2. January 2010 by admin.

RCE AND PEAS; MACARONI PIE

LASAGNA; SATUEED GREEN BANANA

BBQ SPARERIBS; BAKED CHICKEN

BAKED PORK; FRIED FLYING FISH

FRIED SNAPPER; GRILLED STEAK FISH

TURKEY STEW; FISH GRAVY

STEAMED VEGETABLES; TOSSED SALAD; COLE SLAW

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2. January 2010 by admin.

Six signatures from representative heads of government of the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have been affixed to a new Treaty of Basseterre for the establishment of an economic union.

The historic ceremony was held on Tuesday night at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium of the Eastern Caribbean central Bank (ECCB) located at Bird Rock, St. Kitts.

Signatories were St. Kitts/Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, St. Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Stephenson King and Prime Minister of Grenada, Tillman Thomas
In absence of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt, the ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Charles Maynard did the honours.

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2. January 2010 by admin.

Just about everything we witnessed on a macro plane in the Caribbean began with the antithesis: Hope or Die. The choice was ours – to be overshadowed by our dilemmas or to be innovative despite them.

2009 ends on the beginning of a new decade. Yet the cyclic nature of its passing is not found in the logic of what we did, as it is lodged in the psychology of why we did it. But our fulfilment and failure revealed lessons for all times as we enter into another dimension of time and space.

Although we were dare-deviled into noiseless miscalculations and our collective actions were rope-tight around confusion, 2009 ended with the rhetorical question: Shall we continue in mediocrity or shall we defend our island states, whatever the cost may be?
I look back through symbolic eyes at 2009 and gaze ahead through hope-filled lens at 2010. I don’t think we have satisfactory answers for the many mistakes we should have avoided, but we don’t have to jeopardise our desire to learn from them.

Backward look
In sum, 2009 highlighted a rich tribute of our survival instincts. Yet the truth is most incidences and events were experienced at a visceral level and on a personal basis.

Examples: a mother loss her job and had little resources to feed her children as domestic economies were punished by the global recession;  the Summit of the Americas held in Trinidad was a resounding success but at grave inconvenience to a homeless person;  a cousin was trapped in the freedom of movement myth and deported, as regional leaders’ icy demeanour for the Caribbean Court of Justice and the Caribbean Single Market Economy was exposed;  a husband mourned his young wife and a grandmother buried her teenager grandson, as unprecedented gruesome crimes swept through the Caribbean with overwhelming speed and gravity. The list goes on.

Though we don’t always recognise it, each of these incidences and events are symbolic moments to pursue the objectives of national and regional development: to advance our individualised and collective aspirations, to get to truly know and co-operate with each other, and to build life-sustaining solutions to shared problems.

Taken together, the big troubles and small victories of 2009 imply that we must value our own human capital, we must support each other, and we must be willing to stumble into success, by working through misfortunate.  We ought not to let any attempt at future triumph fail. No need to antagonise each other at the expense of regional well-being.  Advances of self-centeredness have produced too many setbacks.

I believe that by simply using the pains of 2009 to clarify the prospects of 2010, Caribbeaners have the power to change their future in fundamental ways – and much for the best. If we are tired of making excuses for our lack of integration and collective envisioning, a shift in consciousness and behaviour will renew our pride and fortify our identity.
In 2010 our challenge will be to understand our Caribbean neighbours in order to improve our chance at regional development. Within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), do we really know each other?

Have we considered the point of view of other islanders on issues that are important to us? What is it? How will the needs of St. Lucia be affected by the decisions that St. Kitts/Nevis will make? If we are going to be more strategically relevant and operate in the global village with far reaching influence, in 2010 we will have to understand the nature of the perception we have of each other, before we come to the decision making table. What image does – Montserrat and Tortola and Anguilla have of each other?

In Caricom, what impression does Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) have of Antigua and Barbuda (A&B)?  Does T&T perceive A &B favourably? What about Barbados and St. Vincent? Are there negative stigmas that determine how regional agreements are enacted or neglected?  Is there a perception of honour, truth and reliability between Guyana and Jamaica? If we have neutral, positive or negative views of each other, we will have to find out what are the underlying causes, and tease out important lessons from them.

Understanding each other at the deepest level involves walking in the other person shoes. This will provide win-win answers to anticipated problems. If we are going to discuss complex and annoying issues, we will have to unravel layers of critical problems, hunt for the best ideas regardless of pedigree and geography, and search for the common ground.

2010 presents Caribbean leaders with a turning-page opportunity to speak the truth to each other and to the people.  In a perfect world, every prime minister tells the truth. But we don’t live in a perfect world. Given our regional landscape of survival, political leaders have all kinds of reasons to conceal the truth. Beneath diplomacy and politeness, indifference and apathy are discerned.

Dishonest talk complicates but honest dialogue liberates. Helping each other understand, why unpopular decisions are taken, will strengthen fragile relationships and convey mutual respect.
Ultimately, and especially in the smaller islands,  where everything under the sky is seen through colour coded political eyes, the best way to stop normalised deceit,  is to create a culture of transparency and accountability.

This charge must be led by investigative and fair-minded media probing and reporting.  The Caribbean media must educate the people to expect forthright disclosures and punish leaders who disguise the truth or withhold essential facts for political gains.

To have confidence in the values, diverse cultures and ideals of Caribbeaners, we will have to cultivate a long-term viable vision with short-term action steps, geared towards regional advancement.

I believe that Caribbeaners and their leaders can relate to each other with compassion and determination.  If they do, then 2010 will yield phenomenal good. But leadership competencies will have to be placed way ahead of bloated egos and regional pride will have to be expressed in tangible accomplishments.

Caribbean leaders must get to know each other. Caribbeaners must make sure that regional goals are workable and beneficial to the entire region. Caribbean intellectuals and social commentators must ensure that every island state understands how it fits into an overall strategy of progress. And every citizen and resident of the Caribbean must learn to accept constructive criticisms to encourage excellence throughout the region.

Conclusion
If you are frustrated at seeing the Caribbean follow the trends rather than lay new tracks, a fresh and unified mindset that showers our people with quality of life prosperity is realizable. But you must be willing to bring it to fruition. Break the silence at home by standing up for what is right.

Engage in some worthy social initiative in your village. Apply your faith based energies to solve social problems.

By one brave decision at a time, we can compel the international community, to turn to the Caribbean for models of leadership in peace, transparency and justice. We can encourage our global partners to follow our approach to environmental protection. We can inspire them to patternise how we practice healthy democracy.

History proves that whenever the people’s ferment, condition and impulses are invested in their collective destiny, they will find a larger goal than was possible. That goal will be reached – at first, by inspiring curiosity, then by persistent boldness, and finally, by great achievement. Through backward gazing and forward acting, 2010 is full of staggering possibilities and catastrophic pitfalls.  We must seize the good.

Dr. Isaac Newton is an International Leadership and Change Management Consultant and Political Adviser. He specialises in Government and Business Relations, and Sustainable Development Projects. Dr. Newton works extensively, in West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America and is a graduate of Oakwood College, Harvard, Princeton and Columbia. He has published several books on personal development and written many articles on economics, education, leadership, political, social, and faith based issues.       

The above opinions are not necessarily those of the publisher, newspaper, its advertisers or employees.

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2. January 2010 by admin.

Elizabeth Williams Tobago Bureau

sending a message: Tobago residents display placards during yesterday’s march against crime in Mt St George.-Photo: ELIZABETH WILLIAMS The village of Mt St George yesterday led the way for the rest of Tobago, after staging a march against crime. It was only on December 8 that one of their own, 18-year-old Jude Alleyne, was shot dead, taking the murder toll for the island to 13 of the 15 people eventually killed for 2009. Yesterday, the Mt St George Village Council, in partnership with churches, football clubs and other interest groups, participated in the march against crime. Just over 100 people, armed with posters preaching ’Death to Lawlessness’, participated and they stopped at various hot spots, preaching the message of the gospel, love and peace. Pastor Martin Cunningham, of the Mt St George SDA Church, said crime, violence and incest must be let go. ’That we in this year 2010, we can be able to make Tobago what it used to be, the community where we can be able to see this, love, friendship and brotherhood among us, that we don’t have to destroy one another,’ he said. Dr Denise Tsoi-a-Fatt Angus, adviser to Health Secretary Albert Pilgrim, called on the group to help cleanse society of negative activity. She called Alleyne’s murder a sacrifice, not a killing. ’God sacrificed his only son to save the rest of us, and therefore this march is about saving the rest of Mt St George and the rest of Tobago,’ she said, adding the march was a catalyst towards transforming lives in Mt St George and throughout Tobago. Tsoi-a-Fat-Angus said efforts like these must continue throughout the year to be effective. (Trinidad Express)

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2. January 2010 by admin.

Joel Julien joel.julien@trinidadexpress.com

THE fear of being caught by the new breathalyser test has caused drivers to curb their alcohol drinking habits this Christmas season. This was the belief expressed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mobile), Wayne Richards, and Kirk Waithe, chairman of safe driving lobby group, Arrive Alive, yesterday. The duo’s assumption came about after breathalyser testing done on a well-travelled roadway on a night known for binge drinking-Old Year’s night into yesterday (New Year’s Day)-netted no drunk drivers. As the new year was being ushered in, police officers conducted breathalyser field testing along the Audrey Jeffers Highway in Mucurapo, Richards said in a telephone interview. Some 20 police officers were strategically located along the Foreshore between 10 p.m. on Thursday and 2 a.m. yesterday, he said. ’We specifically chose that time because people are either hustling to a party, or are hustling home from a party,’ Richards told the Express. The Foreshore stretch is widely used by motorists entering and exiting western Trinidad and Port of Spain, where most of the lavish Old Year’s night parties are held. Three drivers who admitted to consuming alcohol were tested, but were not found to be over the country’s legal drinking limit. Those drivers ’voluntarily subjected themselves to testing’, Richards said. ’Our intention is not to just bring people before the courts, it is to ensure that drivers are in full command of their senses when they get behind their steering wheel so they can avoid unnecessary accidents,’ Richards said. A driver’s speech when questioned by police, and general demeanour, are two of the signs used by officers when choosing those to be tested for excessive alcohol in their blood, he noted. Richards said he believed the fear of being caught driving drunk had prompted many motorists to manage their alcohol consumption during the festive Christmas season. Waithe was in full agreement with Richards’s assumption. ’People’s perception is their reality. So if there is a meaningful consequence, people will think about their actions. The role of the breathalyser is more prevention than punishment. And it is effectively preventing drunk driving, crashes and road fatalities,’ Waithe said. Waithe described the breathalyser law enforcement as ’one very small step in the right direction’, but said sustainability was necessary. He also call on Government to amend the seatbelt laws and implement radar guns and speed cameras to help curb speeding on the nation’s roads. ’The breathalyser can be used as a model to impact crime and lawlessness. We are already beginning to see that drivers have started to second-guess the amount of alcohol they consume,’ Waithe said. The breathalyser law was proclaimed on November 16. And on December 22, the first official use of the breathalyser began around 11 p.m. along Ariapita Avenue in Port of Spain. Approximately four people were tested then, with two found to be over the legal limit. However, delays in transporting those two persons to a nearby police station for the mandatory second test caused their alcohol level to drop within the legal limit. According to the new legislation, drivers found over the legal limit of 0.8 blood alcohol concentration, as first time offenders, can be fined $8,000 or face imprisonment for three years. A second offence results in a $15,000 fine or imprisonment for five years, and a third offence leads to permanent disqualification from holding or obtaining a driver’s permit. (Nation News)

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2. January 2010 by admin.

WITH BIG WAVES still pounding the Barbados coastline, the Barbados Meteorological Office again warned sea-bathers and operators of small craft to exercise extreme care.

Yesterday officials said seas will be rough in open water with swells three to four metres (nine to 12 feet). A small craft warning and a high surf advisory remains in effect for “large, battering waves” and dangerous rip currents.

The rough seas are being caused by a series of low pressure systems coming from the north.

High waves were again in evidence yesterday, making it difficult for holidaymakers to enjoy the water. (TY) (Nation News)

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2. January 2010 by admin.

Rene Brathwaite, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados. (GP)

THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION should move to have first aid available in all schools, designated sick rooms and training for teachers to provide basic health care to their charges.

The call has come from the Heart & Stroke Foundation, whose chief executive officer René Brathwaite wants legislation put in place to make it a reality.

“There is a Health and Safety Act in the workplace, but we need to look at schools,” she told the SATURDAY SUN in an interview.

“I would like to see more training happening across our schools. It is very, very important to have more teachers trained [who] have that confidence that they can handle situations.”

Registered nurse and the manager of emergency cardiac care with the foundation, Kim Clarke-Grant, also called for swift action.

“I have written a letter asking the ministry to come on board, to get all teachers trained. To date, we have not [had] a response,” she said.

Explaining the common practice at both primary and secondary schools, Clarke-Grant said: “When a child is sick, parents are called to get their child, but there is much that can be done in the interim that can make a difference. Things such as giving (asthmatic) inhalers properly, supporting the child, rather than saying that is not my job.”

They both cited Wesley Hall Junior and some private primary schools as examples where principals took matters into their own hands by providing training to teachers to be “first-responders”.

“Due to funds received from the (Kiwanis) Silver Dollars (drive), we trained teachers at Wesley Hall Junior School, at their request. They had a need, finding that many accidents were occurring during the lunch period and they were not equipped.

“We went in and taught them how to do first aid. On the next day there was an incident; the headteacher was pleased with how it was handled. Before that it would have been chaos,” said Grant-Clarke.

Also troubling to them was the fact that many schools were ill-equipped to handle basic first aid issues. Brathwaite suggested a starting point could be ensuring all had special sick rooms with at least one person trained and identified as the “sick room teacher” to whom children could go when they required basic care.

The foundation is also calling for retired nurses to volunteer their time to schools, especially during lunchtime, when many accidents occur. (ABB) (Nation News)

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2. January 2010 by admin.

 This group of friends raised a toast to the new year at the all-inclusive party Bliss. (Picture by Sandy Pitt)

THERE’S A REASON they call it Bliss.

The Old Year’s night edition of the all-inclusive party by Esquire Entertainment lived up to its name and its reputation by delivering a perfectly balanced package of a unique location, great food, free-flowing drinks and lots of revelry.

The open-air top story of the new 4-level BTI carpark in the heart of The City was the location for this year’s edition, which took its theme from the James Bond movie and was entitled Casino Royale.

From this vantage point up high, patrons were able to enjoy multiple fireworks displays at the stroke of midnight, both Bliss’ own and the various fireworks down the coast that could be clearly viewed across Carlisle Bay.

And once midnight hit, the party was transformed as Jon Doe and Renegade Sounds went into high gear, blasting pop and R&B tunes from decades past, starting with the legendary Michael Jackson. Post-midnight, sparkly sandals replaced stiletto heels for many females and the dance floor was suddenly packed as the mood moved from liming and socialising to full on partying.

DJs including Stan and Bubbles, the BoomTribe DJs and Mayhem Sounds assisted ably in keeping the party mood up, playing a diverse mix of music, from rap and pop to reggae and dancehall and even some 2010 Carnival soca tunes.

When they weren’t dancing, they were enjoying the excellent culinary spread put on by two-time Chef of the Year, Creig Greenidge. Patrons could indulge in pasta, sushi, spring rolls, traditional fare like rice and beef stew or an array of Casino Royale themed-deserts such as the little slices of great cake iced with little playing card designs.

Also befitting the theme of Casino Royale was the dress code which the crowd of young professionals adhered to. The men were sharply outfitted, some even in tuxes a la James Bond and the ladies mostly shunned the old fashioned Old Year’s Night dress code of black and long, instead going for short and bright cocktail dresses. (AL-F) (Nation News)

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2. January 2010 by admin.

WHAT A WELCOME!Hundreds turned out at the Spice & Company reunion held at Brian Lara’s house at Ebworth Plantation, St Peter. Here, at the stroke of midnight, red confetti exploded over the dance floor and the distant fireworks coloured the already bright ‘blue moon’ sky. Couples embraced, and shared their first kiss for the year as Alan Shepherd belted out Auld Lang Syne. (Picture by Michelle Springer.)

by JOHN SEALY

AS THE CLOCK chimed midnight on Thursday, cheers erupted across the island as Barbadians celebrated the birth of a New Year and a new decade.

There was little hint of the cautions raised about the bleak outlook for this year as forecast by many. Rather, there were smiling faces whether people were in churches, at fetes or just relaxing together passing the night.

And what a perfect night it was too. A gentle, cool breeze with no hint of rain, and a ‘blue moon’ to boot. It was the perfect setting for the SATURDAY SUN teams, armed with their cameras and notepads, to criss cross the island to capture the celebrations and the mood of the public. Their consensus?

The night was a blast, though low-keyed when compared to last year.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the night was the non-traditional ways many “rang in” the New Year while taking in the fireworks displays at the hotels closest to them.

Armed with picnic baskets, they converged on the beaches from Lower Bay Street to behind the Drill Hall, St Michael, and on the boardwalk along Hastings to Rockley Beach on the South Coast. They also congregated on some of the ridges of Wanstead and Warrens, St Michael, and in the north, at the Port St Charles beach to get a bird’s eye view of some dazzling fiery displays.

But churches across the island still attracted the faithful, some of them providing not only spiritual food but physical sustenance after the services.

At a packed People’s Cathedral on Bishops Court Hill, Collymore Rock, St Michael, Reverend Jewell Callender cautioned her congregation to “wake up because it was a new day”. She spoke of “a sense of urgency” and said that there “was a short time to reap the harvest” and “an eternity to celebrate”.

Over at the Church Of Nazarene, Halls Road, St Michael, worshippers, comprising young and old, sang and testified about how their lives were changed since coming to the church. One of the themes of the service was God Again In 2010.

The message coming from Father Clement Paul at the Roman Catholic Church, Bay Street, to the flock was to ask God for “strength and guidance” in the coming year.

This call became even more poignant when the night’s silence was shattered as a number of police vehicles with sirens blaring headed away from The City with a sense of urgency.

In St Peter, the atmosphere was electric at Spice & Company’s reunion for Harbour Lights’ Old Year’s Night party at Brian Lara’s Ebworth Plantation.

On the stroke of midnight, red confetti exploded over the dance floor and couples kissed while Alan Shepherd sang Auld Lang Syne.

Grammy-Award-winning songstress Regina Belle put down a stellar performance at the Old Fort, Hilton, albeit to a modest crowd to whom the artist found herself appealing for a more hearty response from time to time.

While Hilton diners filed out to the beach for the midnight fireworks display, several groups of Barbadians were already settled on the sand, consuming copious amounts of food and drink, basking in the glow of the blue moon and the flickering light from tikki torches dotting the beach.

St Lawrence Gap on the South Coast, once magnet for revellers, seemed to have lost its hold. The streets were lightly filled with mainly tourists and a few locals.

Even as the patrons trickled in, quite a number of them left shortly complaining of the lack of activity they were accustomed to seeing since the event started about five years ago.

Revellers at the all-inclusive party Bliss welcomed in the New Year in the heart of The City, partying on the top level of the new BTI Carpark which was transformed into Casino Royale for one night.

And at the Party Stand a stone’s throw away, the venue lived up to its name as the band krosfyah ushered in 2010 with its 20th anniversary celebratory fete.

It was a terrific night to be out and about.(Nation News)

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