NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
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UN Peacekeepers In Haiti Fathered And Abandoned Hundreds Of Children According to a report in British publication, The Times, United Nations peacekeepers stationed in Haiti since the 2010 devastating earthquake, fathered hundreds of children then abandoned their young mothers to lives of poverty.
In the true spirit of the Christmas season, South Florida's charitable organization, Food for the Poor paid the fines of 79 nonviolent offenders who were being held in prisons across the Caribbean and Central America. Many of the offenders were arrested for stealing to feed their families or for something considered a minor offence. For over two decades, the kind act of seeking the freedom of prisoners has long been a tradition for the organization that caters to the needy in 17 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. Recently the organization paid the fines of nonviolent prisoners in Guyana, Haiti,
Food For The Poor paid the nes of 50 men, two teens and one woman in Haiti. All were arrested and sent to prison for stealing. Among the 79 released, four were from Jamaica, 15 from Honduras, and seven from Guyana. Honduras and Jamaica, giving them a second chance at freedom, just in time for the new year. In Jamaica, four inmates at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre had their fines paid. Among the four released was a 49year-old who spent more than a month in the Spanish Town prison because he could not
A study into the UN's longest peacekeeping mission said girls as young as age 11 would trade sex for food or 'a few coins' so they could survive amid political turmoil and the aftermath of the earthquake, the report asserts.
afford to pay the fines for a minor offence. “This is the first time this has happened to me and it has been the hardest thing to deal with,” he said. “I prayed a lot and I begged God to intervene. God answered my prayer through Food For The Poor. It is such a blessing. I am so grateful.” In Haiti, as the socioeconomic conditions worsen because of political protests and civil unrest, many were forced to take desperate measures, like stealing, to ensure their families' survival. Food For The Poor paid the fines of 50 men, two teens and one woman in Haiti. All were arrested and sent to prison for stealing. Most were arrested for stealing pigs or in the case of 14-year-old Jerry, a goat. Jerry, from Ouanaminthe, said his mother died and his father abandoned him so he became a shoeshine boy to make money. He admitted stealing the goat to sell, but the teen was arrested and locked up with hardened criminals for two months before
See storyhave on A3 – Toni-Ann locals dubbed these Singh children “Petit
continues on B4 – Gift Of Freedom
continues on A7 – Children Abandoned
After facing sexual abuse and impregnation, these girls and young women were 'left in misery' to raise their children by themselves, The Times reported. Due to the prevalence of the problem,
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Cuba Names Manuel Marreo Cruz As First PM Since 1976 A4
RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THESE TASTY RECIPES B1
REBEL SALUTE ANNOUNCES LINE-UP B3
TRINIDADIAN FOOTBALLER DIES IN CRASH C3
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| THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
Super Trendy! These ladies were trendy while networking at the recent Hai anAmerican Chamber of Commerce Mixer at Moca in North Miami. Photo Credit: Gerry Brierre
Santa's Elves: Santa was certainly happy with his Elves this Holiday season. L-r: Leisa Perry, Olivia Rodriguez, Natalie Morrison, Lisa Moreau, and Joesanne NgFan, were all dressed and ready to spread some Christmas cheer. – Contributed
Living Legend: Juliet (l) was 50 and fabulous on deck at her recent All White birthday party in Davie, posing here with her daughter Khesia (r). Photo Credit: Uriah Benne
Diaspora Time: Congrats to Dr. Allan Cunningham (l), celebrated at his victory party by Jamaica's Consul General to Miami - Hon. Oliver Mair (2nd from le ), and friends at Krave in Sunrise. – Contributed
Ladies of Substance: Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) Kendall/Palme o Bay/Coral Gables team delivered toys to PATCHES (facility for special needs children). – Contributed
Lending A Hand In Service: Caribbean Bar Associa on Treasurer, Nnamdi Jackson (l), presents a check to Rosie Gomez, President of the Na onal Associa on of The Bahamas (r) for $2,000, to assist with the recovery s ll in process from Hurricane Dorian. – Contributed
Central Florida Helps: Caribbean American Associa on of Central Florida (CAACF) donated toys to Help Now of Osceola - a safe haven for women and children of domes c violence. ~ Contributed
In Honorarium: St.Hugh's High School Associa on of Georgia Treasurer, Marcia Daley (r), accepted Kevin Booth's award posthumously at the Kingston College Old Boy's Associa on of Georgia's 20th Anniversary George Thompson Dinner Dance at the Medlock Club House in Alphare a. ~ Contributed
All White Affair: Members and friends of the Excelsior Alumni Associa on of Florida were looking spectacular in white at the recent Xmas Bash at the Warehouse in Lauderhill. – Contributed
NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52 –
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NEWSMAKER
Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty
One Of The Most Successful Entertainers Of The Last Decade by Sheri-Kaye McLeod Without Barbadian national Rihanna, music in the last decade would not have sounded the same. Rihanna’s signature style and sound has defined her as one of the most successful artists of this decade and bred a new generation of artists that attempt to take from her blueprint. The 31-year-old Bajan ended 2019 on Billboard’s Top 10 list of musicians with the most number-one hits. Rihanna, who has had a total of 14 number one hit songs, was ranked third, behind The Beatles (20) and Mariah Carey (19). She has had more number ones than legendary acts like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder. This year, she was also named the world’s richest female musician, creating a $600 million fortune from music sales, a luxury fashion brand aptly named “Fenty” and her own makeup brand, “Fenty Beauty.” Despite her personal brand being largely focused on makeup and fashion these days, Rihanna still has an extremely loyal music fan base. It’s been almost four years since she released an album, but fans are still anxiously awaiting her next project. For her ninth studio album, Rihanna says she will return to musical roots, describing the yet-to-be-released album as “reggae-inspired.” “Reggae always feels right to me. It’s in my blood. Even though I’ve explored other genres of music, it was
time to go back to something that I haven’t really homed in on completely for a body of work,” she said in an interview with Vogue magazine. She has also began working with reggae producers like Supa Dups and Steven McGreggor. And, there are buzzing rumors about a collaboration with Jamaica’s Koffee, reggae’s rising star and Grammy nominee.
How Rihanna Became This Decade’s Top Female Musician Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty has spent almost her entire career at the top of the record charts. In any arena, her name needs no introduction as the dynamic island girl that took the world by storm. Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados, to Monica (née Braithwaite) and Ronald Fenty. The couple raised Rihanna and her two brothers in Bridgetown, where their home life was marred by domestic violence and substance abuse. Ultimately, Ronald’s addiction to alcohol and crack cocaine led to the couple’s divorce. Rihanna was described as a tomboy growing up in Bridgetown. During primary school, she was part of the cadet club and during her years at Combermere High School, was an army cadet in a sub-military
Rihanna
program. Her typical high school life was interrupted when she met American record producer Evan Rogers at 16 years old. Rogers, who saw star potential in Rihanna, invited the teen (along with her mother) to the United States to record demo tapes that could be sent to record labels. In 2005, 17-year-old Rihanna met rapper Jay-Z who was president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings. Jay-Z and his boss, LA Reid, were so impressed with her demo tapes and audition that they offered her a recording contract immediately. She earned significant recognition following the release of
her first two studio albums Music of the Sun (2005) and A Girl like Me (2006), both of which were influenced by Caribbean music. Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), incorporated more elements of pop music and catapulted her to greater stardom, establishing her status as a sex symbol and a leading figure in the music industry. The album’s charttopping single "Umbrella" earned Rihanna her first Grammy Award. In 2009, Rihanna’s thenboyfriend, musician Chris Brown, physically assaulted her the night before the Grammy Awards in February. He was arrested and
charged with assault and making criminal threats. Rihanna’s level of fame and her work ethic only intensified following her abusive relationship with Brown. The media became even more fascinated with the Caribbean beauty as she went on to release five more albums, dabble in on-screen acting, and released several clothing lines and beauty products. She also raised millions of dollars for various humanitarian causes through her Clara Lionel Foundation, named after her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. Throughout her career, Rihanna has received nine Grammy Awards and surpassed more than 100 million Gold and Platinum song certifications. In doing so, Rihanna has the most digital single awards and is the first and only artist to surpass RIAA's 100 million cumulative singles award threshold. She is the tenth best-selling artist and the second best-selling female singles artist in the United States, behind Madonna. Rihanna has an honorary title of Ambassador for Culture and Youth in Barbados. In 2008, former Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson launched the national "Rihanna Day" in Barbados; and in 2017, Westbury New Road, the street Rihanna lived in St. Michael, was officially renamed “Rihanna Drive.”
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| THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
Barbados Will Allow Free Education To CARICOM Nationals The Barbados government is moving ahead with advancing elements of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) including free access to public schools for students from CARICOM countries. The CSME allows for the free movement of capital, goods, skills, and labor across the regional integration grouping and a government spokesperson said in a statement that the latest move “means that all CARICOM nationals under the age of 16, who reside in Barbados, will be afforded access to govern-
ment nursery, primary and secondary schools without being charged tuition fees. “CARICOM students will not be required to have student visas. However, they will pay all fees that are applicable to Barbadians students. This exemption, however, does not extend to post-secondary, vocational or tertiary level education. In addition, CARICOM students will not qualify to be granted scholarships and exhibitions,” the spokesperson noted. It said that in addition, at least one parent or one legal guardian must be residing in Barbados under an approved Immigration
Status in order to access the tuition-free provision now afforded to CARICOM nationals, namely the Status of Citizen, Permanent Resident, Immigrant, or Reside and Work. “The elimination of student visas for CARICOM nationals will not remove the requirement to monitor non-nationals in the school system. “It should be noted that upon their first entry into the Barbadian school system, the parent or legal guardian of the CARICOM nonnational child will be required to produce to the Ministry of Education a letter from the
Immigration Department confirming that the child qualifies for tuition-free treatment,” the spokesperson said. It was noted that this requirement of a letter will only apply to a first entry into the school system and not any subsequent transfer to a different school.
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Cuba Names Tourism Minister Manuel Miss World Toni-Ann Singh Marreo Cruz As First PM Since 1976 Appointed As Ambassador
Cruz
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday named Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz as the country's first prime minister since 1976—a nomination quickly confirmed by the country's parliament. Marrero, 56, has been tourism minister for 16 years, presiding over a rise in visitors and a hotel construction boom that has made tourism one of the most important sectors of the Cuban economy. Diaz-Canel cited Marrero's experience in negotiating with foreign investors as one of his prime qualifications, according to state media. The position of prime minister was held by Fidel Castro from 1959 to 1976, when a new constitution changed his title to president and eliminated the post of prime minister. Castro and his brother Raúl held the presidential post along with Cuba's other highest positions, like Communist Party leader, until this year, when Raúl Castro stepped down as president and a new constitution divided the president's responsibilities between Castro's successor, Miguel Diaz-Canel, and the new post of prime minister. The new constitution envisions the prime minister as responsible for the daily operations of government as head of the Council of Ministers. The prime minister has a five-year term and is nominated by DiazCanel and approved by the National Assembly, which unanimously approves every proposal put before it, with one known exception in recent history.
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Miss World 2019, Toni-Ann Singh has received a diplomatic passport and been appointed as Ambassador for Jamaica by the Jamaican government. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who said via his official Facebook page that the documents were presented to Singh on Monday. “I officially presented the documents to Toni-Ann this morning during a courtesy call which she paid at my offices,” said Holness via his Facebook page. With the passport and appointment, Singh will be able to travel the world with the blessings of her country, as well as adding value to both the Miss World organisation and Brand Jamaica. The courtesy call on Holness came a day after Singh toured sections of St Thomas, the parish from which she hails. Her first stop in the parish was at Yallahs, where people were out hours before her scheduled 10 am arrival time. Speaking to the crowd from a stage that was mounted in Yallahs Square, Singh greeted the citizens and thanked them for their rousing support. “I see all of you out here and my heart is just full. I cannot believe it. Thank you so much,” she said to loud cheers.
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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52 –
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Talk UP What is your favorite Christmas memory? Norma - One of my favorite Christmases was 2015. We had a small family Christmas, my older brother modeled his outfit, our family friend was present and it was the first Christmas with my son-in-law. That brother was a very snazzy dresser and had on a sports suit and modeled with attitude, just like a model. He had technique having been a past student at the then School of Performing Arts. We were so entertained. He has since passed, but my mind often goes back to that time with loving memories. Ann - Christmas is absolutely my favorite time of year! It brings back so many great memories that give me that warm, fuzzy feeling deep down inside. It was easily my dad's favorite time of the year too. I remember the preparation he used to put into getting the house ready. I yearn for the smell of fresh paint and freshly cut grass at Christmas time. The aroma of Christmas cake baking, the sorrel brewing and ham cooking still brings back feelings of nostalgia. Best of all, I remember my mom and dad taking my siblings and I to Grand Market on Christmas morning and we got to pick out any toy we wanted! …so much more! Those were amazing times that cannot be replicated. Natassjia - My favorite memory was the year that we got 2 four-wheelers and Nerf guns! At one point, my younger sister and I were riding the four-wheelers and my older sister was chasing us with the Nerf guns. We were screaming, and I was laughing, having a great time, until I glanced over and saw my younger sister on two wheels trying to navigate a turn to get away from our sister who was running behind us and shooting at us. At the time I thought wow, she's good, but then my mom was screaming - she almost had a heart attack, I think. David - This was very special to me because of growing up as an only child. I did not have the opportunity to share my love in one place. The fact that I was an only child raised by my mom and no real father figure in my life was a real challenge for me. Having a family atmosphere as a father helps me appreciate what I have even more! Garfield - Growing up in Jamaica: Clappers, thunderbolts, chiboom. Authentic sorrel, rubbing the flour, butter and sugar for Granny and the reward of licking the bowl and utensils. All the wonderful foods and presents. It was such a joyful time. There was actually a brotherhood of man… It was like we were living in Utopia. People were happy and civil regardless of station in life. It wasn't about money, but celebrating each other. Judy - Helping Mummy make Christmas cake and tasting the batter to see if it has enough rum!! LOL. Trying to wrap gifts without kids finding out we were really Santa!! One time, we got out daughter a Barbie car, the one you sit in, and charged it at our neighbor's house. Christmas day we put it in the driveway with a big bow. She was probably around 2. She goes out and is well surprised! Gets in and it won't drive… I say to my husband, “Didn't you charge it?” And she says “What? I thought Santa brought it!!” LOL. I had no words for that one. Cary - I was about 7… Picture this: I'm a big cricket fan, that's all I care about and I go to a primary school where we used benches and whatever for wickets. I got a real cricket wicket for Christmas with bails and I was over the top happy. For me, that was like getting a Ferrari for Christmas. Everybody wanted to play with me, and I got the luxury of choosing who got to play on my team - I had all the best players. It was great.
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| THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
Regretfully, The Divide Has Widened I
t surely doesn't seem like almost 12 months ago the world was shouting “Happy New Year” in welcoming 2019, or welcoming the new millennium in 2000. But not only is 2019 rapidly slipping by, so are the first two decades of the 2000 millennium. Unfortunately, those reading this editorial who were around at the beginning of 2000 and 2019, should be particularly thankful as thousands have since passed on. Those who began 2019 with hopes, resolutions and prayers for a more united nation are likely very disappointed as the year comes to a close, because the nation seems more divided than ever, especially on all matters having to do with politics. Underlining this division, most recent polls on political issues often split down the middle. The sharp divisions created by politics and political-related issues in America are regrettably steadily creeping to create sharp divisions among workers in the same workplace, members of the same family, members of churches, and has deepened the divide between the racial and ethnic groups. But we cannot and must not allow politics to become a powerful wedge that seek to ruin whatever realistic chance there is to have even the semblance of an integrated nation. In the second half of the 19th century, the country was bitterly divided between North and South over the philosophy and practice of slavery. This led to a bitter civil war from which the repercussions are still being felt in areas such as racism and race relations. The conflicts created by political ideologies seem to be proving to be more powerful than the divisions in the late 19th century. While those divisions separated northern states from the southern states, the divisions today are being felt sharply within several states. While a few decades ago, people of different parties and political persuasions could
share friendly rivalry, today it's not surprising for such political differences to spawn enmity and permanently destroy former close relationships. So stark are the fissures that have been created by politics in the U.S., that there are actually people, including learned commentators, who believe if the divide is not breached soon, the union could again explode in serious civil turmoil. A worrisome sign as the year closes is that this political divide seems to be threatening to spawn a gap between evangelical Christians who are traditionally united in their Christians beliefs.
It's a really sad reflection that the growing divide threatening America's security comes from an implicit trust in politicians and political institutions, rather than trusting a higher power. This sadness is further enhanced by people who live and express, particularly through their social media messages, that they are fanatically supportive of a system where presidents, powers and principalities represent, or seek to command ultimate power. Presidents will come and go; political institutions will hold and lose power; and political scenarios, even in totalitarian states, are temporary and transitional. People should therefore not allow politics to shred the communities and the societies in which they live.
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In the current atmosphere of America, it may seem to some that it's easier to write about national and community unity than to actual achieve it, but that is a lie. Unity begins at the core of societies and communities. It begins with people respecting each other and respecting each other's points of view. No two people, not even a man and his wife, will have the exact views on every subject. Married couples who live in a united relationship despite their differences, including political, are the foundation of united families and united communities. People, whether they are indigenous Americans, or immigrants, must concentrate on respecting each other and each other's views. This could likely spawn more tolerant and united communities. National pride is another factor that can contribute to national unity. But this seems more possible in smaller nations than in the sprawling United States. Jamaica recently exuded a sense of national unity through national pride with Jamaicans home and abroad sharing in the celebration of their daughter of the soil claiming the Miss World 2019 title. Although the U.S. is a very diverse nation racially, ethnically, and religiously, there are nonetheless several reasons why pride in various aspects of the nation's accomplishments should be able to provoke passions of national unity. Whatever the means, it's pivotal for the sake of the quality and security of their lives that individually and collectively Americans try to prevent politics and political issues from ruining and destroying the nation's strong potential. This is especially important in what will likely be a very politically active 2020 with general elections scheduled in November. Meanwhile, give thanks for making it through 2019, and to everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52 –
A7
LA SECTION HAITIENNE
USAID Grants An Additional US$1M In Aid To Haiti Responding to the growing food shortage in Haiti, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is to provide US$1 million to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to support ongoing humanitarian operations. This funding will enable the WFP to provide air, sea and road transport to help move emergency assistance to vulnerable Haitians, amidst considerable insecurity and
USAID Administrator, Mark Green
difficult access. It will also finance the storage of humanitarian supplies, as well as information management and coordination support to keep the WFP's operations efficient and effective. USAID is also working with the WFP to distribute an additional 2,200 metric tons of food, which will reach approximately 100,000 people and arrive in the coming weeks. The food is in response to the emergency food needs in the country, as announced last month. To date, the WFP has distributed approximately 749 metric tons of food to Haitian households. USAID has also invested US$20 million in outgoing emergency food assistance programs throughout Haiti to support the most
More Haitians Arrested Than Other Nationalities At U.S. Border The United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agency says agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector in Texas have arrested more Haitian nationals than migrants from Guatemala or El Salvador since October 1. “This is of concern to me, Del Rio continues to be a desired location for migrants from Haiti and the continent of Africa,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz in a statement on Friday. “We continue to work with DHS (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) and our law
enforcement partners to address this issue.” CBP said this increase marks the first time that arrests of Haitian nationals have surpassed arrests of either Guatemalan or Salvadoran nationals. Since October 1, the beginning of Fiscal Year 2020, Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agents have arrested nearly 500 Haitian nationals, more than 50 percent of total U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions, CBP said. Del Rio Sector's total apprehensions this year to date are in excess of 7,000, nearly a 50 percent increase in the total number of arrests made during the previous fiscal year to date. CPB said nearly 5,000 of the individuals arrested this year, close to 70 per cent, are from about 38 countries other than Mexico.
vulnerable households with cash transfers and food vouchers, along with activities to strengthen livelihoods and promote key health nutrition practices. In addition to food assistance, USAID supports communities in Haiti through funding for interventions in shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, which helps to ensure that they are prepared for potential disasters. Shortages of fuel, roadblocks, protests and violent incidents have restricted the movement of USAID staff and partners in recent months. According to USAID, while the organization's humanitarian assistance will help alleviate some urgent needs “it will not, it cannot, address the root causes of the current economic and political gridlock in Haiti.”
Children Abandoned
from A1
Minustah” after the acronym for the mission to Haiti between 2004 and 2017, United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti. The research study's team was led by Sabine Lee from the University of Birmingham, and between June and August 2017 they conducted more than 2,500 interviews with people living close to UN bases in Haiti. According to the newspaper, the issue of UN babies was raised, unprompted, over 250 times. The research claims that soldiers from 12 countries have been identified as fathering and abandoning the children. While admitting it was impossible to give a definitive number of peacekeeper-fathered children, Professor Lee said “most researchers and NGO officials would agree that hundreds is a credible estimate, adding that “it's a pervasive issue, not isolated cases.” “The multitude of stories and the fact that sexual exploitation, abuse and the existence and abandonment of peacekeeper-fathered children appeared over and over again in the stories indicates that this is a very significant problem.” Controversy is nothing new to UN's Haiti mission, since troops from Nepal were blamed for accidentally sparking the cholera outbreak which killed 10,000 people following the 2010 earthquake and 114 Sri Lankan soldiers were sent home admid child sex allegations.
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| THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
Jamaica's Consul General, Oliver Mair 2019 Christmas/New Year's Message Greetings to my fellow nationals and friends! What a year this has been marked with both challenges and accomplishments. As we give God thanks for the success, we pray for His continued blessings and the courage to pursue our personal development and that of our homeland. My staff and I, at the Consulate, express profound gratitude to everyone who has supported our relocation of office in Downtown Miami, the first move since officially opening the Mission in 1974. This move offers us the opportunity for a more welcoming environment to our many nationals and friends who visit the Consulate daily. We are also grateful to the many companies who have collaborated with us to showcase Jamaica at its best in our Lobby through the promotion of their goods and services. We welcome you to your new home away from home. We are proud of Jamaica's performance on the world stage as the nation continues to be dominant in sports, education, culture and entertainment. As the old adage goes “we likkle but we tallawah”. We celebrate the recent crowning of Toni-Ann Singh as Miss World 2019, the fourth time Jamaica has held this honor. Earlier this year, we hosted the Reggae Girlz in a week long 'Send-off celebration' as they headed to Paris for the World Cup series. Across the globe, we also marked the Centenary birthday anniversary of our renowned continues on B4 – Consul General Message
85 New Public School Ofcers Sworn In The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department (M-DSPD) recently swore in 85 new School Resource Officers, the largest group of officers in its nearly 50-year history, in a swearing-in ceremony Monday evening at Miami Senior High School. School Board members Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman and Mari Tere Rojas joined Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and Police Chief Edwin Lopez who led the ceremony. Among the new officers are six former teachers, a former school security monitor, three former members of the military, and an officer who spent 30 years with the Homestead Police Department. The officers are joining the largest school district police force in the nation, which is now up to 460. Since the Florida Legislature passed SB 7026 also known as the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act,” the District has hired more than 250 officers. There are more than 90 police recruits presently in the police academy.
National College Fair Returns to Miami MIAMI, Florida – Representatives from nearly 200 colleges and universities will be at the 2020 Miami National College Fair on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, to meet with students and parents on subjects such as financial aid, college planning, admission and testing requirements. The Fair, which has free admission, will be held from 12 – 4 p.m., at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center, 777 N.W. 72nd Ave., Miami, FL 33126. Parking is $5, cash only. Select informational sessions will be
presented in Spanish and Haitian-Creole. A Counseling Center also will be available to allow students and their parents the opportunity to talk with trained professionals regarding college preparation, admissions and scholarships. Requesting information from multiple colleges/universities at the College Fair just got easier. By pre-registering, students can print a bar-coded confirmation to be used at the Fair as an electronic ID. Students can pre-register at www.gotomyncf.com. The National Association for College
Admission Counseling (NACAC) and MiamiDade County Public Schools are sponsors of the event. School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman is co-chair of the local committee of the National College Fair. This is her 23rd consecutive year as co-chair. Every year NACAC sponsors fairs in more than 50 cities across the country attracting 650,000 students and parents. For more information, contact the College Fair hotline at 305-995-1739 or visit www.nacacnet.org. Follow the event on social media at #collegefairmiami.
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TRAVEL. LIFESTYLE. CUISINE.
Toast In The New Year With Popular Jamaican Drinks Sorrel Drink Sorrel is a prominent Jamaican Christmas and New Year holiday tradition. The sorrel flower is in full bloom at Christmas time in Jamaica. It has a deep red color and the brew has a unique flavor when enhanced with spices, lemon juice and rum. Both fresh, or dried sorrel can be used, whichever is easiest to find. If you're using fresh sorrel, simply double the amount used in this recipe. This recipe will provide 10 glasses.
Black-Eyed Peas Stew
What you'll need: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
2 ½ cups dried sorrel 3 oz fresh ginger, grated 5 pimento berries 10 cups boiling water 2 cups sugar 2 Tbsp lemon juice ¾ cup white rum
What to do: 1.Place sorrel, ginger and pimento berries in a large pot or mixing bowl. 2. Pour boiling water over the ingredients; stir and place in fridge overnight to steep. 3. Using a large strainer, pour the steeped liquid into another container; use a spoon to squeeze more liquid out of the sorrel. 4. Add sugar, lemon juice and rum to sorrel and stir until sugar has dissolved
Rum Punch Rum punch can be easily referred to as the national cocktail of Jamaica. Tourists visiting Jamaica are usually greeted with the delicious punch upon arrival at the island's airports of seaports. Rum punch it is usually available at house parties, and many Jamaicans brew their own punch for themselves and to share with visitors. Despite the wide popularity of the punch some people still have difficulty in getting the drink tightly balanced. It must not be too sweet, strong, weak or sour.
What you'll need: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
8 medium limes, can be substituted with 1 cup of lime juice 2 cups Jamaican Wray and Nephew overproof white rum 3 cups strawberry flavored syrup 4 cups water 2 cups Hawaiian Punch Fruit Juice red 2 cups pineapple juice 8 whole allspice seeds
What to do: 1. Pour water, strawberry syrup, Hawaiian Punch, and pineapple juice into a punch bowl. (I personally use a large 8-12-gallon saucepan). 2. Add the rum and adjust to your taste, you can add more or less depending on your taste. Add a ½ cup at a time to get the taste that is right for you. 3. Add allspice seeds and stir for about 5 minutes. 4. Pour contents into a punch bowl. 5. You can add slices of fruits (limes, oranges, strawberries, or pineapples) as a nice garnish. 6. Refrigerate for approximately 3 hours before serving.
by Garth A. Rose Prior to New Year's Eve 1977, I had no idea that eating a dish of black-eyed peas with pork was a good luck charm for the coming year. That New Year's Eve, living in my home country Jamaica, I was invited by my neighbors “Mass” George Headley (of WI cricket fame) and his wife Connie to partake in the meal. I must admit it was very delicious, not too unlike stewed red peas with pigs tail. Miss Connie was adamant that having had this meal, good luck would follow me in 1978. I can't really convincingly tell that it was the black-eyed peas stew that did it but I did have good luck in 1978. I wrote and directed a play that, to my pleasant surprise, won the award for Best Comedy in the 1978 Jamaica Festival; won a huge windfall on an unlikely horse that won a race at the Caymanas Race Track; and my family and I were awarded our permanent resident visa for the U.S., although in retrospect, I'm not sure if the latter was indeed good luck. But 1978 was a good year. The black-eyed stew tradition, adapted mostly in the black community, is believed to have originated from the days of slavery in the southern United Staes Enslaved Africans and their descendants cooked the stew on New Year's Eve as they sought luck to change their oppressed lives. After slavery, the tradition remained in the South, and gradually spread to black and other communities in the U.S. and also to the Caribbean. Although you may not be particularly superstitious, who among us does not crave for some good luck in the future? But good luck or not, this stew is a very delicious meal, and with New Year's Eve and New Year's Day often associated with food, drink and party, it would be a bonus to add this dish to the menu. For those who do not eat pork or pork related products for religious or other reasons, the pork and bacon can be substituted with beef or chicken. I am just not sure if the luck is in the pork or the black-eyed peas. The following is an adapted recipe for:
Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon and Pork Ingredients: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
1 pound dried black-eyed peas 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 6 ounces pork shoulder, diced into 1/2-inch cubes 4 strips thick sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 medium onion, small diced 4 garlic cloves, sliced 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder 4 cups chicken stock 2 cups water 3 bay leaves Hot-pepper vinegar, as desired
If using dried black-eyed peas, put them in a large pot and cover with about 4 inches of water. Soak the peas overnight, then drain the water and rinse. Alternatively, you can "quick-soak" the peas by bringing them and the water to a boil for 2 minutes. After this, remove them from the heat, cover the pot and soak the peas for 1 hour. Then, drain and rinse the peas. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add pork. Sear until the pork is browned on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the bacon, onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until the onion and garlic are lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the salt, black pepper, cayenne and garlic powder. Cook until the entire mixture is coated with the spices, about 2 minutes. Pour in the stock and water and drop in the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes. When the pork begins to fall apart, add the prepared peas to the pot and simmer until peas are very soft, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (see Cook's Note). Taste for seasonings, and add some hot-pepper vinegar, if desired. Discard bay leaves and transfer the black-eyed peas to a serving bowl.
Cook's Note Using the back of a spoon, smash some of the peas against the inside of the pot then stir them into the mixture. This will break up some of the peas and give them a creamier consistency. Alternatively, you can puree 1 cup of peas and broth in a blender or food processor, then return the puree to the pot.
B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
FEATURE
Happy Kwanzaa Greetings to our readers who are celebrating Kwanzaa which begins on December 26 through January 1. The celebration, which honors the AfricanAmerican heritage, highlights the seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Kwanzaa is a time when many AfricanAmericans reflect on the many blessings and memories of the past year. Kwanzaa (which means “first fruits” originated in1966 on the initiative of Doctor Maulana Karenga, Professor at California State University, whose objective was to celebrate African-American cultural heritage. One of Karenga's goals was to give African-Americans an alternative holiday to Christmas, stating that Kwanzaa “gives Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply dominate the practice of the dominant society.” The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: Umoja (Unity): Striving for, and maintaining unity in the family, community, nation and race. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Blacks defining and naming themselves, creating and speaking for themselves. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Building and maintaining the community; making Black brothers' and sisters' problems each other's problems and solving them together. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Building, maintaining Black stores, shops and other businesses, and profiting from them together. Nia (Purpose): Making a collective
vocation of the building and developing of the community to restore Blacks to their traditional greatness. Kuumba (Creativity): Blacks always doing as much as they can, in the way they can to make their community more beautiful and beneficial than they inherited it. Imani (Faith): Blacks believing with all their heart in their people, parents, teachers, leaders and the righteousness and victory of their struggle. These principles (Nguzo Saba), guidelines for meditation and daily living, correspond to Karenga's theme that "the sevenfold path of blackness is think black, talk black, act black, create black, buy black, vote black, and live black." Kwanzaa also incorporates seven symbols from African Culture. These are: mazao (fruits,
vegetables, and nuts), mkeba (place mat, representing Black foundation, ancestors and cultural history), kinara (candleholder), vibunzi or muhindi (ears of corn, one for each child in the family), zawadi (gifts, usually made or selected to represent the principle of the day), Kikombe cha umoja (communal cup of unity), and mishumaa saba (seven candles, one lit each day starting with the black in the center on Unity Day, the first red (which are all located to the left) and rotating to the first green on the third day (which are all located on the right) red, green, red, and green. The candles are incrementally lighted, so on the 7th day (the Day of Imani, January 1) all seven candles burn uniformly. There's plenty of food to go around on any given night of Kwanzaa, of course, but the main eating event -- and the most significant
Kwanzaa celebration overall -- is the karamu feast, usually held on Dec. 31. The principle for the sixth day of Kwanzaa is kuumba (creativity), so it stands to reason that the karamu is a showcase for creativity of all kinds - artistic, musical and poetic, as well as culinary. Karamu feasts vary in formality, but a bythe-book event starts off with a welcoming statement (kukaribisha) and a music, dance or poetry performance. Then comes the kukumbuka, reflections offered by a man, woman and child. After that is a "reassessment and recommitment" ritual, a talk by a guest lecturer and then rejoicing (kushangilia). The next step, the tambiko ceremony, is the central ritual of the Karamu feast. Everyone passes and drinks a libation (tambiko) from the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup). Then the oldest person in the party honors the ancestors by reciting the tamshi la tambiko (libation statement) and pouring some of the drink -- usually water, juice or wine -- to the four winds before asking for a blessing. He then pours some on the ground, to a resounding "amen" from the group. The host or hostess then takes a sip and hands it back to the elder. Then there's a drum performance (ngoma), and it's time to eat! As part of his original intent to separate Kwanzaa from Americanized events, Dr. Karenga wanted the holiday to be overflowing with traditional African cooking. But as Kwanzaa became more mainstream, AfricanAmerican dishes inevitably started creeping into the mix. And there are people of African descent all over the world, so the food isn't limited to the African continent. Any given karamu, then, could include Ethiopian, Kenyan and South African fare, along with Caribbean cuisine and Southern comfort food like mac and cheese, collard greens, fried chicken and sweet potato pie. Finally, the host or hostess gives a farewell speech (tamshi la tutaonana), and the well-fed guests head home.
NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52 –
Rebel Salute Announces Star-studded Line-up Reggae lovers at home and in the diaspora are counting down the days for the 27th annual Reggae Salute slated for January 17 and 18, 2020, at Grizzly's Plantation Cove. The Tony Rebel concert will feature a starstudded lineup on both days. The event has become a beacon for the Jamaican diaspora, drawing Jamaicans and reggae lovers from around the world to celebrate good music and good vibes, in addition to Tony Rebel's birthday (January 15). Promoters of the event noted that some 49 percent of its patrons are people that live overseas. At the official launch of the event, earlier this week in Kingston, organizers announced the star-studded lineup that will grace the stage over the course of two days. Among the artists scheduled to perform are Beres Hammond, British reggae band Steel Pulse, Toots and the Maytals, Sanchez, Bobi Wine from Uganda, Beenie Man, Singing Melody, Leroy Sibbles, Stevie Face, Queen Ifrica, Flourgon, Trisha from Kenya, Chi Ching Ching, Carl Malcolm, Lone Ranger, General Trees, Sugar Roy, Jermaine Edwards, Rhoda Isabella, Wailers Trio, Mikey Spice, Chronic Law, Anthony B, I-Octane, Jesse Royal, I-Wayne, The Meditations, Wayne Wade, Louie Culture, Mortimer, Tony Tuff, Errol Dunkley, Lady G, and George Nooks. Perhaps the burning question of the night was will Tony Rebel's longtime friend and fellow recording artist, Buju Banton grace the Rebel Salute stage? Tony rebel said that while Banton has expressed his interest in performing, nothing is set in stone as yet. “I can't say for sure if he [Buju] will be there. I hope; he's my brother. He asked me about the show a couple times, but we are yet to make the arrangements. But everything in life is possible,” Rebel said. While the festival continues to grow, Rebel says that he has plans to make 2020 better than ever. “This year we're having an hour of comedy on Friday and Saturday. We are having a sound system from Sudan experimenting on dubplates alongside Jack Scorpio. There will be two VVIP sections as well as an improved Herb Kerb, which continues to be a hit for those persons who are interested in marijuana and its products,” he said.
Moses Davis
Sanchez
Jesse Royal
Queen Omega
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Artist Sherieta Releases Video For Second Single On December 18th, Ghetto Youths' soulful singer-songwriter Sherieta released the video for “Don't Fail Me Now” off her recently released lauded EP “Conversations in Key” on Ghetto Youths International label. Under the direction of the famed video director 300K and the talented mastermind Pete Beng, the Exotique-Soul artist (a term coined to exemplify her unrestrained female energy and strength, expressed through soul music, fused with Jamaican flavor) “Don't Fail Me Now” video oozes raw and artistic visuals void of frills and gimmicks, and with Grammy producer and musician Sean “Young Pow' Diedrick on the piano, the latter keeps in sentiment with Sherieta's stirring voice. Speaking on the song and the video's meaning and inspiration, the songstress explained “I was attempting to show the contrast between what I and others tend to think that love is, and what it truly is. We tend to be selfish and self-serving in our love, possessive even, but the song and the video focus on the vulnerability and mutuality of true love.” She added, “The video was inspired by my desire to explore and understand the meaning of love, and how it influences the human experience. True love is unselfish. And when it is given, it isn't often returned in the way we expect, but it always finds its way back (like the umbrella did)” Honing her craft working with various notable Grammy artists, and under the guidance of renowned label Ghetto Youths International, the Edna Manley College alumna released on August 30th, her first musical recording extended play Conversations in Key available on all major streaming platforms and digital outlets. “My songs are predominantly about perspectives, telling the story from the other side.” – Sherieta
B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
Consul General Message (cont’d) cultural ambassador, the late Hon. Louise BennettCoverley, OM, OJ, MBE, (Miss Lou). We recently witnessed the inauguration of our first Jamaican-American Mayor of Broward County, Dale Holness, as he joined the now 15 elected officials of Jamaican heritage holding public office in South Florida and in Georgia. With the Government's thrust on investment and economic development, we have held a series of investment forums in South Florida; Atlanta, Georgia' and Houston, Texas. The monthly lecture series at the Consulate has also inspired ongoing conversations about our local communities and Jamaica. I am excited about the positive trends in the Jamaican economy despite the challenges, and Jamaican-Americans to not only be “good news ambassadors” but to use this as an opportunity to invest in their country. We thank the many sponsors and companies, who have collaborated with us in this effort, among them, our Legacy partners including Victoria Mutual Building Society, JN Bank, Grace Kennedy Company, JAMPRO and the Jamaica Tourist Board. My heartfelt gratitude to our entire constituency for the success of the recent Jamaica Hi-5K Walk/Run which was held simultaneously on October 5th in Atlanta, GA; Orlando, FLA; and the tri-county area of South Florida (Miami, Broward and Palm Beach). Proceeds from registration of more than 300 persons benefits the Ministry of Health's Adopt A Clinic program, geared
Gift Of Freedom
towards improving primary healthcare in Jamaica. Following recent Diaspora elections, we welcome the newly elected Advisory Board Representative for the Southern USA, Dr. Allan Cunningham from South Florida, and express our appreciation to Attorney Wayne Golding, CD, who served with dignity and integrity over the past four years. Coming out of the recent National Biennial Diaspora Conference in Kingston, Jamaica, we look forward to new and exciting possibilities for our Diaspora communities. We are encouraged by the youth engagement of our second and third generations, as they adapt a cohesive role in Diaspora activities. We have begun to welcome new candidates of Jamaican citizenship. We recently held the first Jamaican Citizenship Ceremony in Plantation, the first of a quarterly installation. The next will be held in February 2020. There's nothing we can't achieve, when we collaborate as Jamaicans. Looking ahead to 2020, we will let kindness be our guide. Let us remain committed to our partnership with individuals, corporations and community groups as we build Diaspora development and nation building in our beloved homeland. On behalf of the staff of the Consulate General of Jamaica at Miami, and my family, Tanya and Serena, I wish you all a blessed Christmas and New Year season of peace, love and joy. As our heavenly Father declares (Book of Jeremiah 29:11), let us call upon Him in prayer as we continue our purpose to serve. Happy holidays!
Across
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1. 4. 8. 12. 13. 14. 15. 17. 18. 19. 20. 23. 26. 28. 32. 33. 34. 37. 38. 43. 44. 45. 47. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55.
Taxing agcy. She, in Valencia Trade _____ guilty Penn or Connery Stack Most intelligent Operatic melody Uncanny Had bunch Underwater weapon Private teacher Citrus preserve Elevated Batter’s stat Imitated Movie showing Pulls apart Ranting speeches Homer’s bartender Atlantic or Pacific Large truck Sham Modern Persia Parent’s sister Baltic, e.g. Seldom seen Modernize Forest animal
from A1
Food For The Poor learned about his situation and paid his fine. Rosette, 43, a wife and mother of eight, spent nearly six months in a Fort Liberté prison for stealing items from someone to sell to feed her family. Rosette filled with joy on hearing her fine had been paid. She knew her six months could have turned into years. In Honduras, increased violence and unemployment have the Central American nation in a chokehold. Many are having a hard time finding even day-labor jobs and steady work is difficult to secure. In that country the fines of 15 men were paid by Food For the Poor including teen Juan who stole food to help feed his mother and siblings. Juan's mother was unable to pay the US$276 to pay his fine, so he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years. After serving eight months behind bars, he was freed when Food for the Poor paid the fine. In Guyana, the organization paid the fines of seven nonviolent offenders who were sent to prison for simple larceny or minor traffic offences. David, one of the seven, was fined US$91, money neither he nor his family had. He spent six months in Timehri Prison. On the morning of his release, David and the six other men expressed gratitude to Food For The Poor President & CEO Robin Mahfood in a telephone conference from the Food For The PoorGuyana offices. “This year, 79 nonviolent prisoners have been set free for the Christmas holiday, thanks to generous and compassionate donors who support the charity's prison ministry,” Mahfood said. “We are not here to condone or to pass judgment on anyone who was arrested and sent to prison for a nonviolent offence. We believe in God's mercy and second chances, because second chances are an opportunity to correct the wrong and to choose a better path in life. It is truly our prayer that each one of those released this Christmas will do exactly that.” Each newly freed person also received a copy of the Bible, a meal, personal care items and travelling money.
Down 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 16. 19. 21. 22. 24. 25. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 35. 36. 39. 40. 41. 42. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49.
Map feature Juliet’s love Drummer Ringo _____ Self-_____ Confederate general “Viva ____ Vegas” Tiny insect Kitchen tool Phone bug Frazier’s rival Pod inhabitant Pull apart _____ standstill (2 wds.) Shucks! Planet’s path Keats work’ Primary color Short skirt Truman’s monogram Solid water Language study topic Leading lady Compass point (abbr.) Cavern Fighter pilot Thick Painter’s stand Move stealthily Knight’s title Gay Nineties, e.g. Average Feel regret Cease
Last week’s answer
1 9 4 2 3 6 8 5 7
7 3 5 9 1 8 2 4 6
6 8 2 4 7 5 1 3 9
9 5 3 7 6 1 4 8 2
2 7 1 8 4 3 6 9 5
8 4 6 5 2 9 3 7 1
5 2 7 1 8 4 9 6 3
4 6 9 3 5 2 7 1 8
3 1 8 6 9 7 5 2 4
NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52 –
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COMMENTARY J A M A I C A V S J A PA N
Reggae Boyz vs Samurai Blue by L Bronson
Jamaica's Under-22 face their Japanese counterparts for the Kirin Challenge Cup 2019 at Nagasaki Stadium, Nagasaki, Japan, with kickoff set for 5:20 am (Jamaica/Eastern Standard Time) on Saturday. At face value it appears nothing more than a friendly international between two teams – one using the occasion to test itself ahead of next year's Tokyo Olympics, which it will host – and the other engaging in an international it hopes will provide exposure for its players while earning some revenue for the Jamaica Football Federation. But truth be told, it is more than that. Much more. Both nations made their debuts at the senior men's FIFA World Cup Finals in France 1998, with Theodore Whitmore scoring twice in the 39th and 54th minutes to sandwich Nakayama's 74th-minute strike in Jamaica's 2-1 victory in Lyon. The victory gave Jamaica third place in Group H on three points, behind group winners Argentina with maximum of nine points and Croatia with six. Japan lost all three matches and ended pointless in fourth place. Since then both nations have gone in opposite directions, and this is why Saturday's contest is much more than a mere friendly international. If the JFF is serious about its responsibilities, then this game will be a real test of where the local federation is at present, as it regards football development. And not just by the mere result, but how the
A young Frank Sinclair of the Reggae Boyz dribbling past a Japanese defender in their World Cup encounter in 1998. Jamaica won 2-1.
team competes. The Japanese weren't happy with that 1-2 loss to a tiny country with no real professional football league and they have since solidified their football base and the results are there for all to see. At the senior level, they have qualified for all subsequent World Cup Finals, including cohosting with South Korea in 2002, Germany in 2006, South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014 and Russia in 2018. At the Under-20 level the "Samurai Blue," as they are called, have advanced to seven of the last 11 editions of the World Cup in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, missing 2009, 2011, 2013
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and 2015, before rejoining the party in 2017 and 2019. For the Under-17s, they have also been to seven of 11, including 2001, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2019 – missing the years 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2015. The Japanese have also qualified for every Olympic Games since the 1998 FIFA World Cup Finals. They were at the 2000 Games, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 games, and will be hosting the next edition. On the contrary, Jamaica has failed to advance to any senior FIFA World Cup Finals since 1998. They have been to just a solitary Under-20 World Cup in 2001 in Argentina,
missing every other since then. The Reggae Boyz have also advanced to just two Under-17 World Cup in 1999 and 2011 while missing nine in that period. And at the Olympics level, Jamaica has never qualified for the multi-sport Games. The foregoing statistics, therefore, paint a dull picture of a huge chasm between the two federations. The Samurai Blues are fine-tuning preparations for next summer's games, while the Reggae Boyz were hugely disappointed in flopping at the first hurdle of qualification for the Olympics at home. This after the Jamaica Olympic Association, for the first time, had pumped a lot of resources into making a concerted effort to get the team to Tokyo next summer. Opposing coaches have often characterized Jamaican players as fast, athletic, aggressive and talented, but they have never listed football intelligence/education as one of the character traits. From our vantage point, this particular trait is where the focus should be going forward. For too often we have seen players with good technical ability, good athleticism, aboveaverage speed, aggressive, but poor football awareness, and they are left behind. It was thought that the JMMB Coaching Courses would have aided that process, but after so many years of its existence, it does not seem to be bearing fruits. Whitmore, who will guide these boys on Saturday morning, will have his hands full coping with the superior football awareness of the opposition. But we hope that with such a talented bunch of individuals, lessons, at the very least, would have been learned and progress for the long-term, made. We wish them well.
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C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52 –
Fraser-Pryce To Run Sprint Double In Tokyo Jamaican Sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce confirmed that she will tackle both the women's 100m and 200m at next year's Olympics in Tokyo. Throughout her career, Fraser-Pryce has mainly focused on the 100m at major championships, only ever winning one Olympic medal (silver) in the 200m at the 2012 London Olympics. But next year, Fraser-Pryce is setting her sights on achieving the gold in both events. “[I will be] doubling up definitely. Last year [season] I really wanted to attempt the double, but coach had other plans, so I just worked with that plan. He knows best so I just worked with his plan,” she told reporters in Jamaica. The sprinter has never dipped below 22 seconds in the 200m, which is also another aim for her in the 2020 season. “I am definitely looking forward to doing the 200m, especially because I believe in my heart that I can run 21s. It's a big passion of mine so I am working really hard towards that. So hopefully, I will get to run some more 400m even though I don't like it, but hopefully I will get it done for 2020,” she shared. Last month, Fraser-Pryce announced that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be her fourth and final Olympic games. “I am always grateful for the opportunity to represent my country, my family, myself, but Tokyo is my last Olympics. I definitely know that,” she said.
Trinidadian Footballer Shahdon Winchester Dies in Car Crash
Winchester
Trinidad and Tobago international footballer Shahdon Winchester died tragically on Thursday, December 19, when the vehicle he was driving was involved in an auto collision. Media reports said the Nissan X-Trail driven by the 27-year-old Winchester crashed into a utility pole and burst into flames, killing all four occupants. The accident occurred along the Solomon Hochoy Highway in south Trinidad. His death was announced by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, which offered its condolences. “Tragic and heartbreaking news just coming to hand,” the TTFA statement said. “Trinidad and Tobago forward Shahdon Winchester has been confirmed as one of the persons who have died in a vehicle accident this morning in Gasparillo. “This is truly tragic news for us. May his soul rest in eternal peace.” Winchester earned 23 caps and scored six goals for the Soca Warriors after making his debut in 2010, and most recently turned out for the national side in an international friendly against Guyana two years ago.
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Jamaican Chess Player Rachel Miller Is Woman International Master Participating in the recently held Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Under-20 Individual Chess Championships in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica won two medals and crowned their second Woman International Master (WIM). According to the Jamaican Observer, over 20 chess players from the region competed over six days of gruelling play for the championship title. In the merged Under-20 Absolute section, Candidate Master (CM)/Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Rachel Miller finished tied for third place (fifth after tiebreaks), and emerged the winner of the female section of the tournament on 6.5 points from nine games. This was Jamaica's first top five finish in the Absolute championship and first time winning the female championship title. CM Miller only conceded losses to Trinidadians FM Isaiah Johnson and FM Alan-Safar Ramoutar. One of her more notable victories came in round four against Venezuela's Gabriel Salazar, who was rated almost 200 points above her. “I am proud of myself for the result I was able to achieve. I am fortunate that, as a junior, I have been able to accomplish what I have done so far, but I need to continue my efforts in order to accomplish more. My plan right now is to keep working on my chess and play in more tournaments,” CM Miller said. This was just one of Miller's most recent highlights in a very successful year. Her other notable performances came at the Panamerican Under-20 Championship and Zonal Championships, where she finished in fourth, and seventh-place, respectively. Nickaylah Curwin finished tied for eighth place (10th after tiebreaks) in the Absolute section, and in third place for the female tournament on five points. This was one of Curwin's most notable performances after tying for first in the FIDE Under 1600 section of the Jamaica Open. Di-Jaun Smith, who got off to a slow start in the tournament, finished in eighth place on five points. In his second international tournament, Smith rose to the challenge and ended up defeating the second- and sixthplace finishers in the overall tournament. For their exceptional performances, CM Miller was awarded the Woman International Master (WIM) title along with her first Woman Grandmaster (WGM) norm, while Curwin was preliminarily awarded the WFM title and a WIM norm as well. CM Miller becomes only the third player in the English-speaking Caribbean to have been awarded the distinguished title, and first Jamaican player to achieve a WGM norm. “The Jamaican delegation can be proud of its performance, which has ended an active chess year for the Jamaica Chess Federation on a positive and promising note. Securing two medals, an all top 10 finish, and recording numerous upsets were definitely the highlight moments for me in this championship,” recounts Team Captain International Master Jomo Pitterson, who provided expert coaching to the team.
C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, DEC 26 – JAN 1, 2020 | VOL. 16 NO. 52
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Season’s Greetings