Caribbean National Weekly December 22, 2022

The diaspora take down memory lan

December 25 is celebrated by Christians across the globe; how Jamaicans have developed their ways of delivering the joys of Christmas in a way only Jamaicans can

The season of Christmas also holds a special place in the hearts of Jamaicans i diaspora. As Christmas rolls around, it was great to hear individuals speak specific what they miss about Christmas while growing up in Jamaica. It's incredible how t Christmas experiences of the various participants differ

The Christmas season is, at times, a personal experience, other times an expres love with family and friends, but, importantly, a collaborative community occasion Donovan G. Jones, who hails from Oracabessa, St Mary, and now lives in Lond the friendly spirit of authentic Christmas wishes and chats about their favorite food enjoyed the road cleaning teams laughing, joking, and the camaraderie among com young people. He recalls the quiet of the town after it closed down on December 2 4:00 p m. in preparation for Grand Market and Coney Island. Mr. Jones also remembers all the boys spending hours looking at the only Christmas trees in town and the beating of the MOSCORATE (junkanoo) drums in crescendo as the dancer got closer to the small gathering of people waiting for a little more Christmas excitement. On Christmas day, the 25th, his mouth drips at the smell of curry goa roast chicken, or roast beef, not at his house but from neighbors. Donovan says Jamaica was just magical at Christmas Verona Hall has lived in Los Angeles, California, for 20 years but was born and grew up in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Verona misses the pleasant change in the physical environment as the 'Christmas Breeze ' starts to blow, and the red poinsettia and poinciana rise in red-coated beauty. She also recalls the Christcentered plays, the concerts, and the pantomime, the smell of the Christmas cakes baking, and she especially missed the many Christmas parties Dr Sylvanus Thompson grew up in Victoria District, just a few steps from Thompson Town, in North Western Clarendon However, he spent most of his adult life living and working in Montego Bay As a child, he looked forward to preparing for Christmas, trimming edges, and white-washing the stones and fences around the home Grand Market shopping was unique to him, but he was more excited about waking up early on Christmas Day to open gifts from Santa He recalls going to the church pageants, which were treasured highlights during the

continues onA5 – Memories

Gay, who is currently a dean at the university and a democracy scholar, will become president July 1 She replaces Lawrence Bacow, who is stepping down saying he wants to spend more time with family

"This is crazy, right?" a beaming Gay said as she was introduced to applause at the Smith campus center She currently serves as the Edgerley Family Dean of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences

"I am absolutely humbled by the confidence that the governing board has placed in me, " she said "I am also incredibly humbled by the prospect of succeeding President Bacow and leading this incredible institution "

Harvard University says Claudine Gay will become its 30th president, making her the first Black person and the second woman to lead the Ivy League school

Florida

airports expected to set records during the holidays Trinidadian Christm dishes to add to you holiday menu

Here is one proud papa. Well known photographer, Luke Ballenne (right) had so many reasons to smile. Seen here (le) is Lukes first born, Natalie Ballenne who graduated last Thursday from the Florida Atlanc University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology Photo Credit: Tyeshia Haynes

Gethsemane Missionary Bapst Church West Park Pastor ND Tucker and wife, center City of West Park Commissioner Joy B. Smith at the Gethsemane Missionary Bapst Church Senior Christmas Dinner. – Contributed

Parcipants in the 100 push-up challenge get ready to indulge in some Caribbean delicacies from Garce Foods. The event was sponsored by Anatony Fitness and the Udonis Haslem Foundaon in aid of charity. – Contributed

Grace Foods joined The Udonis Haslem (UD ) Foundaon, Make a Wish Foundaon, and Anatomy Fitness for a 100-push-up challenge sponsored by Anatomy Fitness in Coconut Grove, FL

Lauderhill Police Chief, Constance Stanley(le) welcomes the newest member to the Lauderhill Police Department, Detecve Lauren Markey (right). – Contributed

Christmas Parade, North Lauderdale style! BSO North Lauderdale district parcipated in the City’s Holiday Parade with flair. – Contributed

Commissioner Denise D Grant of Lauderhill met with Custos Garfield Green, Manchester Jamaica to discuss a cultural exchange partnership. – Contributed

Olympian Asafa Powell and his wife Alyshia Powell before the start of Burna Boys concert Photo credit: Rokin Entertainment

Jamaica-born judge Michael H. Tulloch is

Chief Justice of Ontario

He replaces George R Strathy, who retired on August 31

Tulloch was appointed by the governor general on the advice of Cabinet and the recommendation of the prime minister

As chief justice, he is responsible for the leadership and administration of the courts and also serves as a member of the Canadian Judicial Council which works to improve the quality of judicial services in the superior courts of Canada

(2017) and the Report of the Independent Street Checks Review (2018)

He also served on the Government Response Team for the Commission on Systemic Racism while working as a Crown Attorney He was chair of a review panel on Osgoode Hall Law School's admissions policy in 2006

He attended Central Peel Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, York University in Toronto, and Osgoode Hall Law School After graduating from law

Tulloch was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice for Ontario in 2003 He was elevated to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2012, becoming the first Black Canadian to sit on any appellate court in Canada

Prior to his appointment to the bench, he had served as an assistant crown attorney in Peel and Toronto from 1991 to 1995 before entering private practice, where he specialized in criminal law

In 2016, Chief Justice Tulloch was appointed by the Ontario government to conduct important reviews which resulted in two extensive reports: the Report of the Independent Police Oversight Review

school in 1989, he became an assistant crown attorney in 1991, and later worked as a private defence lawyer In 2003, he was appointed as a judge to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice He was appointed to the Court of Appeal effective June 30, 2012

In 2013 Tulloch was one of the recipients of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards presented, by Canadian Immigrant Magazine

Tulloch is a former president of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers He was born in Jamaica and came to Canada when he was nine years old

Jamaica-born judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario Michael H. Tulloch has been appointed the new chief justice of Ontario and president of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday.

Off the Beaten Track

The Caribbean is a region filled with natural bounty, incredible food, and enviable vibes Endless summer sun and picturesque beaches bring tourists from around the globe looking to escape frigid climates and make lifelong memories Tourism is the lifeblood of most Caribbean islands – this means that it can get very crowded during tourist season To sidestep swimming in a mess of bodies, consider avoiding the big boys of the region and instead explore their less heralded neighbors

Here's a list of three lesser known Caribbean nations to consider traveling to in the New Year

The Grenadines – one half of St Vincent and the Grenadines – is a nature lover's paradise While many Caribbean countries march ever-forward toward urbanization, the Grenadines have maintained a relatively unspoiled natural landscape This emerald in

the oasis offers everything from rewarding climbs up the sides of volcanoes, lounging on scenic “black sand beaches,” and some of the best stargazing in the region

Explore the chain of islands to experience Salt Whistle Bay Beach, which is the best of the all white sand and glass clear water that is patented Caribbean Also, dive into the waters surrounding Bequia and discover diverse marine life Or, visit the man-made island called Happy Island, a small island bar that you have to sail to for impeccable vibes from local favorite Janti Ramage

Affectionately known as the “Spice of the Caribbean,” the tiny island of Grenada is known worldwide for its aromatic spices and rich cocoa Grenada refers to three islands – the island of Grenada itself, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique Grenada boasts 40 beaches, 15 mesmerizing waterfalls, and a host of dive sites

to see the remnants of the region's rich history of piracy and buccaneering

Carriacou and Petite Martinique offer an escape from the busier Grenada Carriacou in particular is known as “the land of the reefs,” highlighting its mesmerizing clear water, perfect for snorkeling and getting up close to the legendary Caribbean reefs

While you ' re on the islands, you'll have to visit one of the 15 chocolate factories to see master chocolatiers at work and take delicious samples for your friends and family back home

The small island nation of Bonaire is one of the Caribbean's hidden gems The Dutchspeaking island is a member of the ABC mini archipelago – alongside Aruba and Curacao –and is the model for sustainable development and renewable energy implementation

The relaxed, carefree island vibe that we ' re so used to seeing in North American and European media is often false when factchecked… but, not in Bonaire. Its roads do not even have stoplights, as drivers trust each other to drive not only for themselves, but for their fellow motorists

The island's extensive natural resource protection guidelines make it one of the premier diving spots, globally Bonaire is the only certified Blue Destination in the world This means the nation has done exemplary work in protecting its share of the ocean while promoting healthy growth, both naturally and within the job sector For divers, this translates to incredible sites where you can swim with the fishes – all of them

If you ever tire of diving, the island is easily traversable by foot or vehicle, boasting both natural and manmade sites At the local Mangrove Center, visitors can take kayak tours under the marvelous plants that provide shelter for countless organisms and naturally filtered water For a man-made spin, visit downtown Kralendijk While a tourist town, the unique color palette feels like a set out of a doll house Everywhere is vibrant and the shops beckon visitors, saddling them with gifts to return home with a memory of their time in Bonaire

St. Lucia Nurses, police to get back pay in time for holiday

More than 1,000 nurses and police personnel in St. Lucia will be among public servants who receive back pay despite their representative bodies pulling out of wage negotiations with the Government, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre announced on Tuesday

A brief statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said Pierre has taken steps to ensure members of the Royal St Lucia Police represented by the Police Welfare Association (PWA) and the membership of the St. Lucia Nurses Association (SLNA) benefit from the ongoing disbursement of EC$20 million (One EC dollar = US$0 37) in back pay

Both the PWA and the SLNA had pulled out of the Trade Union Federation (TUF) umbrella to independently pursue wage negotiations with the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) That decision made them ineligible to receive wage benefits agreed upon by the GNT and TUF in 2019

“However, Prime Minister Pierre with the support of the Cabinet of Ministers, has decided in good faith to include the PWA and SLNA membership – more than 1,000 workers – and has made allocations to ensure they too enjoy a commensurate share of the previously negotiated back pay arrangement,” the OPM statement said

Government announced earlier this year that the first tranche of the back pay will be distributed this month and the second in March 2023

A two percent wage and salary increase is also scheduled in 2023, on top of the one percent increase that took effect in April this year

Bona re

Guyana to invest billions in developing health sector

The Guyana government says it intends to spend an estimated GUY$125 billion (One Guyana dollar US$0 004 cents) in improving the health care services for residents in the hinterland supporting critical upgrades to hospitals over the next three years

President Dr Irfaan Ali, speaking at the commissioning of the new SMART hospital at Mabaruma in Region One, said health facilities in other regions will also benefit from the funding Ali said of the GUY$125 billion, about GUY$4 1 billion will be spent on the infrastructure upgrades at Moruca,

Mabaruma,

and Port Kaituma

“More than $125 billion will be invested in upgrading these facilities giving you the best working conditions, giving the population the best possible access to health care services That is what transforms society, that is what improves living conditions and livelihoods,” President Ali said

He said that some of the facilities are not up to par and lack basic amenities and must be changed

“We are uncomfortable with some of the facilities out there that people come to for healthcare services “Every facility must have some basic services- proper washrooms for

patients, proper waiting area, an environment that is clean, an environment that is conducive for the delivery of good health care,” he added

He told the ceremony that while facilities in those areas continue to benefit from infrastructural upgrades, resources are also being earmarked for training of health personnel who man those facilities

He said importantly all the facilities will also receive the necessary equipment to provide critical services to the public Steps will be taken to ensure basic medications are available at all health institutions

FTX founder sent back to jail after confusion surrounding his stance on extradition

Founder of failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried reappeared in court in The Bahamas on Monday but was sent back to jail after not waiving his right to an extradition hearing as it had been widely reported he would have

Several local and international media reports had indicated that the 30-year-old disgraced billionaire, who was remanded until February 8, 2023 after first appearing in the magistrate's court last Monday, intended to go to court to agree to his extradition

However, local lawyer for BankmanFried, Jerone Roberts told Magistrate Judge Shaka Serville he had no such instructions

“I did not request him to be here this morning,” he said

Prosecutor Franklyn Williams KC informed the court, however, that a US lawyer for Bankman-Fried had contacted his office over the weekend and it was understood that he intended to “waive his extradition”

Roberts told the court he was not aware of that development, adding that his client wanted to see the indictment against him before agreeing to be extradited

Bankman-Fried was subsequently escorted from the court and taken back to prison

He was arrested on December 12 on the request of the United States, a month after his crypto exchange's November 11 bankruptcy filing, and now faces charges from the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Bankman-Fried's eight-count indictment includes two counts of wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering –each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years – and one count each of conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and conspiracy to

defraud the United States and commit campaign finance violations, which each carry a maximum sentence of five years

The charges in the indictment arise from an alleged wide-ranging scheme that US prosecutors say Bankman-Fried and his coconspirators perpetrated, since 2019, to defraud customers of FTX by misappropriating billions of dollars of their funds

It is alleged Bankman-Fried used customer funds for his personal use, to make investments and millions of dollars of political contributions to federal political candidates and committees, and to repay billions of dollars in loans owed by Alameda Research, the cryptocurrency hedge fund which he also founded

He also allegedly defrauded lenders to Alameda Research and equity investors in FTX by concealing his misuse of customer deposits in financial information that was provided to them

Christmas season Dr Thompson, however, misses more than anything else the warm interaction with family and friends on Christmas Day and the community celebrations on Boxing Day with reggae music blasting from the sound systems and traditional Jamaican food

Karen Fray Row grew up in St Mary Her response was different "Gee Whiz, it's Christmas!! Oh, how I miss the Grand Markets, the family getting together, especially when you have a visiting family member from a foreign in the midst Christmas Carols are playing over the airwaves and even the caroling by some church members as they walk around the communities early Christmas morning Oh man, the food and all the prep leading up to when we would finally sit down at a well-set table to partake of this sumptuous meal To top it off, freshly brewed sorrel and real Jamaican Christmas cake rubbed up in the yabba My mom is now deceased, and Christmas in Jamaica will never be the same without her in the mix, giving “laugh fi peas soup,” as the old idiom goes

Awww boy, sigh "

Evadney Hyatt resides in Orlando, Florida but also hails from Islington, St Mary Evadney said: "The things I miss most about Christmas in Jamaica are many However, the memories closest to my heart are Christmas Market at Friendship Square, started by the Maroons, who settled in the area after leaving Moore Town The excitement for me was the display and sale of ground provisions

Attorney Ray Connell currently lives in Seattle, Washington He was born in Kingston but grew up in Morant Bay Ray said, "What I miss about Christmas in Jamaica are the many office parties from December 1 'til January 1 each year. I missed the Boxing Day dinners my mother was famous for putting on We used to get a ham that I have not come across here We used to walk around downtown Kingston on Christmas Eve with my friends Finally, I miss the sunlight and the warm weather in Jamaica "

While the customs of each parish may differ one aspect of Jamaican Christmas that continues to hold strong is that shared love for Jamaican Christmas recipes Whether it is ham, fish, sorrel, gungo peas and rice, curried goat, or fruit cake every Jamaican household will have a special dinner for Christmas

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

What should the lonely do at Christmas? Get help

Last week there was the report of the tragic suicide of a seemingly successful, happy TV personality, DJ and dancer, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, a star on the Ellen DeGeneres TV show For those unfamiliar with “tWitch” he seemed to have been a full-of-life personality, funny, displaying phenomenal dance moves

Days before he took his life he posted a video with him dancing before a Christmas tree with his wife, with whom he had just celebrated a wedding anniversary Yet hours later he went to a hotel room and took his life How could that be? People are asking

Andrew Karim akarim@cnweeklynews.com

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It's assumed for unknown reasons “tWitch” was the victim of loneliness, an epidemic that seems to worsen during the festivities of the Christmas holidays

Psychiatrists say the worst type of loneliness is found among people who seem happy and fun loving, but who are really lonely and hurting inside, even while among others Some may ask how is it possible to feel lonely when one has all one's family or friends, people they love and who love them around? That is because there's a fundamental difference between loneliness and being alone

Some people actually enjoy being alone even during times like Christmas, because they are confident of themselves and enjoy their own company rather than being in the company of others This may seem like very selfish behavior, but it's not behavior as potentially devastating as loneliness

People are extremely lonely and depressed among others because their inherent needs are not being met They want something that not even their dearest loved ones - spouse, children, parents, best friends - can fulfill The very sad and dangerous thing is that some people feeling this kind of loneliness aren't even aware what is missing from their lives And, ironically, these are the people who need the support and help from their loved ones

Lonely people usually display clear signals of their loneliness of which friends and family members should be aware They'll usually suddenly pull away from other people in a room to go sit by themselves often with a distant look on their faces Or, they may go off to another room usually making the excuse of not feeling well They, even men, tend to get melancholic, cry, when they hear sad songs or music Psychiatrists claim a reason some people feel more lonely during the Christmas holidays is because some Christmas music have a sad melody that enhances their feeling of being lost, and the uncertainty of knowing what they need to find

Often, lonely people will try to find a balm for their loneliness Unfortunately, some of these balms can be detrimental. These include excessive alcohol, use of hard drugs, excessive partying, and sexual promiscuity More positively, some people turn to spiritual endeavors, like getting involved in their church or in charitable organizations But, while such balms may provide respite from loneliness, some still bear the heavy burden loneliness bears

Those who feel this burdensome loneliness

should talk about it and seek help, which can be a problem in the Caribbean American community The cultural norms of the community don't usually lead people to seek professional help like the help offered by psychiatrists It's not unusual for Caribbean Americans to react aggressively when it's suggested they seek the help of a psychiatrist, saying, “After mi nuh mad” but persistent loneliness can be a mental health problem which needs professional diagnosis and treatment But help can also be found in talking with a close friend, a family member, co-worker, church brother, sister, or pastor One who feels this burden of loneliness shouldn't bear it alone They'll be increasingly at risk of doing damage to themselves

Sadly, in recent years the innovation of some social media platforms, have made some young people, too many young people, victims of loneliness and depression. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook expose certain social behaviors, that make some young people feel they are deficient in how they look and behave The popularity other young people achieve on social media, make others feel less worthy, pushing them into a dark lonely place

Young people need to be guided to believe they have it within them to do remarkably positive things with, and in their lives, and not allow their goals and their self-worth to be diminished by the negativity of social media It's now the responsibility of parents, no matter how busy they claim to be, to look out for signs of depression, withdrawal, and loneliness among their children, especially those known to be exposed to social media

Christmas in Haiti carries all the typical revelry you'd expect from a majority Christian Caribbean country with one added layer – the season is a leadup to Haitian independence day on January 1. This makes the season a serious affair dedicated to worship and celebration of the path to independence, in addition to reuniting with family and exchanging gifts

Food takes center stage during the period. Haiti's unique cuisine - a combination of French, Creole, and African techniques - offers up some one-of-a-kind festive dishes

The delicious, cheesy, baked pasta casserole is a staple in Haitian kitchens Pasta, normally rigatoni, is prepared until barely al dente It's layered in a casserole pan with onions and sweet peppers before being combined with a combination of cheeses – usually a cheddar and a gouda The dish's signature creaminess is the result of utilizing evaporated milk, instead of cow's milk or heavy cream

Paté or Haitian patties (a play on the popular Jamaican street food of the same name) is a common breakfast or street food on the island Spiced beef is folded into pastry dough, which is baked in an oven until flaky and crispy Paté is eaten year-round, but they're in abundance during the festive season

Krema might seem like classic North American eggnog at a glance, and truthfully there's some overlap, but there's more to it than meets the eye The creamy favorite has no egg, for starters Instead, sweetened condensed milk is combined with evaporated milk, cinnamon, star anise, coconut cream,

Claudine Gay

of social and economic factors shape political views and voting She also is the founding chair Harvard's Inequality in America Initiative, which studies issues like the effects of child poverty and deprivation on educational opportunity and American inequality from a global perspective

"Claudine is a remarkable leader who is profoundly devoted to sustaining and enhancing Harvard's academic excellence, to championing both the value and the values of higher education and research, to expanding opportunity, and to strengthening Harvard as a fount of ideas and a force for good in the world," Penny Pritzker, senior fellow of the Harvard Corporation and chair of Harvard's presidential search committee, said in a statement

In her speech, Gay called for greater collaboration among schools at Harvard and said there was an urgency for the university be more engaged with the world and to "bring bold, brave and pioneering thinking to our greatest challenges "

"The idea of the 'ivory tower' — that is the past not the future of academia We don't exist outside of society, but as part of it," she said "That means that Harvard has a duty to lean in, engage and to be of service to the world "

With Gay's appointment, women will outnumber men as chiefs of the eight Ivy League schools Dartmouth and the University of Pennsylvania appointed women earlier this year, joining Brown and Cornell Columbia, Princeton, and Yale are led by men Drew Faust was the first woman to be president at Harvard A noted historian of the American South and the Civil War, she stepped down in 2018 after 11 years

Gay will be the only Black president currently in the Ivy League and the second Black woman ever, following Ruth Simmons, who led Brown University from 2001 to 2012

Gay's appointment is remarkable in part because relatively few U S. universities are led by Black presidents, said Eddie R Cole, a historian of college presidents and race at the University of California, Los Angeles Harvard wields outsized influence in higher education, he said, and other universities are bound to take notice

"At a time when everyone continues to look at Harvard, this presidential hire will arguably be one of the most significant in American higher education for years to come," Cole said

As president of Harvard, Gay will shape decisions that can have impact at the local, state and federal level, Cole said That includes racial issues that the campus has confronted in recent years, including affirmative action and the school's own history with slavery

almond extract, vanilla, and lime juice to create a milkshake-like drink that locals have enjoyed for decades The drink can be made in virgin and alcoholic versions, with many swearing that a spike of Haitian rum brings the flavors home

Consumers encouraged to safeguard themselves against cyberattacks

Jamaican consumers are being urged to safeguard their personal information when shopping online during the Christmas season to avoid becoming victims of scamming and identity theft

Information Technology Manager at the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Christopher Martin, says shoppers must recognize that they are the first line of defence against cyberattacks and they must take steps to protect themselves

“Be very careful [and] ensure that the device and browser you are using are secure Also, do not save your password on your browser It is not safe Anybody who goes on your browser after you can access your information,” he pointed out

Martin, who was speaking at a recent Think Tank held at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) headquarters advised online shoppers to use complex passwords instead of familiar names that persons with nefarious intentions can guess “Be very strategic in how you create your password It should be simple for you but strong for the hacker or scammer

who wants to get [into your account],” he said

“Also, try to change your password as often as possible and do not share it with anyone,” he added

Meanwhile, chief executive officer of the CAC, Dolsie Allen, is encouraging consumers to be intentional in their shopping

This involves staying away from impulse buys, being mindful and purposeful in spending, making a budget and sticking to it, and keeping track of how much is being spent

“We encourage our consumers that, while we shop we be smart in our approach We know there are many different products on the market [and] many different offerings; we see the advertisements,” said Allen

The CAC is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and has a responsibility to protect consumers It carries out its mandate through consumer education, the handling of complaints and by conducting market surveillance

1.3 million airline seats secured for Jamaica's winter tourist season

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, says the 2022/2023 winter tourist season promises to be “ a very strong winter of recovery” with some 1 3 million airline seats to the island already secured Just over 930,000 of those seats are from the United States market alone

“You could be looking at definitely the strongest winter since recent times for us,” Minister Bartlett said of the winter tourist season which officially started on Thursday December 15

He pointed out that the strength of the season is not only in terms of the number of seats but also earnings, noting that the country's Average Daily Rates (ADRs) have increased by some 20 percent

“What this does for Jamaica is to create strong demand for more goods and services to be provided by our local stake-

holders because the way forward has to be Jamaica owning the supply side of the economic equation,” Bartlett said

He emphasized that building the capacity of local entrepreneurs to supply the demand visitors bring will result in greater retention of the tourism dollar

The tourism minister indicated that the Caribbean is showing an increase in the number of available airline seats to Jamaica, especially with the recent addition of the Dominican Republic's flagship, Arajet Airlines

“Regional tourism is picking up back, and that's a good sign for us We have a 16 percent increase in the seats from the Caribbean,” he said, even as he noted that the Latin America market has not come back fully since the COVID-19 pandemic

Singer Nolan joins Irie jam radio's Christmas toy drive for Maxfield Park Children's Home

The artist visited the headquarters of Irie Jam in Jamaica Queens recently, where he presented a check to General Manager Amber Clarke to assist in the purchasing of toys, books, schoolbags and other supplies for the young residents of the home in time for the holiday season

Irie Jam began its annual toy drive several years ago in New York and has donated thousands of dollars' worth of toys and gifts to children in Queens over the years, thanks to donations from its staff, listeners and well-wishers This year the decision was taken to extend the drive beyond American borders to Jamaica for the first time, by making Maxfield Park the beneficiaries

Founded in 1918, the Maxfield Park Children's Home is the oldest and largest child care facility in Jamaica, housing nearly 100 youth between infancy and age 18 who have been deemed by the state to be in need of special care

According to Clarke, Irie Jam believes that the time has come to have those in Jamaica benefit from the love and support of the many individuals and entities who have made the drive a success in New York

“It is always our goal at Irie Jam to act as a conduit for the diaspora to give back to Jamaica whenever and however we can,” she says “And taking the toy drive to the Maxfield Park Children's Home is yet another example of doing exactly this ”

In thanking Nolan, she indicated that his contribution would be extremely valuable when put to use once she arrived in Jamaica several days later, where a significant amount of the supplies would be purchased

In his own remarks, Nolan responded that his passion for both children and for the people of Jamaica made his decision to join the drive a very easy one

Musical artist Nolan has joined Irie Jam Radio's annual Christmas Toy Drive, which will this year benefit the children of the Maxfield Park Children's Home in Jamaica

Nolan

Trinidad Finance Minister wins High Court case against UNC activist

A High Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by an opposition United National Congress (UNC) activist that challenged the decision of Finance Minister Colm Imbert to appoint businessman Patrick Ferreira as chairman of the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIB) Justice Jacqueline Wilson Monday ruled against Ravi Balgobin Maharaj, who in March had filed a lawsuit claiming that Imbert's decision on Ferreira's appointment, made in January 2022 was illegal, null and void on the ground that Ferreira was not independent of the groups that comprise the NIB, namely government, business and labor

His attorneys, including former attorney general, Anand Ramlogan and UNC Senator Jyanti Lutchmedial, argued that Ferreira, by virtue of his past and current associations with business and government, cannot be said to be an individual who possesses the key characteristics contemplated by the NIB legislation

As a result, the lawyers for Maharaj argued that Ferreira was therefore not capable of holding the office of chairman

In his defence, Imbert said the National Insurance Act made it clear that while the Board shall act in accordance with the general policy directions of the government given by

the minister, when exercising and performing its functions, powers, and duties the Board shall be subject to the control or direction of no other person or authority

Imbert noted that eight previous chairmen of the NIB had significant business interests, including two appointments made by the former UNC led People's Partnership government that lost the 2015 general election

A statement issued by the Ministry of Finance said as a result of the High Court ruling that dismissed Maharaj's application, Ferreira “will therefore continue as to act as chairman of the National Insurance Board until the expiration of his term in office”

IDB provides funds to boost drinking water supply

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved an US$80 million loan to boost the efficiency, quality, sustainability and resilience of Trinidad and Tobago's drinking water supply and water security

The Washington-based financial institution said the funds are part of a US$315 million conditional credit line for the Trinidad and Tobago National Water Sector Transformation Program

The IDB said this initial operation will include institutional strengthening and capacity building to help the twinisland republic's Ministry of Public Utilities and its executing agency, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), “improve their governance and

sustainable management of water resources ”

The program will directly benefit an estimated one million residents in surrounding communities

In addition, about 16,841 business, agricultural, and industrial customers and charitable institutions in different supply areas will also benefit

“The program will support WASA's operational, commercial and technical management by providing access to innovative digital transformation tools and technologies and data-driven management systems,” the IDB said

“WASA's services will be upgraded through network rehabilitation and optimization, organizational develop-

ment and capacity building, integrated water resources management, climate change and natural disaster risk management, and leveraging the IDB's experience in water loss reduction projects,” it added “All of these actions promise to lower the agency's operating costs and subsidies ”

The IDB said the program is aligned with its group country strategy for Trinidad and Tobago 2021–2025, “specifically the strategic objective of optimizing digital service delivery by digitizing operational processes and adopting smart technology for water infrastructure and related information and communications technologies ”

Trinidadian Christmas dishes to add to your holiday menu

While there's no chance of a snowy holiday in Trinidad, the December Christmas breeze that pleasantly nips at locals, signals it's time to make home repairs and put up festive decorations On the island, radio DJs spin Parang classics 24/7, and you ' re fast inundated by Susan Macio and company After all, “Trini Christmas is Best,” as she so aptly sings

Amidst the door-to-door parranderos and the heckling at Christmas markets is, of course, Christmas cooking Trinidad partakes in the staples – glazed ham, ginger beer, etc , – but has its own classics, as well

Pastelles are like Trinidadian tamales. This savory staple is made by folding cornmeal dough around seasoned minced meat or cooked vegetables, and then steaming it in tied banana leaves. The banana leaves add a unique flavor and keep the pastelles moist and delicious

This is a dense cakey bread filled with coconut, raisins, mixed fruit, and a lot of spice. This sweet bread is a must-have during Christmas and Easter holidays. Think banana bread, but instead of the banana flavor, you get a kick of coconut This delicious bread is perfect with a smear of butter, or simply accompanied with a cup of your favorite hot tea

Trinidadians have perfected eggnog. Their version, the ponche de creme, takes the classic eggs and milk mixture and turns it up with nutmeg, lime zest, angostura bitters (a classic bitter concentrate from Trinidad), and a lot of rum. The zest and the bitters are the big secrets, adding a needed, rich complexity to the classic drink

Pastelles

Gift ideas that are

The hit game is the brainchild of Abigail Smith, a Jamaica-born educator, currently based in the United Arab Emirates While studying in the United States, Smith felt alienated from the popular party games that defined campus life – taboo, charades, etc “It’s always [USA] focused,” she explains “Where are the Jamaican games? We’d know some American stuff because of the media, but it’s not us; it doesn’t speak to our culture ”

“Games like taboo speak to a presumed audience of Americans – a taboo card might ask you to ’impersonate the 32nd President of the United States,” a feat that’s all but impossible for any non-American “I had a Google doc with how it was going to be in the beginning,” she recalls “I printed out these cards on card stock and tested it one Christmas ” It was a hit Even in the playtest The combination of Jamaican pop culture with traditions resulted in a game that was accessible to all ages

Bere Vibes sold out its initial run in January, going clean off the shelves in both the United States and Jamaica The only real complaint – people wanted more cards Launching just in time for Christmas is a new pack with 220 new cards When asked about the future of the game, Smith’s goals are lofty “The long, long, long term goal,” she smiles, “is to expand Bere Vibes to other Caribbean countries ”

We asked Jamaican entrepreneur, Kristie Stephenson, the owner of the popular line of jewels, Story and Myth, to share her suggestions for unique made-in-Jamaican gift ideas that can accommodate delivery options for folks across the Caribbean diaspora. Here's her list of madein-Jamaica products that make great gifts for the holiday and all year

Touch by VLS is a contemporary ceramics studio headed by Victoria Silvera. For the holiday season, they're offering two unique collections – the Starseed Collection and the Urchin Collection. The Starseed Collection taps into what the studio calls “primitive futurism ” Ceramics are stretched into lattices –beautiful and mesmerizing meshes – to form everything from diffusers to lighting fixtures. The Abstractions Teapot is especially striking; rustic, yet perfectly smooth, the clay teapot is streaked with a modern color scheme of pink, black, and gray The Urchin Collection follows a similar form, but trades lattices for spines. It's their ode to the sea and the creatures that live deep within. This collection has its own pottery set and its own lighting fixture set. There are also adorable spiked or cutwork decorative urchins to accent any setting

Puzzles by SG is an innovative startup from the mind of Shauna-Gaye Hart. The concept is simple, yet ingenious Shauna-Gaye, an avid puzzler herself, noticed a dearth of local puzzles in the market. She has partnered with local photographers across the island to capture unapologetically Jamaican images to convert into puzzles for all levels

Solving puzzles is believed to promote brain health and improve memory. It's also an excellent activity for team building and for getting the entire family to do an activity together. Or, solving puzzles can be a quiet retreat away from the chaos of this holiday season

DAE is a socially conscious, sustainably made, ethical sandals company that releases limited-run footwear showcasing the work of Jamaican artisans

Established in 2019 by Debra Antoinette Edwards (DAE) – their stylish sandals leave a small carbon footprint and portions of the sales are donated to charitable projects such as Eve for Life – a charity outreach in Jamaica that supports women and children living with HIV

Of course, we couldn't leave out Story & Myth

Story & Myth is island-inspired handmade protection jewelry –mainly wrist beads and mala necklaces – that are made from a combination of indigenous Job's Tears seeds, semi-precious gemstones and charms

The seeds used in Story & Myth creations are harvested by local farmers, and the jewelry is assembled by a small community of artisans, some of whom have a physical disability. Each piece is made with thought and intent and is meant to bless, guide and protect the wearer

Bere Vibes is a party-card game based solely on Jamaican culture. Two to six people gather around a deck of cards and do anything from acting out Jamaican idiosyncrasies, to completing classic Jamaican proverbs and racking up points against a timer.

Jewelry by Story and Myth

Florida airports expected to set records during holidays

ORLANDO, Fla (AP) The holiday travel season this year is expected to rival the busiest seasons before the pandemic at Florida's two most bustling airports, which will see millions of travelers passing through them, officials said

Orlando International Airport, the state's busiest airport and the seventh busiest airport in the U S last year, is expected to host 2 9 million passengers during a period that started in mid-December and extends through the first few days of the new year That would mark a 17% increase over the same period last year when 2 5 million travelers passed through the airport

Miami International Airport is expected to host 2 5 million passengers for a holiday travel period that lasts from Dec 21 through Jan 6, which is Three Kings' Day, the final Christmas celebration observed by many Christians in Latin America and Spain That would mark a 1 5% increase over the record-breaking holiday travel season last year

The busiest travel day at the Orlando airport is expected to be the day after New Year's Day, with an estimated 162,000 travelers arriving at and departing

the airport

At the Miami airport, the busiest travel days are expected to be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week, the Friday before New Year's Day and the Thursday and Friday after New Year's Day On those days, an estimated 157,000 travelers are expected to pass through the airport each day, airport officials said Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport was expecting almost 1 6 million passengers over two weeks starting Wednesday If that estimate holds, it will be 13% busier than last year's travel volume but short of the pre-pandemic 1 8 million passengers who traveled during the same period in 2019

During the holiday season, AAA expected 6 3 million Floridians to travel 50 miles or more from home, with the bulk of travelers getting around by car About 5 8 million Floridians were planning to hit the road by car, a 3% increase over last year, according to AAA

Florida's ports also were expected to be packed with travelers from holiday cruises

Emergency Rental Assistance Program expanded to help more families

Miami-Dade County has announced the expansion of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). In an effort to help more working individuals and families deal with rent increases and remain in their homes

Miami-Dade County has expanded its successful Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to include residents earning up to 140% of the area median income (AMI) A single person earning less than $95,620, couples making less than $109,200, families of three earning less than $122,920, and families of four earning less than $136,500 can now qualify for rental assistance

“For Miami-Dade to thrive, our residents must be able to afford to live here,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava “Our county’s distribution of ERAP funds was so successful, we were able to apply for and receive more funds from the federal government to expand the program and help more renters This new expansion will allow more financially struggling residents to tap into lifesaving funds to help them stay in their homes That – in concert with our Building Blocks program and HOMES plan – will create a more affordable Miami-Dade for all ”

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava made expansion of ERAP benefits a key component of her HOMES plan that was included in the County’s recently approved budget by committing an additional $8 million in general funds from Miami-Dade County

“We are building upon an already successful ERAP plan that has distributed more than $138 million and helped over 21,000 families stay in their homes since the start of the pandemic,” said Michael Liu, Director, Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development “By increasing the number of people that qualify for ERAP, more working professionals such as teachers, first responders, nurses and other essential workers can get assistance to cover rent costs in this difficult real estate market ”

ERAP can help renters with issues such as past due rent, utility payments, some relocation assistance, and increases in rent of up to 30% for a period of 3 months

Residents seeking more information are encouraged to visit: https://www miamidade gov/global/housing/emergency-rentalassistance-program page

EXCEPTIONAL

childhood dream “When I was 16, or 15 or 14, or something like that, I used to be in London and I'd go to the barbershop every time and they'd play this song: Love you girl, do you feel the same? I don't wanna play games: I knew I had to work with him one day”; he said, referring to Serani's 2008 classic No Games

It was an exceptional night, with a legendary performance from the African giant Burna Boy. Scores of Jamaicans came out to see the Last singer who gave an exceptional performance, leaving patrons wanting more

The Afrobeats hitmaker whose given name is Damini Ogulu expressed his love for the Jamaican culture and its people

It didn't take long for the African giant to leave his mark on the thousands of patrons in attendance From his catalogue of hits, he performed tracks such as Bank on It, Jerusalema, Its Plenty, Location, Kilometre and Alone from the Black Panther soundtrack, For My Hand, among others, leaving men and women alike in amazement The entertainer promised a night of unexpected treats, two of which were cameo performances with Serani on Secrets, and the headliner and Popcaan and Toni-Ann Singh According to Burna Boy, collaborating with Serani was a

His almost two-hour set concluded with the crowd favorite, Last Last from his Love, Damini album Earlier in the evening, songbird Lila Ike serenaded everyone, she felt the mood of the people and delivered While Popcaan, a crowd favorite, came and conquered the stage The dancehall artiste performed his new single “Next to Me” with the beauty queen Toni Ann Singh The crowd loved every moment of it To top it off, Beres Hammond joined him on stage, and that was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the night There were guest appearances from Protoje, Kabaka Pyramid, and Serani With every concert there were a few technical difficulties The promoters, Twisted Entertainment, Duke Concept and Solid Agency, in a release apologised for the technical difficulties with the sound

“We also apologise for flaws in crowd control, particularly the Ultra-VIP We are committed going forward to ensuring a better experience where these are concerned, fulfilling a better overall entertainment product”; the release said

The technical difficulties, which especially impacted Popcaan's set saw him walking off the stage at one point because his microphone kept cutting out

Montserrat Carnival to Celebrate 60 Years of Festival

Montserrat will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its first national festival December 17, to January 2, 2023

Rebranded Montserrat Carnival in 2019, the popular festival is expected to draw many people home for two-weeks of revelry, pageantry, and music

Celebrations begin with a short parade from Carr's Bay to the Festival Village Former calypso monarchs and Miss Montserrat queens are expected to be a part of the parade, alongside the current delegates for Miss Teen Montserrat as well as current monarchs for Miss Montserrat, Calypso, and Soca

Happening in tandem with the festival is the Salem Reunion The committee has planned a series of events for past and current residents of the village, which is the secondlargest community since the relocation of many due to volcanic eruptions on the island

“The opening of carnival reflects our 60 years of festival and kickstarts the celebration for 2022 season All the hard work and preparation comes to life I am looking forward to the vast number of events planned by the Arts Council, the Salem Reunion Team, and the private promoters It certainly adds variety and gives us choices of events to attend,” remarked Kenneth Silcott, the director of the Montserrat Arts Council

Immediately following the opening ceremony on Saturday evening will be the calypso semi-finals Fifteen calypsonians will compete for nine slots in the Justin “Hero” Cassell Calypso Finals on Thursday, December 29 Hero is Montserrat's first calypso monarch in 1962 and still holds the record for the most wins at ten

Other anticipated events on the carnival calendar include the movie premiere of Calypso, Love Nia by young filmmaker Nia Golden on Tuesday, December 20, Nite of Pan on Wednesday, December 21, and the Miss Teen Pageant on Thursday, December 22

The Regional Queen of Queens Calypso Competition on Friday, December 30 is expected to be phenomenal with both Karene Asche and Terri Lyons from Trinidad & Tobago contending Asche is the current monarch for the regional competition Lyons is T&T's reigning calypso monarch Top female calypsonians from Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, St Kitts & Nevis, and St Vincent & the Grenadines are expected to compete for the crown

Revellers will take to the street in costume for the first post-lockdown carnival parade on Monday, January 2, 2023

Usain Bolt to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Sports

Jamaican Sprint legend Usain Bolt will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist who retired in August 2017 is widely regarded as the greatest sprinter in history Bolt, 36, is the world record holder of both the 100m and 200m

Bolt was crowned Olympic 100m and 200m champion at three successive GamesBeijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 Bolt attributes his success to hard work "I'm living proof that if you work hard, you can get anything you want," Bolt said during an interview with BBC Sport

"One thing my dad taught me was if you want something, work hard for it He showed me by working hard to provide for me, my mum and my sister, so when he told me, I believed it Just be focused and work towards it,” he said

Bolt is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100m and 200m titles at three consecutive

Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016) He also won two 4 × 100 relay gold medals He gained worldwide fame for his double sprint victory in world record times at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which made him the first person to hold both records since fully automatic time became mandatory

An eleven-time World Champion, he won consecutive World Championship 100m, 200m and 4 × 100 meters relay gold medals from 2009 to 2015, with the exception of a 100m false start in 2011 He is the most successful male athlete of the World Championships Bolt is the first athlete to win four World Championship titles in the 200m and is one of the most successful in the 100m with three titles

Bolt improved upon his second 100m world record of 9 69 with 9 58 seconds in 2009 – the biggest improvement since the start of electronic timing He has twice broken the 200 meters world record, setting 19 30 in 2008 and 19 19 in 2009 He has helped Jamaica to three 4 × 100 meters relay world records, with the

current record being 36 84 seconds set in 2012 Bolt's most successful event is the 200m, with three Olympic and four World titles The 2008 Olympics was his international debut over 100m; he had earlier won numerous 200m medals Bolt retired after the 2017 World Championships

Reflecting on his athletics career, Bolt said he felt he accomplished all he wanted in his sport

"It is a great feeling to know that with the determination and sacrifice that I put in I could accomplish what I wanted to. I try to motivate people by telling them to believe in themselves," he said

Previous winners of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement award include Billie Jean King, Pele, Bobby Charlton, Tanni Grey-Thompson, David Beckham, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Chris Hoy and last year's recipient Simone Biles

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony takes place Wednesday December 21, at MediaCityUK in Salford

Congratulations, Argentina, but full credit to the other Lionel… Scolani

By Ian Burnett CNW Sports Writer

Despite the orchestrated effort to politicize the first-ever FIFA Senior Men's World Cup Finals to be hosted in the Middle East, the Arabic nation stood its ground, generally speaking, and delivered a fantastic tournament worthy to be emulated in years to come

It might not have been the best tournament ever in terms of technical and high-quality play, but it will go down as one of the most exciting, as it had all the ingredients of any blockbuster movie

And as fate would have it, a number of teams which attended the party got ditched early as they appeared to expend more energy in their political agendas rather than on the football pitches They seemed to conflate the World Cup Finals with the United Nations

Fortunately, the action on the field of play was so good that it commanded the headlines and slowly but surely left the politics floundering

At the end of the day South America's Argentina emerged victorious after edging defending champions France in a penalty shootout in the most fitting finale to all the drama and excitement

Argentina, led by the mercurial Lionel Messi, led 2-0 with 80 minutes gone, only for Kylian Mbappe to find two late strikes to force 30 minutes of extra time

Messi, the 35-year-old all-time great playing in his fifth and final World Cup tournament, put his team 3-2 ahead in extra time, only for Mbappe to score his second penalty of the game, and only the second hattrick in World Cup Final history, behind England's Geoff Hurst in 1966

It was Argentina's first World Cup triumph in 36 years and its third following victories in 1978 and 1986, when the late great Diego Armando Maradona was the star player

Messi is arguably the best player of the modern generation, and a man with arguably the best football CV, having won the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Olympic Games gold medal, the 2021 Copa America title, and now the FIFA World Cup to go with seven and soon to be eight Ballon D'or honors and a host of club titles

He won the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player, the first player to do so twice, as he was clearly the talisman for the South Americans

But there was another Lionel, who deserves just as much credit, though he was not on the field of play That Lionel is Scaloni, the 44-yearold rookie coach who took over in 2018, after being a member of the Argentina coaching staff as a scout of future opponents He had no

senior coaching experience

But he went about his task with diligence, first aping France before tweaking his approach to eventually build what is now a championship team in just four years Scaloni at his first attempt in a tournament took Argentina to the semi-finals of the 2019 Copa America tournament where they lost 0-2 to eventual champions Brazil

But they went on a run of 36 games unbeaten since then, before having their colors lowered 1-2 by Saudi Arabia in it World Cup opener

Scaloni's impact on this team cannot and should not go unnoticed, especially during the seven games in Qatar The fact that his side was fortunate enough to get five penalties in seven games did him no harm, but he showed throughout that he was prepared to make changes and he found solutions to problems whenever Argentina was asked serious questions in moments of games

After being embarrassed in the first game, Scaloni never hesitated to jettison his preferred striker Lautaru Martinez with the energetic Julian Alvarez, who eventually notched four goals, including two in the semi-final victory over Croatia

He brought in Enzo Fernandez in central midfield, and everything clicked from then on When he replaced Angel Di Maria with Nahuel Molina, the right-sided player came up trumps

to score immediately

There was an occasion when the preferred centerback Cristian Romero was also benched after a poor performance before being reinstated at a later date

Scaloni and his technical staff were also flexible in switching from a back four to a back three when the necessity arose, and on each occasion, it paid off

His move to reinstate Di Maria in the starting line up in the final was also a masterstroke And not only did he employ Di Maria in a starting role, but he played him in an orthodox left-wing position, rather than the inverted right-wing position he had been used prior

The end result, Di Maria won the penalty which Messi converted to give Argentina the lead, and before long he slotted past Hugo Lloris to make it 2-0

Those were contributions which went a long way toward championship honours So as much as Messi with seven goals, and

his support cast were brilliant, Scaloni was the brain behind everything as he also provided the atmosphere for the aging Messi to thrive while at the same time enabling the support cast to buy in to giving their sweat and blood for their idol Messi, who clearly never had the young legs to cover grounds on the defensive end as much as he did before and as he would have like

In the end all the players were rowing in the same direction, which ultimately concluded with the team's third star on their crest

Congratulations to all concerned

Bolt

Scaloni

NORTH LAUDERDALE

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