New York Liberty Star

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

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50 CENTS OUR FOOD SHOULDN’T TRA VEL MORE THAN WE DO TRAVEL DO,, P26

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Caribbean News News WORKERS AIR JAMAICA Page 6

WANT ANSWERS

BRUCE NOBLES: With the April 30 sale date for Air Jamaica just a week away, workers say they are still in the dark over their future with the carrier.

Page 11

Entertainment

KY-MANI DEFENDS MOM FROM DJ DISS

KY-MANI MARLEY was detained Thursday after having a heated argument with a radioshow DJ.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 197

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ALLWOOD-ANDERSON

NURSING EXODUS GETS WORSE FOR JAMAICA

PM MANNING

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TRINIDAD & GRENADA SIGN MARITIME TREATY

KY-MANI MARLEY

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AKELA JONES

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KY-MANI DEFENDS MOM AFTER DJ ‘DISS’

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CARIBBEAN DUO SCORE MAIDEN WINS AT PENNS

NURSING EXODUS MAY ONLY GET WORSE, P6

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NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Local News

Caribbean Tales Goes NYU, Cannes

By Mel Cook

O

ver a year ago Frances-Anne Solomon received an e-mail from cultural icon Dr Kamau Brathwaite, congratulating and thanking her for her contribution to Caribbean film through the annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival, held in Toronto, Canada, each July.

As the festival extended back to its roots this year, with the Best of CaribbeanTales debuting in Barbados in February, Brathwaite planned to take students from New York University (NYU). That fell through, but Brathwaite was determined to make the connection and Solomon says “he began looking into the possibility of bringing the festival itself to NYU.” “Through his persistent efforts, the plan bore fruit, and was confirmed a few days ago. The NYU festival is therefore due to the foresight and vision of Kamau Brathwaite, who is an icon of our culture, and clearly sees the cultural importance and educational significance of the development of an indigenous film industry.”

She says Brathwaite chose and programmed the films himself. “He knew exactly what he wanted to show, when and how,” Solomon said.

Therefore Brathwaite, who is Professor of Comparative Literature at NYU, will host selections from the Best of CaribbeanTales 2010 from April 26th to May 1. The mini-festival is part of a larger event, Marassa 10 2010: A Festival of Caribbean Film, Story and Imagination.

Best of CaribbeanTales Six feature films and several shorts from the Best of CaribbeanTales will be screened.

Among them are Stephanie’s Black’s Africa Unite, Calypso Dreams (Geoffrey Dunn, Michael Horne), A Winter Tale (directed by Solomon), the shorts Directions, Invisible and Mami Wata from Trinidad and To-

Frances-Anne Solomon bago, directed by Renee Polonais, Elspeth Duncan and Yao Ramesar respectively.

There are also the Maria Govan directed Rain, The Legend of Buchi Fil (German Gruber), Christopher Laird’s Drummit2Summit and the closing feature Carmen and Geoffrey (Linda Atkins and Nick Doob).

“I am very excited to see giants of our literature - Brathwaite, Derek Walcott, George Lamming (who spoke at our launch in Barbados), to name a few - prepared to engage and throw their weight behind our new fledgeling film industry. It is very helpful, as it establishes a context for the work we are doing; they see its vast possibilities and their support gives our work a weight and legitimacy beyond mere ‘entertainment’,” Solomon said.

CaribbeanTales will also be involved in the Festival International du Film Panafricain from April 21 - 25 2010 in Cannes, France, Solomon receiving the personal honour of being invited as ‘Presidente du Jury’ (President of the Jury). Among the films slated to be screened are Roger McTair’s Journey to justice, Fabulous

SPIRITUAL READING Man from Jamaica Woman from Haiti

Spaces, (which explores science fiction writer Nalo Hopkinson’s work), Blood Dub and the Matriarch (Judy Singh’s biopic of dub artist dbi.young.anitaafrika), Jab (Alex Deverteiul ) Gathering the Scattered Cousins (Akin Omotoso); FrancesAnne Solomon’s What My Mother Told Me and I Is A Long Memoried Woman; Celebration (Yao Ramesar); Crack House (Camille Selvon Abrahams); and Lenny Little White’s Glory to Gloriana.

The inclusion has been long in the making. Solomon said “I was approached two years ago by Mr Basile Ngangue, the Artistic Director of the Festival International Pan African de Cannes. This is a festival that takes place in Cannes, France, between MipTV in April and the Cannes Film Festival in May. Mr Ngangue came to Canada a couple of times, and last year we were able to meet in Toronto.

He expressed an interest in including Caribbean films in his programs and invited me to participate, so I gave him a selection of some 30 films to take back with him back to France.”

Exposure A selection committee gave the

nod to 20 of the films which Solomon recommended.

The implications of the NYU and Cannes forays go beyond achievement for CaribbeanTales. Solomon says “Caribbean culture, including film, is taking its place on the world stage, alongside other major cultures.

The exposure legitimises our very being, our very existence as a people and a region, with not one but many original voices. The ability to have a voice, to tell our stories, is key to a healthy society. So we are growing as a region, we are coming to voice, coming into our own.”

“Wherever there are populations of Caribbean people there is a thirst to see Caribbean stories. The explosion of exciting films and festivals like ours has generated great interest. It makes sense that the CaribbeanTales Film Festival, which began as a festival of films from the Caribbean and its Diaspora - originating in Toronto - would travel the world effortlessly.”

On the strictly business end, Solomon says that CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution will be launched in May, this in association with BBEC, a Barbados-based investment company led by Dr Basil Springer.

“Effective and targeted distribution of our content is very much needed, to give us a platform in the world marketplace, to find our audiences and meet audience with product. Right now a lot of content is being created but there are no outlets.

The infrastructure to monetise the work of creators does not exist. We have to change that. A distribution company will be the first step to putting the production of films on a proper business footing by identifying and targeting markets and generating income for producers,” Solomon said.

“It is an exciting time and I feel very privileged to be part of it.”

“Saint Philomena “Saint Joseph keep us Keep us grounded.” steady in our doings.”

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This psalm is good for protection against enemies; also good for court cases.

This is a good pocket piece as well.

Psalm 35

“Saint Peter open all doors for us all.”

Saint Barbara

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In the name of Shango, Lightning and thunder for all our enemies.

Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and block the way against them that persecute me. Say unto my soul, “I am thy salvation ...”

To be continued.

Read three times daily.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

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NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Caribbean

Nursing Exodus May Only Get Worse

By Kathy Barrett

The shortage of nurses throughout the Caribbean has reached chronic proportions, in a region already struggling with an ailing health care system.

A World Bank report released on Mar. 2 revealed that between 2002 and 2006, more than 1,800 nurses left the Caribbean for higher paying jobs abroad, mostly in the United States, Canada and Britain.

The director of the World Bank’s Human Development Department in Latin American and the Caribbean, Dr. Evangeline Javier, predicted that the shortage of nurses will worsen in coming years, with increasing demand for nurses overseas and widespread dissatisfaction with their salary and working conditions.

According to World Bank estimates, 7,800 nurses are working in English-speaking Caribbean countries, or 1.25 nurses per 1,000 people.

That is about one-tenth the concentration of nurses in some major advanced economies.

“These shortages have tangible impacts that may compromise the ability of English-speaking CARICOM (Caribbean Community) countries to meet their key health care service needs, especially in the areas of disease prevention and care. In addition, the shortage of highly trained nurses reduces the capacity of countries to offer quality health care at a time when Caribbean countries

Dr. Hermi Hewitt, director of the School of Nursing at the University of the West Indies

Edith Allwood-Anderson, president of the Nurses Association of Jamaica

aim to attract businesses and retirees as an important pillar of growth,” the report stated.

In Jamaica, the largest Englishspeaking country in the region, about three out of every four nurses trained here have migrated to developed countries.

The migration of nurses from Jamaica is not a new phenomenon, says Dr. Hermi Hewitt, director of the School of Nursing at the University of the West Indies.

“The same reasons causing nurses migration in the 1960s continue to be the push and pull factors today,” she said. “The key push factors which have driven the migration wave have been identified as poor remuneration, lack of opportunities for education and training…violence and

stressful working conditions.”

Hewitt lists the pull factors attracting nurses as better salary packages, working conditions and opportunities for professional development.

In Jamaica, an experienced nurse earns an average of 600 dollars a month, far less than even a trainee would abroad.

In the face of this constant migration, there is some hope in regional collaboration. The single most significant achievement has been the Managed Migration Program, launched in 2001 and built on a concept originally developed in Jamaica.

The program has been defined as “a regional strategy for retaining an adequate number of competent nursing personnel to deliver health programs and services to the Caribbean

nationals”.

In Barbados, for example, the government has worked to increase the enrolment of nurses in training at the Barbados Community College on an annual basis.

In St. Vincent, the government had sought bilateral agreements to obtain compensation from health care provider institutions that recruit nurses away from the country.

Still, nursing migration from Jamaica – and other countries - has created severe shortages and major workforce challenges - compromising the quality of care, creating stressed working conditions and eroding some cultural norms, such as male and female patients being accommodated in the same hospital ward.

Edith Allwood-Anderson, the feisty president of the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ), believes there will be deliberate efforts by the United States in particular to lure almost one million nurses from Caribbean countries even as the global economic recession abates.

The NAJ represents registered nurses across Jamaica. AllwoodAnderson says there has been no meaningful effort on the part of the governments to retain local nurses other than lip service.

“It has had absolutely no impact, the dangling of the carrot is not evident anymore and as the World Bank report said, there is now a window period for Caribbean governments which ordered the study…. to try and dangle and implement retention strategies for nurses before the recovery of the American economy - which needs 800,000 nurses and it is the Caribbean that they are banking on,” she said.

“Most of the recommendations were not put in place… We continue to be underpaid and overworked, but our spirits are very high,” AllwoodAnderson said.

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the government is training more nurses to cope with the drain. But the struggle is ongoing.

Jerry George is a regional journalist based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines who believes it’s too early to tell if any of the strategies implemented by the various governments would really work.

“Whereas in the past the nurses trained were automatically employed by the Health Ministry, the new system trains the nurses and they then have to apply for available positions in the health services,” he said.

“What is anticipated is that those who don’t make it would be available to take up job opportunities overseas.

Where that strategy falls down is that the countries which are looking for nurses are looking for trained and experienced nurses so how well this works as a strategy is still in question,” he explained.

The World Bank report notes that in the coming years, demand for nurses in the English-speaking Caribbean will increase due to the health needs of the aging population.

Christoph Kurowski, the lead author of the report, has reiterated some aspects of the managed migration program.

“English-speaking Caribbean countries need to examine their policy responses towards the migration of health workers,” he said. “Countries in the region should adopt a joined approach that balances the rights and interests of nurses and governments.”

Air Jamaica Workers Want Answers

KINGSTON, Jamaica One of the unions representing Air Jamaica employees has written to the airline’s president, Bruce Nobles, giving him until the end of this week to answer a number of outstanding concerns.

With the April 30 sale date for Air Jamaica just a week away, workers say they are still in the dark over their future with the carrier.

Their union also says it is still awaiting official documentation concerning the deal reached between Caribbean Airlines (CAL) and the Bruce Golding-led administration.

“We are not aware of any information about the culture, the policies, the actual job offer, the

The Jamaica government is selling Air Jamaica which has for years been a burden on the public purse.

number of persons needed, what are the criteria … moreso, as the union that represents the workers until the very last day, we have not been informed sufficiently to guide our members,” said Granville Valentine, spokesman for the National Workers Union (NWU).

He also expressed concern that those employees who have retired and those who have opted for voluntary redundancy still did not know how their pension and other benefits would be worked out.

In a letter to the president on Wednesday, the union said that in order to guarantee a seamless transition to Caribbean Airlines, information must be provided by Friday.

“We believe that in the interest of the workers and the Jamaican people there is need for full disclosure. We are not just calling on President and by extension the Prime Minister to speak to the issue,” the union states.

The Jamaica government is selling Air Jamaica which has for years been a burden on the public purse. The airline should have wound up operations on April 12, but that date was shifted to April 30 as the divestment team said it needed more time to complete the negotiations with the new owners. In his recent contribution to the 2010/2011 budget debate, Prime Minister Bruce Golding sought to assure the nation that the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines was committed to servicing the routes that were vital to Jamaica’s interest.

“They will fly these routes under the Air

Bruce Nobles, president of Air Jamaica Jamaica flag at least for the initial period and under licence from the government of Jamaica.

We have made provisions in the budget to satisfy promptly all our obligations to the staff of Air Jamaica, some of whom will be offered employment by Caribbean Airlines. Our recurring

losses in Air Jamaica will finally come to an end,” Golding said.

However workers are expressing concern about several administrative matters yet to be cleared up, as anxiety heightens over the fate of the national airline.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

Jamaica To Sell Bauxite/ Alumina Stake To China Firm

By Horace Helps

Caribbean Consulates In New York Antigua & Barbuda 610 Fifth Avenue, Suite 311 New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel. 212-541-4117 Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, NY 10017 (212) 421-6420 Barbados 800 Second Avenue, 2nd Fl. New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-867-8435 Belize 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400G New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-599-0233 Cayman Islands (Dept. of Tourism) 420 Lexington Ave New York, NY 10170 (212) 682-5582 Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel. 212-768-2480 Grenada 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400K New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-599-0301 Guyana 866 UN Plaza, Room 304 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-527-3215 Haiti 271 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor New York, N.Y. 10016 Tel. 212-697-9767 Honduras 80 Wall Street, Suite 415, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10005 Tel. 212-269-3611 Jamaica 767 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017-2993 Tel. 212-935-9000 Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel. 212-838-6887 Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel. 212-745-0200 Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel. 212-840-2450 Puerto Rico 666 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor New York, N.Y. 10103 Tel. 800-223-6530 St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel. 212-535-1234 St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel. 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Ste. 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 800-786-2278 St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel. 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane New York, N.Y. Tel. 212-682-7272

Jamaica’s government plans to sell its stake in bauxite producer and alumina refiner Clarendon Alumina Production Limited to a Chinese company, the prime minister said.

Bruce Golding told parliament late on Tuesday that negotiations were advanced for the sale of the government’s 45 percent stake in CAP, also known as Jamalco, to Chinese company Zhuhai Hongfan.

The other partner in Jamalco is Alcoa Inc., which owns 55 percent of the shares.

“We have entered into an agreement with a Chinese firm, Zhuhai Hongfan, for the sale of CAP,” Golding said, adding: “The sale is subject to the inherent right of Alcoa, our joint venture partner in Jamalco, which has a 90day right of first refusal”.

Golding said Zhuhai Hongfan had an alumina supply contract with the Aluminum Corp of China, the country’s top aluminium maker, and had also secured financing commitments from the China Development Bank.

“Hongfan is also committed to expanding the Jamalco plant from 1.2 million tonnes to 2.7 million tonnes, provided adequate long-term bauxite

Bruce Golding reserves can be assured,” the Jamaican prime minister said.

“Representatives of Hongfan, Chalco, China Development Bank and Alcoa met in Jamaica last week and we are optimistic that the agreement will be consummated,” he added.

Hit By Global Recession Jamaica’s strategic bauxite and alumina export sector was badly hit by the global economic downturn that reduced international demand, forcing several plants on the Caribbean island to halt or slash production and lay off workers.

Clarendon Alumina Production, located in the central parish of Clarendon, was the only one not to cut output or lay off workers.

But Golding said that despite the plant’s relatively high level of effi-

ciency, the government found that it was still losing money on every tonne of alumina produced, and the government stake had become a heavy burden on taxpayers.

He blamed this on “fixed-price forward sale contracts entered into between 2002 and 2005” which were then affected by the upward movement in production costs and downward movement in aluminum prices.

“The government has had to provide a total of $176 million to meet CAP’s obligations to Jamalco. And that is in addition to assuming $369 million of debt for monies borrowed through CAP to help finance past budgets and cover its share of capital investment costs,” he said.

Reduced bauxite and alumina export revenues was one of the factors that forced Jamaica to enter a $1.27 billion standby loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund in February, in a bid to shore up its vulnerable economy against economic shocks. There are some signs however that the outlook might be improving for the Jamaican bauxite and alumina sector.

Mining and Energy Minister James Robertson said this week that Russian aluminum producer, UC Rusal, would restart in June production at its Windalco Ewarton bauxite and alumina refinery in Jamaica, which closed its doors last year.

The planned reopening, six months earlier than expected, was due to improving global demand, Robertson said.

Foreign Minister Says St. Lucia Is Getting A Bad Rap In The Uk CASTRIES, St. Lucia -- Foreign Minister Rufus Bousquet believes the illegal use of St. Lucian passports by persons with criminal intent, including nationals from other parts of the Caribbean, is giving the island a bad name in the United Kingdom.

therefore been subjecting St. Lucia passport holders to greater scrutiny.

The situation has also contributed to the review of the visa waiver which St. Lucians currently enjoy in travelling to Britain, he said.

“Where there is smoke there is fire and clearly there has been smoke in that a number of persons, and I would refrain from singling out any country in particular, but there have been persons from other countries who have made it a business of coming to St. Lucia if they wanted to get a passport to travel overseas, and that practice has gone on for years.

The British government recently “There have even been accusaannounced that it was re-considering tions that they have been facilitated whether to allow St. Lucians and Dothrough persons in the Passport Diminicans to continue to enter the UK vision and other departments. I don’t without visas. know whether these accusations hold Bousquet pointed out that as an any merit but clearly there is certainly independent country, Britain reserved schools of thought that are quite the right to implement a visa review, adamant that we are so lax in term of even as he admitted that St. Lucia’s Rufus Bousquet says St. Lucia has how we conduct out business that image has been somewhat tarnished. become something of a poster child persons are able to get away with that “St. Lucia has become something for those who are out there entering quite easily,” the Foreign Minister of a poster child for those who are out said. there entering the country with ille- the UK with illegal drugs.

During the past year, a number gal drugs. There have been a number of foreign nationals, most coming of fairly high incidents that have taken place and certainly from Guyana, have been arrested and charged for being in the British government has for quite sometime indicated possession of forged St. Lucia passports, and other forms to the authorities here particular concern,” said Bousquet. of identification.

“As you know this has encouraged the perception that Britain and St. Lucia are to enter into a six-month St. Lucia has quite a number of people who come into the period of detailed dialogue to determine what actions UK illegally and with drugs,” he added. would be taken to address British concerns and mitigate ‘That might not necessarily be the reality but that cer- the need for visas to be introduced. tainly is a perception,” Bousquet added.

During this period St. Lucia and Dominica which are The Foreign Minister further suggested that the prob- currently being reviewed will, according to British offilem was not entirely of St. Lucia’s making. He said na- cials, need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to put tionals from other Caribbean countries have been coming into effect credible and realistic plans, with clear timeto the island and obtaining passports illegally, adding that tables to reduce the risk to the UK and begin implementthe British authorities were aware of the situation and have ing these plans.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning

Trinidad, Grenada Sign Maritime Treaty Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada Wednesday signed a maritime delimitation treaty, insisting that it would provide socio-economic benefits to both countries, despite strong objections from the opposition parties in both countries.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his Grenadian counterpart, Tillman Thomas, signed the accord at a brief ceremony at the Diplomatic Centre on the compound of the official residence, ending nearly 17 years of negotiations.

Both leaders told the ceremony that the agreement would allow for meaningful investment in oil and other products in the waters of the two countries.

Manning said the agreement would set the stage for “even closer collaboration as we seek to develop the resources of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf to mutual advantage in furtherance of the development of the integration movement of which we have now embarked.

“The maritime boundary will separate jurisdictions but it will unite governments and peoples,” Manning said.

For his part, Thomas said the agreement “is testament to our shared commitment to the continued deepening of relations and cooperation between our two states. “”It also re-affirms the strong historical ties that exist between our peoples,” he said, adding “it is those ties that enabled the talks to be conducted in an amicable and cordial manner”.

Thomas said that the signing of the treaty “will eventually assist the government of Grenada to increase the level of employment, the level of income, the level of productivity, economic growth and the general well being of its citizens”.

But as the leaders met to sign the accord, Grenada’s Opposition Leader, Dr. Keith Mitchell, sent a letter to Prime Minister Manning indicating that “a vast majority of our population is vehemently opposed to the signing of the treaty and holds the view that Trinidad and Tobago with its long history of oil and gas exploration and development, and its knowledge of the resources in the area has taken advantage of Grenada in its vulnerable state.

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Barbados Businessman Charged For Killing His Son Police say they intend to lay a charge of manslaughter against a local gun dealer at the center of a high-profile criminal investigation into the death of his 11-year-old son.

Johan Bjerkhamn, 39, the son of a prominent local construction magnate, was arrested in Miami on Tuesday after slipping out of the island by private jet on Monday.

His lawyers say their client had gone to Miami for specialised medical treatment.

Bjerkhamn had sustained a gunshot wound to his hand during an April 11 incident at his home in which his son received a fatal shot to the chest.

His attorneys are however unhappy with the treatment of their client as a fugitive and con-

tend that police were informed of his travel plans well in advance, including details of the clinic where he underwent five hours of surgery on Monday, as well as the procedure and name of the doctor who would be carrying out his medical treatment.

“This has been an unnecessary and an uncalled for piece of drama. At no time did Bjerkhamn attempt to leave Barbados without advising the police,” stressed Sir Richard Cheltenham.

However, local police have now issued a warrant for the arrest of Bjerkhamn.

In updating the media here on the case on Wednesday, Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin said he did not consider that the decision to allow Bjerkhamn to leave the island was his to make.

He said the businessman, who had been picked up by Miami police, was due to return to the island this morning to face a manslaughter charge.

“Give Your Business A Chance To Shine” ADVERTISE IN NY LIBERTY STAR 718-785-9722 Johan Bjerkhamn, 39, the son of a prominent local construction magnate, was arrested in Miami on Tuesday after slipping out of the island by private jet on Monday.

Jamaica Cop Police Outline New Initiatives To Deal With Crime Charged The Jamaica police With Starting Wednesday outlined a 16plan initiative aimed at gainDeadly Fire ing public support in the fight against crime and violence in the country.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said that the plan includes targeting gang activity in schools, covert anti-gang operations and more aggressive policing on the island’s road network.

“In order for these policing activities to work and ensure the safety and security of all Jamaicans it is important that citizens continue

to support the police by sharing information about criminal activities even where those involved are related to them.

“It is also crucial that all Jamaicans obey the laws of the land and resist temptations to take part in any illegal activities which offer financial or other benefits,” the JCF said in a statement.

The police also warned that family members and associates of criminals were also at risk adding ‘a criminal offender in the household is an immediate security threat to the entire family”.

Among the initiatives outlined by the police include a higher visibility of uniformed patrols and presence in communities and

Prime Minister Bruce Golding told legislators that the importation of illegal guns from the United States is contributing significantly to the country’s worsening crime situation.

commercial areas as well as covert patrols “to surprise and apprehend criminals with evidence”.

The police said there would also be coordinated stop or search activities; vehicle check points and road blocks to disrupt criminals movements, while intercepting the movement of guns, drugs and stolen commodities.

“Aggressive road policing and traffic law enforcement to reduce criminal activity on public transport, curtail breaches of the road traffic act and; reduce traffic accidents,” are also outlined in the new initiative that also calls for an expansion of the School Safety Program to reduce school violence, drug abuse and the influence of criminal gangs in schools.

The police said they also intend to get involve in proactive investigation, targeting crimes for profit such as narcotics trafficking; gun running; extortion/protection rockets; illegal trading in contraband and counterfeit goods; illegal gambling and involvement of children in criminal activities.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding told legislators that the importation of illegal guns from the United States is contributing significantly to the country’s worsening crime situation.

“The security forces recover, on average, 600 guns each year. We suspect that a greater number enter the island each year, creating an ever increasing arsenal of illegal weapons snuffing out lives with callous brutality,” Golding told Parliament as he made his contribution to the debate on the 2010 national budget on Tuesday.

Last year, more than 1,600 persons were murdered in Jamaica.

A Jamaican police constable was charged Tuesday with starting a fire that killed seven girls at a juvenile lockup that was engulfed by flames as authorities were trying to halt a disturbance.

Prosecutors charged Constable Lawrence Burrell with intentionally igniting the blaze at the Armadale Juvenile Center with a tear gas canister he threw during a melee by the youthful inmates last May. The fire swept through a section of the cramped facility, trapping 23 girls inside.

Police rescued all but six, who died. One of the rescued girls also died a week later from burns received in the blaze.

Burrell is charged with administering a noxious substance with intent to injure and multiple counts of assault, according to prosecutor Paula Llewylyn.

Earlier this year, a government commission found that Burrell inadvertently started the fire during the disturbance and criticized the juvenile center’s administrators for keeping the girls in a poorly maintained dormitory that was designed for only five inmates.

Police commanders and a spokesman for Golding’s administration did not return calls seeking comment. It was not immediately known if Burrell had a lawyer.

His first court appearance is scheduled for April 30.

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Ky-Mani Marley

New Releases Kick-Ass How to Train Your Dragon Date Night Death at a Funeral Clash of the Titans The Last Song Why Did I Get Married Too? Alice in Wonderland Hot Tub Time Machine The Bounty Hunter

CLASH OF THE TITANS The ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world.

Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus is helpless to save his family from Hades, vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus and unleash hell on earth. Leading a daring band of warriors, Perseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, he will only survive if he can accept his power as a god, defy his fate and create his own destiny.The Fosters, however, don't have reservations. Hoping to be seated sometime before the clock strikes twelve, they steal a no-show couple's reservations. What could it hurt? Phil and Claire are now the Tripplehorns.

The real Tripplehorns, however, it turns out, are a thieving couple who are being hunted down by a pair of corrupt cops for having stolen property from some very dangerous people.

Forced on the run before they've even finished their risotto, Phil and Claire soon realize that their play-date-forparents has gone awry, as they embark on a wild and dangerous series of crazy adventures to save their lives -- and their marriage.

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Jamaican musician Eek-A-Mouse, whose real name is Ripton Joseph Hylton, was scheduled to be tried this week on kidnapping, rape and drug charges.

N.C. Judge Issues Arrest Order For Reggae Star Eek-A-Mouse MANTEO, N.C. -- Volcanic ash-related flight cancellations in Europe forced Jamaican reggae star Eek-AMouse to miss his scheduled trial in Dare County this week on rape and kidnapping charges, but that didn’t stop a warrant being issued for his arrest.

The musician, whose real name is Ripton Joseph Hylton, was in Amsterdam and could not fly to the United States, said Phillip Hayes, his Kitty Hawk attorney.

Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett issued an order Monday for Hylton’s arrest for failure to appear at the designated time.

“It was difficult for me to understand why the judge thought this was willful,” Hayes said after his motion to continue the case for 60 days was denied.

Hylton, 52, was charged in August 2008 with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape and possession of cocaine, all felonies, stemming from an incident in Kill Devil Hills.

Police reported that a 23-year-old woman said she was held against her will by the performer at an Outer Banks motel. Hylton denies the charges.

Hayes said the U.S. State Department had recently agreed to re-issue Hylton’s visa, which had been unexpectedly revoked about a week before. Meanwhile, the singer’s scheduled flight from Heathrow Airport in London to RaleighDurham was canceled and most air traffic in Europe was suspended.

The case will not be rescheduled until Hylton is served with the arrest warrant, Hayes said.

Ky-Mani Defends Mom After DJ ‘Diss’ CLEVELAND, Ohio — One of the sons of late reggae star Bob Marley was detained Thursday after having a heated argument with a Cleveland radioshow host DJ Rover.

Ky-Mani Marley was in Cleveland promoting his book about his famous father.

During the interview, Rover, 30, made a sexual comment about Marley’s mother, who was a pingpong champion.

Marley was angered by the comment.

He left the studio. Apparently, he turned the radio on in his car and heard Rover still talking about him.

Marley returned to the station and barged into the studio. A heated, profane argument ensued, with Marley allegedly threatening to assault Rover. Much of the profanity was kept off the air using the station’s delay system.

The Police was called and Marley was detained Marley for about 45 minutes.

Rover, whose real name is Shane French, declined to press charges and Marley was released.

Whitney Houston Postpones More European Tour Dates NEW YORK — Whitney Houston has again pushed back the European leg of her first tour in years on the advice of doctors who are encouraging her to take time to recover from a respiratory illness, according to a statement issued Wednesday.

Houston had already postponed the European kickoff, originally scheduled for Tuesday in Paris, because of illness. A statement from a representative said doctors advised Houston to reschedule concerts Thursday and Friday in Manchester, England, and a Sunday performance in Glasgow, Scotland.

All dates are being rescheduled, and the 46year-old singer’s tour is now supposed to start next Tuesday in Birmingham, England.

“Doctors visited Whitney late last night in Paris and confirmed that she was suffering from an upper respiratory infection,” the statement

read. “Upon medical advice Whitney has been advised that she cannot perform to allow her time to recover.”

The statement noted she delayed the tour with “great disappointment.”

Houston, one of pop’s all-time best-selling artists, had been on a hiatus from music as she battled drug addiction and ended a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown. But with her new CD, I Look to You, she returned on the top of the charts and declared herself healthy and free from substance abuse.

The superstar has been on a world tour to promote the CD, which has sold more than 1 million copies in the United States alone.

However, the tour has been troubled; performances in Australia and elsewhere were negatively received by some fans and critics, who complained Houston did not showcase the majestic voice she is known for.

Video snippets of her performances showed Houston sweating and struggling to hit notes, leading some to wonder about her health.

In February, her representative issued a statement denying any troubles, saying, “Whitney is in great health and having a terrific time on her tour and with her fans.”

Whitney Houston performs at Saitama Arena in Saitama, near Tokyo, Japan, recently.

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Sean Paul Drops New Singles Ahead Of Tour With two new tracks and a three-continent tour for April, Jamaican dancehall superstar Sean Paul is keeping quite busy these days.

Sean Paul, who returned from performances in Africa recently, is also toasting the success of his single with British-born pop sensation Jay Sean, Do You Remember, which is featured on the iconic pop music compilation Now That’s What I Call Music.

Sean Paul’s two newest singles, Fire Brigade and Down The Line, are destined as sure-fire club pleasers.

Down The Line, produced by Jeremy Harding, is a reggae-flavoured slowmelody love song which is featured on his popular mixtape The Oddessy.

The Don Corleone-produced Fire Brigade, however, is an unmistakable dancehall tune with all the up-tempo energy party lovers clamour for and that which Sean Paul has become famous for.

Sean Paul is rearing to hit the road and promote these two new tracks.

“Working with Don and Jeremy is just amazing. They are creative people and good at what they do. I know anytime I go in the studio with them I leave with a good song. Down The Line is getting good reviews so far and so is Fire Brigade so its time to kick the promotion for these singles into high gear,” Sean Paul said.

He added that the singles will soon be available on iTunes, and that the producers were two of the producers who did tracks for his album Imperial Blaze. The album, his fourth, went on to make history on the charts as it became the first dancehall album to top the Billboard Rap/Hip Hop charts.

His newly released singles aside, the Grammy-winning megastar has been racking up the frequent flyer miles and performance hours. Sean Paul has performed in more than 80 countries in North, Central, and South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Sean Paul will return to the dancehall-loving nation of Japan, where Imperial Blaze debuted at #1 selling over 50,000 copies in its first week. He has a string of appearances in Japan, before he heads to engagements in Columbia and Australia.

These are hectic times for the artiste, who now sports a trendy Mohawk.

Sean Paul is a multi-platinum selling deejay many times over, and the most successful Jamaican artiste

Sean Paul on the international charts. He’s had three #1 singles, five top ten hits, and even more chart entries over four worldwide best-selling albums, which have sold more than tens of millions of copies worldwide. In 2009, he copped the MOBO Award for Best Reggae Act, as well as, Best Reggae

Artiste award at the Soul Train Awards. He adds those trophies to an impressive collection of awards that includes a Grammy, MTV Music Video Award, Billboard Music Award, American Music Award, MTV Europe Music Award, MOBO, BET Award and others.

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Travel Tourists Stuck In The Caribbean Provide Economic Boost The ash-spewing volcano in Iceland has given the Caribbean an unexpected economic boost, causing some hotels to fill up with stranded travelers and increasing demand for tourist activities.

Hotel managers have called in extra staff and hiked purchases of food, helping earnings in a region struggling with a tourism downturn.

Adventure tour operators also have benefited as hotels hire them to keep guests entertained.

Not everyone is seeing an increase in revenue — especially islands like Barbados and Antigua that depend largely on British vacationers stuck at home by airline flight cancellations.

But stranded tourists are helping make up for that loss, said Johnson JohnRose, spokesman for the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

“Some of them may be running out of money, but they still have to stay here and find something to eat and do things,” JohnRose said.

At Tobago’s Coco Reef resort, Geoff Andrews and his wife are hoping to make it back to London in time for their 50th wedding anniversary

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

UNIQUE

Spring Sale Without your travel agent you are on your own

Tobago’s Coco Reef resort party Saturday, which 75 people are expected to attend.

While awaiting word from a tour operator, Andrews, 72, has been exploring the island, surfing the Internet and playing golf and tennis with 11 other relatives traveling with him.

“There’s no point sitting around moping is there?” he said in a telephone interview.

European airports began allowing airline flights against Tuesday nearly a week after Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, spewing out a huge dust cloud that forced the cancellation of more than 95,000 flights.

It could be weeks before airlines get back to normal and can get everyone back home again.

“It really comes at a good time,” said Jamaica Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett.

More than 2,500 tourists, most of them British, are stuck on Jamaica and everyone from taxi drivers to farmers to telecommunication companies are benefiting, Bartlett said.

The disruption in international air traffic has led to some overbooked hotels, which proved a boon to bed and breakfast inns, Bartlett added.

The Grenadian, one of Grenada’s top hotels, saw its occupancy rate rise from 35 percent to 80 percent, said Colman Redhead, events and group manager at the facility.

About 77 tourists — most of them British — are stuck at the hotel.

Some have booked sunset boat trips while others opted for tours of the outdoor market, he said.

“They’re making themselves happy,” said Redhead, who had to call in additional employees and buy more fruits and vegetables.

Florida............................... 168 Trinidad..............................238 Kingston............................ 238 Montego Bay..................... 238 Haiti................................... 298 London...............................541 St. Lucia.............................318 Barbados........................... 278 St. Vincent.........................480 George Town..................... 458 Grenada............................ 622

Taxes not included. Restrictions apply. All rates are subject to change.

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W E E K LY W O R D S E A R C H

COMICS

WORLD CUP 2010 ALGERIA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, CAMEROON, CHILE, COTE D' IVOIRE, DENMARK, ENGLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GHANA, GREECE, HONDURAS, ITALY, JAPAN, KOREA DPR, KOREA REPUBLIC, MEXICO, NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NIGERIA, PARAGUAY, PORTUGAL, SERBIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SPAIN, SWITZERLAND, UNITED STATES, URUGUAY.

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Quick Health Tip From Dr. Rahsan Abdul Hakim

Dr. Rahsan Abdul Hakim

A LITTLE BITTER IS BETTER! A

little bitter every day goes a very long way! It goes through the mouth to stimulate digestive juices, cleans out mouth phlegm, thrust, plaque, as well as mucus and bacteria in the throat.

It goes through the blood to clean out parasites, germs, sugar over-load; and curbs cravings for sweets-starches. It goes through the stomach to clean out fermented, sour, food waste and mucus.

It goes through the lymphathic system to clean out congregated cell waste, and stimulates the immune system.

It goes through the colon and cleans out petrified waste and sluggish colon, regulating the bowels. Most of all it aides in good digestion and good elimination; assist in regulating the glands and hormones; and stimulates sluggish liver. It assists with cellular cleansing and prevents cell-erosion.

Eat at least one serving of green leafy vegetables a day; preferably home grown or organic: kale, mustard greens, collards, endive, escarole, chard, bok choi, spinach, wild dandelion greens, yellow dock greens, sprouts, dandelion flowers (chop and garnish salads), watercress, chickweed leaves, chicory leaves, purslane, borage, sautéed prickly pear (cactus), artichoke leaves, wheat grass, roasted chestnut; just to name a few.

The following seasonings are beneficial: coriander, fennel, cardamom, caraway, dill, oregano, sage. The following herbs are beneficial: gentian, aloe, hops, dandelion root, wormwood, mauby bark, mugwort, quassia wood.

You can also try a slither of whole leaf aloe blended in a little lemon juice, mixed into one teacup of water, with a dash of cayenne. Or one to two ounces of Sundial Koromantee Bitters, about one hour after your last meal or prior to bedtime is extremely beneficial as a digestive aide.

It was a common practice amongst our ancient African Fore-Fathers, that everyone was given a little cup of bitter tea or tonic about one hour after their meal, or they practiced chewing a (non-flavored) stick or bark after meals.

As you can see, a little bitter is better, ev-

ery day, and goes a long way in improving and maintaining your health.

This herbal remedy excerpt was taken from the book “Basic Herbs For Health And Healing” by Rahsan Abdul Hakim. Dr. Rahsan Abdul Hakim specializes in natural and traditional remedies regarding healing and health for the entire family.

As a community contribution, Dr. Rahsan provides free Health Consultations on Monday and Wednesday (to the first 10 people); no appointment needed; simply walk-in. Health Consultations on Saturdays are by appointment.

Dr. Rahsan’s radio show Health At Sunrise can be heard during “The Tony Craig Experience”, Radio 94.1 FM – Sunday Evenings

- 10 pm; and Linkage Radio - 101.5 FM Friday Mornings 11 am to 12 noon.

For questions, comments or concerns, or to purchase his book, call (718) 798-3962, send an email to sundialherb@aol.com, or visit the website: www.sundialherbs.com.

Thank you for using SUNDIAL Products (1979-2010).

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Health School Food Making Kids Unfit To Serve

By Mary Clare Jalonick

T

oo fat to fight?

Many American children are so overweight from being fed french fries, pizza and other unhealthy foods at school lunchrooms that they cannot handle the physical rigors of being in the military, a group of retired officers say in a new report.

National security is threatened by the sharp rise in obesity rates for young people over the last 15 years, the group Mission: Readiness contends. Weight problems are now the leading medical reason that recruits are rejected, the group says, and thus jeopardize the military’s ability to fill its ranks.

In a report released Tuesday, the group says that 9 million young adults, or 27 percent of all Americans ages 17 to 24, are too fat to join the military. The retired officers were on Capitol Hill advocating for passage of a wide-ranging nutrition bill that aims to make the nation’s school

lunches healthier.

The military group acknowledges that other things keep young adults out of the armed services, such as a criminal record or the lack of a high school diploma.

Although all branches of the military now meet or exceed recruitment goals, retired Navy Rear Adm. James Barnett Jr., a member of the officers group, says the obesity trend could affect that.

“When over a quarter of young adults are too fat to fight, we need to take notice,” Barnett said. He noted that national security in the year 2030 is “absolutely dependent” on reversing child obesity rates.

Recruitment isn’t the only problem posed by obesity. According to the report, the government spends tens of millions of dollars every year to train replacements for service members discharged because of weight problems.

This isn’t the first time the military has gotten involved in the debate over school lunches. During World War II, military leaders had the op-

posite problem, reporting that many recruits were rejected because of stunted growth and inadequate nutrition. After the war, military leaders pushed Congress to establish the national school lunch program so children would grow up healthier.

The program was established in 1946, “as a measure of national security,” according to the original bill language.

Today, the group is urging Congress to eliminate junk food and highcalorie beverages from schools, put more money into the school lunch program and develop new strategies that help children develop healthier habits.

The school lunch bill, currently awaiting a Senate vote, would establish healthier options for all foods in schools, including vending machine items. The legislation would spend $4.5 billion more over 10 years for nutrition programs.

The Army is already doing its part to catch the problem earlier, working with high schoolers and interested recruits to lose weight before they are eligible for service, says U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s Mark Howell.

He added that he had to lose 10 pounds himself before he joined the military.

“This is the future of our Army we are looking at when we talk about these 17- to 24-year-olds,” Howell said. “The sad thing is a lot of them want to join but can’t.”

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YOUR WEEKLY HEALTH WATCH Serious Hospital Infections On Rise Amongst Minorities And Poor WASHINGTON — The nation’s hospitals are failing to protect patients from potentially fatal infections despite years of prevention campaigns, the government said Tuesday.

The Health and Human Services department’s 2009 quality report to Congress found “very little progress” on eliminating hospital-acquired infections and called for “urgent attention” to address the shortcomings — first brought to light a decade ago.

Of five major types of serious hospital-related infections, rates of illnesses increased for three, one showed no progress, and one showed a decline. As many as 98,000 people a year die from medical errors, and preventable infections — along with medication mixups— are a significant part of the problem.

Such medical missteps will have financial consequences under President Barack Obama’s new health care overhaul law. Starting in a few years, Medicare payments to hospitals will be reduced for preventable readmissions and for certain infections that can usually be staved off with good nursing care.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called the report “a pretty clear diagnosis of some of the gaps and shortcomings in our nation’s health care system.”

Although the U.S. spends about $2.5 trillion a year on medical care, patients often don’t receive the care recommended for their particular condition. Generally, patients are more likely to receive optimal care in a hospital as compared to an outpatient facility. The quality report was accompanied by a second study that found continuing shortfalls in quality of care for minorities and low-income people, particularly the uninsured.

The bleak statistics on hospital infections were a disappointment for officials. It’s been more than 10 years since the Institute of Medicine launched a crusade to raise awareness about medical errors and encourage providers to systematically reduce and, if possible, eliminate them.

“We know that focused attention to eliminating health care acquired infections can reduce them dramatically,” said Dr. Carolyn Clancy, head of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which conducted the studies. It marked the first time her agency attempted a comprehensive assessment of progress on hospital infections. The statistics for 2007 were the latest available.

According to the report: — Rates of bloodstream infections following surgery increased by 8 percent.

— Urinary infections from the use of a catheter following surgery increased by 3.6 percent.

— The overall incidence for a series of common infections due to medical care increased by 1.6 percent.

— There was no change in the number of bloodstream infections due to central venous catheters — tubes placed in the neck, chest or groin to administer medications, drain fluids or collect blood samples.

— Rates of pneumonia following surgery dropped by 12 percent, the one bright spot.

The bloodstream infections are the most serious, said Clancy, because they can be fatal. Recovery from hospital-acquired pneumonia usually depends on the overall health of the patient. Urinary tract infections are painful, but they usually respond to treatment with antibiotics. But any complication for patients in the hospital is of concern.

“If you are looking at patients who are hospitalized, you are looking at people with multiple underlying conditions, who are already fighting for their health on several fronts,” Clancy said.

The hospital industry said it was disappointed by the findings, but hopes the next round of studies will show improvement. Some recent efforts to reduce infections may not yet be reflected in the data.

“We’re doing that which we know how to do, and it’s not having the intended effect,” said Nancy Foster, vice president for quality and safety at the American Hospital Association. “We need to identify other things we can do to drive down that rate of infections.”

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Commentary

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

Question: I am a 2nd grade special education teacher.

Three of my students have been diagnosed with autism. With autism on the rise, what can teachers do to meet the students’ needs? My district has provided no training.

Answer: This topic has been heating up talk shows, radio programs, and topics in education venues for many years now.

There has been no long term, intensive research to prove or disprove whether vaccines have caused the rise in autism in this country or abroad. A few years ago the incidence of autism was 1 in every 600 births.

Today it’s 1 in every 150 births. Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Medical experts don’t have a comprehensive understanding of what causes autism, but they do know there is a strong hereditary component.

An article in the Associated Press, May 13, 2008, reports that lawyers at a hearing in federal court argued that parents’ claiming that childhood vaccines cause autism, should not be rewarded by the courts when the scientific community has already rejected any link. Nearly 4,900 families have filed claims with the U.S. Court of Claims alleging that vaccines caused autism and other neurological problems in their children. Lawyers for the families are presenting three different theories of how vaccines caused autism. The theory at issue recently was whether vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal caused autism.

A Justice Department lawyer, Lynn Ricciardella, said that theory has not moved beyond the realm of speculation. She said the Institute of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have rejected any link between thimerosal and autism.

Thimerosal has been removed in recent years from standard childhood vaccines, except flu vaccines that are not packaged in single doses. The CDC says single-dose flu shots currently are available only in limited quantities. My opinion on the subject is

that children have been receiving vaccines for decades and there was no rise in autism. This is a recent phenomenon. If it is indeed caused by vaccines, then researchers need to explore what changes if any, have occurred in vaccines recently. This is the scientific argument as well. There have been no changes to these vaccines besides the removal of Thimerosal. Even with it’s removal, the incidence of autism continues to rise. If I was a parent of a young toddler, I wouldn’t refuse vaccines but I would ask my pediatrician to administer them in smaller intervals than usual so that any changes in my child could be seen immediately.

What can parents do to help?

Parents must ask questions when visiting the pediatrician for regular check ups. They must know what is normal development at each stage of childhood.

The earlier intervention is provided the greater progress will be seen. There is no one approach to treating autism, however, most children attend special preschool programs or receive special services at home. Most children with autism respond best to highly structured behavioral programs. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development lists Applied Behavior Analysis among the recommended treatment methods for autism spectrum disorders.

Some of the most common interventions are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Floortime Therapy, Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet (GFCF). Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, PECS, SCERTS, Sensory Integration Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention, Verbal Behavior Intervention, and the schoolbased TEAACH method. Parents must be active partners and reinforce any strategies implemented by the professionals who treat their children. Having a child with autism can be stressful.

Parents should join support groups and develop a good support base with family and friends when they need a break. Visit www.autismspeaks.org, www.autism.org, www.autism.com, www.firstsigns.org, www.nationalautismassociation.org for more information.

Send email to Lisa-Anne Ray Byers at speechlrb@yahoo.com

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Dowlin Shines As Windies A Take Nervy Twenty20 Win West Indies Scores Five-Wicket Win Over Zimbabwe ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – Captain Travis Dowlin stroked a responsible, unbeaten 49 to steer West Indies A to a nervous, fivewicket win over Zimbabwe in their Twenty20 match at the Queen’s Park Stadium on Thursday.

The right-handed Guyanese, recently over-

looked by selectors for the ODI series against Zimbabwe last month, anchored the hosts’ innings to ensure their reached their target of 114 with just two balls to spare.

Earlier, Zimbabwe struggled as the made 113 for eight off their allotted 20 overs, after winning the toss and opting to bat first.

Juan Antonio Samaranch

Sealy Praises Late Samaranch For Embodying Olympic Spirit BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Respected International Olympic Committee executive Austin Sealy has credited late former IOC chief Juan Antonio Samaranch with the expansion of the Olympic spirit.

Sealy, who founded the region’s premier junior track and field championships, CARIFTA, said Samaranch had embodied the Olympic movement which blossomed into a massive, multi-billion dollar enterprise under his watch.

“He had extraordinary vision and of course talent, and can take full credit for the strong unity which exists in the Olympic movement,” Sealy told CMC Sports on Thursday.

“He developed the court of arbitration, Olympic Solidarity, the list just goes on. His was certainly a distinguished career.

“In spreading the message of universality and giving all countries the opportunity to participate, here in the Caribbean we got to go to Rome as one team where the West Indies 4x400m relay team won the bronze.

“His was a very strong message and he was the architect of Olympic solidarity.”

Captain Travis Dowlin stroked 49 in the win over Zimbabwe.

Only Brendon Taylor, who got 37 from 39 balls with a four and a six, showed any enterprise as off-spinner Shane Shillingford undermined the innings with three for 14 while fast bowler Jason Holder claimed two for 24.

West Indies A’s start was shaky as they lost Justin Guillen for one in the second over when the right-hander gave left-arm spinner Ray Price a return catch with the score on two.

However, Dowlin and Devon Smith then carved out the most productive partnership of the game, adding 56 from 42 balls for the second wicket. Dowlin struck just one four and a six in an innings lasting 49 balls while Smith was the aggressor, smashing three fours and two sixes in his 31 from 27 balls.

When the left-handed Smith drove Greg Lamb to Timycen Maruma at cover in the ninth over, it sparked a mini collapse where three wickets fell for 21 runs as Kirk Edwards (1) and Assad Fudadin (6) also fell quickly to catches at the wicket by Tatenda Taibu.

West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich then punched a quick-fire 14 from 13 balls with two fours to put the hosts in sight of victory.

When Dowrich was stumped in the 18th over, West Indies still required 16 runs from 14 balls but got home safely in the end as both Dowlin and Imran Khan (eight not out) held their nerves.

Earlier, Zimbabwe never got their innings on sound footing after losing two early wickets inside the first five overs, with openers Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha both falling for 10 as the score slipped to 23 for two.

When Shillingford prised out the usually aggressive Taibu cheaply at 38 for three in the seventh over, Zimbabwe were left to struggle and never found their way back despite Taylor’s efforts.

The loss was Zimbabwe’s second after they went down by six wickets in the opening fourday first class match earlier this week.

The two teams clash again on Saturday in the final T20 march at Progress Park.

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Caribbean Duo Porter, Jones Score Maiden Wins At Penns CARIFTA Games champions Chanice Porter of Jamaica and Akela Jones of Barbados were first time winners on Thursday’s opening day at the 116th Penn Relays.

Jones, of the Springer Memorial school, won the girls’ high jump with a leap of 1.81 metres, defeating Tara Richmond of Long Beach Polly in California (1.76m) and Peter-Gaye St. Elizabeth Technical in Jamaica (1.76m).

The lanky Jones, who was celebrating her 15th birthday, missed out on bettering her CARIFTA record set in the Cayman Islands earlier this month when she failed to clear 1.85 metres.

“I feel very proud to come here and represented my school and country .... and to take home the gold makes it more special,” said Jones, the CARIFTA Under-17 champion.

In the girls’ long jump, Manchester High’s Chanice Porter led home a Jamaican sweep of the top three spots.

Porter, who was competing at her first Penn Relays, was delighted with her 6.12m winning distance.

“It feels great because this is my first Penn relays outing,” said Porter, also the CARIFTA Games Under-17 champion.

Nickeva Wilson of Camperdown was second with a leap of 5.80 metres while Holmwood Technical’s Nickiesha Beaumont got third with 5.77.

In the girls’ triple jump, Rochelle Farquharson of Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth Technical took the event for the second straight year. Her winning distance was 12.56m.

Farquharson said: “It was good to win, but I was a little bit disap-

SOLUTION to Sudoku, P18

Akela Jones pointed with the distance.

“I wanted to jump 13 metres, but due to the ankle and groin injuries I picked up at CARIFTA, I was not able to achieve that mark.”

Meanwhile, in the relays, Jamaican schools dominated as most booked places in Friday’s finals.

In the 4x800m, Jamaica’s Edwin Allen clocked nine minutes, 01.34 seconds while Holmwood finished in 9:03.89, to reach the final.

In the Large School 4x100m,

Edwin Allen ran 46.21 seconds to beat Long Beach Poly (46.77) to go into Friday’s final with the fastest time.

In the 4x100m small schools heats, The Queen’s School (46.31), Holmwood (46.34), Herbert Morrison (46.59) and Manchester (46.95) all of Jamaica qualified for the big final.

Camperdown of Jamaica (47.66) and St. Joseph Convent of Trinidad & Tobago (47.79), posted the seventh and eighth fastest times in the heats to reach the small school final.

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Recipes

Steamed Callaloo INGREDIENTS: 4 cups of firmly packed chopped callaloo 1/8 to 1/4 cup water 1 medium-sized onion, chopped 1 medium-sized well ripened tomato, chopped 1 large clove garlic, chopped 1/3 skin of a scotch bonnet pepper finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon dried time leaves 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 table spoon cooking oil 1 table spoon butter or margarine

METHOD: Inspect callaloo and remove any debris, old leaves, or hard stalk, etc. Rinse in a large pot of cold water. Discard the water then add enough cold water to cover the callaloo. Dissolve 1/ 2 teaspoon of salt into the water and let sit for 1/2 to 1 hour.

The salt will help to remove any additional small debris from the callaloo. Throw off the water and rinse the callaloo in another pot of cold water. Remove the callaloo and chop in 3/4 inch pieces in a slanted motion.

In a large pot add the 2 tablespoon oil and 1/8 to 1/4 cup water. Put four cups of firmly packed chopped callaloo on top.

Add the remaining seasonings on top of the callaloo. Put a lid on the pot. Place on a medium flame and cook for roughly ten minutes or until pieces of the callaloo stalks are tender. The callaloo must stay green. Any discoloration towards brown means the callaloo is being overcooked.

Our Food Shouldn’t Travel More Than We Do

By Maura Curley Bite into a piece of fruit and think about its origin. What about tonight’s dinner?

You might realize that tomatoes don’t grow wrapped in cellophane. But do you have a clue about the nature of your other vegetables, fruit, bread, fish, and especially meat?

Food shouldn’t travel more than we do. Yet most of it takes a circuitous and sometimes scary route to our table.

Organic markets, local farms and movies like Food Inc. have done a lot to raise our awareness that locally grown tastes better and is a lot safer.

Still it’s more novelty that the norm.

We’re still stuck on the stuff on the supermarket shelves with additives and chemicals we can’t pronounce let alone digest.

A while back I came across an in flight magazine with a story, which focused on a growing number of stateside committed to eating only foods produced within their region. This movement gained momentum from Coming Home to Eat: The Pleasures and Politics of Local Foods, written by Professor Gary Paul. The book chronicled Paul’s yearlong quest to eat only foods produced within a 200 - mile radius of his home in Arizona’s Sonoran desert.

The statistics for trekking food across the country, let alone from the mainland to the Caribbean could be enough make you lose your ap-

petite.

Richard Pirog of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University has calculated that produce travels an average of 1,500 miles in three days to reach his state. This continent wide distribution system for food uses many times the fossil fuel and emits much more carbon dioxide than a locally food based system.

Ironically, here in this tropical climate we import much of what we consume.

Why can we utilize more island-grown?

St Croix, the largest of the Virgin Islands, has deep agricultural roots. Puerto Rico also has rich farmlands. Yet the island imports almost 90 percent of its food, leaving farmers to look for markets for what they grow. Grenada produces a golden crop of spices, especially nutmeg, which it exports around the world. More green neighbors like the Dominican Republic, Dominica, and St. Lucia could keep islanders – and even a healthy tourist population well fed.

Why can’t we strive to create a food culture that is at least 85 percent Caribbean grown?

Does it really make any sense to be dependent upon shipping thousands of tons of food from the mainland?

Why can’t we fund and patronize more farmers and educate more people about agriculture? Why can’t we create more specialties made in the Caribbean food products with our abundance of coconuts, mangos and lesser-known delicacies like soursop, and tamarind?

Locally grown food is better for our bodies and the Caribbean economy. It would increase tourism too.

Let’s eat well beginning this Earth Day, and encourage our visitors to experience local fruits, roots, breads, poultry and meat — all preservative free in ‘paradise.’

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010 * NEW YORK LIBERTY STAR

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