#Barbadian News Blogs | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

blackkudos · 6 years ago

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Gwen Ifill

Gwendolyn L. (Gwen) Ifill (/ˈaɪfəl/; September 29, 1955 – November 14, 2016) was an American journalist, television newscaster, and author. She was the moderator and managing editor of Washington Week and co-anchor and co-managing editor, with Judy Woodruff, of PBS NewsHour, both of which air on PBS. Ifill was a political analyst and moderated the 2004 and 2008 Vice Presidential debates. She was the author of the book The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.

Early life and education

Ifill was born in New York City, the fifth child of African Methodist Episcopal (AME) minister (Oliver) Urcille Ifill, Sr., a Panamanian of Barbadian descent who emigrated from Panama, and Eleanor Ifill, who was from Barbados. Her father's ministry required the family to live in several cities throughout New England and the Eastern Seaboard during her youth. In her childhood, Ifill lived in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts church parsonages and in federally subsidized housing in Buffalo and New York City. She graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Career

While at Simmons College, Ifill interned for the Boston Herald-American and was hired after graduation by editors deeply embarrassed by an incident during her internship in which a coworker wrote her a note that read, "Nigger go home." Later she worked for the Baltimore Evening Sun (1981–84), The Washington Post (1984–91), The New York Times (1991–94), and NBC.

In October 1999, she became the moderator of the PBS program Washington Week in Review. She is also senior correspondent for the PBS NewsHour. Ifill has appeared on various news shows, including Meet the Press.

She serves on the board of the Harvard Institute of Politics, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Museum of Television and Radio, and the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

On February 7, 2011, Ifill was made an Honorary Member of Delta Sigma Theta during the sorority's 22nd Annual Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital.

With Kaitlyn Adkins, Ifill co-hosted Jamestown LIVE!, a 2007 History Channel special commemorating the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, Virginia.

The PBS ombudsman, Michael Getler, has twice written about the letters he's received complaining of bias in Ifill's news coverage. He dismissed complaints that Ifill appeared insufficiently enthusiastic about Sarah Palin's speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention, and concluded that Ifill had played a "solid, in my view, and central role in PBS coverage of both conventions."

On August 6, 2013, the NewsHour named Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff as co-anchors and co-managing editors. They shared anchor duties Monday through Thursday with Woodruff as sole anchor on Friday.

Published works

Ifill's first book, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, was released on January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day. The book deals with several African American politicians, including Barack Obama and such other up-and-comers as Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick and Newark, New Jersey, mayor Cory Booker. The publisher, Random House, describes the book as showing "why this is a pivotal moment in American history" through interviews with black power brokers and through Ifill's observations and analysis of issues.

2004 & 2008 vice-presidential debates

On October 5, 2004, Ifill moderated the vice-presidential debate between Republican Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic candidate John Edwards. Howard Kurtz described the consensus that Ifill "acquitted herself well" as moderator.

Ifill also moderated the October 2, 2008, vice-presidential debate between Democratic Senator Joe Biden and Republican Governor Sarah Palin at Washington University in St. Louis. The debate's format offered Ifill freedom to cover domestic or international issues.

Before the 2008 debate, Ifill's objectivity was questioned by conservative talk radio, blogs and cable news programs as well as some independent media analysts because of her book The Breakthrough, which was scheduled to be released on Inauguration Day 2009 but whose contents had not been disclosed to the debate commission or the campaigns. The book was mentioned in the Washington Times and appeared in trade catalogs as early as July 2008, well before Ifill was selected by the debate committee. Several analysts viewed Ifill's book as creating a conflict of interest, including Kelly McBride of The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, who said, “Obviously the book will be much more valuable to her if Obama is elected.” McCain said in an interview on Fox News Channel, "I think she will do a totally objective job because she is a highly respected professional." Asked about the forthcoming book, McCain responded, "Does this help...if she has written a book that's favorable to Senator Obama? Probably not. But I have confidence that Gwen Ifill will do a professional job."

To critics, Ifill responded, "I've got a pretty long track record covering politics and news, so I'm not particularly worried that one-day blog chatter is going to destroy my reputation. The proof is in the pudding. They can watch the debate tomorrow night and make their own decisions about whether or not I've done my job."

After the debate, Ifill received praise for her performance. The Boston Globe reported that she "is receiving high marks for equal treatment of the candidates."

Ifill's moderation of the debates won her pop-culture recognition when the debates were parodied on Saturday Night Live with host and musical guest Queen Latifah portraying Ifill.

Death

Ifill had been battling breast cancer for some time. She passed away quietly surrounded by friends on November 14, 2016.. Ifill was 61.

Wikipedia

#Gwen Ifill

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anotherdainvisiblemansighting · 3 years ago

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Big Birthday Salute to @therealdougefresh from us @hiphopraisedmetheblog Douglas Davis, better known by his stage name Doug E. Fresh (born September 17, 1966), is a Barbadian-born American rapper, record producer and beatboxer, also known as the "Human Beat Box". The pioneer of 20th-century American beatboxing, Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects using only his mouth, lips, gums, throat, tongue and a microphone. This is www.hiphopraisedmetheblog.com Where is about The Knowledge, The Culture, & The Lifestyle!!! Where we celebrate the 48 years of the youngest genre of music which is Hip Hop!!! HIP HOP RAISED ME!!!! -------------------------------------------------------- Posted based on the "fair use" statute/ act. Strictly for Non-Profit and entertainment purposes only. Subject to copyrights( writing and teaching purposes #hiphopraisedme #hiphopraisedmeblog #hiphopraisedmetheblog #TheknowledgeTheCultureThelifestyle #blogging #vlog #blogs #news #reviews #journalism #entertainment #author #literature #music #fashion #modeling #culture #education https://www.instagram.com/p/CT7MvHll6-P/?utm_medium=tumblr

#hiphopraisedme #hiphopraisedmeblog #hiphopraisedmetheblog #theknowledgetheculturethelifestyle #blogging #vlog #blogs #news #reviews #journalism #entertainment #author #literature #music #fashion #modeling #culture #education

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deanfosters · 4 years ago

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ANCESTRY RELEASES 94 NEW COMMUNITIES LIST FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND AFRO-CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

Ancestry has released 94 new communities’ lists for customers of African-American and Afro-Caribbean descent. Ancestry will help uncover stories of the people and the places that have been your family histories. These new updates use our unique Genetic Communities technology and help reveal the impact your ancestors had on history. Ancestry has around 15 million DNA consumers and is the world’s largest consumer DNA network enabling customers to see the level of accuracy and provide you with ways to find how your ancestors could have moved over time.

African Americans and Louisiana Creoles are the newly released communities. The members belonging to this community will learn that many Louisiana Black residents were working on cotton and sugar plants before the Civil War and were enslaved. But, in the 1900s, their ancestors who were victims of racial discrimination flee to other cities on the West Coast and Midwest. More than 18% of African Americans in the Bay area migrated from Louisiana in the 1940s.

The Afro-Caribbean communities consist of Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas, and more, and they all played a significant role in African American history as almost half 5 million of African people forcefully shipped to America and these were enslaved in the Caribbean. These have worked in sugar plantations. But after the fall of the sugar industry, America founded a headquarter for recruiting the people in Barbados to supply the workers to construct the Panama Canal, that came as a surprise to thousands of Afro Caribbeans who built it.

Some Barbadians moved to America and settled in Harlem and Manhattan in New York, and in 1930, almost all Afro Caribbeans were doctors and lawyers. These new communities will allow our members to look at new windows into their past and new insights into their ancestors’ lives.

Source:https://dnakitancestry.com/blog/ancestry-releases-94-new-communities-list-for-african-american-and-afro-caribbean-people/

#ancestry #ancestrydna #ancestrydna.com/activate

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digitalmarketigagency · 4 years ago

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Could Instagram Be Used To Boost SEO Strategies?

Current organizations realize that Instagram is a key computerized advertising stage for passing on brand and pulling in friendly commitment. However, does Instagram additionally have digital marketing company in cardiff that you might be disregarding?

Regardless of whether you're searching for occasion motivation, creative food photographs, or a choice of haha commendable images about your #1 TV show, Instagram has everything. As a hotbed of photograph and video content politeness of more than 1 billion month to month dynamic clients, it's presently the second most captivating informal organization after Facebook, with the normal individual looking for 53 minutes every day. Obviously, its astonishing notoriety is very large for organizations to disregard, which is the reason in excess of 25 million brands have Instagram accounts today.

This has end up being a compelling method of building an organization's standing and with in excess of 200 million clients visiting in any event one business profile every day, Instagrammers are quick to draw in with brands that offer engaging substance. Subsequently, 83% of them have found new items or administrations through the stage, and 80% depend on profiles when concluding whether to leave behind their money.

In any case, the likely advantages of commitment on Instagram don't stop at your profile, they can stretch out to your site as well. In spite of the fact that Google hasn't determined precisely how friendly measurements impact query items, stages like Instagram can work with your SEO procedure by empowering client commitment, helping with third party referencing, and then some. In this manner, by contemplating your web-based media improvement, your business' Instagram profile could have a significant effect to your hunt rankings.

Is Instagram commitment a positioning element?

Google has over and again said that social signs are not an immediate positioning element. In any case, that doesn't imply that social channels are pointless for seo services . Indeed, it's a remarkable inverse. Various examinations have discovered solid connections between's friendly signals and positioning positions. Highest level sites in SERPs will in general have boundlessly more friendly signals between any remaining pages, principally because of marked sites performing unequivocally in informal communities.

The force of Instagram can't be downplayed. It's probably not going to yield moment results, yet its all-encompassing presence makes it crucial in advancing sites, boosting brand mindfulness, sharing connection commendable substance, and controlling on the web notoriety. Here are six manners by which Instagram can be utilized to expand your SEO system:

READ MORE: Top 5 Instagram updates recently introduced to take advantage in marketing

1. Utilize substance to stand out and advance your site

Excellent substance has been quite possibly the main factors in SEO since Google carried out its Panda calculation in 2011. This update compensated sites that included extraordinary substance and decreased the presence of inadequately developed pages in its natural web crawler results pages (SERPs).

Ideally, your organization site is now loaded with presents as engaging on guests as they are to Google itself. Be that as it may, your Instagram content is likewise significant for digital marketing agency cardiff purposes as SERPs frequently direct clients to online media profiles also. For example, both Topshop and Glossier own Instagram pages stacked with applicable, appealing, and routinely refreshed substance which supporters reliably draw in with. As we probably are aware, Google rewards locales with high commitment rates, so it's nothing unexpected that these Instagram pages, just as the authority sites, are conveyed in the top indexed lists for marked questions.

As another road of traffic towards your business, Instagram can build your organization's online presence and lift brand mindfulness, which is critical with regards to Google rankings. Individuals are bound to connection to you or offer your posts when they're acquainted with your image, and these positive affiliations can empower a superior active clicking factor. Google likewise compensates pages that draw in rush hour gridlock from a wide scope of sources—like direct visits, web-based media, and email showcasing—as opposed to look through traffic alone. With more prominent brand mindfulness, this will be simpler to accomplish.

As far as utilizing Instagram to improve rankings, you can utilize the stage to advance your on location content and direct guests to the page by means of the pervasive "connect in bio". For instance, on the off chance that you share a connect to an intriguing blog entry on Instagram, this supports further client commitment through snaps, remarks, and offers.

An illustration of a brand utilizing a connection in their Instagram bio.

Numerous brands essentially connection to their landing page in their Instagram bio. Notwithstanding, marks additionally have the alternative to utilize the accessible space to connection to a specific page or post they are hoping to advance, actually like WWF have done previously.

This is far better on the off chance that you figure out how to draw in the consideration of prominent influencers. In the event that they share the piece, or connection to it themselves, Google could observe and consider this to be by others as proof your site is an important asset, compensating it in like manner.

2. Oversee notoriety with marked outcomes

Following on from the above point, having more brand-oversaw stages inside the top places of marked SERPs implies you have more authority over how your image is introduced on the web.

Take Rihanna. At the hour of composing, in the event that you type the Barbadian megastar's name into Google, her Instagram profile positions first. Under this, you'll likewise track down Rihanna's true site, Twitter profile, YouTube channel and Facebook page inside the best six outcomes. Other than the Wikipedia page related with Rihanna, five of the main six outcomes are overseen either by Rihanna herself or probably by her PR and media group. Beside Google highlights like report merry go rounds and every now and again posed inquiries, this implies Rihanna has a lot of authority over what shows up inside her own marked pursuit scene.

#SEO Strategies #SERPs #social media marketing

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healingtheblackbody · 4 years ago

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Spell Artist: Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Eva Yaa Asantewaa (she/her) works at Gibney as Senior Director of Artist Development and Curation as well as Editorial Director. A veteran writer, curator and community educator, she won the 2017 Bessie Award for Outstanding Service to the Field of Dance. Since 1976, she has contributed dance criticism and journalism to Dance Magazine, The Village Voice, SoHo Weekly News, Gay City News, The Dance Enthusiast, Time Out New York, her arts blog, InfiniteBody, and other publications and podcasts (Body and Soul; Serious Moonlight). As Editorial Director of Imagining: A Gibney Journal, she publishes essays reflecting issues and perspectives of importance to the dance/performance community. Among many other program initiatives she launched at Gibney, she has created the Black Diaspora group (emerging artists) and the Eva Yaa Asantewaa Black Arts Leadership Awards.

In 2016, for Danspace Project’s Lost and Found platform, Ms. Yaa Asantewaa created the skeleton architecture, or the future of our worlds, an evening of group improvisation featuring 21 Black women and gender-nonconforming performers, a cast that won a 2017 Bessie for Outstanding Performer. In 2018, Queer|Art named one of its awards in her honor, the Eva Yaa Asantewaa Grant for Queer Women(+) Dance Artists. In 2019, Yaa Asantewaa was a recipient of a BAX Arts & Artists in Progress Award. She is a founder of AACCollective (Artists and Advocates of Color Collective. Her latest project is the founding of the Black Curators in Dance and Performance group.

She was a member of the inaugural faculty of Montclair State University’s MFA in Dance program. She has also served on the faculty for New England Foundation for the Arts' Regional Dance Development Initiative Dance Lab 2016 for emerging Chicago-area dance artists. In May 2017, she served on the faculty for the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography's inaugural Forward Dialogues Dance Lab for Emerging Choreographers and returned in 2019 as a workshop facilitator.

Ms. Yaa Asantewaa was a member of the New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Awards committee for three years and has been a consultant or panelist for numerous arts funding or awards organizations including the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

As a WBAI radio broadcaster (1987-89), Ms. Yaa Asantewaa worked with the Women’s Radio Collective and the Gay and Lesbian Independent Broadcasters Collective (OUTLOOKS) and co-hosted the Tuesday Afternoon Arts Magazine with Jennifer Bernet as well as producing her own specials.

Now a member of the Bessie Awards Steering Committee, Ms. Yaa Asantewaa was born in New York of Barbadian immigrant heritage and makes her home in the East Village/Lenapehoking.

More at: https://infinitebody.blogspot.com/p/bio-eva-yaa-asantewaa.html

#blackhealingmonth

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the-confused-student · 7 years ago

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It’s about time I’ve done this… Studyblr Introduction Post!

So I’ve made this blog like a week ago and I’ve kinda already did an introduction post here but I’ve decided to use that actual layout persons seem to use in this community 😂 Ho-kay leggo~

About me:

I’m female

I’m Barbadian

I’m 16 years old turning 17 on January 14th (still feel like 12)

I’m attending sixth form (it’s my first year)

Used to play volleyball and hockey but school took over

I’m very pessimistic due to the fact I always look at things “realistically”

I get frustrated easily when I don’t understand what I’m supposed to be doing but I usually combat this by taking a break sleepy w.e and go and try again or just leave it till the next day

I have high hopes and dreams but my “realistic” thinking usually gets in the way of it.

Why did I make a studyblr:

I wanted a place where I could vent about school

I wanted a place so I could talk about my successes without Any one being jealous or say I’m being cocky or braggy

I wanted a place where I could be motivated by others successes and learn from their mistakes

I wanted a place where I can meet new people who have the same interests as me and hopefully develop strong bonds

I saw how the studyblr community helped improved others and helped them become vetter students and I hope you guys influence me in that same positive way

THE AESTHETICS lmao like come on the notes here are so pretty and concise and ughh I wished I had notes like that I eould never stop studying

Basically I made it to become better and make friends (plz if you want to be friends don’t hesitate on messaging me)

My interests:

I don’t have much so please excuse me. I’m so boring.

Grey’s anatomy- making me cry on a night it’s all worth it. This is going to be so cringey but this is what got me into medicine as before I wanted to be a wildlife doctor now my career path has changed.. probably will again I just wish i could do both

Eldarya/My candy love- otome games made by chinomiko. They’re really fun you guys should try them out some time! Or if you already play message me ;)

Biomedical Research- I’m fascinated by the changing world of medicine and love to read the latest develops and break throughs

Subjects I’m taking:

Biology

Chemistry

Environmental Science

Communication Studies

If you posts any of these (mostly bio and chem because I highly doubt other people would be doing the other two) please reblog this post so I can follow you.

My goals:

To become an extraordinary student

To get Grade 1s in all of my CAPE subjects (equivalent to A Grade 9/8 Or A*/A depending on the lettering e.g. in Chemistry at GCSE I got a Grade 1 and my letter profile was AAA Which would be the equivalent to A*/9)

To get in medical school in the United Kingdom. I have already started looking at some and looked at BMAT/UKCAT papers and I know I have to put in an extreme amount of work to do good in my national exams and in my entrance exam but work it out some how. What ever will be will be.

Once I get into university I want to form a group of 3 persons where we motivate and guide each other, help each other out exercise and stay healthy and may be start a YouTube channel where we talk about our life and so on

I want to write a biology book that will be great for students to use for studying

(This is crazy so prepare) I have this like gut feeling that im destined for greatness in the medical field. I get it each time I think about it and I feel as though I have some contribution to modern medicine so my goal is to stick to that path and power through no matter how much i may want to stop because I know I’m destined to do something great (cue eyerolling and judgements it’s okay if I were you I would to XD)

Lastly. TO GET MY SHIT TOGETHER. LMAO sometimes I’m a mess and get so frustrated quickly and my teachers don’t help with it.

Persons who inspired me to make a studyblr:

@studyquill ofc because I follow her on youtube. Studytee, RevisionwithEve, Unjaded Jade @sootudying and basically everyone else in this community because I used to lurk the tags before I made a Blog XD I’m sorry for making this so terribly long and boring but please reblog this post if you’re a studyblr especially bioblrs medblrs and chemblrs! Would love to follow you all

#studyblr #studyblr introduction #studyspo #studyspiration #study #school #biology #chemistry #bioblr #chemblr #alevels #new studyblr #new school blog #new studyspo #theconfusedstudent

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blackgirlmagicstudyblr · 7 years ago

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30 Question Tag!

I was tagged by @purplepenblog thanks love ✨✨✨

Here Goes!

1. Nickname: Kedisha but most call me Keisha

2. Gender: female

3. Star sign: cancer

4. Height: 5’5”

5. Time: 1:50 pm

6. Birthday: June 24th

7. Favorite Bands: Maroon 5, Super Junior, EXID (+ more)

8. Fav Solo Artists: Rihanna, Hyuna, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey (+more)

9. Song Stuck in My Head: Parade by Younha

10. Last Movie I Watched: tbh i don’t even remember, it’s been a while since I’ve been to the movies but I will go see Black Panther which happens to premiere on my little sister’s birthday.

11. Last Show Watched: I Cannot Hug You, started to read the webtoon so I thought I’d give the show a try. Not really sure about it though *shrugs*

12. When was My Blog Created: March 2017

13. What do I Post: Pretty much anything pertaining to studying. I post some of my original things but I also reblog things as well.

14. Last Thing I Googled: the periodic table

15. Any Other Blogs: yea but they are random and not as organized as my studyblr.

16. Do You Get Asks: a few, drop by anytime I love meeting new people :D

17. Why Your URL: it’s quite simple, just wanting to spread a little black girl magic I suppose

18. Following Blogs: 285

19. Followers: 552

20. Fav Colors: Pink then purple

21. Average Hours of Sleep: usually 8-9 hours when I don’t have much work to do but sometimes and around exam times *like right now* 4-5 hours

22. Lucky Number: don’t really have one but I tend to like even numbers a lot

23. Instruments: use to play steel pans when I was back in Barbados

24. What I’m Wearing: red plaid PJ pants, green t-shirt, floral Adidas slides

25. How Many Blankets Do I Use: 2 comforters

26. Dream Job: a psych and/or an emergency nurse

27. Dream Trip: traveling to and spending a week in a few countries

28. Fav Food: french fries

29. Nationality: Barbadian/Bajan

30. Current Fav Song: Say by Symon

I tag: @artsy-jpg @loving-appblr @brai-nstem @celestialacademic @academicsapphic @lifestylestudy @skulstudy

Sorry if you’ve already been tagged! ✨✨✨

#tag #tag game #30 tag game

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gibbzy · 4 years ago

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Battle Royale

The time is soon upon us ladies and gents. Former Minister Gline Clarke has vacated his St. George North constituency seat and it is there for the taking. There will be a by-election and since this was announced it has been pandemonium! I will admit I forgot how entertaining elections can be. From the constant digs and cheap shots being taken by opposing party members, to the speakers who in many cases say embarrassing things and have to make retractions and apologies later. This by-election has been a riot so far and I am not disappointed one bit! When Toni Moore was chosen as the BLP representative to vie for the St. George North seat it caused an uproar. A large part of the issue with her selection was because she was the General Secretary of the Barbados Workers Union and also a Barbados senator. Clearly, we can see how a conflict of interest exists in this situation and the opposition did not hesitate to loudly voice their disgust. Now let me say this, I love Auntie Mia and after our last Prime Minister she is a breath of fresh air because our last leader didn’t have much to say. Really imagine if he was our leader during this Pandemic. Anyways, I digress. Our Prime Minister has been boisterous and bombastic in her endorsement of Toni Moore and took to the stage last month to shell all of the naysayers from the opposition by asking a series of questions beginning with “You mean to tell me…” I love it!! Auntie Mia is a bully pun de mic! Sometimes politics reminds me of WWE wrestling from back in the day when it was WWF and much better than it is now. One wrestler would come out and talk in the middle of the ring about another wrestler and get the crowd hype. In most cases the other wrestler would come out and respond, hyping up the crowd even more and it would culminate in a big match. Barbadian politics ain’t much different. It would be remiss of me to not bring this up. Do you remember what DLP Minister Dennis Lowe said on a political stage leading up to the 2018 wash off? Let me remind those of you who forgot. Mr. Lowe pretty much called all the male members of the BLP eunuchs or men who were castrated because their party leader was a woman. Next, he addressed our now Prime Minister as a material you can make furniture and craft from. Cause I am not saying it on this blog. It is one of the few times in life I was truly speechless. Dennis had reached a new Lowe. Now when you say ‘A’ you got to say ‘B’. Well, in this case when you say ‘B’ you got to say ‘D’. Toni Moore is the candidate for the BLP, and West Indies cricketer Floyd Reifer is the candidate for the DLP. I could not ask for a better match up. Floyd Reifer is a resident of St. George and a man who seems to be well adored and respected by the residents of that parish. He clearly is no politician and may not wield the sword of articulation with the same ferocity as more seasoned speakers, but he has nothing to lose either.

Floyd Reifer is being presented as a man who cares about his community and its people and would like the chance to represent them with some political power to his name. He is not trying to be something he is not and I think that is a plus. Some voters need to see some level of humanness to a candidate and best believe he will have tremendous support from St. George. Now detractors from either side are expected. Trade Unionist and Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn has been one of Toni Moore’s biggest detractors calling her essentially a traitor. It only makes sense The BLP would have their own weapons to deploy towards Mr. Reifer knowing he is not versed in the art of war that is politics. Former Parliamentarian Delisle Bradshaw has made the most controversial remark so far throughout this lead up to the November 11th showdown. In an attempt to disparage or pretty much humiliate Reifer, Bradshaw said “any idiot can play cricket” inferring that Reifer was out of his depth and should stay where he belongs to put it nicely. Within two days or less Reifer had a response in the form of a video that went viral asking Bradshaw if he understands how insulting and disrespectful his comments were to ALL of our cricket legends INCLUDING our only living national hero. BRILLIANT!!! If this was chess, it would be checkmate. Bradshaw was forced to give a half-assed attempt at an apology and tried to clarify what he meant at the time. Too late Delisle, your daughter, Minister of Education, Santia Bradshaw had to be shame. All I can say is that November 11th will be very interesting and remember, all the seats are up for grabs in a by-election. I can’t promise all the BLP seats will be safe this time around. I also can’t assure anyone that Toni Moore will beat Floyd Reifer, but I have my popcorn and my large drink and I am enjoying the show!

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stephaniefchase · 7 years ago

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Bajan Newscap 7/13/2017

Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your daily news cap for Thursday July 13th 2017. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today ((BT), or by purchasing a Nation Newspaper (DN).

STOP THE THEATRICS – Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur Wednesday called for cooler heads to prevail in the local trade union movement, while warning that Barbados’ “vast” economic problems will not be solved by “political theatre or gimmickry”. Reacting to Tuesday’s failed attempt by the leaders of the island’s four major trade unions to get an immediate audience with Prime Minister Freundel Stuart while Parliament was in session, Arthur told Barbados TODAY he “fully respected” and supported Stuart’s stance in the matter, while describing the unions’ effort to get urgent tax relief as “misguided” and “totally out of order”. At the same time, the former Barbados Labour Party (BLP) leader, now Independent Member of Parliament for St Peter, took a swipe at the current Opposition BLP Leader Mia Mottley for seemingly upholding the unions’ behaviour, while insisting that the Office of the Prime Minister must be respected, “especially by those who aspire to hold that office”. Though making it clear that he was neither defending Stuart nor the current failed economic policies of his Democratic Labour Party Government, Arthur contended that the Office of the Prime Minister was currently being disrespected in a way that would not have been tolerated by him, and certainly not by his predecessors Errol Barrow or Tom Adams, whose tongues “would have been sharpened on both sides”. Although they were unsuccessful in meeting with Stuart, the unions were accommodated by Mottley, who not only came out of the Chamber to receive them, but also took them into her office on the west wing. However, Stuart’s letter, as well as two other pieces of correspondence which were intended for the independent members of Parliament had to be left at reception. Up to Wednesday afternoon, Arthur, who was absent from Parliament Tuesday, was yet to receive his correspondence. But he cautioned the unions that with the local economy on the brink of collapse, he would not allow himself to be used as “a stage prop in a political opera”. While making it clear he was not pleading a case for Sinckler, who has been under pressure from the unions to reduce the amount of taxation he has imposed on the country and to grant a “coping subsidy” for public servants, Arthur warned that Government had simply run out of options. “If the minister buckles and cuts the taxes, then he has to find an alternative way of paying the bills. What are those? I have said that in my view the only alternative way is [policy based loans from] the IMF, IDB, CDB. Are [the unions] prepared to come and go there with me?” Arthur enquired. “I would love to sit down and discuss if you had to deal with the state enterprises what you should do, but just to hand me a letter on the way into Parliament under a tree in the hot sun, that is not for me! “And I think it is disrespecting the office really,” he said. (BT)

PM DENIES REFUSING TO MEET WITH UNION LEADERS – Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has denied that he refused to meet with trade union leaders yesterday, as they tried to present him with a letter outlining their concerns about the National Social Responsibility Levy. Stuart said he was expecting one person to deliver the letter to him at Parliament but when told that all the leaders wanted to be present, he agreed and waited for them to be shown to his office. He assumed that this message was delivered to them. He stated: “I waited upstairs in my office at Parliament for upwards of one half of an hour for the persons who were to deliver the letter. “When I inquired about the delay, I was told the trade unionists were meeting with the Leader of the Opposition and they would come to me afterwards. “Subsequent to that, I got a follow up message that the union leaders will leave the letter downstairs Parliament because their police permission had imposed timelines which they did not want to breach. So it is not true to say that I refused to meet with the union leaders” Stuart gave a background to the way the events unfolded. “On Monday afternoon, when the officer from the Special Branch was making me aware of this matter, in readily agreeing to receive the letter, I indicated that I saw nothing wrong with making myself available to the person who was going to hand the letter over.” However, according to the Prime Minister, the police officer communicated on Tuesday that all the union leaders wanted to be present and he acquiesced (agreed to) in their request. The Prime Minister underscored the importance he attached to the receiving of the letter explaining: “On Tuesday, around 12:20 p.m., I got up while Minister of Finance, Christopher Sinckler was speaking; I got up and left the Chamber, a practice I don’t ordinarily follow. I do not leave the Chamber when my Ministers are speaking. But I considered this occasion significant enough to justify my varying that practice” The Prime Minister stated that he had received and read the letter while reiterating his respect for the trade union movement. He pledged Government’s continued commitment to working with all stakeholders, including the trade unions, towards the well-being of citizens. (DN)

UNIONS PRAISED FOR ‘UPPING DE THING’ ON GOVERNMENT - Three political scientists and a veteran trade unionist have thrown their support behind the trade union movement as it wrestles with Government over the recent hike in the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) and its failure to provide a coping subsidy for workers. However, retired head of the Department of Government, Sociology and Social Work, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Dr George Belle has gone the extra mile in warning that the combined force of the unions could potentially close down the country. The island’s leading trade unions – the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) yesterday gave Prime Minister Freundel Stuart 48 hours to respond positively to their demands for a reprieve from the austerity measures announced in the May 30 Budget, or face a possible national shutdown. The threat came after the leaders of the four unions aborted an attempt to hand-deliver their request in writing to the Prime Minister after Stuart said he was expecting one person to deliver the letter to him at Parliament, but was told that all the leaders wanted to be present. In assessing the political developments today, Belle told Barbados TODAY that members of the group had showed mature leadership when they declined the Prime Minister’s offer to meet with just one of them. He also suggested that Tuesday’s march for tax relief was justified, given the dire economic conditions that have been created by the current policies of Government. While throwing his support behind yesterday’s March by the trade unions, political scientist and pollster Peter Wickham suggested that the trade unions might have to bring the country to a total standstill for Stuart to realize that there was a problem. “I do not have a difficulty with a total standstill of the country. I have no problem with a 48-hour ultimatum. I think it will become necessary for the unions to go to the next step. The 48-hour ultimatum would not mean anything to Stuart,” Wickham cautioned. Meanwhile, veteran trade unionist Caswell Franklyn contended that 48 hours was too much time, while arguing that it was high time the unions took a stand, with a view to getting rid of the current Government. “The unions should have had this country shut down until the Government goes,” Franklyn, who is general secretary of the Unity Workers Union, told Barbados TODAY. “How much more damage can this Government do? It is about time they go. This Government has done more damage to the island than Hurricane Janet,” he added. (BT)

DOC: CUT WAGE BILL – As the major trade unions drag Government over the coals and threaten a national shutdown because of soaring taxes, a former Central Bank governor says it is the size of the public sector that is the single biggest problem facing the country. Government has been borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars annually over the past nine years to pay nearly 20 000 civil servants and maintain the operation of 60 state entities. Dr DeLisle Worrell, who was fired by Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler last February after long-running battles with the bank’s board of directors, is giving the same warning he gave while governor: Government is too big and the expenses associated with a large public sector must be cut. (BT)

GOLLOP DEFENDS HIS ROLE IN HYATT CASE - Queen’s Counsel Hal Gollop has come out swinging against radio commentators who have questioned why he was representing Prime Minister Freundel Stuart in the Hyatt court matter, particularly since the senior counsel works at the law firm founded by Stuart. Not only has he dismissed any notion that Stuart would benefit financially from his involvement, but Gollop was adamant there was nothing unusual about a lawyer from a private law firm representing Government. Deputy Solicitor General Donna Brathwaite, QC, was initially representing Stuart as Minister responsible for Town & Country Planning in the matter in which political activist David Comissiong is seeking judicial review of the multi-million-dollar Hyatt project. However, Gollop and his son, Steve Gollop, appeared on the Prime Minister’s behalf when the matter came up last week. The situation has raised some eyebrows, with hosts and callers to VOB’s Down To Brass Tacks call-in programme questioning whether Harford Chambers, founded by the Prime Minister, would benefit from the Hyatt matter. Since then, Gollop has gone on the war path over the comments, charging that there was a deliberate attempt by some to make it seem like Harford Chambers would reap the sweets of him being Stuart’s legal counsel. The Queen’s Counsel stressed that every lawyer who works in Harford Chambers was a sole trader. Gollop, who is also chairman of Government’s Employment Rights Tribunal, also pointed out that it was not out of the ordinary for an attorney in private practice to represent the Government of the day. The senior lawyer also took a swipe at two of the hosts on the VOB radio call-in programme saying, “I understand this is the silly season, but one would expect responsible people would rise above the level of silliness that this season is demonstrating. “I’m condemning Peter Wickham and David Ellis,” Gollop said. (BT)

KESTER GUY IS NEW FSC CEO - The Financial Services Commission (FSC) has a new chief executive officer. Kester Guy, who was acting in the post since January this year, has been given a clear mandate by the FSC board of commissioners to head the local regulatory body. Chairman of FSC, Sir Frank Alleyne, made the official announcement to staff on Tuesday morning indicating that Guy had been fully endorsed by the commissioners as “the right person to take FSC forward”. Sir Frank explained to the over 50 staff members gathered to welcome their new CEO, that the process of selection was very extensive. Guy, who moves from his substantive post of deputy CEO, supervision & regulation, is the second board-appointed CEO at FSC. He is a career regulator and economist with an extensive background in research and quantitative analysis. His most recent post before joining FSC was that of assistant director at the Central Bank of Barbados. He has also held the post of CEO of Barbados Deposit Insurance Cooperation, senior economist at the Central Bank of Barbados and economist at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. (DN)

BLAME THEM – Despite Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler’s protestations of innocence, it has emerged that the Ministry of Finance is not entirely blameless in the delay of a settlement to the Colonial Life Insurance Company Ltd (CLICO) and British American Insurance Company (BAICO) Ltd matter, at least in the case of the BAICO transfer. Barbados TODAY investigations revealed that the Ministry of Finance, Sagicor, which is to take over the BAICO portfolio, and the BAICO judicial manager KPMG, have been engaged in a continuing back and forth which has stalled progress towards a resolution. The May 30 deadline for the transfer of BAICO’s individual life and annuity policies to insurance giant Sagicor was missed, prompting the judicial manager to propose a new transfer completion date of July 31, 2017. KPMG also pointed out that recent valuation estimated that Government support would be $88.4 million, as opposed to the previously estimated $90 million. A major part of the delay stemmed from Sagicor’s concern about the economy and Government’s financing, given the island’s junk status rating. A July 2, 2017 court document which followed a meeting on June 9 between Sagicor and the ministry showed the insurance company had repeated a number of concerns, raised previously in a May 25, 2017 letter to the judicial manager. At the June 9 meeting, Sagicor had asked that the parties await a more favourable outlook on Government’s debt re-profiling and the economic environment. It had also called for a protection clause, approved by the court, to be included with Government bonds issued as part of the transfer, essentially protecting their face value; or that the interest of the proposed Government bonds increase from the proposed range of 7.75 per cent to 8.95 per cent to a range of 10.25 per cent to 11.75 per cent. (BT)

DEATH BY ROADSIDE – The death of 61-year OLD Mary Downes has left a St James community shocked and those who knew her scarred. Screeching car tyres and loud bangs as metal collides with metal are familiar sounds to Westmoreland residents because of the frequent vehicular accidents at that busy junction on the Ronald Mapp Highway. However, not even the experience of previous accidents could have prepared those who knew the mother of six for the way she died yesterday. Two trucks collided at the intersection and the impact reportedly caused one of the vehicles to run into Downes, who had just disembarked a bus and was standing beside the road. She died at the scene – the 16th person to die on the country’s roads this year. (DN)

MINISTRY TO FIX BLINKING PROBLEM – The green light has been given for those faulty traffic signals to finally be repaired. For the past few weeks, several have been malfunctioning, resulting in them displaying flashing red lights. Those at Wanstead, Hinds Hill, Eagle Hall and Bank Hall in St Michael, parts of The City as well those in Rendezvous, Christ Church, were among those affected. A press release from the Ministry of Transport and Works said the equipment necessary to fix the lights had been previously unavailable. However, it added the ministry now had access to that equipment, and workers would immediately begin to resolve the issue. (DN)

$250 000 BOOST FOR BATHROOMS - A $250 000 vandalism-proof facelift. That’s what four bathroom facilities at key visitor spots around the island have been given by the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC). It’s all about improving the tourism product, said chairman of the TDC, Martin Ince, as he revealed the corporation was looking to partner with the National Conservation Commission (NCC) and the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) to refurbish other facilities in the future. Ince told the DAILY NATION the four public toilets were in dire need of repair and since the TDC’s focus was on the tourism product which a visitor would experience, the corporation decided to refurbish the facilities, which were also widely used by locals. (DN)

EIGHT CALVES STOLEN – A plantation supervisor is crying out for stiffer sanctions for farm theft after thieves took away eight of the farm’s Red Poll calves. Nicole Greenidge, of Canefield Plantation in St Thomas, said the animals were stolen some time between April 16 and June 10. The sprawling, 400-acre dairy farm has over 400 cows. Acknowledging that livestock theft was nothing new to the business, she, however, stressed that it was costing them big bucks and “it was time for it to stop”. “Approximately ten to 15 calves are stolen each year,” she said. (DN)

THEFT ACCUSED REMANDED - A Fairfield Crossroad, Tudor Bridge, St Michael resident was remanded to prison until August 9, after appearing before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant accused of breaking into a house two days ago. Kevin Ryan Cornibert is charged with entering the dwelling home of 78-year-old Bresford Davis as a trespasser on Tuesday, and stealing cash and items valued at $230. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and prosecutor Sergeant Cameron Gibbons objected to bail. Gibbons asked the court to take into account the seriousness of the crime of which Cornibert is accused, the age of the complainant, and also pointed out that the accused had missed his last court date in another matter. “I fear that if you grant him bail, he will not surrender himself to this court,” Gibbons stressed. Amidst strong protest from the accused, who insisted that he had kept all of his court appointments, Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant granted the prosecution’s request. “We keep records here, Mr Cornibert, and I am going by my records,” she said. (BT)

ROBBERY ACCUSED TO SPEND CROP OVER ON REMAND - A 25 year-old St Michael man will spend the remainder of the Crop Over season in prison, after being remanded until next month on a robbery charge. Dario Jean-Luc Holder-Branch, of 1st Avenue Gooding Road, Station Hill, appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Criminal Court Wednesday morning. It is alleged that he robbed Charles Husband of $5,150 on February 24, 2017. Holder-Branch pleaded not guilty to the offence. He is set to return to court on August 9. (BT)

‘I DID IT FOR MY GIRL’ - A 31 year-old man who claimed that he only acted as the lookout in a robbery at Pirates Cove because he needed money for his pregnant girlfriend and to pay rent, has been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prisons at Dodds until Friday. Horatio Walter Labodie, of Dunlow Lane, St Michael, appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant Wednesday morning in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Criminal Court charged with entering the storeroom of Pirates Cove as a trespasser on July 2, 2017, and stealing four cases of brandy valued at $5,357.67. He pleaded guilty to the charge. Giving the facts of the case, Sergeant Cameron Gibbons revealed that the accused was a former employee of Pirates Cove and had acted as the lookout while others entered the premises and removed the property. Labodie attempted to explain to Magistrate Cuffy-Sargeant Wednesday why he committed the crime. “The reason why I do it is because my girlfriend is pregnant and I was behind on my rent and the men offered me $1,000 if I kept my mouth shut,” said Labodie, who also asked the court to take into account the assistance he gave to the police in identifying the other persons of interest in the matter. However, since the other accused persons are in police custody, the magistrate said she preferred to sentence everyone involved on the same date in order “to be fair.” She then remanded Labodie. (BT)

I’M NO THIEF! - “I am not a thief!” A despondent and emotional Dale Clarke, president of the Professional Road Tennis Association (PRTA), made that declaration during a press conference at the Harbour Road, St Michael studio of Trident 10 television yesterday. “I am tired walking around Barbados with everyone saying: ‘That is the thief!’”, he said. “It is painful. I have children and people are saying to them that their dad is a thief. “All I have done is work hard. I have dedicated the last 16 years of my life to taking our indigenous sport and trying to get it as the No. 1 racquet sport in the world.” (DN)

WORK IT OUT – MARK “Venom” Griffith, who is still to receive his winner’s cheque of $12 000 for the Clash Of The Titans tournament, says the time has come to resolve the pay dispute between the Professional Road Tennis Association (PRTA) and the players. “I would like the matter resolved, along with many of the other players, as quickly as possible,” Griffith said, adding that he wanted it done “in the best interest of all parties – the players and also Massy United as well as the Professional Road Tennis Association”. “I do not know what has happened behind the scenes because I am not given those rights to know such,” he said, adding that such details would be between the organisers and the sponsors. (DN)

JONES, WORRELL ON PAN AM JUNIOR TEAM – CARIFTA gold medallists Jonathan Jones and Aaron Worrell are among eight who will be representing Barbados at next week’s Pan American Junior Championships in Peru slated for July 21-23. Jones (below) will race in the 800 metres while Worrell will compete in the ten-event decathlon. The team also includes St Leonard’s sprinter Jaquon Hoyte, who captured a silver medal at this year’s Carifta Games in Curacao. The full team is: Tristan Evelyn (women’s 100 metres), Jaquon Hoyte (100 metres), Matthew Clarke (200 metres), Kentoine Browne (200 metres), Rivaldo Leacock (400 metres hurdles), Triston Gibbons (shot put and discus), Aaron Worrell, (decathlon) and Jonathan Jones (800 metres). (DN)

WINDIES DEFEAT YOUNG PROTEAS - Opener Bhaskar Yadram struck a critical half-century but West Indies Under-19 were forced to overcome a late innings slump before pulling off a two-wicket win over South Africa Under-19s in the second Youth One-Day International Wednesday. Set a modest 208 for victory, the Young Windies were coasting along at 165 for three in the 39th over but suffered a collapse where five wickets tumbled for 35 runs in the space of 31 balls. Tottering on 200 for eight in the 44th, the Caribbean side were rescued by the lion-hearted Jeavor Royal who ended unbeaten on 31 off 17 deliveries, to take the team over the line. Yadram had earlier top-scored with 81 off 116 balls while captain Emmanuel Stewart chipped in with 45 off 69 balls. The five-match series is tied 1-1, with the next game scheduled for Friday at the same venue. (BT)

GEMS FINALLY END LOSING STREAK – THE BAJAN GEMS outplayed Singapore 68-44 to score their first win in the Netball World Youth Cup in Gaborone, Botswana, yesterday. The most precious stone in the Gems’ outlay, Shonica Wharton, returned from injury to score a record 63 goals from 64 attempts. That display doomed Singapore to a winless preliminary round in Group B. Ending fourth in Group B will see the Gems playing Scotland this evening at six (midday Barbados time) for the ninth to 16th positions. Australia topped the group, finishing with a 65-35 win over second-placed South Africa. Yesterday the Caribbean battle between Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada saw the former triumphing 76-35. (DN)

DURANT GIVES UP $9.5M FOR TEAM – Golden State kept just about every piece of their NBA championship roster, and even added a couple, thanks to Kevin Durant’s selflessness. With some serious luck and a giant wage bill, the Golden State Warriors managed to keep just about every member of their NBA championship roster, and even added a couple of players. That feat was achieved in no small part to Finals MVP Kevin Durant literally taking one for the team and accepting a $9.5million pay cut. “I knew he was going to give up enough money to allow us to keep Andre (Iguodala) and Shaun (Livingston). I didn’t know he was going to go beyond that. A remarkable gesture,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told Bay Area News Group. “I told him it reminded me a little bit of Tim Duncan and his time with the [San Antonio] Spurs. He made max money and then at key times in his career he took a little less so they could add a player here and there.” Stephen Curry cashed in this offseason with a five-year, $201 million deal that set an NBA record for about two weeks before James Harden topped it by nearly $30 million. But with the flexibility Durant afforded Golden State, the front office was able to add Nick Young and Omri Casspi. As it stands, backup center JaVale McGee is the only target remaining. “The way the league works, the way the CBA works, it really kind of is up to the star player at key times to take a little haircut here and there,” Kerr said. “Whether that’s fair or not, I don’t know. But I do know that Tim knew it was dramatically helping his own career and KD understands the same thing. In the end, he’s going to make a fortune in his career. Already has and he hopefully is going to win more titles and that’s what he cares about.” (BT)

NOTHING NEW – The decision by two bands to pull out of Grand Kadooment does not appear to be bothering Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Cranston Browne. He insisted yesterday that it was not strange for bands to drop out of Crop Over’s main event, and revealed that registration this year is the highest it had been in 15 years. Browne was speaking at the official launch of Republic Bank Grand Kadooment, held at the bank’s Warrens, St Michael branch, against the background of popular band Fantasy and Ravers opting out of the big jump-up, citing financial challenges. To support his contention that it was no big deal, Browne said that participation in Grand Kadoomentsaw a 37.5 per cent increase between 2014 and 2017. This year, 33 bands have registered to go on the road on August 7. He therefore warned stakeholders that with the festival attracting international attention, they should be cautious of what they put out there. (BT)

VETERANS STICKING WITH KADOOMENT – While two bands have pulled out of Crop Over 2017, two veteran bandleaders say they will stick it out, no matter what. The tough economic climate – partly impacted by an increase in the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) from two per cent to ten per cent and the introduction of a two per cent tax on foreign exchange transactions – has resulted in Fantasy and Ravers pulling their bands this year. However, Gwyneth Squires and Betty West, who have numerous Grand Kadooment awards between them, have admitted to having it rough this season, but said they will be on the road this year. At the same time, they have appealed for whatever assistance they can get. She said she sympathized with the bands that had decided not to be part of the jump-up this year. However, the veteran bandleader, who is celebrating her 26th year in the industry, said she would push forward. She expects costume sales to pick up as Grand Kadooment, which is 27 days away, draws closer. She explained that she realized early how the economy was shaping up and based on that, in addition to the lack of sponsorship, she decided not to bring a Kiddies Kadooment band this time around. Regarding the increased NSRL, West said she believed she dodged a bullet by importing the majority of her materials early. (BT)

That’s all for today folks there are 172 days left in the year Shalom! #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #bajannewscaps #newscapsbystephaniefchase

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unstick · 7 years ago

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Bajanballs 2018 part 6. Potato potato potato potato

Less than meets the eye.

J is indoors on another videoconference for work. Face made up beautifully, not a hair out of place, neutral backdrop, professional demeanour, and virtually no clothing beneath the waist. The recent rains have made it very humid in the heat. That’s her excuse, anyway.

Meanwhile I’m on the terrace blogging. Are you sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin.

Happy Birthday Mr Woosnam

In the last week we have experienced the two extremes on the age spectrum as far as eating out is concerned.

I had only modest expectations of the new Nikki Beach Club, recently parachuted in to the wasteland that was the area just north of Port St Ferdinand. It’s a flashy venue - brings to mind a film set of a Malibu house party (topical reference for Oscars night) or a Spring Break party in an American teen movie. Pool with underwater lighting, upholstered loungers, parasols, a dance floor (but see text after photo).

We were greeted by a Serbian, seated by a Bajan, waited upon by a Spaniard and a Parisienne, and schmoozed by a Brit who is technically White Bajan. So far so splendid.

Unfortunately the dance floor has been commandeered for a large birthday party (cue cake with sparklers, massed waiters carrying Roman candles, lusty rendition of HBTY) for a certain Mr Ian Woosnam, who is 60 years old. I wish Mr Woosnam well, even though he is Welsh (not his fault) and owns a private jet (I’m not jealous) and took over the dance floor (which is... unfortunate). I gather he is pretty handy with a golf bat. He owns a property on Barbados in the same compound as Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand (footballers, natch).

Though my expectations had inclined towards the fast-food, based on the upbeat music track, young and breathtakingly cool waiters/waitresses and standard TGIF-type birthday package, the food was classy and very well-prepared and presented. The staff had all been to a very good charm school and smiled, twinkled and chatted a lot. We had a really fun evening.

Turns out Nikki Beach Club is an American Franchise (wouldn’tchaknowit?) and the Barbadian branch is staffed largely by crew from its other places such as Martinique, St Barths, Bora-Bora (yes, look it up, I don’t know, but our charming Parisienne had come from there and recommends it highly). The chef comes from their St Barths branch and is apparently staying put in the Barbados branch now. He’s good. You heard this first on Bajanballs.

Anyway, Mr Woosnam and his party notwithstanding, this is the groovy new hang out for the hip and cool. Until it becomes engulfed by the grey tide like every other dining establishment on the island. I like to think we snuck in just in time. It was gulpingly expensive, just so you know.

And so the opposite end of the spectrum and Coral Reef Club. Established in 1952 in the golden mile just north of Holetown and hasn’t really moved (literally or figuratively) since. This is basically an expensive hotel with a quite swish bar and restaurant attached. It seems you need grey hair to be eligible to enter (or none at all). J and I reduced the average age of the clientele substantially.

Greeting and waiting staff are all Bajan, and all very experienced and professional, but a bit... formal. If it was anybody’s birthday there was no outward sign of it. Music, and I use the term loosely, was provided by a man still figuring out how to use a synthesiser and a woman apparently briefed to take standards from Adele, Tina Turner, Sting, and Simon and Garfunkel and make them all sound the same. In this, she did an impressive job, despite interference from the synthesiser bloke.

To be fair, the food was lovely. Except for the treacle tart, which (J reports) had a soggy base and was insufficiently sweet. So when the chef popped out to say hello, J pointed this out to him in a very British way (I’m terribly sorry, but this sucks) and I hid under the table.

Coral Reef Club was less expensive than Niki Beach club. The serving sizes were also considerably smaller. But they did have a very interesting type of tea-pot. It was too big to fit in a handbag, so J asked to buy one from them. We pick it up on Tuesday.

Potato potato potato potato

And so to the title piece of this episode. Being a recent convert to Harley Davidson (it’s a type of motorbike - do try to keep up) my radar was alerted when I heard the characteristic potato potato potato potato sound of the slow-revving, heavy-hitting Milwaukee V-twin that is the beating heart of these iconic machines. (Bit over-written- Ed.).

A pal back home (who converted me to Harleys from Beemers) had asked me during our correspondence if you could perhaps hire motorbikes on the island. I laughed. The thought of braving these pot-holed roads on two wheels as the Rocket-propelled buses jockeyed for space was just, well, tooo risky. Not to mention trying to wear a helmet and leathers in the heat. So I assumed not, fairly sure of my ground.

Until we were parked outside a garage shop yesterday and a little group of HD Sportsters went by, all customized to high heaven, saying ‘my pride and joy’ all over them, in a scene you could have witnessed back in the UK.

Google reveals that Harley-Davidson Caribbean exists, for one, and is based in Barbados. The Hogs we saw were clearly local, but you can indeed hire bikes and there even seem to be tours, mainly aimed at unsuspecting cruise-ship visitors, who are presumably ignorant of Bajan road conditions when they arrive, and somewhat bruised around the buttocks by the time they get back aboard.

Four more days

Four more days until we board the Gatwick Shuttle home. Stay tuned.

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khalilhumam · 4 years ago

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Everton Weekes, last of the ‘Three Ws’ of Caribbean cricket, dies at age 95

New Post has been published on http://khalilhumam.com/everton-weekes-last-of-the-three-ws-of-caribbean-cricket-dies-at-age-95/

Everton Weekes, last of the ‘Three Ws’ of Caribbean cricket, dies at age 95

‘Sir Everton made an invaluable contribution to the sport’

Cricket ball. Photo by Luke Hayfield on Flickr, CC BY 2.0.

Beloved Caribbean cricketer Sir Everton Weekes passed away at his home in Christ Church, Barbados, on July 1, after suffering a heart attack in June. He was the last surviving member of the famous “Three Ws” of West Indies cricket, the other two greats being Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell. This formidable trio, all Barbadians, were contemporaries, and were all knighted for their contribution to the sport. Weekes, a hard-hitting right-handed batsman who made his test cricket debut weeks apart from Walcott and Worrell in 1948. Together, they formed part of the first West Indies side to win a test match in England in 1950. It was a significant milestone for cricket lovers in the region, and sparked joyful victory celebrations among the relatively small West Indian population in London. Cricket West Indies tweeted their condolences on Sir Everton's passing:

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of an icon. A legend, our hero, Sir Everton Weekes. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and many fans around the world. May he rest in peace.

pic.twitter.com/RnwoJkhjPd — Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 1, 2020

The West Indies’ Players’ Association also mourned his death:

WIPA extends sincere condolences at the passing of Sir Everton Weekes. We salute a great West Indies icon; Sir Everton made an invaluable contribution to the sport, his country and the region, we were blessed to have him among us, may his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/T6EDBxhVgo — WIPA (@wiplayers) July 1, 2020

Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley called Weekes “a legend of the game […] who indeed made cricket the sport of gentlemen” and “a global citizen, with Bajan roots.” On a personal note, she added, “For me, he was one of the most brilliant men, with a turn of phrase and a sense of humour second to none.” With his “can do” spirit, Weekes was a huge inspiration not only in Barbados, but the wider region as well. Born into a poor family Bridgetown, Barbados, on February 26, 1925, Weekes’ home was in Pickwick Gap, close to what is now the Kensington Oval cricket ground. He left school at 14 and served in the Barbados Defence Force from 1943–47, which afforded him the opportunity to play cricket at the club level. At age 22, he was selected to play for the West Indies against a visiting England team. That 1947 match was the start of an extraordinary run for Weekes: Not only did he score 100 runs in that match, he went on to strike four more consecutive centuries in matches in Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta, India, later that year. Weekes’ record of five consecutive centuries stands unbroken to this day. An Australian sports blog noted that Weekes achieved such excellence despite the challenges for black cricketers during the 1940s and 1950s:

Due to the era in which he played, his career was affected by a racial controversy. Weekes, despite his greatness as a cricketer and man, never captained West Indies. [George] Headley became the team's first black captain for one test in 1948 but it was not until Worrell in 1960 that West Indies appointed their second non-white skipper; after Weekes’ career had ended. Sir Everton bore the injustice with typical good grace.

Eleven years after his stunning run of centuries in 1947, Weekes retired with a thigh injury, but continued playing first class cricket until 1964. He became a successful coach in Barbados and coached the 1979 Canadian World Cup team, while serving on the executive of the Barbados Cricket Association. In 1994 he was appointed as an International Cricket Council (ICC) referee and in 2008 was inducted into the ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame. He was knighted in 1995, the same year he was awarded Barbados’ Gold Crown of Merit and received the country's highest honour, the Knight of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG). Former Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell reminisced about Weekes (who later in life became a champion Bridge player) and his “quirky sense of humour:”

It was sad to hear of Everton's passing at age 95, but he wouldn't abide any long faces. Everton Weekes was a great Barbados champion who epitomised living life to the full.

Cricketing blog ReadScoops also paid tribute:

It’s been a tough time for cricket fans across the world because you know that there hasn’t been any sporting action taking place. To make matters worse […] one of the legends of the game of cricket is no longer with us […] Caribbean iconic cricketer, Sir Everton Weekes. 48 test matches for West Indies saw him scoring 4,000+ test runs at the highest level which included 15 centuries and of course, 1 international wicket as well. His international career was a long one which spanned between Jan 1948 to March 1958, inspiring thousands and contributing much to the rise of cricket in the West Indies.

Tributes poured in online from cricketing nations the world over. A New Delhi blogger tweeted:

Cricket world has lost an icon and the West Indies a true champion. Long live the legend of Sir #EvertonWeekes — caught@point (@caughtatpoint17) July 1, 2020

Another Indian cricket blogger declared that Weekes’ passing was the end of an era:

END OF AN ERA Everton Weekes the first & only batsman to score 5 Test Hundreds in 5 consecutive inngs – passed away at the age of 95. 141 v England, Kingston 1948 128 v India, Delhi 1948 194 v India, Mumbai 1948 162 & 101 v India, Kolkata 1949#EvertonWeekes #Cricket #YESCric pic.twitter.com/ME5Xt722nn — YESCric (@YesCricNow) July 1, 2020

Weekes played for Bacup in the UK's Lancashire League for seven seasons, starting from 1949. On its website, the League shared:

Sir Everton was regarded as the finest batsman to play in the Lancashire League. Speaking to Paul Yates in 2010, the late Ken Barnes recalled playing against Sir Everton: ‘He was the typical swashbuckling West Indian batsman. Allow him to get his eye in and the match was over. But he was so entertaining and such a gifted crowd pleaser that he would always give you a chance of taking his wicket due to his aggression and risk taking.’

Meanwhile, the University of Sheffield commemorated Weekes by tweeting a photograph of the statue of the “Three Ws:”

#EvertonWeekes RIP. One of the greatest test batsmen for #WestIndies. Pictured here with the other two of the three W's, Clyde Walcott and Frank Worrell pic.twitter.com/4dUTTfO8Ww — From Pitch to Plinth (@SportingStatues) July 1, 2020

The statue is located in the park opposite the 3Ws Oval, a cricket ground dedicated to the trio, at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus in Barbados. Both Worrell and Walcott are buried at Cave Hill. In an interview with the UK's Telegraph newspaper, Weekes joked:

I’m the only person on Earth who knows, to an inch, where he is going to be buried.

The Australian Cricket Network shared on Facebook:

Worrell and Walcott are buried alongside each other at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados and while there is no confirmation yet about Weekes’ final resting place, there is a vacant plot for the third member of the trio, should his family wish.

The ICC in its obituary quoted the late cricket commentator Tony Cozier on the legacy of the “Three Ws”:

In the fading days of British colonialism, all three broke the long-standing racial barrier of a sport always held as a badge of excellence by the islands of the cricketing Caribbean.

Quite fittingly, when the West Indies cricket team plays three matches in England this July, the team, captained by another Barbadian, Jason Holder, will wear Black Lives Matter logos on their playing shirts.

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