Mango season is upon us!!!

I remember as a child being able to bite into a mango and enjoying the fruit as the sweet juices ran down my arms. At that time I was not concerned with being decorous, but only in how many of these succulent fruits I could get inside me before my mother curtailed my enjoyment. I remember eating the mango to the seed and stripping it down skin and pulp, leaving the hairs on the seed as close to bare as I could manage.

I don't know if its old age creeping in or paying too much attention to conventions, but nowadays I can only manage to eat that sunshine fruit using a knife as can't stand the hairs being caught in my teeth. Many of you may relate to the childhood days when you could roam and eat mangoes till your belly ready to burst, but for others this is just a pipe dream.

The Mango festival 2009 was officially launched on the 20th of May, 2009 by the ministry of Agriculture. New and old patrons can look forward to seeing more innovative ways of preparing the fruit and using it throughout the year instead of waiting to enjoy its benefits during the season. Mango drink, tea, chutney, stew and jam are all ways in which this fruit can be used apart from the traditional eating of the fruit.

The four year old festival is promising new activities being added to the mix which include display of the winning art by a schoolchild, different education themes, cultural activities and agro-processed products using mango and pineapple.

The Ministry of Agriculture is also working to promote the Antigua Black pineapple as a versatile fruit in agro-processing. A mini promotion will be held in June to showcase the advantages of growing and using pineapple.

To help promote the festival the committee promises to produce a brochure that will be distributed to its overseas offices and get its website updated with the latest information.

Chefs and professional bar tenders also get to show off their skills on August 8th 2009, as they concoct mouth watering dishes and drinks using the two fruits. This has become a highlight in the food industry as they compete to produce a main course, dessert, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.

The next time you see me, I will be eating my mango and yes with my paring knife at ready to make the most of the mango season.

Media Covergae

I was fortunate to be part of a workshop organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, held from the 13th to the 14th of May. It emphasised the need for journalists to be factual and not sensationalise the news, but give the public the facts as they have them and the importance of interpreting data correctly.

CTO facilitator JohnRose Johnson encouraged local journalists to write for the people and not politicians or big businesses. He also encouraged participants to look at various angles and be impartial in their coverage of issues.On how to handle pressure from the editor or interest groups who want to dictate how to treat a story, Johnson reiterated the need for media personnel to publish facts. Johnson said media personnel have a duty to report what is actaully happening and not their perceptions.

The workshop was very informative and taught journalists the importance of using the latest technology and "citizen journalists", who are usually at the scene of a breaking story.

Comfort Naval Hospital in Antigua Barbuda

Its finally here and drawing thousands of people with various ailments! The U.S Navy ship, Comfort is offering free medical, dental, surgical and eye treatment to the citizens of Antigua & Barbuda.

After months of waiting in anticipation to see what the medical personnel have to offer, many people are taking advantage of the free services. The ship will be in the islands for two weeks, from the 5th of May to the 15th. Three medical centres will be used in Antigua namely the Multi-purpose Cultural center at Perry Bay, and the All Saints and Johnson's Point clinics. Barbuda residents will also benefit from these services when the team sets up base at the Hanna Thomas Hospital from the 12th to the 14th of May.

Medical supplies will also be donated to various institutions around the country. According to Major Saint Lehtinen, the US Military Liaison Officer based in Barbados, the ship's main mission is humanitarian and disaster relief.

$35,000.00 will also be spent on refurbishing the mental hospital as the Ship's Engineering unit works hand in hand with the government Public works department. New doors, ceiling fans and other structural renovations are expected to be carried out at the mental institution.Other institutions that will receive a helping hand include the hurricane shelters and clinics. Animals on the twin island state will also be treated by a team of veterinary personnel.

Why I hate monopolies!!!

Paying my water and electricity bills this morning reinforced my utter dislike for monopolies. Thinking I could take advantage of the time of the month, when there's likely to be less congestion at the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) branch on High Street, I traipsed in a few minutes after 8 a.m.

A number of people also had the same idea, but I was not overly worried thinking it would not take too much time. After a few minutes standing in line, I realised that only two cashiers - one for the general public and the other for senior citizens and pensioners - were open out of a total of eight (8). From the mutterings around me, it came to my attention that the paying public were not happy with this particular situation as some of them were trying to pay before heading in for work.

I noticed an APUA supervisor scurrying in the background, but no one came forward to tell John Public what was causing the delay. A few people left the queue not wanting to raise their employers wrath by arriving late for work. It eventually transpired after listening in to another customer asking the cashier what was happening, that their computer system is down.

This brings to the fore the importance of communicating with the public and promting good will. A notice at the entrance could have prevented some customers from wasting their time in line and eventually leaving or at least prepare them for the delay.

Am happy to saw I didn't give up and a few minutes before the hour of 9, I paid my bills; however, I still don't like monopolies!

Politics galore!!!

Its a new year with new hopes and aspirations. We saw history made with the swearing in of Barack Obama as the United States 1st African-American president.

I hope the rest of the world will look at Michelle Obama as more than a fashion icon but as an educated black woman who is also able to stand side by side by her husband. May the rest of the world also look at their children as an example of how black children are well-behaved and not the stereotyping so evident on TV and movies!!

Well after a long hiatus that's my spiel to kick off the new year.

Politics is heating up in Antigua & Barbuda as the main political parties -the ruling UPP & opposition ALP- jockey for votes in the upcoming elections this year. My wish is for the political leaders to advise and caution their supporters that violence of any kind will not be tolerated as we choose who will lead us for the next five years!!! That should be left for when voters cast their ballots they mark their X. After all we still have to live with each other after the dust has settled and wouldn't want to plunge our beloved country into chaos like we see on TV.

Having lived with refugees back in Zambia, as the country is a haven for those escaping conflict in trouble torn countries, I speak from experience about the heart ache these people suffer. Not knowing where some of the family members are or if they are even alive! So let us agree to differ and restrict our "war" to words.

Snail danger!!!

We really must watch what we eat and I say this not only for the obvious health reasons, but also to prevent fatalities from happening.

Take for instance the workshop organised by the Ministry of Agriculture here in Antigua in collaboration with UNAIDS and the University of the West Indies. The workshop wants to increase awareness about the Giant African Land Snail, that was sighted in the Jolly Beach/Bolans areas in March of 2008.

The workshop drew numerous participants from the private, business and government sectors to help spread the word why the Giant African snail is not to be trifled with. Minister of State responsible for Agriculture Senator Joanne Massiah called on the relevant agencies to educate students especially those in primaries schools about the danger this snail poses to humans.

To the untrained eye, it looks like any other harmless slug, but according to the experts be very cautious and Do NOT HANDLE with your bare hands!

It feeds on anything ... vegetation, animal excretions and its own dead! It decimates agriculture affecting a country's economy and not only that, humans can contract meningitis(deadly infection which can kill in a few hours).

Dark in colour and growing to huge proportions this is not dinner nor a delicacy to be enjoyed by my Creole or French friends! Any sightings should be reported to the nearest plant protection agency.
www.wvagriculture.org

And to my beloved friends who love smuggling plant cuttings/fruits for the fun of it, or because they look pleasing to the eye ... STOP!! ... as hidden pests and diseases often lurk and cannot be seen by the naked eye. By bringing in these problems you introduce a threat to the local flora which incidentally will not have any known controls for the new invader.

So do the right thing and use the proper channels to import a plant or better still just take a photograph.

Stanford 20/20 cricket for $20m

I will always uphold the peoples right to free speech, but sometimes certain individuals should think before they utter a word!

Take for instance the negative comments from certain individuals about why the Stanford 20/20 for $20 million should be included in the country's independence celebrations!!

Not only has Sir Allen Stanford revived interest among the Caribbean islands through his cricket tournament, but it has also enabled talent that would not have come to the fore thru the West Indies Cricket team be actively pursued!

But say we forget that particular aspect, what about the business it generates with people coming into Antigua spending their money on taxis, accommodation, restaurants and souvenirs! With Big brother America coming to grips with economic recession shouldn't we be thankful that the country is getting some hard foreign exchange that will eventually help government improve the services they continually cry need to be improved?

Some may argue that it is not much , but in my book every little in these times of rising costs helps.

So instead of crying foul especially whenever the Stanford name is mentioned, think about how you can also cash in!

Insightful HIV workshop

I was recently in Barbados for a Live Up the show programming (iliveup.com) workshop for journalists, organised by the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/Aids & the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Usually when you attend such functions you can't wait to finish for the day, but this one held from the 27-28th of October was quite exceptional.

The format was very interactive and allowed media practitioners from Antigua (yours truly), Belize, British Virgin islands, Cayman islands, Turks and Caicos,St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Tobago, Trinidad and not least Nevis to learn from each country's experiences.

Much kudos to the organisers and various speakers who gave of their time and experiences about the need to educate our audiences of the importance of protecting against HIV infection.

My memories will forever be enriched by the brave HIV+ persons who came to speak to us about how as journalists we should look beyond the story and meeting deadlines. The negative images in the past of HIV infected persons have played a part in fostering stigma and discrimination, but nowadays the message should be of love, protection and respect!

Remember it is a chronic illness and if you reject someone because of your misinformation, you may just find yourself in the same place if we don't change our sexual habits.

Get tested today.

College Students in windfalll

The Antigua and Barbuda government in line with its people first policy has rolled out another initiative that will benefit atleast 200 students at the Antigua State College.

In collaboration with Cable and Wireless under the Connect Antigua Initiative, which seeks to make the country's citizens technologically savvy, second year students in the business and A level faculties will be provided with an hp laptop. Apart from this, the mobile company has also pledged to connect each student's home with free internet service for at least one year.

Each student will be required to make a down payment of EC$350, which will be reimbursed if the laptop is returned in good condition.

Makes you want to go back to college and get on the band wagon doesn't it?

Congratulations to the government and Cable & Wireless for investing in our youth. We pray that the students will put the laptops and internet service to good use so that that programme can be extended to other students at the college.

Reprive!!!

The last time I was complaining of the restrictions concerning coverage of Antigua & Barbuda's Romantic Rhythms festival, but fortunately for the media some of these have been lifted.

Knowing how some unscrupulous individuals will use footage from the event for monetary gain, the festival's committee and artists management are trying to safeguard their product from being exploited.

So far media personnel will now be able to record audio, video footage and photos of the artists for the first 10 minutes of two songs. This is far much better than the proposed deal where no audio or video was to be entertained.

Also on the plus side, we will now be able to interview the artists for 10 minutes after each show, though in the case of Country & Western musician Kenny Rogers, this will be one hour before he goes on stage on Saturday the 14th of June.

So be cool you will certainly get the scoop on the artists from Antigua & Barbuda's Romantic Rhythms music festival.

Romance is in the Air!!!

Yes Halleluia!!

Antigua & Barbuda's first International music festival dubbed "Romatic Rhythms" seems to be getting off to a fantastic start as local, regional and international media converged on the venue, Sir Vivian Cricket stadium. The journalists will be bringing you the highlights of the festival which runs from the 13th of June to the 15th.

Briefing the media today, the country's Tourism Minister Harold Lovell says while several international artists who include Lionel Richie and Keyshia Cole will perform during the three days, local musicians are also part of the mix. He says the music festival is being used as an avenue to promote economic growth, and it's also a way to showcase local talent and improve production skills in sound, stage and artist management.

Apart from the famous Burning Flames, Claudette C. P. Peters and the Taxic Band, Tizzy Sebastain and the El A Kru band, other local notables taking part are Calypso icons King Short Shirt, and the Mighty Swallow. Several steel pan performances by the Gemonites, Hellsgate and Harmonites steel bands will be part of the festival's mixing pot.

See u where there's Romance in the Air!!

Music Festivals Stipulations

With just a day to go before the start of the first International Music festival in Antigua and Barbuda, the local media is in an uproar about the tight coverage restrictions.

According to the Romantic Rhythms Festival media committee it will not be business as usual for still photographers, radio stations and local TV stations.

Taking of photos is restricted to a particular time, which will be clarified I hope by Thursday before the event takes off on Friday at 7 p.m at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. Video and audio recording is totally banned for the international artists who include Lionel Richie, Kenny Rodgers, Keisha Cole, Damian Marley, Musique Soulchild, Heather Headley, Shaggy and Maxi Priest.

So far we don't expect to have so much tying of the hands from the local artists who include the famous Burning flames, Tizzy Tanzania Sebastian, and Claudette C. P. Peters.

Hope the issues are clarified soon as spectators entering the venue are expected to leave their cell phones at home, in case the performances are posted on Google videos or God forbid YouTube.

Music Festival U.S Airlift

One of the major areas that lead to the successful hosting of any festival is getting potential spectators or revellers to the destination. Well Antigua and Barbuda is already working on this particular aspect and plans are already in place to get the necessary airlift from several major American cities.

The country's U.S Director of Tourism Derede Samuel-Whitlock and her team held a breakfast meeting with one major airline, Delta and several local hoteliers about the coming Romantic Rhythms International Music festival. More information on that can be found at http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v2/government/pressreleases/pressreleases2008/prelease_2008apr25_1.html

And last Friday, I managed to catch Etana's performance at Russell's Restaurant located at Fort James. I arrived late due in part to my scatter brained sister who just had to go to the other end of the island to pick up that night's dinner.

Am grateful I was able to listen to atleast 5 songs by the Jamaican artist. I however missed performances by several local artists. The least I can is direct you to where you can get more information about what went down.http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v2/government/pressreleases/pressreleases2008/prelease_2008apr28_1.html

Antigua and Barbuda Carnival

The Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival, Antigua and Barbuda's carnival sporting a new logo, is just around the corner promising alot of fun and no regrets as the new management rolled out what this year's sponsors can get for their dollars.

New Carnival committee chairman Marlon Rawlins and his team hosted several local businesses last evening at a Business forum and cocktail to give them an opportunity to ask questions of how they can maximise exposure during carnival.

The six Queen of carnival contestants were also introduced to potential sponsors, with three having already attracted sponsors. The carnival committee is very happy with the interest garnered from the business community in contributing to the Caribbean's Greatest summer festival. http://www.antiguacarnival.com/

AntiguaBarbuda Romantic Rhythms International Music Festival

Its being a long time in coming, but following on the heels of the St. Lucia Jazz festival, St. Kitts Music festival, Jamaica Reggae sound splash and another music festival in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda will be hosting an international music festival from June 12th to the 15th.
On Friday 18th April 2008 several sponsors of the event were introduced at a sponsors launch and include Abi financial group, Antigua Motors, Cable & Wireless, American Airlines, Antigua Hotels & Tourism Association, Liatairline, and Premier Beverages. Several Caribbean and local journalsits were able to interact with the festival's committee members and sponsors.
http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v2/government/pressreleases/pressreleases2008/prelease_2008apr22_1.html

In keeping with this Eastern Caribbean island being branded the romance capital of the Caribbean by several international publications, the twin island state will be hosting the likes of Lionel Richie, Brian McKnight, Kenny Rodgers, Keisha Cole, popular local artists who will include Claudette CP Peters and Tizzy Tanzania Sebastian.

Several mini-concerts will be held around the island to give residents and visitors a feel of different venues. To jump start the music festival, a mini-concert featuring Jamaica's upcoming raggea artist Etana will be held this afternoon at the famous Russell's restaurant at Fort James.
http://www.ab.gov.ag/gov_v2/government/pressreleases/pressreleases2008/prelease_2008apr23_1.html

NO SMOKING PLEASE!!!

I went gallivanting on Wednesday April 24Th to Barbados, one of the larger islands in the Caribbean, to take care of some private business. I enjoyed the journey apart for some passengers in the outer area of the Bajan airport, lighting up despite a significant number of No Smoking signs in evidence around the cafeteria area.

This brought home to me how these very people would not do be seen smoking in a public place in their own countries . Unfortunately I also saw an airport employee drawing deeply on a cancer stick in the same area, so maybe the visitors are not to blame!!!

Antigua Folk Dance Festival Launch

The Antigua Dance Academy is preparing to host the second Folk Dance Festival entitled 'Out of the Drum'. The festival has attracted groups from Tobago - Hands of Rhythms, Nevis - I-Afrikana Drummers and Rhythmz Dance Theatre, Montserrat - Emerald Shamioles Masquerade Dancers, Guadeloupe - Kombo: The Heart of Quadeloupe, Trinidad - Shashamane Dance Ensemble, and various dance groups from Antigua and Barbuda.

The Festival will be held from May 22nd to the 25th.

Festival Director and Founder of the Antigua Dance Academy Veronica Yearwood says preparations for the next festival geared for 2010 will begin as soon as this year's festival ends on the 26th of May.

To honour the second hosting of folk dance festival this year, the school has opened an office that will be open to the public from 10.30 a.m to 3 p.m to facilitate inquiries.

Gang ViolenceUpdate

The recently concluded Gang Violence workshop seems to have exceeded the Minister of Justice and Public Safety's expectations.
At least 300 students from schools around the island, instead of the 100 anticipated, turned up to participate in the proceedings. They took part in a survey and simulated scenarios about their perception of figures in authority like the police.
Senator Colin Derrick speaking on one of the popular radio talk shows this morning says the survey should yield insights into how gang violence can be dealt with.
He also says recommendations will be forthcoming in three weeks time. Only part of the report will be revealed to the public, while certain security related strategies will be kept under close wraps.
Looking forward to lessening crime on the beautiful twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda.

Gang Violence

The Ministry of Justice and Public Safety in Antigua and Barbuda recently hosted a two day workshop from April 14th to the 15th, that examined gang violence and its implications on the twin island state.
Drawing on expertise from the Organisation of American States (OAS), the ministry is seeking to come up with strategies of how to deal with the growing problem.
According to Minister of Justice Senator Colin Derrick in his opening address at least 12 gangs have been identified and while the majority of the members come from primarily low income areas, it is not unheard of for members to be recruited from well to do families.

The workshop is timely but it remains to be seen if government and other community based groups are willing to help curb this problem by actually coming up with viable suggestions /plans and that its not just talking to appease the public.
To find out more about the negative influence of gang violence check out the two websites and maybe you may have some ideas of how to stop it from escalating.

http://www.vpcla.org/factGang.htm

www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/1376.html

Culture Diversity week celebrations

Thank you for visiting my world.
I have added a few more elements to my blog like the slide show at the top to give you a proper sense of life on the island.
Visited Fort James last Saturday when I took my nephew for swimming lessons and walked around the area.
Antigua and Barbuda's beauty never ceases to amaze me, and how blind we sometimes get focusing on work and family.

To appreciate the treasures that we often take for granted I took shots of the Anglican Church in St. Johns on my way from work, and as I go about trying to justify my salary, images that catch my eye.

The Culture Development department revealed their plans for this year's Culture Diversity celebrations week by unveiling several additions to the programme.These include a pageant, schools representing a particular country and 10x10 cricket tournament.

Culture Minister Eleston 'Namba' Adams flanked by Ag. Director of Culture Gilbert Luadat and Participating countries representative Maureen Lee Simon says this year's festival has attracted six more countries increasing the number to thirteen compared to seven in 2007.The celebrations start on April 27th until June 1st.

Please enjoy the Uprising dancers performing at the launch.