warning signs like frequent yeast infections in the mouth and periodontal disease. Starting care at the first sign of trouble is critical for successful long-term care.

“Aging takes a toll on oral health,” Jacobson says. “Many older adults take prescription drugs for things like hypertension that can make them more prone to periodontal disease and tooth decay. If a dentist spots a disease or illness in its early stages, it’s not only beneficial to your health; it may also help to lower medical costs.”

According to the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) research, people without dental insurance are not only less likely to go to the dentist; they’re more likely to have heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes — health issues older people are particularly prone to. And researchers have even found an association between periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a report i U.S. News & World Report Researchers found that bacteria from the mouth could enter the bloodstream, travel to the brain and possibly cause the kind of brain cell deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s.

Would you go to the emergency room for a toothache? Each year, thousands of Americans without dental insurance — including many seniors on Medicare — do exactly that. In fact, non-traumatic dental conditions now account for more than two percent of all emergency room visits, according to Stanford University researchers.Every year, more than 738,000 people visit emergency departments for dental treatment, NADP reports.

“No one wants to have to go to the emergency room, especially not for an issue that could have been prevented before it reached a crisis stage. Additionally, emergency rooms are not equipped to take care of the problem, which means follow-up care will still be needed to solve the issue,” Jacobson says. “Having dental insurance empowers seniors to take care of their teeth, and can help them maintain better overall health as well.”

Misconceptions of the cost of dental insurance may cause some seniors to forego coverage. Retirees actually have many options for finding affordable dental insurance, from group plans offered through associations to customizable individual plans from providers like Renaissance Dental. In fact, Renaissance can customize plans as a supplement to Medicare, and offers a network of leading national and regional PPO networks. Plans cover preventive care, such as routine exams and cleanings, plus certain dental procedures like crowns and implants. Plan premiums can be as little as $25 per month.

Brandpointcontent.com

 

JetBlue launches nonstop service to Antigua and Barbuda

The twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda is the newest destination for New York based carrier, JetBlue.

On Thursday, JetBlue launched service to the V.C. Bird International Airport from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport with three times weekly service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

 “As our 34th destination in the Latin America and Caribbean region, Antigua and Barbuda offers another opportunity to grow our network in high-value geographies and strengthen JetBlue’s position as the leading brand for Caribbean travel,” said Umang Gupta, director, JetBlue Getaways and leisure sales.

“Antigua will attract travelers to discover its spectacular 365 beaches – one for every day of the year,” he added.

 

Walk for the Cure with Miami Gardens

A childhood cancer diagnosis can be a devastating blow for any family. But they do not have to be alone in their fight against the disease. Helping families of children battling cancer, the Miami Gardens community will gather this Saturday for the K-Faith Cure Cancer Walk, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rolling Oaks Park.

Led by City Councilman Rodney Harris, the K-Faith Cure Cancer Walk will balance between family fun and all-around health and wellness, in addition to the fundraising walk. Participants can enjoy live music with fun dancercise and walk-a-cise sessions, appropriate and enjoyable for all ages. Families can also benefit from available wellness checks.

For the walk, a $20 donation per youth walker and $25 donation per adult walker is welcomed. All proceeds collected from the fundraising walk will be donated to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children.

 

Jamaican Finance Minister challenges local investors to look at fresh opportunities

Peter Phillips
Dr Peter Phillips.

Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips has lamented the lack of Jamaican investment in certain critical areas of the economy.

Addressing the launch of the management firm Moneague Consultants on Tuesday, Phillips said such cooperation needed ‘to maximize Jamaican participation in some of the most vibrant sectors, not only in our own economy but the wider global economy.

Phillips pointed to the renewable energy, telecoms and mining industries where the local private sector has been shy to invest in.

He conceded that the issue of scale may be a factor, but suggested that they could pool funds.

Philips challenged local investors to move beyond the historical factors and take a fresh look at opportunities locally.

“If we are to secure the benefits of the most technologically vibrant and most profitable sectors for our economy and our people, we have to take the risks in these areas and combine our capital in these areas, which means trust building within the private sector,” he said.

 

 

Dominica to establish a database of Dominicans living in the Diaspora.

Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge

The government of Dominica has announced plans to establish a database of Dominicans living in the Diaspora.

According to Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, there is need for more information on the island to be placed in brochures at the island’s main airport.

He told officials at a recent Diaspora forum that a database is needed to disseminate as much information as possible across the Diaspora.

“Most of us are using social media, most of us have email addresses, I think all of us have telephones,” he stated. “The intention is to begin to build a database of Dominicans. Why? Information is key. And the more information that we can send to you the better it is. Who are the best people to sell Dominica? I think all of us here.”

He said the information will also be beneficial to other sectors.

“So when you come to Dominica, when you see the information and you see the request we are asking you to share it so that we can begin to build that database and it will be beneficial to all of us. “Even from an entrepreneur stand point, if I know that there are people who love breadfruit and I know that there are about 50,000 in one particular area, it means that I can now target and send Dominican food to that particular area. So that database will have many areas that you can capitalize on, “he added.

 

U.S. Intel suggests ISIS planted bomb on Russian plane

On Wednesday, British and U.S. officials said Wednesday they have information suggesting the Russian jetliner that crashed in the Egyptian desert, killing 224 passengers, may have been brought down by a bomb planted by the Islamic State (ISIS), and Britain said it was suspending flights to and from the Sinai Peninsula as a precaution.

Intercepted communications played a role in the tentative conclusion that the Islamic State group’s Sinai affiliate planted an explosive device on the plane, said a U.S. official briefed on the matter. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss intelligence matters publicly.

The official and others said there had been no formal judgment rendered by the CIA or other intelligence agencies, and that forensic evidence from the blast site, including the airplane’s black box, was still being analyzed.

The official added that intelligence analysts don’t believe the operation was ordered by Islamic State leaders in Raqqa, Syria. Rather, they believe that if it was a bomb, it was planned and executed by the Islamic State’s affiliate in the Sinai, which operates autonomously.

Other officials cautioned that intercepted communications can sometimes be misleading and that it’s possible the evidence will add up to a conclusion that there was no bomb.

Meanwhile, Russian and Egyptian investigators said Wednesday that the cockpit voice recorder of the Metrojet Airbus 321-200 had suffered substantial damage in the weekend crash that killed 224 people. Information from the flight data recorder has been successfully copied and handed over to investigators, the Russians added.

Atkinson holds fastest time this year for 50m breast stroke

Pembroke Pines-based Jamaican Swimmer Alia Atkinson now holds the fastest time this year in the 50 meters breast stroke.

Atkinson defeated rival American swimmer Molly Hannis with a time of 30.55 seconds on the final day of the World Cup stop in Doha, a time one hundredth of a second ahead of the previous record.

Third place went to Leiston Pickett with a time 31.13 seconds.

Dade Medical College hit with class action lawsuit

The Dade Medical College saga continues, as the shuttered school has been hit with a class action lawsuit by employees in response to the sudden closure.

The 9 plaintiffs allege that they were not given the 60 day advance notice of mass termination as required by law.

The former employees want to recover 60 days wages from Dade Medical College and USMF. Both schools closed on Oct. 30, sending workers and students home with little guidance. The schools had campuses in Coral Gables, Miami, Miami Lakes, Homestead, Hollywood, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville.

Disposal company joins fight against crime in Miramar

City of Miramar trash haulers are joining the fight against crime, as Miramar Police department launches a new neighborhood watch program with local disposal company, Waste Pro.

The company will share footage collected from cameras installed on their trucks, while employees are charged with reporting suspect behavior to authorities.

Seventeen trucks operate in the city, making over 500,000 runs a month to over 31,000 homes. Approximately 40 percent of the drivers have been with the company since it started service in Broward in 2009 and the rest have at least two years experience driving in Miramar, said Kenneth Rivera, Waste Pro’s Director of Government Affairs.

According to statistics provided by the police department, the number of home burglaries in the city has decreased since 2013, when there were 963 incidents. Last year there were 620 incidents, and this year, through the end of Oct., there have been 269 incidents. Cities traditionally experience spikes in home burglaries during the holiday season.

Supreme Court tells retailers they need permission to use Bob Marley’s image

The Supreme Court has indicated to some of the countries biggest clothing companies that they do not have the right to use or sell shirts bearing the image of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley.

The Court also indicated that certain merchandisers have tried to use Marley’s popularity to their advantage, selling clothing without receiving consent from his children; who through the company Fifty-Six Hope Road Music, have acquired full rights to the musician’s image.

As a result, companies who were in breach of this ruling will have to pay more than $1 million in profits and damages.

Over 100 workers at Appleton Estates made redundant

Agriculture Minister, Derrick Kellier

The jobs of over 100 workers at Appleton Estates in the southern Jamaican parish of St. Elizabeth were made redundant on Wednesday.

While several workers are hoping to continue working on a contractual basis, the exercise will have an impact on families in the nearby communities of Thornton, Aberdeen, Siloah, Balaclava and Lacovia.

Appleton Estates, which is owned by Campari, reported significant financial losses during the 2014/2015 crop.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister, Derrick Kellier, will on Thursday address concerns about the redundancy exercises at some sugar factories.

9 lavish resorts to visit in Jamaica

Jamaica has long been a vacation haven for the luxury-seeking elite. From Montego Bay to Port Antonio, here’s a sampling of Jamaica’s most lavish retreats.

Negril

For the Foodie: Azul Sensatori Jamaica

Located on Negril’s world famous Seven Mile Beach, Azul Sensatori Jamaica, offers 136 ocean-view rooms and five restaurants, including Karisma’s Gourmet Inclusive, where world-renowned chefs and sommeliers also serve a la carte, 24-hour room service. azuljamaica.com

For the Music Buff: Geejam Hotel

gj2009_029

Famous as the creative retreat for music stars such as Beyoncé and Drake, Geejam Hotel is equipped with a premiere recording studio, healing spa, swimming pool, gym and bushbar. The property forms an exclusive universe between the foothills of the Blue Mountains and the sapphire waters of Frenchman’s Cove. geejamhotel.com

For the Adventurous: Tensing Pen Resort

tensing_pen_hotel_jamaica_5528_650x

An incredible boutique resort, Tensing Pen is home to a multitude of remarkable stone, wood and thatchcut cottages overlooking the stunning limestone cliffs of Negril’s West End. Guests can indulge their adventurous side with guided tours, mountain biking expeditions, scuba diving and parasailing. tensingpen.com

Montego Bay

For the Sportsman: Half Moon, A RockResort

One of the world’s finest resort hotels, Half Moon sits on a private estate with beautifully landscaped gardens, a nature reserve, all fronted by two miles of private beach. But this classic spot is the epitome of luxury for the sports lover, with an 18-hole championship golf course, an equestrian center, thirteen tennis courts and a private Dolphin Lagoon. rosehallmontegobay.com

For the Family: Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall

hyatt-ziva-rose-hall

An ideal luxury experience for families, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall offers unparalleled family-friendly accommodations (every room category can sleep at least two adults and one child), a kids’ club, and water activities like kayaking and snorkeling. rosehallmontegobay.com

For the Romantic: Round Hill Hotel

Steeped in rich history, Round Hill’s 110-acre private enclave boasts Ralph Lauren designed oceanfront guestrooms, award-winning seaside dining and exquisite spa – perfect for honeymooners. Couples may indulge in a soothing, invigorating yoga class in the spa’s outdoor ocean view pavilion, or tempt their palates with the restaurant’s locally grown, organic cuisine. roundhill.com

Ocho Rios

For the Recluse: Jamaica Inn

jamaica-inn-31602965-1433860917-ImageGalleryLightbox

Consistently ranked among the top luxury hotels in the Caribbean, Jamaica Inn boasts an intimate eight-acre property situated on a private cove with an offshore reef. With 52 suites and and 700-foot private white sand beach, often considered the Caribbean’s best, this exclusive resort is the perfect getaway for the unassuming traveler. jamaicainn.com

Oracabessa

For the Booklover: GoldenEye Hotel and Resort

goldeneye-4

The former home of James Bond author, Ian Fleming, GoldenEye is now a stunning 52-acre resort, home to secret coves, breathtaking private beaches, tropical forests and a seawater lagoon. The property also boasts the FieldSpa and two restaurants – Bizot Bar and The Gazebo. goldeneye.com

Port Antonio

For the Whimsical: The Trident Hotel

Set on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, the fanciful castle-like Trident Hotel in Port Antonio offers a vision of contemporary luxury, with thirteen spacious villas each come equipped with oceanfront porticos and private soaking pools. The highlight is Mike’s Supper Club, a high-end speakeasy fusing exceptional music and cuisine. tridentportantonio.com

Baking basics: Getting the best performance from eggs in desserts

Whether you prefer grandma’s famous pumpkin pie, snowflake cookies or delicious eggnog custard, there are plenty of dessert options to choose from during the holiday season. We often associate holiday desserts with sugar, frosting and all things sweet. However, the most important ingredient is not one that satisfies our sweet tooth, but is rather much simpler, and extremely nutritious — eggs!

In addition to their nutritional value, eggs perform more than 20 different functions within baking. For instance, eggs provide structure for cakes, texture to custards and add richness, color and flavor to almost all our holiday favorites.

“I tell my clients to practice dessert in moderation and to make wise choices when it comes to the ingredients they bake with,” says Registered Dietitian, Lyssie Lakatos. “One of my favorite holiday desserts to make is a pumpkin spice cake roll, which I bake using Eggland’s Best (EB) eggs. With EB eggs I know I’m getting more than double the omega-3s, four times more vitamin D, 10 times more vitamin E and 25 percent less saturated fat compared to ordinary eggs.”

Since eggs are an essential ingredient for baked goods, it is important to bake with them properly to get the best results. Here are some egg tips to keep in mind this baking season:

Room temperature eggs

If your dessert recipe involves a mixture or batter, make sure your eggs are room temperature so they blend easier. To get your eggs to room temperature you will need to remove them from the refrigerator at least one hour before you get cracking on your recipe. If you don’t have an hour to spare, speed up the process by placing the eggs in a bowl of warm water for 10-15 minutes.

Large eggs

Did you know most recipes are created using large eggs? Since the best bakers rely on precise measurements, using a different sized egg may affect the outcome of the recipe.

Egg yolks 

If you want a denser cookie or one richer in flavor, add more egg yolks than egg whites to help with the binding process. Keep in mind the yolk is the part of the egg that hosts essential vitamins like D, E and B12, and that the yolks of Eggland’s Best eggs contain more vitamins and nutrients than the yolks of ordinary eggs. Egg yolks are also great for setting mousses and custards.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Roll

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

3 large Eggland’s Best eggs

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Filling 

6 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus additional for sprinkling

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line the bottom of an 18×13 inch cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Stir in pumpkin, Eggland’s Best eggs, and lemon juice. Pour the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.

3. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Invert onto a damp kitchen towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Gently peel off parchment paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Place the cake on a baking sheet and let cool in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, make the filling: In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, vanilla, lemon zest, and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Chill in the refrigerator while the cake is cooling.

5. Unroll cake; spread filling evenly over cake, leaving a 1/2 inch border all around. Carefully reroll. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour (or more) before serving. Slice and enjoy! Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Optional: sprinkle additional confectioners’ sugar on top for garnish.

 

Page 2: November 5, 2015

CNW90: 100,000 untested rape kits and counting found in Florida’s backlog

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, November 4, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

The number of untested rape kits in the state has far exceeded previous estimations, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Authorities confirmed that over 100,000 kits were found, with officials still counting. The Department’s Crime Lab, however, said they cannot process the extreme backlog without more funding.

Recognizing outstanding members of the Diaspora, the Jamaican American Bar Association will be holding their annual Grand Gala and Awards Ceremony this Saturday, starting 6:30 pm at the Sheraton Hotel in Dania Beach. Key dignitaries of the bench and bar from the Jamaican legal community will be honored.

The City of Sunrise will be marching to a distinctly Caribbean beat for the annual Sunrise Cultural Festival, set for this Saturday, starting 2:00 p.m. at City Park. Festivities include performances from traditional Bahamian Junkanoo bands, as well as a live concert featuring the T-Wave HD Caribbean Band and the Caribbean Music Farm.

In sports, promoting greater participation from the Diaspora in South Florida for its upcoming 2016 event, Kingston City Run held an official launch yesterday at the Jamaican Consulate in Miami. Attendees learned more about the landmark event, which will feature a half marathon, as well as a 10K and 15K race.

What’s trending:

Miami Heat guard Gerald Green hospitalized after a commotion at his residence. 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 86 and a low of 75. For Miami-Dade, partly cloudy with a high of 86 and a low of 74. For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com. 

EDITORIAL: Local schools are drowning in tests

The debate over the glut of standardized tests in American public schools reemerged this week with a shocking report from the Council of the Great City Schools, showing a school curriculum overrun by excessive exams. In 2014-15 school year alone, students in 66 school districts, including in South Florida, sat over 400 assessment tests. Students spent 20 to 25 hours annually on standardized testing, and were required to take an average of 112.3 tests between pre-K and twelfth grade.

Miami-Dade School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who participated in the Council’s study, has come out staunchly opposing the examination trend. Citing reports from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showing Miami-Dade  from forth to eighth grade surpassing national performance in reading and math, Carvalho attributed this success to less testing in the school district.

For the past 15 years, the system has been slanted towards standardized testing. Teachers and schools are also evaluated by the scores these students attain. This has put far too much pressure on students and teachers. And the overemphasis on testing reduces the overall quality of education adequately preparing them for college and the job market.

This environment is a result of the George W. Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program, which mandated annual testing in reading and math, and later science, from third to eighth grade, and grade ten. Those that didn’t meet progress deadlines were subject to serious penalties, including being closed or taken over by state authorities.

The Obama administration also emphasized assessments tests with the Race to the Top program, which offered billions of dollars to schools that excelled based on schools test scores. Further incentives were also offered to states to conduct school assessments related to the state’s own educational standards. Though these standards considered other factors such as attendance, graduation rates, and learning environment, testing remained the key criteria.

Such emphasis on high test scores, and the resulting high stakes for teachers and school’s evaluation, has provoked corruption among teachers and school administrators. There have been many reports of teachers padding scores to ensure positive evaluation. The consequences have often proved tragic. This year alone, several educators from the Atlanta, Georgia school system were sentence to prison for racketeering.

Ironically, since the surge of standardized testing, U.S. students have slipped from 18th globally in math in 2000 to 31st place in 2009, with a similar decline in science.

As criticism against increase testing mounted, in 2011 Obama urged reform, conceding that standardized tests were being used to “punish students or to, in some cases, punish schools.”  Last week, in response to the Council’s report, Obama admitted the federal government placed too much emphasis on testing. He urged the U.S. Department of Education to cap standardized tests at 2 percent of classroom time.

There are alternatives to excessive standardized testing. In the Caribbean education system, the focus is on end-of-term tests in all subjects students pursue, and major end-of-year exams for senior high school students. Students are also assessed through evaluation of homework, and classroom assignments. Scores from homework, class assignments, and tests contribute towards the overall grade. These scores are also considered in students’ evaluation for graduation.

The Caribbean’s educational system also encourages greater classroom participation. The goal isn’t for students to be just competent in passing academic tests, but to receive a comprehensive education that enhances their problem-solving skills, better equipping them to advance to college or enter the work-force.

Often when students transfer from Caribbean to U.S. schools, they have a distinct advantage over their peer, because they have been educated in reasoning and comprehension.

Educational leaders in South Florida are encouraged to support Superintendent Carvalho in working with the federal and state governments to reduce standardized testing in public schools. This will go far to improving our local education system, for students, teachers and schools.

 

 

 

Tommy Bahama launches limited edition St. Kitts collection

Tommy Bahama, the iconic island lifestyle brand, has recently announced the launch of an exclusive new fragrance collection, Tommy Bahama St. Kitts. 

Inspired by the serene beaches of St. Kitts Nevis, this new scent collection introduces two new fragrances, one each for men and women, which capture the exotic essence of this island oasis.   

“It is extremely gratifying to see that St. Kitts has inspired this new fragrance collection by Tommy Bahama,” said the Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. “For this well-known international brand that markets the upscale island lifestyle to choose our island speaks volumes about the excellent quality and nature of the experience we offer, which appeals to an affluent, experiential traveler and aligns with the profile of consumers who shop for Tommy Bahama products.”

The custom bottle design emulates Tommy Bahama’s signature style and rich heritage with its smooth shape and calming color palette. The sleek caps provide an opulent aesthetic that encompass the essence of Tommy Bahama’s classic, cool and confident profile.

Designed by perfumers Richard Herpin and Harry Frémont, the Tommy Bahama St. Kitts collection’s fragrance notes are inspired by the beautiful sunset and salty sea breeze of the island’s scenic beaches.

 

Results of first round of presidential elections to be known on Thursday

In Haiti the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) says the results of the legislative and first round presidential elections will be known on Thursday.

“Publication of the results have been postponed until [Thursday] to take into account all of the complaints that have been received,” said CEP president Pierre-Louis Opont.

Last Friday he had told reporters that the election results would have been known on November 3.

Last week, the special anti-fraud Commission established by the CEP following the October 25 polls said it had received 162 complaints.

 

At least 800 workers and 28 lawyers have been at the vote-tabulation center reviewing tally sheets from the 13,275 polling stations from around the country and Prime Minister Paul Evans Paul has appealed for calm pending the outcome of the elections to choose a new parliament and a replacement for President Michael Martelly, who is barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term.

There were 54 candidates contesting the presidency, including the government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise and opposition candidates Jude Célestin, Moise Jean-Charles, and Dr. Maryse Narcisse.

 

Jamaican American Bar Association gears up for their annual Grand Gala & Award ceremony

Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller

Recognizing outstanding members of the Diaspora, the Jamaican American Bar Association gears up for their annual Grand Gala and Awards Ceremony this Saturday, starting 6:30 pm at the Sheraton Hotel in Dania Beach.

Key dignitaries of the bench and bar from the Jamaican legal community will be honored.

Keynote speaker for this year’s event is Jamaican Prime Minister the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller.

The Jamaican-American Bar Association was established for the purpose of advancing the professional interests of Jamaican American attorneys. Their stated mission is to provide legal assistance to the community and coordinate educational, mentoring and other assistance for law students and new colleagues of the legal profession.

Miami Heats’ Gerald Green hospitalized after incident at his home

Heat guard Gerald Green was hospitalized for undisclosed reasons on Wednesday after an incident in which police were summoned to his residence  after missing Tuesday’s 98-92 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

“This morning we were informed that Gerald Green was admitted into the hospital. Right now our concerns are with Gerald and we have no further comment at this time,” the Heat said in a statement.

Green, 29, will not travel with team for Thursday’s game at Minnesota.

In his first season with Miami after signing a one-year deal in July, Green is off to a fair start, shooting 41.2% on three-pointers but just 32.2% from the field while averaging 10.3 points in three starts.

Last season, Heat forward Chris Bosh was hospitalized in February with a life-threatening pulmonary embolism and missed the remainder of the season. But he recovered and has shown no effects from the condition.

 

City of Sunrise hosts 7th annual Cultural Festival

The City of Sunrise will be marching to a distinctly Caribbean beat for the annual Sunrise Cultural Festival, set for this Saturday, starting 2:00 p.m. at City Park.

The free, family-friendly event celebrates the diverse cultures represented in Sunrise. The Festival’s live entertainment lineup include performances from traditional Bahamian Junkanoo bands, as well as a live concert featuring the T-Wave HD Caribbean Band and the Caribbean Music Farm.

The Festival also features children’s activities – including a drum circle – as well as unique retail vendors and ethnic and festival foods.

100,000 untested rape kits and counting found in Florida’s backlog

The number of untested rape kits in the state has far exceeded previous estimations, according to a report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Authorities confirmed that over 100,000 kits were surveyed, with officials still counting. The data came from 262 law enforcement agencies around the state.

Rape kit testing backlogs has been an issue across the U.S. In September, federal officials said an estimated 70,000 rape kits sitting in laboratories and evidence collection rooms across the country will be tested with a combined $79 million in federal and New York City funds designed to cut the backlog of untested DNA evidence in 27 states.

The FDLE is conducting a more than $300,000 study on the number of untested kits and will present the findings to the Legislature in January.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has called for more funding in the next state budget to process the kits.

CNW90: Presidential Democratic debate heads to Miami Dade College

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, November 4, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Dade Medical College owner Ernest Parez has turned himself in to authorities for campaign violation charges. Based on a pending plea deal, Perez faces two month house arrest, probation and a $200,000 fine. His arrest is just one of the many legal trouble plaguing the school, which suddenly closed their South Florida campuses last week.

Miami Dade College has been confirmed to host the national democratic presidential debate next year in March at the Kendal Campus, in partnership with Univision Network and the Washington Post. The key debate will take place just weeks after decisive democratic primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

It was one delicious affair at Publix in Plantation, as foodies gathered to learn the art of spicy cooking at the Jamaican Jerk Cooking Class, conducted by popular local Jamaican Chef Irie. The class is part of several events leading up to this Sunday’s Grace Jamaican Jerk Fest in Sunrise.

With West Indies captain Jason Holder serving a one-match suspension for a slow over rate in the first One Day International against Sri Lanka, Jamaican Marlon Samuels will now be captaining the team. The West Indies will begin their 2nd one dayer today against Sri Lanka, who swept the first match.

What’s trending:

U.S. Coast Guard reports number of Cubans intercepted at sea are at the highest level in 2 decades. 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 86 and a low of 76. For Miami-Dade, partly cloudy with a high of 86 and a low of 77. For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com. 

5 celebrities you probably didn’t know were of Trinidadian descent

Nia Long

Actress Nitara Carlynn “Nia” Long has quite the caribbean background mix as her mother hails from the twin island of Trinidad and Tobago. She also has relatives from Grenada and Barbados.

Alfonso Ribiero

Known for his witty character Carlton Banks in the 90s sitcom “Fresh Prince of Belair”, Ribiero was born in New York City to Trinidadian parents.

Tatyana Ali

Like her “Fresh Prince of Belair” castmate Alfonso Ribiero, Tatyani Ali is of Trinidadian heritage, as her father is of Indo-Trinidadian descent.

Nicki Minaj

Rapper Onika Tanya Maraj, professionally known by her stage name Nicki Minaj, was born in Trinidad and Tobago and migrated to New York at the age of 5.

Romany Malco

“Think Like a Man” actor and music producer Romany Malco’s family hails from the twin island of Trinidad and Tobago, with extended relatives from Venezuela.

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