SLUICE GATE FAILURES CONTINUE TO CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AT GRAEME HALL - RELEVANT GOVERNMENT MINISTRY OF BARBADOS YET TO COME FWD - WRITE THEM!

Low water levels caused by an inoperative government-owned sluice gate at Worthing Beach continue to cause mosquito infestations at Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, according to Sanctuary officials.

“The water either drains completely or is stopped up,” said Stuart Heaslet, representative for the Sanctuary. “There has been no effective wetland water level control in place for many years.”

Low water levels in the wetland have caused stagnant ponds to form in the drainage canals. Stagnant water is a haven for breeding mosquitoes, including the malaria-carrying anopheles mosquito. As a result, the Sanctuary has been forced to use insecticide pellets to control mosquito populations.

“Years ago we were able to control mosquitoes naturally. When the sluice gate worked, we were able to raise the water levels and get water flowing through the canals. Flowing water in the canals meant fewer mosquitoes not only for the Sanctuary but for the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Heaslet.

{Bajan Reporter's IE - This means through inactivity by succeeding regimes of Barbados, people in Worthing & surrounding environs are at risk to dengue fever}

Despite the already high chemical pollutant levels in the wetland, the Sanctuary has been told by the Ministry of Health that insecticide pellets are increasingly necessary because of the unpredictable wetland water levels.

{Bajan Reporter's NB - This means already polluted wetlands are unnecessarily poisoned with anti-mosquito treatments, which could have been avoided by Governments with conscience as opposed to Admins concerned with real estate matters}

In addition, since the sluice gate ceased operations in 2006 there has been no tidal flushing of the wetland. “We haven't seen any tidal exchanges or fish migrations since the sluice gate went into total disrepair,” sighed Heaslet. “The Graeme Hall wetland and its fish and wildlife traditionally depend on tidal actions to stay healthy.”

Over the last 10 years Sanctuary offers of technical assistance to the Government of Barbados to repair the sluice gate have been met with silence or inaction. Since 2006 the Ministry of Public Works has been attempting to control water levels using a backhoe to add or remove sand fill in the sluice gate channel.

In 2005, the Sanctuary funded a three day fact-finding trip for three engineers from the Ministries of Environment and Public Works to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) in South Florida, where they observed wetland management solutions using sluice gates and weirs. This technical capacity-building trip sponsored by the Sanctuary resulted in a field report filed by each of the Ministries, but no actions to repair the sluice gate ever occurred.

Besides being the primary inflow point for tidal exchanges within the Graeme Hall RAMSAR wetland, the sluice gate is also downstream from the South Coast Sewerage facility's Emergency Discharge Canal outfall.

According to Heaslet, it is yet another problem. “Even if the Emergency Discharge Canal was used during an emergency at the Sewage plant, if the sluice gate canal is blocked for any reason we could expect raw sewage to be re-directed into the Sanctuary and wetland.”

The Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary occupies 35 acres of the 81 acre RAMSAR wetland at Graeme Hall. The RAMSAR designation is associated with the 1971 RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands Treaty for internationally significant areas of biodiversity.

{Bajan Reporter's FYI - Don't you need answers as to why it's taking so long for ANYTHING to happen? E-Mail officials directly! Barbados' Environment Minister is Dennis Lowe; minister_environment@gob.bb, while the Permanent Secretary is Lionel Weekes; ps_environment@gob.bb}

ROOTS REGGAE REVIVAL SINGER/SONGWRITER TARRUS RILEY: THIRD ALBUM "CONTAGIOUS" SET FOR AUGUST 4, 2009

“His tenor voice is as pure as the Caribbean Sea.” – Washington Post

“…one of the more soulful releases to emerge from the recent roots-reggae revival” (regarding VP debut Parables) - Time Out New York

“…in his fifth Sumfest appearance, made the transition from promising opening act to impressive primetime performer…”
– Billboard Magazine

Awarded Best Male Vocalist and Best Song at the 2008 International Reggae and World Music Awards, Tarrus Riley is the most promising of the second generation of Jamaica roots reggae singers. With an August 4, 2009 release of his much-anticipated third set CONTAGIOUS on Cannon Productions, distributed by VP Records, Tarrus Riley reaffirms that he is one of finest singer/songwriters of his generation, irrespective of musical genre.

The son of Jimmy Riley - who has had a long career as a solo artist as well as being a former member of the Uniques and the Techniques - Riley's songs retain ties to the Jamaican roots tradition while still managing to sound distinctly contemporary. In addition, his strong stage presence gives him crossover appeal and marks him as a coming force on the international reggae scene.

The album is grounded in a roots reggae tradition that is recast with a gleaming 21st century sheen courtesy of the album’s primary producer, venerable saxophonist Dean Fraser and created by Grafton and Tuff Gong studios sovereignty including Sly and Robbie on drum and bass, guitarists Mitchum “Khan” Chin and Cat Coore, keyboardist Robbie Lyn and Dean Fraser’s impassioned sax styling.Contagious remarkably shifts between smoothly crooned lover’s rock and artful Rastafarian declarations, provocative commentaries and dancehall’s combustible edge, its cohesion provided by Tarrus’s spectacularly emotive vocals and reliably inspiring words. As its title indicates, this highly infectious collection of 18 songs is characterized by symptoms of melodiousness, rapturous roots rhythms and hard hitting lyrical realities that are transmitted through repeated spins, resulting in a high grade musical fever from which you will not want to recover.

“The reason why I called it ‘Contagious’ is because I would love for everyone to catch it,” says Tarrus. “I don’t want my music to have boundaries of race, age, nationality or religion; I represent reggae, live music, and I want everyone to catch on to its positive, good vibes.”

Standout tracks are easily spread throughout Contagious. Tarrus returns to the rapid-fire deejaying of his Taurus days on “Good Girl Gone Bad” (featuring rising dancehall star Konshens) produced by Tarik “Russian” Johnston. On “Don’t Judge”, Tarrus cautions harsh judgments often times leads to reckless actions. Random brutality, war and an array of social injustices prompts the contemplative “Why So Much Wickedness?”. A simple yet stirring invocation to His Majesty is expressed on “King Selassie” and the title track “Contagious” reworks the majestic one-drop rhythm from Bob Marley’s immortal “Coming in From the Cold” as it details that untreatable sweet sickness.

Tarrus forthrightly addresses the wicked act of violence against women in “Start A New” (produced by Shane Brown), urging the song’s female protagonist to leave her abusive man. As a means of calling greater attention to this malady, Tarrus has established a non-funded, anti domestic violence campaign, Start A New in which he, Blak Soil, Majah , the Area Yutes Foundation, Miss Jamaica 2007 Yendi Phillips and an assortment of artists regularly visit schools and speak to children from some of the island’s most troubled communities about the violence which many of them are exposed each day. “We put on plays, perform and talk to the kids about things that touch their lives and violence is a part of that,” he explains, “and they really appreciate that we would take the time to do that.”

Like his father, Tarrus has a sweet, nuanced tenor vocal style, he taught himself to play keyboards and several percussion instruments and began writing his own songs, many of which had strong Rastafarian and consciousness-leaning themes. His 2004 debut album Challenges was an impressive introduction to the Jamaican market deserving of a much wider audience. His sophomore effort Parables featured the most popular reggae song of 2007 “She’s Royal”, won critical praise throughout the Caribbean Diaspora and almost single-handedly heralded a roots reggae renaissance.

USS Hawes visits Barbados - American warship aided USS Cole off of Yemen in 2000: Yankee Bajan's USA Independence, Pt 2

"On 10 December 1941 Pigeon was docked at the Cavite Navy Yard when Japanese warplanes attacked. Since Pearl Harbor, Hawes had main steam pressure up and the crew aboard, ready to get underway.

"Lashed to Quail (AM 15), which provided steering for both, they cleared the docks and headed for the safety of the bay. By this time Cavite had become an inferno. Seeing that the submarine Seadragon (SS 194) was about to be engulfed by bombs and fire in her berth, Lt. Hawes maneuvered Pigeon back to the flaming dock to haul the helpless submarine stern first from her berth. Another submarine and a minesweeper had just been sunk by direct hits.

"The heat and flames were so intense that they blistered the ship's paint, singed off body hair, and melted the brim of Hawes' cap. But Pigeon's crew managed to rig a line to Seadragon and tow her to safety, for which Hawes received his second Navy Cross and Pigeon was awarded the first Presidential Unit Citation of the war. Except for the brief periods when he was in transit or putting USS Chanticleer (ASR 7) and USS Anthedon (AS 24) into commission, Hawes spent virtually all of World War II at sea in the Pacific in command of his three ships. Like Hawes himself, his ships always had a reputation for efficiency and readiness.

"Hawes was promoted to Captain on 25 March 1945. On 1 December 1952 he was transferred to the retired list and promoted to Rear Admiral. Rear Admiral Hawes died at his home in Thomson GA on 30 December 1968.

"USS Hawes (FFG 53) is the first ship to be named in his honor."

The Rear Admiral is the only seafaring Officer in the Navy allowed to use his own version of the "Jolly Rodger" (Skull and crossed bones with four red strips indicating the successful engagements he and his crew fought) by permission of the Commander-In-Chief (President) and the vessel named after him is allowed to continue that privilege, me and my wife had a rare opportunity to see the innards of a military vessel at the Deep Water Harbor on July 4th.

This ship's motto "Ever Ready, Ever Fearless" is exemplified in its present-day crew apart from who the ship is named after - the USS Hawes was in the Gulf near Aden, Yemen after the bombing of the USS Cole nearly ten years ago.

Many ships are referred to as "SHE" or "HER," fewer still at the moment have a lady as Commander. The USS Hawes is one of those exceptions...

Commander Kristin Jacobsen is a 1989 graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. She was commissioned in 1990 after completing Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.

CDR Jacobsen completed her initial sea tour aboard USS SYLVANIA (AFS 2), serving as Communications Officer, First Division Officer and Navigator. Her follow on assignment was as Electrical Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant in USS FORT MCHENRY (LSD 43). She then served as an instructor at the Surface Warfare Officer's School Division Officer Course Newport, Rhode Island, as lead instructor for Navigation and Seamanship and Deck Officer Billet Specialty Training.

While stationed in Newport she earned a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Rhode Island. After attending the Surface Warfare Department Head Course, CDR Jacobsen reported to USS KINKAID (DD 965) as Engineer Officer. She then reported to USS MOBILE (CG 53) for her second department head tour as the Engineer Officer.

CDR Jacobsen attended the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, completing the staff officer course and earning a Master of Military Arts and Science with a subspecialty in Military History. She subsequently served onboard USS PELELIU (LHA 5) as Navigator and USS FORD (FFG54) as Executive Officer. Most recently, CDR Jacobsen completed a tour as Chief Staff Officer for Destroyer Squadron 23, the "Little Beavers." CDR Jacobsen has deployed to the Arabian Gulf, Western Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and South America, and participated in several multinational exercises and operations.

Her personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star, Navy Commendation Medal with a silver star, and the Navy Achievement Medal with one gold star.

The crew's priorities also include safety, holding regular fire drills and knowing where and how to use OxygThe USS Hawes can be self sufficient for a period of three weeks at maximum before replenishing fuel and supplies, the engines can suck down thousands of gallons of a special diesel in a matter of hours if operating at maximum capacity (Their crew is not so far off in guzzling capacity when off-duty and handling Bajan rum).

The vessel also performs illegal narcotics interdiction with UK crews on high seas and has its complement of two helicopters. One of the helo-pilots is Rob Kane, which to me sounded like "Bob Kane" the creator of Batman!

Batman is a kick-ass dude and if he says "NO" then it's "NO" and don't bother arguing... The same thing applied to getting pictures of their weapons array, they made sure no one had a camera even in their hand - when my wife was gonna hand one of the sailors her Hilton business card? They were ready to pounce on her until they actually saw the card and then they relaxed! OMG, all she was doing was booking rooms for an officer for when next he berthed here, sheesh!

They took us only where we were supposed to go but some doors were not so subtle as to whether or not if you should be there...

We were from stem to stern of the ship, crawled up and down nearly vertical ladder-steps of the USS Hawes, through the crew's mess room, met the bosun who explained why the ship's bell had the name of one of the sons of the crew engraved on it.

We were also on the Captain's deck, and guided by Quartermaster Nelson, who is a former semaphore specialist - he also joined the Marines straight from High School, but the post using flags as letters recently became obsolete, so he adapted to being Quartermaster.

QMC Nelson informed us landlubbers how since 9/11 it is an Executive Order for all American ships to bear the flag "DON'T TREAD ON ME" (Red stripes on white background with a rattlesnake, based on 1st US flag) until the War on Terror has been won.

Helping the USS Hawes accomplish this task apart from the air support is a Gatling Gun which when emptying rounds in a night sky looks like a yellow trail of shooting stars!

This vessel is not brand new, but still remains an integral part of America's law-enforcement in a seafaring manner! SEMPER FI!

YOUNG BARBADIAN LEFTY'S REMARKABLE DAY OF TEST CRICKET: OMAR PHILLIPS PROUD TO BE PART OF CCC

Omar Phillips, a left hander from Barbados who has never represented his homeland, experienced a most remarkable day of personal achievement as a Test cricketer on the third day of the First Digicel Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh.

The 22 year old, who plays his regional First Class cricket for the Combined Campuses and Colleges team, was included as part of the West Indies replacement side after the regular players took industrial action. He responded by scoring an impressive and composed 94 in his first Test innings at Arnos Vale and while he was delighted with the achievement he was gutted that he did not go on to triple figures.

“It was one of the easiest hundreds you will ever get at this level and I was really disappointed,” Phillips said at the end of the day’s play.

“The hundred was in the bag for the taking but that’s the way cricket plays, to carry on from here is the hardest step because the next innings starts from zero,” reasoned Phillips, who credited Sir Hillary Beckles, the Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies for soothing his nerves the evening before.

“We had a little meeting last night and he (Sir Hillary, who is also a director of the West Indies Cricket Board) actually calmed my nerves a bit. He is always a good father figure to talk to when you need some advice so I try to make him proud as much as possible representing CCC and UWI,” said Phillips, who is in his second year reading for a degree in history at the UWI Cave Hill campus in Barbados.

Phillips was especially proud of his achievement since he noted that it is a watershed moment for the CCC team which has been making marked progress at the First Class level.

“It sends a good message to the public that you don’t necessarily need to represent your country, you can play for CCC which is a team of a lot youngsters around the Caribbean and you can also play cricket and further your education which is a good thing,” Phillips reasoned.

And he conceded that a change of tactics led to his downfall six runs short of what would have been a deserved century.

“I changed my game plan a little going into the 90s, you always hear talk about the nervous 90s but I should have continued the way I was going at the time,” said Phillips in retrospect.

The left handed Phillips opened the innings with fellow Barbadian, Dale Richards, and began the third day’s play on nought but progressed steadily to within touching distance of the century but fell short when he drove medium pacer, Rubel Hossain, loosely to short cover. Had Phillips achieved the landmark, he would have been the first West Indies Test batsman, since fellow countryman, Dwayne Smith, smashed 105 against South Africa in 2004 to have hit a ton on debut. {NB - All photography courtesy Brooks La Touche Photography and DigicelCricket.com}

BARBADOS OPEN MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPIONSHIP

BARBADOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SUNDAY 19 JULY




9:00AM UNTIL

PROMOTER:

AL-HIKMA

CONTACT: ALTAB AZIZ
237-8355

Playing For Change On The Road - From Glastonbury to New Orleans

It has been an exciting couple of weeks for Playing For Change! The weekend before last the Playing For Change Band headlined the Jazz/World stage at Glastonbury. For that very special performance, they were joined by Baba Maal, Vusi Mahlasela, Tinariwen, and the Omagh Community Youth Choir! Following our performance at Glastonbury, the PFC Band returned to the states to perform a free show at the Santa Monica Pier last Thursday that was attended by over 10,000 people! (To read more about the show and view photos check out the latest here)

If you were unable to catch either of these performances, don't worry-- we'll be sharing songs and footage with you in the future.

Finally, if you live in (or near) New Orleans, the PFC Band is going to be playing Tipitina's Uptown on Saturday, July 18th. The band hopes you can join them for what will be an inspiring night of music, and love in one of the greatest cities for music in the country. For more information about the band, musicians, their upcoming gigs, and more check out the band's page by clicking on here!

OUR MUSIC, STARS, JOKERS & THE MEDIA: Rant from Mikey Hulsmeier

(Raw unexpurgated rant from veteran entertainer - all thin-skinned readers BEWARE: Originally from facebook)

Music jokers in Barbados become big stars....in Barbados....why? Because radio, television and the print media make it so. The more sporty you sound and behave the bigger you get.

Yet the ones with the talent to take us somewhere can be either totally ignored or given very little push coz they are not seen as the real deal by the so called authorities on music on de rock.

When these talents get snapped up by America and go do something big....and we got nuff ah dem now...Rihanna, Shontelle, Livvi Franc, Hal Linton, J-CO and more..... the media jump on the bandwagon and be brekkin off their managers phone kissin ass for an interview and then write or get on radio and say YAAAAH...OUR VERY OWN...HOME GROWN!!

BRAVO!!......joke...home born...but not home grown coz we let the weeds and bush grow over dem and america come and search under the weeds quietly and say "heeeeeeey maaaan look what I found....Barbados got fruit trees maaaaaan....shhhhh....if you guys don't want these we'll take 'em!!"....dig dem up an gone.......there are many more like those mentioned above, why do we have to wait for america to tell us how good they are before we truly recognize them?....why can't our media...all ah wunna...tv, radio, newspaper, journalist, dj give them the same push and hype that they give alotta the bullshit that don't deserve to be hyped up before them?

what about our soca....we have TRENDSETTERS MAAAN!...watch.....just a few i gonna call.... Gabby; Red Plastic Bag; Spice & Co; Edwin/Krosfyah; Alison & Blood/Square One; Rupee; Natahlee; Mr. Dale; Lil Rick; Biggie Irie & Peter Ram and the list goes onnnnn....we have NUFF more youngsters around that can reach dem heights man....but they havin to take the loooooooooooooong way around....and not thru payin dues...which would be fine...but iz because de road block..wid wha??....we know wha....ask de toilet lady wha.

it don't tek a brain surgeon to work out that alotta what we hype up and shove down people's throat can't mek it past the pelican......lets recognize our stars first nuh...so we can be truly proud and say we discover dem first. All the mechanisms are in place for weeds to flourish most.......

I believe it is time government sets up a serious organization for those who are serious so we can buckle down and produce with the comfort of knowing that there is some support for us to get our music out beyond these shores...so that if the media here wanna hype up the mek sport jokers to sell more papers and the djs too afraid to step out the box a bit for fear of losing their popularity coz they really feel that all the massive want is wuk juck an stab, that we still feel we have other avenues to go thru....if anybody in de high ups reading this gimme a holla coz i have some ideas...and they ain't rocket science.

One more....with respect to the print media...I am not convinced that alotta those who write atricles on music in the newspaper are qualified to influence public opinion where my profession, and by extension my life, is concerned.

How many of them know about flat or sharp...timing....scales..or even a basic knowledge of music...ok that may be a bit much to ask...but how many of them subscribe to the major music magazines..i.e rolling stone, musician etc....to see how things are really done....judging from alot that I read in our newspapers not many....do we feel comfortable with the possibility of our reputations being tarnished because of a lack of knowledge on their parts? I don't...never did...i see alotta them as fans and groupies who only know a good performance...musical and physical...if the crowd jumps up and down and screams the house down....lets see the qualifications..the proof...coz music is not a cane fire or a court sentencing..."the fire was raging and it took firemen 6 hours to contain"....or this...magistrate x today sentenced young billy bob to 80 hours community service for damaging a vehicle belonging to billy wayne on July 3rd 2004"....simple shit....basic journalistic skills can get u thru that....I'm afraid music is not so simple...lets treat music like political science (Peter Wickham) or law (the late Mr. Bacchus)...get some people dat know wha goin on....ADONIJAH WE MISS YOU! Peace.

Mikey Hulsmeier.

Reggae Sumfest performers claim BET awards: Special Edition!

International R&B artistes Ne-Yo, Jazmine Sullivan and Keri Hilson walked away with coveted BET Awards recently. The three are scheduled to perform on International Night I of this year's Reggae Sumfest.

Newcomers Hilson and Sullivan pocketed the Best New Artiste and the Centric award respectively, while Ne-Yo copped the Best Male R&B Artiste award. Reggae Sumfest, which is now in its 17th year, is regarded as the greatest reggae show on Earth, and Johnny Gourzong, executive director of Summerfest Productions – organisers of the Festival – said that he is elated the three artistes won these awards.

“Boy, I'm really happy for them. It just goes to show you that we know what we're doing when we say we're giving patrons an explosion of entertainment each year.”

A member of The Clutch group of producers, Hilson is as talented a singer as she is awriter. The bombshell beauty has penned songs for the likes of Usher, Diddy, Ciara, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Omarion, The Pussycat Dolls, and Britney Spears. Her first album, In A Perfect World, was released earlier this year and made it to the top spot on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was also number four on the Billboard Top Album Chart in the week of its debut.

Jazmine Sullivan broke on the international scene with the help of rap and hip-hop icon Missy ‘Misdemeanor' Elliot and has since enjoyed solid runs on charts, radio stations, and concert venues worldwide. She hit a note with music lovers when she released Need You Bad, and struck gold again when she followed up with Bust Your Windows and Lions, Tigers and Bears. Come Friday July 25, she'll add the Reggae Sumfest stage to her growing repertoire of worldwide performances, and write her name in the annals of Reggae Sumfest history.

Ne-Yo broke into the industry after Let Me Love You, a song he wrote for American singer Mario, reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100, and later stayed on the top spot for nine weeks, becoming one of the most-played songs in the United States. In early 2006, Ne-Yo released his debut album, In My Own Words, through Def Jam. Boosted by its popular second single, So Sick, the album debuted at number one on Billboard 200. His second album, Because of You, was released in May 2007 and, fueled by its lead single, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Ne-Yo's third album, Year of the Gentleman, was released in September 2008, debuting on the Billboard 200 at number two.

Summerfest Productions will take over Montego Bay from July 19-25 for the 17th staging of the world's greatest reggae festival - Reggae Sumfest, so get ready to be infected by Reggae Sumfest fever

Come and Celebrate Bastille Day with the Alliance Française - Mt Gay Visitor Centre, 14 July at 8:00 PM

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER RESOLUTION
--
Alliance Française of Bridgetown
P.O Box 357
Cheapside GPO
Bridgetown

tel : (1.246) 233.3234
http://afbridgetown.unblog.fr

"The Cook Chronicles - Three Generations of Poets" By William J. Cook Jr, Marie Antoinette & Day'Quan Jabree'

History! Afro-American history paves a path for the future. Poetry! Poetry is one of the oldest and respected forms of written expression. Throughout history, countless poets have left their mark on us with exquisite verses ranging from romance to politics and no matter your preference; they have, in some way or another, inspired us about life, our beliefs and have tapped in to our emotions.

The Cook Chronicles - Three Generations of Poets is a tribute not only to history and one of the oldest art forms known to man; it is a collective tribute to poets who bring blank pieces of paper to life by way of their pen. "The Source", William John Cook Jr., an honored WWII Vet, the first entry in this legacy provides priceless contribution to this piece with his never before seen works, dating back over six decades. His wisdom on life, serving time in the war and his take on our future is nothing less then thought provoking, inspiring and candid.

"The Vessel", the second entry by William's first grandchild, Marie Antionette, adds a sassy twist to the compilation while riding the fence of melancholy and morality. The anthology then comes full circle by concluding with the fresh input of William's first great-grandson, Day'Quan Jabree' whose segment is accordingly titled, "The Future." This young writer allows readers to witness the struggles of an evolving youth, as they reach to obtain balance in today's world of conflict and uncertainty.

The Cook Chronicles provides readers with insight from a variety of angles and a balance for all generations, past, present and future. A classic addition to any library!

VP Records Unveils 'Extra Raw – The Best of Lady Saw' July 14: Greatest Hits Disk & DVD Release from the Grammy-Winning ‘First Lady of Dancehall'

VP Records will release Extra Raw: The Best of Lady Saw on July 14, 2009. This 18-track album and DVD encapsulates her most brilliant work over her 13 year career with VP with crucial hits from her catalogue and a bonus DVD featuring uncut and an explicitly electrifying 1997 New York City stage performance as well as her biggest music videos.

Extra Raw features production by Dave Kelly, Tony “CD” Kelly, Richie D and John John of the Jammy’s camp.

Lady Saw is a foundation artist for VP Records and dancehall reggae, with seven albums in her career, high profile collaborations with Missy Elliot and Pharell Williams, and headlining slots at several international music festivals.

Dubbed The First Lady of Dancehall, she has convincingly juxtaposed memorable, sometimes shocking lyrics with her deep devotion to God and family and she dares you to think there’s a contradiction in that! She has addressed controversial topics such as unfaithful lovers (“Give Me The Reason”), female degradation (“Sycamore Tree”), infertility (“No Less Than A Woman”) and safe sex in the wake of the emergence of AIDS. In 2003, Lady Saw won a Grammy award for “Best Performance by a Duo or Group with a Vocal” for her collaboration with No Doubt, "Underneath It All".

What's happening with the Trident this weekend? Barbados' rising discussion forum has a lot on their plate: MJ on Xanax? Bridgetown vandalised?

• Barbados:

Vandals Graffiti Bridgetown
The St. Joseph Hospital Saga (sigh)
Praedial Larceny (people t'iefing from farmers)
LIAT accused of "slavery"

• Region and World:

Another Caribbean Ponzi scheme uncovered

• Business:

Tax season 2009! The refunds are coming (be patient) :)
The problem with small black businesses

• Culture:

Cohobblopot 2009

• Religion:

Interviews with a gay Christian

• Entertainment:

The Michael Jackson scandal continues after death

All this and more at www.the-trident.com/forum

Join up and opine!

BVI's 2009 Miss Teen Diva Pageant and Miss Junior Diva Pageant - SATURDAY 22nd AUGUST

On 22nd August, 2009, the East End/Long Look Community Centre will be electrified, pulsed and full of creativity as three young BVI ladies compete for the 3rd Miss Teen Diva crown and three young girls for the 1st Miss Junior Diva crown. The pageants start promptly at 7:30 p.m. with the six talented contestants – teens, Danielle Charles, Fayana Antoine and Rashada Robinson, along with juniors, Kais Masson, Aryana Barrett and Najaire Campell.

The exciting segments for both shows are Creative School Wear, Diva Party Wear, African Diva Wear, Futuristic Wear and Diva Formal Wear. The Teen Diva Contestants will also be participating in a Question and Answer segment to determine who Miss Intellect is. (NB - CLICK ON POSTER FOR LARGER IMAGE)

The night’s entertainment brings you some of the British Virgin Islands greatest talents including Jeremy Vanterpool, our ‘magical minstrel’ on the saxophone along with other brilliant performers.

Tickets will be on sale on from 1st August, 2009 at Bolo's Department Store and Elite Superette in Tortola and Rosy’s in Virgin Gorda. Come and cheer for your favorite Teen Diva and Junior Diva of the BVI on 22nd August, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the East End/Long Look Community Centre.

Barbadian Alternative Band Kite's 'Firefly' Will Feature on the ABC Primetime TV Show ‘Lincoln Heights’

The hit song 'Firefly' continues to do Barbados proud!

'Firefly' will now be featured on episode # 4004 on ‘Lincoln Heights’ an American TV Drama Series on ABC Primetime!!!!

It started for Kite in 2005 with the placement on CBS Primetime TV Show 'The Ghost Whisperer', then, last Year, Canadian TV CBC featured 'Up In The Air' and 'Wake Up' from Kite's debut album on the TV series 'Degrassi'.

Firefly featured, once again, on the movie 'The Stone Angel' earlier last year, and then again 'Firefly' on the CBS Prime Time TV Show 'Jericho' in 2008...Now it’s ‘Firefly’ again on ABC Primetime ‘Lincoln Heights’!

Both JJ and Brian want to thank all of you guys for believing in the songs and giving us so much support here in BIM! (Firefly is also a rum-based beverage - ask for it at the Mount Gay Visitor Centre)

4th CaribbeanTales Film Festival - Barbadian Cricket Film "HIT FOR SIX" included in Weekend's Menu

THE FULL FESTIVAL'S PROGRAMME is now online @ http://caribbeantales.ca.

Tickets are available now through the University of Toronto Box Office at UofTtix Box Office, (416) 978-8849 http://uofttix.ca, or Uof T's Central Box Office, Open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm in Hart House, Uof T.

Program Highlights

Saturday July 11th:
12 noon. An Afternoon with Euzhan Palcy. Come and meet one of the most versatile, passionate and accomplished filmmakers working in the world today. Euzhan Palcy was the first woman of African heritage to direct a Hollywood movie with A Dry White Season starring Marlon Brando and Susan Sarandon.

5:00 pm - late. Night of Tribute. The 2nd CaribbeanTales Awards Ceremony honors the distinguished careers and contributions of a number of industry leaders and film Artists.

Sunday July 12th:
11:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Sunday at the Movies. Unparrallelled popcorn movie entertainment for your Sunday viewing pleasure!

8:00 pm . Closing Night. The Canadian Premiere of Ricardo Scipio's 2nd Feature Finder of Lost Children.

On the evening of July 11th, 2009, CaribbeanTales presents A Night of Tribute, honouring the world’s leading innovators of Caribbean cinema. The evening also hosts the official DVD launch of the award-winning feature film, A Winter Tale, after the screening at 7pm.

At the festival finale (July 12th), guests can start the day with brunch at the GSU Pub, followed by Sunday Afternoon at the Movies, starting at 12:30pm with Hit For Six (Barbados), by Alison Saunders-Franklyn. The festival’s closing night film is Finder of Lost Children, by Trinidad-born, Toronto-raised filmmaker Ricardo Scipio. The film, about two half sisters embarking on a journey after meeting at the funeral of their estranged father, is loosely based on Scipio’s own family experience.

For the full schedule please visit www.caribbeantales.ca. Tickets available at UofTtix Box Office (416)978-8849 or uofttix.ca and University of Toronto's Central Box Office, open Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm in Hart House, University of Toronto.

The CaribbeanTales Film Festival is founded by award-winning director, filmmaker and festival curator Frances-Anne Solomon who has had great success with her most recent highly acclaimed feature film A Winter Tale (for Telefilm Canada/CHUM Television).

Frances-Anne Solomon is also the president and artistic director of the two companies she created: Leda Serene Films and CaribbeanTales. Selected recent projects include HeartBeat – a documentary series profiling Caribbean musical creators; Literature Alive, a many facetted multimedia project profiling Caribbean authors; and the Gemini-nominated Lord Have Mercy!, Canada’s landmark multicultural sitcom, for Vision TV, Toronto1, APTN and Showcase.

CaribbeanTales is Canada’s premier multimedia company that creates, markets and distributes educational films, videos, radio programs, audio books, theatre plays, websites and events, to showcase the rich heritage of the Caribbean Diaspora worldwide.

CaribbeanTales’ mandate is to foster and encourage intercultural understanding and citizen participation through the medium of film, contributing to an inclusive Canadian society.