Friday, April 30, 2010

Guyana's Legendary Dave Martins - Commentary

Drivers with Hornitis
By Stabroek staff April 5, 2010 in Daily, Features


To spend more than five minutes in a vehicle in Guyana is to realise that drivers here have contracted hornitis. Horn blowing here is like an epidemic. Visiting Guyana, almost every year, I was astounded at the level of it; it appeared excessive, repetitive and mindless. Drivers seemed to be blowing their horns on a whim. It was ridiculous.


Living here permanently again, and driving the roads myself, I have changed my view completely. Now, my take on life in Guyana is that two things are absolutely essential for survival here: a strong sense of humour, and a properly functioning car horn.

To operate an automobile here is to quickly realise that the chaotic conditions of driving in Guyana mean that a horn on your car or truck is not just an accessory; apart from the steering wheel, it is the most important device, by far, in the vehicle.

Further, and this is my essential point, Guyanese drivers are actually using their horns in, generally, a constructive manner, and the ensuing hornitis is not mindless at all; it is a sheer necessity for survival on GT’s roads.

Certainly there are those who overdo it, like some mini-bus operators (in every field, some jackasses are grazing), but all in all, you need a horn in this town; it is vital.

To step back and take a look is to see that Guyana, and Georgetown in particular, seems to have been designed before the invention of the automobile. Most roads are unmarked (what centre line?), sidewalks are rare, and there is only rudimentary enforcement of traffic laws. We park anywhere we can find open spaces. Stop signs are a novelty, and most one-way streets are not so marked. Overtaking is seen as a civil right that supersedes two solid lines and blind corners. I could go on with this, but you know the scene.

In those conditions, the horn is your saviour. Simply put, this device, designed as an attention getter, has been morphed by Guyanese drivers into a sometimes subtle, sometimes harsh, but always efficient means of communication in traffic.

There are occasions when the horn message is a polite warning. With few road markings, or defined road shoulders, a driver overtaking will often produce a short toot, delivered with a flick of the wrist, which serves as a polite “Look out, bro. I’m passing.” That same friendly alert is in play when a vehicle is waiting at a junction; cars on the main road will also deliver the short toot, meaning “Don’t come out yet, mister.” Motor cyclists do the same thing; the friendly little beep saying, “Stay right deh, buddy. I coming through.” The communication is simple, clear and almost benign; imagine the accident horror in town if we didn’t have these constant warning toots taking place.

Pedestrians and cyclists, too, dealing with the narrow roadways, are warned in the same way by motorists not to transgress. There, the short toot means, “Keep your tail in the corner, yeh.” Guyanese pedestrians have learned to walk a dead straight line at road’s edge, with gentle reminders from motorists. Again, effective communication via horn.

At stop lights, as lights turn green, the horn message has several stages: The first is a couple of short, tense bursts – “Mister! Drive!”. In stage two, coming precisely two seconds later, the horn sounds are longer and louder – “Wha’ happen? Yuh blin’ or wha’?”. Two seconds after that comes the horn eruption stage, where all hell breaks loose. In that last stage, the driver’s hand is jammed on the horn, arm fully extended, teeth bared, and everybody in the line is dishing it out. – “YUH JACKASS! MOVE YUH BACKSIDE OUT DE WAY! Take a look in your rear-view mirror; it’s a hornitis frenzy.

In the midst of all this, the mini-bus drivers have taken horn messages to an even more sophisticated level. To the short single beep, used by all, the bus drivers have added the 2-beep sound, in triplicate (beedeep; beedeep; beedeep) – “I’m passing you on the inside; stay cool.” – as well as the one-beep, clocklike sounds (beep; beep; beep; beep; beep; beep) used to recruit passengers – “Darling, yuh ridin’ or yuh stayin’? ” The one to really watch out for with the minibus is that frenetic rolling horn sound they reproduce, sounding like a merry-go-round – “Look buddy! Ah late bad, an’ ah borin’, so yuh betta pull wan side!”

If you’re still not persuaded that horns are necessary here, come with me to Carifesta Avenue at 5pm in the week. Like most roads in Guyana, Carifesta Avenue is normally one lane going west and one east. With the congestion of rush hour, however, the motorists heading east will suddenly sometimes simply re-design the asphalt into a 3-lane roadway east-bound: one lane is the existing east-bound shoulder, the second lane is the normal east-bound one, and the third east-bound lane is what was previously the west-bound lane. The final piece in this completely improvised arrangement (there is not a policeman in sight) is that cars going west simply slide to the left and make the shoulder the temporary west-bound lane. It works because people recognise what is going on and adjust, but brethren, to operate in that melee without frequent horn communication (not to mention iron nerves) would be madness – you try it, not me.

Earlier, I mentioned the cacophony when the traffic lights change from red to green and motorists are slow to move; the hornitis eruption is instantaneous. I referred to it as mindless, and in some measure it is. Two days ago, I am sitting at the traffic light at Sheriff Street and Railway Road. The driver in front of me hesitates for two beats on the green, and – may the Lord forgive me – before I knew what I was doing I let him have two short blasts on the horn. The lady sitting beside me in the car says, “Okay…you’re now driving like a Guyanese.”

In that instant I realised what had happened to me; one year after moving back to Guyana, I had contracted hornitis.


http://www.stabroeknews.com/2010/features/04/05/drivers-with-hornitis/

iLand Breeze's Buffet, a HIT worth a REPEAT!

iLand Breeze Variety Buffet Treat

For Immediate Release Source:
iLand Breeze Restaurant & Catering
Contact: 973 327 2307
1901 Springfield Ave, Maplewood NJ 07040

MAPLEWOOD, NJ (April 30, 2010) – You loved our 'All U can Taste Buffet' so much, we're doing it again this week...

In honor of of all our Penn-Relay customers, breeze in for our "VARIETY BUFFET" this weekend, Friday and Saturday.

Starting at 11:00 a.m sharp!
Brunch/Lunch will be available from 11:00 a.m - 5:oo p.m

Dinner will be available from 5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m

Make your selections from our wholesome array of various flavors.

Ackee & Saltfish, Fritters, Fry dumplings or Bakes
Fry Fish, Cajun Cat Fish, Jerk Tilapia
Plantain BBQ Salmon or Jerk Salmon

Cajun Chicken Scampi, Pineapple Chicken, Jerk Chicken Pasta, Stew Chicken or Curry Chicken

Curry Goat or Braised Oxtail

Sweet and Sour Tofu or Mac & Cheese

Calypso Rice, Rice & Peas, Spinach Rice
Boiled Bananas, Fry Plantains

Callaloo or Braised Collard Greens

iLand Breeze Salads

Sweet Potato Soufflé or Sweet Potato Cornbread


Steamed Lobster Tail with Jerk Garlic Butter and Mango Rice

Specialty drinks and deserts…
Ginger Beer, Fruit Punch, Sorrel, Uptown, Peach Soufflé,
Cheese Cake, Carrot Cake and Chocolate Cake to choose from.

Breeze in for a gauranteed taste treatl!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Underwater Art by British-Guyanese is Tourist Hit in Cancun



The Cancun Underwater Museum Pictures and Details
(Click on pictures to see/open entire photo)

Since November 2009, Cancun and Isla Mujeres have their own underwater museum, just like the ones in Canterbury (UK) and in the West Indies. The artist, Jason de Caires Taylor, started the first of three phases for the project with the placement of three sculptures: Hombre en Llamas (Man on Fire), Located in Manchones Reef on the coast of Isla Mujeres, La Jardinera de la Esperanza (The Gardener of Hope), and El Coleccionista de los Sueños Perdidos (The Archive of Lost Dreams).

De Caires Taylor is currently working on 400 life-size sculptures of figures called The Silent Evolution. “I am excited that this will become the beginning of the world’s largest underwater museum. This is a unique opportunity to explore the boundaries of art and combine it with reef conservation,” said the British sculptor.

The Cancun and Isla Mujeres Underwater Art Museum is a step closer to becoming the world's largest underwater museum by adding three new sculptures. The sculptures - Dream Collector, Man on Fire and The Gardener of Hope – were carefully submerged to a variety of different depths throughout the national park.
Created by British/Guyanese artist Jason de Caires Taylor, the sculptures were placed near natural reefs and marine life in order to create an artificial habitat."Dream Collector" features dozens of bottles containing messages of encouragement sent from around the world, while "Man on Fire" has 75 holes planted with fire coral.

If you want to visit this amazing underwater museum near Cancun, visit the Yucatan Holidays website or send us an email at: info@yucatanholidays.com.

"The Gardener of Hope" depicts a young girl lying on a garden patio.
The sculptures have been created with PH neutral concrete that will allow algae and small invertebrates to flourish, boosting the local ecosystem. The appearance of the sculptures will change over time as the coral reefs and marine life grow.

Nearly 300,000 tourists flock to the area each year and it is hoped that the underwater museum will lure them away from the area’s natural coral reefs – which has been damaged over the years.

Jaime Gonzalez, the national park’s director, says the museum will help restore the natural reefs."The underwater museum will draw many tourists, allowing us to give a rest to the natural reefs. It's like a restoration process." The museum plans to install more than 400 concrete sculptures off the coast of Mexico from artists around the world.

"Fish and chips" underwater is another sculpture. Each individual work of art will be life-sized and will consist of themed galleries such as “The Quiet Evolution.”
The museum opened in November 2009 with only three human-sized sculptures.Mr Gonzalez said there should be nearly 250 sculptures in the underwater museum by April 2010.

Source: news.com.au
All photos: Jason de Caires Taylor

Monday, April 19, 2010

Latin Jazz is back this Thursday Night at Mandeville

Thursday Night Jazz presents Latin Sounds this week

Orange, NJ (April 19, 2010)

Mandeville Sizzles with the Latin Jazz sounds of Santi Debriano along with the renowned Roni Ben-Hur for this weeks' Thursday Night Jazz Series... so come out and join us for date night, girls night, hanging with the guys or just to enjoy good music and great food.

College students join us and get a discount on dinner ...with your school ID.

Watch our Facebook page for details about our special Mother's Day Jazz program featuring Dakota McLeod & Ray Nacarri... a menu just for Mom and more...

Call Roger at 973-672-2900
Mandeville is just behind the Main St. Library and left of the Orange, NJTransit Station.

iLand Breeze's All U Can Taste Buffet

For Immediate Release Source:







iLand Breeze Restaurant & Catering
Contact: 973 327 2307
1901 Springfield Ave, Maplewood NJ 07040



All ' U' Can Taste Buffet…

MAPLEWOOD, NJ (April 19, 2010) – It’s that time again… iLand Breeze Cafe & Catering invites you and the family to a tasting feast this Saturday, April 24, 2010 starting at 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; stop by for brunch or lunch or dinner for just $9.95. Grab a tray and make your selections to enjoy an all you can taste buffet, choose from our wide array of flavors designed to tantalize, tempt and please your palate.

Wanna know what you can get for $9.95?

Ackee & Saltfish, Fritters, Fry dumplings or Bakes
Fry Fish, Cajun Cat Fish, Jerk Tilapia, Plantain BBQ Salmon or Jerk Salmon

Braised Oxtail, Cajun Chicken Scampi, Pineapple Chicken, Jerk Chicken Pasta, Stew Chicken or Curry Chicken or Curry Goat

Sweet and Sour Tofu, Calypso Rice, Rice & Peas, Spinach Rice, or Mac & Cheese
Boiled Bananas, Fry Plantains, Callaloo, or Braised Collard Greens
iLand Breeze Salads
Sweet Potato Soufflé, Sweet Potato Cornbread

We have a Special for Lobster Lovers too…
Steamed Lobster Tail with Jerk Garlic Butter and Mango Rice

Want more, how about our specialty drinks and deserts…

Ginger Beer, Fruit Punch, Sorrel, Uptown, Peach Soufflé, Cheese Cake, Carrot Cake and Chocolate Cake to choose from.

Stop by and taste something familiar or try something new, we gaurantee you'll enjoy it all!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

The Star Ledger Reviews Mandeville Flavors

Flavors of the Caribbean in Orange

By Peter Genovese
April 08, 2010, 4:28PM


Photo: Noah K. Murray/The Star-LedgerKingston oxtails with sautéed vegetables and rice served at Mandeville. Noah K. Murray/The Star-Ledger

Restaurant reviewers are supposed to be cold, bloodless types, but we’d be lying if we didn’t confess to a pang of regret or sorrow when a favorite restaurant closes.
The Chronicle, situated in the former Chronicle newspaper building in downtown Orange, was a striking dining space, with hardwood floors, brick walls, even a grand piano at the entrance.
________________________________________
Mandeville, 15 S. Essex Ave., Orange; (973) 672-2900. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.mw. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. Website: mandevillenj.com.
________________________________________

The Chronicle, alas, didn’t last long — on my two visits, my friend Alison and I were the only ones there — but Mandeville, its replacement, hopes to change the dining dynamic.

The space is the same, but the menu is steadfastly Caribbean, compared with the soul/Southern/Caribbean/Cajun/CreCreole melange at the Chronicle. A little Johnny Osbourne and “No Ice Cream Sound’’ on the sound system in Mandeville, and you’re halfway to Kingston.
The restaurant, named after a town in Jamaica, offers live jazz on Thursday nights and a Sunday brunch. Will Mandeville outlast the Chronicle? Time will tell. But the initial signs are promising.
The Island Breeze salad, with romaine, carrots, roasted pecans and red onions ($6.75) didn’t break any new greens ground, but the citrusy avocado dressing is a delight.

The jerk chicken and avocado sandwich ($6.50), with tomato and lettuce, packs just enough spice to get your attention. The pulled pork sandwich ($6.75), marinated in herbs and spices, may be a distant cousin to the Southern barbecue standard, but it’s a lovable one.
Sandwiches come with a choice of French, plaintain or yucca fries; go with the yucca, deep-fried and thoroughly irresistible. Bet you can’t eat just one — or even 10.

The Maracas Bay chicken is simmered in a creamy coconut sauce with a dash of curry ($11), but all the flavors seemed masked, muted.

No such worries with the Governor General’s fish ($15), a whole parrotfish steamed in okra, ginger and onions, with smashed plaintains and crisp carrots.

Another hit: the Kingston oxtail stew ($13), a tender, tomatoey, stewy surprise.
Other dishes include jerk-seasoned uptown lamb chops ($20); Guyanese curried chicken ($9); reggae snapper ($14); Spanish Town salmon ($11); jerk pork ($12); a vegetarian black bean burger ($7.25); and a roasted corn, black bean and fresh mango salad ($6.50).

Dessert? The tropical bread pudding, with grilled bananas and a hard rum sauce ($6.50) manages to be as pleasing as a mid-morning breeze, but it’s no match for the triple chocolate cake ($8).

It’s rich, dense and liquidy. I shared the rest of the takeout order with colleagues, but not that cake.

I found Johnny Osbourne and “No Ice Cream Sound’’ on YouTube, put on my headphones and rocked out in sweet chocolate ecstasy.

Where should Pete eat next? Call him at (973) 392-1765 or e-mail pgenovese@starledger.com.

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/index.ssf/2010/04/flavors_of_the_caribbean_in_or.html

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Sickle Cell Network Honors its Health & Community Stalwarts

Sickle Cell patient's network honors medical pros

By Fabian Burrell
Published: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 7:05 PM EDT

The Klau 8 Nurses - Montefiore Medical Center
Image by VisionInPictures

Hundreds wined and dined on a sumptuous dinner as they congratulated the four honorees at the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network’s 17th Annual Dinner Dance Benefit at the Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn on Saturday, March 27, 2010.

This event singled out medical practitioners who showed extraordinary compassion and provided excellent care to members of a very select community - people living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder that affects the oxygen capacity of the red blood cells.The United Nations estimates that over 100,000,000 people worldwide are stricken with the sickle cell disease.

SCTPN works to foster better understanding and trust between those affected with hemoglobin disorders and the communities in which they live, work and receive care.

SCTPN started as an adult support group in 1989 and was incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization in 1992.

It’s Advisory Board, Board of Directors and its various committees are comprised of adults, youths, parents of children living with blood disorders, physicians, corporate executives and concerned citizens.

“As an organization, we provide referral services and also advocate for improvement in care, quality of life and reduction in healthcare costs,” said the 57 year old President, Donnette Carroll who was only diagnosed with the genetic disease at age 25. Back in Jamaica, where she was born, they were treating her for arthritis as her complaint was that of acute pain.

So on this very cold night in March the warmth of caring individuals surrounded the honorees: Scott T. Miller, MD, professor of clinical pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology SUNY-Downstate Medical Center; The Klau 8 Nurses - Montefiore Medical Center; Jean M. D’Augustine, MD Hematology/Oncology, New York Methodist Hospital Department of Medicine and U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke (D-11th CD) who, although absent on state business was capably represented by her mother, former Councilmember Una Clarke, who accepted her Community Service Award.

Haitian-born Dr. Jean M. D’Augustine was honored to be recognized with a Distinguished Service Award for the work he does in the community. He spoke with Caribbean Life during the festivities and acknowledged that recognition of his work and that ofhis fellow honorees was very rewarding.“I am a very happy man tonight for being honored,” he said.

“People hospitalized with complications related to SCD are more likely to die if they lack health insurance or if the facility sees few patients with the disease,” according to the Kaiser Health Disparities Report: Dec. 10, 2008.

Fortunately for Professor Desire Chung; BA, BSC, MSC, MPA, this was not the case during her stay on the 8th floor of the Klau Pavilion at Montefiore Hospital. She was lovingly cared for by nurses who she chose to honor on this night.Their spokesperson, Vernice Francis accepted their Outstanding Service Award and in her acceptance speech, noted their surprise when they were nominated because, “we did not know the stature of this patient. She was just a regular patient to us and it really means a lot to be recognized for our work. This is just an incentive to make us want to do better for every patient in our care.”

Dr. Miller was proud and happy to receive his Distinguished Service Award. “I have known Ms. Carroll for a long time and have watched the amazing things she has done like this event, tonight. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke is not here tonight but she has been a big supporter over the years,“ he said. I am really glad I had the opportunity to talk about Hydroxyurea in my acceptance speech. It is a medication that is under-used and I think it is important for all of us to get the message out about it. It has some side effects sometimes but most of the people I have seen take it are much better off.

"The master of ceremony for the evening was the affable DJ Spread Love Bobby of 93.5FM who kept the capacity filled ballroom guests entertained and introduced the entertainment and the honorees.

Another celebrity newsman, Mike Gilliam of MY9 News - Reporter/Anchor was present with his lovely wife, Vickie. Gilliam has shown great support for SCTPN for many years and will preside as their Grand Marshall for the 12th Annual Walk for Sickle Cell Education and Awareness on Sept. 18. For further information, please go to their website http://www.sctpn.org

Email Fabian Burrell at: azizapr@gmail.com

http://caribbeanlifenews.com/articles/2010/04/06/health/caribbeanlife-cl_health-2010_04_02_fabian_sickle_cell.txt

Monday, April 5, 2010

Paying Homage to Guyana's Etiquette Teacher

Bishops’ Old Girls host Magda Pollard

March 30, 2010 By KNews Filed Under News


Magda Pollard celebrated her 79th birthday yesterday. However, one day earlier, she was the guest of honour at a function hosted at the Atlantic Gardens home of Ret’d Supt. of Police George Grant and his wife, Leolene.Hosting the function was the Old Girls Association of the Bishops’ High School.

Ms Pollard was an old student of the school and she also taught there.The event attracted some of the Home Economics teachers fashioned by Ms Pollard.

It also attracted some of the people who helped nurture the teaching profession during the 1960s and after, among them Samuel Small, Blanche Duke, Edna Cadogan and Daphne Rogers.

The guest list read like an international Who’s Who and as one invitee said, “The atmosphere was refreshing.

It was the first time I listened to the continued use of the English language.”Pastor Oslen Small conducted the prayer session and there were tributes by Hazel Burrowes, Mrs Grant, Principal of the Carnegie School of Home Economics, Penelope Harris, Janice Maison, Hymawattie Lagan, Norma Washington, and Amelah Wazid.

Some of those who now reside overseas sent their tributes to be read at the function.

With the Guyana Police Force Steel Orchestra in attendance, there were choreographed dances and a musical rendition by a group of students whom Ms Pollard taught.

Ms Pollard cut her birthday cake with Mr Grant and later intermingled with those who had gathered to recognise and honour her on her birthday.

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2010/03/30/bishops-old-girls-host-magda-pollard/

Friday, April 2, 2010

Jazzmobile Events Celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month in NYC

Jazzmobile presents Vocalfest

In recognition of Jazz Appreciation Month and jazz vocalists of the past and present, Jazzmobile’s month-long celebration of the art of the voice is unveiled over four weekends in April. Tickets to all shows are $10.

At Showman’s, 375 West 125th Street, 7:00 p.m. nightly:

Friday, April 9: Lynette Washington
Saturday, April 10: Cynthia Holiday
Friday, April 16: Gregory Generet
Saturday, April 17: Lezlie Harrison
Friday, April 23: Gregory Porter
Saturday, April 24: Ebony Jo-Ann

Buy Showman’s tickets at the door; beverage minimum applies.

At the Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue, 7:30 nightly:

Thursday, April 29: Queen Esther in a tribute to Alberta Hunter
Friday, April 30: Everett Green in a tribute to Billy Eckstine
Saturday, May 1: Cynthia Scott in a tribute to Gloria Lynne

Purchase Harlem Stage tickets at 1-212-281-9240 ext. 19 or 20.

Audrey Marks, 2nd Woman named Ambassador for Jamaica to the U.S.

Audrey Marks going to Washington in troubled times
A few things that she should know


By Desmond Allen and Rex Crusoe allend@jamaicaobserver.com editorial@jamaicaobserver.com
Sunday, March 28, 2010


AMBASSADOR-designate Audrey Marks has been dispatched to Washington, and into history, in troubled times. As her counterpart, Carmen Parris did when Michael Manley made her Jamaica's first woman ambassador in the 1970s, Marks has accepted the challenge to blaze a trail for her sex in one of the most testing diplomatic posts on the globe.

In the world of intrigue, high drama and raw politics that is Washington, DC, countries, wanting to stay ahead of the game, dispatch only their finest and most astute diplomatic minds.
Marks joins an illustrious cadre of women who have held the rank of ambassador at the United Nations, London, Ottawa, Mexico City, Havana, Brussels, Port of Spain and, of course, Paris. It is no longer breaking a gender "glass ceiling" because there are now about 25 female ambassadors accredited to the White House.

Marks is from the private sector where she has been both a manager and a highly successful entrepreneur. Her background is a precedent although Neville Ashenheim, Douglas Fletcher and Alfred Rattray took leave of their private law practices. Dr Richard Bernal moved from commercial banking, although he had also been at the Bank of Jamaica and taught at the University of the West Indies.

A career background almost entirely in institutions of higher learning required Gordon Shirley to develop more pragmatic skills. Happily, Marks is not from electoral politics which provided Seymour Mullings and Anthony Johnson, both of whom had relatively brief tenures.

Personality can be important and, indeed, the right kind of personality can be an asset. Keith Johnson's strong points were his manners, attire and comportment. But in the modern era, these qualities do not count for much. However, cerebral capacity accompanied by impatience and lack of personal warmth can hamper even someone of the quality of mind of Sir Edgerton Richardson.
Technical skills are very important but they have to be appropriate to the particular context and the critical issues of the time of service. Rattray's legal skills and his renowned fortitude were valuable during 1974-1980 when US-Jamaica relations were at their nadir. Bernal's economics was suited to the 1990s when the priority issues were International Monetary Fund, trade, development assistance and debt relief.

Diplomacy, it is clear, is not a science that can be learned from a book, although one can imbibe some finesse from exposure to consummate practitioners. It is an art which comes naturally to those gifted with the innate aptitude.

Experience is a definite advantage but how much is needed depends on the individual. Experience can facilitate the honing of representational skills and provide the comfort and confidence necessary for a successful envoy. Astute political acumen, persuasive advocacy, physical endurance and the intellect and self-confidence to engage anyone at any time are essential qualities.

President Harry Truman said that if you want a friend in Washington DC get a dog. Everyone in that milieu is a contract with an agenda. Your value to them depends on what you can do for them or what you can spend on their services. The ambassador's capacity to deliver will be quickly and ruthlessly evaluated and judged.

Among the attributes examined are: access to and influence on the highest political levels in Jamaica, some skill that is the basis for influencing others in Washington or the Caribbean, the ability to mobilise some constituency, for example, Caribbean voters or US exporters to Jamaica, and authority to speak for some interest group that the US must interact with, such as sugar producers.

Marks is going to have to hit the ground running at full speed because of the nature and character of the times in which she is going to Washington DC. It will be a testing baptism for a neophyte to international relations given the current extradition impasse, the lack of a counterpart US ambassador to Jamaica, the absence of outstanding Jamaican ally Congressman Charlie Rangel and not much of a baton from her predecessor.

In due course, we expect to hear how Marks plans to disengage from her private business activities to keep at bay opportunities for conflict of interest. Her Paymaster is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Grace Kennedy over copyright to bill paying software and closure is awaited.

There is a sense everywhere that Jamaicans want to see Audrey Marks do well as she becomes the face and voice of Jamaica in the land of Barack Obama. We wish her well and God speed.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/Audrey-Marks-_7509280

Mandeville Presents Easter Sunday Jazz and more...

Enjoy Jazz and Easter Sunday Brunch

Still don’t know what to do for Easter… no problem, join us at Mandeville Restaurant for Easter Sunday Jazz Brunch from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Just $15 for adults and $6 for children under age 10…Brunch will feature the traditional breakfast and lunch treats as you enjoy the day.

Join us for the sounds of celebrating Gospel Jazz and more with friends and family, to complete your Easter festivities or come later for our special Easter Dinner. Dinner will be $25 per person for a Pre-fix meal of appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert.

So don’t worry about what to do for a great Easter Sunday, just stop in to Mandeville and enjoy the food, the atmosphere, the surrounding and your friends and family!

Mandeville Restaurant is at 15 South Essex Ave., Orange NJ 07050
Call Roger at 973-672-2900
http://www.mandevillenj.com/

Thursday, April 1, 2010

GUYANESE ACCEPTS NYCHA POST

GUYANESE DAWN WALKER ACCEPTS NYCHA POST

From Bevan Springer
New York Amsterdam News


NEW YORK (April 1, 2010) - Guyanese communications professional Dawn Skeete-Walker, who previously served as a deputy press secretary for Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has been appointed to lead the New York City Housing Authority's (NYCHA) new Office of Public-Private Partnerships.

Walker is a veteran communicator who has chalked up extensive experience in public and community relations, marketing, events management, and media relations. In her new job, she is responsible for managing key relationships with external stakeholders, and creating an outreach and development strategy for future public-private partnerships, foundations and not-for-profit institutions, including the implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy for NYCHA.

The newly established Office is part of NYCHA's commitment to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as with NYCHA residents.

"The Office of Public-Private Partnerships is part of NYCHA's overall mission to identify and recruit partners from the private sector who share the Authority's vision for improving the lives of its 400,000 residents," explains NYCHA Chairman John Rhea. "Through this effort, led by the very capable expertise of Dawn Walker, NYCHA will launch a new period of civic engagement by effectively linking the work of the non-profit and philanthropic sectors to our efforts to enhance the educational, economic and social needs of our public housing residents." He added, "We hope to develop, build and sustain diverse funding sources that ultimately will enhance the quality of life and opportunities for NYCHA residents."

The Authority recently announced partnerships with Habitat for Humanity-NYC and the Harlem Children's Zone. Early childhood education and health, workforce development and reaching disconnected youth are particular areas of focus for NYCHA, and these efforts are expected to be strengthened with expanded public-private collaboration.

Walker, a New Yorker born in Guyana, has a strong and diverse background in the corporate, nonprofit and public sectors, with particular skills in relationship management and coalition building. She has been Director of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development; Director of Communications, Media and Public Relations with the YMCA of Greater New York; Director of Public Relations of the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York; Director of Communications of Food for Survival Inc. - the New York City Food Bank. On the corporate side she has held communications positions with Moody's Investor's Service/FIS Group; Citicorp Futures Corporation; and Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc.

As Director of the Office of Public-Private Partnerships, she also is the primary liaison to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to develop fundraising strategies and targets to support key programmatic initiatives. The Fund relies on support from foundations, corporations and individuals to help strengthen public programs like those of NYCHA.

Bevan Springer, a New York Amsterdam News columnist who writes frequently on travel, tourism and Caribbean Diaspora issues, is the President of the New Jersey-headquartered Marketplace Excellence LLC - a full-service, integrated mass communications agency committed to excellence in the fields of public relations, marketing and media coaching. He also produces the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism - CMEx.

Maplewood gets new Caribbean Flavored Hot Spot

Maplewood Gets Taste of 'iLand Breeze'

Thursday, 25 March 2010
Nikki Amos


MAPLEWOOD, NJ - iLand Breeze Café opened its doors on Saturday, March 20 to a flow of about 150 to 200 customers for their grand opening tasting event. And what a tasty event it was, with unique Caribbean dishes such as Calalloo stuffed chicken breast, jerk chicken pasta, pineapple chicken and so much more. The names of the dishes alone will make your palate water and wanting a taste of these exotic dishes.

Alton Henry and Avalia Moore have been partners for eight years and have more than 20 years of culinary experience between them. The duo has brought a taste of the Caribbean with a twist to Maplewood. Their passion for fresh food with unique taste was the driving force behind their idea to open the café. Henry and Moore pride themselves on being chefs who prepare fresh food to order and note that all their produce is organic.Moore specializes in pastries while Henry's forte is and Southern and Caribbean cuisine.

The two of them combined make a strong culinary force.The café offers dining in, take-out and catering. Henry and Moore also highlighted their "Trays to go" package. A full family meal starts from $19.99 that can feed a family of four to six. "Trays on the go" offer patrons a natural fresh food option instead of choosing fast food. As I visited the café, coconut and cranberry cookies were passed out to patrons as they waited for their orders.

The vibe of the café is light, laid back and comfortable, almost like a little café nestled in the Caribbean.

iLAND BREEZE CAFÉ & CATERING
1901 Springfield
AvenueMaplewood, NJ 07040
973-327-2307
Email: ilandbreezecc@comcast.net To view this e-mail address you need JavaScript enabled.

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday – 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday - 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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