NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, SEPT 29 – OCT 5, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 39
N E T W O R K T H E
M O S T
W I D E L Y
C I R C U L A T E D
FEATURE
BELIZE: EXPERIENCE ONE OF NATURE’S BEST KEPT SECRETS PAGE B3
C A R I B B E A N
A M E R I C A N
N E W S P A P E R
I N
F L O R I D A
WATCH IT. READ IT. LOVE IT. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
Deportation looms Haitian community concerned Garth A. Rose
CARIBBEAN
UN SEC. GENERAL PLEDGES TO ASSESS GUYANA/ VENEZUELA BORDER
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LOCAL
U.S. REP. STACEY PLASKETT MAKES THE ROUNDS AT CARIBBEAN HOTSPOTS PAGE A3
On Tuesday, the North Miami City Council, on the initiative of Mayor Dr. Smith Joseph passed an emergency resolution urging other Florida cities, and counties, to have the Obama Administration reconsider the recently announced policy to recommence deportation of undocumented Haitians living in the US. Since the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, killing and injuring thousands, the US government has been lenient in accepting undocumented Haitians fleeing the country into the US. When President Obama assumed office for his second term in 2012, he has extended Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for undocumented Haitians allowing them to live and work in the US, the latest extension of TPS is scheduled to expire in July 2017. The current stance taken by the US precludes Haitians currently protected by TPS from being deported unless they are convicted of serious crimes or pose a national security threat. However, recently the Obama administration announced while continues on A7 – Deported
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST TAKE AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE?
“That makes me smart” Reactions to the presidential debate
PAGE A5 HEALTH
LOSING WEIGHT AFTER PREGNANCY
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ENTERTAINMENT
MIAMI BROWARD CARNIVAL SET TO THRILL MIAMI WITH CULTURE, PRIDE AND PAGEANTRY PAGE B1
Garth A. Rose The highly anticipated first presidential debate may have exposed the real Donald Trump more than anything else, when he responded to Clinton’s allegations of not paying federal income tax, saying, “That makes me smart.” This, among other surprising comments, seem to have been a major motivator for voters who had been sitting on the fence about voting, and for people who were reluctant to register to vote in November. Based on the responses from 23 South Floridians under age 45, of which 6 were unregistered voters and 17 registered – 7 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 5 independents – interviewed by National Weekly post-debate, Clinton won the debate 16 – 5 with 2 Republicans believing neither candidate won. Not surprisingly all the Democrats believed Clinton won, as did three independent, one Republican and five unregistered. “How can Trump seek to become president of this country and imply that it's not smart to pay taxes, when taxes are the life blood of continues on A8 – Exposed
In
Love with her Violin by Kathy Barrett
“I love the sound, I love the tone, the violin makes me happy and puts me in a good mood” – those were the words of eight year old violinist extraordinary Leah Flynn who took a break from her regular practice session to have a chat with the National Weekly. Leah, is a fourth grader at the Forest Lake Education Centre in Longwood, Florida – but there is nothing ordinary about her. The talented child of Jamaican parents – Lennox and Paula Flynn, Leah is on a musical mission. Her journey began at the age if three when her father – himself a musician, introduced her to the piano. “This all came about with her Dad who is a pianist and an organist.” said Paula. “He had a stroke when I was pregnant with Leah and he became a stay at home Dad. He started teaching her and she excelled . She was able to copy him just like that. So the Holy Spirit told him to try the violin – no one else plays the violin. We got her a violin and found her a local teacher and she has excelled beyond her years.” Being naturally gifted, Leah has over the years attracted a lot of attention. She was thrust into the national spotlight in 2014, following the fatal shooting of Ferguson, Missouri resident, Michael Brown. So determined was this child prodigy, that she prompted her parents to contact the office of Missouri's Governor in order for her fulfill her desire of bringing peace to the area. Although the offer was declined, her dream remained. The news quickly circulated and Leah was eventually invited to perform elsewhere in Missouri. From countless appearances in Florida and beyond, Leah continues to strive for excellence. With hopes of becoming a violinist and eventually a violin teacher, Leah practices for at least two hours each day. Leah's ability is closely monitored by her parents who have also implemented guidelines to keep her on track. Paula had a word of encouragement for other parents with musically gifted children. “I would encourage parents to encourage the child to practice. They (the parents) need to be there for the children, have fun with the instrument, don't make it be a chore.” In Leah's lifetime she has already achieved what some have only dreamt of – the achievements include, performances at the NAACP convention, playing with the Orlando Philharmonic, being features in the Jet and Essence Magazine – to name only a few. Another accomplishment is the release of her first single “Believe” released earlier this year. As Leah looks forward to her 9th birthday in October - she will continue to follow her dreams and in the long run the world could be her stage.