Cnweekly mar 10 2016

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10

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IRS heads to Jamaica for Watson’s nest egg ENTERTAINMENT

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COMMUNITY

LAUDERHILL NAMES NEW CHIEF OF POLICE DEPT. PAGE B3

According to reports, IRS agents will soon be arriving in Jamaica within days to recoup investments close to US$1.7 million traced by local investigators to former Miami CPA and JamaicanAmerican Pamella Watson.

Watson, 61, is currently serving a 78month sentence in the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Central Florida, following her tax fraud conviction in December. A former prominent leader among the Caribbean diaspora in South Florida as CEO of the accounting firm Watson and Co. P.A, she was arrested last May on charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and falsifying her clients tax returns, resulting in her defrauding the IRS of US$3.6 million.

This included the $1.7 million traced to investments in Jamaica by the IRS and confrimed by the Financial Investigations Division (FID), of the Ministry of Finance.

The funds to be confiscated are part of a federal agreement forfeiting funds to the state following her tax fraud conviction. Prior to her sentencing, Watson agreed to a plea bargain, in which she agreed to restore significant portions of the funds she defrauded. Watson's attorney Bruce Rogow said this agreement played a continues on B5 – Pam Watson

Legend Showdown!

Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness (L) presented Trinidadian batsman Brian Lara (R) with the keys to Lauderhill, as former Jamaican batsman Lawrence Rowe (C) looks on at the Legends of Cricket Exhibition match.

Icons of Cricket return to the pitch in Lauderhill It was a legendary and thrilling showdown this past Sunday at the annual Legends of Cricket exhibition match, held at the Central Broward Regional Park and hosted by the Lawrence Rowe Foundation. Record breaking Trinidadian batman Brian Lara led a squad of iconic players, including Guyana's own Ramnaresh Sarwan, former West Indies Captain Courtney Walsh and Bajan dynamite Dwayne Smith. continues on B6 – Legends

ELECTION 2017

Game Changer DO CANDIDATES NEED TO FOCUS MORE ON THE ISSUES?

Caribbean-American voters more important than ever in Florida Primaries Dr. Garth A. Rose

PAGE A5 SPORTS

BOLT IS THE GREATEST SPRINTER EVER, SAYS TRACK LEGEND MICHAEL JOHNSON PAGE B7

The presidential primary race gets more competitive than ever as it heads to Florida for March 15. The fierce competiveness of this year's campaign on both sides has spiked voter interest in the primaries, including among CaribbeanAmericans. The Florida Division of Elections (FDE) reports that they expect more than 50 percent of the votes to be cast before March 15, with a heavy turnout anticipated on the big day.

Up to the close of early voting polls on Tuesday, a survey by National Weekly determined significant numbers of registered CaribbeanAmericans voters have already voted, and over

70 percent of those who have not voted either plan to vote by March 13, when early voting closes, or on March 15.

With some 85 percent of the almost 100,000 CaribbeanAmerican voters registered as Democrat, the community will have the most impact in the current run-off between Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. A recent survey conducted on behalf of National Weekly among CaribbeanAmerican voters show a strong push for Clinton, with 62 percent supporting her, versus 30 percent for Sanders.

And this fact is not lost on the Democratic Party, said Democratic party's committee chairwoman, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in a recent interview with the continues on A4 – Game changer

Third World widow threatens to sue band Dr. Garth A. Rose Bouvier Clarke, widow of late lead singer William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke is calling on reggae band Third World to pay out money she claimed is owed to her late husband. Since the singer's death in 2014, Bouvier says that despite promises made to her by founding members of the band to compensate her and Clarke's 7 children, she hasn't received a cent from the band.

In an interview with National Weekly, Bouvier said she's planning to file a lawsuit against Third World to have access to information of funds owed to Clarke at the time of his death.

“I have heard nothing from no one after continues on B6 – Third World sued

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10

All about soca Chief of Staff at Broward County Board of Commissioners John Beckford hangs out with the undisputed Queen of Soca Alison Hinds before her performance at one of Lauderhill Performing Arts Center's recent Grand Opening Signature Series of events. – Contributed photo

Dis nguished ladies Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz (le ) and Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce President Dr. Winnifred McPherson posed for our photographer at the recently held 2016 Capacity Building Conference at the Broward County Conven on Center last weekend. – CNW photoUriah Benne

Let's talk business Businesswoman Cynthia Alexandra (le ) and Nifre a Thomas of the Florida Minority supplier Development Council were pictured at the 2016 Capacity Building Conference, hosted by the Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) and held last weekend at the Broward County Conven on Center.

– CNW photo- Uriah Benne

Women of class (L-R) Dr. Celia Earle, Pauline Grant, MS, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Dr. Lanalee Sam, Alice E. Ancona, and Maria Munro looked beau ful as ever at the “Women of Dis nc on” Awards, hosted by the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce last Friday at the BB&T Center – CNW photo- Uriah Benne

Sharing a moment Jasmine Jones, Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) community rela ons and outreach manager (middle), shared a light moment with panel speaker Malcolm MacInnes of MGM General Contrac ng (le ), and panel moderator and City of Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam at the recently held 2016 Capacity Building Conference at the Broward County Conven on Center last weekend. – CNW Photo - Uriah Benne

Si ng pre y Members of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD) staff (L-R) Adriana Harris, Natasha St. Louis and Marcia Young were all smiles at the recently held 2016 Capacity Building Conference, hosted by OESBD at the Broward County Conven on Center last weekend. – CNW photo- Uriah Benne

Paren ng 101 Broward Superintendent of Schools Robert Runcie addresses the audience on the “Power of Parents" at the recently held Broward County Public Schools Parent Engagement Conference. – Contributed photo

Lara for 6!

Former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara talks with teammates before hi ng the pitch during the recently held 2nd Annual Cricket Legends Weekend last weekend. – Contributed photo

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10 –

A3

LOCAL

Floridians most harrassed by debt Dr. Garth A. Rose

Debt is tough on everyone, but seems particularly tough on Floridians, according to a new report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Their 2015 annual survey shows increased reports from Florida residents of harassment from debt collectors, calling their homes and job to collect debts for their clients. More than half of the reports sent to the FTC came from Florida alone.

Debt in Florida has been on the upswing since the 2008 market crash that saw many residents lose homes, jobs and benefits like unemployment compensation. “Evidence of this increase in debt was the vast number of people seeking credit counseling between 2009 and 2014,” said Mark Leyland, former supervisor at Consumer Credit Counseling Services in Davie. “Most of these clients were unable to adhere to payment plans established through credit counselling and ended up with their delinquent accounts advancing to debt collection agencies.”

Such harassment isn't allowed under the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA). The law prevents debt collectors calling at home before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m., and calling a debtor repeatedly with the intent to harass or intimidate. Calling the debtor's

workplace after being instructed not to is also a no-no, as well as leaving a message regarding the debt with a third party.

Collectors and collection agencies who flout these rules can and have been sued by consumers, and have been reported to the FTC. But this hasn't stopped collectors using grossly deceptive tactics, like pretending they are attorneys, or threatening the debtor with arrest or jail.

But many find the risk of lawsuit and sanctions worth it, says former collector Brooklyn Nevers, who was terminated last October after being reported by a consumer for flouting the FDCPA. Breaking these rules, says Nevers, feels like the only choice, as “collectors work under severe pressure. The bulk of our pay is from commission from collection quotas we are given each month, and the agencies are pressured by their clients to collect the delinquent accounts. This pressure is passed on to collectors.”

Though Nevers was caught, he believes his case won't be a deterrent at all for the collectors still at his old company. “Some real nasty collectors are still employed at the agency,” says Nevers.And many don't have a choice, says Nevers, as they face the same bleak economic prospects and debts as those they call.

“Debt collection is the only job some people can find,” says Nevers. So they keep on trying, hoping they won't be sued or fired by going outside the FDCPA.”

Kids in hunger Solutions needed to stop hunger among South Florida students A student showing up for morning class hungry should be a non-issue in America's land of plenty. But the sight is still all too familiar in South Florida public school, says Miami Social Worker Nancie Tobias.

“A significant number of Miami-Dade students of all ages, and all races – many from low-income neighborhoods – leave home without breakfast or at most a hot or cold beverage,” says Tobias. This problem continues statewide, with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer reporting that one in four children struggle with hunger, but only 43 percent of kids eligible for free or reduced priced school lunch are getting a school breakfast.

Part of the reason why, explains Tobias, is that although there is a federally funded breakfast program in South Florida schools, “often kids arrive at their schools late and miss the serving of this breakfast.” This proves true for South Miami resident Mabel Proute, a hotel chamber-maid and mother of three public school students. “It's difficult to provide my kids with breakfast each morning,” says Proute. “I try to provide a good dinner, but cannot always afford breakfast. I encourage them to reach school early to get the school breakfast.”

No Kids Hungry, in collaboration with Florida Impact, is working to relieve this, with a new aggressive program expanding student access to breakfast. “If we can make the school breakfast program more accessible, Miami-Dade can connect children with the healthy food they need each morning,” said Debra Susie, President/CEO for Florida Impact. “When school districts try innovative ways to serve children outside the cafeteria and after the first bell, we see a dramatic jump in kids eating breakfast.”

Florida Impact spokesperson Sandy Saintilus said the organizations are currently working with local schools to identify reasons why some students are not getting breakfast, and implement solutions. Florida Impact is one of six organizations through the No Kid Hungry, national Share Our Strength campaign to receive funding to implement a strategy to end childhood hunger.

“We know kids need a meal each morning to learn,” said Adrienne Allen, a director of the local No Kid Hungry. “We have seen the positive impact being served with school breakfast has on students' classroom participation in school district after school district.”

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

T&T far from bankrupt, says PM Government has many pockets and you are not allowed to empty all at once,” Rowley said.

The Government owes employees of the country's regional health authorities and members of the protective services an estimated TT$5 billion, resulting from a 14 percent wage settlement agreed to by the previous administration last year.

He said the first few months of the life of the Government had to be about finding out what was the true state of the country's situation and even though the People's National Movement (PNM) anticipated difficult situations, “in fact, the real numbers and the Minister of Finance Colm Imbert's ability to pay has been worse than

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowly has sought to assure Trinidadians that the country is not bankrupt. Rowley, who addressed reporters at the end of a retreat in Tobago on Saturday, however acknowledged that his administration is struggling to pay debts to public servants, contractors and suppliers on time.

“It is not a simple matter of if you can't pay, you are bankrupt. The Government does not go bankrupt… the Government is in that situation where it might not be able to pay today, but its ability tomorrow is there because the Government has a revenue stream and different pockets and it is an accepted structure of public accounting and management that the

we anticipated.”

He said citizens must understand that there is a limit to what the Government can do without money and that the Government could not go “barreling along with oil at US$29 a barrel and the overdraft at its limit and no money in the current account. There is only so much you could have delivered in that situation.”

Rowley noted that the Government was now attempting to rectify its ability to access the cash to fund its debts. He disclosed that Finance Minister Colm Imbert will address the issue of public servant debts soon. According to Rowley, the Government is now attempting to rectify its ability to access the cash to fund its debts.

REGION

JAMAICA

Caribbean still suffering economic woes, says IDB

Another Swine Flu Death confirmed

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says Caribbean countries continue to be affected by the global economic down turn of 2008 and some have still not recorded pre-2008 growth rates.

The IDB, which recently held a two-day meeting for its Caribbean Regional Governors, noted that throughout the Americas, the region's economies registered a mix of good and poor economic results, with some nations suffering sharp declines in commodity prices and others experiencing increases in tourism during 2015.

“As a whole, the Latin American and Caribbean region posted 3.8 percent growth in GDP (gross domestic product). The countries of the Caribbean grew at 1.5 percent in 2015 and are projected to grow at 1.6 per cent in 2016.”

The IDB said the two-day meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss regional economies, and what role the IDB can play. It said the delegates also discussed responses to the effects of climate change, specific initiatives to diversify the region's energy matrix and promote sustainable development, and the unique challenges to the Caribbean sub-region posed by de-risking and the possible interruption of correspondent banking relationships. The meeting also reviewed the details of the Bank's operations in 2015 and discussed challenges and opportunities for 2016.

Jamaica's Ministry of Health has confirmed another death from the Swine Flu. In a release on Sunday, the Ministry said all four patients had severe complications, including heart and lung related illnesses.

On Saturday, the Health Ministry confirmed that a pregnant woman died at the University Hospital on March 1. The first patient to die from the illness was an elderly woman and a medical doctor, as was previously reported. The Swine Flu also led to the death of a 49-year-old woman. According to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Winston De La Haye, the Ministry of Health just received results

Game changer

confirming the death of the first patient.

Since January, there have been 28 confirmed cases of H1N1 across the island. Meanwhile, as of this week, tests for the Zika Virus will be conducted at the Virology Laboratory at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus.

According to De La Haye, this is a big step for Jamaica and will result in a quick turnaround time for the results. The Ministry of Health has been sending samples for testing to the Trinidad based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). To date there has only been one confirmed case of the Zika virus in the island.

from A1

National Weekly. Schultz said the party has been grateful and proud of the strong support from Caribbean-American voters “for so many years.”

Addressing criticism that the party may be taking the CaribbeanAmerican vote for granted, Schultz asserted that the party remains as committed to the needs of the community as ever. “The issues of the Caribbean-American community line up with the issues of the Democratic Party,” said Schultz. “We share the same values, we fight for people who have no voice, and we focus on lifting people up economically.”

Whichever Democratic presidential candidate is nominated, Schultz affirmed that the Democratic nominee will focus on building on President Obama's legacy. This includes building on the 71 months of positive job growth recorded in the U.S. economy, and ensuring millions of Americans who now can afford health insurance will be able to keep their coverage.

Though the party still has work still to be done for the Caribbean and African American communities, “we have made tremendous progress,” said Schultz, “and I'm not hearing those same (concerns) from the community as I use to.” Addressing the national surge of support for Trump, Schultz remained “very confident that our nominee will become the 45th president.

“Our party stand for helping people to build cornerstones of the middle class,” said Schultz. “So our nominee versus the Republican's likely nominee of Trump, the most offensive and vulgar presidential candidate to run for president, at least in our memories – there will be a very stark contrast with a nominee who has said we should bar an entire region from entering the country, reject refugees who are fleeing for their lives, and deport 11 million people who are only trying to remain here so they can fight for themselves and lift up their families.”

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10 –

A5

Talk UP Do presidential candidates need to focus more on issues?

Yvonne – Miramar. FL. That is what they need to do. They need to focus on the issues. Insulting each other does not help the public.

It's a public disgrace. We need to pray and ask God to send leaders who are God-fearing. God is the one who raises up and tears down kings. A nation cannot be successful without the fear of God. We need a leader who will listen to the needs of people. Insults do not help to make a nation better. They need to focus on the issues of the country and not on each other.

Will – Pembroke Pines, FL. I think they do focus on what is going on. The comments however, are all a part of taking sides. When they are in office they do what they have to do.

Personally, I don't mind it. The mud-slinging needs to happen so that we can see who everyone really is. I am not allowed to vote because I am a convicted felon, but if I had a choice I would vote Republican. Trump is not my guy. Anybody as long as it's not him.

Cynthia – Chicago, Illinois They should be focusing on the issues, but Trump especially, he needs to go. He is insulting everybody, talking about what he is and isn't going to do. We don't want a President like that who talks negatively about everybody. We need somebody who is going to help us, not just black people, but everyone.

Maria – Liberty City, FL. They should stop fighting and behaving like they are pigs. They should be thinking about the future of the community. All this fighting, it's embarrassing. When others look on at the United States, they will think that all we do is fight. They have to stop fighting and get themselves together.

Tracy – Miramar, FL. They should be focusing on the issues and not on each other. There are many issues going on in the world that they need to work on and solve. That's what they should be working on. I am a Democrat so I would love for Hillary to win, but we'll see. I hope she wins. I would not vote for Trump Charity – Broward, FL. I think they should focus on the issues. We need to know what they are going to do, what their plans are and what their platform is. It's not about insulting each other. It doesn't make them better candidates. The way candidates portray themselves now during their campaign will definitely influence my vote. The mudslinging is more for entertainment. It does not do anything for me. It's more for reality TV and not for an election. I will be voting Democrat.

Ajani – Miramar, FL. It's a big concern that has been a problem for some time now. They need to focus more on the problems.

Things need to change. The candidates will argue, but there is nothing that really can be done about it. Every elections is the same, where the candidates go back and forth about each other.

Britney – Miami Gardens, FL. The candidates need to stop fighting all the time. It's nonsense. They are going back and forth like children.

They need to work together to try and build the nation.

I always vote for the person who shows has the best direction for the nation. We need someone who can continue the programs that Obama has been doing.

Felicia – Miramar, FL. We shouldn't support the mud-slinging. When these candidates come to our cities, we as a people should let them know that we want to hear more about the issues.

Many times that is just a diversion and it shows the inadequacies they have in addressing certain issues. We need less arguing and more focusing on the issues. We need to also look at how well these candidates govern their own personal affairs, because that is a reflection of how they will govern this nation. They need to focus on the things that are important and not on the petty things. I am still working out who I will vote for, but it certainly will not be Donald Trump.

“Don’t miss Strauss’ beau ful and lush melodies soar throughout this sumptuous opera-within-anopera.”

When the wealthiest man in Vienna throws an opulent party to dazzle his guests, proverbial fireworks erupt when a tradi onal opera group and a slaps ck comedy troupe are forced to perform at the same me, in order to keep the real fireworks on schedule.

A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10

The Politics of Anger

P.O.Box 551712 Davie, FL 33355 advertising@cnweeklynews.com www.cnweeklynews.com

How voters' fury may be changing the American electorate Anyone observing the unprecedented Republican presidential primaries and the rise of reality TV star and current frontrunner Donald Trump can't miss the growing sense of anger among Trump's supporters.

This contingent seems angry about many things – over Barack Obama's presidency, over extreme Islamic terrorism, over economic stagnancy, and over what they see as rampant immigration and how it is changing the American landscape.

But most of all, the anger among Trump's supporters is directed against symbols of American political and cultural authority, including the Republican party itself. A vote for Trump represents – not a vote from Republican ideals of small government and social conservatism – but against the political establishment. Trump appeals to these supporters because he openly rails against many of the Republican party's leaders and key principles. He also rails against the revered American values of multiculturalism, racial equality and religious tolerance – all values that seek to recognize the whole, rather than preserve the cultural dominance of homogenous (and white) America. A vote supporting Trump, it seems, is a vote against cultural difference.

This dissent has long been brooding among the ranks of the Republican party, and can be traced back

to the rise of the ultra-conservatism movement, the Tea Party. A group advocating against federal taxation and for reduction of the federal debt, the Tea Party soon became a refuge for extremist views, such as the openly racist Birther movement. Trumpeted early on by Trump himself, the Birther movement believed Obama as the first Black president was not a real American, and that he concealed the circumstances of his birth to defraud the voting public. This same distain and mistrust of all racial and religious minorities lead directly to the racist views Trump

often spouts on the campaign trail, and which are happily lapped up by his supporters.

This anger has defied conventional political wisdom, that candidates outside the traditional political establishment could not succeed in becoming U.S. presidential nominees. The Republican party has serious fractures running through it. But these fractures cannot be fixed by bullying voters towards an alternative candidate.

Despite the unexpected and unbelievable success of Trump's presidential campaign to date, it cannot be ignored that the nomination of presidential candidates is based on strong democratic principles.

The Grand Old Party shouldn't be preaching democratic principles while denying a majority of its supporters the candidate of their choice. This is an extremely bad precedence for American politics and political parties Of greater concern for the rest of America is this anger on display in American politics. It certainly isn't portraying the nation in a positive light to the rest of the world. And for minorities, including the Caribbean Diaspora in the states, this anger feels personally hostile. Such anger is not the way forward for an America that is becoming more culturally diverse. There's a great need for the leadership among both parties. Any aspiring presidential nominees should seek to unify rather than divide the American people. A truly outstanding candidate would appeal to the better angels of our nature, and seek to bridge the nation's divide.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10 –

A7

LA SECCION HAITIENNE

Nurturing Haitian-American Leadership Creating any meaningful change for the Haitian-American community and their home cities requires meaningful representation. And that's the goal at the upcoming 2nd annual workshop, “Roadmap to Success: How to Get Elected and Serve with Integrity.” The free forum, hosted by Haitian-Americans for Progress, is set for Saturday, March 19, from 10:30 am to 12:30 p.m. at the Center of Haitian Studies (CHS) in Miami.

This year, the keynote speaker will be the

Haitian-born Attorney General of Washington D.C., Karl A. Racine. At three years old, Racine and his family fled the Duvalier regime and

emigrated to Washington, D.C., where he grew up. After graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Virginia School of Law, Racine soon began a life of public service, inspired by the sense of equal justice formed by his family's experience under authoritarian rule in Haiti. He served as a D.C. public defender, a board member of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia and as associate White House Counsel in the Clinton Administration. In his private practice, he

became the first African-American managing partner of a top-100 law firm. The National Law Journal named Racine one of the 50 most influential Minority Lawyers in the United States.

Racine will lead an intimate and interactive session discussing how to get elected, and the moral compass necessary for elected officials and those interested in public service. HaitianAmericans for Progress is a political committee dedicated to empowering Haitian-Americans.

NAAHP scholarships app now open

A Feast of Women's Voices

first in her family to attend college, Raymond was recognized for her volunteer work with a community church and medical offices. Her fellow awardee was New York-native Raquel Laguerre, who is currently studying communications at University of Pennsylvania, College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to her studies, Laguerre was recognized for her donations of clothing to Haitian families local and abroad on an annual basis.

Applicants must submit a completed application by the deadline, May 15, 2016, at 5 p.m. EST. Unfinished applications will not be considered. The selection process will be conducted anonymously by the Scholarship Committee team and overseen by the Executive Board of NAAHP. To learn more and to apply go to naahpusa.org to fill out the online application.

Big Night in Little Haiti hosts forum with Haitian Women writers

The National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professional (NAAHP) has announced they are now accepting applications for this year's Haitian Leadership Award Scholarship.

NAAHP's scholarship fund provides financial support to high school graduate, undergraduate, and graduate students of Haitian descent in the United States with a minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Limited scholarships will be awarded to candidates that meet the criteria. Scholarship recipients will be awarded $1,000 for tuition, books, living expenses and other related expenses.

Past winners include 2015 recipient, Florida native Amanda Raymond, who is currently attending University of Florida. The

Enjoy a night of literature, music, art, food, culture and fun, as the Miami Book Fair brings the “Big Read” to Big Night in Little Haiti. Come out before the music starts and enjoy up-close-andpersonal discussions with eight women writers of Haitian descent who will read from and discuss their most recent works. The event takes place on Friday, March 18, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Little Haiti Cultural Center.

Featured authors include HaitianAmerican poet Rebecca N. Carmant, essayist and translator M.J. Fievre, prolific young adult novelist Margaret Papillon, short story writer

Mahalia Solages, children's book author Marie-Ketsia TheodorePharel, novelist Fabienne Josephat and memoirist and women's activist Cynthia Verna. In celebration of the Big Read, the Miami Book Fair will be handing out free copies of Edwidge Danticat's classic memoir, “Brother I'm Dying.”

The special first edition of “Big Read” is presented in partnership with the 2016 Caribbean Reading Series, Rhythm Foundation, and Little Haiti Cultural Center. The event will form part of the monthly Big Night in Little Haiti celebrations, along with the event's celebration of Haitian live music, art, and food in Miami.

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10

Broward open for Business

Leading Ladies LRCC honor local women leaders

Public and private partnerships at 2016 Capacity Building Conference Monique McIntosh

(L-R) Dr. Celia Earle, Pauline Grant, MS, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Dr. Lanalee Sam, Alice E. Ancona, and Maria Munro

From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to holding public office, the 2016 winners of the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) “Women of Distinction” honorees were a true testament to leadership in Broward County. These ten extraordinary women were awarded for their professional and philanthropic contributions at the recently held awards breakfast at the BB&T center.

In honor of March as Women's History Month, the event was a true display of female talent, beginning with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Lauren Carter and a special performance by musical artist, entertainer and singer/songwriter April RaQuel. The Keynote address was delivered by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who praised the awardees for their valuable contribution to the county.

“To be in your company is to stand in awe of what each and every one of you do,” said Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz in her address. “It's so important to underscore what women are doing in this community to make a difference.” The Congresswoman also praised the awardees and the many illustrious attendees at the event for their visible commitment to promoting equal opportunity for women in the workplace and in community leadership.

“Our goal here at this luncheon is much larger than anything we could accomplish on our own,” said Wasserman-Schultz. “[We need] the equal opportunity to connect, to lead and succeed in all sectors. From the boardroom to the storeroom, we need gender parity in this country. We must take responsibility not to just celebrate our success but also lift up others. As we rise, we have to make it our personal responsibility to reach behind and bring another woman up with us.”

This year's awardees included: Nicki E. Grossman, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Pauline Grant, MS, MBA, FACHE, CEO of Broward Health North; Alice E. Ancona, Director of Global Outreach, Florida Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Lanalee Sam, Medical Director of Women's Services, Florida Medical Center; Michelle Austin Pamies, Partner, Austin Pamies Norris Weeks, LLC; Captain Josefa Benjamin, Broward County Sheriff's Office; Maria Munro, CEO of Unique Productions International; Danielle Knox, WSVN Channel 7, News Anchor and Entrepreneur; and Dr. Celia Earle, Governor, Kiwanis Florida Division, and Vice President at Brown and Caldwell.

A special “Woman of the Year” distinction was also awarded to Nicki Grossman for her 30 plus years of service with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to commission one firm or joint venture having full architectural and engineering services available within the entity, or with consultants, as Architect/Engineer (A/E) of Record for each of the following General Obligation Bond (GOB) funded projects:

Promoting collaboration between public and private sectors in Broward County was at the top of the agenda this past weekend at the first ever 2016 Capacity Building Conference, held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. The two-day event, hosted by Broward County's Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD), was filled with enlightening workshops, discussion panels and presentations all geared towards empowering small business development.

In his conference keynote address, State Secretary of Commerce and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Bill Johnson, praised Broward County for its pioneering work supporting small businesses, and on local enterprises for their continued innovation. Cooperation between both entities, said Johnson, will prove key to the region's economic future.

“At Enterprise Florida, we look for opportunities to bring public and private together,” said Johnson. “Always we're asking how we can be more responsible to our partners. Because economic development is always a local issue. Regional, local cooperation is where we succeed.”

Johnson also encouraged attendees to take advantage of the many opportunities available for collaboration and growth at this landmark conference, which sought to “provide a platform to truly empower, engage and educate small business,” said Jasmine Jones, conference organizer and OESBD community relations and outreach manager.

“People have always been interested in how people can participate and grow with Broward County, so we tried to bring speakers providing information that is fresh and specific to today's needs,” said Jones. “We had a great session on marketing strategies with Cantrece Jones, as marketing is too often overlooked by small business owners.

And we also learned about all the amazing services offered by the Florida Department of Transportation. Not enough people know about the billions of dollars they've invested promoting equal access.”

One key area for collaboration, said Broward County Commissioner, Dale Holness, was for local small businesses to “register with the county through OESBD as an official vendor.”

“It's not enough to have a license – you need to go to the next step,” said Holness. “You need to become a certified business enterprise in Broward County. That gives you notifications when Broward County and other entities have contracting opportunities.”

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to commission one firm or joint venture having full architectural and engineering services available within the entity, or with consultants, as Architect/Engineer (A/E) of Record for the following General Obligation Bond (GOB) funded project:

MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE: Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Sign-in Time: 1:30 - 1:50 p.m. local time Location: South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union, 1498 N.E. 2 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132

MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE: Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 Sign-in Time: 1:30 - 1:50 p.m. local time Location: SOUTH FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, 1498 N.E. 2 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132

QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this solicitation will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. local time, Friday, April 1, 2016. Questions must be submitted to Carolina Velez at CarolinaVelez@dadeschools.net with a copy to the Clerk of the School Board at Martinez@dadeschools.net.

QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this solicitation will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. local time, Friday, April 1, 2016. Questions must be submitted to Octavio Suarez at ODSuarez@dadeschools.net with a copy to the Clerk of the School Board at Martinez@dadeschools.net.

RESPONSES DUE: Request for Qualifications responses must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 to the attention of:

RESPONSES DUE: Request for Qualifications responses must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 to the attention of:

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department of A/E Selection & Negotiations Nazira Abdo-Decoster, Executive Director 1450 N.E. 2 Avenue, Room 305 Miami, Florida 33132

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department of A/E Selection & Negotiations Nazira Abdo-Decoster, Executive Director 1450 N.E. 2 Avenue, Room 305 Miami, Florida 33132

REQUIREMENTS: This is an abbreviated ad; the complete legal ad with Mandatory Preproposal Conference information, project details and instructions for this solicitation, including selection procedures and required U.S. General Services Administration Standard Form 330, are available at the above address or at http://ae-solicitations.dadeschools.net under legal ad #133.

REQUIREMENTS: This is an abbreviated ad; the complete legal ad with Mandatory Preproposal Conference information, project details and instructions for this solicitation, including selection procedures and required U.S. General Services Administration Standard Form 330, are available at the above address or at http://aesolicitations.dadeschools.net under legal ad #135.

In accordance with Board policies, a Cone of Silence, lobbyist requirements and protest procedures are hereby activated. Failure to comply with requirements of this legal ad and Board policies shall be grounds for disqualification. These, and all related Board policies, can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl/.

In accordance with Board policies, a Cone of Silence, lobbyist requirements and protest procedures are hereby activated. Failure to comply with requirements of this legal ad and Board policies shall be grounds for disqualification. These, and all related Board policies, can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl/.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10 –

Horace Andy up close at the Waterfalls South Florida will be in for a special treat when the legendary Horace Andy comes to town on Saturday March 19th at the Waterfalls.

Born February 19th, 1951 the legend who recently celebrated his 65th birthday will grace Floridians with a special cameo performance at the famous Jamaican night spot in Tamarac.

Horace who will also be in town promoting his VP Records vintage imprint 17 North Parade reissue of his 1977 “In The Light” album is said to be looking forward to making this performance a

night to remember. He will no doubt make the night reminiscent of what some would call the good old days as he takes a trip down memory lane with his hit songs that made him famous.

His chart buster includes songs like "See a Man's Face", "Fever", "Mr. Bassie". "Skylarking", "Something on My Mind", "Love of a Woman", "Every Tongue Shall Tell", “Girl I Love You, “Lonely Woman” and one of my favorite "Just Say Who", are likely to be among some of the songs he performs.

Veteran DJ Yo- Yo and Ricky Law are charged with the responsibility of providing the music for dancing which all makes for a wonderful night of entertainment. The Waterfalls is located at 6455 W Commercial Boulevard. Tamarac, FL 33319 and tickets for the event are available at your usual ticket outlets.

B1

1 Use To Hungry Vershon

2 What You Gonna Do Freddie McGregor

3 This Magic Moment Vybz Kartel

4 Life Skip Marley

5 Hello Fiona

6 Here I Come Jahmel

7 Try A Little Smile Adele Harley

8 My Dream Nesbeth

9 I Couldn’t Believe Chris Demontague

10 Never Played A 45 Macka B

MIRAMAR

African Children's Choir comes to Miramar On Friday, April 15, get a glimpse of African culture as the internationally acclaimed, African Children's Choir will perform at the Miramar Cultural Center as part of a yearlong program that helps Africa's most vulnerable children continue with their education.

The choir, made up of 18 children, ages 7 to 9 from African countries, will perform African songs and dances, along with children's songs, spirituals and gospel favorites.

No stranger to the big stage, the choir has performed thousands of concerts around the world, including concerts for world leaders such as the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, and the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

They have also performed at the Pentagon, the United Nations, Royal Albert Hall in London, and have sang on stage with famous artists such as Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox and Keith Urban.

The choir's parent organization, Music for Life, works in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to provide relief programs and education to "help create new leadership for tomorrow's Africa," according to organization officials.

CORAL SPRINGS

11 Rasta Party Bugle

Spring into Arts!

12th Annual Coral Springs Festival Of The Arts set for March 19-20 Come out and enjoy a weekend of art, culture and entertainment at this year's Coral Springs Festival of the Arts, set for March 19 and 20.

Now in it's 12 staging, the festival will feature an impressive array of 200 artists and crafters and an exciting schedule of music and performing arts entertainment. Kicking off the festival on March 18 and 19 will be two days of literary workshops at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts specially designed for writers, editors and illustrators where presentations on poetry, mystery, suspense, and Photoshop for illustrators will be held.

During the Festival, music will vary from calypso, reggae, to country, a rock and roll violinist, a 19-piece jazz orchestra playing big band sound, salsa and merengue

and a Tina Turner tribute band. The performing arts stage will include performances by an 18-member banjo band; former members of the folk group The Highwaymen; multicultural dance groups from Peru, Ireland, and India; the Broward Women's Choral Group, and Japanese drums.

Produced by Howard Alan Events, the festival will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SATURDAY HORACE ANDY MARCH 19

Special

CAMEO PERFORMANCE

@ WATERFALLS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 6455 W. COMMERCIAL BLVD. TAMARAC, FL 33319

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B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10

HEALTH THE WISDOM TOOTH

Meditation

My gum line looks dark!

Root decay, also referred to as “root caries,” is a cavity that forms on the roots of your teeth. Common in older adults, exposed roots can also occur if your gums have shrunk from gum disease or from improper brushing. These cavities can start faster and spread quicker than other cavities, as the roots of teeth lack the protective hard enamel. It's also harder for the dentist to treat them, as they can spread to the inside of the tooth where the nerve is, causing pain and infection. A large cavity on the root of a tooth can even lead to the tooth breaking off.

Who needs it?

Tanya Ragbeer So what's all the hulabaloo about meditation anyway?

Meditation is a whole body experience that engages both mind and body - all by silencing the mind in order to relieve mental and physical stress, from anxiety to aches and pains, to handling even greater concerns like disease or injury.

An ancient practice dating back to B.C. in India, meditation has gone mainstream in America, thanks to public awareness from celebrated athletes, artists and entertainers. Renowned athletes like Kobe Bryant, Joe Namath and Arthur Ashe, and TV icon Oprah Winfrey have all proclaimed meditation as a tool for their success. Many now use meditation to create greater awareness and heightened performance. Yogis, martial arts sensei, higher consciousness gurus and life coaches all use meditation to help others transcend limitations and intolerance.

Meditation is, in fact, the most holistic form of relaxation, free of any form of drug enhancement, natural or otherwise.

And how does it work? The key is not to force the mind to be quiet, but to allow the mind to flow in and out of conscious thought, training the mind in being still. Most who understand how to meditate report that they are more relaxed afterwards, and are better able to deal with difficult issues. Many report reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improved sleep patterns, and less illness.

To start, it is best to meditate for short periods of time, in places that are quiet and free from disturbance. Sit or lay in a position that is most comfortable and allows you to fully and completely relax. Focus on your breathing; breathe in the fresh, clean air, breathe out the stress, tension and toxins in the blood.

As you inhale, open your lungs and allow your chest to expand; as you exhale, allow your body to relax and let the tension release from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Close your eyes if you will, and allow your mind to drift. Ten minutes is all it takes. Listen to soothing music, or don't; think of something specific – generally a single word works best, or think of nothing.

The choice is yours. Let your mind wander, try to get to a place where there are no negative thoughts or emotions. Just be.

At the end of ten minutes, as you slowly open your eyes, embrace the beauty within and take in the magnificence of the your being and your surroundings. Do this once a day and within a week you will find yourself being less stressed, and more engaged. Namaste.

Causes Root caries start when bacteria and fermentable carbohydrates attack the root's surface. Studies show microorganisms metabolize simple sugars into organic acids, which dissolve through plaque harbored on the tooth surface.

These acids then pass through the root structure and demineralize the tooth, removing calcium and phosphate ions. Dramatic effects occur during this process, with the collapse of collagen due to dissolution of inorganic minerals and the formation of cavities.

Treatment Treatment of root caries depends on the extent of the lesion into the tooth structure. Removal of the infected area is done and replaced with restorative composites.

10 ADVANTAGES OF MEDITATION 1. Overcome stress 2. Boost your creativity 3. Improve your sex life and increase your libido 4. Cultivate healthy habits that lead to weight loss 5. Improve digestion and lower blood pressure 6. Decrease your risk of heart attack 7. Help overcome anxiety, depression, anger and confusion 8. Decrease perception of pain and improve cognitive processing 9. Increase your focus and attention 10. Increase the size of your most important organ— your brain!

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to commission one firm or joint venture as a Construction Management at-Risk (CMR) firm for each of the following General Obligation Bond (GOB) funded projects:

MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE: Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Sign-in Time: 9:30 - 9:50 a.m. local time Location: SOUTH FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, 1498 N.E. 2 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132 QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this solicitation will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. local time, Friday, April 1, 2016. Questions may be submitted to Carton Crawl at CCrawl@dadeschools.net with a copy to the Clerk of the School Board at Martinez@dadeschools.net.

RESPONSES DUE: Request for Qualifications responses must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 to the attention of: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department of A/E Selection & Negotiations Nazira Abdo-Decoster, Executive Director 1450 N.E. 2 Avenue, Room 305 Miami, Florida 33132 REQUIREMENTS: This is an abbreviated ad; the complete legal ad with contractor prequalification requirements, project details and instructions for this solicitation, including selection procedures, are available at the above address, or at http://ae-solicitations.dadeschools.net under legal ad #134.

In accordance with Board policies, a Cone of Silence, lobbyist requirements and protest procedures are hereby activated. Failure to comply with requirements of this legal ad and Board policies shall be grounds for disqualification. These, and all related Board policies, can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl/.

Why do older adults get root decay?

Older adults are more likely to get cavities on the roots of their teeth because: 1. They are more likely to have gum problems that expose root surfaces.

2. Root surfaces are softer than the lower part of the tooth, which is protected by enamel.

3. They are more likely to take medicines that cause dry mouth. Saliva or spit helps protect teeth from cavities.

4. If your mouth is dry, do not suck on hard candies. This makes the cavities get bigger. Use sugar-free hard candies instead.

5. You may have trouble taking care of your mouth because of arthritis or other medical problem such as loss of eyesight. This raises the risk of getting root cavities. If you have had a stroke, you may not realize you have food stuck in your mouth, this can also add to your cavity risk. Forgetfulness is a problem too. Leaving reminder notes for yourself to brush and floss is a good way to improve your oral health.

6. If you have lost some teeth already, it may be harder to chew certain foods.

You may choose foods that are easier to chew and are softer. It is very important to brush your teeth after meals with soft foods that have starch like bread, potatoes and pasta. These soft foods contribute to cavities just like sugar.

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to commission one firm or joint venture as a Construction Management at-Risk (CMR) firm for the following General Obligation Bond (GOB) funded project:

MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE: Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 Sign-in Time: 9:30 - 9:50 a.m. local time Location: SOUTH FLORIDA EDUCATIONAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 1498 N.E. 2 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132 QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this solicitation will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. local time, Friday, April 1, 2016. Questions may be submitted to Ed Ford at edford@dadeschools.net with a copy to the Clerk of the School Board at Martinez@dadeschools.net.

RESPONSES DUE: Request for Qualifications responses must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. local time, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 to the attention of: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Department of A/E Selection & Negotiations Nazira Abdo-Decoster, Executive Director 1450 N.E. 2 Avenue, Room 305 Miami, Florida 33132 REQUIREMENTS: This is an abbreviated ad; the complete legal ad with contractor prequalification requirements, project details and instructions for this solicitation, including selection procedures, are available at the above address, or at http://aesolicitations.dadeschools.net under legal ad #136.

In accordance with Board policies, a Cone of Silence, lobbyist requirements and protest procedures are hereby activated. Failure to comply with requirements of this legal ad and Board policies shall be grounds for disqualification. These, and all related Board policies, can be accessed and downloaded at: http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl/.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10 –

B3

Jamaican artists “Color Outside the Lines” African-American Research Library hosts exhibit on Jamaican women artists Three landmark Jamaican women artists will be in the spotlight for upcoming exhibit, “Color Outside the Lines,” hosted by the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC).

Celebrating March as Women's History Month, the exhibit will feature artists Lorraine Maxwell, Corinne Wakeland and Rachel Stewart, and explores how their work both examines and challenges

stereotypes about women, race and cultural identity.

“They share a common thread as women with Jamaican roots, which gave birth to their art,” said the AARLCC about the featured artists in a statement. “They have transported these memories across time and place to record them on the canvases and sculptures in this exhibition.”

Lorraine Maxwell is a renowned muralist and education, known for her combination of media into distillations of color and light. South Florida-based Corinne Wakeland is a painter and jewelry designer, known for her colorful and elaborate wood

LAUDERHILL

Lauderhill names new Chiefs of Police and Fire Departments City Manager Charles “Chuck” Faranda is proud to announce Acting Chief Constance Stanley has been appointed to the permanent position of Police Chief and Acting Chief Marc Celetti to the permanent position of Fire Chief.

Chief Constance Stanley has replaced former Police Chief, Jamaican-born Andrew Smalling. She began her law enforcement career in 1991 with another law enforcement agency and then joined the City of Lauderhill in 1994. She served Lauderhill in several units and divisions and was promoted through the ranks as Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and now Police Chief. Stanley is very active in several Professional Organizations to include the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers, the Police Executive Research Forum, the American Society of Public Administrators, and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

Chief Marc Celetti joined the Fire Department in 1979 after first volunteering as a Youth Explorer at the age of 14. Upon his being hired as a Firefighter he worked his way to becoming a Division Chief, Fire Marshal (a title he still holds), and now the Fire Chief.

During his time as Fire Chief he has reorganized the Fire Department to streamline the chain of command. He also became very proactive in reaching out to the frontline firefighters.

Stanley

and metal sculptures. Her paintings have been shown in a number of exhibitions in Florida, New York, Paris, Grenada and Aruba. Her paintings are also part of the permanent collections at Florida International University, Dade County Fire Fighters Museum and the City of Lauderhill.

Rachel Stewart is a Christian artist working in Kingston, Jamaica. Inspired by her faith, Stewart uses non-traditional material to layer the surfaces of her sculptures and mixed media pieces.

The exhibit will launch with an official opening ceremony at the AARLCC on March 19, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

JWOF “Next Generation” Scholarship open Applications are now being accepted for the Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) “Powerful Women – Next Generation” scholarship. The scholarship, renewable annually, is awarded to a first or second generation, JamaicanAmerican female high school student attending college in Fall 2016. Valued at $1,000 yearly, the scholarship will encourage the recipient to achieve her four-year educational goal at a tertiary institution. So far, two students have received the award.

To meet the criteria, the applicant must be a South Florida resident, and have a high school graduating 3.5 GPA, which has to be maintained throughout the tenure of the scholarship. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, March 31, 2016.

The candidate is also required to demonstrate commitment as a volunteer in community projects, performing a minimum of 40 hours per semester. In addition, the candidate must compose an essay (not more than two pages, double-spaced), explaining why she should be awarded this scholarship. The applicant's study program should also include credits in International Studies and/or Women's studies, if available.

Application material must be accompanied by candidate's contact information (name/address/telephone/email address) and emailed to Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) at info@jamaicanwomenofflorida.com or mailed to 3325 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 206, Hollywood, FL 33021.

The Scholarship will be awarded at JWOF's fourth anniversary celebration, which takes place at the Women's Empowerment Conference and Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, April 23rd at the Jungle Island, Miami, Florida.

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Recede Summer refresher Coffee type, for short Pub order Egg source Chubby Take back Compact Tardy Vacation spot Thieves Golf hazard _____ Witherspoon of “Just Like Heaven” _____ standstill (2 wds.)

Upper body More wan Lennon’s wife Say Tightly stretched Of speech sounds Christmas glitter Bossa_____ Friend (Sp.) Member of Congress Highway divisions Bride’s response (2 wds.)

Picasso’s field Suspicious Lawn starter Caustic chemical

1. Noblemen 2. Lamb’s sound 3. Midler or Davis 4. Eureka!

5. Pronouncement 6. Goes in 7. Flightless bird 8. Film critic Roger _____ 9. In the middle 10. Mule’s kin 11. Charge 16. Brings up 20. Opposite of NNW 22. Zodiac lion 24. Had lunch 25. Average 28. Toddler 29. Stop _____ dime (2 wds.)

30. Standard procedure 31. Cage 32. Amphitheater 34. Raises 35. Dissertation 36. Ohio port 38. Golfer _____ Woods 40. Whole 41. Off-white 42. _____ blanche 44. Very inquisitive 46. Total amount 47. Bombshell _____ West 49. Head movement

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAR 10 – MAR 16, 2016 | VOL. 13 NO. 10 –

Six winners for Digicel's “Bill on us” celebration Diaspora customers and their loved ones win all bills paid for 12 months Six lucky winners across the Caribbean and the Diaspora will be bill-free for a whole year, thanks to Digicel's latest promotion, “Bills on Us.” Winners from the U.S. and Canada who sent top up to family and friends in the Caribbean have won the same chance to have their bills and that of the receiver paid for one full year. “We understand how tight things can be financially after the holidays when bills start piling up, so we are very happy to be in a position where we can offer some relief to our customers in the diaspora along with their families back home,” said Declan Cassidy, CEO of Digicel Diaspora.

Winner 1: Haiti Sender: Jhoanne Marc from New Jersey Receiver: Patrick Benjamin from Haiti Jhoanne could not believe she was a winner! When she heard Digicel would pay her bills for a whole year, she responded "oh wow" and could not stop saying how awesome it was. Johanne says she plans to use her winnings for her school tuition and other educational expenses.

Winner 2: Jamaica Sender: Dexter Burey from New York Receiver: Tasha Wallace from Jamaica Dexter couldn't hide his excitement when he got the call, “Is this for real?" he asked repeatedly when he got the news. Dexter was quick to shout out “please pay my phone bill.” And he laughed in disbelief when he found out we were also paying his girlfriend Tasha's bills back in Jamaica. Dexter says he sends Top-Up to her all the time, but has never won anything before.

Winner 3: Guyana Sender: Kofi Hodge from Canada Receiver: Marcia Hoyte from Guyana "So ya'll paying my bills and Marcia's bills?" laughed Kofi when he heard the news about his win. Kofi says he plans to have Digicel pay his credit card bills to cover expenses from his recent trip to Guyana. And with this great news, he can also plan another trip sooner than he thought. Still feeling lucky, Kofi asked, since he Tops Up many friends back home, if he could win again, because he would love for Digicel to pay more of his bills!

Members of the Diaspora can still participate join for a chance to win no bills for a full year. To qualify to win in Digicel's “Bills on Us” promotion, customers simply need to send top up transactions starting at US$15 or send a prepaid data or international long distance plan to friends and family in Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad or the rest of the Caribbean over the eightweek promotional period. Diaspora senders can send top up back home from DigicelTopUp.com, from a Digicel branded store near them or from the Digicel Top Up App available for download in the App Store or Google Play.

Pam Watson

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from A1

major role in reducing her sentence, which could have been as much as 20 years.

A close relative of Watson, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the IRS had been in touch with Jamaica authorities, and arrangements have been made for some of the related funds to be repatriated to the IRS. “Although I cannot confirm that the IRS is sending agents to pick up the funds, I have been reliably advised that the funds have been prepared and checks drawn to make the relevant restitution, agreed between Pamella and the federal court,” said the anonymous source.

Reclaiming fund in a foreign sovereign county, says Broward accountant Learie Mullings, is normal and perfectly within legal means in the case of tax fraud involving the IRS. “If Miss Watson had not agreed to make restitution, the IRS would have exercised their legal right to seek restitution by obtaining a court order requesting the financial

institutions and companies she made deposits and investments in Jamaica to liquidate these accounts and repay the IRS,” says Mullings.

“In this case, since Miss Watson volunteered a court agreement to make restitution, she essentially gave the IRS the authority to collect the repayments from the Jamaican institutions.”

“The IRS is an agent of the U.S. government, and trust me, the government will find a way to get back its funds if it's defrauded and can trace these funds,” said North Miami Beach fraud investigator Justin Nealy.

According to the Jamaican report, the IRS has so far identified J$107 million (US$880,545) at two licensed financial institutions in Jamaica and the institutions are working with the agency to deliver the related repayment checks. The report said further investigations are on-going to secure the remaining funds from Jamaican entities in which Watson made investments.

MIAMI GARDENS

Full Hundred!

Church celebrates congregant's centennial It was the celebration of the century this past Sunday, March 5, at the Norland United Methodist Church in Miami Gardens, as church members gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of their fellow congregant, Mr. John Dowe of Miami. Dowe was presented with a special proclamation by Pastor Margaret Kartwe and church officers, in recognition his many years of service to the church and to the local community.

Norland United Methodist Church also recently celebrated their own landmark this past February, celebrating their 60th anniversary in a special service. The Church officially held their groundbreaking ceremony on its current property way back, on February 12, 1956.

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Third World sued several months of calling,” said Bourvier. “I saw a press release from Third World lawyers that the band owes me nothing, and anything owed is from performing rights societies as royalties for my husband's music. But the funds I am seeking have nothing to do with royalties, but money owed him as a member and part-owner of Third World, the business.”

Responding to a news item related to Mrs. Clark's demands, Third World attorney Captain Paul Beswick of the Jamaican firm Ballantyne, Beswick and Company issued a press release stating “… all payments due to Bunny Rugs personally for royalties and intellectual property rights are paid individually by the various performing rights societies which handle payments of this kind.” Usually these societies make payments to individual artists and songwriters for their share of royalties for the intellectual property rights in their works. Since Bunny Rugs is deceased, the

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royalties should be paid to his legally authorized representative.

However, Royal Palm Beach entertainment attorney Lloyd Stanbury, who is representing Mrs. Clarke, says these statements “are grossly misleading, designed to do damage control, a delay tactic and distraction.”

Stanbury said Mrs. Clark is justified in her claims on the band, and contrary to statements made by Third World has “no malice or intent to damage the good name and integrity of the band.” He confirmed Mrs. Clarke is the duly authorized representative of her husband's estate, and entitled to make inquiries to secure all details necessary to assess the value of his estate, and also entitled by law to collect all past and future profits from her husband's work.

Stanbury also indicated Mrs. Clarke has already taken necessary steps to secure payment of royalties due to her late husband as a songwriter and performer from relevant music copyright societies.

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“At no point in time did Ms. Clark request Third World should account to her for any such songwriter or performer royalty income,” says Stanbury.

The attorney said funds due to Mrs. Clarke are from Bunny Rugs position as a part-owner in the enterprise known, and trading worldwide, as Third World. “That enterprise owns assets including merchandise, goodwill, trademarks, and sound recording masters that are of significant value, and continue to generate income for all part-owners of the enterprise.”

Stanbury confirmed Mrs. Clarke intends to file a lawsuit in Florida to secure a court order for access to the funds, since band members have refused to respond to her requests.

Efforts to obtain a response from Third World band representatives to Mrs. Clarke's claims have failed. Individuals close to the band have said that they are no longer speaking to the press regarding this case.

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The golden team won against an allAmerican squad, the Cavaliers XI, with a final score of 126 for 1 wicket – ending an exciting and spectacular afternoon of sportsmanship and Caribbean pride.

The legendary Lara was not about to leave Lauderhill without a token in remembrance of this memorable occasion.

He was presented with the keys to the City of Lauderhill by Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness.

This marked another successful installment of the much-anticipated event from the Lawrence Rowe Foundation, held annually to support the foundation's many philanthropic efforts. Part of the proceeds from this year's event will be donated to help former West Indian cricketers who have fallen on hard times, as well as help provide training and support for the next generation of cricket players in South Florida.

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CRICKET

Guyana and India sweep at Lauderhill T20 West Indies' batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan makes special appearance Guyana and India won the second round of matches in the City of LauderhillT20 Intl. Night Cricket Tournament this past Saturday at the Lauderhill Sports Park.

Guyana easily defeated Pakistan by 3 wickets.

Batting first under clear conditions, Pakistan ended on 130 runs, with Irfan Khan smashing 28, including three fours. Taj Faisal scored 26 and Usman Ali-Malik 25. But Guyana kept dominance, as game MVP bowler Fizal Shariff grabbed 3 for 22 in his allotted four overs, while Simion Pierre bagged 2 for 17. Other useful spells came from Sameer Khan 1 for 17, Masood Mohammed 1 for 23 and Richard Louis 1 for 23. In reply, Guyana rolled over the Pakistani bowling attack,

ending on 134-7 in 16.3 overs. Nasim Ali scored 36 including three fours and two sixes.

But the large crowd went a buzzing when former West Indies and Guyana captain Ramnaresh Sawran joined the pitch. Sarwan who made his international debut in 2000 against Pakistan in Barbados, played 87 tests, 181 ODIs and 18 T20s for the West Indies, was in town to participate in Sunday's Legend of Cricket exhibition match at the Central Broward Regional Park. But Sarwan couldn't fail to appease his South Florida fans with another showing, joining the Guyanese side for a round. And he didn't fail to entertain the crowd, as spectators were delighted with a thrilling innings of 23, including

two fours and one six. Sameer Khan and Akeem Charles contributed 14 and 13 respectively.

Bowling for Pakistan, Rajesh Shurrma was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4 for 20, whilse Hassan Syed took 1 for 14, Rana Adil 1 for 28 and Zishawn Qureshi 1 for 40.

Meanwhile, Team India rolled over Combined Islands by 6 wickets in the third match. Winning the toss and electing to field, India restricted Combined Islands to 128 for 8 in the allotted 20 overs. Kenier Irvin slammed 35, which included two fours and three lofty sixes, while veteran Joey Pierre provided valuable assistance with 20 not out. Other contributions came from Alderman Lesmond, who scored 22,

Swayne James 11 and Aston Dennis 10. Bowling for India, Sreeram Nimmala and Arun Parekh both bagged 2 for 22 and 2 for 24 each. In reply, Justin Holder led the charge for the India, slamming 38 from 18 balls highlighted by fours and two sixes. Opener Sarosh Siddiqui ended on 35 not out, featuring four fours and one six and Girish Gopalkrishnan chipped in with 22.

Bowling for Combined Islands, Aston Dennis took 1 for 14, Joey Pierre 1 for 23 and Antoine Charlery 1 for 29.

Next group of matches are scheduled for this Saturday, March 12, starting 5 p.m. with Pakistan v. Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica v. India at 8 p.m.

TRACK & FIELD

Bolt greatest sprinter ever, says track legend Johnson Former American track star Michael Johnson has called Jamaican sprinter and Olympic champion Usain Bolt the “greatest track and field star” ever.

Johnson, who won four Olympic gold medals and eight World Championships gold medals and currently holds the World and Olympic records in the 400m, feels Bolt has surpassed the likes of him, and other legendary American athletes such as Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens.

Speaking in an interview for Laureus.com ,

Johnson

Johnson said, “You think of the great sprinters of the past who have done things that have never been done before like Jesse Owens, winning four gold medals, and Carl Lewis, doing that as well, and myself being the 200 meters and 400 meters world record holder and Olympic champion.

“So those are the names that you think of, the amazing sprinters of the past. But none of us has produced, in my opinion, the consistency and longevity that Bolt has and so to this point

he has to be considered the greatest.”

Johnson, a member of the prestigious Laureus Academy, was also asked if he thinks anyone has a chance at beating Bolt at the Olympics in Rio to which he responded, “If he's healthy, I don't think that anyone can stop him.”

Bolt is in the running for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award, along with football star Lionel Messi and tennis ace Novak Djokovic, an award that Johnson believes Bolt can easily win.

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