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Food for the Poor to build homes for deportees

ood For The Poor's Executive Director Angel Aloma visits children in Haiti in 2010.

Jamaican, Miami-based nonprofit Food for the Poor has announced plans to build homes in Haiti for families displaced by the Dominican Republic’s new law stripping birthright citizenship from Dominicans born to non-citizen parents. The project will construct 120 homes – 100 homes for displaced families from the Dominican Republic and 20 homes for families currently living in the area.

The government has donated about 76 acres of land at the border village of Fond Bayard for the project. The project also includes plans to establish training programs beekeeping, animal husbandry, aquaculture and agriculture. A community center also will be built, where vocational training in plumbing and auto repair will be provided. A small clinic will be built for the community’s medical needs as well.

Food for the Poor has been operating in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic since early this summer, after the Dominican government began deportation – mostly affecting Haitian migrants and 2nd and third generation Dominicans of Haitian descent. Many families have also left to country preemptively to avoid deportation. Despite protests from international governments and humanitarian organizations, the Dominican Republic is proceeding with deportation, creating a surge of refugees.

Speaking to the National Weekly, Angel Aloma, executive director of Food for the Poor, expressed deep concern over the fragile humanitarian crisis.

“They are 210,000 people who are in this situation,” says Aloma. “It’s a very tough thing to add the population of a small city to a county that is currently struggling.”

According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 66,000 people are believed to have fled to Haiti to avoid threats of deportation from the Dominican Republic. Food For The Poor has been providing aid to Pacado and Téte-á-l’eau in the Anse á Pitre area, and in Malpasse, since the border crisis between the two countries reached its peak in July.

Broward College is tobacco free

All Broward College campuses, including the South Florida Educational Center in Davie, are now tobacco and smoke free zones. The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Prevention program worked closely with Broward College to adopt a tobacco free policy and a program to encourage its staff, vendors and students to make a quit smoking plan.

Broward College campuses are located throughout the County, including the South Florida Education Center that encompasses one square mile and includes sites for Nova Southeastern University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Florida, McFatter Technical College and Broward College’s Central Campus.

“I commend Broward College for their efforts to protect the health of all people in Broward County,” said Paula Thaqi, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Florida Department of Health in Broward County.

“Adopting a tobacco and smoke-free policy is our commitment as an institution of higher education to provide a safe and healthy environment for the college community to learn, work and visit,” said Broward College’s Employee Wellness Program Manager, Brenda Bordogna.

 

An event commemorating the implementation of the policy was held on the first day of the Fall 2015 semester at the College’s A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in order to promote the policy and raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and the many effective local resources available to successfully quit.

 

WICB Pro League faces deadline to succeed

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League’s franchises are feeling the pinch to become viable entities in the near future.

The Board promised to provide US$45,000 per month to each franchise to pay players and to prepare the teams. However, that arrangement was never permanent though.

And now the competition, now in its second year, has not been able to generate self-sufficient franchises. The franchises were to find sponsors during the first season and if that wasn’t forthcoming, the WICB would need to find an overarching sponsor for the league.

According to Barbados Pride chairman, Conde Riley, the business environment worldwide has meant the PCL franchises have not been able to make the kind of headway they want in terms of sponsorship. Riley believes though, that despite the economy, the WICB needed to be more innovative in its search for an overarching sponsorship.

Most anticipated film releases this year

 

The National Weekly breaks it down.

Dreadlock Story

Exploring the secret Indian roots of Rastafari

Much has been documented about the Rastafari faith in Jamaica, from its theological birth to its modern-day global influence. But new film “Dreadlocks Story” finds a significant and unexpected source for this Jamaican Afrocentric faith – India. Filmmaker Linda Aïnouche interviews scholars about the history of Indians in Jamaica, the cultural and spiritual mixing between Indo- and Afro Jamaicans and the influence of the Hindu faith on Rastafari culture, from the Ital diet to wearing locks.

The film also tells the story of Leonard Percival Howell, known as the “First Rasta” and was a pioneer for the faith. Many Jamaican Hindus were among his first followers. Jailed for two years by the Jamaican colonial government, Howell wrote a famous pamphlet in 1935 under a Hindu pen name Gangunguru Maharaj, unveiling the connection between the lifestyles of the Rastafari in Jamaica and Sadhus (Hindu holy men) in India.

Filmed in France, India, Jamaica and the U.S., the documentary includes interviews from Professor and social historian Verene Shepherd, Professor Ajai and Laxmi Mansingh (who have been pioneering researchers studying the Indian presence in Jamaica) and Sons of Leonard Howell, Monty and Blade.

In all, “Dreadlocks Story” is an ode to the empowering spiritual fortitude, resilience and creativity of people oppressed and colonized, whether in India or Jamaica.

Bazodee

Trini carnival meets Bollywood romance

The long anticipated acting debut of King of Soca Machel Montano will finally be released this year in the new Bollywood-style film, “Bazodee.” With a feature performance from legendary Bollywood star Kabir Bedi, this film is a vibrant retelling of the old star-crossed lovers story, set in the backdrop of Trinidad’s carnival season.

Set to premiere next week in the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival at the historic Globe Cinema in Port of Spain, “Bazodee” is a musical drama about a rugged soca singer (Lee, played by Montano) who falls for a beautiful young Indian woman (Anita, played by Natalie Perera, a London-born newcomer of Sri Lankan parentage). But young Anita happens to be engaged to Kumar, a man she doesn’t love (played by Staz Nair). Anita must then decide between the obligations of family and life and the pursuit of true love.

Directed by award-winning American film and television writer, producer and director, Todd Kessler, the film also features the acting talents of a number of Trinidadian actors, including Teneille Newallo and Cindy F. Daniel.

Though Bazodee marks the silver screen debut for Montano, he proves a natural fit as a charming romantic crooner – perfect for this fun film full to the brim with the latest soca tracks.

Gastro outbreak in Dominica following Tropical Storm Erika

Dominica health authorities are reporting an increase in cases of gastroenteritis following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika late last month that killed more than 30 people.

The Ministry of Health said that a total of 153 confirmed cases of the disease had been recorded since the storm struck the island on August 27.

“The most affected areas are Portsmouth, St Joseph and Roseau Health Districts,” the ministry said in a statement, adding “as a result the Ministry has heightened its Public Health Response including its Public Education Campaign which has been ongoing pre-Erika. All Health Districts have stepped up surveillance and management of the disease”.

Gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is caused by eating or drinking food or water which is contaminated by a bacteria or virus.

It is also caused by drinking of contaminated water, lack of or improper hand washing, especially after using the toilet or handling of dirty diapers cause.

The Ministry of Health said that while gastroenteritis is preventable and can be easily treated, people should seek medical care if symptoms continue or gets worse.

Leaders urge for more unified Caribbean Diaspora

Conference chairman and former Guyanese diplomat Wesley Kirton

From the deportation crisis in the Dominican Republic, the renewal of U.S/Cuba relations, to the current tense border disputes between Venezuela and Guyana, regional leaders at the recent Florida Conference on Caribbean issues in Miramar say the Diaspora must have a part to play in finding solutions.

Conference chairman and former Guyanese diplomat Wesley Kirton expressed some optimism about the community’s political engagement in the region, commending the all Caribbean-American commission in Miramar for passing a resolution condemning the Dominican Republic for deporting its citizens of Haitian descent. He said it’s important the Caribbean Diaspora “sees itself as part of the broader hemispheric family in which the objective is to maintain peace and stability.”

He also believes the Diaspora can be influential in securing solutions to the Venezuela/Guyana dispute if it became “more sensitized” to the issue. “The Diaspora could get Venezuela to act more responsibly, and not frustrate Guyana’s oil exploration activities in the Essequibo region.”

“In all, the Caribbean Diaspora has to be engaged, create partnerships, act in greater numbers, and not just focus on national Diaspora activities,” said Kirton. “If the Caribbean Diaspora is to be an influential bloc in matters like voting in US elections, more integration is needed.”

For their part, current Guyanese Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, a panelist at the conference, pledged that more collaborations with the Diaspora will be a major priority for the new administration. But nothing can happen, said Greenidge, without the community becoming more proactive in their engagement.

“We have embarked in a process for more intensive communication and relationship between the diaspora and the homeland,” said Greenidge. “But it is your responsibility to ensure that when we slip, when they communication is not as intense as it should be, you let us know in no uncertain terms.”

The Cuba Problem

One key focus at the conference were the economic repercussions in the Caribbean and Florida in response to the renewed diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Most conference attendees believed the changes won’t have a negative impact on Caribbean tourism.

Former Guyanese Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud believes one of the positives of the renewed relationship is the potential expanded market for other Caribbean countries. He also believes the potential growth of tourism in Cuba will mobilize other Caribbean tourist destinations to make the proper adjustments to remain competitive.

Kirton also noted the resurgence in Cuba’s tourism offers opportunities to develop health and medicinal tourism in the rest of the Caribbean. He said the Caribbean Diaspora can play a role by investing in the development of these new tourism areas.

Barbara Braithwaite, President of the Barbados-American Chamber of Commerce said in developing a Cuba/Caribbean multi-destination strategy, careful planning must go into a sales and promotional efforts, where costs will be shared by participating operators. She said for Caribbean tourist operators to remain competitive with Cuba, they’ll have to adjust their pricing policies, since travel cost to Cuba is expected to be much cheaper, and place greater emphasis on “cultural tourism, history tourism, educational tourism and medical tourism,” instead of the traditional sea and sun experience.

New authority will bolster women-owned small businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued a final rule authorizing federal agencies to award sole-source contracts to women-owned small businesses eligible for the Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program. Effective October 14, 2015, the rule levels the playing field for women-owned small businesses across the federal contracting marketplace.

“Women-owned businesses are growing three times faster than their counterparts, yet the federal government has not achieved its goal of awarding 5 percent of federal contracts to women.  By granting contracting officers this new authority to award sole-source contracts to women-owned businesses, SBA is taking a major step forward in leveling the playing field and supporting our country’s dynamic female entrepreneurs,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “After all, if we want a more diverse supply chain, Uncle Sam needs to lead by example.”

SBA will use this new tool to continue to open doors for women entrepreneurs in the federal and commercial contract space. SBA’s efforts include actively promoting women-owned businesses through programs such as ChallengeHER, the Women’s Business Centers and InnovateHER, as well as implementing recent changes to its lending program that have made smaller dollar loans more accessible to women, and creating the online portal, LINC, to ease the process of finding capital to grow or start small businesses.

Immigration Q&A: Filing for parents

 

Question: My parents brought me to America in 2002 as visitors and then my mom got a job and we ended up staying here for all these years and our visas expired. I’ve been married to my U.S. citizen wife for a few months now and will be getting my green card soon. Once I get my residency, can I sponsor my parents right away for their green cards and work permits? How long will the process take? How long will the process take for them to get their work permits and green card?

Answer: Unfortunately, only U.S. citizens can sponsor their parents for residency. Since you will be obtaining your green card through your U.S. citizen spouse, you will be eligible to apply for early naturalization in two years and nine months from the date you receive your U.S. residency, as long as you and your wife continue to live together as a married couple. Once you file for your naturalization, it takes about four to five months to become a U.S. citizen. After that you can sponsor both of your parents, though you need to apply for each parent separately. From the time of filing the residency packages, your parents should receive their work permits within about 90 days, and their green cards within four to six months.

T&T author Michael Anthony for Miami Book Fest

Author Michael Anthony

Trinidadian identity and literature meet at the crossroads gets at the upcoming 32nd Miami International Book Fair, in a special panel “The Pan of the 21st Century,” led by eminent Trinidadian author and historian Dr. Michael Anthony. This special two-day event is set for on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of November at Miami-Dade College.

“Just as the steel pan, fashioned in Trinidad and Tobago was the only instrument invented in the 21st century, so has the voice of Trinidad and Tobago literature evolved in the last 100 years,” says Dr. Anthony. “The voice of the Trinidad and Tobago author is strong and vibrant, whether the stories are weaved through the voice of historical or the contemporary protagonist.”

The prolific author has written 34 publications, including “A Year in San Fernando” and “Green Days By The River” about growing up in his home village Mayaro, which is currently being made into a movie in Trinidad and Tobago.

Also appearing on the panel will be Cecly Ann Mitchell, President of the Writers Union of Trinidad and Tobago, poet Colleen Selvon-Rampersad, and short story writer June Aming. The presentation will conclude with readings from emerging historical fiction author David King, poet Kavita Ganness and Dr. Anthony himself, who will read from his latest publication.

Tommy Hilfiger’s new Jamaican inspired collection

Something must be in the air, as so many fashionistas are turning to the iconic 1970s Caribbean for inspiration – made most iconic by musician such as Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.

To inject a little of the 70s into your style game, check out some of designer Tommy Hilfiger’s latest Jamaican inspired pieces from his Spring/Summer 2016 presentation at the recent New York Fashion Week.

Mesh Marina

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Originally made as a Norwegian hygienic undershirt, mesh marina has long been a style staple for rude boys everywhere, emerging as outwear by the 70s.

Crochet Pieces

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Best in bright colors, crochet swimwear has long been a staple for every beach-going Caribbean gal, whatever decade. But today’s elaborate crochet patterns and modern cutouts makes this old favorite all the more new.

Tracksuits

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The slim, two-strip track suit may be most associated with 1980s rap and hip-hop a la Run DMC, but no one wore a footballer suit better than Bob Marley dribbling in his backyard. The 70s tracksuit is streamlined and in earth tones, and can be styled as the ultimate relaxed look, or dressed up to the nines.

More trouble for Blatter in FIFA scandal

FIFA President Sepp Blatter should face a criminal investigation for selling under-valued World Cup television rights to Trinidadian politician Jack Warner, the governing body’s former anti-corruption advisor said Monday.

Referring to the investigation being led by Switzerland’s attorney general, Mark Pieth, a Swiss professor of criminal law, said Blatter “has to defend himself against a form of embezzlement charges.”

Swiss broadcaster SRF on Friday published a Blatter-signed FIFA contract from 2005 that sold the Warner-controlled Caribbean Football Union rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups for a combined $600,000. Warner, then a longstanding FIFA vice president and Blatter supporter, licensed the rights to a company controlled by his family. They were then sold for a reported $20 million to a Jamaica-based broadcaster.

The contract document appeared to confirm Warner’s claim in 2011, that FIFA let him control cheap World Cup rights in exchange for helping Blatter win presidential elections. Warner was indicted in May in a U.S. probe of soccer corruption implicating senior FIFA officials, though it is the separate Swiss case which could threaten Blatter directly.

FIFA defended the Caribbean rights deal over the weekend, claiming that it required a 50-50 profit share between the CFU and FIFA when the rights were sold on. The TV deal was terminated in July 2011, and FIFA reclaimed the 2014 World Cup rights, after Warner resigned his positions to avoid sanctions in an election bribery case.

FIFA said the Caribbean body, long controlled by Warner, “made several breaches to the contract and failed to meet its financial obligations.”

Google launches fundraising tool for migrant crisis

Google launched an online campaign recently to get users to donate to relief efforts for the migration crisis affecting Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The California tech giant said it was donating one million euros ($1.12 million) to various relief organizations and would match donations from users up to an additional five million euros.

“We all want to do something to help,” Google said on its campaign page.

“We’ve identified organizations doing outstanding work on the front lines and want to make it easy for our users to donate and support their efforts.”

The funds will be evenly split among Doctors Without Borders, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

“These nonprofits are helping deliver essential assistance, including shelter, food and water, and medical assistance, and looking after the security rights of people in need,” Google said.

Google said it was covering all finance processing fees “so that 100 percent of your donation goes to where it is needed the most.”

8.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Chile

At least 10 people have died from a powerful magnitude 8.3 earthquake that shook northern and central Chile, Interior Minister Jorge Burgos said Wednesday, revising upward an earlier toll.

“Two more Chileans are known to have died, in addition to the eight dead that were announced earlier,” Burgos said.

The powerful earthquake forced the evacuation of one million people and sparked warnings that tsunami waves could reach Japan.

Buildings swayed as far away as in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1,500 kilometers (1,000 miles) to the east. In Chile, people ran out into the streets in terror.

TV footage showed stores with floors strewn with a mess of broken bottles, jars and other spilled merchandise.

It was the sixth most powerful quake in the history of geologically volatile Chile and the strongest anywhere in the world this year, Deputy Interior Minister Mahmoud Aleuy said.

Miramar posed to be a major Caribbean trade hub

Miramar City Hall
Miramar’s City Commission has unanimously adopted a resolution approving the creation of a paid parental leave policy.

City of Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam is touting his city as ideally suited to be a Caribbean trade center in South Florida.

Speaking to National Weekly at the Miramar Cultural Center during the Florida Conference on Caribbean Issues held last week, Messam cited the region as a boon to potential Caribbean/Florida enterprises, thanks to the city’s large Caribbean population, the proximity to air and sea ports, and its foreign trade zone – one of two such zones in Broward County.

Miramar hosting the special Caribbean conference, says Messam, “only shows this, and represents the start of a great potential for the city.”

“Miramar is in the middle of everything and everywhere. It’s all here in Miramar,” says Messam.

Approximately 33 percent of Miramar’s population of an estimated 123,000 residents are Caribbean-American. This demographic characteristic is reflected in the composition of the city’s leadership, where Messam and all the city commissioners are of Caribbean descent.

The mayor says the city is “ripe to assist and participate” in international trade, especially as the Caribbean population in the city provides a large Diaspora market for products from the Caribbean region. In addition to this potential market, the city has incentives that encourages economic development, including funding to assist businesses with job creation. Messam says he also plans to educate the Caribbean Diaspora on these partnership opportunities between the city and the Caribbean.

Miramar business woman Hillary Fagan said she is pleased with Miramar’s exploration of international trade.

“I am really hoping he is not just talking, but is prepared to lead the city government to develop this potential, which is long overdue,” says Fagan. “Why has it taken so long to see this vision? The city should be teeming with businesses importing and distributing products from the Caribbean. There should also be a strong small business community producing goods for the city, and exporting to the Caribbean. More strong business leadership is needed.”

 

Russian bauxite company resumes operations in Jamaica

UC Rusal country manager in Jamaica, Igor Dorofeev

 

The Russian-based alumina giant, UC Rusal, says it will resume full resumption of its operations at Alpart following its partial closure in 2009.

UC Rusal country manager in Jamaica, Igor Dorofeev, made the announcement at last week’s official opening of the UC Rusal Alpart Jamaica Bauxite Export Project, where of 35,000 tons of bauxite were loaded for shipment.

The resumption follows the closure of the Nain plant in May 2009, due to high production costs, resulting from the worldwide financial meltdown in 2008.

“What we are seeing here is a return of vibrant activities to both South East St. Elizabeth and South East Manchester, and where our people can find quality employment and be prosperous,” said Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell.

“This is the first major activity coming out of Alpart in six years. I am very pleased to see that all the plans we have had are unfolding, including the outsourcing of a lot of its work to local contractors,” he added.

Paulwell said Russia and Jamaica have had an excellent relationship over the years and “what we are seeing here today is a testament of that friendship and one that we know will continue to grow.

“ It’s the first time a company shipping bauxite from Jamaica is paying the full levy. This again is a testament to the commitment of Rusal to its Jamaica operations.”

Paulwell noted that UC Rusal is the largest Russian enterprise in the Caribbean and the company has given a commitment “that this operation here at Alpart will be a major part of their empire.”

Old Boys, New Tricks

Photo by David I Muir

 Wolmer’s wins in alumni showdown

Jamaica’s Wolmer’s School won the night at the annual Wolmer’s vs. Campion Alumni Reunion soccer tournament this past weekend in Pembroke Pines. The tournament brought Jamaican high school alumni players over 30 for a special double-match event.

Team Wolmer’s drew 2 all against All School Select team, but defeated Campion 1 nil. Proceeds for the event are donated to school sports programs in Jamaica.

CNW90: Monestime rescinds vote for Jose Milton Ave. following discrimination charges

For a look at some of the top stories making the news today, September 16, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Miami Commission Chair Jean Monestime says he will have to withdraw his recent vote to rename a Miami intersection in honor of famed Cuban-American real estate developer Jose Milton, following racial discrimination charges against Milton’s company. Monestime says he will ask the board to reconsider their vote approving the renaming.

Jamaican, Miami-based nonprofit Food for the Poor has announced plans to build 100 homes in Haiti for families displaced by the Dominican Republic’s new law stripping birthright citizenship from Dominicans born to non-citizen parents. The government has donated land at the border village of Fond Bayard for the project.

The music of Haiti and Brazil will collide at the next installment of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce’s TroubaJazz event, set for this Thursday, September 17, starting 8 pm at Rebar Café in Davie. Jazz crooners Dony Felix and Belo will be the headline performers.

New sports minister Darryl Smith says he will highlight athlete development – rather than infrastructure – as the primary focus of both himself and the new Trinidad and Tobago government. Smith, a former national youth player, replaced former national player Brent Sancho as sports minister following elections.

What’s trending:
University of Florida tops University of Miami as best Florida school in new U.S. News and World Reports’ ranking of colleges nationwide.
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:
Thunderstorms in Broward County with a high of 86 and a low of 77. For Miami-Dade, Thunderstorms with a high of 85 and a low of 76.
For more information on these and other stories, visit cnweeklynews.com.

Come on vacation, leave on probation

“Come on Vacation Leave on Probation,” is a concept often Law Enforcement officials across the U.S. usually refers to people visiting vacation hotspots like Las Vegas, Nevada, Key West, and Florida – all notorious for their largely permissive atmosphere.

What is less discussed is how this concept plays out among visitors: those who come on short vacations or business trips, but become entangled with the criminal justice system with serious and often unforeseen consequences. The scenarios are broad: from bar and club fights to driving without a license and shop-lifting. While local residents face some of the same legal consequences, visitors face additional challenges, from how to find bonds, to lacking strong community ties, with many facing deportation when they get arrested.

From my professional experience, one offense that occurs with surprising and alarming frequency is retail theft. In Florida, large, attractive shopping malls with goods beautifully displayed tempt many on vacation. And because most department stores don’t have uniformed security guards, several visitors are duped into believing security is lax. Of course, many of these light-fingered visitors have been caught and have had to suffer through the many consequences.

The cases I have encountered includes one visitor stealing a $3 bottle of baby powder from a local supermarket and then having to pay thousands in defense fees to resolve the matter.

In another instance, an individual steals an item from a local clothing store costing over the $300.00 grand theft threshold, becoming a felony. This offender was held in home confinement as a condition of bond for many months, unemployed, and had to remain in the U.S. beyond their authorized stay. These crimes of moral turpitude will almost always result in immigration consequences, ranging from a cancellation of a visa, to potential deportation.

For those who resolve their cases and leave on probation, there is the distinct possibility of never being able to return to the U.S. Even if the crime itself does not present a permanent bar to reentry, the failure to physically report to probation upon exit will result in a warrant for arrest. This warrant will never be vacated absent of the person’s presence. Trying to get another visa with an active warrant then creates a “Catch 22” situation.

Visitors are urged to enjoy their trips and conduct their business without yielding to the temptation of situations that may result in arrests. The legal consequences are often far more severe than they could imagine.

New art project to hit Little Haiti

Another commemorative artwork honoring the lives lost in the 2010 earthquake has received greenlight funding from the Miami Foundation’s Public Space Challenge competition – an organization dedicated to enlivening public spaces in Miami-Dade County.

Submitted by the Miami Mountains Foundation in partnership with the Northeast Second Avenue Partnership (NE2P), the project plans to transform a large, grassy median at NE 2nd Ave and NE 62nd St. with its “Ayiti, Land of High Mountains” project.

The design includes a large-scale, walk-through, polychrome iron sculpture of the beautiful mountains in Haiti by kinetic artist Miguel Prypchan. The redesigned Median will also offer additional comfortable seating and shading in the area for pedestrians, church and park-goers, and bus riders, and provides additional greenery and color in an otherwise overlooked lot.

“Our goal is to transform an overlooked but important public space in Little Haiti, into a useful, and beautiful artistic landscape for local residents,” says the organization in a statement. “We want to commemorate the more than 250,000 lives lost in the Haiti earthquake in 2010, and inspiring Miamians to recognize the impact of the Haitian culture on our local community.”

WPBT2 to air “La Belle Vie”

A scene from the La Belle Vie official trailer

Local, Miami filmmaker Rachelle Salnave celebrates her TV debut for her documentary “La Belle Vie: The Good Life,” which will air on Monday, September 21 at 10 pm. WPBT2, a division of Public Broadcasting System (PBS), acquired the rights to broadcast the feature documentary

“WPBT2 prides itself on giving many local filmmakers a platform to showcase their work and expand their reach. ‘La Belle Vie: The Good Life’ is a great film that has attracted an immense following thanks to its success in festivals around the country,” states Max Duke, VP of Content and Community Partnerships. “Rachelle is an amazing and talented local voice, and we are proud to be able to bring this story to a larger broadcast audience.”

“La Belle Vie: The Good Life” takes a look into director Rachelle Salnave’s journey to discover her Haitian roots by examining the complexities of the Haitian society, but also chronicles her voyage to find hope in this nation on the brink of a new Haiti. Special appearances in the film INCLUDE Wyclef Jean, President Michel Martelly and former Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe.

Salnave’s film has been featured at prestigious film festivals across the country and in Canada. In addition, “La Belle Vie: The Good Life” won an Award at the Boston International Film festival, BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia and The Reel Sisters Film Festival in Brooklyn, New York. The film is also slated for a national release on television in 2016.

Monestime rescinds vote for Jose Milton Ave. following discrimination charges

Miami Commission Chair Jean Monestime

Miami Commission Chair Jean Monestime says he will have to withdraw his recent vote to rename a Miami intersection in honor of famed Cuban-American real estate developer Jose Milton, following racial discrimination charges against Milton’s company.

The new allegations are from 2014 and 2015, after Cuban-American Jose Milton had died and his sons had taken over the family business and center around the Aventura Harbor Apartments, previously operated under the name Beverly Hills Club Apartments.

Monestime, who is Haitian-American and the only black commissioner to vote to rename the street,  says he will ask the board to reconsider their vote approving the renaming.

New air traffic control towers for Jamaica

 

Two new state of the art air traffic control towers will be commissioned into service at both international airports within the next three months.

Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Nari Williams-Singh says at the Norman Manley International Airport, the new and old towers have been operating simultaneously since August to facilitate a smooth transition of air traffic control services once the new facility goes into full operation.

Parallel operations should be completed within two months.

He says the Sangster International should be about four to six weeks behind.

According to Williams-Singh, the towers will enhance the reliability and efficiency of the air navigation system and improve the work environment for air traffic controllers.

CNW90: Mayor Messam says Miramar is ripe for Caribbean Business

For a look at some of the top stories making the news today, September 15, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam says educating the Diaspora on economic partnership opportunities between the city and the Caribbean is a top priority for his administration. Speaking at a recent Caribbean Conference held in Miramar, Messam says the city is ideally posed for transnational business.

Lauderhill, Plantation and nine other Broward County cities have joined Miramar’s objections to a recent oil exploration proposal in the Everglades. Eleven cities have all passed resolution against the Miami-based Kantor Real Estate’s plan, citing environmental and public safety concerns for these cities’ main water source.

The Belize Association of Florida will host a patriotic night of food, fun and entertainment at their annual Belize Independence Dance, set for this Saturday, starting 8 pm at the Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church Hall in Pembroke Pines. The event features the musical stylings of DJ Karl Barker.

In sports, Wolmer’s School won the night at the annual Wolmer’s vs. Campion Alumni Reunion soccer tournament this past weekend in Pembroke Pines. Wolmer’s drew 2 all against All School Select team, but defeated Campion 1 nil. Proceeds for the event are donated to school sports programs in Jamaica.

What’s trending:
Legendary cricketer Brian Lara has been appointed Special Envoy for Trinidad and Tobago, as he visits Dominica to discuss the twin republic’s hurricane relief efforts for the island.

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 88 and a low of 77. For Miami-Dade, scattered thunderstorms with a high of 87 and a low of 77.
For more information on these and other stories, visit cnweeklynews.com.

Sunrise to host grand opening of two passive parks

On Saturday, September 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Sunrise will celebrate the grand opening of two new neighborhood passive parks, Oak Hammock Park and Cypress Preserve Park.

Each park has been designed with sustainability and energy conservation in mind, and utilizes solar lighting and recyclable/recycled materials to the greatest extent possible. The parks also preserve existing wetland areas and enhance existing vegetation with native landscaping.

Oak Hammock Park (9220 NW 44th Street, Sunrise – on the south side of NW 44th Street, west of N. Pine Island Road) features a playground, a chess patio, three small pavilions, a walking/biking path, a boardwalk surrounding a bird habitat, and restroom facilities.

Cypress Preserve Park (9020 NW 38th Street, Sunrise – at the northeast corner of West Oakland Park Boulevard and NW 90th Terrace) includes a children’s sprayground/splash pad, a nine-hole disc golf course, three small pavilions, a walking/biking path with nine fitness stations, and restroom facilities.

Residents are invited to take a first look at these unique and eco-friendly facilities and partake in a free giveaway segment.

Experience a taste of Antigua and Barbuda at Destination Antigua

On Friday, October 2, sample the tastes and culture of the Caribbean sister islands of Antigua and Barbuda at Destination Antigua at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m..

Those in attendance will be greeted with upbeat calypso beats and the metallic tinkle of steel drums and should dress in colorful island clothes or festooned with feathers and bead.

Awesome door prizes will be available to a few lucky raffle winner sign and attendees can sign up for a drawing for VIP tickets for two to the 2016 Carnival in Antigua and Barbuda.

This age 21-plus event costs only $10 and tickets can be ordered through eventbrite.com.

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