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NEWS MAGAZINE Caribbean American Passport officially launched
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he Heads of Caribbean Organizations offic ially launched their new logo this month. The logo was designed by Katiana Marcelin and symbolizes the unity of the Caribbean Community. This comes as the Heads aligns itself with the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and prepares to organize a grand celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month this June. The Heads of Caribbean Organizations is a group of Caribbean Associations that share information about the cultural work of the associations in Central Florida. It is open to any and every group in the Central Florida Community that wants to share it’s information about upcoming events and that has an interest in promoting Caribbean Culture in Central Florida. In a recent statement, Samuel Roberts head of the Organizing Committee, said “The month of June is designated Caribbean American Heritage Month and we will be working as a group of Caribbean People to ensure that we fill that month with the beauty and diversity of Caribbean Culture, Music and Food. We’re currently working with the City of Orlando and Orange County and we’d like to invite all Caribbean Associations and Cultural groups to participate to ensure that our true diversity as a Caribbean is showcased.”
Breakout Author Sukree Boodram with Mayor of Ocoee Mayor Scott Vandergrift at CAP’s Launch Event
Marcia Miller, Dahlia Hayles and Bernie DeCastro with Mayor Scott of Ocoee See Story on page 16
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L I F E S T Y L E
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Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor
eady or Not - 2011 is here! Here are the most popular New Year Resolutions broken down by category with my thoughts on how I view them. For some people, the New Year may prompt them to take stock of all they’ve accomplished (or not accomplished) during the previous year. Others use the holiday to think about all the things they hope to accomplish in the months ahead. The New Year symbolizes rebirth and renewal for some - an aspiration to be a better person It’s always hard to keep resolutions but at least the effort to rework your life and to make it better a little at a time has to have value. So here’s to trying...I hope that something sticks so that little by little we improve our lives and make ourselves into the best version of us that we can. This quote from former President Benjamin Franklin summarizes it well: “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”
once and for all. If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit smoking aids. Even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good.
3. Get out of Debt - I wonder how many copies of Dave Ramsey’s “The Total Money Makeover” sells right at the New Year. However we’ve got our own local Money Gurus Financial Solutions with Dahlia and Sandra, every Wednesday on 1680 am from 2pm -3pm giving you tips and strategies to save and earn more money. Listen and get great tips to help you in 2011. Or visit www.credability.org where the loan counselors will help you with everything from Bankruptcy Education, Debt Management Plans, Foreclosure Prevention, Reverse Mortgage Information, Budget & Credit Counseling. Best of all they are a non-profit and offer these services for free.
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5. Start Budgeting- I hate those words. Sam and I spent the first five years of our life in America on a budget. Every time I wanted to buy or do something I heard him say budget, budget, budget (I’m sure you get a sense of how deep my pain is). However, the rational part of my brain knows that it’s not a form of torture. We were able to save a lot of money that we would have otherwise frittered away. I actually learnt this after going through the post budget period of the lovely real estate days and then moving back to the budget days that followed. Oh if only I had been on a budget during the boom 1. Get in shape - It isn’t much of a surprise that this is the most times is the lament I, yes I make. So lesson learnt...budget common New Year’s resolution. It seems to be the most typi- during good and bad times. Who is the wealthiest? The one cally set and failed resolution that people make. I have learned who has more or the one who needs the least? by failing to keep resolutions - that I “I am running into a new year and the old years blow back like a wind that I 6. Get a new Job/ Start a Business - If need to make very small changes, in- catch in my hair like strong fingers like all my old promises and it will be you need extra income - think about stead of a major, rash one. Rather hard to let go of what I said to myself about myself when I was sixteen and starting a business, keep your expenses than setting a goal to start working out twenty-six and thirty-six but I am running into a new year and I beg what I down by working from home and get every day, I set a love and I leave to forgive me.” — Lucille Clifton all the wonderful goal to at least work out once a week. Once I successfully reach that milestone, then I write offs that come with owning a business while you earn work up to two days a week and so on. For me, this seems to be some extra cash as well. The simplest way is to turn your hobby the only way to make life changes. As a friend of mine recently or passion into an income stream. pointed out “of course I can eat an elephant...just not in one bite” - don’t give up on a huge task, just pace yourself and remain 7. Spend more time with family and friends - When I started committed. Exercising keeps you fit and healthy and it doesn’t this newspaper my father told me how much he liked it but cost you anything to go for a walk or bike ride or even skip rope in also warned me that a good mother is worth more than a great the backyard. To rest your body you don’t need to go to a day spa businesswoman any day. I don’t want to spark a war with those words, so let me explain what he meant so that we’re you can simply slide into the tub at home and relax. clear...Sometimes we get caught up in our own dreams and 2. Eat healthier - Last year Dr. Thompson, of New Hope Chiro- aspirations and we work very hard to build a business or put practic, told me a phrase she coined that has stayed with me - food on the table, BUT, if you have children they should come Are you Healthy or just not sick? I quickly realized that I had first. Children get one childhood, and at that time they like been falsely thinking that I was “healthy”. I didn’t try to change you and they want to spend time with you. Don’t wait until all of my habits at once, but rather focused on making one it’s too late to enjoy their company. I believe that children are small change at a time. The result- I am eating a lot more a gift given to you but they’re really only yours for a limited vegetables and thinking about my food choices, instead of just time and then they move on to have their own lives...enjoy making do as the day goes along. By eating better you will feel them while you can. Make time for your family, make time for better and if you start your own vegetable patch for example your friends, plan to meet up for an evening of comaraderie at you will be able to save at the supermarket and will be eating a favorite Caribbean restaurant or take the family to one of the popular tourist spots in Orlando. Act like a tourist for a better at the same time.
4. Stop Smoking- This is one of the best things you can do for your health. My kids and I heard a commercial where a guy talked about the reasons for quitting smoking - he listed the parts of his wife’s body that she lost because of smoking. It was scary...and I’ve never smoked. If you’re a smoker, acknowledge that it’s an addiction and get help to kick the habit
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GGR Marketing & Public Relations 1969 Alafaya Trail, Suite 133 • Orlando, Fl 32828 407.421.8118 • guenetroberts@yahoo.com Publisher/Editor ................................................ Guenet Gittens-Roberts Contributing Writers: ................................................. Samuel Roberts ............................................... Natasha Gittens ............................................. Jackie Rampergas ................................................... Mark Lindsay ...................................................Dahlia Hayles ................................................... Sasha Watson .................................... Guenet Gittens-Roberts Contributing Photographers ................................. Yvette Ramkissoon Copyright (C) 2010 GGR Marketing & Public Relations All rights reserved.
How to find your passion to unleash your creativity By Betsy Werley
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assion is on center stage in the 21st century. Why? Because passion is the key ingredient of a satisfying life. It’s the starting point for career discussions, and is so popular that Amazon offers over 500 books about combining work and passion. Passion is energizing and will unleash your creativity, helping you achieve things you thought were impossible. It gets you out of bed in the morning. As a kid, I couldn’t sell a box of Girl Scout cookies to save my life...but as Executive Director of The Transition Network, an organization that I’m passionate about, I happily asked dozens of people, “Do you know of any free office space in New York City?” When I grew up in the 1970s, passion was the subject of teenage dreams and mid-life crises, not everyday life. Fast-forward to today. The boundaries of work and life are blurring, and we naturally want to bring inspiration into both parts of our lives. Boomers and pre-Boomers are also thinking about their legacies - which definitely requires passion. We’re drawn to passionate people because they are so interesting, whether they’re 25 or 75. Age doesn’t matter. The sooner you tap into your passions, the more they have a positive influence on your life. In a world where we’ll be working for at least 40 years, your passion can start as a sideline and become a fulltime job or business in later years. So, how do you get started? First, take your pulse on the passion meter: • If you know what lights you up - congratulations! You’re ready to move to the next level. • If your passion is a buried treasure - start digging! Devote a few hours to reconnecting with your inner child. What did you love to do when no one was telling you to do it? Music,
pets, helping older people...Ask friends and family to tell you what they see. • If you have a passion deficit - get going and be strategic! Pick two things you think you’re interested in and try them. Join the board of a nonprofit...help a friend with a startup business...take a class in a new subject. Herminia Ibarra’s Working Identity offers stories and steps for that journey. Once you’ve tapped into your passion, you can bring it into your life in three ways: • Front and center—Go after the paying job you really want. Divinity schools are full of career changers following a call to serve others. Transition programs for would-be teachers are booming. • Part of the mix—Volunteer - that’s how I got started. During my law/corporate career, I made a strategic decision to join the board of a women’s networking organization, and became its President. That “off the job training” made me realize that I wanted to work fulltime on women’s issues - and gave me the experience to get hired. Marc Freedman’s Encore—Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life and the www.encore.org website are excellent resources for those who want to work in nonprofits or government. • Moonlight: the path chosen by my friend Joan Cukous. Joan got hooked on artisanal chocolate during her days as a banker. She took courses, experimented in her tiny kitchen, and after several years launched Chocolate Moderne, now a thriving business. She was practical enough to keep her day job until she laid the foundation for her second act. Marci Alboher’s One Person, Multiple Careers describes this new concept of “slash” careers, each feeding the other: jazz musician/ computer consultant; psychotherapist/violin maker. Feed your passion to achieve true happiness and harmony in your life. Passion is the ultimate renewable resource. Invest in finding YOUR passion, anchor it in your life and let it take you places you never dreamed you’d go.
6488 Currin Drive, Orlando, Fl. 32835
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Remembering Haiti 1 year later after the earthquake School & Hygiene Supplies Drive for HAITI Hygiene Supplies: School Supplies: • Toothpaste • Deodorant • Soap • Shampoo • Lotion • Baby Powder • Baby wipes • Adult diapers
• Spiral Notebook • Pencils • Pens (blue ink) • Computer Paper • Tissue Paper • Staplers, Calculators • Glitter • Science Experiment Kits
Supplies will be shipped to HAITI to benefit the children at the following Homes & Schools: St. Joseph Home for Boys, Port au Prince, Haiti Wings of Hope, Fermathe, Haiti Trinity House, Jacmel, Haiti DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Entire Month of January, 2011 Attorney Gail Seeram 1013 N. Pine Hills Road, Orlando, FL (407.292.7730) St. Stephen Lutheran Church 2140 W. State Rd 434, Longwood, FL (407.869.0491) Ask us about Child Sponsorship Questions: Call Gail Seeram 407-292-7730.
—New Year Resolutions, continued from page 2— day, you live in the city that people love to come to. Work shouldn’t always come first! 8. Organize your Life - I’m not the best organized person in the world. Time Management has always been hard for me. I have made the steps towards getting it under wraps, but I’m a procrastinator, I work well under pressure. I have all of the books but I haven’t figured out how to solve this one as yet. However, I find that clearing clutter away helps me to think clearly and operate effectively. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, reducing the clutter in your life can help you to find peace in your life. 9. Help Others! Give More! Volunteer! - I love interacting with people, building relationships and this is a great way to meet the people in your community. Volunteerism is a very popular, New Year’s resolution and can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. If you’re new to this area and not aware of the many NonProfit Caribbean Associations then contact this paper for a list of the associations here in Central Florida. Or if your time is in short supply, you can at least donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills. 10. Enjoy Life More - Learn Something New. Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles we lead, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years. It’s an important step to a happier and healthier you! Just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at a new sport. Florida offers a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyone’s wishes. The diversity of the Caribbean Community in Orlando allows us to experience each other’s culture - a lot of times we could do it for free. Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year’s resolutions to keep. The Community Colleges, local YMCA’s and Senior Centers offer great recreational training for beginners of all ages. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, there are great classes available through these channels as well. Enjoy 2011.
Roberts & Roberts Property Management Services Serving Orlando & Central Florida Property Management We provide property management solutions for homes, businesses and vacation rentals. Renters! we have homes available.
Contact Sam for more details: 407-810-6435. 4
Good Health Starts with Omega-3
How to eat healthy at a party Make it a game to beat the food
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s we embark on a new year, many people focus their resolutions on improving their overall health. Although exercise and a healthy diet are two key components, nature’s own beauty secret, Omega-3, provides valuable health benefits, both inside and out.
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arties can trigger overeating for several reasons - maybe you like to have your hand on food because you’re nervous. Maybe they’re serving food you rarely eat because you pick healthy choices or maybe, it’s the simplest answer that you didn’t get a chance to grab a snack prior and you’re very hungry. It’s hard when there is lots of food, readily available and sometimes even a waiter that has a large serving platter at eye level with a napkin and a welcoming gesture. Here are a few tips to help you get through the party:
Cod liver oil products, such as those supplied by Seven Seas, are one of nature’s richest sources of Omega-3. It is now known that the benefits of these products are largely due to the concentration of Omega-3 essential fatty acids found in cod liver oil. Studies have proven that the EPA and DHA found in Omega-3 have many benefits to our overall wellness, including the following:
• The food usually isn’t that good. Most party planners know that the food really isn’t that good. It’s hard to make large quanities of fabulous food so very few places do. Before you partake in the tray favorites of “fried goat cheese” or “stuffed mushrooms” keep in mind that it’s just filler food and it’s usually drenched in butter just to make it taste passable. •
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• Camp out at the fruit bowl. Almost every party has a fruit table or a vegetable table. If you’re the nervous type, keep a glass of perrier in one hand and chunks of fruit in your other hand at all time. If you “binge” on fruit all night, you’ll be getting some much needed nutrients and some cleansing of the system.
DHA is the most prominent essential nutrient found in the brain, forming from as much as 25%- 40% of the brain. Omega-3 supplementation may help improve memory, concentration and learning in both children and adults. Exercise, obesity and aging can take a toll on our joints. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, help to reduce inflammation and joint pain. Regular use of Omega-3 cod liver oil has shown the potential to reduce both the progression of cardiovascular disease and related mortality, including sudden cardiac death. Omega-3 cod liver oil also improves the condition and moisture of hair, skin and nails, keeping them supple and soft. In addition, cod liver oil has also been shown to improve the appearance of wrinkles in mature skin.
When choosing an Omega-3 supplement, it is important to select a quality product. A trusted tradition in the Caribbean and U.K. for over seventy-five years, Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil is available in convenient capsules and liquids. Only Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil is ultra-purified using the patented Ocean Gold(r) method, a breakthrough in cod liver oil refining that guarantees the purest product available.
• If you’re going to drink alcohol, stick with the non-creamy, non-fruity drinks. Not only does the cream and fruity mixes have a lot of calories, they are loaded with sugar almost certain to give you a much worse hangover. Stick with white wine or the “clear” choices. • As with dinners, skip the bread basket and follow the 3 bite rule for dessert. Stay away from the bread, which is usually easier to do at a party because you can walk around and find the other choices. When the dessert comes out, have three bites and throw your napkin across the plate as soon as bite number three happens. Then, get up and go dance or chat with someone you haven’t seen in a while. Parties are great places to chat - it doesn’t have to be all about the food. Make it about the connections and drink a large glass of water when you get home. You’ll feel better in the morning.
Information/Tickets: Rita 407-299-8316, Val 321-303-9345 or John 407-521-7730
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NOTE FROM
St. Lucia Association of Central Florida
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aturday morning ... a n d i t ’s c l e a n i n g day again. As I look around my dining room, remove the candles from the table and get ready to spray it with “Pledge.” I remember my childhood and our Saturday cleaning day, I grew up in London as the first generation of Jamaican parents, with my aunties and uncles and they had rules that you followed like boot camp.
The chores were always the same - on Friday nights you soaked your school clothes, washed them Saturday morning and rinsed them in “Blue.” If you don’t know what blue is as a noun, let me explain -before we had modern laundry detergents with brighteners, there was a mysterious blue bag or tablet, which was stirred around in the final rinse water on washday. This was laundry bluing or blue. It disguised any hint of yellow and helped the household linen look whiter than white. Saturday afternoon, I ironed for four straight hours. Yes, four hours of ironing, we ironed everything - handkerchiefs, tablecloths, clothes, even under wear. When you ironed, you had to leave creases in your clothes. I didn’t have starch to help me. I had to spray with water, leave for a few minutes while attending to other clothes them back to the damp clothes. After that it was on to the cleaning. Every week, I had to clean furniture that was never used. Dining room tables and chairs that were never sat on, glasses no one drank from, carpets that were never walked on and unused rooms, which you vacuumed your way out of. Living Rooms with plastic kept on the furniture, so that you sweated when you sat down. The worst part of my boot camp Saturday, was cleaning the little ornaments in the house. To this day I don’t buy or own any of these things because I had to clean an entire cabinet filled with them every weekend - I remember cleaning the wall bird (Why would you need a bird on the wall?) Then Sunday - we had to get up early, have breakfast and start working on dinner because you might end up being at church until after 3.00pm. After church, we had to clean our shoes for school next day and put out our school clothes. By the way you never, ever, mixed clothes - church clothes never got worn outside to play, you changed your clothes after school, and party clothes were not the same as church clothes. It sounds confusing but it worked. Now twenty years later, it’s Saturday morning, I’ve just finished soaking peas for our Sunday dinner of rice and peas and chicken, I’m cleaning down-stairs while my kids clean their rooms and their bathrooms. The seven year old is vacuuming the stairs, the oldest changing the sheets on the beds, before we move on to the car and the garage. The house has to be clean before we go out for the day. As I look around my house I find myself thinking, have I ever really eaten at this dining-room table that I bought more than two years ago...it’s in a dining room that sees the vacuum more than it sees people. I now have dishes I have never used, and cleaned areas of the home I hardly ever walk on weekly. Have I turned into my mother? I guess the tradition continues!
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Lakeland, Tampa and all surrounding areas 1st annual SLACF St. Lucia Independence Celebration. Bring the family and come join us to celebrate 32 years of independence. Sunquest Hall 1044 Plaza Dr. • Kissimmee, FL 34743 Saturday, February 19, 2010 • 2:00pm-2:00am For more information, contact: Jacquie: (352) 406-1637 or Agnes: (407) 346-2306 Directions: Osceola Parkway to Boggy Creek Rd. Make a right. Go to Plaza Drive and make a right. It’s behind the 7-Eleven gas station.
The Rebirth of Air Jamaica Everything You Love and More
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Orlando based Guyanese honoured for contribution to medicine
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t has been a long and winding 40-year journey and now the little piece of Jamaica that flies is back. Two strong brands, Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines, are now joined together in one airline to serve Jamaica and the Caribbean. On January 14, 2011, Caribbean Airlines re-launched the Air Jamaica brand with a ceremony at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport with the arrival of the newest aircraft in the Air Jamaica fleet. This Boeing 737, wrapped in Air Jamaica’s new livery featuring the airline’s iconic signature colors and Doctor Bird paired with the Caribbean Airlines logo and the Hummingbird, presented a vibrant demonstration of this new partnership.
uyanese-born physician, Dr. Victor Boodhoo, was recently honoured with a lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution to the field of medicine and to the University of the West Indies at the 10th UWI Medical Alumni Association reunion conference held in December in Barbados.
“As Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines began the transition towards one Caribbean airline, it became clear that even as the outward signs of Air Jamaica were phased out in the marketplace, loyal passengers remained confident in the signature travel experience it delivered,” says George Michael Nicholas III, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Caribbean Airlines Limited. “Caribbean Airlines believes in the brand value of Air Jamaica and we are very excited about revitalizing and reintroducing this historic brand. We are committed to the work ahead to ensure a performance-driven future and to restarting the conversation with our customers to let them know that Air Jamaica is back.”
Dr. Boodhoo, who attended Queen’s College, graduated as a doctor from UWI in 1966. He practiced in Jamaica for seven years before migrating to the USA , where he has been practicing in Titusville , Florida for more than 30 years.
The UWI has produced over 7000 doctors since its inception in 1948.
Dr Boodhoo, left, receiving his award at the UWI caucus
He is a specialist in the fields of Family Medicine and Geriatrics. Dr. Boodhoo has served as the Chief-of-Staff at Jess Parrish HosOne Caribbean airline, two brands: How will it work? pital in Titusville , Florida , and as Chairman of Continuing Air Jamaica will be dedicated to flying routes into and out of Medical Education of the Florida Academy of Family physicians. Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica to New York (JFK), Philadelphia, Toronto, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami in North America and He also served two terms as Chairman of the International Nassau, The Bahamas. Caribbean Airlines with its hub in Port of Board of Directors of the UWI Medical Alumni Association, and Spain Trinidad flies to New York (JFK), Philadelphia, Toronto, Ft. was the co-founder of the 1948 Society, which is the Medical Lauderdale and Miami in North America; St. Maarten, Antigua, Foundation of UWI. Barbados Grenada, Tobago and Kingston in the Caribbean; Since 2006, Dr. Boodhoo has been selected every year as one of Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela in South America. ‘ America ‘s Top Family Doctors’ by the Consumer Research As a national airline, Air Jamaica gained a strong loyalty from Council. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Jamaicans and on the flip side, cultivated an exotic quality with Physicians and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. vacationers signaling a start to their vacation when they came aboard. The new Air Jamaica promises to deliver the service they love and more for the best value and amenities with no nickel and diming. Vacationers can pack their bags - two in fact. The free baggage allowance in effect for all passengers at all times is two checked bags and one carry-on, with a 70lbs weight limit for each bag in Lovebird Executive Class and 50lbs each in Lovebird Economy Class. There are no additional fees for booksignificant amount of Caribbean artists, including the ing online; tickets can also be purchased at Air Jamaica counters late great Gregory Isaacs, are among this year’s Grammy at its destination airports. A solid frequent flyer base will connominees. Isaacs Meets Isaac, a collaboration between tinue to benefit from the 7th Heaven Rewards program offering liberal upgrades, free tickets and more. Passengers experience the late Gregory Isaacs and his son King, has been nominated in the Reggae category this year. Also vying for the Reggae Air Jamaica’s famous Lovebird hospitality from the moment they Grammy is accused drug dealer, singer Buju Banton, who is up board, whether they are on vacation or heading home. for the award for the second straight year. Lee “Scratch” Perry, Bob Sinclair, Sly & Robbie and Andrew Tosh are also up for the After cost-cutting measures that allowed Air Jamaica to weather award in this category. challenges in the marketplace, management has singled out areas that will both save and deliver improvements. Savings Also among this year’s nominees is Jamaican, Sean Kingston, will accrue with economies of scale, most visible in the dual who is up for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical for Island branding and common staff at shared airline check-in counters, Queen and Trinidad-born rapper, Nicki Minaj, for Best Rap and their collective uniforms differentiated by a vivid and rec- Performance By A Duo Or Group for her collaboration with ognizable branded scarf or tie. A new fleet of Boeing 737-800 Ludacris on “My Chick Bad.” aircraft is on the horizon scheduled to be in operation by the end of April 2011 improving on-time performance as well as However, it is Bajan singer Rihanna who is leading the Caribbean group in terms of nominations. Rihanna has been nomithe overall passenger flight experience. Future developments nated in five categories this year. She is also up for Record of include new code share agreements and new routes with Lonthe Year for her duet with “Love The Way You Lie” With don already under consideration. Eminem. The song has also been nominated for Song of the A new advertising campaign with the tagline Air Jamaica-Ev- Year, Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. And erything You Love and More is underway, with the new livery her “Only Girl (In The World)” is up for Best Dance Recording. on the tail at the roundabout at Norman Manley International Airport a welcome sight. Tune in to the Grammy Awards on February13th, 2011.
Caribbean Grammy nominees
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Newly-elected Governor of Florida, Mr. Rick Scott (center) meeting with members of the Florida House of Representatives and Diplomatic Corp who were present at his Inauguration Ceremony recently (Jan. 4)at the State Capitol in Tallahassee. Posing with Governor Scott are from left Florida State Representative Daphne Campbell , Jamaica’s Consul General to the Southeast USA, Sandra Grant Griffiths, Florida State Representative, (Jamaican born) Hazelle Rogers and Mrs. Scott, the Governor’s wife.
CARIBBEAN WOMEN AT THE HELM IN FLORIDA: Three Caribbean women in leadership in Florida sharing the spotlight at the recent Inauguration of the newly elected Governor, Rick Scott and his Lieutenant Governor, Mrs. Jennifer Carroll (center) of Trinidad descent. From left are Jamaican born, Florida State Representative Hazelle Rogers, and Jamaica’s Consul General to the Southeast USA, Sandra Grant Griffiths. The Inauguration ceremony was held at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee (Jan. 4).
Break Away Moments’ 6th Business Break Away Breakfast at Negril’s Flavors of Jamaica Presenters: Dan Gracia - Biz Hub Club & Guenet Gittens-Roberts - GGR Marketing & PR
Karate school hosted sucessful board breaking event The event took place at Silver Cove Apartment Club house on Saturday December 18th . It attracted kids from 4 -16 years. This location offers karate to it’s residents as part of their sport activities. Bassai Karate Dojo has been operating at schools and churches in Central Florida since 2007 and is under the direction of Trinidadian Born Sensei Darryl Williams, 6th Dan. Sponsors were: Laparkan Shipping, Silver Cove Apartments, Publix Supermarket-Store #405, and Caribbean Sunshine Bakery.
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Caribbean Bar Association, Central Florida Chapter Christmas Party
Executive Members of the Caribbean Bar Association, Central Florida Chapter
St. Lucia Association’s Christmas Party
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Annual Masqueraders Ball
Once again StoneFace from The Faisty Squad, had another successful birthday event weekend to close out 2010. StoneFace always keeps at least 3 events to celebrate his birthday & this year was no different. Friday Dec. 17th was the Uptown Links Downtown party at The Royal Santa Fe Banquet Hall. Saturday Dec. 18th was The 3rd Annual Masqueraders Ball at Club Limelite & on Sunday Stoneface always closes out the weekend with a charity drive for the needy with his food & toy drive. Faisty Squad Sound was started in 2006 & has been on a fast track since then. The sound is made up of 4 members Stoneface, DJ Snake, DJ Kareem & Trigga Kid. Faisty Squad is a new sound but all the members are from previous sounds and have more than 10 years of experience. The sound has a wide range of talent and do events at clubs, weddings, stage shows, radio, & even talk shows. Each member on the sound has there own unique style and personality which makes it easy for the sound as a whole to be very versatile. In a very short time Faisty Squad has received many awards, trophies, & recognition. They are unique and talented and taking their sounds to new heights of entertainment. Catch Faisty Squad Live on CaribMixRadio from (8pm - 11pm) on Mondays, Club Limelite on Saturdays for Island Saturdays and Club Rain on Sundays for Paradise Sundays.
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Christmas Caribbean Style with Parang at "The Venue
Kayham Hosien, Leon Coldero, & Roland Ramkissoon aka Dj Roland of Powerline Sounds HD
Caribbean American Passport team with Yvette of Powerline Sounds, Maya Trotz, and Bunny Scantlebury in the back
Leon Coldero performing on stage
Narine and Indra Sagar
Tricia Kidopchand, and Yvette Ramkissoon of Powerline Sounds HD
Julia and Noel and others performing for the crowd. Photos by Yvette Ramkissoon
Parang Trinidad and Tobago is best recognized as the land of Calypso and Steelpan, but Parang is also a popular folk music originating out of Trinidad and Tobago, it is part of the Island’s Hispanic heritage that originated from over 400 years ago during Spanish rule via Venezuela. The word is derived from two Spanish words:’Parranda’, meaning ‘a spree or fête’ and ‘Parar’ meaning ‘to stop’. In the past, it was traditional for parang serenaders to pay nocturnal visits to the homes of family and friends, where part of the fun was waking the inhabitants of the household from their beds. The traditional lyrics of parang which was sung in Spanish were mainly Religious and Christian songs. Today, a new form of parang, soca parang, has emerged. Soca parang is a combination of soca and parang.
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GACACF’S Christmas Angel Tree Gifts The Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida donated gifts as part of their Annual Angel Christmas Tree project in December to the residents of The Orlando Health & Rehabiliation Center
Completed Guyana Association’s Christmas Angel Tree
Nirvana Music School’s 5th Annual Mehefil & Graduation Program
Subscribe to Caribbean American News Magazine and Support a Community Newsmagazine that’s showcasing the Caribbean Community in Central Florida. Support us so that we can support the Community Groups as they keep Caribbean Culture alive in Orlando. Subscriptions are $50.00 Annually. You’ll receive a free copy of the Newsmagazine mailed to you monthly. Discounted admission to select events throughout the year. Coupons for access to special deals mailed throughout the year. Tel: 407-421-8118 www.caribbeanamericanpassport.com Join us monthly on Facebook to read and post your photos of events around town.
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New Jamaican Cultural Connection Association in Orlando
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here’s a new association coming to Orlando - The Jamaican Cultural Connection is an association founded by Claudette Bailey of Orlando, Florida in October 2010.
The organization was started based on a need for Jamaicans to come together and help the poor and the destitute both here and in their native land. Pending a 501 (c) (3), the association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious and educational purposes. The slogan for the Jamaican Cultural Connection is: “Where Together We Build On Heritage.” The mission of the Jamaican Cultural Connection is to empower Jamaicans to come together in cultural unity and connectivity to educate, train and build the Jamaican community; connecting them together physically, mentally and spiritually as one people working together for the good of all. As part of its mission, the association will also seek to aide the poor and the destitute. Connecting in education, health, social, business and community outreach programs will be a strong emphasis of the association. Additionally, the vision is to connect skilled Jamaican personnel to other Jamaicans seeking training in specific areas, to support and help promote existing Jamaican owned businesses, to educate and train Jamaicans through workshops and seminars, as well as, show the love of God; to put back the pride of a proud people by giving without demeaning through knowledge, unity and love. As Claudette Bailey, founder and president, of the Jamaican Cultural Connection said, “Much need exists back home in Jamaica and it is the intent of the Jamaican Cultural Connection to render support to various programs whereby those in need will positively benefit.” The first meeting will be on Sunday, January 30, 2011 from 5:00pm - 6:30pm in the Conference Room of Life Worth Living Pharmacy, located at 6488 Currin Drive , Orlando , Fl. 32835. Meetings will be held the last Sunday of every month. For more information please contact Claudette Bailey, President of Jamaican Cultural Connection. Email: cbaileyjcc@gmail.com or Tel: (321) 213-9173.
Reminder: Deadline of January 31st, 2011 for the G.A.I.L. Scholarship, given by Attorney Gail Seeram. This $500.00 scholarship will be awarded to a student attending college who is pursuing legal or international studies. This scholarship is only open to former Guyanese nationals (born in Guyana) or a child of Guyanese parents or grandchild of Guyanese grandparents The scholarship will be presented on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 7:00pm at the 2011 Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida Republic Ball at the Ballroom at Church Street in Orlando, Florida. The winner will receive a complementary ticket to this dinner.
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Caribbean Chamber
Q&A with Carol Singh Chamber President
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AP NewsMagazine: Let’s talk useful websites as well as those of SBA and others in order to about the chamber and its have that information readily available to all. general focus/objective? Bear in mind that the Chamber is a volunteer organization and The Caribbean American Cham- works with funds derived from Membership dues. This of course ber of Commerce of Florida limits the services we are able to offer. We have not actually (CACCF) is tasked with helping our considered extending ourselves beyond the Central Florida area, local Caribbean business commu- but as we grow this may be an interesting idea to pursue. nity with promoting their businesses and enabling them to do CAP NewsMagazine: What was your focus for last year; and have business more effectively and effi- you managed to achieve it; and what are the challenges you’re facciently. We do this in several ways. ing this year? 1: Monthly Business After Hours events are held at the Caribbean owned businesses in order to highCarol Singh light that specific business and help direct more traffic through its doors. This activity has been very successful this past year largely due to the efforts of Kash Ramnarain one of our Board members who actually runs the Business After Hours. 2: We have built and/or strengthen alliances with groups and organizations that can help our members take their businesses to the next level. Some of these groups are BBIF ( Black Business Investment Fund) SBA ( Small Business Administration, FMSDC ( Florida Minority Supplier Development Council) Through these groups and others, we are able to offer workshops and seminars on many aspects of Business. Access to Funding is also made available as well as help with Business plans, advice and guidance for businesses. We also get information on many of the contract opportunities available as well as the steps to qualify to bid for these contracts.
The focus last year was to build alliances to enable us to offer more services to our members. We also are working on adding more value to Chamber membership . We are using technology to better disseminate information throughout the community, as well as working more closely with the other Caribbean organizations to ensure we develop a strong and united front to the wider society. This will enable us to better show our numbers and strength of our community and be seen as a serious voting block. We signed a Memorandum of Agreement with SBA last year and have been working closely with them to promote informational workshops. This success was largely the work of another Board Member Sandra Fatmi who is our contact person with the SBA. We published our Business Resources Directory and also made it available on our website. This is largely due to the efforts of Guenet Gittens-Roberts. CAP NewsMagazine: What are the plans for 2011?
3: We participate in Trade shows, expos as well as the many Caribbean events on the Central Florida Calendar in order to pro- To continue building those alliances. mote the Chamber and encourage our business people to utilize the many services we are working to make available to them. To become affiliated with Disney Minority Supplier Development Council as well as the Florida Chamber of Commerce. CAP NewsMagazine: Can you highlight the chamber’s role in terms of providing support to the Caribbean Community in the Central We are in the planning stages of a series of panel discussions Florida area? in areas of interest of our Business Community. The Chamber makes its services available to all in the local Caribbean community rather than a specific group. We offer to organize Grand Openings for new Business through Press releases, Email blasts and invitations to generate traffic and awareness of the new business. We also do this for Anniversaries such as the 1, 5 or 10 year Business anniversary.
And we are part of the Caribbean Heritage Month Project which is managed by Sam Roberts another Board Member. That Project is a month long series of events in June 2011 to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month as well as showcase the diversity and richness of the culture to the wider society.
We have many of the Caribbean organizations participating CAP NewsMagazine: Do you only provide assistance to the Central as well as the local county and city governments. We are very Florida businesses? And if that is yes, would you extend to include excited at participating in this project and anticipate it will those Caribbean businesses in other states? provide many opportunities for our local businesses One of the plans for 2010 that is still a work in progress is revamping the website. Part of that new look is to post a Calendar of Events for all the Caribbean-American activities in the Central Florida Area. Once this is in place we may consider also listing out of State events as well.
CAP NewsMagazine: Do you do any work with businesses in the Caribbean, at all?
Not at this point but we are willing to work with any businesses in an effort to promote trade opportunities for everyone. Our Business Resources Handbook has a section on useThe website is also planned to have information on setting up ful contacts for doing business with several of the Caribbean a business in Central Florida as well as links to many other Islands. Closer ties would be welcomed.
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Resolve to GET YOUR WILL DONE IN 2011 know many people who have children, who have not yet written their wills. Guenet also mentioned that she was so happy that she got her will and living will done using the Family Legal Service plan provided by Pre-Paid Legal Services, more than four years ago.
By Dahlia Hayles
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he last radio show for 2010 was great, I had the pleasure of having Guenet as a co-host and we discussed ways for everyone to improve their finances in the New Year and Resolutions that small business owners should make for 2011. Some of the resolutions were: • • • •
I will budget by the year I will protect my privacy I will get rid of junk mail I will become a better cook
Writing a will is something you can do on your own. Some people choose to get it done with a friend’s help, some download a free version from the internet, or buy one from the local office supply store. Some people use an attorney to help because it can offer more peace of mind and save money too. If you go online, some attorneys have the will and living will package costing $300. Other websites such as www.nolo.com can help you prepare a will for $40 or more. While these options may work for some people they may not be adequate for everyone’s situation. According to Kiplinger.com, “They don’t address as many what-ifs as if you had an attorney with you.” If you already have a will, it should be reviewed and updated every year. If any major changes happen in your life such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child or the death of a loved, it’s important to get it revised.
Preparing a Living Will that spells out what you want done in catastrophic situations is also very important. A Living However with all of the resolutions that we make at the start of Will and Health Care Power of Attorney will allow you to desthe New Year, one stands out as one that people continuously ignate what sort of treatments you’d like, and who should be in charge of your medical care, if you can’t make medical make year after year. decisions for yourself. • I will get my will and living will done or updated In 2011, evaluate your options and choose wisely when getA recent article on cnbc.com says “If you don’t straighten out ting a will and living will done. Join us on Tuesday January what you’re leaving to your spouse or children, it will cost them 25, 2011 from 6-7 pm at the Marks Street Recreational Coma big headache trying to get what’s rightly theirs - not to men- plex located at 99 East St. Marks Avenue, Orlando, FL as we tion a lot of money in legal costs and potential tax penalties.” present “Financial Solutions for 2011.” Everyone needs a Will, whether they are single, married, with or without children. If you have children, it is even more important because without a will naming a guardian for them in the event of your death, their futures can be decided by the state. We emphasized this on the radio show because we both
Dahlia Hayles is an Independent Associate with Pre Paid Legal. You can find more information about preparing a will at www.darrplans.com or www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/sandrafatmi. Dahlia can also be heard on “Financial Solutions with Dahlia and Sandra” Wednesdays 2-3 pm at ww.wokbradio.com or 1680AM.
The Entrepreneur class How to Start your Business Open to the Public at New Destiny Christian Center This class will last nine weeks, meeting every Monday evening, From: 7:00pm-8:30pm How to Start Your Business classes will begin on Monday, January 24th, 2011 New Destiny Christian Center 505 East McCormick Rd, Apopka Fl 32707, Room 3E in the Youth Building
For questions and to enroll, please e-mail Destinybusiness@ndcc.tv Tel: 407 925-1652.
New Site, New Look. Post your Events & your Business for Free on CaribbeanFinder.com
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Caribbean Procrastination: American Passport How to Finish What You’ve Started officially launched By Lauretta Hannon
— Continued from page 1 —
Procrastination is, hands down, our favorite form of self-sabotage. - Alyce P. Cornyn-Selby
Caribbean American Passport news magazine officially Hello, my name is Lauretta, and I am a procrastinator. launched in December of 2010, we welcome 2011 and we look forward to working with the community this year to bring news have put off things big and small from pursuing my dream and events in the community to the public. of being a writer to taking the clothes out of the dryer to writing this post. I have told myself that I worked better under Our first issue launched in Septempressure — that I was more creative when I waited until the ber of this year and we have printed last frantic minute. But years later I realized my life was going 5000 copies monthly. We make an in circles. That’s when I got real and got moving in the direceffort to ensure we have great picture quality, great stories, a free caltion of my dreams. endar of events, our content is focused on the Caribbean CommuThat doesn’t mean I don’t backslide. In fact, I alternate benity in Central Florida, and boy do tween periods of super-productivity and abject procrastination. you love seeing pictures of yourIt is still a struggle. The difference is that I recognize the danselves and your friends. After only ger in not getting things done. Twenty-percent of Americans four issues we were voted Best Jaidentify themselves as chronic procrastinators, but I wonder maican/Caribbean News Outlet in how many of us understand the extent to which we underOrlando on www.jamaicans.com. mine our own success, happiness, and purpose.
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We’re now distributed in over 35 Audrey Johnson, new editor for Caribbean Restaurants and Busi- Caribbean American Passport nesses in Central Florida. We take an active part in the events of the Caribbean Associations in Central Florida and we ensure that they are supplied with newspapers at their events throughout the month. Every month 10 copies of Caribbean American Passport are sent to the various Caribbean Consul Generals and Embassies in the United States. We also email a link of the newspaper out to a database of 3000 Caribbean American people living in Florida as well as posting it on Facebook, and publishing it online. Many Thanks to Banks Beer, Seven Seas, Wellcare, Life Worth Living Pharmacy, Seta Singh-Hasain Aunty Etta’s Rum Cake, DJ Andy King and the incomparable Ephraim Adams and Rhythm Trail Steel Band for making our lauch in December a wonderful event. This month, we’ve added two new Passport Team Members, Seta Singh Hasain who will be one of our Community Ambassadors and Audrey Johnson, a native of Trelawny, Jamaica who recently relocated to Orlando from Riverside, CA. In Jamaica, Audrey was formerly employed by the Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) for several years as a news reporter; covering all aspects of Jamaican life. Audrey will be joining us as an Editor. Thanks to the many people who worked tremendously hard to ensure the growth of this NewsMagazine, we look forward to making you proud in 2011. Guenet Gittens-Roberts
Before I could break its spell over my life, I had to stop making excuses. “I’ll do that when I have more time” was my preferred cop-out. I had to finally accept that I’d never have more time because I already had all the time there was. I was just wasting it instead of making the most of it. Don’t bury your dreams in the grave of procrastination. I hope you will unearth them, dust them off, and get to work. 6 Tips for Procrastinators 1. Small Victories Lead To Bigger Ones If you’re feeling overwhelmed, tackle a small task. See how good it feels to complete it. This will empower you to do more. The cure is always in the doing, so do something now. 2. No More Excuses Excuses diminish your power and your purpose. Stop using them and discourage friends, family, and colleagues from uttering them in your presence. Remind yourself that excuses poison your progress. 3. A Little Lollygagging Is Okay A modest amount of lollygagging is fine. Go ahead and check your email and Facebook, just don’t check them 20 times a day. Allow yourself to daydream and play; those activities, in moderation, actually increase your productivity. 4. Time May Not Be On Your Side It sounds trite, but what would you get done if you knew your time was limited? Act as if it is. Days and resources will not last forever. Or as Martin Luther said, “How soon not now becomes never.” 5. It is Not Just Your Problem When you avoid doing something, you often shift the burden onto others. This destroys teamwork at home, the office, and everywhere else. Be mindful of how your procrastination might be affecting your loved ones and your relationships. 6. A Woman’s Intuition Have you ever been puzzled about why you’re putting something off? If so, look at what might be behind your behavior. Perhaps your intuition is trying to steer you onto a better course.
Rhythm Trail Steel Band played wonderful Steel pan music and Dj Andy King had the guests rocking throughout the afternoon.
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When you’ve finished reading this newsmagazine (it’s own form of procrastination), get up - and take care of at least one of those things - big or small - that you’ve been meaning to do.
Balancing your 2011 budget Step 1
be spending-you can build your budget accordingly. The easiest approach is to create an Excel spreadsheet with columns Track Your Spending for budgeted and actual expenses in each category you want to track. A lot of people go crazy with this, trying to track Writing down every purchase can grow tiresome. Simplify the every last item (lunch, beer, concerts). That’s tedious. Our process by paying all your bills online through your checking advice: Use the five categories below and within these cataccount and making the rest of your purchases with a debit or egories list all the expenses you pay online from your checkcredit card. Do this for 3 months. ing account (so your rent or mortgage payment falls under housing, cable television bill under pleasure/personal, and so on). Step 2 Also, under living expenses and pleasure/personal, add a line for cash. Or use only your debit and credit cards for living exAt the end of 3 months, take a look at where your money went. penses and track accordingly. You can do it the old-fashioned way, with a notepad and your debit- and credit-card statements. Or you can sync your card Step 4 with Quicken or Mint.com. “Not all budgets are the same,” says J.J. Burns, President of the wealth-management firm. “They Run Your Business vary according to lifestyle.” So find your economic status below, and compare your spending. Congratulations! The hard part is over. Now all you have to do is enter your expenses on your budget spreadsheet each month, and you’ll see if you’re running a tight (or sinking) Step 3 ship. The course corrections you make to stay on track are key, says Burns. “If your lifestyle changes, your budget needs Build Your Budget to as well,” he says. “If your plan stays stagnant, so will your Now that you know how much you’re spending-and should financial growth.” Analyze Your Expenses
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A Little Taxing. . . . It’s that time again! Tax Season is upon us. Top Tax Prep Mistakes to Avoid
Expenses, or consult a tax professional.
The income tax filing season has begun and important tax documents should start arriving soon. Even though your return is not due until April, getting an early start is vital to making your filing much easier.
Right Filing Status. You can only choose one filing status single, married filing separately or married filing jointly. What determines your filing status is your marital status as of year’s end (either single or married). If you are married, it’s your preference whether to file separately or jointly. You and your spouse will need to agree on the filing status.
Here are some of the most common Claiming “Dependents.” If you want to claim a dependent filing errors to avoid: on your taxes, but you aren’t sure if the person fits the definition, make sure you visit the IRS Web site or ask a professional Don’t Procrastinate. Resist the temptation to put off doing tax preparer. The IRS site has a really good tutorial on the ins your taxes until the last minute. While missing the April 18th and outs of who counts as a dependent. deadline is not the worst mistake you could make... unless The Bottom Line You can reduce the likelihood of making eryou also forget to file for an extension, you are more likely to rors by filing electronically through the IRS website or by using make a mistake if you put off preparing your tax return until tax preparation software. Consulting a tax professional is adthe last minute. (Due to holidays this year the deadline for visable when it would be more efficient to do so. The IRS claims filing your 2010 tax return and paying any tax due is Mon- that the average tax return self-prepared will take an individual day, April 18) .An extension gives you an additional 6 months 21 1/2 hours to complete. This includes information gathering, understanding and preparing the return. to file your return. List All Jobs/ Report all Income. If you worked in more than one job during the year, you need to make sure that you list them all on your tax return. Almost all income is taxable even if your employer or financial institution did not send you a tax form reporting that income. If you’re not sure if money you earned or received is taxable, consult IRS Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income.
Lindsay Tax & Financial Solutions Mark Lindsay, CPA Phone (407) 435-2583 mark@lindsaytax.com www.lindsaytax.com
At Lindsay Tax & Financial Solutions we provide quality, personalized financial guidance to individuals and businesses including Tax Take only Deductions to which entitled. A common mistake, Preparation and Planning Services. Mark Lindsay, CPA has over 20 is for small business owners to claim deductions for business years of valuable experience assisting professionals with their finanexpenses that the IRS does not allow. If you’re not sure if an cial and accounting needs. Feel free to contact us, we provide a expense is tax deductible, read IRS Publication 535, Business complementary initial consultation.
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Caribbean Real Estate Conveyancing: The Private Treaty By Sasha A. Watson, Esq.
Closing - the seller’s attorney will prepare the deed to convey title to the property. The buyer will pay the remainder of the onveyancing is the term com- purchase price in exchange for the properly executed deed. monly used throughout the Caribbean to refer to real estate trans- Costs - the costs included in a typical conveyancing transacactions. More specifically, conveyanc- tion (e.g. Jamaica) include transfer costs of 4%; attorney’s fees ing is the transfer of legal title of prop- between 2% and 5%; stamp duty - 3%; registration fee - 0.5%; erty from one person to another, or the costs for preparation of forms and documents between granting of an encumbrance, such as US$1000-$1500; and general consumption tax. Some of the fees such as stamp duty and registration fee are split between a mortgage, easement or a lien. the seller and buyer. As a result of stringent fiscal and lending policies, the Caribbean real estate market has remained Time - the time between the agreement for sale and closing is relatively stable, and has not suffered considerably from the on average about three (3) months. US housing problems and mortgage meltdown that has initiated the global financial crises. Housing prices throughout the Private Treaty region have remained steady and inventory, though on the rise, remains at a manageable level by most economic fore- Despite the stability of the Caribbean real estate environment, casts. Accordingly, the region remains attractive, not just for there has been a steady increase in private treaty listings, specuits beautiful beaches and warm climate but for its lucrative latively as a result of the unfolding of many of the forex “get investment opportunities in the real estate sector. rich schemes” of the last two to three years. Many readers may be unfamiliar with the term, however, Private Treaty property Though the US and Caribbean property transfer systems aim to is what is commonly referred to in the US as bank-owned or achieve a similar result, the procedures and mechanisms by which foreclosed property. that result is achieved is quite dissimilar. The divergence is primarily due to the English jurisprudence from which the legal systems A Private Treaty Sale is one of the methods used by financial of the region are derived as well as the mechanism developed for institutions to legally recover outstanding mortgage loans in the validation and recording of title to property. default, and which are secured by properties such as residential homes. This mechanism offers the lending institution the Caribbean real estate transactions are more complex in na- ability to recover its debts or a portion of it, while the buyer is ture as a result of the predominance of unregistered title to often able to secure property at deeply discounted prices. The land, nuances in the conveyancing laws, and the complete process is considered private as it is achieved through confiabsence of any title insurance scheme in most countries. As a dential negotiations between the financial institution and the consequence, all conveyancing contracts require the assistance purchaser. The purchaser is required to conduct his/her due of competent and ethical attorney. Unlike the US, the use of an diligence to ascertain the value of the property and submit a attorney for a conveyancing transaction is not merely an op- good faith bid to the property owner as the value of properties tion but a requirement. being sold by private treaty is not disclosed to prospective purchasers, and no price is set until a bid is accepted. Persons deTransaction Basics siring to purchase a home through the private treaty process are generally only given the property address, volume and foAgreement for Sale (AFS) - after the initial negotiations have lio number, and in some cases, a brief description of property. concluded and both parties are in agreement to the sale price, The down payment for private treaty sales is also slightly higher the AFS, or contract, usually commences the transaction be- at about twenty-five percent (25%). tween the parties. The AFS is prepared by the seller’s attorney and is typically signed in duplicate by the buyer. The seller is Private Treaty sales offer investors competitive prices and have expected to deliver the signed AFS along with a deposit of 10%- allowed individuals to break into markets that they would oth15% of the purchase price to the seller’s attorney for the trans- erwise be unable. Most Caribbean financial institutions with action to be processed. The vendor will then execute the AFS mortgage portfolios maintain Private Treaty listings. and send a duly executed copy to the buyer’s attorney. Sasha Watson of Hylton, Adamson, Watson & Moore is licensed to pracTitle Search / Investigation - the purchaser’s attorney has the tice in Jamaica and is available to provide advice on these type transacresponsibility of conducting a title search, through the local tions from our offices in Florida. As such, you will be able execute the land title agency, to ensure that the seller has good and war- necessary documents for your Caribbean home purchase or sale without rantable title to the property, i.e. no encumbrances, such as leaving Florida, an invaluable convenience that allows for immediate mortgages, liens, easements, unpaid taxes or utilities, or out- cost savings. Additionally, we can connect you to experienced and effective realtors both in Florida and throughout the Caribbean. standing judgments.
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