National Weekly March 25, 2021

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THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021

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Jamaica PM Imposes

TOP STORIES

LOCKDOWN

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw Makes List of 50 Best Football Players in the World

For The Next Three Weekends

Florida Expands Vaccine Eligibility to Age 50 and Over

By Sheri-Kae McLeod

Jamaicans in the diaspora who plan to travel home over the next few weeks might not have the vacation they desire given the new COVID-19 restrictions imposed on the island—which include stringent lockdowns for the next three weekends.

On Sunday, March 21, Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed Jamaica had reached its breaking point in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. His statement prefaced the announcement of tighter mitigation measures. This was in response to the steady increase in COVID-19 cases over the past month and the critical state of the hospitals.

The latest measures, decided in a seven-hour Cabinet meeting the previous day, announced by Holness include stay-at-home orders for the weekends. The prime minister lashed out at some residents for not adhering to the mitigation protocols, saying although the government tried to hold off imposing any form of lockdown, the selfishness of some Jamaicans would be felt by all.

“Some people are more interested in going to parties. It’s the ultimate expression of social selfishness to be pursuing these kinds of activities which aid in the spread of the virus,” Holness said.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton echoed Holness’ comments while painting a grim picture of the healthcare system. He said some sick patients across

“Some people are more interested in going to parties. It’s the ultimate expression of social selshness to be pursuing these kinds of activities which aid in the spread of the virus.” – PM Holness

continues on B4 – Lockdown

The Community Fund of North Miami-Dade Launches #SheWinsWeWin Campaign for Women’s History Month Clarks Originals Pays Homage to Jamaica With New Collection

South Beach Confronts Disastrous Spring Break With a fourth wave of COVID-19 looming and Floridians taking a more lax approach to the pandemic since the vaccine has become available, no one should really be surprised at the wanton display of lawlessness in South Beach, Miami over the weekend.

It seems inevitable that Florida's famed South Beach is desperately seeking a new image.

There have been more than 1,000 arrests and nearly 100 seizures of guns already during this year's spring break season, leaving officials thinking it may finally be time to cleanse the neighborhood of its law-breaking, party-all-night vibe.

The move comes after years of increasingly stringent measures—banning alcohol from beaches, canceling concerts and food festivals—have failed to stop the city from being overrun with out-of-control parties on South Beach and anything-goes antics.

This weekend alone, spring breakers and pandemic-weary tourists drawn by Florida's liberal virus-control rules gathered by the thousands along

famed South Beach and Ocean Drive, at times breaking into street fights, destroying restaurant property, and causing several dangerous stampedes.

The situation got so out of hand that Miami Beach Police brought in SWAT teams to disperse pepper bullets and called in law enforcement officers from at least four other agencies. Ultimately, on Saturday, they ordered an emergency 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekend (Thursday to Monday morning) curfew which has been extended to April 12 after spring break season is over.

“We definitely want people to come and have fun,” Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola said Monday. “It's a nightlife city. We want people of all races, genders, sexual orientations. But we can't tolerate people thinking they can come here and act out a scene from 'Fast and the Furious,' speeding continues on A8 – Disastrous Spring Break

St Lucia Cruise Sector to Resume Operations With Safety Protocols Trinidad Could Still Get COVID-19 Vaccines from India Op-Ed: White Privilege and the U.S. Citizenship Process

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

HAITI

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

Latin America’s First Black Woman Vice President is of Jamaican Heritage A3

Moise Declares State of Emergency and Appeals to UN a7

Machel Montano Dedicated the “Wedding Album” to Wife B3

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw Makes List of 50 Best Football Players in the World C3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE A2 FOLLOW THE LEADER: Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness receives his first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and is urging the public to do the same. The vaccine was administered by nurse Fiona Ellis at The Good Samaritan's Inn in Kingston on Monday. Contributed

CROSS ROADS: South Florida's deejays Timmy HMV (le ) and DJ Fergie on the ones and twos for the Wolmer's Alumni virtual Cross Roads fundraiser on Saturday, March 20. - Photo by Luke Ballen ne

ROGER THAT: Lauderdale Lakes Mayor Hazelle Rogers gets her second vaccine at the Lauderdale Lakes Walmart Supercenter and is encouraging everyone to do that same. - Contributed

SOLIDARITY: On March 20, 2021, city and county leaders in Broward County hosted a community vigil to remember those Asian-Americans who lost their lives during a series of mass shoo ngs in Atlanta on March 16. From le : Sajan Francis Kurian, South Florida Asian Community Ac vist; Dale VC Holness, Broward County Commissioner; Winny Tang, South Florida Asian Community Ac vist; Yve e Colbourne; City of Miramar Commissioner and Alexandra P. Davis, City of Miramar Commissioner and Joy B. Smith, City of West Park Commissioner. - Contributed

BRING THE VIBE: DJ Uncle Kev brings the vibes to the Wolmer's Alumni virtual Cross Roads fundraiser on Saturday, March 20. - Photo by Luke Ballen ne

VOGUE: Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce President, Karrelle Chang strikes a post as she celebrates her birthday. Photo by Luke Ballen ne.

TAKING THE SHOT: Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tu on (le ) receives the COVID-19 vaccine, administered by Public Health Nurse Teldra Burrell-Lewis at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine, Jamaica. - Photo by Dave Reid.

LINKUP: DJ Christuff shares a moment with host Trish at the Wolmer's Alumni virtual Cross Roads fundraiser on Saturday, March 20. Photo by Luke Ballen ne

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

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NEWSMAKER

Epsy

Campbell Barr S

ince Jamaican American Kamala Harris was selected to be President Joe Biden’s second-in-command, special attention has been paid to the impact of Jamaicans on international politics. But long before she became Madam Vice President Harris, Jamaicans and people of Jamaican heritage had been breaking racial and gender barriers in politics.

In 2018, Epsy Campbell Barr made history when she became the first Black woman to serve as vice president in the entire Latin America region. Campbell Barr was, at the time, appointed as the vice president in Costa Rica.

Campbell Barr was born in San José in 1963 to parents Shirley Barr Aird and Luis Campbell Patterson. She is the fourth child of a family of five daughters and two sons. She was

named after her Jamaican paternal grandmother, Epsy, who migrated to the Caribbean province of Puerto Limon from Jamaica with her husband. Although Campbell Barr never met her grandmother, she was told of her strong will and determination—traits that she believes her grandmother passed on to her.

While attending elementary and high school, her parents pushed her to not only excel in academics but also in sports and music.

Campbell Barr said that she was pretty much the only Black person that attended her schools.

Epsy Campbell began her university studies at the University of Costa Rica. At age 20, she became pregnant with her first daughter and decided to drop out of school. After giving birth to her two daughters, Tanisha and Narda, and getting married, Campbell Barr went back to

Latin America’s First Black Woman Vice President is of Jamaican Heritage Campbell Barr has been active in Afro-Caribbean affairs since entering politics. In 1996, she founded the Women’s Forum for Central American Integration, which she coordinated until 2001. Concurrently, she also coordinated the Network of Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Women.

school and graduated with a degree in economics in 1998. Ten years later, she earned a master’s degree in development cooperation from the Foundation for Cultural and Social Sciences of Spain.

Campbell Barr worked several jobs before entering politics—elementary school teacher, travel agent, and hotel manager. She began community work by entering the non-profit world, where she started to work at an environmentalist organization in Costa Rico.

During that time, she also advocated for the rights of women and people of African descent.

Campbell Barr later entered politics, saying that it was her avenue to becoming a social activist.

In 2002, she joined the Citizens’ Action Party (PAC) and served as a deputy in the national legislature for four years. She was also head of its parliamentary faction from 2003 to 2005 and president of the party from February 2005 to February 2009.

After running for vice president in 2006, Campbell decided to seek the nomination of the leader of the PAC in 2013. Although she was one of the most popular candidates, she bowed out of the race to Luis Guillermo Solís, who became Costa Rica's president-elect in 2014.

That same year, she was elected to serve as a member of parliament in San Jose.

Prior to the next presidential election in 2018, Campbell Barr announced her intention to run in the PAC presidential election but later withdrew from the race. She was subsequently selected by presidential nominee Carlos Alvarado Quesada as one of his running mates.

Alvarado Quesada won the election and Campbell Barr became the first Afro-Costa Rican vice president of the country.

Campbell Barr has been active in AfroCaribbean affairs since entering politics. In 1996, she founded the Women’s Forum for Central American Integration, which she coordinated until 2001. Concurrently, she also coordinated the Network of Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Women.

She has authored books on sexism and racism, the political and economic participation of women and people of African descent.

Campbell Barr also serves as the leader of the Center for Women of African Descent, the Alliance of Leaders of African descent in Latin America as well as the Caribbean and the Black Parliament of the Americas.

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CARIBBEAN

TT Foreign Minister wants “Diplomatic Tension” over Coronavirus Resolved Swiftly Trinidad and Tobago's Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne said he would seek to achieve “a resolution in the shortest possible time” after the Indian High Commissioner to the country, Arun Kumar Sahu, was quoted as saying he had been “personally attack(ed)” by statements made by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

Sahu was responding to statements made

by Rowley during his recent “Conversation with the Prime Minister” live radio and TV program regarding the availability of COVID19 vaccines India is reported to have made available to several CARICOM countries as a gift.

Rowley told the program he had been informed by the CARICOM Secretariat that the Indian High Commissioner in Guyana told the Guyanese media the vaccines would be made available to the region and Guyana, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, the countries to which that high commissioner was accredited, would receive donations.

Rowley, who also chairs CARICOM, said the Secretariat informed him the arrangements were bilateral and “each high commissioner would be responsible to the countries to which he or she is accredited.

“We have an ambassador here in Trinidad, if you are required, as happened in Guyana and the other small islands to know about this, then we should know about it here.”

Rowley

Browne

Rowley said he first heard about the vaccine from local doctors whom Sahu had spoken to, but the diplomat “did not speak to the government about it.”

Rowley also said there were arguments that Trinidad and Tobago didn't access the vaccines because it was from India, telling the program, “all of a sudden it's not that small countries are being left out of the market and availability, but it became an issue of race.”

The United National Congress (UNC) has accused the government of being tardy in its response to acquiring vaccines from India, but Rowley insisted that Trinidad and Tobago will acquire vaccines under the COVAX facility which is being administered by the World

Sahu

Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Opposition Leader Kamla PersadBissessar has accused the government of not positioning TT to receive the vaccines sent by India. The government later rebuked Persad Bissessar after she wrote to the prime minister of India, Narendra Damodardas Modi, on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago requesting vaccines.

Browne told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that he has noted quotes in several local newspapers attributed to Sahu “which express public criticism of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

“There are also published claims attributed to His Excellency the High Commissioner which referenced a view that the Prime Minister had engaged in “personal attacks” against him, however, there was no evidence in the articles of any such attacks.'”

Browne said that “it is in the interest of both nations to prevent any such tensions from growing,” adding “dialogue and diplomacy are the tools of our trade.” – (CMC)

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PM Mottley says clearing arrangements for excess COVID-19 vaccines can help developing countries Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in her capacity as chair of the Joint World BankInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) Development Committee, has highlighted reaching a clearing arrangement for excess orders of COVID-19 vaccines as one of the steps that can be taken to ensure developing countries receive their share of the vaccines.

While delivering the keynote address online on Monday, at the opening of the 53rd Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mottley said the vaccine arrangement was needed as countries battled to obtain vaccines for their citizens.

“Some long-term solutions have been suggested that are worth serious consideration. One step we can also take is to reach a clearing arrangement for excess orders of vaccines. We should require written “clearing” agreements from those who have ordered more than they need.

“Once those vaccinated exceed the herd immunity threshold, they would agree to retain some more modest surplus and ask the producers to produce and deliver the excess at cost to developing countries. Even then, we are at the back of the queue. Those excess vaccines should be above the amounts agreed to under COVAX, which only deals with 20 percent of our populations. There must be early intervention,” she insisted.

Mottley said vaccinating only a part of the world's population would not work, as this provides fertile ground for vaccine-resistant variances.

“Some large countries have purchased five times or more vaccines than they need using complex, opaque option arrangements that make it hard for vaccine producers to continues on B4 – Excess Vaccines

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editorial

Will Regional Unity be Forever Lost to the Caribbean?

Several editorials in respected newspapers and blogs by influential persons in the region are, once again, expressing deep concern about CARICOM, particularly over its lack of unity in international affairs and the failure of its leaders to implement their own decisions regarding the single market.

This has led a minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines government to reproduce on his blog, a strong view that “CARICOM is dead,” depicted by a headstone in a burial ground.

Against the background of these recent pronouncements, this editorial draws on an article written in 2013 by Ian McDonald.

“A Cloud of Witnesses,” published by The Caribbean Press, is a collection of thoughtful reflections on the Caribbean condition; visionary and inspirational addresses to diplomats and graduating University students; and moving accounts of experiences shaping the Caribbean.

The topics in the book are varied reflecting a long life in the Caribbean, the interests of a man who is poet and writer, lover of cricket, executive in the sugar industry and a consummate West Indian—born in Trinidad of Antigua and St. Kitts ancestry, grew up in Trinidad and Antigua, earned a degree from Cambridge University, captained the West Indies Davis Cup tennis team, and worked most of his adult life in Guyana. He's also among a rare breed—a white, proud West Indian comfortable in the company of other West Indians of all races as he is content in his own skin.

After he retired as an executive of the sugar industry in Guyana, and by then an accomplished and well-recognized writer and poet, McDonald worked with the West Indian Commission—that body of distinguished West Indian men and women who produced in 1992 the seminal study, Time for Action, that laid out a blueprint for the Caribbean's future. McDonald recalls the testimony of “experts” who pointed to the models that were being developed elsewhere—the Asian Tigers, the Singapore model, the new Europe. He also remembers with satisfaction the Commission felt

that, while these models were useful reference points, the West Indian model had its own intrinsic value. “West Indians,” the report said, “offer a rare creation—a people of many nationalities, many races, many faiths, and different cultural heritages” who have stayed together in a single community.

McDonald asserts his own belief in the value of the West Indian model. Nonetheless, he is practical enough to “pray because I think we will need some heavenly blessing in a hard task… but in the end, I profoundly believe because I think we already hold enough in common to secure an undivided future together.”

Clinging to sovereignty, which in any event we only exercise against ourselves, is an obstacle to the unity needed to survive in a world that cares little about small states.

His profound belief does not prevent him from being “disillusioned with the pettifogging gradualism the word CARICOM is rapidly coming to stand for.

“All of our small countries,” he says, “simply have to make ourselves bigger very soon—enlarge our domestic market, broaden our technological base, combine our financial resources, increase the scale of opportunity for our ambitious young people, bring together behind one frontier the marvelous common cultural strains that exist in the West Indies side by side but apart—apart and therefore more vulnerable to outside cultural impact.”

As for the grand communiqués, speeches, and often touted plans of CARICOM meetings, he despairs “every country in the region is littered with the burnt-out corpses of plans not implemented and reports unread.” Of the high-sounding declarations, he laments they are “Declarations of futility.”

The book conjoins cricket with poetry not only in

capturing the superlative stroke play of Windies legendary cricketers Rohan Kanhai and Vivian Richards, the genius of Frank Worrel, and the artistry of Garfield Sobers and Brian Lara, but the essence of what cricket means to every West Indian—“truly cricket is supremely an imaginative possession which binds our Caribbean Community together…If it's no longer to be so, we have lost something of infinite value.”

McDonald's book celebrates the nobility and importance of West Indian-ness and the necessity to consolidate its value. However, it does not ignore the warts so obvious on our Caribbean face, nor does it avoid confronting our obsession with our sovereignty that's constantly invoked to pursue narrow political interests.

The rest of the world sees the collective Englishspeaking Caribbean, our entire population, as no more than a small city in the U.S., Europe, or Asia.

What's more, many Caribbean countries frequently yield their sovereignty to larger countries when they are either lured or pressured to do so, even at the expense of the CARICOM Treaty obligations.

In truth, as was evidenced in their testimony to the 1992 West Indian Commission, Caribbean people would prefer a Caribbean with one currency, one passport, free regional travel, free to invest in, to benefit from its abundant collective wealth, to hail their joint heroes in sports, literature, and other areas of achievement. And, more than anything else, to command respect in the world.

McDonald's book describes the things that give pleasure and cause the soul to soar and want to accomplish what looks impossible like “painting the wind” or creating a West Indian nation—the former only God can accomplish; the latter is within the capacity of Caribbean people inspired by their leaders, when we all get to it.

Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the U.S. and the OAS and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto.

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la section haitienne

Moïse Declares State of Emergency and Appeals to UN President Jovenel Moïse has declared a state of emergency in several areas of Haiti to help stem the upsurge in crime and violence across the country.

A decree adopted by the Council of Ministers said: “The state of emergency is instituted in gangsterized areas for one month, during which certain rights can be suspended in neighborhoods concerned, in order to allow the PNH (National Police of Haiti) to regain control of the situation.”

The decree defines the state of emergency as “a situation in which a regime applies restricting certain fundamental freedoms and exceptional powers of the executive which are justified by a situation of proven or imminent national disaster, terrorist attack or serious breach of public order challenging the police and endangering national security and requiring the adoption of urgent measures.”

The implementation of the State of Emergency follows a plea made by the president to the secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres.

“On Tuesday, March 16, I had an interview with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. I asked the UN for technical and logistical support for the PNH, in order to combat banditry in Haiti and strengthen the poverty reduction program.

“During the said meeting, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and I discussed the issue of the interHaitian national dialogue. I remain convinced that through this dialogue we will manage to resolve the current crisis and together build a more just, united and prosperous Haiti,” said Moïse.

The call for help follows an appeal made earlier in the week to the secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro.

The efforts come on the heels of an incident last weekend in the Village de Dieu slum, in the capital, where kidnapping victims are often kept.

Four police officers were killed and eight injured in an attempted raid on the gang stronghold. Their armored vehicles and high-caliber automatic weapons were also seized.

President Moïse denounced the acts as “a declaration of war against society.” – (CMC)

Archbishop of Miami Pleads to US to Halt Deportation of Haitians Archbishop of Miami Thomas Wenski has written an open letter appealing to U.S. federal authorities to refrain from deporting Haitians.

In a recent letter, the Archbishop called for an immediate end to deportations in the midst of the current political turmoil in the Frenchspeaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state.

“The return of these people to their country is not only contrary to our national values, it is also unnecessary to ensure public health and safety in the United States and could contribute to further destabilization,” said the Archbishop who added that the continuation of deportations to Haiti,

risks favoring the spread of the coronavirus both among passengers on flights departing from the United States and among citizens residing on the island.”

Recalling that the Archdiocese of Miami has “the largest percentage of Americans of Haitian origin in the United States,” Bishop Wenski emphasizes that they “are also essential workers, who support our nation in these difficult times and contribute to its recovery” calling on President Joe Biden to keep his promise to “adopt a more humane approach to immigrants Wenski

and refugees.”

Wenski suggested that Haitian migrants present in the United States be granted “Temporary Protected Status” (TPS) allowing them to work in the country during a period in which it is considered dangerous for them to return to their home country. This particular designation is valid for 18 months and can be renewed if the conditions which motivated it are still in place at the time of its expiration.

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

COMMUNITY Applications open for Broward Small Businesses for FastTrac NewVenture Entrepreneurship Program The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) is now accepting applications online for its 2021 session of FastTrac NewVenture, the free program designed to guide aspiring and earlystage entrepreneurs on the path to success.

Interested applicants may through Friday, March 26 for the chance to be selected for the Spring 2021 cohort, to be presented fully online for the first time.

As a Kauffman FastTrac® affiliate, OESBD hosts the NewVenture™ program to help entrepreneurs refine their business concept by providing various tools, technical assistance, and access to the appropriate resources for a successful launch. At the completion of the course, participant business plans will be evaluated and the top three become eligible to compete for seed money grants.

The sixth cohort of our NewVenture™ course further supports Broward County's commitment to growing our economy and fostering a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurs,” said OESBD Director, Sandy-Michael McDonald. “We are proud to continuously present relevant programming that encourages a nurturing environment for businesses to grow and thrive.”

New Venture™ sessions, for accepted applicants only will be held virtually from April 7, 2021 through July 28, 2021 between 6-8PM on the following Wednesdays: April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 12, 19, 26; June 9, 16, 23, 30; and July 28 (graduation and pitch day).

NewVenture™ is free and open to Broward County residents. Space in the FastTrac® NewVenture™ is limited to 15 participants. For more information on the Kauffman FastTrac® program, contact OESBD at 954-357-6400 or visit Broward.org/EconDev.

Miami Mayor Pushes for Community IDs for Residents Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says she is committed to new steps to advance a Community ID program, a local form of identification that would help vulnerable county residents access COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and other county services.

She passed the legislative baton to Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who vowed to bring the item to the Board of County Commission within the next 90 days.

Commitments were made in front of over 1,200 community members.

Community IDs are needed for demonstrating identity for municipal services, banks, schools and other services.

Commitments from Mayor Levine Cava

and County Commissioner Higgins came after Sofia Morales of Temple Beth Sholom gave emotional testimony describing how her daughter was refused mental health care when Morales lost her passport and could not prove her identity.

“I didn't matter and by extension, my daughter's life didn't matter,” Morales said, “what mattered was proving my identity to the system.”

Over 130 Miami PACT members from diverse faith communities—Christian, Muslim, and Jewish—gathered with the public officials at a drive-in movie theater in North Miami while another 1,100 joined online.

Leaders from three major police depart-

Disastrous Spring Break down the streets and shooting guns in the air.”

Before the chaos ensued, leaders in Broward County also debated whether or not to impose a curfew for party-goers.

Anticipating a large spillover from Miami onto the Fort Lauderdale beaches, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis called for additional police officers when Miami Beach announced curfews over the weekend. While Fort Lauderdale has been spared of problems, he's monitoring the situation day-to-day.

Some tourists are angry about the curfew, which they say has put a damper on long-sought vacations for which they paid good money.

Meanwhile, some officials say they should have enacted more stringent measures sooner—as was done in New Orleans prior to Mardi Gras last month—instead of reacting in the middle of the chaos.

But Arriola and other commissioners argued the city may need an entirely different approach.

They note that over the past few seasons, the city has been steadily implementing new rules and regulations, such as banning scooter rentals

ments in Miami-Dade County also attended the event.

The interfaith coalition PACT (People Acting for Community Together) organized the event, their annual Nehemiah Action Assembly—an event in which they publicly seek commitments on areas of community concern.

The event also highlighted the worsening affordable housing crisis, with rental prices soaring in the City of Miami during the coronavirus pandemic. City of Miami Commissioner Ken Russell committed to pushing his colleagues for follow-through on the City's plan to build or preserve 32,000 units by 2030.

from A1

after 7 p.m. restricting alcohol sales after 8 p.m. and cracking down on loud music, but to no avail.

“Every year we come up with new restrictions and they have no impact, so at what point are we going to try something new?” asked Arriola, who suggested hosting more familyoriented and business-friendly events.

The pandemic provided the perfect storm for large crowds: an unseasonably cold winter, pent-up demand from being quarantined at home and the lure of a sunny climate with miles of sandy beaches in a state with few COVID-19 restrictions.

New Orleans, which attracts thousands of tourists every year for Mardi Gras, successfully avoided the South Beach mayhem by Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, imposing a statewide mask mandate; occupancy limits on bars, restaurants and other businesses; limiting the hours for alcohol sales; and closed iconic Bourbon Street to cars and pedestrians.

New Orleans Democratic Mayor LaToya Cantrell closed bars completely, even those

allowed to operate as restaurants.

Miami Beach took less proactive measures under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who refuses to implement a mask mandate and permits businesses to stay open. Instead, this year, city officials sent text messages warning tourists to “Vacation Responsibly or Be Arrested” with a long list of rules. The city also canceled concerts and food festivals to avoid large crowds on South Beach, but that only left the throngs of people who showed to congregate aimlessly in impromptu street parties.

Some visitors were frustrated by the mixed messages after being lured to Florida by a $5 million national tourism advertising campaign, the largest in 20 years.

Miami Beach officials said the crowd of partiers consisted mostly of adults from out of state, not college students. They said many didn't even patronize restaurants and local businesses.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

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A D V E R T O R I A L

Black Physicians Discuss Benets of Medical Marijuana Dr. Genester Wilson-King is a board-certified gynecologist who started recommending medical marijuana treatments to her patients after Florida legalized it in 2016. She's one of the 2,500+ doctors in the state qualified to order medical marijuana and low-THC cannabis for patients with qualifying conditions.

“I always looked for other ways of helping my patients outside of pharmaceuticals, especially the ones people take all the time, and in my research, I found and learned about cannabis,” she said.

“Many women's health conditions have multifactorial components, including mood, pain, difficulty sleeping and hormone imbalance. The capacity of cannabis to act as an antiinflammatory agent, a muscle relaxant, a mood enhancer, a sleep remedy, and a pain reliever, all at the same time, makes it ideal for women's health conditions.”

Dr. Wilson-King is among a growing number of Black physicians focused on helping people of color consider the therapeutic benefits of cannabis through the Cannabis Health Equity Movement and its recently launched Association for Cannabis Health Equity and Medicine. ACHEM (pronounced Ay-Kem) is focused on educating health professionals and healers in a nationwide effort to raise awareness about cannabis use in the health care treatment of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), and to promote entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the medical marijuana industry.

ACHEM was co-founded by Board Vice President Dr. Janice Knox, a nationally recognized endocannabinologist, speaker and

Wilson-King

authority on the subject of medical cannabis.

“We call ourselves endocannabinologists because we really study the physiology of the body [i.e., the endocannabinoid system] first and then the pharmacology of cannabis to emphasize the correct clinical application,” said Dr. Knox, a board-certified anesthesiologist and co-founder of

The American Cannabinoid Clinics in Portland, Ore. “When I talk to a patient, I am looking at the disease process, thinking about which receptors involved in that process I need to target, and then what is the best cannabinoid that is going to work on that receptor.”

The receptors she's talking about are found throughout the body and the endocannabinoid system, which Dr. Wilson-King describes as one of the most important physiological systems in establishing and maintaining human health.

“The endocannabinoid system is responsible for helping us to relax, eat, and sleep. Cannabis works through the endocannabinoid system and utilizes such receptors as CB1 and CB2, plus some others, to affect change within the body,” Dr. Wilson-King explained.

When comparing the use of medical cannabis versus some pharmaceutical medications, Dr. Angela “Kaya” Ledbetter, a board-certified emergency medicine physician in Houston, Texas and ACHEM board member, says it's important to know that the safety profile of cannabis is better.

“It is a lot safer. Fortunately, cannabis has

fewer side effects than a lot of other medications, which allows us the ability to experiment a little bit and work with a patient to figure out what works best with them. I definitely believe there are great things about our modern medical system that does wonders for people, but I also believe that when our modern medical system was developed it demonized a lot of natural treatments.”

Dr. Wilson-King added, “Cannabis is a medicine, but you can't think of it like a pharmaceutical. A pharmaceutical is a single molecular chemical that goes into the body to do a singular thing. Cannabis is made up of multiple substances that go into the body and do a multitude of things. It is called 'multiple mechanisms of action', meaning it works in many different ways, and that is why cannabis can be so helpful for many different conditions.”

All three doctors hope the launch of ACHEM will help remove the stigma of medical cannabis use in the Black community.

“ACHEM is going to be very important for us to train clinicians and providers that look like us so we can change some of those old staunch beliefs in our community,” said Dr. Knox. “I can tell you that when a Black patient saw my face, you could almost taste the relief that they had when I walked into the room. It's a matter of trust. If we can train more health care providers that look like us, explaining the science and the physiology and the benefits to our people, I think they will receive it better.”

To learn more about Medical Marijuana as Medicine, click here to watch MMERI's Conversations on Cannabis Virtual Forum featuring Dr. Genester Wilson-King, Dr. Janice Knox and Dr. Angela “Kaya” Ledbetter on YouTube. For more information on medical marijuana, visit MMERI's website at http://mmeri.famu.edu/

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR EVERGLADES K-8 CENTER The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to award one Construction firm for the following project:

PROJECT NO. 01424800 EVERGLADES K-8 CENTER RENOVATIONS 8375 SW 16TH STREET MIAMI, FLORIDA 33155 BIDS DUE: Sealed bids will be received by The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, for the project listed herein, until 1:00 P.M. local time, Thursday April 29, 2021, at 1450 N.E. Second Avenue, Lobby in the N.E. Fifteenth (15th) Street entrance, Miami, Florida, following which time and place, or as soon there-after as the Board can attend to the same, the said bids will be publicly opened, read and tabulated in the Board Auditorium, Miami-Dade County School Board Administration Building, by an authorized representative of the Board.

Award of the contract will be made to the lowest, pre-qualified responsible and responsive bidder for the actual amount bid considering base bid and accepted alternates (if any) as listed in the bidding documents. The Board will award the contract based upon the results of the tabulations as covered by applicable laws and regulations.

Bidders desiring to participate in this solicitation must be pre-qualified by the Board prior to submitting their bid in response to this solicitation. Contact the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Office of Economic Opportunity at (305) 995-1307 or via email at oeo@dadeschools.net for information regarding Contractors' Pre-qualification procedures.

QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this project will be accepted. All written communications must be sent to the Project Architect/Engineer, Ernesto L. Santos (srarch@bellsouth.net), SR Architects, P.A.; 7469 S.W. 50th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33155. Questions will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Answers will only be issued to the Prime Contractors who attended the mandatory Pre-bid Conference.

MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE (Everglades K-8 Center): Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Everglades K-8 Center, 8375 SW 16th Street, Media Center, Miami, Florida 33155. Due to site gathering limitations, any Prime Contractor who would like to attend is strongly encouraged to submit an email request to SR Architects, P.A. (see instructions below) to do so, and will be scheduled in the order of when said request is received. There may be up to four sessions scheduled (based on quantity of requests): Session 1: 8:30 AM to 10:15 AM Session 2: 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM Session 3: to be scheduled as needed Session 4: to be scheduled as needed Each session will be restricted to one representative from Prime Contracting firms only, limiting each group to a maximum of seven potential bidders for each of the proposed conferences. All attendees must always wear face masks and maintain a minimum of 6 feet distance from all other persons. Gloves are optional but recommended.

There will be a sign-in period for each session of 15 minutes from the start time scheduled. Potential bidders arriving after the 15-minute sign-in period (of the final scheduled session) will not be allowed to participate in this solicitation. Prime Contractors without a reservation who arrive prior to the end of the 15-minute sign-in period of the final session will be accommodated at the discretion of the Project Team, on the same day. Proposals submitted by firms not represented at the Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will not be considered.

SUBMITTING REQUEST TO ATTEND PRE-BID CONFERENCE: All Prime Contractors wishing to attend are strongly encouraged to submit an e-mail to SR Architects, P.A. (srarch@bellsouth.net), confirming their attendance by Monday, April 5, 2021. A Pre-Bid Conference reservation email containing a scheduled time will be sent by the Project Architect/Engineer, to each potential attendee, no later than Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Reservations received after April 5, 2021 will be accommodated at the Project Team's discretion.

Prime contractors will be instructed at the Pre-Bid Conference of the procedure to follow to schedule any additional site visits and/or walkthroughs, as needed.

Please note that the District and SR Architects are adhering to all CDC and DOH COVID-19 recommendations by limiting the number of persons at a site to a maximum of ten persons at any one time (Project Architect/Engineer, Project Manager, a school representative to facilitate opening of the site, and seven Prime Contractors), and requiring the use of Personal Protection Equipment.

BOARD POLICIES: Cone of Silence A Cone of Silence, pursuant to Board Policy 6325, shall commence with the issuance of this Legal Advertisement and shall terminate at the time the item is presented by the Superintendent to the appropriate Board committee immediately prior to the Board meeting at which the Board will award or approve a contract, reject all bids or responses, or take any other action that ends the solicitation and review process. Any violation of this rule shall be investigated by the Board's Inspector General and shall result in the disqualification of the potential applicant from the competitive solicitation process, rejection of any recommendation for award, or the revocation of an award to the vendor as being void, rendering void any previous or prior awards. The potential vendor or vendor's representative determined to have violated this rule, shall be subject to debarment.

General questions regarding the legal advertisement will be sent to the Office of Capital Improvement Projects via email at ocip@dadeschools.net, and a copy filed with the Clerk of the School Board at celiarubio@dadeschools.net, who shall make copies available to the public upon request.

Lobbyist Lobbyist requirements, pursuant to Board Policy 8150, shall be applicable to this solicitation and all proposers and lobbyists shall strictly conform to, and be governed by, the requirements set forth therein. Contact the Clerk of the School Board for additional information.

Vendor and Employment Preference Local-Vendor Preference, pursuant to Board Policy 6320.05, shall apply to this solicitation. Based on Board policy, Local Business means a vendor or business that has a valid business tax receipt, issued by a jurisdiction located in Miami-Dade County, that has either (1) its headquarters, manufacturing facility, or locally-owned franchise located within the legal boundaries of Miami Dade County, for at least twelve (12) months, or (2) has an office with a street address within the boundaries of Miami-Dade County for at least twenty-four (24) months, calculated from the bid or proposal opening date. Post office boxes are not verifiable and shall not be used for the purpose of establishing said physical address. In order to be considered for local preference, vendors must provide a copy of their business tax receipt and the Local Business Affidavit of Eligibility with their proposal. Proposers who fail to submit the required documents will not be considered for Vendor Preference.

Jessica Lunsford Act The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012.465, 1012.32, 1012.467 & 1012.468 and Board Policy 4121.01, Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all Employees (also refer to Board Policy 8475).

Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Anti-Fraud Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the following ethics, conflict of interest and anti-fraud policies: - Board Policy 6460, Business Code of Ethics; - Board Policy 6460, Disclosure of Employment of Former School Board Employees; - Board Policy 8700, Anti-Fraud; and all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable Contractor Debarment Procedures Pursuant to Board Policy 6320.04, Contractor Discipline Procedures, debarred contractors are excluded from conducting business with the Board as agents, representatives, partners, and associates of other contractors, subcontractors or individual sureties.

Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the following anti-discrimination policies: - Board Policy 6465, Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (proposers shall be required to certify compliance with Board Policy 6465); - Board Policy 1362.02, 3362.02 and 4362.02, Anti-discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure; and - all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable Protest Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 (Purchase Approval and Competitive Bidding Process Requirements) or in accordance with FS Section 120.57(3) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under FS Chapter 120.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The proposer acknowledges that all information contained in their RFQ Response is part of public domain as defined by the State of Florida Sunshine Law. Therefore, any information received is subject to public inspection and copying in accordance with FS 119. No action on the part of the proposer would create an obligation of confidentiality on the part of the School Board including, but not limited to, making a reference in the RFQ Response to trade secrets FS 812.081 and 815.045. It is recommended that potential proposers exclude from their response any information that, in their judgment, may be considered a trade secret.

Board policies, as amended from time to time, can be accessed and downloaded at: https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/sbmd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BK6KUF4FFE14.

The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012.465, 1012.32, 1012.467 & 1012.468 and Board Policy 4121.01, Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 or in accordance with §120.57(3). Fla. Stat. (2014) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

Pre-qualified bidders may obtain a CD of the documents for construction or a full set of printed documents for construction at the bidder's expense from the office of Go Green Document Solutions, Inc. on 3715 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 on and after, March 22, 2021.

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY Small/Micro, Minority/Women-Owned, and Veteran Business Enterprise Programs, Board Policy 6320.02 Awarded firms will be required to comply with Board Policy 6320.02 and submit a monthly report via the Online Diversity Compliance System for compliance with Small/Micro, Minority/Women and/or Veteran sub-consultant goals, sub-contractor goals, local workforce information, and/or any affirmative procurement initiatives. Awarded firms will be required to submit monthly compliance reports online at: http://miamidadeschools.diversitycompliance.com. Please note that the “Small/Micro Business Enterprise Program Administrative Procedures Manual”, Board-approved January 15, 2020, shall be applicable to this solicitation. Please contact the Office of Economic Opportunity at 305-995-1307 or via email at OEO@dadeschools.net for additional information.

Assistance levels, as established by the Goal Setting Committee: Everglades K-8 Center: S/MBE Mandatory Subcontracting Goals: 16.25% Construction and 20% Local Work Force, within a County-wide radius.

Mandatory M/WBE Subcontracting Goals: 8.75%- African American, Native American and Asian American firms.

The Board reserves the right to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids.

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent of Schools

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

B3

TLC

Escoveitched Fish Like bun and cheese, escoveitched fish is consumed in most Caribbean homes on Good Friday, when eating meat is normally shunned to honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Tasty

Easter Caribbean Recipes Easter in the Caribbean is traditionally a time for religious and secular celebrations. This year as COVID-19 continue to negatively impact the region, the holidays are shaping to less celebratory. Even the customary crowded church services held on Easter (Sunday) will be absent this year, as the authorities several limit church congregations.

But, thankfully, none of the restrictions to prevent the spread of the dreaded virus can affect the unique variety of foods normally consumed in Caribbean countries, and within the Caribbean diaspora, during Easter.

The following are the recipes for some of the more popular cuisine consumed during the Easter holidays:

Preparation Time: 10 – 15 Minutes Cook Time – 20 Minutes

Ingredients • 2 lbs whole or sliced fish • ½ cup cooking oil • 4 tbs fish seasoning • 2 tsp black pepper • 1 tsp salt • 3 cloves garlic • 2 whole lime or lemon or ¼ cup vinegar

Easter Bun In Jamaica bun, accompanied with cheese, is a must on the household menu during Easter, especially on Good Friday when people tend to stay away from the kitchen.

Ingredients

Method

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

In a large mixing bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, spices and sugar. Mix thoroughly and add fruit. Make a well in the center of mixture and add melted butter and beaten egg. Mix again until like coarse bread crumbs. Make another well in center of mixture and add beer or stout. Mix the whole thoroughly and turn into well greased baking pans.

Bake for 1¼ hours at 300° F. Makes two meatloaf pans. If desired, press a few whole cherries into the top of each bun. * One cup total. Combine fruit as desired.

3½ cups flour 1½ cups sugar 4 tsp. Baking powder 1 cup stout or beer 1 egg (beaten) 2 tbsp. spoon melted butter or margarine 2 tsp. vanilla 1 cup cherries 1 cup raisins, mixed peel, cherries* ½ tsp. ground allspice pinch of salt 1 tbsp. spoon nutmeg ½ tbsp. spoon cinnamon ½ tbsp. spoon rose water ½ tbsp. spoon anise extract

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Source: www.sams247.com

Method Clean fish and wash with lime / lemon juice or vinegar.Put fish to drain on paper towel and make a diagonal cut on each side of the fish. Combine fish seasoning, salt and black pepper in a small dish.

Place oil in frying pan to heat.

Crush the garlic and place in the frying pan, while the oil is being heated.

While oil is being heated, rub seasoning in the fish cavity, and on the outside, make sure to season thoroughly.

Ensure that the oil in the frying pan is very hot. Place 2 fish at a time in the preheated oil. Fry until each side of the fish is golden brown. Place each fried fish in dish that can be covered

Sauce Ingredients Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

3 tbsp oil from the pan that fish was fried in 2 cups white or cider vinegar 3 medium sized carrots, julienned 2 large onions cut in rings 3 scotch bonnet or hot pepper cut in rings 6 pimento berries

Method

Jerk Pork Based on their strict religious beliefs, many Caribbean nationals give up eating meat, especially pork, during the Lenten season preceding Easter. Some do this although surely tested to break the meat-fast, but with Lent soon behind them they’ll make a bee line to cook and dine on a tasty dish of jerk pork.

Ingredients Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

5 lbs. pork shoulder (ask your butcher to cut into medallions or cubes) 5 tsp. salt (season salt) 5 garlic cloves (minced) 4 sprigs fresh thyme 10 whole pimento (allspice berries) 1 tbsp. burnt sugar 1 cup jerk marinade

Method Wash pork in cold water then drain. Rub in the season salt, minced garlic and jerk marinade. Add the burnt sugar and rub in to give a rich dark hue. Let marinate overnight or for at least two hours with the thyme and pimento then cook on the barbeque grill or in your oven at 400º F for about 30 minutes then lower the temperature to 275º F until done. Serve with mango salsa and rice and peas. Enjoy!!!

Source: www.Sams247.com

Combine oil, vinegar, carrot, onion, pepper and pimento in sauce pan. Cook carrot and onion until tender. Pour sauce while hot onto fish. Cover dish and marinate for 2 hours. Add slices of pepper, onion, and carrots tp add additional garnishing. Now serve fish with your favorite side dish, and enjoy.

Photo by JehanCanCook.com Source: www.my-island-jamaica.com

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B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CONTINUATIONS

Lockdown

from A1

the island now have to be housed under subpar conditions because hospitals have reached overcapacity.

“There are some 13 hospitals, including Kingston Public and the University Hospital, that are now in the red-alert zone. They have all exceed 100 percent of their COVID-19 isolation capacity. To exceed the capacity means we now have to house positive patients who have to be hospitalized under less-than-ideal circumstances. In other words, they have to be put in makeshift sections of the hospital.

That’s the clearest indicator of a system being overwhelmed, in some cases, up to 150 percent of capacity,” Dr. Tufton explained.

To curb the spike in cases, Jamaicans will have to stay at home for the next three weekends. The lockdowns begin from midday on Saturdays to Mondays at 5 a.m. During the Easter holidays, the lockdown will commence on noon Good Friday, April 2 to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6. Holness referred to the lockdown days as “no movement days.”

On “no movement days,” only people employed to essential businesses, people seeking emergency medical care, and those traveling to and from the airports will be allowed on the streets.

Other measures include extensions of the UK travel ban until mid-April and the pretesting travel requirement until June 30, a continued ban on funerals, although burials are now permitted limited to 15 people and 30 minutes, closure of beaches and attractions.

One key component of the COVID-19 management that the Jamaican government has struggled with is enforcement of the protocols.

Criticism has been loud in Jamaica and the diaspora that without strict punitive measures the government-enforced restrictions have little effect.

But that could change with the new Disaster Risk Management (Amendment) Act, the legislation used by the government to legally implement and enforce COVID-19 restrictions.

On Monday, March 23, the House of Representatives approved amendments to the Act to add a ticketing system with fines for persons who breach COVID-19 protocols. The fines range from JMD $3,000 for tier one offenses like using a river outside of the specified times to JMD $500,000 for tier 10 offenses like operating a bar, club or attraction, or hosting a party during a prohibited period.

In supporting the new fines, Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck said, "This country needs some discipline and it's the intention that this bill will assist the police force to save lives. Our hospitals are overflowing and unless we have some drastic actions, more lives will be lost." The new penalties are also supported by the prime minister and Mark Golding, leader of the opposition People’s National Party.

These fines also have strong support within the diaspora. “The fines are long overdue, and should be even higher,” said Duane Morrison a Jamaican residing in North Miami, Florida. “Something must be done to enforce discipline to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Jamaica.”

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Excess Vaccines from A4

plan and to sell further production.

So much for debt transparency.

Small buyers do not even get a look-in.”

The prime minister stated that to scale up the resource transfer needed to address COVID and climate change, rich countries were being called on to pledge half of their new and unused Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to recapitalize development banks like the African Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank.

“They must use this capital to leverage more long-term lending to those heavily impacted by COVID and the climate crisis to support green, resilient and inclusive development…

“But it's not just the level of lending that matters, it is also the speed of lending. Our needs are immediate. The development banks have been well-meaning, yes they have been. But they have been slow…They must commit to the timing of their disbursements,” she indicated. – (CMC)

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Hitmelody Records intends to register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Tallahassee FL and/or Clerk of the Circuit Court of Broward, FL. Heather Virgo 1860 SW 68 Ave. APT 235 Miramar, FL 33023.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

C1

ENTERTAINMENT

Machel Montano Dedicates “The Wedding Album” to Wife Soca superstar Machel Montano is celebrating his one-year anniversary with a new album aptly entitled The Wedding Album which dropped on Friday, March 19.

According to the Trinidad and Tobago artist, “This album is a dedication to my wife and the wonderful partnership we share and which we celebrate physically, spiritually, and culturally. These songs translate the feelings we experience when we meet, the love when we dance and share space, as well as the joy we find when we are together.”

Soca—an acronym for the “soul of calypso” was invented in Montano's home country, and is one of the biggest, most celebrated genres of Caribbean music. Montano is arguably one of the most popular soca artists and is known for

his high-energy performances. This album, however, is a collection of slow grooves for easy listening and dancing with the message of love throughout.

Executive produced by Machel Mantano and Che Kothari. The Wedding Album features artists such as Teddy Riley, Afro B, Vybz Kartel, Stacy Barthe, Voice, DJ Tunez, just to name a few. The star-studded album is a masterpiece packaged with love and unity.

“These songs venture from Dancehall to R&B to Afrobeat, all infused with that sweet Soca. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the artists I've collaborated with. It's an honor to sing side by side with such highly rated creatives whom I look up to and I'm a big fan of,” says Machel Montano.

Sankofa Jazz Festival to honor Melton Mustafa, Sr. This year's event will honor the legacy of Miami's own, legendary jazz musician and composer Melton Mustafa, Sr. during the private renaming ceremony of the Center's concert hall.

The “Sankofa Jazz Fest” lineup includes: Chris Walker, this year's headliner. Singer, composer, musician, and producer, is most known as Al Jarreau's musical director, covocalist and bassist. He has played with jazz greats such as Ornette Coleman, Art Blakey, Bob James, Jimmy Heath, Cassandra Wilson, and R&B songstress Regina Belle.

Jesse Jones, Jr. is a saxophonist extraordinaire, an international recording artist, and a native of Miami, Florida. A phenomenal reed player, Jesse will pay tribute to his late brother, Melton Mustafa, Sr. Jesse is technically a virtuoso on the alto, soprano and baritone saxophone, as well as flute. He combines the hard-bop influence of Cannonball Adderley, the funk of Hank Crawford, and the sweetness of

With a lineup jazz fans will adore, and the celebration of Miami's own jazz icon Melton Mustafa, Sr., the sixth annual Sankofa Jazz Festival slated for Saturday, April 3 is expected to be a welcome treat for music lovers.

The festival, hosted by the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC) will kick off at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. on the historic grounds of Liberty City's AHCAC, 6161 NW 22nd Avenue, Miami, at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Moonlight Way. The Sankofa Jazz Festival, hosted by Hot 105.1's Rodney Baltimore, is a part of the Center's community outreach program.

The outdoor event is a platform used to maintain the rich history of the music of the African diaspora while introducing local and emerging artists.

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Members of the music and arts community are coming together to help a fellow artist in need with a fundraising musical telethon on Sunday, March 28. The event, staged by South Florida's 4-M International Productions in association with Irietimestv.com, will benefit ailing drummer Calvin Mitchell.

Mitchell is a former Edna Manley College, Jamaica School of Drama employee, and a Musgrave Bronze Medal awardee. In addition, he is the founding member of Poets in Unity and the Poetry Society of Jamaica.

Calvin has a major health challenge and is scheduled to undergo expensive surgery and aftercare soon.

The telethon which is scheduled to air from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 28, 2021, on irietimestv.com, has attracted top-name entertainers including the Fab 5 Band, The Jamaica Folk Singers, Gem Myers, Roy Rayon, Chanti-I, Milton Blake, Owen Blakka Ellis, Steve Higgins, SEA B, Wise Wurdz and Anord Sichinsambwe.

The evening will include a fashion show

by New York-based award-winning fashion designer and former Poets in Unity member Hope Blake.

How you can help: Donations can be made via Zelle or Cash App: Joan Mitchell, Phone: 240559-7725, $hmitchell66, sexything4759.hm@gmail.com. Direct deposits Calvin Mitchell, Victoria Mutual Building Society, A/C# 2086510.

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Paul Desmond. His latest single “Cabbage Alley” is available on music platforms.

Nikki Kidd is an international jazz vocalist with a palpable passion for music. Nikki's accolades include working with acclaimed artists Gloria Estefan, Michael Bublé, KC and the Sunshine Band, Aloe Blacc, Thelma Houston, Mary Wilson, Shannon and Jennifer Holiday, and Cory Henry with the Nu Deco Ensemble.

Cachita López is a culturally influential singer, known around South Florida for her seamless fusion of styles and musical genres and her dynamic performances. She's particularly known for her jazz and traditional Cuban repertoire.

This event will be a celebratory, safe, familyfriendly affair. Festival-goers must purchase tickets in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Strict rules, including social distancing and face masks, will be enforced to keep the public safe.

Musical Telethon to Benefit Jamaican Drummer Calvin Mitchell

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C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

C3

SPORTS

Striker Antonio picks Nothing Reggae Boyz over England but chaos!

COMMENTARY

By L. Bronson

West Ham striker Michail Antonio has given up on playing for England, where he was born, and has opted to play for Jamaica in the hope of launching his international career at the age of 30, according to UK media reports.

Antonio, whose parents were born in Jamaica, was approached by the Reggae Boyz last month, but the reports say he was still considering whether he wanted to play for England.

Antonio has been included in England squads under both Sam Allardyce, a previous manager, and the current one, Gareth Southgate, but has never been capped at senior debut.

Jamaica is set to play a friendly match against the United States in Austria on March 25, but up to Monday had not named their squad.

The reports say the five-foot, 11-inch striker—a father of four—has chosen to pledge his allegiance to Jamaica because it provides the prospect of more regular international football, even with the likes of Danny Ings and Tammy Abraham on the England injured list.

Earlier reports suggested the Reggae Boyz were plotting an audacious move to recruit up to 15 English stars ahead of next year's World Cup in Qatar.

Joining Antonio among the list were Demarai Gray, Max Aarons and Liam Moore—now it appears the West Ham striker is the first to confirm his place in the Jamaica squad.

A physical striker, Antonio has been a vital part of David Moyes' West Ham revolution and the Premier League club's manager had been hoping that the player would wait for his England chance, telling reporters recently: “I am still holding out he has a chance to get picked for England.”

Antonio, who was born in Wandsworth, Greater London, started

Antonio

his career at Tooting & Mitcham United Juniors at the age of 12 and remained there for six seasons.

He signed for Championship club Reading in 2008 for an undisclosed fee and had loan spells at various clubs before joining Sheffield Wednesday in 2012, moving to Nottingham Forest in 2014 and then switching to West Ham a year later.

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw Makes List of 50 Best Football Players in the World Jamaica’s leading goal scorer, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is among the best female football players in the world, according to ESPN FC. The Jamaica Reggae Girlz captain was ranked at number 31 on ESPN FC’s list of 50 best female players in football right now. The list was compiled by women’s football experts both within and outside of ESPN. Shaw ranked higher than Brazil’s Marta (ranked 35), the United States’ Alex Morgan (ranked 38) and Megan Rapinoe (ranked 40).

At just 24-years-old, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is already Jamaica’s all-time leading goal scorer across genders. In 2019, she joined French side Bordeaux, bagging 10 goals last season last year.

She is also the Division 1 Féminine league’s leading goal scorer this year, with 19 goals.

No Jamaican footballer, male or female, has ranked higher on ESPN’s lists, which makes Shaw the highest-ranked Jamaican football player ever.

Former France defender Aline Riera said of Shaw last December: “She has a rare profile… athletic and very powerful with exceptional ball coverage, but also capable of incredible things with her feet because she has a very good technique and goes fast.”

ESPN FC also hailed Shaw for her “extreme mental strength” in the face of great personal tragedy.

“Losing four brothers and two nephews while in college tested her resolve to stay in the

Khadija Shaw (center) of FC Girondins de Bordeaux shoots on goal between Easther Mayi Kith and Darya Kravets Stade of Reims in their Ligue 1 encounter on January 23, 2021 (Sipa via AP Images)

U.S, or even continue with football, but the sport gave her focus and provided a refuge,” Lindsay du Plessis said for the network.

Shaw has played internationally at the U-15, U-17, U-20 and senior levels for Jamaica, debuting for the former aged 14.

She made her senior international debut on August 23, 2015, scoring twice in a 6–0 victory over the Dominican Republic in an Olympic qualifying game. In 2019, Shaw was part of the Jamaica team that qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In doing so, they became the first Caribbean nation to ever qualify for a Women’s World Cup. In 2018, Shaw was named Guardian Footballer of the Year, an award given to a footballer “who has done something truly remarkable, whether by overcoming adversity,

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helping others or setting a sporting example by acting with exceptional honesty.”

In 2020, she made history by becoming the first national female football player to be honored with a National Award. Shaw received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for outstanding achievements in Sports, specifically football.

When will it end? Or rather, when will Jamaica’s football authorities get it right?

Thursday’s friendly international game against the United States of America, in Austria, was intended to offer both sides a chance to advance their preparations for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Indeed, based on the FIFA calendar, there is no more window for teams to conduct practice games. From hereon, they play for points in the real deal.

But somehow, Jamaica lost the plot.

The Americans had organized a training schedule in Austria, inclusive of two games. One against Jamaica and the other against Northern Ireland (on Thursday, March 25 and Sunday, March 28) – so that head coach Gregg Berhalter could assemble his top stars from Europe without the ill-effects of transatlantic travel. The coach had included only three players from Major League Soccer on the 26-strong roster.

The players got the chance to bond on and off the pitch; they got the time to continue progressing as a unit, and they got the moment to learn more about Berhalter’s playing systems.

An ideal preparation if you ask me.

But how did the Reggae Boyz use this vital final window to prepare?

Nothing but chaos.

Firstly, the core group of players head coach Theodore Whitmore had been building his team around did not make the trip to Europe because they and their bosses at the federation are embroiled in a pay dispute, which shows no signs of ending.

As such, a makeshift 20-man squad was selected. It included six first-time invitees and another nine players who reside in Jamaica and who would not have played any competitive football for the past year due to the novel coronavirus.

A recipe for disaster! And as Whitmore told a Jamaican media, “it was like a new set-up.”

Only days before the highly successful coach complained that his work was being hindered by “unacceptable and unprofessional” behavior by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

At the time no physical trainer or physiotherapist was with the delegation en route to Austria, though those positions were later filled ahead of the match.

Apart from that, he had begged that all contracts with players and coaching staff be agreed upon as soon as possible and not be allowed to drag on and create distractions to his program.

Bayer Leverkusen player Leon Bailey had also said that the Reggae Boyz had a good chance to qualify for the Qatar World Cup Finals, but that JFF could stand in their way.

If one were to try to take solace from this bad situation then one could point to the fact that some high-quality players could emerge from this encounter.

If that happens, then good. If not, then this latest window would have been a wasted opportunity.

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 25 – MAR 31, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T