Cricket Broadcasters Among Guyana Cultural Association Awardees
September 7, 2010
By Allison Skeete
Special To CWNN
CaribWorldNews, BROOKLYN, NY, Tues. Sept. 7, 2010: Preeminent cricket broadcaster, Guyanese Joseph `Reds` Perreira, was recently honored in Brooklyn, NY by the Guyana Cultural Association.
Perreira was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony held at the Brooklyn Borough Hall on Thursday, September 2. The cricket icon recently launched his autobiography, `Living My Dreams.`
The 2010 awards was hosted by Kishore Seunarine with a welcome from Deputy Borough President of Brooklyn, Yvonne Graham. Grahman applauded the rich tapestry if Guyanese who live in Brooklyn, NY, which she likened to their homeland and noted the vast contributions many have made to their adopted Brooklyn environs.
Other awardees included Gem Rohlehr who has accomplishments in music. He was honored with an Exemplary Award.
Dr. Ivor Benjamin paid homage to his roots growing up in the country with a definite Creolese laced poem amid the quips of local city Council members Jumaane Williams and Mathieu Eugene, both claiming Guyanese links for the day.
This year the youth group held some over-achievers like Tennicia DeFreitas who`s made a name for herself as a young calypso Queen; debuting the thought provoking video for her tune `Mama I don`t want to be born` See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqCBkT-NdEs.
She`s earned Six O level distinctions in CXC as a student at Christ Church Secondary; Cynthia Rutherford was the standout with 11 CXC subject distinctions; she wants to pursue a career in theatre.
Margurite Thompson-Alleyne distinguished herself with her achievements as a double major student in Biology and Psychology at Hampton University as well as her multi-lingual skills in English, German and Latin while Andrew Hillman, another scholar of the sciences won a fellowship to study pediatric gastroenterology and Aliza Fatima aspires to enter the political or social services field in the future. The Kendrum Steel Orchestra also featured talented Guyanese offspring providing entertainment at the ceremony.
Guyana Cultural Association members presented the groups awards, defining this year`s theme of Diversity in Our Villages, Harmony in Our Culture.
…
Slain St. Lucian Player Remembered At Soccer Match
September 7, 2010
CaribWorldNews, BROOKLYN, NY, Tues. Sept. 7, 2010: Slain St. Lucia-born soccer star, Isidore Phillip Tisson, was on Sunday remembered in New York by his team as they played in the finals of the Digicel Caribbean Cup.
While Tisson`s killer remains on the lam, his team took the field for the final match of the tourney as the crowd cheered them on.
Tisson was shot to death by a lone gunman while the team was out celebrating the Aug. 30 win that put St. Lucia in the finals of the Cup. Tisson.
Jamaica won the Cup 1-0 Sunday to again retain the title.
…
West Indian American Day Carnival Wraps Up 43rd Year
September 7, 2010
CaribWorldNews, BROOKLYN, NY, Tues. Sept. 7, 2010: The 43rd annual production of the West Indian American Day Carnival culminated Monday with a parade of floats and skimpily-clad costumed revelers along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY.
The shortened parade kicked off at noon with the usual march along the Parkway of politicians, hungry for votes in the September 14th Primary Election. Despite the politicking that occurs, each year oranizers continued to struggle for funding and sponsorship to keep the parade afloat.
The parade began at Schenectady Avenue this year and of course featured millions lining the route to experience the colorful costumes and Caribbean music. Caribbean food was also very much a part of the sight and taste of the annual carnival, dubbed by organizers as North America`s largest street party.
One stabbing was reported but otherwise cops said it was a peaceful parade.
…
Player With Caribbean Roots Makes Quarter Final Of U.S. Open
September 7, 2010
CaribWorldNews, FLUSHING, NY, Tues. Sept. 7, 2010: A hard fought match on September 6th, has landed Gaël Monfils, whose roots extend to the French Caribbean, in the quarter-finals of the 2010 U.S. Open.
Monfils, the 17th seed, beat fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet at the Armstrong Stadium 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 in a dogged match Monday to advance.
`I feel comfortable here. Maybe I will win one day here,` he commented after as he walked around with his signature sleeveless shirt and plaid Bermuda shorts.
He moves on to a tough match ahead against the No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who beat No. 19 Mardy Fish, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 in their fourth-round match to set up a quarterfinal face-off.
Monfils, 24, parents are both from the French Caribbean though he was born in Paris, France. His father, Rufin, a former football player employed as an agent for France Telecom, comes from the island of Guadeloupe while his mother, Sylvette, comes from the island of Martinique and is a nurse.
The 6 ft. 4 inch Monfils considers Arthur Ashe to be his favorite player. He was coached by countryman and former ATP pro Thierry Champion (since September 2004) but they parted company in September 2006. Nevertheless, Monfils`s fitness trainer is still Rémi Barbarin. Monfils announced a partnership with a new coach, Tarik Benhabiles, in May 2007. However, for the 2008 season, Monfils has hired Roger Rasheed as his coach.
He has tattoos on both wrists, and giant wing tattoos on the lower half of his back. He is fond of listening to music, particularly R&B and has said if he did not play tennis, he would play basketball. He is a huge fan of NBA team Denver Nuggets and his favorite basketball player is Carmelo Anthony. Monfils is also a fan of football and his two favorite football clubs are Arsenal F.C. and Paris-Saint Germain. He lives in Nyon, Switzerland.
…
Bahamas Pitches In To Support Caribbean Media Exchange
September 7, 2010
CaribWorldNews, SCOTCH PLAINS, New Jersey, Tues. Sept. 7, 2010: The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has announced its sponsorship support of the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx), slated for the Jamaican capital of Kingston from September 30 to October 4, 2010.
`It`s wonderful to be recognized in this way by the Ministry, led by Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, one of the region`s visionaries whose eloquence on the benefits of sustainable tourism for individuals as well as for companies and governments is respected far beyond the Caribbean region,` said Lelei LeLaulu, who currently serves as vice president of the nonprofit organization.
`We are particularly delighted to have both Bahamas` and Minister Vanderpool-Wallace`s very strong support for the Kingston meetings which will look at one of the Minister`s priorities – the teaching of tourism to our youth and the importance of educating people throughout our Caribbean communities,` he added.
According to Dr. Basil Springer, a member of the CMEx Board of Directors, the Harvard University-educated Vanderpool-Wallace `is known as a bold and creative thinker who is unafraid to consider innovative approaches to keep the Bahamas at the cutting edge of tourism destinations.` The Bahamas has previously hosted two CMEx interactive dialogues.
In Kingston, journalists, editors and young leaders from the Caribbean, North America and Europe as well as development specialists and representatives of the hospitality, civil society and government sectors will interact over the four days to explore the theme: `Tourism: Linkages for Growth.`
Delegates will examine how tourism intersects and contributes to the development of other sectors like manufacturing, food, agricultural and enterprise development. The role of the region`s preeminent academic institutions will also be featured.
The upcoming CMEx, to be held at The Jamaica Pegasus and partnering hotels in Kingston, will again have a strong focus on the Caribbean Diaspora and Faith Tourism as key contributors to Caribbean sustainable development.
Since 2001, CMEx has produced 18 conferences and networking symposia throughout the Caribbean and North America to underscore the value of the region`s largest industry, tourism, in improving the health, education, culture, environment and wealth of Caribbean communities, both at home and abroad, in a sustainable and climate friendly fashion.
The upcoming CMEx meeting is supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica`s Ministry of Tourism, and The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Additional contributors include: Anse Chastanet Resort, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Barbara Pyle Foundation, Bay Gardens Resorts, Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, CaribWorldNews, Coco Palm, Community Benefit Development, 4P Group, Jade Mountain, Marketplace Excellence, Michael D. Communications, Ruder Finn, Spirit Airlines, and The SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A. Foundation.
For additional details, visit www.cmexmedia.org.
…
New York TV Focuses On Caribbean Dishes
September 7, 2010
CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK. NY, Tues. Sept. 7, 2010: Viewers of a top New York television channel got a treat over the weekend as the station showcased a number of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes that were all created from products and ingredients available in the United States.
WPIX TV Channel 11 showcased the tantalizing culinary treat for the Labor Day Carnival weekend as host of the WPIX morning show, Suki, was joined by marketing expert and branding consultant Dave Rodney and Jamaican chef Alton Henry, president of Touch of Elegance Catering who shared bits of interesting information on Caribbean food.
The chef showcased jerked chicken pasta in a creamy garlic sauce, calaloo stuffed breast of chicken baked to palette-pleasing perfection, Linstead Market ackee sautéed with tender chunks of codfish, garden peppers and onions, Mama Lou`s escoveitched filet of salmon served on a bed of fresh tropical greens and enhanced with a drizzle of mango vinaigrette dressing.
Dessert came from the island of Haiti – the seductively mystical Barbancourt rum cake loaded with fruits and rum and the exhilarating freshness of Jamaican fruits like soursop and June plum was captured on the display table through Tru Juice, a rapidly growing brand. All the dishes were prepared by Alton Henry, a devotee of nouvelle Caribbean cuisine.
…
Barbados Fire Claims Six Lives
September 6, 2010
CaribWorldNews, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sat. Sept. 4, 2010: Barbadians are today trying to come to grips with a robbery arson that last night claimed six lives.
The fire was believed to have been started by two men armed with machetes, who robbed the Campus Trendz store in Tudor Street. The two reportedly threw an incendiary device into Campus Trendz just before 7 p.m., after taking an undisclosed amount of cash.
The fire, according to Barbados News reports, then engulfed the two-storied building along the busy shopping street, trapping several inside.
Six were later confirmed dead including 18-year-old Shanna Griffith, a toddler and five other women believed to be staff and customers. The robbers who are believed to have started the blae remain on the lam.
…
Trinidadian Selected As Running Mate To Florida GOP Gubernatorial Candidate
September 6, 2010
CaribWorldNews, MIAMI, FL, Fri. Sept. 3, 2010: A 51 year-old Trinidadian immigrant has been named as the running mate to Florida GOP Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott.
Scott announced his selection of Jacksonville state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, the only black Republican state legislator, as his running mate this week.
Carroll is a 20 year navy veteran and former head of the state Department of Veterans Affairs under former Gov. Jeb Bush. She made history by becoming only the first black Republican woman ever elected to the legislature and could become the first black woman to serve as Florida`s lieutenant governor.
In 2001 President George W. Bush appointed Jennifer to `The White House Presidential Scholar`s Commission,` where she served until the spring of 2004. In May of 2004, Jennifer was appointed to the Veterans` Disability Benefits Commission by President Bush.
Carroll is also lifetime member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She holds a bachelor`s degree from the University of New Mexico and an MBA from Saint Leo University.
She was born on August 27, 1959 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Interestingly, Carroll said she supports Scott`s hard-line views on illegal immigration and in support of a state law similar to one adopted earlier this year in Arizona.
`The bottom line is legal immigration. We cannot reward people for their illegal acts in coming to this country,` Carroll said.
`Working together, we will broaden the base of our party, reaching out to every Floridian who wants a better future for their families,` Scott said as he introduced Carroll for the first time at the Entrance of Naval Air Station in Jacksonville.
…
Jamaica`s Tennis Star Out Of U.S. Open
September 6, 2010
CaribWorldNews, FLUSHING, NY, Fri. Sept. 3, 2010, 6 p.m.: Jamaica`s tennis star, Dustin Brown, is now sadly out of the U.S. Open.
Despite a winning start to his entry at the tourney and Jamaican support in the stands today, Brown was beaten by Andy Murray of Great Britain, 7-5,6-3,6-0.
Still by winning on Wednesday, Brown became the first Jamaican to win a match at the Open in 40 years. He`s also the first Jamaican to crack the world`s top 100.
Brown was born in Germany but moved with his family to his father`s native Jamaica when he was 12. The 6-foot-5 stands out on the court as he has long dreadlocks and wears fluorescent shoelaces. Brown beat Ruben Hidalgo of Spain Wednesday in three straight sets: 6-4, 7-6, 7-5 to advance to today`s match.
Brown is ranked 113th in the world while Hidalgo is ranked 91. He reached his highest ATP singles ranking, No. 98, on July 26, 2010 and his highest ATP doubles ranking, No. 120, on June 7, 2010.
…
UNASUR Rejects FARC`s Mediation Request
September 6, 2010
By Odeen Ishmael
Special To CWNN
CaribWorldNews, CARACAS, Venezuela, Fri. Sept. 3, 2010: Two weeks after the UNASUR-brokered diplomatic fence-mending meeting on August 10 between the Presidents of Venezuela and Colombia, the political action in the region took another turn when the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on August 23, through an `open letter` to the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), expressed its desire for peace and requested to address the continental body of its vision for the country`s internal conflict.
The letter from FARC`s `Central Command` maintained that the Colombian government had closed the door to any dialogue with the insurgency and affirmed: `We want to reiterate to the UNASUR our unyielding desire to seek a political solution to conflict.`
According to the guerrilla group which has been waging a four-decade-long civil war, `the humanitarian crisis in Colombia demands mobilisation and continental solidarity.` It further added: `Peace with social justice, not war, has been the strategic objective of the FARC since its foundation in 1964.`
In a first reaction to the letter, Ecuador`s Foreign Minister, Ricardo Patino, said he would raise the issue with his Colombian counterpart, Maria Angela Holguin. He said that the only action Ecuador can initiate as pro tempore chairman of UNASUR was to obtain the opinion of Colombia on its views on the letter from FARC, and maintained that it would respect the decision made by the Juan Manuel Santos administration.
In Bogota, Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzon demanded that the guerrillas lay down their weapons before holding direct peace talks with the national government. Soon after – on August 23 – the Ecuadorian government, now preparing to hand over the rotating chair of UNASUR to Guyana, rejected any direct contact with FARC saying that it fully concurred with the Colombian`s government`s position.
The Brazilian government also weighed in on the issue when on August 25 Marco Aurelio Garcia, Brazil`s presidential advisor for international affairs, declared that his government did not consider it appropriate that FARC should discuss Colombia`s ongoing conflict before the continental organisation. He stated that the problem of the conflict must be resolved within Colombia, and that UNASUR could only `intervene to help if and when it is asked to by the Colombian government.`
This is not been the first time that FARC has approached regional bodies to lay out its position on the Colombian conflict. In September 2009 in another `open letter` to UNASUR and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), the guerrilla group asked to be recognised as `a belligerent force` and not a terrorist organisation. That letter requested both organisations to place the political solution of the Colombian conflict on their agenda as a permanent source of concern for Latin American countries.
It will be recalled that the recent diplomatic rift in July between Venezuela and Colombia arose after the outgoing Uribe administration accused Venezuela of harbouring FARC guerrillas on its territory – an accusation vehemently denied by the Venezuelan government. The subsequent break in diplomatic relations generated a meeting of UNASUR`s foreign ministers in Quito on July 29 as part of the regional effort to mend the diplomatic fence.
In the run-up to that meeting, Venezuela`s Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro proposed a peace plan aimed at ending the Colombian civil war since, in his view, it was producing negative consequences for the entire South American continent. Explaining this proposal, Gustavo Marquez, Venezuela`s ambassador to Colombia, said that the initiative could not be described as interventionist, and stressed that it was logical to present it within UNASUR, given that the Colombian conflict and the serious associated problems, such as drug trafficking, criminality and paramilitary activity, were affecting the entire region.
However, the outgoing Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez rejected Venezuela`s talk about a peace process for his country, and termed such a move as unacceptable.
It is obvious that the Colombian conflict has engendered much consternation in South America, and across the entire Latin American region. Just before his recent meeting with Colombia`s President Juan Manuel Santos, President Chavez urged FARC to give up its decades-old armed struggle and seek a negotiated solution. `The guerrillas should come out in favour of peace; they should release all their hostages,` he said on August 8. `They have no future by staying armed.`
He added: `The Colombian guerrillas have no future in armed conflict. For us, the guerrilla movement is also a problem. Neither have I approved nor do I approve the presence of any guerrilla forces. Latin America`s reality is not the same as it was forty, thirty or ten years ago. I am sure that the whole of UNASUR will agree.`
Here again, this was not the first time that Chavez made such a statement. As far back as June 2008, he declared that armed struggle in Latin America was essentially over and called on the FARC guerrillas to lay down their arms and, as a humanitarian gesture, release all hostages `in exchange for nothing.`
This latest `political` move by FARC has generated opinions that the guerrilla movement is seeking a way out of the political quagmire in which it has found itself in the light of the fact that, indeed, the reality in the political landscape of South America – and the entire Latin American and Caribbean region – has changed drastically in the past twenty years.
Up to the end of the 1980s, leftist parties throughout the region, who all generally had no access to state power, expressed various forms of solidarity with each other, and it was not unusual for leftist guerrilla movements to have their share of international admirers. But with the upsurge of leftist and centre-leftist governments in the region, many of those `socialist`, `Marxist`, Marxist-Leninist`, `communist` and other leftist parties now work in alliance with these governments or provide critical support to their polices. As a result, they generally would not support guerrilla movements, civil war against any state, secession of any region in any country, or any disruption of the constitutional order. Thus, these leftist political parties no longer regard guerrilla groups as `national liberation movements.`
The presidency of UNASUR has made a firm pronouncement on the guerrilla`s request. Clearly, UNASUR as a continental organisation of states, can only act if the Colombian government asks it to do so. The organisation had applied this principle when it was invited by the Bolivian government to mediate in the country`s political crisis in September 2008.
The ball is now in the guerrilla movement`s court to make another move. Will it now decide to lay down its arms and open direct negotiations with the Colombian state authorities and continue to wage its struggle in the political rather than in the military arena? Only time will tell. But, without any doubt, UNASUR, in due course, will certainly find itself involved in generating practical ideas or even promoting positive actions aimed at ending the long drawn-out conflict in Colombia.
[The writer is Guyana`s Ambassador to Venezuela and is currently the Chairman of the Latin American Council of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA). The views expressed are solely his.]
…
