The Community Collaborator

Offshore drilling rig arrives in Guyana

2012-02-03T13:10:00.000-05:00

Published on February 1, 2012

CGX’s rig the Ocean Saratoga has arrived in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (GINA) — The way has been cleared for the Canadian oil exploration company, CGX to commence drilling one of two wells in the Guyana offshore concession with the arrival on Sunday of the Ocean Saratoga, a semi-submersible drilling rig.

President and chief executive officer of the petroleum exploration company, Stephen Hermestone, made the disclosure after meeting Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar.

The Ocean Saratoga rig departed the Gulf of Mexico on January 1, en route to Guyana’s territorial waters, and on its way stopped off in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago for refuelling.

Hermestone said that anchor lines were secured immediately after arrival and that drilling would be the next major operation.

The President and CEO of the company said he is hopeful of a good and safe operation and spoke with confidence about the operators conducting the drilling.

“We’ll see what the well results show us… we hope to find the oil … you always plan for success,” Hermestone said.

Drilling of the Eagle Well will last for a 60-day period and 180 days for the Jaguar well. The latter is being pursued through a joint venture operation among CGX, Repsol a Spanish company, Tullow Oil of London and YPF.

CGX recently announced that acclaimed Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) professor, Guyanese born Dr Suresh Narine, has been appointed on the board of directors of CGX Energy Incorporated.

He had expressed gratitude for the appointment and spoke of some of the benefits of Guyana as an oil producing economy against that of a fuel importer.

Recently CGX announced that the 1,160 square kilometre 3D marine seismic contract that was publicised in December was completed.

Hermeston had reported that “The seismic data is expected to provide better imaging of the up-dip limits of the Eagle Deep stratigraphic play at the Turonian and Campanian and has provided us with the first 3D seismic coverage on our two early Cretaceous, Albian prospects (Crabwood and Kabukalli) which are underlying the Company’s 100% owned Corentyne offshore Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL). Fast track processing and interpretation of the data will commence on the Albian prospects and will be followed by processing, interpretation and compilation of the Eagle deep Turonian and Campanian prospects.”

Guyana is the second most attractive under-explored basin in the world with a potential of 15.2 billion barrels of oil. If oil is to be found, production targets would be estimated at 50 million barrels per year.

Ramotar has been keeping abreast with activities in the oil and gas sector and in the past week has met some of the main companies involved in offshore drilling, including Repsol, and Exxon Mobile.

Anadarko, America’s largest independent oil and gas company has signalled to the Guyana government, its interest in an offshore concession as it sees the South American country as one with a great deal of promise in the oil and gas industry.

Last September vice president, business development of Anadarko, Ian Cooling, had met former President Bharrat Jagdeo with the proposal and on January 17 this year international business developer of the company, Richard Lapin, met Guyana’s new president with the same proposal.

A US-based petroleum company Prime Energy LLC Caribbean proposed last year to construct a modular mini refinery on the local shores with a capacity to refine 20,000 barrels daily.

Oil Rig in Guyana

Guyana Cycling Association of North America Spring Fundraiser

2012-02-02T13:09:00.000-05:00

Spend Holi at Home... Guyana celebrates Rediscover Home

2012-02-02T13:01:00.000-05:00

Posted on January 26, 2012 by PR
‘Rediscover Home’ special for Holi launched

…to encourage Diaspora to visit

Georgetown, Guyana – Honourable Irfaan Ali, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag) today launched the ‘Rediscover Home’ special package for Holi – the Festival of Colours, in an effort to encourage Guyanese in the Diaspora to come back to their homeland and be a part of the celebrations.

This pilot package is being made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Caribbean Airlines and participating hotels – Princess Hotel, Cara Lodge, Sleep Inn Hotels, Duke Lodge and Grand Coastal Inn.

The seven nights/eight days during March 2 to 9, 2011 dubbed ‘Gateway to the Festival of Colours celebration’ seeks to encourage Guyanese from the Diaspora and visitors to come to ‘Destination Guyana’ and be a part of its rich culture and celebrate Holi or Phagwah – the Festival of Colours.

The package includes airfare, seven night hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and entrance to all the Holi events being organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha during this period including its Phagwah Mela and Bazaar which includes a folk dance festival on the lawns of the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara on February 25; the finals of the Chowtaal Samalan on March 4 on the lawns of State House, Main Street, Georgetown; and on March 8 (Holi Day) its traditional Holi Utsaav at Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar in Georgetown while there would be nationwide Holi celebrations.

The Sabha is also looking at bringing to Guyana for the first time ever some of the stars from the popular ZEE TV Indian series.

Minister Ali said this move signals the start of collaboration between the Government and the private sector to market and promote ‘Destination Guyana’ through packaging, and it would certainly help to boost tourism and attract more persons to our beautiful country, which has a lot to offer with its ecological, nature and adventure based tourism combined with a rich culture and heritage.

Encouraging the private sector to continue to package and promote our unique tourism product, he said the special package during the Festival of Colours will help to showcase and promote part of the country’s rich and diverse culture.

He said this pilot package will ensure that Guyana’s tourism product is enhanced, marketed and “successful at the end of the day” and the partnership sees a wide cross section of players in the tourism and hospitality industry coming onboard.

He said this event will form part of the Ministry of Tourism’s overarching motto this year of ‘Rediscover Home’ targeting persons to come back to their homeland and enjoy what Guyana has to offer.

Noting that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is a key player in putting together the package, he said it will showcase and market our unique and diverse culture, and in this regard, he said they are hoping to offer a one-week package during Independence.

He also alluded to the progressive approach taken by Caribbean Airlines to offer low fares and said, “this is a great start as we try to package our tourism product.”

For airline bookings persons can call 1-800-744-2225 or visit any Caribbean Airlines office or airport counters. They are offering a fare of US$580 return (all taxes included) from New York to Guyana and persons can also enjoy lowest fares from Trinidad. Local transportation for all the events will be provided at the low cost of US$5 per day.

Visitors would be provided with a calendar of Holi events and tour options and enjoy some of the best deals, from which they can choose from, including Roraima Tours trip to Arrowpoint Nature Resort at US$85 per person; Evengreen Adventures Essequibo River Tours at US$95 per person; and Rainforest Tours trip to the majestic Kaieteur Falls at only US$230 per person.

Persons can book with any participating hotels and enjoy very low rates: Cara Lodge – US$116 Single and US$122 Double; Duke Lodge – US$116 Single Room; Grand Coastal Inn – US$70 Single and US$99 Deluxe; Princess Hotel – US$90 Single and US$110 Double; and Sleep Inn – US$45 Single and US$60 Double. All rates are VAT Inclusive and include complimentary breakfast.

For more information, persons can visit the Guyana Tourism Authority website: www.guyana-tourism.com or Caribbean Airlines website: www.caribbean-arlines.com

Holi at Home...

Guyana to Host Sustainable Tourism Conference

2012-02-02T12:59:00.000-05:00

Guyana set to host major Sustainable Tourism Conference in April

Posted on January 23, 2012 by PR

STC team updating the press on their recent site visit to Guyana

CONSIDERED by all as heaven for sustainable tourism, Guyana is all set to host, for the second time, the 13th Annual Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-13), from April 15-18, 2012. The conference will be held under the theme, ‘Keeping the Right Balance sustaining our resources’, and is expected to attract more than 250 delegates who are key stakeholders in the Tourism Sector.According to the Minister of Tourism (ag) Irfaan Ali, the hosting of this “prestigious” event will provide a perfect platform from which the country can advance the advantages of the pooling together of the rich diversity of the Caribbean regions into a common product, which can be sustainable and attractive to the varied tourism market that exists.

He made this observation yesterday at a press briefing in the boardroom of the Housing Ministry, where he was joined by members of a CTO delegation visiting Guyana, and including Sustainable Tourism Product Specialist Ms. Gail Henry, and CTO Communications Specialist, Mr. Johnson Johnrose.

“Guyana is the heaven when it comes to sustainable tourism and eco tourism, and it is very important that the heaven produces a conference that would re-shape the way sustainable tourism is viewed,” he explained.

Minister Ali observed that Guyana is hosting the conference at an ideal time, when the country is advancing the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and is on the forefront of the global struggle against climate change.

He said, “With more than 40M acres of rain forest under protection, energy, water and biodiversity resources are issues confronting us today. We are also a advancing our hydroelectricity project in a very sustainable manner, ensuring that nature remains intact. We in Guyana are on the forefront of the global struggle to ensure that nature is preserved, to ensure that economic growth occurs in a sustainable manner, and that gives us the right platform on which we could present our case… normally the developed world will speak of global warming, and they are the biggest culprits when it comes to pollution and emissions. In this case we are speaking of sustainable development and we can be considered leading examples of how we are developing policies and programmes in keeping with what we preach, that is sustainable development.”

Alluding to the cost of hosting such an event, Minister Ali said the budget is being worked on, and stressed that the benefits to be derived would outweigh the cost.

“This is an investment in the Tourism Sector, which the government is willing to make,” he announced.

He mentioned too that the planners of the CTO have written to former President Bharrat Jagdeo to get him to accept an invitation to be a keynote speaker at this event, considering his strong views on issues of sustainability.

Minister Ali expressed confidence that, Guyana’s previous award for Excellence in Tourism , which was given to Surama Eco Lodge , will set a precedent this year for another successful nomination, while demonstrating that the country has the perfect blend of nature and economic growth to produce a tourism package that is sustainable and vibrant.

The platform will also be used to highlight the importance of sustainability of the Caribbean food market and its ability to sustain the regions tourism sector, Ali added.

As to how this will be done, he said, “We have been long regarded as the breadbasket of the Caribbean, we will be looking to partner with a lot of the big players in the tourism sector in the Caribbean as they come here, so we will have a special agro exhibition for targeting those markets.”

He underscored the importance of capturing and servicing new markets, and utilising the opportunity the conference offers to “promote this aspect of what nature ensures this country offer to the rest of the Caribbean, which is a sustainable food supply, a very important aspect of the tourism sector and of economic growth.

“The event will bring together the most elite group of investors, tourist operators and tourism practitioners and persons who are influential in the tourism field in the Caribbean, and it is very important that we make full use of this opportunity to promote Guyana and to ensure that Guyana captures the long held potential of having a good market share when it comes to nature tourism, sustainable tourism and eco tourism,” he stressed.

Prepared

Meanwhile, both CTO representatives used the opportunity to point out their findings on the country’s preparedness to host the upcoming STC- 13, to be held at the Guyana International Conference Center (GICC) Liliendaal.

“We have conducted a series of site visits to examine the facilties and they are quite adequate; so, as we finalize our preparations for the conference, we will have very comfortable venues and accommodations… we are making sure that all of those things are on par with what our delegates would expect, and we are quite happy with what we have seen so far,” Ms. Henry explained.

She also pointed out a series of benefits Guyana will enjoy as a result of hosting the event, including extensive promotion of the destination, through the international media which will be present, in addition to knowledge transfer through the various workshops, panel discussions and study tours which will be a part of the conference, as well as “speak out sessions “, where the local stakeholders in Guyana will be able to share with a panel their views on certain aspects of tourism sustainability.

Meanwhile, CTO Communications Specialist, Johnrose reiterated that the country is well on its ways to hosting another successful conference, and is the only country to host the event twice.

He noted too that the delegates will, for the first time, plant a tree at the conclusion of the conference, in recognition of Guyana’s advocacy for Sustainable Tourism Development.

The Guyana Tourism Authority will be responsible for the accreditation of the local media to provide coverage for the event, and the CTO Communications Specialist assured that the media will have access to all the planned events.( Chronicle News – January 18, 2012)

Rediscover Hom in Guyana

‘Slavery by Another Name’

2012-02-01T23:48:00.001-05:00

Dr. Sharon Malone, Shares Her Story ‘Slavery by Another Name’

*Imagine this…

You do some research into your family tree and discover that your uncle, who was born nearly 30 years after slavery, was one of thousands of black men pulled back into a forced labor system in which they were arrested – largely on trumped up charges – and compelled to work without pay as prisoners.
Imagine that this “convict leasing” system saw the groups of prisoners sold to private parties – like plantation owners or corporations - and that it was not only tolerated by both the North and South, but largely ignored by the U.S. Justice Department.

Now, imagine that nearly a century after your uncle served 366 days in this penal labor system, you find yourself married to the head of the U.S. Justice Department, who, ironically, just so happens to be the first African American in the position.

Dr. Sharon Malone, wife of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, tells the heartbreaking story of her uncle Henry in the upcoming 90-minute PBS documentary “Slavery by Another Name.” The film is based on the eye-opening book by Douglas A. Blackmon, which exposes a part of American history that most folks either had no clue existed, or didn’t know existed to the extent that it did.

“I want people to understand that this is not something that’s divorced and separate, and this doesn’t have anything to do with them,” Dr. Malone told EURweb exclusively at the Television Critics Association press tour last week. “If you were a black person who grew up in the South, some way or the other – whether or not you were directly involved in the system as my uncle was – you knew somebody who was, or your daily lives were circumscribed by those circumstances.”

“But more importantly,” she continues, “why I really want people to see this film is because this is American history. This isn’t just southern history, or African American history. It explains a lot of who we are as a people. It is a missing puzzle piece for what happened. You had the Civil War, you had reconstruction, gap, gap, gap, and then you’re at Martin Luther King. This fills in that gap.”

“Slavery by Another Name,” narrated by Laurence Fishburne and produced and directed by Sam Pollard, premieres Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS. Scroll down to watch the promo.
Below, Dr. Malone says she sensed that something was always on low boil with Uncle Henry.

Slavery by another name...

Guyanese Diaspora targeted in new tourism initiative

2012-02-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

The industry received a major boost with the arrival on Wednesday of a team from the History channel to photograph and capture some of the country’s most untouched and pristine areas.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Friday January 27, 2012 - The government has launched a new initiative to woo Guyanese in the Diaspora back home and boost tourist arrivals by 20 per cent.

It this week unveiled a “Festival of Colours” package that centres on Guyana’s Holi/Phagwah festival that takes place from March 2 - 9, 2012.

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali said this was the first in a series of tourism packages to be unleashed under the ‘Rediscover Home’ Tourism Initiative.

“We are targeting overseas based Guyanese directly, to come home to rediscover and enjoy the cultural activities in their home…towards this end, there will be a package available for the week- long activities.” he disclosed.

The government has teamed up with Caribbean Airlines and hotels to offer a package that includes airfare and hotel accommodation.

Minister Ali said the packaging of activities around the rich Guyanese culture would help boost the country’s tourism industry.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh said March was targeted because of the lull in visitors calling here during that period and the week-long festivity.

“An activity of this nature will aid the tourism sector’s objective or surpassing the tourist arrival figure for 2011,” he suggested.

The industry received a major boost with the arrival on Wednesday of a team from the History channel to photograph and capture some of the country’s most untouched and pristine areas, following in the steps of reputable worldwide companies such as the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Some 126,313 visitors arrived here between January to October 2011, a 0.8 per cent increase from the previous year, according to figures from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

Rediscover Home

History Channel in Guyana’s Amazon

2012-02-01T22:31:00.001-05:00

History Channel begins documentary
– Guyana’s Amazon to be highlighted

January 27, 2012

Cast of Bamazon and producers from the History Channel with Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali in the executive lounge at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA)

A 24 member team; eight males from Alabama (Southern United States) and 16 producers from the renowned History Channel arrived in Guyana on Wednesday to commence a six- week documentary on Guyana’s wildlife and rainforests. The documentary will feature eight one hour series titled “Bamazon” and will be broadcast on the History Channel worldwide, reaching millions of households.

The eight males from Alabama will be the feature of the documentary and they will be exploring Guyana’s rainforests and wildlife. The History Channel team will be in charge of the filming and production of the documentary.

The name Bamazon was derived from the shorten form of residents in Alabama, which is Bama. Since the cast will be exploring Guyana’s Amazon, they came up with the word “Bamazon”. Supervising Producer of “Bamazon” from the History Channel Scott Madden said the cast will be spending most of the time in the Interior. According to Madden, adventure, documentary and television is a very arduous task but noted that the team from the History Channel is world class.

“The History Channel has a reach for what we call top tier cable in the U.S. and that means those are households in the United States that most of the cable stations can hit. So we can get viewer numbers in the millions”, Madden stated.

Madden said that a broadcast date is not scheduled at the moment but noted that as soon as production in Guyana is finished they will be in post- production during the summer and the documentary can be expected to be completed before the year is over. According to Madden, the team has acknowledged Guyana as a leader of sustainable nature and said that they are delighted to be part of it.

President of New River Holdings Guyana Incorporated, Tim Evans said that his company which has been stationed in Guyana for the past five years have been looking for destinations for eco- tourism resorts and lodges across the length and breadth of the nation. He said that Guyana has vast potential which prompted him to inform the History Channel.

“Guyana is the only English speaking country in South America; it has non-stop flights from New York, it has warm political relations with the United States, unlike a lot of other rain forest countries. It has the complete package”, Evans stated.

Evans said that the focus of the documentary is to showcase Guyana in its beautiful, pristine and unspoiled natural resource. He could not give an exact value of the investment being made into the documentary but Evans said that it is in the millions.

Meanwhile, Acting Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister, Irfaan Ali said that Guyana is increasingly becoming an exciting adventure in terms of eco-tourism and explorative tourism.
Ali expressed much gratitude at the fact that Guyana has attracted such a high level of foreign interest in the tourism sector.

“The History Channel has a very large market. The U.S. market is one that is consistently looking for a different product-a product that rekindles them with nature, a product that gives them more adventure – and Guyana has that ability. We are hoping that after this documentary by the History Channel we can continue the relationship and bring other such entities into Guyana so that we can promote this unique product of ours”, Minister Ali said.

According to Ali, the documentary is an excellent opportunity for Guyana to boost its tourism sector. He said that it will enable Guyana to have wider access to a larger market. Ali said that Guyana is already known as one of the leading countries in terms of environmental protection.

“The Low Carbon Development Strategy is now a global strategy. It’s a strategy that is being discussed in many parts of the academic world. So the environment itself is a product today and we have that product the issue is how we promote this product as fast as possible in all the markets and get the product to be known- and this is an opportunity for us in promoting that product and getting it known”, Ali stated.

http://www.guyanatimesinternational.com/?p=13521

Guyana has a great deal of promise in oil & gas

2012-02-01T22:19:00.001-05:00

Guyana has a great deal of promise in oil & gas
– Anadarko Petroleum Corporation official

Published on Friday, 27 January 2012

The largest independent oil and gas Company in the United States (US), Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, regards Guyana as a country with a great deal of promise in the oil and gas sector. International Business Developer of Anadarko Richard Lapin accompanied by another official of the company and, Head of the Petroleum Unit of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Noel Dennison met President Ramotar to renew its interest in petroleum exploration in Guyana. Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud also joined the meeting.

Last September Vice President, Business Development of Anadarko, Ian J. Cooling led a delegation to former President Bharrat Jagdeo to signal the company’s interest in what is ranked one of the highly underexplored basins in the world. Speaking briefly to the Government Information Agency (GINA) Lapin said that although there is much preliminary work still to be undertaken, the oil and gas outlook in Guyana is positive.
Anadarko had embarked on a geological assessment of the region in its frontier quest and believes that its technical and financial capacity will be a value added to the emergence of the oil and gas sector on the local shores. The Guyana Government had also received a proposal from Prime Energy LLC- Caribbean, a US based petroleum company to construct the first ever oil refinery in Guyana which officials say will create employment opportunities for approximately 100 persons.
President of the company Jerry Brooks had explained that the interest to establish a refinery in Guyana was stimulated by the fact that several countries around the world are looking to 20,000 barrels a day refineries for their countries given the high cost incurred to transport crude oil to the US for refining.
Meanwhile, several internationally renowned oil exploration companies are on the hunt for oil in Guyana’s territorial waters which is considered the second most attractive under-explored basin in the world. Repsol, a Spanish company is exploring through a joint venture with Tullow Oil, a London-based Company, CGX of Canada and YPF for the drilling of the Jaguar well.

The ExxonMobil/Shell joint venture is pursuing a drilling project on a deepwater offshore block and has since shot a large seismic survey, which is soon to be examined as a guide for the future.
Gas & Oil Promise look good in Guyana

2012-02-01T22:14:00.000-05:00

Social historian Godfrey Chin dies

January 17, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under News

Godfrey Chin, who spent his last years showcasing the Guyana of yesterday, has died.

Chin, who was 74, was found dead in his Kitty, Georgetown home. Friends recalled him having a bout of the flu last week.

“Ya think it easy,” was his signature lines that most of his friends uttered upon news of his death.
In recent years, through various exhibitions, he presented classic photos of Guyana’s history, from cinemas, Old Georgetown, to sporting events.

Significantly his ‘Nostalgia” exhibitions showcased the Black Fridays of 1913, 1945, 1951 and 1962 – other fires at Sacred Heart Church, Brickdam Cathedral and the Park Hotel, Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953 and the rebuilding of the downtown shopping centre.
He even produced a book of those pictures, chronicling Guyana’s history from 1940-1980.
His exhibitions were a hit with Guyanese in the diaspora.
After living in the United States for almost three decades, Chin returned to Guyana two years ago.
He was divorced and had three sons.

Guyana looses Social Historian Godfrey Chin

Prominent Nostalgic Guyanese Stalwart Godfrey Chin has died

2012-02-01T20:54:00.000-05:00

Monday, January 16, 2012

Guyanese social history icon and culture enthusiast Godfrey Chin has passed away. He was 74.

Chin was found this morning lifeless on the floor of his Kitty residence.

The divorced father of three sons–two of whom live in the US, while the third is serving in Afghanistan–was said to be suffering from the flu last week. A relative said he last spoke to him on Saturday.

Chin lived some 27 years in the US and remigrated here two years ago.

He was the author of the very popular Nostalgia series in various media, as well as a book– Godfrey’s Nostalgias-Golden Memories of Guyana 1940-1980–and a pictorial enthusiast. Chin had hosted pictorial exhibitions at various venues across North America, including Vancouver in Canada and in the US in Washington DC, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and in Guyana. He was in the midst of planning an exhibition.

Below is his account of life on the street where he lived.

“At eight years of age, our family moved to 337 Murray St around 1945 – the northern side next to the corner tower house at Cummings St, where Henry Gomes, the chief pressman of Argosy lived with his huge family. He brought home every major magazine from Life to Man’sWorld, and my exposure to reading and literature began. His house was a virtual library, a treasury from which life’s nuggets were mined.

When that family moved around 1950, and the DaCambras from New Amsterdam took their place, my exposure to the arts – drawing, etc, expanded, as Hilary, their second son, was an accomplished artist, and we challenged and encouraged each other continuously in this field.

“Opposite, Chuck-A-Sang’s Parlour and Grocery enabled this cookshop-fly to learn entrepreneurship, as I volunteered to help in their business – brewing mauby daily – ordering and packing bread, cakes and pastry. At 14, my investment in reselling comic books was encouraged, as were my DJ services – playing ’78s on the juke box in the evening for the customers’ entertainment.

“Behind the shop the Chuck-A-Sangs reared pigeons and poultry, and so I was introduced to husbandry. A stage was built behind the coops – weightlifting/bodybuilding was introduced with a team of the neighbourhood waifs vying individually, in fierce competition in any activity that instigated betting, to augment meagre pocket money and earnings. The clashes included dominoes, trup, poker, brag for money, bicycle and foot races. The gamesmanship taught were early lessons in my teenage years among bigger bullies and fanatic ball buridees, all enhancing and expanding my teen years..

“Many mornings we rode at dawn to the Camp St Sea Wall for a game of football – had a swim if the tide was in – and returned home in time for school and work. Murray St was our Hell’s Kitchen. A motley crew that called each other by false names, which reflected our character, race, idiosyncrasies and disabilities, all taken in good stride, with fistic fights every so often. Life’s lessons teaching street smarts, that in later years made us ‘icons’ in our respective fields and professions.

“In 1953, the elder ruffians left to seek work on the cattle ranches in Rupununi – without success – and actually walked back, discarding all their personal belongings to survive the hazards of the cattle trail. Of course my eagerness to leave school for this adventure was unacceptable to my parents, and I was so relieved at their safe return, with barely their shirts on their backs.

“The neighbourhood was an orchard – profuse huge mango trees next door – that seemed to bear perennially, and I had a better pelt than Charlie Stayers. The Houstons opposite, had 2 sapodilla trees and it was regular competition between me, the yawarries, bats, birds and other two-footed denizens who trespassed into my territory. The Taitts in the next block had also several sapodilla and mango trees, and it took a good half hour to harvest your daily 6 o’clock fruit breakfast, which included also dungs, papaws, tamarind, golden and star apple.Under the huge fruit trees the yards were bare – grass na grow, swept dutch clean daily – and so cricket bat and ball were our Test match clashes, preparing us for national games by the time we reached long pants. Wood gun and slingshots were our AK47s, while ya can buy a cigarette for a cent, and learn to smoke playing ‘big man.’

“Every father in the neighbourhood was an artisan, hustling a living to feed their nuff picknies. A variety of trades that familiarized us with shoemaking – stuffing fibre mattresses, bicycle repair, building bird cages. At East St corner, DaSilva’s Confectionery taught us to make ‘sweetie,’ as we volunteered to wrap the sour stick, peppermint, butterscotch and nuttin. We even learnt sleight of hand for pocket rewards to sell for matinee bills.

“At the print shop around the corner on East St we could learn printing and book-binding, while at Sixth St corner, the Smalls family fascinated us with their debut garden golf. Bottom house table tennis was available and the seasonal Easter kite making and Christmas tree preparation was a learning experience for us promising tradesmen, if we were so hell bent. Career choices were so straightfoward then, as your parents often admonished: “Study your school books, learn a trade or you go to jail.” Mine were convinced I was going to drive a donkey cart for a living.

“Musical talent was encouraged. The Rogers family around the corner on Fourth St set the standard, and obliquely opposite a future musical icon Ray Luck and sister Beverly, were practising daily their piano scales. Steel band jamming was available at Quo Vadis and Marabunta’s panyard by Bourda Green, with the annual Christmas costume tramp a neighbourhood collaboration, to match any Brazilian samba school.

Typing and shorthand was taught by AE ‘Cowie’ Luck opposite on Cummings St and our neighbourhood sports heroes, Stanley Moore and his son Maurice – national sports stars in football and table tennis, lived two buildings down on Cummings St. Of course the network of alleys, open palings and broken fences made the entire neighbourhood our own personal domain and playground
“East St was a flowing canal ideal for swimming, boating and fishing, and I was the ‘champion duck and drake.’ Alya remember that… A flat stone skimmed across the water for the most bounces. Other times, waist deep in the canal, we shied for fish.

For movie escapism there was the Empire pit on Middle St. Man, even PHG was 2 blocks away for emergencies such as broken limbs, nail stick, cuts and bruises.

“Of course nuff boy children to play with, but also nuff girls to shark, court and puppy love. A harem of innocence, as from age 9 you were taught practical lessons in understanding the opposite sex. The Davilars in our duplex next door had six daring, darling, dougla daughters – and it was a continuous baptism, as the girls would outgrow you, in boyhood retarded adolescence. Girls always outgrew their training bra before we could fill our first bif! Unless this was a Chinese handicap.

“Bastiani Funeral Parlour was at Albert and Fifth St, if anyone kicked the bucket. There was the Mystic Friendly Burial Society at the nearby Lodge, to encourage saving, while Zam DeAbreu’s father was a moneylender for short term loans. Tarrant Glasgow, national cycle champion would lime with us, and corner sprints, upright-bicycle races for weekpay stakes, would end in severe brawls, when he was often ‘pocketed’ in planned stings. Nuff fight with bottle and stones. Ya think it easy.

“We also had our own obeah card reader in the neighbourhood – off limits high zinc fence with nuff traffic after the 6 o’clock bee at dusk.

“Our teenage challenge was thus to ‘dress to impress,’ learn to dance soor like a kissadee lest cat eat your dinner. Your first long pants was a sweepstakes winner; your first bicycle meant you can join the ticker parade on the sea wall Sunday afternoon. Lottery was introduced in Guyana in 1981.

“The devil took the hindmost. The girls were your buddy friends’ sisters, so we had to be respectful, know our place, or house visits, comic book loans would be verboten. In later years of adolescence we would select our favourites and graduation to proms, parties, socials would be not the battle of the sexes, but brothers, sisters, kissing cousins-camaraderie that made our puberty a delightful experience, preparing us for adult and parenthood.

“In our neighbourhood each of us in this challenging environment was a small acorn, which grew into a huge oak tree – our branches making waves – providing comfort and shade in the enclaves where we live today.

“In reflecting on the streets where many of my friends lived yesteryear I rejoice in the conviction that their neighbourhood was similar to mine. Ken Corsbie was a corner away on East St; Vibert Cambridge First St, Alberttown; Tony Phillips on Duke St, Kingston; Malcolm Hall on Louisa Row; Wesley Kirton on Pere St, Kitty; Ray Seales on Robb St; Arthur Veerasammy on Carmichael St; Claire Patterson on Hadfield St, Lodge; Aileen Morgan on New Market St; Tangerine Clark on Princes St, Lodge; Chico Khan and Slingshot Drepaul in William St, Kitty. Hell – look how far we come.”

The Guyanese Community looses Godfrey Chin

The A21 Campaign - Maria's Story

2011-07-21T15:30:00.000-04:00

The A21 Campaign - Maria's Story

Historic election makes Guyanese Lieutenant Governor Marketing of District 81 Caribbean Toastmasters.

2011-07-21T12:11:00.003-04:00

Guyanese makes history by being elected Lieutenant Governor Marketing of District 81 Caribbean Toastmasters.

Ewart Adams ACS/ALS created history when he became the first Guyanese to be elected as Lieutenant Governor Marketing for District 81 Caribbean Toastmasters, the third highest ranking office of the District at a recent conference held in Tortola.

District 81 which comprises of 18 countries Aruba, Barbados , Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands Curacao, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica , Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos and the US Virgin Islands, is affiliated to Toastmasters International a worldwide organization committed to improving Communication and leadership skills which exists in over 106 countries and has over 12500 clubs of which 4 million people have benefitted from the program since 1924 when it was founded by Dr Ralph Smedley in California.

As Lieutenant Governor of District 81, he is expected to coordinate the Marketing Strategies and activities necessary to achieve the District growth and objectives, by developing a strong Marketing plan and focusing on making Toastmasters available to more people by building new clubs in new Countries, Corporations and Communities while also emphasizing a dedication to member service.

Prior to being elected Lieutenant Governor Marketing Ewart Adams ACS/ALS would have served his club, Guyana Are Council of Toastmasters and as Division Governor for District 81, Guyana currently has 5 Toastmasters Clubs 3 corporate and 2 community Clubs.

Interested entities or group of persons desirous of having a Toastmasters Club established can send their request to ewart_adams@yahoo.com.

Guyanese Amputee takes Cycling Title in Anguilla

2011-07-21T09:54:00.007-04:00

July 19, 2011
Grant Stuart (Photo courtesy of the Guyana Cycling Assoc. of North America).

By Allison Skeete

News Americas, The Valley, Anguilla, Weds. July 20, 2011: --

Amputee cyclist, Walter Grant Stuart, is a standout athlete who now has a championship title to prove it.

Not only did he stand out in the 12th Annual John T. Memorial 102-mile long race this past Sunday, July 17th in Anguilla, but he captured the support and hearts of new fans and many others who clearly rooted him on with respect and awe. A former fireman in Guyana, Stuart lost his arm on active duty three years ago.

But that has not stopped him one bit. On Sunday, he won the title of the John T. Memorial Cycle Race in a heated finish against Francl Pangan of St, Maarten in with a time of 3:42:12. He remained in the lead pack throughout the race amazing and pleasing the crowds on hand.

Shocked and stunned spectators were so impressed with his victory and skill they spontaneously went through the crowds and collected money and presented him afterwards.

The amputee cyclist had already proven himself to be among the top cyclists in Guyana. He was forced to drop out of the A+ race on Saturday, July 16th, when he encountered mechanical trouble with his bicycle. But word of his performance incited the crowds who came out to see the ‘One-Hand’ cyclist from Guyana, and Guyanese residing in Anguilla were overwhelmingly elated when he crossed the finish line first on Sunday.

Godfrey Pollydore, another Guyanese cyclist, took 7th place. He’s also a former top cyclist in Anguilla. No Anguillan has ever won this title, which sees more than 50 cyclists from around the Caribbean who participate in the event.

Stuart thanked the Anguillan community for making him feel at home and for their support at the awards ceremony. The first three place winners received a trophy and US$1,000, $800 and $600, respectively. The prize money decreased by $100 to the tenth place winner and all those placing between 11 and 20 received $50.

The Guyana Cycling Association of North America, which is presided over by Neville Hunte, supports the champion and will be hosting an event and raffle in honor of Stuart during the September Labor Day weekend in New York.

Source

Brooklyn Honors Caribbean Stalwarts for Caribbean Heritage Month 2011

2011-06-24T15:38:00.002-04:00

BP MARKOWITZ, DEPUTY BP GRAHAM CELEBRATE CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE AT BOROUGH HALL

Photos by Kathryn Kirk

Photo 1: Deputy BP Yvonne Graham with the honorees, from left to right: Horace L Morancie, Claire Ann Goring, Graham, Sabrina Antoinette HoSang, Roy Hastik, President/CEO CACCI, Tony Best

Photo 2: BP Markowitz addresses the crowd while holding the flag of his self adopted Caribbean “home country,” Trinidad and Tobago.

June 24, 2011

*PHOTO RELEASE* BP MARKOWITZ, DEPUTY BP GRAHAM CELEBRATE CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE AT BOROUGH HALL

On Thursday, June 24, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham celebrated Caribbean-American Heritage Month at Brooklyn Borough Hall in conjunction with the Caribbean-American Heritage Month Committee. Honorees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awards
Mr. Horace Morancie
Community Activist
Trinidad And Tobago

Mr. Tony Best
Journalist
Barbados

Entrepreneur Award
Ms. Sabrina Hosang
Coo Caribbean Food Delights
Jamaica

Community Service Award
Ms. Claire Goring
Hybiskus Creations
Guyana

Jon Paul Lupo
Office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
Director of Communications and External Affairs

Guyana Left Out in Brooklyn...

2011-06-23T14:59:00.016-04:00

Caribbean Heritage Foul Up

Today, at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Caribbean Heritage month was being celebrated; however among the proud array of CARICOM Flags on display at the rotunda, that of the nation in which CARICOM was born in 1973 was missing.

The flag of Guyana, known as The Golden Arrowhead, has been the national flag of Guyana since May 1966 when the country became independent from the United Kingdom. It was designed by Whitney Smith, an American vexillologist (though originally without the black and white fimbriations, which were later additions suggested by the College of Arms in the United Kingdom).

The proportions of the national flag are 3:5. The colours are symbolic, with green for agriculture and forests, white for rivers and water, gold for mineral wealth, black for endurance, and red for zeal and dynamism.

The omittance of this was noticed earlier in the week as Guyanese had flocked to the venue in celebration of that country's 45th independence. When a staff member of authority at Brooklyn Borough Hall who's involved in the planning of the events stated not knowing anything abouth having the Guyana flag there it led to cries of outrage, disappointment and feelings of disrespect.

What this blogger questions is doesn't the Borough President's office check facts? Isn't there a procedure on record and archival files showing that in the last six years that Guyanese in the constituency contribute and support these events? CARICOM has been in existence since 1973 wouldn't their staff check the CARICOM website to verify Guyana's membership? How will we ever get ahead if we don't know from whence we came?

At the Heads of Government Conference in 1973, then Prime Minister of Guyana, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham was among the leaders of signatory to the documentation at the founding of CARICOM.

Two noted Guyanese were slated to be honored at today's events, imagine their shock at the absence of the Golden Arrowhead on display in the rotunda. Along with members of the Guyanese Business Community and Press this represented a moment of hurt and outrage; one affluent Guyanese left the Hall in pursuit of finding a flag to wave, others became vocal at the staffer who should have known better. It appears that person opted not to disclose the grievous error of exclusion to avoid questioning of their job performance; an unconscionable choice in light of the PR nightmare it's bound to bring to the office of a well-liked and affable Borough President who claims any Caribbean Heritage when participating in events of the many Caribbean-American nations represented in his constituency.

When contacted, Marty Markowitz's Press Secretary was unaware of the fracas; and at last word was looking into it. I doubt that he's prepared for what he'll find. I dare say though that all too long the Guyanese community have let such oversights just pass as dust swept under the rug; this would not be an issue faced by Jamaica, Barbados or Trinidad.

Guyanese I urge you to speak up; contact the office of Borough President, Marty Markowitz, his office works for you and your vote keeps him in office.

Contact the Borough or Deputy Borough President, send an email, send a message: Marty Markowitz askmarty@broklynbp.nyc.gov or Yvonne Graham ygraham@brooklynbp.nyc.gov there should be an apology issued to the Guyanese Community.

Mark Zustovich
Office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
Press Secretary
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
718.802.3830 (office)
917.355.8590 (mobile)
http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/

The Guyana flag finally placed on the banister at Brooklyn Borough Hall after the nation in which CARICOM was signed into existence had its flag omitted from display with all the other member nations of CARICOM in the rotunda as the borough celebrated Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

Wanna Satiate Your Summer Cravings?!

2011-06-23T14:18:00.001-04:00

Chef/owner Alavia Moore is serving up some seriously great food at iLand Breeze.

973-761-0504, Maplewood, NJCredit Lauren Bright

Pssst...Wanna Satiate Your Summer Cravings?!

By Lauren Bright Pacheco
Email the author
June 22, 2011

Aww yeah, we're gonna help bump you over the end of school slump with a serious serving of delicious dish on some of the most anticipated openings and offerings in town:

iLand Breeze – The taste of the tropics radiate from this menu of this scrumptious Springfield Avenue joint with such force you nearly need SPF to read it. The big story here? The tweaks made just in time for fun in the summer sun:

“We’re going with bolder, more exciting flavors in lighter dishes,” says stunning chef/owner Avalia Moore. “People crave lighter, less heavy fare for the hotter weather, so we’re adding offerings like sandwiches and gourmet burgers in addition to the dishes we’re famed for like Jerk Salmon and Jerk Tilapia.”

Also new... Just call (973-761-0504) for CURBSIDE PICK-UP - ring ahead on the way to your next picnic or the pool and a delicious meal's a done deal! Now that’s seriously sure to be a major Maplewood SPLASH!!! (And, yes, they still deliver, too.) You also won’t want to miss their Customer Appreciation Day scheduled for July 9th from 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm. Stop in for a free sampling with a 20% discount off of regular priced items.

Source

iLand Breeze Cafe Update...

2011-06-10T18:21:00.002-04:00

Breached and Betrayed, iLand Breeze Café is set to rebound…

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – Friday, June 10, 2011:-- How do you rebuild a business after there has been a severe violation of trust and communication? When iLand Breeze Café opened in Maplewood last April 2010; its appeal was a welcome one to the community… it presented an exciting flair of flavors that brought customers in and who spread the word quickly about the multi-pleasing palate café. Yet within a year customers were scratching their heads and wondering WHAT HAPPENED?

We thought we’d ask this question of Availa Moore the owner of iLand Breeze…

Mayor DeLuca; Avalia Moore & Vice Mayor Cathleen Leventhal at iLand Breeze Cafe. VisionsInPictures Image

CMW: When iLand Breeze first opened there were two of you involved in the business, what was the concept in mind for the establishment?

AM: The concept we had been to create a unique Caribbean & Southern flavor eatery with an ambiance; featuring family trays at an affordable price. As you know, it can become expensive ordering individual servings.

CMW: What happened to change the business between you two?

AM: Partnerships have varied contractual agreements, my former partner was supposed to buy into the partnership. What that means is that I provided the financing needed to open the business and he was suppose to re-reimburse me a certain portion; at which time he would have become a legitimate partner on paper.

CMW: There’s been talk of distrust and betrayal and that even some law enforcement steps having been taken; do you care to shed a little light on that?

AM: Well, my former "partner" did not fulfill the partnership agreement; instead he sought to assume sole proprietorship deceitfully. When that was unsuccessful he resorted to using slander to sabotage the business; along with friends he wrote numerous slanderous letters and emails and even used social media venues attempting to hurt or bring and end to iLand Breeze despite legal facts that show his claims to be untrue and without merit. It was an unexpected blow.

CMW: Was there a total partnership established?

AM: No

CMW: After your sole ownership was established how did you start again?

AM: I re-launched the business by having a grand Re-Opening to the community and introduced featured guest artists. The Mayor of Maplewood also came out in support of the re-opening and I acquired a major catering contract at that same time.

CMW: So your catering became much more profitable than running the day to day café… is that why you sought the assistance of another "Chef"?

AM: Yes, essentially catering did become more profitable than running the day to day of the cafe.

CMW: Now that Chef has left and breached your agreement, by leaving before the terms set for your contract ended; what’s your next step to move on?

AM: My next step is to take full control of my business and I will be introducing a new summer menu.

CMW: You launched a re-opening after the trouble which led to your sole proprietorship per the legal documents in place at the start of your business in 2010, how will you re-establish iLand Breeze a second time and will you engage with the idea of partnering again?

AM: At the moment I am focusing on re-building however we never know what the future holds so I won't cross it off the list. I will however, be extremely selective of my future associates by taking the time to do due diligence. With that being said, I will yet again re-launch and re-establish iLand Breeze by having Customer Appreciation Day to thank my loyal customers for their support and re-introducing them my authentic cooking. In addition, I have enlisted the help of an experienced colleague and friend in hospitality management who has worked with the Hilton and Marriott Hotels to assist me with Customer Service and back-of- the house needs.

CMW: What will you do to ensure your customers that iLand Breeze is here to stay… customers want to know if your passion and your food will be as they’ve come to know and enjoy it… how will you win their support back after all that’s happened?

AM: I have to make it work; I’ve never lost my passion for the quality or flavor of my food; I entrusted someone else to carry on as I had; they’ve breached our contract and it cost me some customers but now with a better support system in place, I will once again be the Chef-in-house doing the cooking and baking. I will also implement a loyalty rewards programs, where customers will receive their 10th purchase free up to a specific dollar amount.

CMW: Statistics show that it takes at least 5 years for any new small business to begin showing profit, you’ve been fortunate that your catering contracts have helped you to avoid this as its been lucrative for you which has helped ease some of the pitfalls that have taken place. Will you now focus more on the daily running of the café?

AM: Yes, I have invested my life savings into this business and it’s what I know.

CMW: Is iLand Breeze going to restart its trend of presenting featured guests in the summer as in the past?

AM: Yes, we want to give the community something different so we will do that again.

CMW: What do you want to say to your customers and the Maplewood community to assure them that iLand Breeze is back and here to stay?

AM: I want to apologize to the customers for the inconsistencies they’ve encountered and to thank them for their continued support during the ups and downs that have taken place; and as such I would like to take this opportunity to invite them to the Customer Appreciation Day scheduled for July 9th from 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm. There will be free sampling with a 20% discount off of regular priced items.

iLand Breeze Cafe & Catering

Location: 1901 SPRINGFIELD AVE., MAPLEWOOD, NJ 07040
Phone: 973-489-0068
Hours: Mon - Fri: 9AM - 9PM - Sat: 9AM - 9PM

The CABA 2011 Honors

2011-06-10T17:49:00.003-04:00

CABA Honors Civic Leaders in the Community

By Allison Skeete

MAPLEWOOD, NJ Friday, June 10, 2011: The Caribbean American Business Association of New Jersey recently held its annual gala dinner in Newark at the Airport Marriott Hotel. The economic and cultural growth of business leaders in New Jersey’s Caribbean American community and the greater Diaspora are chief reasons CABA was founded the opportunity for the procurement of success and benefit to the community is paramount for the success aimed for by CABA; they aim to help members to capitalize by using networking that help businesses manage their business and maintain their success.

This year's award winners were East Orange General Hospital and Senator Ronald Rice; a stalwart in public service in Essex County along with Everton Scott Regional Public Affairs Manager for PSE&G.

East Orange General Hospital was honored with the Corporate Award; this is the only independent and fully accredited acute care hospital in Essex County with recognized programs in Kidney Dialysis, wound and emergency services. It’s a 211 bed facility and has survived to remain in operation when many others have closed in the county. Originally founded in Newark in 1903 it was relocated to East Orange in 1926 and has been expanded to occupy four long blocks along Central Avenue today. (Left: East Orange General Hospital representatives accept their award from Carl Fraser, CABA Bd. Member, Photo by VisionsInPictures)

Consolidations and closing of other area hospitals means a continual changing in the mission of East Orange General Hospital but its underlying quest to provide patient care remains a committed one. Today they have a state-of-the art MRI unit and have begun to implement an electronic health records system to ensure faster and more accurate patient care with more easily accessible patient records. Today East Orange Hospital stands as the head cornerstone of a community of an ever changing population at large.

(Sen. Rice receives his award from CABA Bd. Member, Dr. Elise Bourne-Busby, Photo by VisionsInPictures)
The stellar accomplishments of Senator Rice, were highlighted when he was presented with the President’s Award acknowledging his work and commitment to his constituents; he’s been elected seven times to retain his office which he first entered in 1986. The scholar, Marine Corp. Veteran and former police detective is known for fighting for the rights of people without bias and influence; though born in Richmond, VA, the state of New Jersey garnered a champion in this leader who’s affectionately known ‘Lion of the Senate’.

(Everton Scott gives expressive thanks for his award. Photo by VisionsInPictures) Everton Scott is the Regional Public Affairs Manager in Essex and Passaic Counties for Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G); another community stalwart who received the Community Service Award. He serves on many Board of Directors such as the Morris County Planning Board, the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce, the North New Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Morris County Human Relations commission and Morris Tomorrow and the County College of Morris County to name a few. He’s a native of Jamaica, West Indies and is the proud husband and father. He and wife Pauline have two children and strongly support his achievements as a scholar and businessman. He credited his humble beginnings and different experiences as worth overcoming to stand and accept the honor of achievement from a community that relates to his ideals, and commitment.

The event’s Keynote Speaker Dr. Valentine Burroughs is the Chief Medical Officer at East Orange General Hospital; he is a Board Certified Internist and Endocrinologist who has also served as the Chief ME in Wilmington, Delaware and in New York City. He provided remarks on the changes in health care under the new system signed into law by President Barack Obama and provided insight to what we should know and expect. He’s spent much time in communities plagued by poor health and other disparities; these are often over run areas overlooked but that are badly in need of services. He’s worked to established programs for overweight and obesity management and had written many landmark articles and a book on racial and ethnic difference in response to medication and ethics in the pharmaceutical industries.

AFRO-LATINO Roots Explored at the Brooklyn Museum

2011-06-02T09:40:00.002-04:00

First Saturday's at the Brooklyn Museum presents

June 4, 2011Afro-Latin Roots Music - 5–7 p.m.

Ghanaian recording artist Blitz the Ambassador celebrates his new album, Native Sun, with a live hip-hop set with The Embassy Ensemble.

Film - 6 p.m.
A Dios Momo (Leonardo Ricagni, 2005, 100 min.). An Afro-Uruguayan boy learns about life and his heritage through the songs of Carnival. Free tickets (330) available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

Performance - 6 p.m.
Queer Nigerian poet Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene presents her one-woman show Volcano’s Birthright{s}. Free tickets (25) available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

Hands-on Art - 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Create an Inca-inspired work of art. Free timed tickets (380) available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.

Curator Talk - 7 p.m.
Curator of African Art Kevin Dumouchelle discusses highlights of the African collection. Free tickets (30) available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.

Dance Party - 8–10 p.m.
DJ Spinna plays a variety of world music.

Book Club - 9 p.m.Join a discussion of Junot Díaz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (Riverhead, 2007), about Dominicans and Dominican Americans of African descent living in the United States.

Music - 9–10 p.m.
Cuban musician Juan-Carlos Formell taps into the African roots of the Caribbean experience. This concert is co-presented by the Museum and the Neighborhood Concert Series of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute.

Late Night in the Galleries - 10–11 p.m.
All galleries open.

The Brooklyn Museum & POV (Point of View) Screening

2011-06-02T09:31:00.001-04:00

Brooklyn Museum presents The Oath, an award-winning film by Oscar nominee Laura Poitras.

Photo courtesy of Praxis Films

The Oath (Laura Poitras, 2010, 90 min.). Filmed in Yemen and Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, this is a story about the fateful 1996 encounter between a man who would later serve as a bodyguard to Osama Bin Laden and a future prisoner of Guantánamo Bay. The fallout of that meeting set them on a path twisting toward 9/11 and beyond. Through a narrative rife with reversals, twists, and turns, director Poitras showcases the complexity and confusion surrounding these globally significant events. Winner of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival Excellence in Cinematography Award: Documentary. A co-production of ITVS in association with American Documentary/POV.

This event is a collaboration with the award-winning documentary series POV. Free with Museum admission. As seating is limited, advance ticket purchase for general admission and a reserved seat at the screening is recommended at http://www.museumtix.com/.

When: 7:00 PM , June 23rd, 2011 Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor

Where: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238-6052

Cost: FREE with Museum admission

Who: Award-winning film editor Jonathan Oppenheim will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film.

NYC Summer Stage 2011

2011-06-01T16:26:00.000-04:00

Hello SummerStage Fans!

On Tuesday, June 14, 2011, City Parks Foundation (CPF) will welcome guests to the SummerStage Gala, an annual fundraising benefit, to support CPF's free year-round arts programming. This year's concert is an evening of classic Motown hits! Bleachers seats are just $49, see below or visit www.summerstage.org/gala for details and to purchase tickets.

SummerStage Gala
Motown Meets NYC
Tuesday, June 14, 2011

CLICK HERE TO BUY $49 GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS

Schedule of Events:
6:00 p.m. VIP Cocktail Party
7:00 p.m. Dinner
8:00 p.m. Concert

On Tuesday, June 14, 2011, City Parks Foundation (CPF) will welcome guests to the SummerStage Gala, an annual fundraising benefit, to support CPF's free year-round arts programming. This year's concert is an evening of classic Motown hits starring:

Martha Reeves "Dancing in the Street"
Percy Sledge "When a Man Loves a Woman"
Dennis Edwards "My Girl"
Bettye Lavette
Joan Osborne • Ryan Shaw • José James
Amel Larrieux • Eli "PaperBoy" Reed
Deva Mahal • Robert Earl Keen

and featuring
The New York Pops
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor

The night begins at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail party for table purchasers held in the Pergola Area at SummerStage. At 7:00 p.m., tables of ten are served a full dinner and tables of four are provided with a light snack, followed by the concert at 8:00 p.m.

Central Park SummerStage is located at Rumsey Playfield (72nd Street, mid-park). Event is rain or shine.

Sunset Soca @ the Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy Park

2011-06-01T16:15:00.004-04:00

Sunset Soca, Thursday, June 2
6:00pm - 9:00pm, Pier 1

The weather looks fantastic, and Pier 1 is about to get hot, hot, hot.

Only 1 more day to get your tickets for the party that kicks off summer. Sunset Soca will transform Pier 1 into a Caribbean hotspot, with island rhythms, delicious food and specialty cocktails, and a very special silent auction with vacation homes, one-of-a-kind tours, and more. Check out all the auction items and plan your bids!

Live Caribbean music, island-inspired food & cocktails, children's activities, and a silent auction ... all to benefit free public programming in the park.

Thursday, June 2, 6:00-9:00pm, Pier 1

Ticket sales are open online until Thursday at 3:00pm!

Individual tickets are $125 online; $150 at the door.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

Since 2001, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy's annual Sunset fundraiser has raised money to support free public programming in the park. The Conservancy is proud to honor David Kramer and the New York Water Taxi & Helena Durst; these park champions have helped reclaim the Brooklyn Waterfront and bring Brooklyn Bridge Park to life.

If you can't attend Sunset Soca this year, please consider making a donation to show your support for a world-class park on the Brooklyn waterfront.

For more information, email or call Richard Loyd at 718-802-0603. Proceeds from Sunset Soca support free public programming in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Beer lovingly provided by Brooklyn Brewery
Wine and spirits graciously donated by Heights Chateau
Children's activities provided by Half Pint Citizens

For more information and FREE upcoming events in Brooklyn Bridge Park check out brooklynbridgepark.org and brookynbridgeparknyc.org

Full Calendar of Events

Moonlight Storytelling... Folklore and more from Guyana...

2011-05-31T16:36:00.000-04:00

Guyana Cultural Association launches it's 2011 Season with Moonlight Storytelling. Full Moon Storytelling Night: Folk Tales and Tellers from Guyana

This special event outside St. Stephen’s Church will feature Guyanese folk tales told by the light of the full moon. Featuring the stories of George Davidson, Winston "Jeggae" Hoppe and others from the Guyanese community with special guest tale teller Tammy Hall. Meet outside the church; in case of rain, inside the church. Click here for directions

Presented by Brooklyn Arts Council in cooperation with the Guyana Cultural Association

WHEN: Wednesday, June 1, 6:30-8:30pm
WHERE: St. Stephen’s Church
E.28th St and Newkirk Avenue (East Flatbush

Artist Bios

Robin Bady is a storyteller who draws upon world folklore, fairy tales, oral traditions, ghost stories and literature for fun interactive storytelling performances that educate as well as entertain. With guitar and songs, movement and madcap characterizations, she brings her stories to joyful life, creating an electric and engaging rapport with her audience. Her storytelling connects us to each other across cultures, traditions and time, powerfully reminding us that we are all members of one world family.

Grace Chapman is an educator, folklorist and performance artist. Over the past twenty years, Ms. Chapman has developed curricula to enhance learning through use of the creative arts, with a focus on underserved student populations. Recognized as one of Guyana’s leading performance artists and folklorists, she has written, directed, and appeared in several critically acclaimed productions which explore diverse themes of Guyanese/Caribbean history, culture and folklore. These presentations include The Green Bottle, Ghost at El Dorado, and Ol’ Higue.

George Davidson was born in Guyana in 1938. He has lived in Brooklyn for many years, but he retains traditional folktales learned from his mother and father when he was a boy and others learned later from his wife. Some of these tales have an African lineage, such as the Nansi spider trickster tales. Others are part of a broader lineage of malevolent female shape-shifter and witch stories, such as Ole Higue (Old Hag), told in different traditions throughout the world. George exemplifies the kind of traditional storytelling that is culturally specific, learned informally and performed in intimate settings on moonlight story nights.

Tammy Hall, a former New York City teacher and advocate for literacy, has been called “Storyteller Supreme” and conducts storytelling and writing workshops throughout the greater metropolitan area. As an African-American and native of Clarksville, Tennessee, she draws from her black southern rural heritage to deliver an unforgettable tale. Listening to wonderful stories at the foot of her first and most memorable storyteller, her father, had a profound effect on her life. Ms. Hall believes storytelling to be an artistic, expressive way of bringing people together and guiding them on a journey of the world’s cultures, peoples, and landscapes through imagination.

Winston "Jeggae" Hoppie is well-known in his Brooklyn community as a percussionist and poet. As a drummer for the Spiritual Baptist Church, he plays for church services, weddings, and funeral wakes. He has expert knowledge of Guyanese folk traditions in music and story. He performs traditional story genres from Guyana such as the ballad “Uncle Joe,” the story song “Jane Engaged,” as well as legends associated with the bottle genie called bakou.

Event Flyer

Source

NJ Senator to be honored at CABA's 2011 Gala Dinner

2011-05-31T16:04:00.006-04:00

The Caribbean American Business Association of New Jersey to honor State Senator

MAPLEWOOD, NJ, - May 23, 2011: -- The Caribbean American Business Association (CABA) of New Jersey will be hosting its annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at the Newark Liberty Airport Marriott Hotel. Tickets are $100.

Presided over by founder Vincent Huggins, the six year-old not for profit organization has garnered support in its short history form New Jersey’s elected official like Congressman Donald Payne, Senator Ronald Rice and former Governor Jon Corzine and several Counsel Generals from many Caribbean countries. Mr. Huggins is also the founder of National Staffing Associates which has been doing business for more than 20 years in Essex County, NJ providing staff for medical and other health care facilities.

Annually the group honors those who’ve helped foster an economic and cultural growth and improvement by visionary business leaders who contribute and support many in New Jersey and its Caribbean American community and the greater Diaspora. The Gala Dinner will honor Senator Rice this year among the stalwarts who in public service in Essex County; along with East Orange General Hospital and others.

L:- R:-- Congressman Payne accepts award from CABA President, Vincent Huggins

Past honorees include Judge Julien Neals, Corporation Counsel for the City of Newark; as Corporation Counsel, Judge Neals manages attorneys who practice in areas, including Contracts & Legislation, Labor, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, Tax Appeals & Tax Abatements, Workers’ Compensation and Municipal Prosecutions and Trevor Layne MD, a leading oncologist in New Jersey. They were recognized for their strength, courage, vision and commitment in upholding a positive image in the community.

For tickets and to the gala and for more information about the organization; to join the mailing list and/or becoming a member of CABA, visit the website at http://www.cabanj.org/.

Losing another Stalwart as Dr. Marco Mason succumbs to Cancer...

2011-03-08T10:07:00.001-05:00

PANAMA-BORN ACTIVIST PASSES ON

March 8, 2011

Dr. Mason was honored last year. (Hayden Roger Celestin image)

News Americas, Brooklyn, NY, Tues. Mar. 8, 2011: Respected Panamanian-born medical sociologist, educator and community activist, Dr. Marco Mason, has passed away after a battle with cancer, New Americas has learnt.

Mason died yesterday at a Brooklyn hospital after a battle with the disease.

Mason migrated to the U.S. from Panama in the early 1960s and became a key part of the Caribbean immigrant community in New York City, advising politicians, business owners and governmental agencies of the importance of the demographics. He later went on to found the Caribbean Women’s Health Association in 1981, along with Yvonne Graham, the current Brooklyn Deputy Borough president, and also the Panamanian Council of New York.

Mason also served on the faculty of a number of colleges and universities, including at the State University of New York at Stony Brook; School of Social Work, School of Medicine, and School of Health Management and Technology and was a technical expert in U.S. Immigration Policy. He was cited by the US Department of Justice for his “Outstanding Services In Assisting Immigrants With Status Adjustments.”

Mason also served as an invaluable adviser to numerous organizations and businesses and was also the first vice chairman of Brooklyn’s Community Board 9.

Funeral arrangements were yet to be announced as of press time.

Article Source

Children of the Joshua House and Convalescent Home to be guests of OSHAG/C

2011-02-02T20:11:00.001-05:00

January 28, 2011
By Natasha Waldron Anthony

Carol Bagot, President OSHAG/C

Carol Bagot, President of the Organization for Social and Health Advancement in Guyana/Caribbean (OSHAG/C), and a medical mission will be heading to Guyana in April, and would take time out from their usual medical procedures at the New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice to bring smiles to the faces of the children of the Joshua House orphanage and the Convalescent Home.

Bagot told Guyana Times International that OSHAG/C will be hosting a party for the children of the two homes. “We have a lot of toys and books left over from the Christmas holiday, so we are doing that; and then there’s another project we have in mind in Guyana, and we’re definitely thinking about…a home for HIV children,” she said.

The New York-based non-profit organization has branched out from addressing only the needs of cancer patients to now address the needs of HIV patients. “I’m hoping that it comes to fruition. We haven’t approached the government as yet. We’ll have to talk to some heads of organizations and get some approval,” Trim-Bagot said.

Dr Theophilus Lewis, Director of the Cancer Care Center

Meanwhile, this publication caught up with Dr Theophilus Lewis, Director of the Cancer Care Center at the Queens County Hospital. He has been on several missions to Guyana. Lewis has been a participant of the medical missions since 2002, and anticipates returning to Guyana.

“I think there’s a need. There’ll be a need for a while, and it’s really fulfilling when you see the smiles on the faces of the patients when you go back, especially the ones you operated on and are doing well,” Lewis said. He noted, too, that there is a growing number of organizations that are eager to partner with the mission. “There’s such a need (that) every time you go you find new opportunities to provide a service, new opportunities to make one’s life better.”

In the meantime, the organization is looking at ways to source grants so it can do more in the community here in the United States where it can assist women. Bagot said this is since “a lot of people are born here and still can’t access the care that they need, or even the resources. So we are hoping OSHAG/C can work with the entire community and help in structuring some resources that we can guide people along.”

OSHAG-C & Joshua House Head up Mission to Guyana

Guyanese Spearheaded Group Profiled...

2011-01-25T12:00:00.002-05:00

OSHAG/C’s call to serve cancer patients locally and in the Caribbean

January 13, 2011

By Natasha Waldron Anthony

OSHAG/C Vice President Lorna Welshman-Neblett

The Organization for Social Health and Advancement for Guyana and the Caribbean (OSHAG/C) is a New York-based non-profit organization that provides medical care and assistance in Guyana, primarily to cancer patients.

The organization recently re-incorporated its name to include the Caribbean. OSHAG/C’s Vice President, Lorna Welshman-Neblett, outlined to Guyana Times International her organization’s future plans, which include facilitating the treatment of cancer in the Caribbean for those people who are unable to access such treatment overseas. She claims that the organization’s long-term goal is to continue to remain dedicated to the empowerment of the Guyanese and Caribbean communities through health education and referral services, to focus on breast cancer, prostate cancer, and HIV information on prevention. The organization’s goal is to enhance the wellbeing of health and social standards in these communities. They are also embracing other forms of cancer as they arise.

OSHAG/C is also committed to continuing its medical missions to Guyana in April, following the success of the October 2010 mission. OSHAG/C’s doctors conducted 17 surgeries at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Welshman-Neblett says that the doctors are very anxious to return in April 2011 to continue their follow-up with patients. During this mission, OSHAG/C presented medical supplies and tools for the Operating Room at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The organization works with cancer patients in Guyana who are discovered during the medical missions’ mammogram screenings. “Lots of them are usually at a serious stage, and most times it is difficult to save them. The ones in the early stages are treated, and follow-up checkups are conducted on the return mission trips. (In) most cases, we do our best to get them to New York for surgeries and chemo treatments.” The OSHAG/C’s vice president said, adding that the organization assists those patients with medication.

The missions are in collaboration with the Health Ministry in Guyana and the Regional Health Board. And the targeted location is the Berbice region. The organization is currently in the process of adopting the New Amsterdam Hospital as its mission’s project.

Welshman-Neblett added that the April 2009 mission covered a number of districts along the Berbice coast, with daily clinics conducted at numerous community health centers.

Other initiatives undertaken by the team in Guyana include assistance during the 2005 flood, a Continued Medical Education (CME) conference for local doctors, the Look Good/Feel Better programs for cancer survivors, and the cancer walk. In addition, Welshman-Neblett said, the organization joined with the Caribbean Medical Mission of New Jersey to host an educational forum called Adopt a Village. “We touched 15 villages at health centers, clinics and hospitals during this mission.”

The organization is munerated through fund-raising events during the year, but this has been affected by the economic downturn. The Vice President said that people are not spending to come out to dinner and dances, thus they have their own fund-raisers. However, they do not generate as much as in previous years. Welshman-Neblett stated that they have a job to do, and they will move forward, no matter what happens. She added that their doctors pay their own airfares and OSHAG/C provides transportation to and from the hospital, clinics and community health centres. OSHAG also provides their meals during their entire stay. A number of local persons are hired to cook and maintain the venue where meals are served.

In March 2011, OSHAG/C will host its spring season fundraiser; and at that event, several cancer survivors will be recognized in New York.

OSHAG/C was formed in 2001, and its first medical mission to Guyana materialised in 2002 with a group of three doctors, nurses and volunteers. Support was provided by the Ministry of Health and the president, the late Mrs Janet Jagan, who supported the cancer-fighting cause.

OSHAG's Call to Serve...

Dr. Faith Harding begins campaigning for Guyana's Presidential Nomination

2010-12-07T17:18:00.015-05:00

Dr. Faith Harding for President - North American Campaign Tour

Date: December 19th 2010

Time: 3pm-6pm

Location: Steiner Studios, Stage 6

15 Washington Ave. Bklyn Navy Yard NY, 11205

Parking is available at Steiner Studios and costs $10.00.
Steiner Studios: Tel # 718 858-1600

The North American Arm of the Faith Harding for President Campaign...

Cordially Invites You to a Special Political Discussion, Presentation & Fundraiser which will address your involvement in Guyana’s Political Process, Crime, Corruption, Education, Business Opportunities, the Local Economy & Quality of Life.

Admission is free, Refreshments will be served. Your generous donations will be accepted at the event.

Proceeds go to the Faith Harding for President Campaign

For Details Contact:

Christine Williams 718-809-6833 or
Donna Blackmore 646-320-5944

Rsvp online at: http://faithhardingcampaignny.eventbrite.com/ by Dec. 16th, 2010

Entertainment by the Mighty Sparrow

DAVID GRANGER CAMPAIGN 2011 - KICKS OFF

2010-12-06T16:21:00.003-05:00

For Immediate Release

Source: David Granger Campaign 2011

Contacts: Bobby Vieira - bobbyvieira@onebox.com
Aubrey Reteymer - aubrety@yahoo.com
Berneita Primo - neitaprimo@hotmail.com
Phone Contact 347-549-6164; 347-661-2954

DAVID GRANGER CAMPAIGN 2011 - KICKS OFF

BROOKLYN: NEW YORK (November 29, 2010) - The candidacy of Brigadier General David A Granger, is now the talk of the Town, not only here in the Diaspora but all over Guyana. The campaign kicks off its 2011program here in the United States with a series of Town Hall meetings; meet the people and business tours in New York, New Jersey and Washington DC.

On Tuesday December 7th from 4.00pm – 4.45 pm

Radio program “Talk To Hugh” interview with Hugh Hamilton WBAI radio 99.5 FM.

From 6:00pm - 7.00pm Press Conference at Catherine Mc Aulley High School – 1377 Brooklyn Avenue Brooklyn NY

David entered the political race because he is of the firm opinion that Guyanese deserve a drastic change of governance:-

Change towards a secured Guyana.
Change towards uncontrolled crime and corruption.
Change towards better living standards.
Change towards better employment opportunities.
Change towards treatment for our seniors.
Change towards education procedures for our youth.
Change towards a new electrical power system.
Change towards enterprise and equality across the board.
Change towards uniting and empowering all Guyanese regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin.

David represents the best alternative to voters who are tired of the same old policies.

As President, he can restore order to our streets and re-establish accountability in governmental affairs. For the past 18 years, the current administration has been out of touch with the needs of Guyanese. Brigadier General David A. Granger is an accomplished soldier, a historian, a person of high integrity and a proven leader. He is committed to raising the Guyanese standard of living. His background in Public Administration and Strategic planning qualifies him to effect trust, discipline, transparency and honest leadership.

Brigadier General David A Granger, in his quest to be the Presidential Candidate of the PNC, in the 2011 General Election in Guyana, intends to bring many inconsistencies to a halt and also to unite the opposition parties in order to accomplish change.

ENDS

DAVID GRANGER CAMPAIGN 2011

Guyana’s Presidential hopeful Brigadier (Retired) David Granger will grace us with his presence from the 6th - 13th December 2010. As part of his planned program, North American Support Team Granger has scheduled the following itinerary where he will be in attendance. Your support and contribution will be appreciated.

THURSDAY December 9th
Irvington New Jersey
7.00pm – 9.00pm
Visit with the Mayor of Irvington
Town Hall meeting in Irvington New Jersey at
Solomon’s Shipping Company
300 Main Street Rear entrance
Orange NJ 07050
Contact Sandra Harte; 973-495-2821

Friday December 10th
Brooklyn New York
7.00pm – 10.00pm
Town Hall meeting at Catherine Mc Aulley High School
1377 Brooklyn Avenue Brooklyn NY (Between Newkirk and Foster Avenues)
Contact information; 347-549-6164; 347-661-2954

Ex Military and Para Military – Hanging with the Brigadier at Catherine McAuley High School
10.30 pm – 11.30pm
377 Brooklyn Ave (Foster & Ave D)
Minimum donation $10.
Contact: Errol Lewis - 718-879-2662 or email: vejlewis@hotmail.com

Saturday December 11th
Brooklyn New York
10.00am – 3.00pm
FUNDRAISING Early Brunch at Woodbine BallRoom
2281 Church Avenue Brooklyn (Corner of Bedford Avenue)
Music by Hilton Hemmerding - One Man Band - and Aubrey’s - Original Vibes Stereo sounds.
Guest appearances by Professor Keith Proctor and Drummer “Jeggae.”
Tickets are $20
Contact information; 347-549-6164; 347-661-2954

Cecil St. Jules recognized by Howard University's School of Business

2010-12-06T15:57:00.004-05:00

For Immediate Release

Source: Marketplace Excellence, Inc.
Contact: Bevan Springer, Marketplace Excellence, Inc. + 1 201 861-2056
bevan@marketplaceexcellence.com

HOWARD UNIVERSITY HONORS CARIBBEAN BANKER

WASHINGTON, DC (December 6, 2010) - One of the Caribbean's most respected sons has been singled out by a leading American university as one of its most accomplished graduates.

Howard University's School of Business in Washington DC recently recognized St. Lucia-born Cecil St. Jules as one of its 40 most distinguished and accomplished graduates at the School's 40th Anniversary celebration.

"I am humbled to receive such a lofty recognition by my alma mater," said St. Jules, a managing director of BNY Mellon Broker Dealer Services.

St. Jules, who earned an MBA from Howard in 1987, saluted the distinguished business school for 40 years of educational excellence, and said he continues to honor the school for preparing him for a successful career in the banking field.

"Howard continues to be part of my life today even after graduating so long ago. The foundational values that were learnt at The Hilltop have continued to serve me well today," he added.

St. Jules has since played a leadership role with the company, helping the Broker Dealer Services Division grow from being a small business unit into the dominant worldwide collateral management provider. His responsibilities vary from Data Security, Customer Charging to Project Planning and Internal Controls.

Cecil St. Jules is an active community volunteer and a member of several banking and risk management organizations. He is married and has one daughter.

Howard University is one of the country's elite Historically Black Colleges which marked the four decades of the establishment of its Business School at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington DC in October.

BNY Mellon is an asset management and securities services company, focused on helping clients manage and move their financial assets and succeed in the rapidly changing global marketplace. Headquartered in New York, BNY Mellon has US $24.4 trillion in assets under custody or administration and $1.14 trillion under management.

ENDS

Guyana born Dr. of BioInnovation is GQ's Rock Star of Science

2010-12-02T13:55:00.000-05:00

Photo Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer
Dr. Frank Douglas, native of Guyana and noted innovator in the pharmaceutical industry, compares launching a new Akron medical institute to climbing Mt. Everest.

Akron: Researcher named GQ's 'Rock Star of Science'
Jennifer Lindgren Updated: 11/18/2010

AKRON -- A nationally-renowned medical researcher will be featured in next month's issue of "GQ Magazine" as a 'Rock Star of Science.'

Frank L. Douglas, Ph.D., M.D., says the honor was unexpected, but "a thrill."

Dr. Douglas, 67, is founder and CEO of Austen BioInnovation Institute of Akron.

Since joining ABIA in September 2009, Douglas has led an organization that is working to improve the health and economy of the region through an unmatched alignment of institutional, state, federal and philanthropic support.

Douglas was nominated for the 2010 Rock Stars of Science distinction by the leaders of the R.A.R.E. Project, in recognition of his decades of innovative and important research and development in the pharmaceutical industry.

He has led teams of scientists toward the discovery, development and/or registration of more than 20 drugs, including Allegra, Actonel and Lantus.

During his time at MIT as professor of the practice in the Sloan School of Management and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Douglas founded and served as the first executive director of the MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation.

Dr. Douglas says recognition by GQ and the Geoffrey Beane Foundation is a different kind of honor, but one to raise awareness just the same.

"As a scientist, you don't think of yourself as a rock star, but what an honor. I'm really delighted to have been selected," Douglas said.

At the Los Angeles photo shoot for inclusion in the annual Rock Stars of Science edition, Douglas was featured with musician Jay Sean, along with Dr. Geraldine Dawson of Autism Speaks; Dr. Catriona Jamieson of the University of California; Dr. Emil Kakkis of the Kakkis EveryLife Foundation; and Rear Admiral Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal.

He hopes the feature article sends a message to GQ's young male readers that a career in science can be just as rewarding as a career in music.

"You have a responsibility in a sense to let young people know this is not only important, this [career] is a lot of fun. I have a lot of fun every day," Douglas said.

See Video
Article Source
________________________________________

Dr. Frank Douglas, a drug industry innovator from Guyana, heads Akron biomedical research effort

Published: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

AKRON, Ohio -- The man charged with melding Akron's medical and polymer strengths into an even greater economic force meets his first challenge of the day -- the office phone.

"How do I get off hold?" Dr. Frank Douglas shouts to aide Teri Donohue.

Douglas and his staff encounter such challenges daily. Temporary downtown digs for the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron have a new-car smell and the urgent feel of a long, vital journey that's just begun.

For Douglas, 66, and the fledgling institute, there is promise -- and pressure to succeed.

Five medical and university institutions in Greater Akron aspire to create a world-class institute of bone-, joint- and wound-healing research and innovation.

Last summer, the institute's board of directors picked Douglas to lead the effort. The brilliant native of Guyana forged a notable career as a clinician, pharmaceutical executive and innovator.

"He had all of the relevant kinds of experience we were looking for, at very high levels," said Luis Proenza, president of the University of Akron.

Whether it's the office phone or the inner workings of Akron's medical and political networks, Douglas has proven to be a quick study, Proenza and others say.

"He's a dynamic guy, highly charged and passionate," said Dr. Dennis Weiner, chairman of orthopedic surgery at Akron Children's Hospital.

The benchmarks that Douglas and the institute will be judged by are ambitious.

By 2018, the institute aims to be the top program of its kind in the world. Institute leaders believe they can draw $150 million in academic and clinical research funding yearly, along with $50 million annually in new-company investment.

That should result in 2,400 new jobs and 40 new companies, the institute expects.

Douglas knows the task is daunting, even with $80 million already pledged to the venture's first five years.

A framed picture of Mount Everest dominates a wall in his office. A smaller frame nearby reads "Carpe Diem!" -- a Latin phrase meaning "Seize the day."

Seeds of innovation

This January day starts with Douglas hustling to a morning meeting at the Goodyear Polymer Center, the curving, landmark towers of glass that house research labs and classrooms at the University of Akron.

In a meeting room near the International Rubber Science Hall of Fame, Douglas huddles with several professors and two graduate students to sow the seeds of innovation.

They've launched a class that combines students' business, polymer science and medical disciplines in a hunt for new medical products. The two students are shadowing orthopedic surgeons at Akron Children's, looking for marketable opportunities.

The bespectacled Douglas is a picture of the sage mentor as he addresses the pair. White hairs have knit their way into his mustache and sideburns. His manner is calm, analytical, nearly paternal.

"You keep asking 'why,' " Douglas suggested. "By the time you get to the fifth 'why,' the root cause might emerge. . . . The truth of the matter is, that's basically what you do in science, you keep asking the whys."

Observing the exchange is Ali Dhinojwala, chairman of the university's polymer science department. Douglas has the ability to see opportunity from multiple perspectives, Dhinojwala said.

Douglas came to these perspectives with an acquisitive, wide-ranging intellect.

He grew up poor and without a father in the South American country of Guyana. He excelled at rigorous schools, scoring highest in the country in national testing.

Academics, religion and racism have been powerful forces in Douglas' life.

He preached as a teenager and directed a Youth for Christ movement in Guyana. Douglas earned a Fulbright scholarship to Lehigh University and finished his undergraduate degree in less than three years. But he felt religious ardor waning in the face of segregation.

Invited to preach in churches around Lehigh's Bethlehem, Pa., campus, Douglas encountered congregations that were entirely white. His religion taught that followers would unite in heaven. But on Sundays, Douglas said, he saw no such unity.

Douglas earned a doctorate in physical chemistry at Cornell University in 1972 and returned later for his medical degree.

He did hands-on medicine as director of the hypertension clinic at the University of Chicago Department of Medicine in the early 1980s.

His work in several drug studies caught the eye of pharmaceutical companies, and a new career unfolded.

By the mid-1990s, his ascent had reached a challenging stage in Frankfurt, Germany.

Douglas was the newly installed head of research and development for Hoechst Marion Roussell pharmaceutical company. It had recently acquired Douglas' American employer, the former Marion Merrell Dow.

Douglas' task was to streamline and shorten drug development for the German company, one of the world's largest.

It meant replacing some workers and adding new technologies, earning scorn from the work force.

"The unions were against me, the scientists were against me, the community was against me," Douglas said. "I remember one of the scientists said, 'We can't understand how come we bought you, and now you're the boss.' "

Douglas learned German quickly. Working with consultant-confidant Eric Davidson, Douglas crafted organizational structures for drug testing that are widely used in the industry.

Douglas' genius is his global view of drug development, Davidson said. Douglas is facile in the world of academics, testing labs, medical treatment and venture capital, he said.

"He does it through some fundamentals," Davidson said. "He's extremely candid, he's open to suggestions and he's decisive. . . . He's oriented toward risk taking, but only informed risk taking."

After two decades in the pharmaceutical industry, Douglas landed a prestigious role of founding director for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center of Biomedical Innovation. Douglas worked with academic and industry scientists and federal regulators on the barriers to drug development.

"I had never anticipated leaving MIT," Douglas said.

But then a black colleague, MIT professor James Sherley, was denied tenure and went on a hunger strike in 2007.

Douglas asked the university for an outside panel to evaluate Sherley's case and to recommend improvements to the environment for minority faculty. The university did not act on Douglas' request. So he resigned.

He remained busy, with roles including senior partner at a venture capital firm and senior fellow at the Ewing M. Kauffman Foundation, a national leader in support of entrepreneurship.

Then, an executive search firm called. A new venture in Akron needed a leader.

Leaving a legacy

At first, Douglas wasn't interested.

But subsequent pitches intrigued him. A visit found that teams from the five institutions -- the University of Akron, Akron Children's, Akron General Health System, Summa Health System and Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy -- were already eight months into figuring how their collaboration would work.

Over three days, he met 65 scientists, doctors, nurses and administrators.

"That's what got my attention -- the vision had permeated a couple levels down from the presidents and CEOs," Douglas said. "The people who have to make it happen had come on board and were motivated to do something."

One of Douglas' biggest challenges will be fostering collaboration across the institutions, some of which compete fiercely for patients. So Douglas launched monthly "Synergy Seminars," where a medical problem in need of solutions is floated to a crowd drawn from the five institutions.

The January gathering, hosted by Douglas, focused on infection after surgeries.

An orthopedic surgeon at Akron Children's detailed the case of a young adult with cerebral palsy whose spine had curved dangerously.

Surgeons implanted screws and rods to straighten the spine. But recurring infection and other complications led to surgeons to remove the hardware -- a painful, months-long drama costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

With the floor open to solutions, a crowd of some 70 doctors, professors and researchers floated several dozen ideas. Judit Puskas, a professor of polymer science at the university, said her school had a patented polymer substance that could be an answer.

Doctors and university researchers "are sitting next to each other and don't know what the other is doing," Puskas said after the seminar. That's why Douglas' emphasis on communication is key, she said.

Douglas is under a five-year contract. Both he and institute officials declined to detail his compensation.

Douglas said he's not doing it for the money. It's about legacy, which he describes as the potential for the region's residents to look back years from now and see immense benefit.

"This," Douglas said, "has that [potential] in scads."

Article Source

Related topics: akron, austen, bioinnovation, frank douglas, institute

iLand Breeze celebrates a Grand Re-Opening

2010-11-24T15:51:00.000-05:00

Maplewood enjoys the grand Re-Opening of iLand Breeze Restaurant

Maplewood, NJ - November 26,2010 --iLand Breeze Restaurant which opened in the Spring in Maplewood, NJ located at 1901 Springfield Avenue, had a Grand re-opening on Saturday, November 20th after a brief renovation and change of ownership. Now solely owned by Avalia Moore, iLand Breeze Restaurant & Catering was proudly re-opened by Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca and Vice Mayor Cathleen Leventhal with a ribbon cutting ceremony. iLand Breeze unveiled its new features of coziness that blends with the village atmosphere of the town with an updated menu. (l-r: Meryl Layton, Chris & Maurice of iLand Breeze; Mayor DeLuca; Avalia Moore & Vice Mayor Cathleen Leventhal, VisionsInPictures Image)

If you’ve never tried organic dishes, Caribbean or Southern cuisine, now the chance as iLand Breeze features all these. Mayor DeLuca expresses his pleasure at having such an interesting eatery in Maplewood. It’s an interesting place for people to visit with good food that is eclectic in the ethnic flavors from the Caribbean islands, as well as the American South, he said. He added that the atmosphere is attractive and comfortable which is inviting. It will encourage more people to come in and enjoy the blend of diverse food offerings.

He and Vice Mayor Leventhal added that iLand Breeze adds to the diverse venues in the area citing the Polish and Italian businesses which have been long standing ethnicities, both expressed excitement about the upcoming town census report as it will show the change in demographics of new ethnicities in Maplewood. Mayor DeLuca noted that the 2000 census report showed Haitians as the 2nd largest ethnic Caribbean group in the town. He feels establishments like iLand Breeze have added to the changes in representing the Caribbean demographics, iLand Breeze’s owner is of Guyanese heritage.

Springfield Avenue Partnership representative, Meryl Layton who is the District Manager expressed her delight at working with iLand Breeze and its owner, she’s achieved a cozy atmosphere with the renovations; it has a small town feel. I walked in today and it feels like people know you here and the place has a new open feeling which I love, she said. ‘Avi is open’ she said; it was good to work with her on the planned changes her background and work is impressive.

Customers kept coming in on Saturday, many opted to stay as the new changes accommodated six tables with seating for four. Even the daily customers brought their families and took advantage of the special day’s buffet which allowed for a taste of everything on the menu with desserts included. (Customers enjoying the reopening buffet- VisionsInPictures Image)

Though iLand Breeze mainly offered take-out and large-scale catering, many customers expressed plans to dine in more now with the renovated new look and warm color scheme.

Check the website, find the full menu, location and contact information at http://www.ilandbreezecafe.com/ .

iLand Breeze to celebrate a Children's Christmas

2010-11-23T18:05:00.000-05:00

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact

iLand Breeze Resturant & Catering

http://www.ilandbreezecafe.com /
Phone: 973-489-0068

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 - Maplewood, NJ: Christmas is not Christmas if there are no friends around; the lights have been strung and the tree has been trimmed… All that’s missing is you!

After a successful re-opening recently; iLand Breeze proprietor Avalia Moore has decided to host a Christmas party for the 'friends' of the venue and dedicate it to the children who participate in the Springfield Avenue day care centers and other children activity places that do business along the popular business strip in the Maplewood neighborhood.

So, spread the word and come out with your children, the cost is free for them, adults are $10; this will cover the cost of gifts and giveaways for all the good boys and girls who'll be there on Saturday, December 18, 2010 starting at 1:00 P.M at the restaurant, which is located at 1901 Springfield Avenue; (between Prospect & Indiana).

Hope to see many of you there and we hope all you boys and girls haven’t been naughty this year…

POSTPONED -- OSHAG to Host its Annual Recognition Event

2010-11-18T09:33:00.005-05:00

Please be advised, due to an emergency at the contracted venue this event set for this Sunday, December 12, 2010 is being postponed, details regarding future plans will be sent to all ticket holders and honorees at a later date. OSHAG-C apologizes for any inconvenience and we thank you for your continued support.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact us for more information:
@ P.O. Box 24224, Brooklyn NY 11202
Email: oshagusa@yahoo.com or
http://www.oshag2.org/

November 18, 2010 – Jamaica, NY: The Organization for Social Health & Advancement for Guyana & The Carribean (OSHAG/C) will host its Annual Recognition Event on Sunday, December 12, 2010 at La Stone's Cafe & Chef's Orchid located at Building 14, South Service Road Cargo Area (A) JFK Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430 (enter prior to getting to the Terminals) from 3:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Tickets are $65 and funds go to benefit the medical mission for patients in Guyana and other islands annually. The organization provides free Cancer and follow up care as well as other medical needs and nutrition programs each year. Volunteers and medical personnel travel to the benefit of those unable to receive such care and advice readily.

The event honors Cancer survivors and advocates for improved patient care and diagnosis in the Caribbean Diaspora here and in the island nations and Guyana where such care is needed. OSHAG/C is unwavering in its commitment to providing Health Care in the USA, the Caribbean, and Guyana. OSHAG/C’s long-term goal is to facilitate treatment to the less fortunate in our immediate community.

Attendees are encouraged to Book a Table in Honor of a Cancer Survivor or in Memory of Someone you’ve lost to Cancer.

Contact Barbara @ 718-228-2060; Cleveland @ 646-872-6074; Lorna @ 646-522-8005 or Maria @ 917-385-6409 for tickets or more information.

OSHAG/C is a 501(c) 3 organization, all donations are tax deductible.

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Marty Markowitz talks and gives away Turkey in Brooklyn

2010-11-18T09:01:00.000-05:00

BP MARKOWITZ TO DISTRIBUTE NEARLY A *THOUSAND TURKEYS* AND *SIX TONS OF TRIMMINGS* TO COMMUNITY GROUPS AT BOROUGH HALL

11:00 A.M.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22

BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL

209 JORALEMON STREET

BETWEEN COURT & ADAMS STREETS

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN

On Monday, November 22, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham will kick off the holiday season by distributing nearly a thousand Thanksgiving turkeys and about six tons of trimmings—apples, collard greens, baking potatoes, sweet potatoes and pita bread—to representatives of nearly a hundred Brooklyn community groups at Borough Hall Plaza. The Bedford Stuyvesant and Red Hook Lions Clubs and other volunteers help distribute the food that will provide Thanksgiving meals for needy Brooklynites at senior centers, soup kitchens, faith-based institutions, and social service groups across the borough.

Generous sponsors for this year’s event include Best of Brooklyn, Inc., Amalgamated Bank, Con Edison, the Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn Business Improvement District, Fairway Market, FreshDirect, the Fulton Street Mall Improvement Association, Health Plus, Salaam of New York, ShopRite of Brooklyn, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market.

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The Sunshine Awards 2010 Honours

2010-11-10T17:20:00.000-05:00

Story by Allison Skeete
Photos by VisionsInPictures

The Sunshine Awards Honours African and Caribbean Diasporas Multi-Cultural Artists & Stalwarts

New York City – Sat., October 24, 2010: The Sunshine Awards hosted its 22nd Annual Awards Show in New York City to honor many of the stalwarts and historic figures in Caribbean Arts Performances for Dance, Music and more. Hosted by the dynamite comedic duo from Trinidad, Nickki Crosby & Errol Fabien, the Sunshine Awards established by Gil Figaro; is held to honor the entertainment and performance art forms indigenous to Africa and the Caribbean Diaspora as well as those who have contributed to the success and awareness of many in civic mindedness, and political activism. Figaro congratulated and thanked the honorees for uplifting our spirits and incalculable sense of pride in all of us. The Sunshine Awards is for him the center of Caribbean Culture outside of the Diaspora.

The night’s event began with words of condolences to the island of Barbados on the loss of former Prime Minister, David Thompson who passed away in the early hours of the morning that day, from the Counsel Generals of Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua, Guyana’s Brentnol Evans and event sponsor Vincent Huggins of National Staffing Associates also commented on the loss of a fellow leader in the region.

Present among the nights’ award winners were Playwright Dorbrene O’Marde of Antigua; Dancin Africa of Barbados; Ramiro Crawford of Costa Rica, Performance Artist and Journalist, he is Director and Editor of Limon Roots, the Greater Caribbean Magazine.

Famoro Dioubate of Guinea, West Africa who is known for playing traditional African music playing the Balafon which is an instrument closely related to the Xylophone; he gave a rousing performance playing for the audience, it was the first time many had ever heard the music. Dioubate is passionate about his music, he is exposing his young daughter to it and more… I didn’t go to school he said, but I want her to know more and to do more than me so I think it is important that she is here; he began playing the Balafon at age 7 and today performs with his band and Raul Ronblatt who is also h is manager. Ronblatt has been a true supporter since hearing the music, he spends as much time promoting it as he does performing with their group.

One of the more poignant performances and expression of thanks for his recognition was given by Yves Joseph an original member of Tabou Combo, one of the best known music groups from Haiti… he spoke of the impoverishment of his homeland where he and the group continue to give back, they are rebuilding a school destroyed in the January earthquake, the building is the childhood home of Joseph and his mother; he spoke of the rich history of Haiti as the first nation of independent Black people and of the circumstances of poverty coming at the hands of her former rulers and U.S. political positions; he ended his commentary with Tabou Combo’s hit Haiti Will Never Die written after the devastating earthquake earlier this year.

Drupatee Persad accepts her award from host Errol Fabien

Drupatee Persad held the distinction as the lone female awardee this year; hailing form Trinidad & Tobago, she’s spent 27 years reigning as a top Chutney and cross-over Soca artist who’s performed with Machel Montano and Allison Hinds; her most popular hit is Mr. Bissessar which she did perform.

The Mighty Chalkdust aka Dr. Hollis Liverpool and Dr. Harold Robertson, introduced the Hall of Fame Inductees which included their fellow countryman, the multi-talented and well known Bill Trotman, steel band historian and broadcast personality who lectures on the art from’s inception and growth; he’s the man to see if you want to know anything about Steelband music.

Alfred ‘Sack’ Mayers, another Trinidadian added to the list for his role in breaking the stereotype barriers of being a ‘pan man’ in the early days of the steel band music.

Dave Martins and Joe Brown the original Bass player for the Tradewinds accepted their awards as well; Martins expressed his thanks at the honor and cited the need for more events and means for more stalwarts in our Diaspora to be showcased and revered; ‘we have gotten better’ he said but we still need to do more to preserve the history and roots of where our art forms come from and survive he said; he’d never heard of Albert ‘Sacks’ Mayers and wasn’t aware of some of the ‘pan man stereotype’ history behind steel band before the night of the awards. Martins later performed for the audience and inject several humorous stories to the delight of the crowd. Above, l– r: Dave Martins with Guyana Counsel General, Brentnol Evans.

Notable Guyanese in attendance supporting Martins recognition included Counsel General Brentnol & Mrs. Evans, and former GDF Col. Desmond Roberts. Below, the night’s host and honorees along with Calypsonian Designer end the event singing a tribute to the Soca King Arrow who passed away recently.

Fireside Chats, T&T Style...

2010-11-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

Glenville Ashby
Published: 10 Nov 2010

Fireside chat heats up Brooklyn

Right: Raymond Luke, chairman of Sesame Flyers. Below: Author Prof Erleen Harris looks on as Nandi Keyi speaks about her book. Photos: Glenville Ashby

It is an interesting concept and sure to generate lots of buzz in the weeks ahead. Friday Nights Fireside Chats is by no means an original concept, but given the location, its market and promoters, I would not bet against it. In truth, any project cosseted by Sesame

Flyers Inc is well positioned. Flyers, a Brooklyn cultural fixture that has seen its stock grow exponentially in the last decade, is hedging a lot on this venture. Its chairman, Raymond Luke, called it “a journey into the arts, a more profound experience.” He is confidence personified. Fireside Chats is a six-part series that features, what event organiser Glenda Cadogan called, “Everyday celebrities including performers, authors and poets,” of Caribbean heritage. “We will get them to chat with us in an intimate setting. This is like the nurturing ground for the next Sparrows and Rudders,” she added. A chilly evening ushered in the maiden show. The Carnival showroom at the Church Avenue headquarters of the Flyers underwent a marked transformation—a makeshift stage, Afro-Caribbean motifs and symbols, an imitative fire pit, plants, and satin-clothed chairs to accommodate a captivated audience.

Under the glare of the studio lights and video cameras of Gayelle TV, a cautious beginning gave way to a charged and interactive show, with a stream of questions from the audience—some self indulgent, others compelling—leading to wrenching revelations from featured guest and author of The True Nanny Diaries, Nandi Keyi. “It was hard getting up in the morning and push strollers,” she confided, as she touched on the controversial existence of thousands of Caribbean baby sitters in New York. There were moments of levity, lots of it, but the gravity of the subject weighed heavily at times. As well it should. The True Nanny Diaries, is a fiction clothed in the exigent reality of West Indian life in the Diaspora. It’s a journey that juxtaposes the travails of Valdi West, the protagonist, with her white, affluent and dysfunctional employers. It explores the vicissitudes of life with all its expectancies, mangled dreams and compromises. Nandi, who was born in Britain of Trinbagonian parentage, cleverly slithers through the perplexity of Nannyism.

She is engaging and sharp, but still, there are no easy answers here. Recent laws to protect domestic workers will not deem Nandi’s sobering work anachronistic, nor would it sanitise phantasmagoric tales of abuse. Paid vacations, and healthcare plans aside, domestic work in the US ruptures familial ties back home, saps the spirit—leaving the soul naked and cold. To many, this is the sin qua non of the discussion.

Nandi acknowledged that much. “A whole generation of young boys are affected. Grandmothers are not mothers,” she later told me. And offered words to inspire. “If we are patient, we will not leave Trinidad. We can make best of the situation and succeed.” But she will never bite the hand that fed her. “Look, you can make US$600 a week...it’s part of the journey to a destination. My daughter also grew up learning about life in Manhattan.” The trouble is, many never reach the destination, remaining stuck in the mire of what many call, “servitude.” That is the Kantian dilemma which is at the core of the Diaries, a timeless literary work that deserves more than a single fireside chat. Overall, Fireside Chats was fluid and engaging. No overt technical kinks, no snafus. A propitious beginning indeed. Raymond Luke should be well pleased.

(Feature review by Glenville Ashby, a New York journalist for the T&T Guardian)

Fireside Chat Heats up Brooklyn

Jamaican Jazz Great Monty Alexander comes to New York

2010-11-10T11:42:00.000-05:00

Renowned Jamaican Jazz Great Monty Alexander Presents
Reflections on Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Nov. 8, 2010: Renowned Jamaican-born jazz pianist, Monty Alexander, still remembers when he first saw the legendary Nat King Cole and met Frank Sinatra. Cole's musical impact on the younger Monty and his later musical experiences with Sinatra will come in to focus this month when Alexander reflects on both icons of America's great songbook at a New York City show.

Alexander, Jamaica's acclaimed Commander of Distinction, will present his "King Cole and Mr. S" reflections from November 23-25th at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club, 315 West 44th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan. Show times for the three night shows will be at 8:30 and 11 p.m., respectively.

Accompanying Alexander will be his phenomenal group of Robert Thomas, Jr. on hand drums; Lorin Cohen on bass; Winard Harper on drums and Yotam Silberstein on guitar. The shows will be made even more special this fall season with the addition of a brilliant vocalist James De Frances, who is set to belt out favorites from both Cole and Sinatra to the accompaniment of Alexander and his ensemble.

Of course Alexander will also pay tribute to his roots by including some of his upbeat reggae-themed pieces for patrons attending the shows.

Alexander, who has the distinction of being named one of the greatest piano players in jazz, still remembers seeing Cole for the first time at age 12 at a theater in his native Jamaica, and being overtaken by the spirit of the singer and his music.

It is that love, knowledge and dedication to the memory of Cole that would filter back to Cole's daughter, Natalie, who invited him to assist her on the "Unforgettable" album.

The Sinatra connection was a lot more by chance. The largely self-taught pianist was playing in a Miami bar in his teens that was visited by Sinatra and his group of friends, including his right hand man, Jilly Rizzo. When Alexander ended his set he was approached by Rizzo and the legendary singer who invited him to play at the New York bistro, Jilly's. Alexander moved to New York where he played on and off for several years, accompanying 'Ole Blue Eyes' on various occasions.

"The kid is a gas," is how Sinatra, using the lingo at the time for "superb," once described Alexander.

The Kingston-born musician has also performed with the likes of Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and on the "Concrete Jungle, The Music of Bob Marley collection," over his five decade-long career.

He has recorded over 60 albums to date and is set to mark his 50th year in the music industry with a new album next year. His 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz. Alexander's most recent albums on the Telarc label include trio sessions, such as "Impressions in Blue," and the live concert recording "Goin' Yard." His release on Chesky is "Calypso Blues" is a tribute to his hero Nat Cole.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government awarded Alexander the title of Commander in the Order of Distinction for outstanding services to Jamaica as a worldwide music ambassador.

Tickets for Alexander's shows on Tuesday-Thursday, November 23-25 at Birdland are $30 and $40, respectively and can be purchased by logging on to http://www.birdlandjazz.com/ or by calling (212) 581-3080.

For more on Jamaica's greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

END

(Media wishing to cover the show can contact:)

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616/1-800-789-3062

felicia@caribpr.com

Bajan Born named Detective for Brooklyn Heroics

2010-11-09T15:08:00.000-05:00

Photo by Kathryn Kirk

In photo (left to right): Jim Vogel, representing State Senator Velmanette Montgomery; Assembly Member Joseph Lentol; Assembly Member Karim Camara; Assistant Chief Gerald Nelson, commanding officer of patrol borough Brooklyn North; BP Markowitz; Detective Feris “Jonesy” Jones; Sabine Bellevue, owner, Sabine’s Hallway hair salon

BP MARKOWITZ PRESENTS PROCLAMATION, “BROOKLYN BRIDGE” TO HERO NYPD DETECTIVE FERIS “JONESY” JONES

On Thursday, October 28, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined NYPD Detective Feris Jones, police officials and elected representatives at a Borough Hall ceremony to honor the heroism of Detective Jones, who confronted a gunman during an attempted robbery at Sabine’s Hallway hair salon in Bedford-Stuyvesant last Saturday.

BP Markowitz presented Detective Jones—who goes by the nickname “Jonesy”—with a proclamation (full text below) and a replica “Brooklyn Bridge.” Also present at the event were staff of the salon, who greeted Detective Jones with flowers. Elected officials in attendance included Assembly Member Joseph Lentol, Assembly Member Karim Camara, Council Member Letitia James, Council Member Lewis Fidler, and representatives from the offices of State Senator Eric Adams and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery.

Proclamation:

Whereas, it is most fitting that we recognize those extraordinary individuals who are committed to upholding and enforcing the laws of our society, maintaining public safety, and working to improve the quality of life in our communities; and

Whereas, all of Brooklyn pays tribute to and thanks newly promoted Detective Feris Jones, whose efforts and quick thinking on the afternoon of Saturday October 23, ensured the safety and well-being of the customers at Sabine’s Hallway beauty salon in Bedford Stuyvesant and the residents of her community, and who went above and beyond the call of duty, perhaps sparked by what our own beloved Councilmember Tish James said best, “never mess with a black woman when she’s getting her hair done;” and

Whereas, on behalf of all Brooklynites, I salute Detective Feris Jones a dedicated police officer whose bravery, marksmanship and courage exemplify all that is good about the New York City Police Department, a devoted single mom whose children are lucky to have her as a role model, I commend her for her clear-headed, decisive actions that clearly saved lives and brought a criminal to justice without the use of lethal force, I join with the grateful customers of Sabine’s Hallway beauty salon, the residents of Brooklyn, Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly in expressing our deepest gratitude, admiration and respect, I congratulate Detective Jones as she is duly honored here today for her heroics and for being an inspiration for others to follow and for her much deserved promotion, I thank her for her steadfast commitment to keep the residents and community of the great borough of Brooklyn a safe place to live, work and raise a family;

Now, therefore, I, Marty Markowitz, President of the Borough of Brooklyn, do hereby proclaim Thursday, October 28, 2010

Detective Feris “Jonesy” Jones Recognition Day in Brooklyn, USA

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Borough of Brooklyn to be affixed this 28th day of October 2010.

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CONTACT: Mark Zustovich 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

The Shake Shack comes to Downtown Brooklyn

2010-11-09T15:01:00.000-05:00

Photo by Kathryn Kirk

In photo (left to right): Rob Walsh, commissioner, New York City Department of Small Business Services; Danny Meyer, CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group; David Swinghamer, CEO, Shake Shack; BP Markowitz; Randy Garutti, COO, Shake Shack; Joe Chan, president, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

November 9, 2010

BP MARKOWITZ, DANNY MEYER ANNOUNCE SHAKE SHACK COMING TO DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN’S FULTON MALL

On Tuesday, November 9, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined restaurateur Danny Meyer, New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Joe Chan to announce that Shake Shake is coming to Fulton Mall in Downtown Brooklyn. Also representing Shake Shack were CEO David Swinghamer and COO Randy Garutti (full press release below).

“Bravo to Shake Shack for finally hitting the big time in Brooklyn, further solidifying our status as one of America’s premier culinary destinations,” said BP Markowitz. “After years of pitching Danny Meyer, I am thrilled he is bringing his legendary burgers, flat-top dogs and frozen custard to Downtown Brooklyn, right in the heart of our new 24/7 live-work city center and its diverse retail, new hotels and expanding arts and cultural corridor. Soon, you will be able to walk the “beefed up” Fulton Mall and get a ShackBurger, do some shopping and finish off with a cheesecake from Junior’s—plus everything in between.”

Press release from Union Square Hospitality Group:
Contacts: Theresa Mullen, 646.747.7217 / tmullen@ushgnyc.com

WELCOME TO BROOKLYN: NEW HOME OF SHAKE SHACK

Beloved Burger, Hot Dog and Frozen Custard Stand Opening in Downtown Brooklyn

Wednesday, November 9, 2010 New York – Shake Shack to open in Brooklyn, NY! Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) plans to open Shake Shack at a prime location in Downtown Brooklyn across from Borough Hall at the gateway to the Fulton Mall – one of the oldest and most successful shopping destinations in NYC’s largest borough.

One of New York’s most lauded eateries and beloved community and family gathering places, Shake Shack is a modern day "roadside" burger stand known for its delicious all-natural burgers, hot dogs, seasonal frozen custard, beer, wine and more. The new Shack will make its home at the confluence of Fulton Street, Willoughby Street and Adams Street in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.

“My colleagues and I are ecstatic to announce plans for this Brooklyn Shake Shack,” said Shake Shack CEO David Swinghamer. “We’ve had our sights set on Brooklyn for quite some time, and this Downtown location located across from Borough Hall and Columbus Park is the ideal next home for Shake Shack.”

“I am proud and excited to share our plans to open Shake Shack in Downtown Brooklyn,” shared Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group. “We adore Brooklyn, and are inspired by the borough that is leading one of the most exciting food revolutions I’ve seen in my entire career. It will be an honor for us to become employers and citizens of this vibrant metropolitan community and our team looks forward to welcoming residents and visitors, alike.”

“Bravo to Shake Shack for finally hitting the big time in Brooklyn, further solidifying our status as one of America’s premier culinary destinations,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “After years of pitching Danny Meyer, I am thrilled he is bringing his legendary burgers, flat-top dogs and frozen custard to Downtown Brooklyn, right in the heart of our new 24/7 live-work city center and its diverse retail, new hotels and expanding arts and cultural corridor . Soon, you will be able to walk the “beefed up” Fulton Mall and get a ShackBurger, do some shopping and finish off with a cheesecake from Junior’s – plus everything in between.”

The Brooklyn Shake Shack will build upon the success of five siblings throughout New York City – Madison Square Park (the original Shack, founded in 2004), Upper West Side (2008), Citi Field – home of the New York Mets (2009), Theater District (July 2010) and Upper East Side (August 2010), as well as its new Miami Beach Shack (June 2010) and Saratoga Race Course outpost in Saratoga Springs, NY (2010). Shake Shack also recently announced plans for a location in Washington, DC, New York’s Battery Park City and Westport, CT – all scheduled for 2011.

“This will very quickly become one of Brooklyn’s newest top attractions,” Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh said. “The addition of a culinary institution like Shake Shack in downtown Brooklyn will be great for the surrounding community and local businesses, and I’m sure we will see many residents and visitors coming together to enjoy great food and drink from the moment it opens its doors.”

Already one of the city’s most active central business districts, Downtown Brooklyn is home to one of the busiest retail corridors in the nation and over 40 arts and cultural organizations, as well as eight universities and colleges with over 57,000 students, and there are more than 100,000 office workers in the area. Since 2006, more than $3 billion has been invested in Downtown Brooklyn from the private sector yielding over 5,000 residential units, 880,000 square feet of commercial space and 1,000 hotel rooms.

“From the introduction of new retailers to the emergence of a dynamic residential community and the construction of new streetscape and open space, Downtown Brooklyn’s resurgence is the envy of downtowns across America,” said Downtown Brooklyn President Joe Chan. “We are delighted that Danny Meyer – a great restaurateur and business leader – has decided to join the growing roster of quality dining and shopping options that are coming here.”

With its deep commitment to employees and its industry-leading management training program, Shake Shack has become a highly sought-after employer. Recently, Time Out New York featured Shake Shack in its “Best Jobs” issue. “We are excited to create new jobs in this area and to welcome the next generation of Shake Shack employees to our first Brooklyn outpost,” said Swinghamer.

Shake Shack was born from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park created by Union Square Hospitality Group to support the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first art installation “I ♥Taxi.” The cart was a success and lines formed daily, so it re-opened for an additional two summers in 2002 and 2003. In July 2004 USHG was awarded the contract from New York City’s Department of Parks & Recreation and the Madison Square Park Conservancy to create a permanent food kiosk in the park. Shake Shack opened and instantly became a NYC institution with a loyal following, receiving numerous accolades from the press including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Magazine, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Food Network and The TODAY Show among others, and was voted one of the Most Popular Restaurants in New York according to Zagat.

Shake Shack is part of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), which includes several of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5, located at The Museum of Modern Art, El Verano Taquería and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, as well as Union Square Events and Hospitality Quotient, a learning business. USHG is best known for its blend of excellent food and its unique style of warm hospitality. Actively involved in the community, USHG and its employees are committed to extending its enlightened hospitality beyond the walls of its restaurants through its support of hunger relief and civic organizations as well as other causes. Meyer, his restaurants, and chefs have earned an unprecedented 21 James Beard Awards, as well as numerous other media accolades. Three of the five “Most Popular” restaurants in the New York Zagat Survey are part of Union Square Hospitality Group, including Gramercy Tavern, which has held the #1 spot six times. http://www.ushgnyc.com/

http://www.shakeshack.com/

Follow Us: http://www.facebook.com/ShakeShackFans

Prominent Guyanese Economist passes on...

2010-11-09T11:21:00.000-05:00

Death of an Economist, or Why ‘House’ Is Not Your Home

By Christopher John Farley

November 6, 2010

The man who taught me how to live died today.

Most of my experience with the health care system, before my father’s health began to decline a few years ago, was through the movies, television, newspapers, magazines and the web.

Rawle Farley, 1922-2010

On shows like “House,” ailments are exotic and are diagnosed and solved in 60 minutes, with a couple commercial interruptions. On TV talk shows, talking heads scrap over health care policy and try to score political points. What’s typically missing is the human element—how health care decisions actually affect flesh-and-blood people.

Sitting in a dimly-lit room in the ICU of Rochester General Hospital, in Rochester, NY, with my ailing 88-year-old father, I soon came to realize I wasn’t in a scripted episode that was going to end happily. And politics and rhetoric were far from my mind.

My dad, Dr. Rawle Farley, had been a professor of economics at the State University of New York, College at Brockport since 1966. He was the founder and first chairperson of the Department of Economics at SUNY Brockport, and was named Professor Emeritus in 1995. He’s the author of a number of seminal works that helped shape the study of the economics of the developing world, including “The Economics of Latin America: Development Problems in Perspective” (Harper & Row, 1972).

He was born Born Rawle Egbert Griffith Farley in South America in Courtland Village, Berbice, Guyana. He left Guyana when he was young to attend school in England. To pay for his schooling and fund his trip abroad, he sold the trophies he had won as a champion hurdler.

He eventually earned a Ph.D. from the University of London, and attended Oxford University. While a student in England, during one period he couldn’t find a landlord willing to rent a room to a Caribbean scholar. He ended up sleeping in a hallway between the rooms of two white friends.

As he lay on the hospital bed, I felt a duty to do everything possible to preserve his beautiful mind. He was breathing only with the assistance of a pressurized mask, and hadn’t talked much in days. But I held out the hope that the studious young man and avid chess player who had fought his way into the best schools in England was still inside there somewhere.

Early that afternoon, I sent my mother home from the hospital for some much needed rest. That evening, the doctor on call stopped by to discuss my dad’s case. He said that my father had had multi-organ failure, and there was little they could do beyond the drastic measures that my dad, before his illness, had said he didn’t want. He didn’t want to be hooked up to machines. He didn’t want to be resuscitated. So just about the only options left were keeping him comfortable, continuing with the oxygen, antibiotics, and various non-intrusive measures, and hoping for a miracle.

We were moved out of the ICU into a private room. I called my kids, ages 5 and 8, so they could say good night to their grandfather. For the first time that evening, dad tried to speak, and his eyes opened wide. No words came out, but he spoke volumes.

In the new room, I held his hand and he stared past me into space. His breathing became shallow. I called the nurse, and she told me he didn’t need the oxygen mask anymore and then exited the room to leave us alone. I kissed my father on the forehead, told him I loved him and that he was a great dad, and then I couldn’t hear his breathing anymore. I put my ear to his chest–right on his bypass scar–and I couldn’t hear his heart beating. I put my hand on his head, where his hairline had receded, and it felt just as warm and moist as the top of my 8-year-old son’s head did when he was a newborn.

My parents at home, a few weeks before my father’s death.

Christopher John Farley

But my son was just starting life and my dad was leaving it.

I called the nurse, and she got the doctor. They registered the time of death as 12:05 a.m.

My dad and mom raised four sons. All of us went to public school, and all of us went to Harvard or Harvard Law School or both. All of my brothers, thanks in large part to their guidance, have gone on to interesting jobs of one kind or another.

But this last night was a final lesson. Part of reaching maturity is accepting, without fear, that life ends. Staring into that mysterious abyss makes other challenges seem small. I felt privileged that I had gotten to go to the edge with him. Dad helped teach me how to live, and how to die too.

After the doctor left, I was alone in the room with him. I put my hand on his head, but it was already turning cool, like a tile floor.

As I left the hospital that night, a melancholy rain was falling, and the streets were wet. I had a long drive back to Brockport to tell my mother that my father had passed. I had to do it face to face.

In the same way that there are some health care experiences that can’t be communicated via TV shows and punditry, there are some things that just can’t be said over the phone.

A Tribute by a son to his father

GRAND Re-OPENING of iLand Breeze Cafe & Catering on Nov. 20, 2010

2010-11-04T18:02:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact us for more information:

@ 973-327-2307 or

http://www.ilandbreezecafe.com/

Maplewood, NJ - November 4, 2010: – iLand Breeze Restaurant which opened in the Spring in Maplewood, located at 1901 Springfield Avenue, off Prospect, and across the street from Sovereign Bank will re-open on Saturday, November 20th at 12:00 noon; after a brief renovation and change of ownership.

Now solely owned by Avalia Moore, iLand Breeze Cafe & Catering will unveil new features of coziness that blends with the village atmosphere of the town. The opening will begin with the ribbon-cutting by The Mayor of Maplewood and members of the Town Council, followed by breakfast and brunch items from the updated menu in the renovated restaurant.

Avalia Moore, now the sole owner of iLand Breeze Café & Catering, said: "The unexpected change to sole ownership made me decide on the changes." I've continued to offer customers a unique dining experience using organic and multicultural recipes; it's because of the customers continued support and request for the diverse range of dishes along with the original idea behind the features of iLand Breeze that I felt updating the atmosphere would enhance the cafe and it's appeal in the community.

In addition to the renovation, there’s the launching of the new á la carte; made to order cakes and set-menus unveiling... as requested by the numerous neighborhood and contracted businesses that patronize us. iLand Breeze will also continue its ‘Who’s Breezed Thru…’ celebrity series; (pictured are Dancehall Artist D'Aville with owner Avalia Moore) adding to the likes of Reggae & Dancehall artists D’Aville and Ritchie Stephens.

###

The Disappearance of The Black Male

2010-09-23T16:48:00.000-04:00

Endangered Species? The Disappearance of The Black Male

Endangered Species? The Disappearance of The Black Male Shorts Program

Part of the BAMcinématek series Creatively Speaking

Sat & Sun, Sep 25 & 26, 2010, 2pm
80min

This shorts program examines the state of black manhood in America.

I Am Sean Bell: Black Boys Speak (2009, 10min)
Directed by Stacey Muhammad

Young boys reflect on the Sean Bell tragedy, speaking out about their fears and hopes as they approach manhood in a city where the lives of young black men are often cut short.

Barack and Curtis (2009, 10min)
Directed by Byron Hurt

This short documentary examines the contrasting styles of manhood exhibited by Barack Obama and rapper/mogul Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent). Produced by the National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC).

Bring Your “A” Game (2009, 30min)
Directed by Mario Van Pebbles

Using a cinematic style influenced by popular culture and innovative, aesthetic technologies, this film details strategies that have improved the lives of Black men and boys. It underscores how essential educational achievement and high school graduation are to survival and success in today’s world. Interviewees include such Black male icons as Richard “Dick” Parsons, Chris Rock, Spike Lee, Dr. Cornel West, Ice Cube, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Kevin Liles, Lou Gossett Jr., Lupe Fiasco, Hill Harper, Damon Dash, Kevin Powell, Melvin Van Peebles, Geoffrey Canada, Bruce Gordon, and former NBA star Alan Houston, among others.

When It Rains (2009, 21min)
Directed by Amir Adelar Minder

A young man, disillusioned by his underground lifestyle, becomes even more so after his live-in girlfriend takes her own life. As he embarks on a final journey through his Bronx neighborhood, only his younger half-brother notices something is going on. Is it too late?

Bird Losing Its Feathers (2006, 9min)
Directed by James Richards

Inspired by the tragic murder of James Byrd in Jasper, Texas, Bird Losing Its Feathers is a hard look at race, class, and hate crime in America.

BAM Rose Cinemas
General Admission: $12
BAM Cinema Club members: $8

Purchase Tickets at the link below
When: Sat & Sun, Sep 25 & 26 at 2pm

http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=2531

The 22nd Annual Sunshine Awards Nominees for 2010

2010-09-23T11:22:00.000-04:00

The SUNSHINE Awards
P. O. Box 3717, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 USA * 201-836-0799 * Fax 201-836-4440

News Release

Contacts:
Public Relations Department
Phone: 201-836-0799
Fax: 201-836-4440

For Immediate Release

New Jersey, USA, September 20, 2010 -------- The SUNSHINE Awards organization announced the nominees for the 22nd Annual SUNSHINE Awards which will take place on Saturday, October 23 at the AXA Equitable Center, 787 Seventh Avenue in New York City.

Announcing the candidates in the various categories for the 2010 SUNSHINE Awards and the nominees for induction into the 2010 SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame, the co-founder of the SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame and Chairman of the Nomination Committee, Dr Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool said, “It is always an uplifting and proud moment for me to release the names of those unsung heroes for recognition by the SUNSHINE Awards organization. I am proud and excited to continue what we have done annually since 1989. Over the years, I have seen many award institutions and organizations pay tribute to individuals and organizations who have contributed to the calypso, steelband and the carnival arts but the SUNSHINE Awards organization has maintained its tradition of giving recognizing and paying tribute not to the well-known artists but to those equally deserving but seldom haled.” Today, the SUNSHINE Awards organization like a rock in the Caribbean Sea is pleased to release the nominees for the 22nd Annual SUNSHINE Awards”. They are:

Famoro Dioubate, Xylophonist (Guinea, West Africa) On the African music scene, Dioubate is regarded as the guardian of traditions dating back to the 13th century in the ancient Mande Empire.

Dancin Africa (Barbados) was founded twenty-years ago as a community-based non-profit organization to cultivate the skills, talents and potential of individuals ranging in age from nine to thirty-eight years old.

Yves Joseph of Tabou Combo (Haiti) is one of the original members of the Tabou Combo Band. Tabou Combo is one of Haiti’s most famous groups that has made the world aware of 'Kompa' – the popular Haitian dance rhythm sung in French, English, Spanish and Creole.

Dorbrene O’Marde (Antigua) is best known as a playwright, Director, producer, songwriter and lobbyist for the Performing Arts for over twenty-five years.

Sonny Blacks (England) One of the earliest friends of calypsonians in Trinidad and Tobago; a personal friend of the Mighty Spoiler, Blacks produced calypso and dance shows involving the outstanding artists of the era throughout 1940's before going on to England in the 1950's.

Drupatee Persad (Trinidad & Tobago) Drupatee is known as the Chutney Queen of the Caribbean. She started singing at the tender age of 12 alongside her mother in the Hindu temples of Trinidad.

Ramiro Crawford (Costa Rica) Ramiro Crawford is best known in Costa Rica and Central America for using the Performing Arts to bridge the gap between the region and the wider Caribbean, and promoting the African presence in South America.

The Following are the nominees who will be inducted into the 2010 SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame:

Dave Martins and the Tradewinds (Guyana). The Tradewinds Band led by the versatile, Dave Martins was formed in 1966. The band became one of the most revered groups in the Caribbean. The Tradewinds first hit, “Honeymooning Couple”, was penned by Dave Martins in 1966, six months after the band was formed. Following on that success, Martins' song-writing ability kept the band at the forefront of Caribbean popular music for decades with such other classics like, “West Indian Alphabet”, “Wong Ping”, “Where Are Your Heroes”, “Old Time Calypso” and “In Guyana”, and “Not a Blade of Grass”. Martins has also written over 110 songs.

Bill Trotman (Trinidad & Tobago) Calypsonian, singer, comedian, dancer, painter, visual artist, writer, poet and are all apt descriptions that describe this talented artist from Trinidad and Tobago.

Norman Darway Adams (Trinidad & Tobago) his whole life has been in the steelband as player, agent, storyteller, researcher, writer, radio and television host, and above all, lecturer/historian.

Alfred “Sacks” Mayers (Trinidad & Tobago) who is often described as one of the steelband pioneers of the 1940's.

The SUNSHINE Awards was founded in 1989. It was designed to recognize, honor and pay tribute to the creators, performers and promoters of Caribbean music, art, poetry, dance and culture. Special features of the program are the SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame and the SUNSHINE Awards Student Recognition Program which was started in 1998. Learn more about the awards at http://www.sunshineawards.com/

HUGH MASEKELA Performs in NY Oct. 10

2010-09-23T09:56:00.000-04:00

Join Us for
An Afternoon
with
Hugh Masekela

Special Performance by
Craig Harris Didgeridoo Quartet

Sunday, October 10, 2010
Gates open at 11am
Music Begins at Noon

Rain or Shine!

Hudson Valley Resort & Spa
400 Granite Road
Kerhonkson, New York 12446

All tickets are $35 in advance
At the door: $45

TICKETS & INFORMATION:
Call 845.384.6350 or visit http://www.transartinc.org

1st Caribbean Golfers Association tournament in New York

2010-09-10T12:59:00.000-04:00

Caribbean Golfers Association holds first tournament in New York

Published on September 10, 2010

by Global News Staff

NEW YORK, USA -- West Indians are not known to be outstanding golfers but, of late, a large number of Caribbean nationals pay a lot more attention to golf rather than cricket, football or basketball.

They are now so much involved in golf that the Caribbean Golfers Association (CGA) has been established.

The CGA will hold its first Annual Caribbean Amateur Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 18, in which four countries: Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago will participate at the Marine Park Golf Course in Brooklyn.

Prizes will be awarded for first placed teams, closest to the pin, longest drive and putting contests, as well as a chipping contest at the range.

The tournament coordinators are Mark Woseley and Buddy Cooper, who has been instructing golf over 20 years.

Guyana has named a strong team and are optimistic of winning. The team includes Salim Rashid, Bud Singh, Karl Ramjeet, Chris Guyadeen, Anwar Shaffie, Farook Hossein, Akbar Razack, Alim Hasratali, Desmond Magul, Mike Budhan, Mark Woseley, and Alim Badrudeen.

http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Caribbean-Golfers-Association-holds-first-tournament-in-New-York-1800.html

CARICOM Nations need to get serious!

2010-09-10T12:51:00.000-04:00

Reprinted from Caribbean News Now!
caribbeannewsnow.com

Commentary: Caribbean globally uncompetitive: Time to get serious
Published on September 10, 2010

By Sir Ronald Sanders

Only one Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country made the top 50 countries in the World Economic Forum’s “Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011”. Barbados is rated at 43 of 139 countries that were surveyed. Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Guyana were rated 84, 95, and 110 respectively.

No other CARICOM country was rated because of a lack of survey data.

Sir Ronald Sanders is a
business executive and
former Caribbean diplomat
who publishes widely
on small states in the global
community. Reponses to:
www.sirronaldsanders.com

This is not good news for the CARICOM area already beset by severe economic problems including high debt to GDP ratios, increasing unemployment, and contracting economies.

Barbados’ higher ranking over the three other CARICOM countries surveyed is due, according to the Report, to its better health and education facilities and technological readiness, but it got poor marks for inefficient government bureaucracy, access to financing, a poor work ethic among the labour force and foreign currency regulations.

Crime is rated highest among the problems that beset Trinidad and Tobago followed by an inefficient government bureaucracy and, surprisingly, access to financing. None of its rankings – not for basic requirements, efficiency enhancers or business sophistication and innovation - matched Barbados.

However, Barbados’ ranking in the specific areas of business sophistication and innovation at 52, suggests that there is need for the business community to improve its performance if Barbados is to continue to be a leader for the region in maintaining global competiveness.

The Report highlights University-Industry collaboration in Research and Development as a strong point for Barbados. With a ranking of 40, this is an area that Barbados could further develop, and that other CARICOM countries should emulate across a broad area of economic activity.

Like Trinidad and Tobago, crime was identified as the biggest problem facing Jamaica’s competitiveness. An inefficient government bureaucracy, access to financing and an inadequately educated work force were also identified among its major setbacks.

High tax rates headed the list of Guyana’s problems, followed by crime, and inadequately educated work force and access to funding. The enrolment rate for secondary education and hiring and firing practices were Guyana’s two most notable competitive advantages with rankings of 16 and 20 respectively.

So, who are the top ten most competitive countries in the world for business? In order of priority, they are: Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, United States, Germany, Japan, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, and Canada.

The inclusion of Singapore, a small island state, is significant. It shows that small size is not a barrier to being competitiveness in business. Singapore, incidentally, was the top recipient last year of investment of every country in the world.

And, what distinguishes these top ten countries from the other 129 nations in terms of their ability to be competitive globally and attract businesses? The World Economic Forum identifies 12 interrelated pillars for competitiveness, among them are: the strength of institutions and laws, political stability, the quality of infrastructure, public health, and education, and levels of technology and innovation. The Forum makes the point that “the pillars are not independent; they tend to reinforce each other and a weakness in one area often has a negative impact on other areas”.

In the case of Singapore, a physically small island state, it is ranked “number one for government efficiency; second for its financial market sophistication ensuring the proper allocation of these factors to its best use”. It is also ranked fifth for its world-class infrastructure with excellent roads, ports, and air transport facilities. In addition, it has a strong focus on education, providing individuals with the skills needed for a rapidly changing economy.

Singapore’s accomplishments are greatly to be admired particularly when it is considered that both Guyana and Jamaica at the time of their independence in 1962 and 1966 respectively were more prosperous than Singapore.

Clearly there are lessons to be learned by Caribbean states from Singapore’s success. Not all of them will be transferable because of the different work culture that exists between Singapore and the Caribbean, but there are other basic experiences and knowledge that Singapore could offer, among them: how to make government more efficient and institutions stronger.

Lessons might also be learned from Malaysia, which, like 13 of the 15 CARICOM states and Singapore, is a member of the 54-nation Commonwealth. Apart from Taiwan, China, and a few oil-rich Arab states, Malaysia is the highest ranked developing country in the competitive index at number 26. In business sophistication and innovation, it is ranked at 25 and 24 respectively of the 139 surveyed countries. Were it not for its security situation, Malaysia would have been higher up the list.

CARICOM countries have to do much better if they are to emerge from their present economic morass and rise up to claim a significant share of the world’s opportunities for investment and business.

Bringing crime under control has to be a top priority for CARICOM countries and they can best do so together. The sooner governments explore the establishment of regional machinery for collectively tackling crime within each country, the better.

Establishing the Caribbean Single Market also should be accelerated with mergers and acquisitions between Caribbean countries being facilitated by legislation. This will improve business sophistication, enhance efficiencies, and strengthen institutions. Taxation levels in many countries also have to be reviewed to make them more competitive globally. Importantly, access to financing should be a high priority that should be tackled by governments and the private sector collectively devising ways to do it.

The government bureaucracy that slows down investment also has to be overhauled rapidly. Inordinate delays and red tape that slow investment cost Investors money. They don’t hang around; not with a world eager to lure them.

A series of meaningful consultations between governments and the University of the West Indies; between governments and the regional private sector organizations; and the creation of task forces drawn from all three could offer implementable solutions to the problems of competitiveness that beset the Caribbean region.

It is time to get serious, or get left behind.

http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Commentary%3A-Caribbean-globally-uncompetitive%3A-Time-to-get-serious-1802.html

Free Night NYC - Theatre Performances

2010-09-10T12:48:00.001-04:00

From Oct 1–31, 2010, Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is hosting their 3rd Annual Free Night of Theater. TCG is looking to build on the success of previous years by inviting new audiences to your theater. They will use a targeted approach to bring in the audience you are truly hungry for – the audience member with the means to buy tickets and subscriptions.

The first step for a new patron into an unknown theater is always the hardest and Free Night NYC is the perfect way to welcome them into yours. To participate all you need to do is offer tickets to a show, reading or workshop between October 1 and October 31.

For more information and to sign up, please contact Jennifer Conley Darling at nycfreenight@yahoo.com. You can also visit www.tcg.org/events/freenight.

New Exhibit at MOCADA Museum on Brooklyn

2010-09-10T12:41:00.000-04:00

‘Ain’t I A Woman’ Exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA)

BROOKLYN, NY - Friday, September 10, 2010: -- Taking its title from the 1885 speech given by orator and activist Sojourner Truth, the ‘Ain’t I A Woman’ exhibition offers contemporary artistic depictions of women of African descent.

Featured works in painting, video, installation, and mixed media are represented by many artists, including damali abrams, Eric Alugas, William Mwazi, and Kenya (Robinson).

The exhibit runs until Sunday, December 19.

MoCADA is devoted to utilizing the visual arts as a medium to address, discuss, and resolve contemporary social, political, and economic issues affecting the people of the African Diaspora.

MoCADA is located in The James E. Davis Art Building, 80 Hanson Place, Brooklyn. For directions and more information, visit www.mocada.org or call 1-718-230-0492.

Guyana's law adversely affects the Venezuelan claim

2010-09-09T12:51:00.000-04:00

Guyana's law adversely affects the Venezuelan claim

Guyana’s parliament set guidelines on maritime delimitation

The issue of Essequibo continues unsolved (Photo: AP)

Western Hemisphere

Guyana's government is getting ready to enact the Maritime Zones Bill 2009 -already approved by the Parliament- the content of which untowardly affects Venezuelan interests in the area.

The legal instrument set the guidelines on marine and submarine limits under the Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which Guyana is a party, but not Venezuela.

According to Guyana's Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, the bill tries "to safeguard the rights of Guyana over 200 miles of exclusive economic zone."

Under clause 35 of the law, "delimitation of the boundaries of territorial seas located between any States opposed or adjacent to Guyana, will be agreed between Guyana and said State; in the absence of an agreed upon solution, neither State is authorized to extend its territorial waters beyond the so-called midline."

In this regard, Venezuela's National Academy of Engineering and Habitat, in a newsletter, is certain that the proposal refers to "agreeing with Venezuela, because definition of (Guyana's) borders with Suriname was possible upon the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2007."

Delimitation of marine and submarine waters with Guyana is a pending task, because Venezuela insists on claiming the land portion to the west of river Essequibo, and under said law, Guyana sets guidelines to establish its maritime boundaries without taking into account the Venezuelan claim.

Further, the projection of the so-called midline harms Venezuela, because the outline of the geo-morphological inclination favors Guyana.

Changing schemes

Clause 37 of the bill states that any disputes that may arise for failure to reach an agreement on delimitation between the parties will be settled under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The so-called Convention sets forth in article 286 that in the event of not reaching a bilateral agreement, "any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention shall, where no settlement has been reached by recourse to section 1, be submitted at the request of any party to the dispute to the court or tribunal having jurisdiction under this section."

This runs counter to the spirit of the Geneva Agreement executed on February 16, 1966, which states as an objective "satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the controversy between Venezuela and the United Kingdom which has arisen as the result of the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 about the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void."

Under international law, a practical settlement allows for political solutions, but the Maritime Zones Bill 2009 paves the way to resort to another jurisdiction, such as an international court, upon the decision of either party, not by common consent.

According to the Guyana Times, in its edition of August 11, the legal instrument will also legislate on territorial sea, internal waters, innocent passage, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone, maritime delimitation and geographical charts and coordinates, among other issues of interest for Venezuela.

Sources of the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that they have not taken a stance yet on the law because it has not been enacted. However, in the event of being enacted, it will be refused by the Venezuelan government by diplomatic means.

rtheis@eluniversal.com

Translated by Conchita Delgado

http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/09/08/en_pol_esp_guyanas-law-adverse_08A4443051.shtml

Soca King ARROW, not feeling HOT, HOT, HOT

2010-09-09T10:45:00.000-04:00

Arrow flown out from Montserrat to Antigua as his condition deteriorates

Published on September 9, 2010

By Global News Staff

BRADES, Montserrat -- According to local reports, Adolphus Cassell, better known as "Arrow," who is being treated for a reported brain tumour, was flown to Antigua after his overall condition in the local hospital in Montserrat deteriorated.

Arrow sets the crowd alight with 'Hot, Hot, Hot' in Antigua in 2004. Photo: Norman 'Gus' Thomas

Arrow, the soca king of the world, has been fighting his condition for some two years.

Richard Aspin of the Governor's Office in Montserrat said that the world renowned singer regularly travels to the United States for radiation therapy, but in recent times has tended to stay on island.

He performed what he described as his retirement concert at the Sir George Martin Auditorium at the Montserrat Cultural Centre in December 2008, but came out of retirement to perform at the Haiti Relief Concert at the same venue following the devastating earthquake in that country.

Cassel shot to international prominence after his hit song Hot, Hot, Hot was used as the theme for the football World Cup. He also recorded more than two dozen hits, including Dance with Me Woman, Knock Dem Dead, Massive, Soca Dance Party and Soca Rhumba.

He was the first soca singer to be honoured by the Queen, when he received the MBE award more than a decade ago.

He is hospitalised at the Mount St John Hospital in Antigua under the care of two prominent doctors, Dr Prince Ramsey and Dr Deon Thomas.

Montserratians and the entire Caribbean are praying for the soca superstar.

http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Arrow-flown-out-from-Montserrat-to-Antigua-as-his-condition-deteriorates-1795.html

SCTPN 12TH ANNUAL 10K WALK FOR SICKLE CELL AWARENESS

2010-09-02T10:49:00.000-04:00

NY, NY: Thurs., September 2, 2010

SCTPN 12TH ANNUAL 10K WALK FOR SICKLE CELL AWARENESS

Join the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network - (SCTPN) with Channel 11, WPIX NY's News Anchor Mike Gilliam

WHAT: 12th Annual 10K Walk-For-Education

WHEN: Saturday, September 18, 2010

WHERE: Mineral Springs Field in Central Park, Central Park West & 67th St.

TIME: Registration begins at 9 a.m. Walk starts at 11 a.m.

Registration Fee: $20 online and onsite at the walk

For more information and to pre-register log onto:
www.sctpnwalk.org or call: (347) 533-8485

The Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network (SCTPN) walk is held as part of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Proceeds will support SCTPN's Sickle Cell Public Education Program, Community Outreach Initiative, and its College Scholarship fund for young adults living with sickle cell disease.

Sponsors include Con Edison, Irie Jam Radio 93.5 FM and the New York Blood Center
Contributions can also be made on
http://www.guidestar.com/ and http://www.justgive.com/

SCTPN is a non-profit 501©3 organization

See you in BROOKLYN for Labor Day Carnival

2010-08-30T16:18:00.000-04:00

Catch all the color and excitement as millions of Brooklynites & New Yorkers line up along Eastern Parkway for the Brooklyn Labor Day parade on Monday, September 6, 2010.

This year, the West Indian American Day Parade & Carnival celebrates its 42nd anniversary as it continues to enjoy the distinction of being New York City's biggest cultural festivals by far.

As in the past, count on crowds to be waving flags from Trinidad, Barbados, Grenada and other Caribbean nations in a joyful expression of ethnic heritage & cultural pride.

You don't have to be from the West Indies

Everyone's invited to take part in the spectacle of thousands of marchers in colorful costumes 'jumpin' down the parade route to the sounds of reggae and calypso.

A special added-attraction : the aromas of native foods like Jamaican jerk chicken, Bajan fried flying fish, and other soul-satisfying treats at the city's biggest street festival.

And that's just on Labor Day.

Takin' the weekend off

In fact, the entire weekend is devoted to special events — with a special Kiddie Carnival on Saturday, a Dimanche Gras (Fat Sunday) celebration, and an early Monday morning (starting around 3AM) J'Ouvert parade, a celebration of steel pan drums that kicks off the main parade beginning at 11:00 AM.

Around the Web, learn more about the West Indian Labor Day Carnival & Parade featuring history & fun facts, details and directions to the parade route, and tips & advice on best viewing areas ...as Brooklyn rocks to a Caribbean beat this Labor Day weekend :

West Indian American Day Carnival Association - The official site of the parade organizers, offering facts & information on the parade's history, this year's schedule & directions, news & press releases, picture gallery. http://www.wiadca.com/

West Indian American Day Carnival & Parade - The full story at Jim's Deli including tips & advice on viewing along the parade route, best bets for food & drink, subway directions, contact details. http://www.jimsdeli.com/events/west-indian/default.htm

Our Brooklyn - West Indian Carnival History - Brooklyn Library fact sheet including a lovely overview, fun facts on parade music, Caribbean food vendors and background information on parade preparations, related photos. http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/ourbrooklyn/carnival/

Labor Day Carnival - Overview of parade history, related links & photos from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day_Carnival

Brooklyn Labor Day Parade
Fast Facts

When : September 6, 2010
beginning at 11AM

Parade Route : Utica Avenue to Grand Army Plaza along Eastern Pkwy.

Subway Directions :

2 to Grand Army Plaza or Franklin Avenue
3 to Grand Army Plaza or Franklin Avenue or Utica Avenue
4 to Franklin Avenue or Utica Avenue
5 to Franklin Avenue

Richie Stephens to appear at iLand Breeze Cafe

2010-08-30T15:06:00.000-04:00

MAPLEWOOD, NJ: Monday, August 30, 2010: -- When you hear the name Richie Stephens, you immediately think of the smooth sound of a voice that transcends your mood. Stephens is best known as an encompassing artist who produces and has the ability to perform Dancehall, Reggae, Gospel and R&B music delighting a diverse fan base since he entered the music business.

After working with Motown Records as a singer for the former British band, Soul II Soul; Stephens turned his career path in a new direction and spent the late 90's into the early 2000's on his new direction. His 2002 album The Man Upstairs birthed a new voice in Christian music.

He’s spent years giving back in and to his hometown of Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica and in 2006 he was awarded the Jamaican Governor-General's Achievement Award for contributing to civic, social and recreational projects there.

He’s performed with some of the best in the business and in 2004 dedicated his album Standing Ovation to the late great ‘Crown Prince’ of Reggae, Dennis Emmanuel Brown. Now his latest, Reggae Evolution on the VP Records label includes performances with Maxi Priest, Mutabaruka, Dancehall’s Assassin and the King of Lovers Rock, Beres Hammond.

On the East Coast leg of his new tour, Stephens will stop in at iLand Breeze Cafe in Maplewood, NJ to showcase his ‘carefully crafted treat’ for his fans; Stephens will appear at iLand Breeze on Saturday, September 11th at 12:00 noon.

iLand Breeze Cafe is located at 1901 Springfield Ave., between Indiana & Prospect in Maplewood -- Phone: 973-327-2307 -- Fax: 973-265-7971
http://www.ilandbreezecafe.com/

Sen. Sampson recruits Guyanese for Communications Post

2010-08-27T12:05:00.001-04:00

NY senator taps Guyanese for communications job
Published on August 27, 2010

by Bevan Springer
New York Amsterdam News

NEW YORK, USA -- Errol Cockfield, who was born in Guyana and also lived in Trinidad before emigrating to the US at age 10, will run communications for Democrats in the New York State Senate, beginning early September.

Errol Cockfield takes on a new assignment

Senator John Sampson, the Democrat Majority Conference Leader, who also has Guyanese heritage, has recruited the 36 year-old Cockfield as Communications Director of the Senate Democratic Majority.

Cockfield holds a Bachelor's in English with a minor in Journalism from SUNY Stony Brook and went on to head Newsday's Albany Bureau and worked as a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times.

In recent years he served as chief spokesperson and advisor for Governor David Paterson and his predecessor, Eliot Spitzer during the largest fiscal downturn in state history. During this two-year assignment, he provided steady crisis management leadership during the historic transition from Spitzer to Paterson.

"After working for many leaders in government it gives me a unique sense of pride to work for someone who shares my heritage," Cockfield told The New York Amsterdam News this week. "I'm very humbled and excited that Senator Sampson saw fit to tap me for this important role. Under the Senator's leadership, Democrats have accomplished important victories, including reforms that allowed New York to get $700 million in federal education funding announced this week," he added.

In his new role, Cockfield will not only handle the communications needs of Senator Sampson, but will also serve the other members of the Democratic majority in Albany.

In a relatively short but action-packed career, Cockfield has also served as press secretary at the Empire State Development Corporation. He joins Senator Sampson from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation where he currently works as Vice President for Communications and Community Affairs.

Senator Sampson was elected to the New York State Senate in 1996. He represents the 19th Senatorial District which encompasses Canarsie, East Flatbush, Parts of Brownsville, Crown Heights, East New York, portions of Old Mill Basin, Spring Creek Towers, and parts of Midwood and Kensington in Brooklyn. Sampson was born in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, to American and Guyanese parents.

http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-NY-senator-taps-Guyanese-for-communications-job-1584.html

Brooklyn Book Festival

2010-08-19T14:24:00.000-04:00

NYC’S BEST LITERARY FESTIVAL HAPPENS IN BROOKLYN!
BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

200 Authors, 175 Vendors, 13 Venues, Expanded “Bookend” Events all Weekend 9/10-9/12!
Renowned Poet John Ashbery to receive annual “BoBi” Award

Now in its fifth year, the Brooklyn Book Festival is one of the top book festivals in the country. With the extraordinary literary heritage, vibrant publishing community and international reading audience of Brooklyn and New York City as its backdrop, the Festival offers the best and brightest stars in contemporary literature. The hip, huge and free all-star literary lineup includes Salman Rushdie, Naomi Klein, Paul Auster, Nelson George, Sarah Silverman, Gary Shteyngart, Mary Gaitskill, John Ashbery, Rosanne Cash, Paul Krugman, Colson Whitehead, Francine Prose, Dennis Lehane, Per Petterson, Esmeralda Santiago, Pete Hamill, Jennifer Egan, Russell Banks, Michael Connelly, John Hodgman, Kristen Schaal, Sam Lipsyte, Sloane Crosley, Maaza Mengiste, Paul Harding, Amy Goodman, Marlon James, Sarah MacLean, Jean Valentine, Elizabeth Nunez and many more, as well as children’s and young adult lit stars like Rebecca Stead, Sara Shepard, Jacqueline Woodson, Jon Scieszka, Jenny Han, Nina Crews, Mac Barnett, Tad Hills, Chris Raschka, Michael Rex, Matthew Reinhart and Francisco X. Stork.

At the Brooklyn Book Festival, you can see Salman Rushdie and young novelist Tishani Doshi discuss Pakistani/Indian literature and culture. Hear what Paul Krugman has to say about the economy. Get a peek into the masterminds of modern crime fiction Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane and Alafair Burke, meditate on the insights of yoga-convert and humorist Neal Pollack, get cooking tips from the founders of Frankies Sputino and hear Sarah Silverman, John Hodgman and Kristen Schaal opine on life and comedy. See full list of programs below.

The Brooklyn Book Festival showcases more than 200 national and international authors in readings and panel discussions as well as 175 booksellers, publishers, presses and organizations in an outdoor literary marketplace. Brooklyn Book Festival is presented by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn Literary Council and Brooklyn Tourism.

“As the creative epicenter of New York, Brooklyn is already home to many of the world’s greatest writers, and now we’ve got a festival that gathers together the rest of the best from across the nation and around the world,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

FESTIVAL EXPANDS WITH NEW “BOOKEND” EVENTS ALL WEEKEND!

This year’s expansion includes weekend-long “Bookend” events at the coolest venues in Brooklyn, including BAM, Bell House, Brooklyn Bridge Park, The Brooklyn Kitchen, Brooklyn Public Library, Debut Lit, Freebird Books & Goods, Greenlight Bookstore, Irondale Center, Light Industry, Littlefield, Mainspring Collective, PEN American Center, Pizza D’Amore, powerHouse, St. Ann’s Warehouse, WORD and more!

Hear Russell Banks discuss books and film at BAM, dance as Rob Sheffield spins ’80s music at Bell House, hang with John Waters as he talks about his new book Role Models at WORD in Greenpoint. Check out the rest of the great weekend Bookend events—see list of Bookend events below.

RENOWNED POET JOHN ASHBERY WILL ACCEPT BEST OF BROOKLYN “BoBi” AWARD

On Saturday, September 11, at the Festival Gala, the Brooklyn Book Festival “BoBi” award, given each year to an author whose body of work exemplifies or speaks to the spirit of Brooklyn, will go to the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet John Ashbery. Ashbery’s ties to Brooklyn and New York run deep. He once worked as a librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library, and co-directed the poetry MFA program at Brooklyn College. From 2001 to 2003, he was poet laureate of New York State. The BoBi award was established in the Festival’s second year. Previous BoBi recipients include Edwidge Danticat (2009), Walter Mosley (2008) and Paul Auster (2007).

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY IS THE BIGGEST AND BEST YET!

“When we launched the Festival, it was a modest event keyed to Brooklyn’s status as the home to so many great writers,” said Brooklyn Literary Council Chair Johnny Temple. “But it has grown into a celebration of the international literary scene and New York City’s long-lasting love affair with the writing and reading world.”

FESTIVAL PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

Brooklyn Book Festival sponsors include Astoria Federal Savings; Boar’s Head Provisions; Brooklyn Community Foundation; Citi; Con Edison; Downtown Brooklyn Partnership; NYC & Company Foundation; NYC Department of Parks & Recreation; New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge; New York State Council on the Arts; St. Francis College; Skylight One Hanson; Target; Time Out New York Kids and WABC-TV. Cultural and programming partners are BAM; the Brooklyn Historical Society; Brooklyn Public Library; Cave Canem; Housing Works Bookstore Café; LIVE from the NYPL; The Nation; the National Book Foundation; The New York Review of Books; PEN American Center; Poetry Society of America; and St. Francis College.

With a festival this hip, smart and diverse—Brooklyn is indeed Book-lyn!

Media Contacts:
Please contact Laura Sinagra or Mark Zustovich
lsinagra@brooklynbp.nyc.gov / mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov / (718) 802-3832
For more information visit www.brooklynbookfestival.org or check out the official Facebook page
On Twitter, follow the Brooklyn Book Festival @BKBF
The Brooklyn Book Festival PressLift page is at http://brooklynbookfestival.presslift.com/brooklynbookfestival

BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL PROGRAMS

FICTION PROGRAMS

*Live from the NYPL The Pleasure Seekers: Salman Rushdie in Conversation with Tishani Doshi. Salman Rushdie talks to novelist, poet and dancer Tishani Doshi about her acclaimed new novel The Pleasure Seekers and about Indian-Pakistani literature and diaspora-Indian literature in general, poetry, dance and, perhaps, the delights of Goan fish curry and chocolate Ganeshes. Introduced by Paul Holdengräber. Co-presented by LIVE from the NYPL. (ST. FRANCIS)

*Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane in Conversation with Alafair Burke. Three masters of crime and cliffhanging suspense in conversation. Discussion and short readings, followed by Q&A. (ST. FRANCIS)

*Next Texts: Five Debut Novelists. The Brooklyn Book Festival presents readings from five of the finest debut novels of 2010. Featuring Sean Ferrell (Numb), Ivy Pochoda (The Art of Disappearing), Helen Simonson (Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand), Tanya Wright (Butterfly Rising) and Teddy Wayne (Kapitoil).

*Past Is Not Past. Brooklyn Book Festival presents the cream of the crop of today’s historical fiction. Readings by Marlon James (The Book of Night Women), Dennis Lehane (The Given Day) and Bernice L. McFadden (Glorious), followed by Q&A.

*Is Beauty Painful? Popular culture dictates that, to beautiful people, the world is their oyster. But perhaps beauty creates its own painfulness. Readings by Jenny Hollowell (Everything Lovely, Effortless, Safe), Peter Hedges (The Heights) and Matthew Sharpe (Jamestown), followed by Q&A.

*Hex and the City. Oh, to be young and hip in New York! What, you think it’s easy? Readings by Jennifer Belle (The Seven Year Bitch), Charles Rice-Gonzalez (Chulito) and Joanna Smith Rakoff (A Fortunate Age), followed by Q&A.

*Cabaret BBF Style. Four notorious authors shake up the Brooklyn Book Festival with song and comedy. Singing by Rakesh Satyal and Melvin Van Peebles, mixed with a comic presentation by Sam Anderson and David Rees.

*Being is Scary. In lonely places, one often has to face the aches and desires for something more. Yet even longing has its dangers. Readings by Per Petterson, Scott Spencer and Terese Svoboda, followed by Q&A.

*Wrong Turns. Three fiction writers read from their books about characters who take a wrong turn in life, and can’t go back. Short readings followed by Q&A. Lauren Grodstein (Friend of the Family), Nancy Mauro (New World Monkeys) and Donna Hill (Getting Hers).

*Food, Metaphor and Memory. A panel discussion exploring the ways in which food can provide a means of understanding culture and ethnicity in literature, and how it evokes some of our earliest personal stories and memories. Featuring Lara Vapnyar (Broccoli and Other Tales of Food and Love), Monique Truong (Bitter in the Mouth) and Amy Besa (Memories of Philippine Kitchens). Moderated by Jessica Hagedorn.

*The International Graphic Novel: Drawing from Life. Three acclaimed cartoonists, whose work takes on social and political themes, talk about the on-the-ground research and background work they have all done in preparation for creating their books. London-based author Nick Abadzis (Laika), Josh Neufeld and Jessica Abel. Moderated by Matt Madden.
*Border Crossings. Three writers with hyphenated identities and whose work crosses and bridges cultural boundaries read from their most recent books. Featuring Gary Shteyngart (Super Sad True Love Story), Luis Alberto Urrea (Into the Beautiful North), Maaza Mengiste (Beneath the Lion’s Gaze).

*International Noir. As the enormous popularity of international noir fiction continues to produce many new authors and titles, the international stage will host a discussion of the unique features of this genre and its enduring appeal. Featuring Hirsh Sawhney (editor of Delhi Noir), Mexican author Paco Ignacio Taibo II, French author Caryl Férey (Zulu) and Pete Hamill.

*Reading the World: A Spotlight on International Writers. Come celebrate publishers of international literature—New Directions, Archipelago Books, Ugly Duckling and Zephyr Press—and their authors and translators. Declan Spring of New Directions with author/translator Susan Bernofsky; Matvei Yankelevich of Ugly Duckling Presse with Russian poet Marina Temkina; Bill Martin (Zephyr) with Polish poet Miłosz Biedrzycki; and Greek translator Karen Emmerich (Archipelago Books) will discuss and read from their work.

*Mothers and Daughters. An adult imagining and reimagining the relationship with one’s mother invariably leads back to the complex web of childhood and upbringing. Short readings followed by a discussion and Q&A. Featuring fiction authors Marlon James, Elizabeth Nunez and Jayne Anne Phillips.

*It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (But I Like It). Musically inspired readings by three chart-topping American fiction writers: Steve Almond, Jennifer Egan and Colson Whitehead (Sag Harbor). Readings followed by Q&A.

*Kafka on the Block. In conjunction with BAM’s Next Wave Festival performance of Metamorphosis (Vesturport Theatre, Iceland) directed by Gísli Örn Gardarsson, BAM hosts a panel discussion on Kafka’s legacy with Joshua Cohen, author of the postmodern epic novel Witz; Francine Prose, author of many bestselling books of fiction and the nonfiction New York Times bestseller Reading Like a Writer; and Matthew Sharpe, author of the novels The Sleeping Father, Nothing is Terrible and Jamestown. Moderated by Liesl Schillinger, frequent contributor to The New York Times Book Review.

*Poetry of the Gumshoe. From Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler to Law & Order, the fiction of the tough cop and detective has created its own language and a vivid, sui generis idea of western culture. Readings by Gabriel Cohen, Michael Connelly and Paco Ignacio Taibo II, followed by Q&A.

*Primal Impulses and Prose. Mary Gaitskill (Don’t Cry), Ben Greenman (What He’s Poised to Do) and Simon Von Booy (The Secret Lives of People In Love) each write poignantly about primal impulses—ones which are spoken about or not—yet felt; and are accepted or not—yet change lives.

*The World in Fiction. Three fiction writers talk about the relationship between reality and imagination in their work: Jabari Asim, Russell Banks and Mona Simpson. Moderated by David L. Ulin of the Los Angeles Times.

*One Story, One Borough. Following a campaign that will inundate Brooklyn subway trains with short stories in the days leading up to the festival, One Story presents readings by three Brooklyn authors published in the magazine: James Hannaham (God Says No), Reif Larsen (The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet) and Caedra Scott-Flaherty.

*Comics and Form: Is the Medium Still the Message? Do comics change when they are released from their traditional print medium? And how? Creators, publishers and developers will combine to discuss the expanding boundaries of the comics format. Robert Berry, Ben Katchor, Jillian Tamaki (Skim). Moderated by Karen Green.

*Abstract Jungle. Though violent crime may have decreased in some cities of the world, a new aesthetics of bleakness has transformed the urban chronicle into a form of writer’s survival. Readings by Peter Akinti (Forest Gate), Henry Chang (Red Jade) and Brando Skyhorse (The Madonnas of Echo Park), followed by Q&A.

*Family: They Mess You Up. Of course they do. But how they help or hinder you in developing a relationship to the world is the real marker of who you are now. Readings by Stephen Elliott (The Adderall Diaries), Jennifer Gilmore (Something Red) and Luis Alberto Urrea (Into the Beautiful North), followed by Q&A.

*Living Thru Dying. One thought is that our lives flash before us as we die. Another perspective is that the experience of dying focuses our lives. Steven Amsterdam (Things We Didn’t See Coming), Pulitzer Prize-winning Paul Harding (Tinkers) and Alia Yunis (The Night Counter) in conversation and readings about characters who are living through dying.

*Hallucinations of Your Neighbors. Three writers whose work pokes across the dividing line between reality and fantasy share their work and thoughts on just how far a writer can go. Short readings and a discussion with Cristina García, Steven Millhauser, and Peter Straub.

YOUTH STOOP PROGRAMS
*When it All Goes Wrong. Adele Griffin (The Julian Game), Tracy White (How I Made it to Eighteen) and Sofia Quintero (Efrain’s Secret), discuss what happens when life gets out of hand, from online stalking to addiction to the lure of living double lives.

*Concrete Jungle Where Dreams are Made. Laura Toffler-Corrie (The Life and Opinions of Amy Finawitz), Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich (8th Grade Superzero) and 2009 Newbery Award winner Rebecca Stead (When You Reach Me), bring us relatable, inspiring characters embracing challenges with friendships and popularity—while trying to solve a mystery or two—set against very different New York landscapes.

*DRAWN! Illustrator Draw-off. Illustrators bring magic to words with the simple stroke of a pencil. Watch award-winning illustrators create in response to a few energetic prompts from the audience, and hear them discuss the magic behind their illustrative work. Mike Cavallaro (Foiled), Shane Evans (Olu’s Dream) and Vanessa Brantley.

*About a Boy. Newbery Honor-winning Jacqueline Woodson (Peace, Locomotion), debut author Torrey Maldonado (Secret Saturdays) and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Charles Fuller (Snatch: The Adventures of David and Me) offer us a rare look into the minds and hearts of young boys who could really use a second chance.

*You’ve Got to Be Kidding. Former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jon Scieszka (Spaceheadz), National Book Award Finalist E. Lockhart (The Treasure Map of Boys) and Mac Barnett (The Brixton Brothers) take on the absurdity of life in books and writing and talk about their ways of making us laugh, including hamster space aliens and panicky smart alecks.

*Making It. Mitali Perkins (Bamboo People), Francisco X. Stork (The Last Summer of the Death Warriors) and Kate Milford (The Boneshaker) bring tales of their characters’ extreme survival to the stage, from a teen soldier in Burma to an orphanage in Mexico to a girl in 1913 Missouri who finds herself in the middle of a battle between good and evil. Anjali Wason, moderator.

*Happily Ever After? Lauren Oliver (Before I Fall), Jenny Han (It’s Not Summer Without You) and Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars) talk about characters who are forced to relive their past, come to terms with haunting memories and who have committed terrible acts. Moderated by Kirsten Miller (The Eternal Ones).

*Tiger Beat. Teen author band Libba Bray, Daniel Ehrenhaft, Natalie Standiford and Barnabas Miller perform at the Festival.

TARGET CHILDREN’S AREA

Art Bennett (The Butt Book)
Nina Crews (Sky-High Guy; The Neighborhood Mother Goose)
Brian Floca (Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11; The Racecar Alphabet)
Tad Hills (How Rocket Learned to Read; Duck & Goose)
Michelle Knudsen (Library Lion; The Dragon of Trelian)
Chris Raschka (Big Black Crow; Peter and the Wolf)
Matthew Reinhart (Encyclopedia Mythologica: Gods and Heroes)
Michael Rex (Furious George Goes Bananas; Goodnight Goon)
Sergio Ruzzier (Amandina; Hey, Rabbit!)
John Rocco (Fu Finds the Way; Moonpowder)

NON-FICTION PROGRAMS

*COMPOSED: In Conversation with Rosanne Cash. Celebrated music journalist Jancee Dunn talks to the first daughter of country music about her new memoir, life with her famous father and coming into her own as an artist.

*The Problem with Music. Does music have the same role in our lives it once did or has it become mere background noise in our more-now-again age of over-saturation? Do rock, punk and hip-hop still provide a voice and a sense of community to the alienated and disaffected? And what of technology’s role in these changes? Four music writers discuss the state of the art. With Sara Marcus (Girls to the Front), Greg Milner (Perfecting Sound Forever), Elijah Wald (How the Beatles Destroyed Rock n’ Roll) and Thomas Chatterton Williams (Losing My Cool).

*Change is Gonna Come: The Fluid Life of New York City. In a city like New York, change is constant. Yet coupled with that change comes numerous and often times competing interests. Sharon Zukin (Naked City), Roberta Brandes Gratz (The Battle for Gotham) and Martin Lemelman (Two Cents Plain) consider the perpetual ebb and flow of The Big Apple and how it affects us all. Moderated by Phillip Lopate, Waterfront.

*The Body Electric: The Cult and Culture of Movement in America. Stefanie Syman, author of a new history of yoga (The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America); humorist and Yoga-foe-turned-zealot Neal Pollack (Stretch); and choreographer Elizabeth Streb (How to Become an Extreme Action Hero) for a discussion of the mind/body split and how our approach to stillness and movement shape who we are—and who we can be.

*Eating Our Words. Do chefs ever get the equivalent of writer’s block in the kitchen? Do food writers ever lose their appetite after a difficult day at the keyboard? Gabrielle Hamilton (chef and owner of Prune), Ted Lee (one half of the James Beard Award-winning cookbook writing team of Matt Lee and Ted Lee), Francis Lam (food columnist for Salon) and Melanie Rehak (Eating for Beginners) discuss the differences and similarities between writing and eating, thinking and tasting, working out a recipe and working out a sentence.

*Culture vs. Cash. Explore the breach between the role of the musician as artist and the role of the record companies as a business. Often times music rises up out of subcultures that are about much more than profits, but ultimately the industry is a business that must support itself financially. Dan Charnas (The Big Pay Back), Will Hermes (The Big Bang), Kristin Hersh (Rat Girl) and moderator Greg Tate (James Brown’s Body) look at the conflicting interests of artists and executives.

*Pop Life: Music, Memory and America’s Coming of Age. Rob Sheffield (Talking to Girls About Duran Duran), Joshua Clover (1989) and Ta-Nehisi Coates (The Beautiful Struggle) discuss the ways that memory and personal and political meaning inhabit the most ephemeral music and popular culture. Moderated by Julie Burstein, creator of public radio’s Studio 360 and the author of the upcoming Spark: How Creativity Works.

*Exposing a Difficult Past. A panel exploring the motivations for, and process behind, writing for the general public about life events most people would keep secret. With Piper Kerman (Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison), Darin Strauss (Half a Life), Kathryn Harrison (The Kiss) and Nelson George (City Kid: A Writer’s Memoir of Ghetto Life and Post-Soul Success), moderated by Elizabeth Wurtzel (Prozac Nation). Presented by Housing Works Bookstore Café.

*Food Fetish: Brooklyn Chefs. Beloved chefs of Brooklyn’s restaurant scene discuss what inspires the legendary kitchens of Brooklyn. Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo (The Frankies Spuntino: Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual), Ramin Ganeshram (Sweet Hands: Island Cooking from Trinidad & Tobago) and Amy Besa, Memories of Philippine Kitchens.

*Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: Sports and Power in America. Michael Weinreb (Bigger than the Game), Dave Zirin (Bad Sports) and Will Leitch (Are We Winning?) show us the money, unmask the juiced-up, ego-fueled game of professional sports and salvage what’s left to love.
*The Economic Crisis and What To Do About It. A conversation with Nobel Prize-winner Paul Krugman and Robin Wells, moderated by Jeff Madrick—all frequent contributors to The New York Review of Books. Introduced by Robert Silvers, editor of The New York Review of Books.

*The Culture of Disaster: How Crisis Defines America. Nietzsche once said, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” Or does it? Naomi Klein (The Shock Doctrine), Kurt Andersen (Reset), Jordan Flaherty (Floodlines) and Paul Reyes (Exiles in Eden) look at issues such as Katrina, the economic collapse, and the war abroad and consider whether they in fact make us stronger as a society, or more vulnerable.

*It Ain’t Easy Being Green. Sustainable environmental practices may be better for us, but are they really helping save the planet? With Colin Beavan (No Impact Man), Heather Rogers (Green Gone Wrong), Anna Lappé (Diet for a Hot Planet) and Miyun Park (Gristle).

*All Politics is Local. Is politics down and dirty or full of optimism for the future? Here city, state and national politics are discussed from all angles of reform and whether real change is a utopian myth. Francis S. Barry (Scandal of Reform), former State Assembly Member Dan Feldman (Tales from the Sausage Factory) and Scott Simpson, editor of the 40th anniversary edition of Unbossed and Unbought by Shirley Chisholm.

*War in Words: Reporting from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East. Jeremy Scahill (Blackwater), Moustafa Bayoumi (Midnight on the Mavi Marmara) and Nir Rosen (Aftermath) discuss the perils of reporting the current major conflicts. GRITtv’s Laura Flanders moderates.

POETRY PROGRAMS

*The Transformation of the Book. Four poets discuss how authors and publishers are expanding and re-framing the notion of what a book is, and can do. Jen Bervin, Mendi Obadike, Tan Lin, John Yau. Moderated by Camille Rankine.

*Poetry and Prose. A panel discussing how poetry and prose (be it fiction, creative nonfiction, essays and journalism) relate to and inform each other, with well-known practitioners of both. Monica Ferrell, Phillip Lopate, Katha Pollitt, Maureen N. McLane. Moderated by Meghan O’Rourke.

*Brooklyn Poet Laureate Presents. Brooklyn’s new Poet Laureate, Tina Chang, introduces some of her favorite poets to read from their work. Mark Doty, Terrance Hayes, Ada Limón, Tracy K. Smith, moderated by Poet Laureate Chang.

*The PSA Presents: Established and Emerging Poets. The nation’s oldest poetry organization celebrates its 100th anniversary with some of the country’s best emerging and established poets—Martín Espada, Dorothea Lasky, John Murillo and Jean Valentine. Moderated by Rob Casper, PSA.

*Verbal Catalysts. The City’s top teen poets from Urban Word and Community Word perform; with poets Aracelis Girmay, A. Van Jordan and Lynne Procope.

*Paul Auster in Conversation with John Ashbery, this year’s 2010 Brooklyn Book Festival BoBi Award winner.

BOOKEND EVENTS (SEPTEMBER 10 – SEPTEMBER 12)

FRIDAY

Secret History of the Dividing Line: A True Account in Nine Parts (Parts I-IV, 1999-2001). Light Industry presents a screening of David Gatten’s unfinished 16mm film cycle, a project based around the life, writing and library of William Byrd II, a Virginia planter who owned one of the largest collections of books in Colonial North America.
Location: 177 Livingston Street
Time: 7:30pm
Price: $7

Brooklyn Indie Press Celebration! With Akashic, A Public Space, Archipelago, Armchair/Shotgun, BOMB, Electric Literature, Melville House, powerHouse, Tin House, and others. Brooklyn’s finest independent publishers of books and periodicals come together at Greenlight Bookstore. Mingle with writers and publishers who make Brooklyn’s literary scene, and enjoy refreshments and live DJs to kick off BKBF weekend.
Location: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton Street (corner of S. Portland)
Time: 7:30 pm
Price: Free

WORD Presents an Intimate Conversation with John Waters. John Waters, the iconic filmmaker, actor and writer, comes to Greenpoint to talk about his new book Role Models with Carolyn Kellogg of the LA Times. For details, visit www.wordbrooklyn.com.
Location: Coco 66, 66 Greenpoint Ave.
Date: 8:00 pm
Price: $25.00 (includes copy of book)

DEBUT LIT presents “Opening Act,” a flash reading of original work by literary rock stars. Reading will be written on a theme provided by Debut Lit. It’s fun and it’s fast. Readers include Aryn Kyle (The God of Animals), John Murillo (Up Jump the Boogie), Sung J. Woo (Everything Asian), Brooke Berman (No Place Like Home), Matt Stewart (French Revolution), Fiona Maazel (Last Last Chance) and Daphne Beal (In the Land of No Right Angels).
Location: powerhouse Books
Date: 7:00 pm
Price: Free

Books to Movies: The Sweet Hereafter (1997) Directed by Atom Egoyan. With Ian Holm, Sarah Polley. In this adaptation of Russell Banks’ novel, a big city lawyer (Holm) descends on a small Canadian town following a tragic school bus accident to organize a civil action suit, while simultaneously mourning the loss of his own daughter to drug addiction. Atom Egoyan’s masterpiece is a sensitive examination of overcoming grief. Q&A with author Russell Banks.
Location: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Avenue
Time: 7:30 pm
Price: $12 general admission / $8 BAM Cinema Club members

Literary Pub Contest staged by PEN American Center at St. Ann’s Warehouse. The first ever PEN Quiz Night. Don’t miss the chance to compete with (and against!) your favorite authors. We’ll bring the paper and the pencils; you bring your literary meddle!
Location: St. Ann’s Warehouse
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 pm; doors open at 7:00
Price: FREE

RingShout, a Place for Black Literature, kicks off its new reading series. Join us for an evening of readings by four acclaimed African-American writers. Featuring Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tayari Jones, Jeffrey Renard Allen and Danielle Evans. DJ Sounds by Rob Fields.
Location: Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street (3rd and 4th Avenue)
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Price: Suggested donation: $5
SATURDAY

Making Books Sing - A Warming up for the Brooklyn Book Festival. In 1929, New York’s first Puerto Rican librarian, Pura Belpré, transforms her East Harlem library into a welcoming community center for all, through a blend of storytelling, music and puppetry, young audiences will learn about Puerto Rican folklore and the library’s important role in the community. Kids sing along and become puppeteers as Pura’s stories unfold. Followed by a bookmaking workshop.
Location: Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza (Flatbush Ave. & Eastern Parkway)
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Price: FREE
Books to Film for Children. A series of short films based on children’s books for ages 2-6, followed by Q& A with some of the authors, including Brooklyn Book Festival participants Jon Scieszka (with the film The True Story of the Three Little Pigs) and Chris Raschka (with the film Yo! Yes?).
Location: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Avenue
Time: 10:30 am
Tickets: Adults: $12; Children (under 13): $9

Robin Hood: Prince of...MONSTERS. Mainspring Collective and the Irondale Center present a new children’s theater series, Monster Literature, written and conceived by Daniel John Kelley, an action-packed and hilarious live theater series that celebrates great works of children’s literature that kids can read NOW. For more information, www.monsterliterature.com.
Location: Irondale Center, 85 South Oxford Street
Time: 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Price: Tickets available online for $5 or at the door for $7

THE NEW BROOKLYN COOKBOOK: Recipes and Stories from 31 Restaurants That Put Brooklyn on the Culinary Map. Join authors Melissa and Brendan Vaughan for a panel discussion and cocktail hour at The Brooklyn Kitchen, North Brooklyn’s leading hub of home culinary exploration, and the best place to learn how to make restaurant dishes in cramped apartment kitchens. Panelists will include the chefs, farmers, kimchi makers and beer brewers who make this borough delicious! Admission includes an early copy of the book.
Location: 100 Frost Street
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Price: $65 (includes advance copy of book)

Talking to Girls About Duran Duran. Author Rob Sheffield reads from his latest work and chats about new wave music, adolescent love and John Hughes movie soundtracks. Rob is the best-selling author of Love is a Mixtape and has been a music journalist for over 20 years. Talking to Girls About Duran Duran is his latest book, a poignant tour of his 1980s adolescence, as told through the music of that decade. Stick around afterward and enjoy Rob and other DJs spinning the tunes highlighted in the book. For details, please visit www.thebellhouseny.com.
Location: Front lounge at the Bell House, 149 7th St. (between 2nd & 3rd Aves.)
Time: 8:00 pm
Price: FREE

Genre Busters: Freebird Books & Goods presents a ninety-minute variety show with artists and authors who work in a genre to turn it on its head. Includes readings, slideshows, short lectures, video, Q&A, trivia prizes and snacks.
Location: Freebird Books & Goods, 123 Columbia Street
Time: 8:00 pm
Price: FREE
SUNDAY (AFTER THE FESTIVAL)
Copper Canyon Listening Party featuring Mountains and Lymbyc Systym
It’s not about reading, it’s about listening. Copper Canyon Press’ award-winning authors Mark Bibbins, Chris Martin, Brenda Shaughnessy and Ben Lerner will be reading their works at this event; also featuring special performances by acclaimed folk-gazer/electronica bands Mountains and Lymbyc Systym.
Location: Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street (btw. 3rd and 4th Aves)
Time: Doors open at 7:30 pm
Price: $8 in advance, $10 day of show

The Story of Italian American Song by Mark Rotella. Song selections from the book will be performed for dinner guests at Brooklyn’s own Pizza D’Amore. Rotella’s book covers everyone from crooners like Sinatra and Tony Bennett, to female pop singers like Joni James and Connie Francis, to the late 50s/early 60s groups like Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and Dion and the Belmonts.
Location: Pizaa D’amore, 2147 Mill Avenue
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Price: Included with dinner

Cosmos: A Personal Journey. Screened under the evening sky, the Emmy Award-winning PBS television series based on the book Cosmos by Carl Sagan, will enchant and fascinate all ages. Bring a picnic blanket and prepare to be dazzled.
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier One
Time: 7:00 pm
Price: Free

Leticia Skeete, Soccer Phenom & Guyanese Offspring on the Rise

2010-08-19T11:42:00.000-04:00

Mathew McCarthy, Record staff Kitchener Soccer Club player Leticia Skeete is participating in a development camp in Sunrise, Fla., for Canada's national under-15 team.

Kitchener soccer player leaps to challenge of competing at highest level
August 11, 2010

As you are reading this, Kitchener Soccer Club under-15 player Leticia Skeete is training in sunny, hot Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a group of Canada’s best 14 and 15 year-old soccer players. It is a critical age for kids who hope to make the leap from club youth player to national-level athlete and playing for Canada internationally.

Skeete, a 14-year-old Grand River Collegiate student set to enter grade 10 this fall, is what might be termed a diamond in the rough. She has not been part of the Ontario Soccer Association’s programs in any significant way, which, generally speaking, would have been the first step to making it to Canada’s national teams.

“I’ve never tried out for provincials, or anything. This the first time playing anything higher than club soccer and I’m really excited,” she says.

The Florida venue has the facilities, competition, and stifling heat that players need to acclimate to when playing matches in many countries in CONCACAF. The camp is designed to create a training environment where nothing is new to them while preparing for key international matches, according to head coach David Benning of Toronto.

“The purpose of the camp is to educate the players to the level of training, competition, coaching and the overall camp environment at the national team level.”
That environment is vital to preparing players for international tournaments at the under-15 and under-17 age groups and as they begin to compete for positions on the national women’s team over the next few years.

Today, the 24-player squad is recovering from Tuesday’s evaluation game and an afternoon of practice and reviewing the principles of team shape as it prepares for Thursday’s session.

“We’re looking for players who can consistently compete at the highest level over a three-game period,” Benning says, referring to the three-game international qualifying period.

Skeete is hoping to do just that, and she’s relying on her experience with local coaching and club soccer. She started playing soccer with the Kitchener Soccer Club when she was eight and moved to Waterloo Minor Soccer for a year before returning to the Kitchener club when she was 14.

As for how she finds herself playing at the Canadian national level, she can only shrug her shoulders and conclude that she was scouted while playing against some of the best teams in the Ontario Youth Soccer League, a pan-Ontario circuit for boys and girls aged 14 to 19.

“It was a big surprise to me,” says Skeete. “My coach (Kitchener Soccer under-15 coach Fritz Bratan) called me and said the national team had called him. I didn’t go through the regional or provincial program (steps toward Canadian soccer’s national training centre program), so I didn’t think it could happen.”

Benning says that through the combined efforts of many Canadian men’s and women’s national staff coaches, training centre directors and provincial technical directors, 180 players across the country were scouted over the past two years.

Skeete describes herself as an aggressive player, who is tall, quick and likes to get to the ball first and with tenacity.

“I think I have a good ability to think quickly, but I need to work on my touches on the ball and keeping possession,” she says.

Those are skills she was working on diligently before leaving for Florida. All Canadian national female soccer players have focused on improving in that area of late. After former coach Even Pellerud’s tenure of thumping long-ball soccer, the Canadian women are now coached by Italian Carolina Morace, who is converting their game to more technical and composed short-ball soccer, passing the ball on the ground.

But the long and short of it is that Skeete’s invitation caught her by surprise and caused some a bit of stress, though she sees that as part of the fun in the opportunity presented by the Florida camp.

“I’m really excited,” she says. “I was struggling to get everything together and with only a few days. There was a lot to do in a short space of time.”

http://news.therecord.com/Sports/article/758752

Guyana Folk Festival 2010

2010-08-18T16:40:00.000-04:00

THIS YEAR WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE VILLAGE & HOMETOWN COMMUNITIES THAT ENRICH GUYANESE SOCIETY

JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES WHOSE WORK IN OUR VILLAGE COMMUNITIES EXEMPLIFIES DIVERSITY IN OUR VILLAGES, HARMONY IN OUR CULTURE

• SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR
THE 2010 GCA AWARD
DEADLINE JULY 16
GCA AWARDS CEREMONY
Thursday, September 2, 2010
6.00 p.m. sharp - 9:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street Brooklyn, NY 11209

• LITERARY HANG & SYMPOSIUM:
The Ninth Annual Symposium and the Fourth Literary Hang will be combined this year into one glorious exposition of discussions, readings and promotion of books, film and other artifacts.
We especially welcome all members of villages of all ages to take part.
Participation may be by paper or video presentation, by poster exhibition and other displays.

GCA LITERARY HANG & SYMPOSIUM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2010
583 Throop Avenue at McDonough Street,
Brooklyn, New York 11216
10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
To Submit Papers: Email Dr. Juliet Emanuel
JAEMANUEL@cs.com Tel: 718 783 5190

• SUBMIT INFORMATION ON YOUR VILLAGE FOR
WEBSITE FEATURE
"52 Weeks-52 Villages"
Each week we will feature a different Village or Hometown.
Photographs to be submitted in jpeg format.
No more than 100 words accepted.

• GET TOGETHER YOUR KWE KWE GROUP
& REPRESENT YOUR VILLAGE AT
“KWE KWE NITE 2010”
FRI., SEPTEMBER 3, 2010

• SUPPORT YOUR VILLAGE AT
FOLK FESTIVAL FAMILY DAY
SUN., SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
(FUND RAISING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR HOMETOWN ORGANIZATIONS)

For Information
GUYANA FOLK FEST

GUYANA CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK
1368 E. 89 STREET SUITE 2, BROOKLYN
NEW YORK 11236, U.S.A.
TEL: 718.209.5207 FAX: 718.209.6157
WEBSITE: www.guyfolkfest.org
E-MAIL: info@guyfolkfest.org

MAYOR BLOOMBERG TO HOST WEST INDIANS AT GRACIE MANSION

2010-08-09T12:25:00.000-04:00

NEW YORK (August 5, 2010) - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is getting set to once again welcome hundreds of influencers in New York's Caribbean-American community to his official residence next Thursday, August 12 to kick-off celebrations for the 43rd West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) Labor Day Parade.

The 2010 Carnival festival, which each year attracts millions of revelers and spectators to Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway on Labor Day Monday, will be held from September 2 to 6, starting with a benefit concert for Haiti on the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum on Thursday, September 2.

Each year, the Mayor hosts the media, community leaders and members of the Caribbean Diaspora for an evening of fun, food, fellowship to recognize the outstanding contributions of the Caribbean-American community to life in New York City. While contributions are also felt back home in the region by way of remittances, medical missions, trade and the transfer of skills and other resources, Labor Day presents an opportunity for Caribbean tourist boards, investment banks, telecommunications companies, wire transfer outfits and the like to reach the burgeoning Diaspora market.

Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development Dennis Walcott, who traces his roots to Barbados and St. Croix, recognizes that while Caribbean-Americans make an incredibly positive contribution to America, more should be done by Caribbean-based marketers to tap into the overseas-based Caribbean-American travel and tourism market.

"The marketing back to the Caribbean is extremely important and I think there is an opportunity to get people who are in the Caribbean to market here in New York City," said Walcott, who does not feel that enough is being done. "There is an untapped resource of people in New York City who are Caribbean (and who are not Caribbean) to go back home and spend the dollars and be tourists there," he said, adding dollars will flow more steadily to the region once marketers can effectively "tap into the vein" that's here.

The Thursday Haiti benefit event will feature triple Grammy winner and Haitian hip hop star Wyclef Jean who according to media reports (at press time) may be considering a run to become Haiti's next president. Calypso revolutionary David Rudder from Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent's soca artiste Kevin Lyttle and the incredibly talented kompa group Carimi are set to mesmerize patrons at this premier Carnival curtain-raiser.

On Friday, it's the official Stay in School Concert for children as well as Brass Fest, featuring top soca acts, while the Junior Carnival parade is set for Saturday. Brass Fest acts include Machel Montano, Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, Destra, JW and Blaze, Lady Saw, and Tallpree. Saturday night features the Steel Band Panorama competition, while the Dimanche Gras calypso show will be held on Sunday, September 5. The Labor Day parade on Monday begins at Eastern Parkway and Schenectady Avenue at 11 a.m.

Bevan Springer, a New York Amsterdam News columnist who writes frequently on travel and tourism issues, is the President of the New Jersey-headquartered Marketplace Excellence, Inc. - a full service, integrated marketing 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.

[NYC | AFUWI Fundraiser Invitation] Summer Groove 2010 featuring Ky-Mani Marley - Friday, August 20, 2010

2010-08-09T11:47:00.000-04:00

Ky-Mani Marley supports fundraiser for scholarships for UWI students

New York, August 2010; …The American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) continues its fundraising efforts with Summer Groove 2010, featuring Reggae Singer, Ky-Mani, son of Reggae legend Bob Marley on Friday, August 20, 2010, at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum located at 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn New York at 6:30pm.

The economies of Caribbean nations have been hit hard by the worldwide recession. Students in the region who are served by the University of the West Indies (UWI) are consequently experiencing hardship in meeting tuition costs that average US$3000 for the school year and other related expenses. At this time, the need to fundraise for needy students becomes an imperative and their best hope for aid.

The AFUWI is inviting the community to get behind the effort to give these students hope for tomorrow. “The education of the youth of our region is vital to the economic development of the entire Caribbean,” says Ms. Grant, Executive Director, AFUWI. “Our effort communicates to our youth that we see the promise of their capabilities and their future contribution to the region as directly dependent on their education and skill sets.”

Summer Groove 2010 is the perfect “lime” and networking opportunity for the many UWI alums and well-wishers who reside across the northeast. The setting – The Brooklyn Children’s Museum – is perfectly suited to a fun night of dancing, and, meet and greet.

“We are looking to reconnect with as many of our alums as possible who live and work, in especially, the tri-state area,” says Ms. Grant. She also remarked, “A strong and supportive alumnus will make our University stronger and hopefully create a smoother path for the Foundation’s work.”

The evening will feature entertainment and book signing by Ky-Mani Marley, Ano Okera raffles, games, steel-pan and dancing. Marley who just recently came off a 27 city US tour to promote his new autobiography, Dear Dad, has enjoyed tremendous success as a singer, actor and now author. With numerous successful albums under his belt, expect a thrilling evening of musical performance.

About AFUWI

The American Foundation for The University of the West Indies (AFUWI) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) US based incorporated, set up to support the growth and development of The University of The West Indies (UWI). The UWI currently has a population of 44,000 students. There are three main Campuses on the islands of Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago and satellites on the Open Campus on the islands of Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & The Grenadines.

Please visit www.uwi.edu and www.afuwi.org for more info about the UWI and the AFUWI.

Contact: Ann-Marie Grant, AFUWI -212-759-9345

Art Works for Kids at Brooklyn Children’s Museum

2010-08-09T11:29:00.000-04:00

BROOKLYN, NY - August 9, 2010: -- Art Works for Kids at Brooklyn Children’s Museum

For the remainder of August, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum offers free art programs for kids ages five and under.

The Totally Tots Art Studio offers a variety of media with which kids can work to create sculptures, drawings, and other arts and crafts. Sessions begin at 2:30 p.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m.

While at the museum, visit “Collection Central,” the establishment’s permanent collection of 30,000 objects. From a shark’s jawbone to musical instruments from around the world, there is something for each child to see and learn about. Interactive displays challenge visitors of all ages to explore objects in new ways, such as using only the sense of touch to identify a hidden artifact.

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is located at 145 Brooklyn Avenue. For directions and hours of operation, visit www.brooklynkids.org.

FREE Flicks by the River

2010-08-06T13:06:00.000-04:00

New York, NY - August 6, 2010:-- Catch a Movie by the River – Free!

Friends of Hudson River Park is presenting RiverFlicks, a screening of free movies in Manhattan’s Hudson River Park. The selections feature family and grown-up movies. Shows begin at dusk, and are presented at Pier 46 and Pier 54 along the Hudson River.

On Friday, August 13, RiverFlicks for Kids, will show Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (PG). On Friday, August 20, families can enjoy the movie Annie (PG) based on the famous comic book character. Both movies can be viewed at Pier 46, which is located at Charles Street, Greenwich Village.

RiverFlicks for Grown-ups features StarTrek (PG13) on Wednesday, August 18, at Pier 54 at West 14th Street, Chelsea. All movies run from approximately 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Friends of Hudson River Park is a nonprofit organization that advocates the development of Hudson River Park, a spectacular urban public space located on Manhattan’s west-side riverfront. For more information, visit www.fohrp.org.

FREE - Outdoor Music @ Lincoln Center

2010-08-05T12:36:00.000-04:00

New York, NY - August 5, 2010: -- Outdoor Music at Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center’s outdoor Damrosch Park Bandshell hosts some exciting bands this weekend and next; performances are free!

On Saturday, August 7, Balkan Beat Box and Mucca Pazza take the stage. Balkan Beat Box transforms equal parts Balkan-Mediterranean traditions, punk intensity, electronic cool, and hiphop attitude into a globalist groove extravaganza. Mucca Pazza is an exciting 30-plus member circus punk marching band featuring bold brass arrangements and even cheerleaders!

On Saturday, August 14, the New York City premier of Larry Harlow’s La Raza Latina, A Salsa Suite happens. Conveying the history of Latin music in song, this piece remains a testament to keyboard genius Larry Harlow’s commitment to salsa and his creative vision. Panamanian superstar Ruben Blades recreates his role as lead vocalist.

Both performances begin at 7 p.m. For directions and more information go to: http://www.lincolncenter.org/.

John Legend's Brooklyn Encore

2010-08-05T12:34:00.000-04:00

Brooklyn, NY - August 5, 2010: --ENCORE! JOHN LEGEND TO RETURN TO BROOKLYN WITH PERFORMANCE AT SEASIDE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES HOSTED BY BP MARKOWITZ

On Thursday, August 5, the 32nd annual Seaside Summer Concert Series at Asser Levy/Seaside Park, hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, will welcome singer, songwriter and actor John Legend, who performed at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series in 2008. The Seaside Summer Concert Series at Coney Island and Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series in Crown Heights/Central Brooklyn have entertained hundreds of thousands of residents over the past three decades and remain the largest free concert series in the New York metropolitan area.

“Brooklyn is proud home to everyone from everywhere, so there is no better place in the world to enjoy music—the universal language,” said BP Markowitz. “That’s why I have been so proud to host free concerts at Coney Island for more than three decades, and in Central Brooklyn for 28 years. From Seaside’s stellar lineup of John Legend, Neil Sedaka, the Beach Boys and the B-52s, to MLK’s George Clinton, Toni Braxton and Sean Paul, Brooklyn is once again the place to be for hot fun in the summertime.”

Born John Stephens in Springfield, Ohio, on December 28, 1978, the American pop/soul singer-songwriter-performer-social activist John Legend was still attending the University of Pennsylvania when Lauryn Hill invited him to play piano on Everything is Everything, from her Grammy-winning solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. John quickly established a reputation as an in-demand session player, adding his distinctive vocal and/or piano stylings to recordings by Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Kanye West (who signed Legend to his R&B/hip-hop label) and others.

Released on his 26th birthday (December 28, 2004), John Legend’s debut album, Get Lifted, rocketed to #4 on the Billboard Top 200 and became America’s #1 Top R&B/Hip-Hop album in January 2005. A critical and commercial triumph, Get Lifted earned John an astounding eight Grammy nominations—he won Best New Artist, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (Ordinary People) and Best R&B album—while selling more than three million copies worldwide.

John’s second collection, Once Again, entered the Billboard Top 200 at #3 shortly after its release in October 2006, peaking at #1 on the R&B Album Sales chart. The album earned an RIAA platinum certification while securing two Grammy nominations: Save Room (for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance) and Heaven (which won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance).

John racked up his fifth overall career Grammy win in 2006 when Family Affair—a track he’d cut with Joss Stone and Van Hunt for Different Strokes by Different Folks, a Sly & the Family Stone tribute album—took home top honors in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals category. In 2009, he won his sixth Grammy—in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals category—for the single Stay With Me (By the Sea) by Al Green featuring John Legend.

In November 2008, John’s third studio collection, Evolver, became his third consecutive Top 10 album when it entered the Billboard Top 200 at #4. John is currently working on his latest studio album.

The Seaside Summer Concert Series, now in its 32nd year, is the largest free outdoor music series in New York. Throughout the years, the Thursday night series has attracted top name classic rock, pop, oldies, contemporary and Latin performers to Asser Levy/Seaside Park, at West 5th Avenue and Surf Avenue in Coney Island. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Chair rentals will be available for $5, or concertgoers can bring their own chairs.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Series is celebrating its spectacular 28th season with a star-studded lineup of gospel, classic soul, contemporary, Caribbean and R&B artists. The free concerts begin 7:30 p.m. Monday nights at Wingate Field, entrances on Brooklyn Avenue between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street. Seating is limited so attendees should bring chairs.

Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600, or visit www.brooklynconcerts.com.

CONTACTS:
Mark Zustovich, 718-802-3830; mzustovich@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Laura Sinagra, 718-802-3831; lsinagra@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

Seaside Summer Concert Series Lineup

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

July 15
Neil Sedaka, Brenda Lee

July 22
“Happy Together Tour”: the Beach Boys; the Turtles (featuring Flo & Eddie); Micky Dolenz (the Monkees); Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and the Raiders)

July 29
George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes

August 5
An evening with John Legend

August 12
TBA (Aretha Franklin show canceled)

August 19
The B-52s, Belinda Carlisle

August 26
Latino Music By the Sea (Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, Grupo Niche, Sa-Fire, TKA, Judy Torres, Noel)

Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series Lineup

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

July 12
George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, the Ohio Players

July 19
An evening with Toni Braxton

July 26
Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michele

August 2
Old School Night: Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty By Nature, Slick Rick

August 9
TBA (Aretha Franklin show canceled)

August 16
Gospel Night: BeBe & CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond

August 23
Caribbean Night: Sean Paul, Mighty Sparrow

Celebrate Brooklyn this Weekend

2010-08-05T12:31:00.000-04:00

Brooklyn, NY - August 5, 2010: -- Celebrate Brooklyn Festival Ends This WeekendWith Free Concerts

Brooklyn’s Prospect Park is the place to be this weekend for several outdoor concerts and a movie highlighting the finale of Celebrate Brooklyn’s 32nd year! All events are at the band shell in Prospect Park.

On Friday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m., Cult B-movie auteur Roger Corman’s 1960 adaption of Edgar Allen Poe’s “House of Usher” will play. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, organ virtuoso Marco Benevento has written a new original score, which he will perform live as the film plays on Celebrate Brooklyn’s 50-foot screen.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings join together to perform an unforgettable night of Brooklyn soul on Saturday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m.

The season concludes with a day of family-friendly American roots and folk music honoring the legacy of the children’s book author Ezra Jack Keats. Brady Rymer’s down-home, foot-stomping Little Band That Could performs. Musician Elizabeth Mitchell plays renditions of Woody Guthrie classics and other folk gems. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information and directions to Prospect Park, go to http://www.bricartsmedia.org/.

Bridge Culture Haiti at Brooklyn Bridge Park SATURDAY!

2010-07-27T14:16:00.000-04:00

Brooklyn Bridge Park

EVENT LISTING
July 27, 2010

Media Contacts
Brian Tate
Full Spectrum Experience, Inc.
718-398-6960 / briantate99@gmail.com

Ellen Ryan
Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp.
212-803-3139 / ERyan@empire.state.ny.us

Photos available

CELEBRATING HAITI AT BRIDGE CULTURE FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY

Sat. July 31, 4-6pm @ Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1
www.bridgeculture.org
[Rain Location: Tobacco Warehouse]

Featuring Performances By:
Jennifer Celestin [Haiti Cultural Exchange] / Storytelling
Peniel Guerrier Dance Company / Dance
Buyu Ambroise & the Blues in Red Band / Music

FINAL WEEKEND!

FREE!

DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY - On Saturday, July 31, 2010, 4-6pm, BRIDGE CULTURE: An International Festival of Music, Storytelling & Dance, will welcome families, friends and visitors to Brooklyn Bride Park, Pier 1, for its final weekend of free performances that showcase New York City's great cultural diversity. The closing event will celebrate the culture of HAITIwith a thrilling musical set by Buyu Ambroise & the Blues in Red Band, dance by the renowned Peniel Guerrier Dance Company, and storytelling by Jennifer Celestin of the Haiti Cultural Exchange.

[Note: In the event of rain, the performances will take place at the Tobacco Warehouse. See below for addresses and directions to both venues.]

The first three weeks of BRIDGE CULTURE have celebrated Russia, India and Brooklyn with performances by some of New York City's hottest artists. Now the spotlight turns to Haiti.

"Contemporary Haitian culture is a creative mix of old world and new world traditions," said musician Buyu Ambroise. "This vibrant mix is manifested through music, religion, and language. For 50 years the Haitian community in NYC has grown and developed its own particular mode of cultural expression. I am a product of that," continued Abroise, "bridging the art and expressions of the island with the resilient and hardworking immigrant community of the city. My music has its roots in traditional Haitian sounds and rhythms but is influenced by modern American jazz."

Buyu Ambroise & the Blues in Red Band will perform at 5:00 p.m. For the full schedule, see below.

"Brooklyn Bridge Park has quickly become a sought after destination for Brooklynites and the borough's visitors" said Regina Myer, president of Brooklyn Bridge Park. "By hosting the Bridge Culture festival, we celebrate the vibrancy of Brooklyn's many communities with a month of cultural Saturdays at Pier 1."

BRIDGE CULTURE was conceived by artist/philanthropist Danny Simmons, a member of the Park's Board of Directors. "This program was developed to highlight the cultural and artistic diversity that makes Brooklyn the great destination that it is," said Mr. Simmons. "The city's new premiere park is a wonderful place, and we thank Bloomberg LP for helping us present Brooklyn to New York City and beyond."

BRIDGE CULTURAL was developed and is produced by Brian Tate, president of The Tate Group and co-founder of Full Spectrum Experience, Inc., which is producing the series "BRIDGE CULTURE offers a great way to build community among New Yorkers whose roots extend across the U.S. and around the world," said Mr. Tate. "Culture is the bridge that brings us together."

BRIDGE CULTURE is produced by Full Spectrum Experience, in partnership with Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Sponsored by Bloomberg.

For more info, please visit www.bridgeculture.org, and see the event schedule below.

BRIDGE CULTURE - Event Schedule

Week 4 - Saturday, July 31: HAITI
4:00pm - Jennifer Celestin / Haiti Cultural Exchange: storytelling
4:30pm - Peniel Guerrier Dance Company: dance
5:00pm - Buyu Ambroise and the Blues in Red Band: music

DIRECTIONS TO BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK, PIER 1
Old Fulton St at Furman St
DUMBO, Brooklyn NY 11201
A/C to High St • F to York St • M/R to Court St
2/3 to Clark St • 4/5 to Borough Hall
Interactive Map

RAIN LOCATION
The Tobacco Warehouse
26 New Dock St [at Water St, in DUMBO]
Brooklyn NY 11201

http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=0013FxZ1gY3q2srofcpnCe8XokGTocN9ISj7nBW3goCdpUJKKOev9WaF5B-P7NKgVzjp0qcZuahlpg3XUVr32manxu0cmNVCf4bN5vIP42wCgw%3D

Mandeville Presents Dakota McLeod for the Thursday Night Jazz Series

2010-07-27T13:31:00.000-04:00

Orange, NJ - July 26, 2010:-- Mandeville is proud to present Dakota McLeod as the 2010 Thursday Night Jazz Series winds down for this summer. Join us at 7:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you at 15 South Essex Avenue, Orange, NJ.

Reservations are recommended; call us at 973-672-2900.

Dakota McLeod is well versed in Jazz, Pop, R&B, Latin and Blues among her musical and vocal talents. She’s appeared on stage nationally at home in the U.S and on stage abroad. Having bounced back earlier this year from the same vocal ailment that caused Julie Andrews to be unable to sing for some years, she took the Dame’s advice and avoided surgery at the cost of not performing for some time and has made a stellar comeback with her versatile sound and style.

McLeod said she used the quite time to regroup and reassess the important things in her life and as such has made changes to the benefit of her well-being and continued success as a musician/vocalist with her husband and business partner Ray Naccari. Married for 24 years the couple have played and sang back up for the likes of Bob Marley and appeared with Benny Golson and Shirley Stewart Farmer. She and Naccari perform consistently throughout the New York and tri-state area and appear with their band Nytehawke-The Rhythm & Soul of New York.

Join Mandeville's Mailing List and see our Fan Page on Facebook.

Bklyn FREE Summer Concerts in Wingate Park

2010-07-27T11:44:00.000-04:00

BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ HOSTS THE 2010 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CONCERT SERIES

ALL SHOWS FREE!

http://brooklynconcerts.com/mlk.html

Guyanese born British Baroness gets U.N. Appointment

2010-07-27T09:30:00.000-04:00

Lady Amos given top UN humanitarian affairs job

Ban Ki-moon appoints Valerie Amos, who sat in Tony Blair's cabinet, after getting David Cameron's blessing.

Lady Amos, who has been named as the top UN official in charge of humanitarian affairs and emergency relief. Photograph: Reuters

Lady Amos, the first black woman to sit in the cabinet, was today appointed as the most senior UN official in charge of humanitarian affairs and emergency relief.

Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, announced the appointment of Amos as under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief after David Cameron gave his blessing.

Amos, 56, currently the British high commissioner to Australia, became the first black woman to sit in the cabinet when she replaced Clare Short for a brief stint as international development secretary in 2003. She then served as leader of the House of Lords until 2007 when Gordon Brown nominated her as the EU's special representative to the African Union.

British officials were delighted by the appointment of Amos, who will replace Sir John Holmes, the former British ambassador to Paris, to become the most senior British figure at the UN.

The appointment is made by the UN secretary general, though he did so after a signal from Cameron, who met Amos yesterday.

"This is a massively significant job, one of the top five at the UN," one source said. "It would be unthinkable for Britain not to have one of the top five jobs.

France has peacekeeping, the US has political affairs and China has health. It makes sense for Britain, which has pledged to meet the 0.7% target [to spend that amount of gross national income on overseas aid by 2013], to have this job."

Sources said that Cameron, who forwarded just one name to Ban Ki-moon's office, was not appointing a former Labour cabinet minister to try to recreate Tony Blair's famous "big tent" from the other side of the spectrum.

"This is not about big tentery," one source said. "Valerie got the job on merit. She was Africa minister in the Foreign Office before she became development secretary so Valerie is very well known there. She knows her way round. Valerie is also not seen as a political person."

Amos will replace Holmes who was appointed to the UN humanitarian affairs job in January 2007. There were not high hopes for Holmes, who was given the job as a consolation prize after Blair declined to appoint him as ambassador to Washington or head of the Foreign Office.

But Holmes threw himself into job. "The NGOs went for John because they saw him as a grey haired diplomat," one source said. "But he surprised everyone. He has been steady and highly competent."

http://worldbbnews.com/2010/07/lady-amos-given-top-un-humanitarian-affairs-job

Da'Ville's Visit to Maplewood Cafe, Delights Fans

2010-07-23T09:15:00.000-04:00

Jamaican Singer Da`Ville on U.S. Promotional Tour

CaribWorldNews, MAPLEWOOD, NJ, Fri. July 23, 2010: Jamaican recording artist, Da`Ville, whose hit `Always On My Mind` was remixed with dancehall artiste Sean Paul is ramping up his presence in the U.S.

The singer was recently in New York for performances and also used the time to appear at iLand Breeze Café in Maplewood, New Jersey.

The artist was relaxed and happy to showcase his talent to the fans who showed up at the restaurant to chat and take photos with the singer.

The Guyanese owner of iLand Breeze Cafe, Avalia Moore, was just as excited to have Da`Ville drop in to her brand new café. `I want to keep supporting the community and to keep giving them reasons to love our community and to support our businesses,` she said. (Pictured: Da'Ville with Avalia Moore, VisionsInPictures Image)

Asked why he opted to come to the other side of the Hudson since he had other scheduled appearances in New Jersey, the singer told CWNN: `Everyone knows and comes to New York and of course it`s a great to be in New York, but it`s a pleasure to come to where you have small businesses that`s the heart of the community. These are the places that are keeping our culture alive even though we`re not in our actual homelands,` he said.

Fans young and old were truly surprised at the humility of the artiste who signed autographs and distributed samples of his latest single, `Wine U A Wine.`

iLand Breeze features a weekend buffet and the appearance of Da`Ville, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, meant a special classic Jamaican cuisine menu was featured, with guests enjoying Curry Goat, Jerk Chicken and more heartily. - By Allison Skeete/Special to CWNN

http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/entertainment_one.php?sid=2348&a=2&cut=301&ad=entertainment

Condolences to the Family of Guyanese attorney, Clarence Barry-Austin

2010-07-22T16:28:00.000-04:00

Maplewood, NJ - July, 2010:-- The Guyanese-American community wishes to express it's support and sympathy to attorney, Clarence Barry-Austin and family on the passing of his mother Joan Barry-Austin. Information about the arrangements are listed on the attached postcard.

Guyanese among the Network Journal's 40 under 40, 2010 honorees

2010-07-22T15:35:00.000-04:00

Aziz Gueye Adetimirin, TNJ’s founder, publisher and CEO; Woolforde-Gardner & Rosalind McLymont, Editor of TNJ’s Magazine.

NEW YORK, NY - June 17, 2010:-- Launette Woolforde-Gardner, Ed.D. (c), DNP, North Shore-LIJ Health System was named to the class of 2010 40 under 40 honorees as selected by The Network Journal. Launched in 1998, The Network Journal's 40 Under-Forty Black Achievement Awards honors men and women under age whose professional accomplishments have significantly impacted an industry or profession, and who also have made an important contribution to their community. They are typically business owners, or management executives with significant decision-making authority in the corporate, nonprofit or academia and medicine, or government sector.

The Guyanese native declared nursing to be her calling and has a committed passion about health and education and she has the experience and background to prove it. Having been a registered nurse for 17 years, she has worked in many positions, from staff nurse to assistant director of nursing. She currently is the corporate director for nursing education at the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, where she oversees related activities for the system’s 15 hospitals, 10,000 nurses and other health staff.

Woolforde-Gardner’s family emigrated from the South American country and settled in Long Island. She has lived there for 31 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Pace University, a master’s degree in adult health nursing; clinical nurse specialist from Hunter College, City University of New York, a post-master’s certificate in nursing education from the College of New Rochelle, a doctorate of nursing practice from Case Western Reserve University, and six certifications in aspects of nursing, education, decision making and problem solving. She completed a doctorate of Education at Teachers College, Columbia University just days before this event. Over the years of her studies, she’s won more than 16 scholarships and awards. “I believe that being equipped in the full breadth and scope of organizational leadership, along with research generation, translation and implementation maximizes my impact as a health care leader,” she says.

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Woolforde-Gardner is just as passionate about mentoring as she is about nursing and education. She hopes to establish a program to inspire, motivate and guide young people to choose education and maximize their potential.

iLand Breeze Cafe is proud to present Da'Ville

2010-07-14T14:45:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - Maplewood, NJ:

This Saturday, yes ladies and all Da'Ville fans... this Saturday live and direct in Maplewood, NJ... iLand Breeze Cafe is going to heat temperatures up more that the mercury...

We're featuring a special classic Jamaican cuisine menu for the weekend buffet as a treat for our Special Guest Artiste Da'Ville... come show him why he'll miss his NJ fans when he leaves...

Though the singer has many hits like... You Won’t Find, In My Arms, It’s So Hard, My Heart and Cry for Me since debuting on the music scence; his most popular tune is On My Mind... the song has especially become an anthem for some troops who are serving in the armed forces... the melodious voice helps many to smile when they hear the song and know that they have a special someone waiting for their safe return. It's also a popular Dancehall Remix with Sean Paul who added his signature tone to the hit.

So come out this Saturday, July 17 to iLand Breeze Cafe at 1901 Springfield Ave., in Maplewood, NJ... @ 3:00 p.m. to enjoy meeting Da'Ville and our special Classic Jamaican Cuisine Buffet!

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