AIR JAMAICA’S "HUGE CARIBBEAN SALE" MAKES FALL TRAVEL TO THE TROPICS VERY AFFORDABLE

Hurry - tickets must be purchased by August 23

Air Jamaica announces today, a very special sale from all of its U.S. gateways to Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica, Barbados, Curacao, St. Lucia and Grenada. These fares are valid for travel from September 7 – December 14 and must be purchased by August 23. Sample fares in the "Huge Caribbean Sale" include:

Miami/Fort Lauderdale to Kingston or Montego Bay: $149.00 round trip
Orlando to Kingston: $179.00 round trip
Newark to Montego Bay: $189.00 round trip
Los Angeles to Montego Bay: $279.00 round trip
Atlanta to St. Lucia: $309.00 round trip
Fort Lauderdale to Barbados: $269.00 round trip
JFK to Barbados or St. Lucia: $339.00 round trip
JFK to Grenada: $359.00 round trip
Baltimore and Philadelphia to St. Lucia: $339.00 round trip
Chicago to Curacao: $339.00 round trip

Air Jamaica recommends that consumers book early for these fares, as they will sell out quickly. All fares are round trip based on economy class. All travel must be completed by December 14, 2007. Reservations must be made at least 3 days prior to departure. All tickets at these fares are non-refundable. Tickets can be purchased through www.airjamaica.com, via Air Jamaica reservations at 1-800-523-5585 or through travel agents.

A Village of hope blossoming in Brooklyn

Family Renaissance’s Lorraine Oud-kerk and John McQueen are reaping rewards from their Rites of Passage programs which are specifically geared towards helping young people become productive and respectable pillars of the community. In June, Caribbean Impact featured a story on this group’s work which has been ongoing for 18 years in Brooklyn. The program, begun by John McQueen, provides young people with counseling, mentoring and practical support as they become teens and young adults. The vision of Family Renaissance is to pass on and enhance cultural and spiritual heritage to the next generation, through the educational, counseling and rites of passage programs for children and youths, as well as through their annual summer day camp for younger children.

Suriname bans meat imports from UK

Suriname has joined St Vincent & the Grenadines, the Cayman Islands and Barbados in placing a ban on meat imports from the United Kingdom. The move comes following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in England last week, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries announced on Wednesday. In a statement, the ministry said that the measures are being taken to protect the country’s livestock and consumers. All products and livestock susceptible to the disease are banned from coming into the country. However, Suriname is importing very little from the UK and, according to officials, currently there are no imports pending.

Chinese toothpaste recalled for Caribbean hotels

Chinese toothpaste distributed to hotels worldwide, including several in the Caribbean, by a US company has been recalled because it may contain a chemical used in antifreeze, adding to recent cases of unsafe food and drug imports. Gilchrist & Soames voluntarily recalled tubes of Chinese-made toothpaste after tests showed some samples contained diethylene glycol, according to a statement posted this week on the US Food and Drug Administration’s website. The company declined to say how many tubes were recalled or which of the 650 hotels that receive its toiletries worldwide were affected. Guests who took the toothpaste home with them were urged by the company to throw it away. Concern about tainted Chinese imports developed in the US after the discovery of contaminated pet food, seafood and toothpaste as well as defective tires and toys with lead paint. China has worked since March to assure consumers and trading partners that its food and drugs are safe.

Chavez to propose constitutional reforms

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez presented his blueprint Wednesday for sweeping constitutional changes expected to allow him to be re-elected indefinitely, a move his critics call a threat to democracy. Chavez, who is seeking to transform Venezuelan society along socialist lines, announced late Tuesday that he would unveil his proposal before crowds of supporters at the National Assembly. He predicted it would bring renewed political upheaval to Venezuela. Chavez’s political allies firmly control the National Assembly, which is expected to approve the plan within months. It then would have to be approved by citizens in a national referendum. Chavez has revealed few details of his proposal, but has stressed the need to do away with presidential term limits that currently prevent him from seeking re-election in 2012.

IMPACT ON ST. LUCIA

EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE!!!

St. LUCIA INDUSTRIAL & SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (SLISBA) CELEBRATES ITS 25th ANNIVERSARY

St. Lucia has some of the most active private sector associations in the OECS States. The associations have come together and formed the Private Sector Council of St. Lucia, which will speak to national issues affecting the private sector such as the Labor Code. The St. Lucia Industrial and Small Business Association is a very active member of the grouping. SLISBA celebrates twenty-five years of service to the business community in St. Lucia. In recognition of this significant milestone, the Directors of SLISBA designated the month of August, 2007 as "SMALL BUSINESS MONTH." This initiative was endorsed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Commerce. The association is very proud of its achievements and seeks to mark the period of celebration in an unforgettable manner. Of special significance will be the election of a new Board of Directors for a two-year term, when the Annual General Meeting is convened on Sunday, August 19, 2007. The current Board of Directors 2005-2007 includes the following persons: Patrick H. Joseph – President, Hilton Baptiste – 1st Vice President, John Honora – 2nd Vice President, Callista Mc. Lawrence – Secretary, Priestley Louison – Treasurer, Vincent Doxerie – Member, Tedburt Theobalds – Member, Eldridge Stephens – Member.

IMPACT ON JAMAICA

Jamaican private sector to benefit from energy partnership with Brazil

Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has said that Jamaica’s partnership with Brazil in the bio-fuels industry offers significant opportunities for the private sector, in the areas of energy, tropical agriculture and food processing. "The bio-fuels industry offers significant business opportunities and Jamaica’s partnership with the world leader in bio-fuels presents our private sector with new possibilities," she stated. The Prime Minister, who was addressing the closing of the Brazil/Jamaica business forum and seminar on Thursday in Kingston, urged the private sector members to take advantage of the partnership to create wealth not only for themselves, but for the country. "The governments of Jamaica and Brazil are united in the view that while the state is a facilitator, it is the private sector which represents the main engine of economic growth. It is the private business people, who, through their ingenuity, initiative and entrepreneurship, create jobs and really transform economies," she pointed out.

Jamaica and Brazil sign visa exemption, academic cooperation agreements

Jamaican prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller and the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva last week signed two bilateral agreements; one a Visa Exemption Agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation. The signing of the agreements, which took place alongside the issuing of a Joint Communiqué to the local and Brazilian press on Thursday, concluded a day of high-level bilateral talks in which the heads of both countries agreed to implement and expand exchanges and cooperation in fields ranging from energy to sport and social policies. Providing details of the discussions between the heads of government, the Prime Minister said that Jamaica had agreed to offer 10 scholarships to Brazilian nationals over a two-year period, for training in hospitality skills at the HEART TRUST/NTA.

OAS to monitor Jamaican elections

The Organization of American States (OAS) will deploy a team of international observers to monitor the August 27 general elections in Jamaica, at the request of that nation’s government and its Election Commission. OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza has named the hemispheric organization’s second highest official, Ambassador Albert R. Ramdin, as Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission. Steven Griner, who has gained extensive experience in mounting observation missions in the Caribbean, will be the Deputy Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission. "The international community will accompany the citizens of Jamaica in their aspirations to express freely their will through their vote, and we hope that the OAS’ efforts will contribute to people’s confidence in the democratic process," said Insulza.

IMPACT ON BARBADOS

Keep land to save money, supply food

The fate of Barbados Farms Ltd cannot be driven solely by considerations of profit-making.

This was the response of James Paul, chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), to the recently launched take-over bid by new consortium Agricultural Investments Ltd., for this island’s single largest land-owning entity. At a press conference called to announce the bid, consortium leaders Sir Charles Williams and his brother Ralph "Bizzy" Williams promised to turn around the fortunes of Barbados Farms – which has suffered almost $2 million in losses over the past three years – with a strategy that included converting a portion of the more than 4 000 acres owned by Barbados Farms into lower and middle income housing developments.

BNB shares ‘worth weight in gold’

Government’s 20 per cent shares in the Barbados National Bank (BNB) are worth their weight in gold. Indeed, they are earning the Government more than when the bank was a 100 per cent state-controlled entity. This disclosure came from Prime Minister Owen Arthur, while addressing a graduation ceremony for the bank’s Youth Link Apprenticeship 2006/2007 program held last Friday evening at the BNB Training Centre on Broad Street. Arthur presented the certificates and awards to the seven graduating students of the program, which is in its second year. Arthur said the BNB, under full government ownership, had been losing money and that was why his administration decided to sell it.

Sir Roy appeals for minimum wage

"Hurry up and pass new laws to govern minimum wage and employment rights – please!"

Sir Roy Trotman, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), issued this appeal to Government last Friday. He described such laws as long overdue.

"The Employment Rights Bill has been in the making for a very, very long time," he said during a news briefing at the Union’s Harmony Hall, St Michael headquarters. "It goes back to when Rudolph Greenidge was Minister of Labor, and there cannot be any justifiable reason why it is still only in the country as a matter occasionally discussed by the social partners . . ."

Sir Roy noted that Professor Andrew Downes of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies had stimulated the current debate on minimum wage in Barbados with a paper entitled The Impact of a Minimum Wage Policy on The Economy of Barbados.

(Barbados Nation)

Met Office keeping eye on Dean

The Barbados Meteorological Department is keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Dean. Some strengthening was forecast, and given its present track it should reach Barbados in about three days, the department said Tuesday night. At 5 p.m. Tuesday, the centre of the tropical storm was located at latitude 11.6 degrees north and longitude 41.0 degrees west or about 1 140 miles or 1 830 kilometres west of the southern most Cape Verde island and about 1 390 miles or 2 235 kilometres east of the Western Antilles. Dean was moving quickly towards the west at 21 miles per hour (33 kilometres) and this general motion was expected to con (Nation)

MINORS IN PAN

Young Kaya Phillips trying her hand at the steel pan, with the encouragement of Pan In The Plaza project coordinator Kently Gill (left), and being watched by director of human resources of the Central Bank of Barbados, Hensley Sobers (third from left), and fellow summer campers yesterday. The annual project is sponsored by the Central Bank, and run in association with the Barbados Association of Steel Pan Teachers and the National Cultural Foundation. The project includes a three-week camp at Harrison College and a performance at the Central Bank Cathedral Plaza to be held on September 1.

PIN-UP PULLED

The 2007 Banks Calendar Girl has been fired!

Saskia Griffith, the eye-catching beauty on posters advertising Banks products in bars and shops across Barbados, has been taken off the brewery’s calendar. Popularly known as the "Banks Calendar Girl" and officially as Miss Banks 2007, Griffith and Banks Brewery parted ways on Thursday evening after what was described as a "cordial meeting". In a statement issued by the public relations manager of Banks Breweries, Sophia Cambridge, by mutual agreement Griffith would not be making any further appearances on behalf of the Banks Beer brand. The statement further said that "a confidential financial settlement" was reached by the parties involved. "We (Banks) wish her every success in her future endeavours," the statement added.

IMPACT ON GUYANA

PNCR pickets President’s Office again

Shouting ‘Stop the punishment or we going down Regent Street’ and ‘The hunger is building up— shut the country down,’ members of the People’s National Congress Reform Tuesday staged another protest outside the Office of the President in George-town, Guyana. Last week, the demonstrators gathered at the same location on Vlissengen Road in the first of a series of protests that the political party has planned. Tuesday, PNCR Member of Parliament, Volda Lawrence, said that as the protest continues the party "is going to step up the tempo." "As long as the government continues to turn a deaf ear to the struggles of the people in relation to the 16 per cent VAT, which they cannot live with, the non-appointment of people (who have been acting) for over ten years, land and contract distribution, and the incarceration of Mark Benschop for the last five years, we will continue the protest," the PNCR member said.

Shots fired at PNCR meeting

Police Tuesday evening interrupted a community meeting held by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) at Back Circle, East Ruimveldt, by charging into the crowd and discharging a few rounds before arresting an area resident. Up to press time, the identity of the man was still unknown. According to party sources, the meeting started at about 18:00 hrs and throughout the evening, police were seen hovering around the area, a move that is customary whenever a public event was being staged. However, about 45 minutes after the meeting commenced and while party member, Christopher Jones, was speaking, an open-back van arrived with a group of policemen. Two of them jumped off the back of the van with guns drawn and ran along a fine strip of concrete to the centre of the crowd where they discharged the rounds.

Interdicted NBS managers fired

Nearly three months since being charged with conspiracy to defraud, three senior New Building Society (NBS) managers in Guyana were Tuesday dismissed and the society’s board has cited dereliction of duty, negligence and serious misconduct. A lawyer for two of the managers Director/Secretary Maurice Arjoon and Assistant Mortgage Manager, Kissoon Baldeo is contending that the dismissals are unlawful and repugnant to natural justice and so will be challenged in the court. The letters, he said, were signed by acting chairman of the board, Dr. Nanda Gopaul. Attorney at law Anil Nandlall told Stabroek News that his clients received the letters Tuesday afternoon and noted too it was most likely that the other manager Kent Vincent Operations Manager] also received his. Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos and Basil Williams are the other attorneys for the defence in this matter.

Ramsaroop exploring 2011 presidential bid

Guyanese businessman Peter Ramsaroop has established an exploratory committee on a presidential bid in 2011.

According to a press release from Vision Guyana, Ramsaroop Monday announced his intentions and "has been meeting with world leaders in both business and politics over the last year to discuss Guyana‘s future role in the global marketplace." He intends to focus on building strategic partnerships, along with community activities and youth programs.

Deplorable wages and working conditions at Bai Shan Lin Linden operations

Agri Minister insists that the company has to comply with occupational health and safety standards. Workers employed by a Chinese forestry company in Linden are complaining bitterly about the poor wages and deplorable safety conditions under which they have to work. The poor working conditions for workers were evident yesterday, when the new European Commission (EC) Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Geert Heikens, accompanied by the local media, visited the sawmill operations of the company, which earlier this year announced massive investment plans. A young woman, paid $1000 a day, fetches wood with no gloves, no respiratory mask, and without safety boots or helmets – and the reality is much the same for the other workers of the Coomaka, Linden operations of Chinese owned company Bai Shan Lin.

In Memoriam

In loving memory of PAMELA ANITA BAIRD

who graced this world with her presence on May 12, 1955 and departed it on August 21, 2006. One year has passed since you made your journey to the beyond. We miss you dearly, but are aware that you have gone to a better place and are looking over our every move. We love you dearly, but God loves you more.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;

Don’t lengthen it now

With undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now,

He set me FREE.

A Mother’s Farewell to Her Children

When I must leave you

for a little while,

Please do not grieve

and shed wild tears

And hug your sorrow

to you through the years,

But start out bravely

with a gallant smile;

And for my sake

and in my name

Live on and do

all things the same

Mothers Never Really died, They just keep house up in the sky.

She leaves to cherish her memory a loving husband, Trevor Baird; children Keron and Chloe Baird; father Wilbert Cordis and wife; sisters: Joycelyn Phillips, Sandra Azore and Cheray; brothers Gordon Azore and Kennet Cordis; uncles, Jason Cordis, Huibert Azore and others; Aunt Enid and others.

Inserted by her loving husband.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

In Loving Memory

In loving memory of Christopher David Nelson Jr. who has been in God’s Loving Care since August 16, 2004.

To lose a child is to lose oneself

The thought of you not being here has torn my world apart

Yet everyday I feel you near, A

blessing to my heart.

Your memory comforts me today,

In ways I wish you knew.

But tears are falling from the pain,

That comes from losing you.

I see your face in the morning sun, and in the moon at night.

I wonder how you’re feeling now,

I PRAY THAT YOU’RE ALRIGHT.

And one day when my time

has come,

To soar with eagles’ wings

We’ll be joined forever more,

To laugh, To live, To sing!!!

Sadly missed your loving mother Desiree Hooper, brother Jemaine Lynch, nephews, grandmother and other relatives and friends.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Elric Gordon

Elroy Sumner

(April 20, 1962

August 5, 2007)

A Homegoing Service conducted by Pastor Fitzroy Jackson was held at Emmaus - SDA Church on 1144 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, for Elric Gordon Elroy Sumner who passed away on August 5, 2007.

Elric leaves to mourn his loving wife Peggy Sumner; children – Glendon, Gorgiann, Shanelle, Sydney and Steven; brothers – William Sumner, Ronald and Oral Welshman; sisters – Rosemarie Small, Donna Tuimavana, Peggy Sumber, Dionne Crockwell, Debbie Lyte and Theresa Coxall; and a host of relatives and friends.

In Remembrance of Me

I’ve finally found peace. All my pain is now gone. Please don’t remorse for me, for I have a Heavenly Home. God has comforted my Heart during the bleakest nights. He has shown me the way and now my soul sees the light. He has lifted my heavy burdens and washed away my fears, and whispered,

"Come Away With Me" so sweetly in my ear. Therefore my Loved Ones . . . Please don’t cry for me. The precious moments we’ve shared shall always be. And always remember that I’m just a touch away as long as I am in your hearts to stay.

Inserted by his loving wife and children.