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P1 FREE - ilandvibez.com
P1 FREE A Monthly Newsletter by cx - january 2015 P2 - AFRO CULTURE BLESSED P4 - VEGETABLE GARDEN SETUP P6 - COMM. GARDEN UPDATE \ P8 - Health P10 - ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT INTERVIEWS P12 - MINI VACATION rAFFLE P13 - ECO -tourism \ P14 - Business P16 - Sports 2015 cx - january 2015 P2 Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. major figures in African-Caribbean history Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr., ONH (17 August 1887 – 10 June 1940), was a Jamaican political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator who was a staunch proponent of the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements, to which end he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL).He founded the Black Star Line, which promoted the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands. Prior to the twentieth century, leaders such as Prince Hall, Martin Delany, Edward Wilmot Blyden, and Henry Highland Garnet advocated the involvement of the African diaspora in African affairs. Garvey was unique in advancing a Pan-African philosophy to inspire a global mass movement and economic empowerment focusing on Africa known as Garveyism. Promoted by the UNIA as a movement of African Redemption, Garveyism would eventually inspire others, ranging from the Nation of Islam to the Rastafari movement (which proclaims Garvey as a prophet). Garveyism intended persons of African ancestry in the diaspora to “redeem” the nations of Africa and for the European colonial powers to leave the continent. His essential ideas about Africa were stated in an editorial in the Negro World entitled “African Fundamentalism”, where he wrote: “Our union must know no clime, boundary, or nationality… to let us hold together under all climes and in every country… Early Years Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. was born as the youngest of eleven children in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, to Marcus Mosiah Gar- vey, Sr., a mason, and Sarah Jane Richards, a domestic worker. Only his sister Indiana along with Marcus survived to adulthood. His family was financially stable given the circumstances of this time period. Garvey’s father had a large library, and it was from his father that Marcus gained his love for reading. He also attended elementary schools in St. Ann’s Bay during his youth. While attending these schools, Garvey first began to experience racism. When Marcus was younger, he used to be friends with his white neighbors and play with them all the time. However, when they reached their teenage years, they began to shun him. Sometime in 1900, Garvey entered into an apprenticeship with his uncle, Alfred Burrowes, who also had an extensive library, of which Marcus made good use. In 1910 Marcus left Jamaica and began traveling throughout the Central American region. His first stop was Costa Rica, where he had a maternal uncle. He lived in Costa Rica for several months where he worked as a time keeper on a banana plantation. He began work as editor for a daily newspaper called La Nacionale in 1911. Later that year, he moved to Colón, Panama, where he edited a biweekly newspaper, before returning to Jamaica in 1912. After years of working in the Caribbean, Garvey left Jamaica to live in London from 1912 to 1914, where he attended Birkbeck College, taking classes in law and philosophy. He also worked for the African Times and Orient Review, published by Dusé Mohamed Ali, who was a considerable influence on the young man. Garvey sometimes continued on page 3 P3 cx - january 2015 Toussaint Louverture major figures in African......from pg 2 spoke at Hyde Park’s Speakers’ Corner. Garvey’s philosophy was also influenced by African-American leaders such as Booker T. Washington, Martin Delany, and Henry McNeal Turner. Garvey is said to have been influenced by the ideas of Dusé Mohamed Ali in his speeches, and his later organizing of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Jamaica in 1914 (Vincent, 1971). Organization on UNIA In 1914 Garvey returned to Jamaica, where he organized the UNIA. Historian Rashid suggests that the UNIA motto, “One God, One Aim, One Destiny”, was derived from Dusé Ali’s Islamic influence (Rashid, 2002). Garvey named the organization the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities (Imperial) League. The UNIA held an international convention in 1921 at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Also represented at the convention were organizations such as the Universal Black Cross Nurses, the Black Eagle Flying Corps, and the Universal African Legion. Garvey attracted more than 50,000 people to the event and in his cause. The UNIA had 65,000 to 75,000 members paying dues to his support and funding. The national level of support in Jamaica helped Garvey to become one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century on the island. After corresponding with Booker T. Washington, head of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and a national African-American leader in the United States, Garvey traveled by ship to the U.S., arriving on 23 March 1916 aboard the S.S. Tallac. He intended to make a lecture tour and to raise funds to establish a school in Jamaica modeled after Washington’s Institute. Garvey visited Tuskegee, and afterward, visited with a number of black leaders. After moving to New York, he found work as a printer by day. He was influenced by Hubert Harrison. At night he would speak on street corners, much as he did in London’s Hyde Park. Garvey thought there was a leadership vacuum among African Americans. On 9 May 1916, he held his first public lecture in New York City at St Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery and undertook a 38-state speaking tour. The next year in May 1917, Garvey and thirteen others formed the first UNIA division outside Jamaica. They began advancing ideas to promote social, political, and economic freedom for black people. On 2 July, the East St. Louis riots broke out. On 8 July, Garvey delivered an address, entitled “The Conspiracy of the East St. Louis Riots”, at Lafayette Hall in Harlem. During the speech, he declared the riot was “one of the bloodiest outrages against mankind”, condemning America’s claims to represent democracy when black people were victimized “for no other reason than they are black people seeking an industrial chance in a country that they have laboured for three hundred years to make great”. It is “a time to lift one’s voice against the savagery of a people who claim to be the dispensers of democracy.”[15] By October, rancor within the UNIA had begun to set in. A split occurred in the Harlem division, with Garvey enlisted to become its leader; although he technically held the same position in Jamaica. Garvey worked to develop a program to improve the conditions of ethnic Africans “at home and abroad” under UNIA auspices. On 17 August 1918, he began publishing the Negro World newspaper in New York, which was widely distributed. Garvey worked as an editor without pay until November 1920. He used Negro World as a platform for his views to encourage growth of the UNIA. By June 1919, the membership of the organization had grown to over two million, according to its records. On 27 June 1919, the UNIA set up its first business, incorporating the Black Star Line of Delaware, with Garvey as President. By September, it acquired its first ship. Much fanfare surrounded the inspection of the S.S. Yarmouth and its rechristening as the S.S. Frederick Douglass on 14 September 1919. Such a rapid accomplishment garnered attention from many. During the first year, the Black Star Line’s stock sales brought in $600,000. This caused it to be successful during that year. It had numerous problems during the next two years: mechanical breakdowns on its ships, what it said were incompetent workers, and poor record keeping. The officers were eventually accused of mail fraud.[16] Edwin P. Kilroe, Assistant District Attorney in the District Attorney’s office of the County of New York, began an investigation into the activities of the UNIA. He never filed charges against Garvey or other officers. After being called to Kilroe’s office numerous times for questioning, Garvey wrote an editorial on the assistant DA’s activities for the Negro World. Kilroe had Garvey arrested and indicted for criminal libel but dismissed the charges after Garvey published a retraction.[citation needed] On 14 October 1919, Garvey received a visit in his Harlem office from George Tyler, who claimed Kilroe “had sent him” to get the leader.[citation needed] Tyler pulled a .38-caliber revolver and fired four shots, wounding Garvey in the right leg and scalp. Garvey’s secretary Amy quickly arranged to get Garvey taken to the hospital for treatment, and Tyler was arrested. The next day, Tyler committed suicide by leaping from the third tier of the Harlem jail as he was being taken to his arraignment. [citation needed] By August 1920, the UNIA claimed four million members. The number has been questioned because of the organization’s poor record keeping.[16] That month, the International Convention of the UNIA was held. With delegates from all over the world attending, 25,000 people filled Madison Square Garden on 1 August 1920 to hear Garvey speak.[17] Over the next couple of years, Garvey’s movement was able to attract an enormous number of followers. Reasons for this included the cultural revolution of the Harlem Renaissance, the large number of West Indians who immigrated to New York, and the appeal of the slogan “One Aim, One God, One Destiny,” to black veterans of the first World War. Garvey also established the business, the Negro Factories Corporation. He planned to develop the businesses to manufacture every marketable commodity in every big U.S. industrial center, as well as in Central America, the West Indies, and Africa. Related endeavors included a grocery chain, restaurant, publishing house, and other businesses. Convinced that black people should have a permanent homeland in Africa, Garvey sought to develop Liberia. It had been founded by the American Colonization Society in the 19th century as a colony for free blacks from the United States. Garvey launched the Liberia program in 1920, intended to build colleges, industrial plants, and railroads as part of an industrial base from which to operate. MORE ON MARCUS GARVEY JR IN FEB 2015 EDITION cx - january 2015 Organic vegetable gardens bring special rewards P4 Vegetable Gardening for Beginners GROWING your own vegetables is both fun and rewarding. All you really need to get started is some decent soil and a few plants. But to be a really successful vegetable gardener — and to do it organically — you’ll need to understand what it takes to keep your plants healthy and vigorous. Here are the basics. “Feed the soil” is like a mantra for organic gardeners, and with good reason. In conventional chemical agriculture, crop plants are indeed “fed” directly using synthetic fertilizers. When taken to extremes, this kind of chemical force-feeding can gradually impoverish the soil. And turn it from a rich entity teeming with microorganisms insects and other life forms, into an inert growing medium that exists mainly to anchor the plants’ roots, and that provides little or no nutrition in its own right. Although various fertilizers and mineral nutrients (agricultural lime, rock phosphate, greensand, etc.) should be add- the room and, even more importantly, the time and energy needed to grow a huge garden well, go for it. But vegetable gardens that make efficient use of growing space are much easier to care for, whether you’re talking about a few containers on the patio or a 50-by-100foot plot in the backyard. Raised beds are a good choice for beginners because they make the garden more manageable. Get Rid of Your Rows Shop for Raised Beds Make your own raised bed with our Raised Bed Corners, or Example of an edible back yard garden concept choose a complete kit. Elevated ed periodically to the organic ticular, organic matter provides raised beds allow for no-bend garden, by far the most use- a continuous source of nitrogen gardening. ful substance for building and and other nutrients that plants maintaining a healthy, well-bal- need to grow. It also provides SHOP NOW anced soil is organic matter.You a rich food source for soil mi- The first way to maximize space can add organic matter to your crobes. As organisms in the in the garden is to convert from soil many different ways, such soil carry out the processes of traditional row planting to 3- or as compost, shredded leaves, decay and decomposition, they 4-foot-wide raised beds. Single animal manures or cover crops. make these nutrients available rows of crops, while they might Organic matter improves the to plants. For more on this sub- be efficient on farms that use fertility, the structure and the ject, read Building Healthy Soil. large machines for planting, cultivating, and harvesting, are tilth of all kinds of soils. In parMake Efficient Use of Space often not the best way to go in The location of your garden the backyard vegetable garden. (the amount of sunlight it re- In a home-sized garden, the ceives, proximity to a source of fewer rows you have, the fewwater, and protection from frost er paths between rows you will and wind) is important. Yet just need, and the more square footas crucial for growing vegeta- age you will have available for bles is making the most of your growing crops. garden space. Lots of people dream of hav- MORE ON THIS TOPIC IN ing a huge vegetable garden, a FEBUARY 2015 EDITION sprawling site that will be big If you may like to get any enough to grow everything they additional information on want, including space-hun- how to start your back yard gry crops, such as corn, dried or kitchen garden concept, beans, pumpkins and winter feel free to contact Spacesquash, melons, cucumbers less Garden at 721 523-5828 and watermelons. If you have Sample of a back yard school garden P5 cx - january 2015 open for business cx - january 2015 P6 more progress for st peters community garden Removal of old unwanted zink As the new year openS we have to give thanks for life, and for us to be able to wake u and continue this journey… Though, i must say the journey is a rough road fighting to continue to build the agricultural awareness amongst the various communities, i have no plans on giving up, for this is bigger then me or you, this is about our children and our country.. So if it is for that cause, then to me it a cause worth fighting for… I want to give thanks to the supporters this month that made their contribution to the Community Garden, LEONARD EN- Removing and saving damaged trees TERPRISE, CITY MALL, BODY ACTION FITNESS CENTER, LA RICH AND FUNTOPIA, DANCE MANIA AND ANDREW DICK, PAYLESS, FREEDOM FIGHTERS ITAL SHACK, FUN RELAX SXM, TENDAL REAL ESTATE AND PRODUCTION LINKZ Wether the contribution big or small we have to also show support back to these company because they truly believe in an alternative future for our children and country… CULTURAL XPRESSION RAISES OUR HATS TO YOU GUYS FOR YOU SUPPORT ! THANK YOU ! City Mall St Maarten P7 cx - january 2015 Benefits of Community Gardening Some of the Organic green produced locally by Wyatte and Ras Jah right in the front yard along the road side... Community Organizing • Community gardens increase a sense of community ownership and stewardship. • Community gardens foster the development of a community identity and spirit. • Community gardens bring people together from a wide variety of backgrounds (age, race, culture, social class). • Community gardens build community leaders. • Community gardens offer a focal point for community organizing, and can lead to community-based efforts to deal with other social concerns. Crime Prevention • Community gardens provide opportunities to meet neighbors. • Community gardens build block clubs (neighborhood associations). • Community gardens increase eyes on the street. • Community gardening is recognized by the many police departments as an effective community crime prevention strategy. Cultural Opportunities • Community gardens offer unique opportunities for new immigrants (who tend to be concentrated in low-income urban communities) to: • Produce traditional crops otherwise unavailable locally, • Take advantage of the experience of elders to produce a significant amount of food for the household, • Provide inter-generational exposure to cultural traditions, • Offer a cultural exchange with other gardeners, • Learn about block clubs, neighborhood groups, and other community information. • Community gardens offer neighborhoods an access point to non-English speaking communities. • Community gardens allow people from diverse backgrounds to work side-by-side on common goals without speaking the same language. Youth Community gardens offer unique opportunities to teach youth about: • Where food comes from • Practical math skills • Basic business principles • The importance of community and stewardship • Issues of environmental sustainability • Job and life skills And, • Community gardening is a healthy, inexpensive activity for youth that can bring them closer to nature, and allow them to interact with each other in a socially meaningful and physically productive way. Food Production • Many community gardeners, especially those from immigrant communities, take advantage of food production in community gardens to provide a significant source of food and/or income. • Community gardens allow families and individuals without land of their own the opportunity to produce food. • Community gardens provide access to nutritionally rich foods that may otherwise be unavailable to low-income families and individuals. • Urban agriculture is 3-5 times more productive per acre than traditional large-scale farming! • Community gardens donate thousands of pounds of fresh produce to food pantries and involve people in processes that provide food security and alleviate hunger. Health • Studies have shown that community gardeners and their children eat healthier diets than do non-gardening families. • Eating locally produced food reduces asthma rates, because children are able to consume manageable amounts of local pollen and develop immunities. • Exposure to green space reduces stress and increases a sense of wellness and belonging. • Increasing the consumption of fresh local produce is one of the best ways to address childhood lead poisoning. • The benefits of Horticulture Therapy can be and are used to great advantage in community gardens. Green Space • Community gardens add beauty to the community and heighten people’s awareness and appreciation for living things. • Community gardens filter rainwater, helping to keep lakes, rivers, and groundwater clean. • Community gardens restore oxygen to the air and help to reduce air pollution. • Community gardens recycle huge volumes of tree trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, and other organic wastes back into the soil. • Community gardens provide a place to retreat from the noise and commotion of urban environments. • Community gardens provide much needed green space in lower-income neighborhoods which typically have access to less green space than do other parts of the community. • Development and maintenance of garden space is less expensive than that of parkland. • Scientific studies show that crime decreases in neighborhoods as the amount of green space increases. • Community gardens have been shown to actually increase property values in the immediate vicinity where they are located. cx - january 2015 65 Health Risks of GM Foods pt 3 P8 The difference between happiness and health ... or sickness, depression and medical bills. 2.8 Novel RNA may be harmful to humans and their offspring 1.Small RNA sequences can regulate gene expression, most commonly by silencing genes. 2. RNA is stable, survives digestion and can impact gene expression in mammals that ingest it. 3. The impact can be passed on to future generations. 4. Genetic modification introduces new DNA combinations and mutations, which increase the likelihood that harmful regulatory RNA will be accidentally produced. 2.9 Roundup Ready soybeans produce unintentional RNA variations 1. A “stop signal” is placed after the transgene, telling the cell, “STOP TRANSCRIBING AT THIS POINT.” 2. The stop is ignored in GM soy, resulting in longer than intended RNA. 3. It is transcribed from a combination of the transgene, an adjacent transgene fragment and a mutated sequence of DNA. 4. The RNA is further rearranged into four variations, any of which may be harmful. 5. The faulty “stop” signal may have triggered the rearrangements. 6. The same “stop” signal is used in other crops, and might lead to similar “read-throughs” and RNA process- ing. 2.10 Changes in proteins can alter thousands of natural chemicals in plants, increasing toxins or reducing phytonutrients 1. Plants produce thousands of chemicals which, if ingested, may fight disease, influence behavior or be toxic. 2. The genome changes described in this section can alter the composition and concentration of these chemicals. 3. GM soybeans, for example, produce less cancer-fighting isoflavones. 4. Most GM-induced changes in these natural products go undetected. 2.11 GM crops have altered levels of nutrients and toxins 1. Numerous studies on GMOs reveal unintended changes in nutrients, toxins, allergens and small molecule products of metabolism. 2. These demonstrate the risks associated with unintended changes that occur due to genetic engineering. 3. Safety assessments are not adequate to guard against potential health risks associated with these changes. Section 3: The protein produced by the inserted gene may create problems 3.1 A gene from a Brazil nut carried allergies into soybeans 1. A gene from a Brazil nut was inserted into soybeans. 2. When tests verified that people allergic to Brazil nuts would react to the GM soy, the project was canceled. 3. This research verified that genetic engineering can transfer allergenic proteins into crops. 3.2 GM proteins in soy, corn and papaya may be allergens 1. Tests cannot guarantee that a GM protein will not cause allergies. 2. The WHO and FAO offer criteria that help minimize the likelihood that allergenic GM crops are approved. 3. GM soybeans, corn, and papaya fail those criteria. 4. The GM proteins from these foods are too similar to known allergens. 5. This evidence was ignored by regulators, who approved the crops. 3.3 Bt crops may create allergies and illness 1. Soil bacteria (Bt) create a natural pesticide that has been used in spray form for years. 2. Genes from the bacteria are inserted into crop DNA, so the plant produces Bt-toxin. 3. Approvals of Bt crops are based on the claim that the spray is harmless and Bt-toxin does not react with mammals. 4. In reality, Bt spray is linked to allergies and illness in humans and mammals. 5. Bt-toxins also elicit immune responses in mice. 3.4 The Bt in crops is more toxic than the Bt spray 1. The excuse that the Bt toxin is safe because Bt spray is safe is further contradicted by differences in the concentration and form of the protein. 2. Bt sprays are used intermittently and degrade in the environment. 3. The Bt toxin in crops is thousands of times more concentrated and is continuously produced in every cell. 4. The form of the Bt toxin protein in GM crops is also more toxic. 3.5 StarLink corn’s built-in pesticide has a “medium likelihood” of being an allergen 1. StarLink corn, considered potentially allergenic by the US EPA, was approved as animal feed but not for human consumption. 2. The tiny amount planted in the US nonetheless contaminated the food supply, prompting massive food recalls. 3. Thousands reported health effects, including life threatening episodes they thought may be related to StarLink. 4. The FDA was unable to create a test to rule out allergenicity and experts say it has a “medium likelihood” of being an allergen. 5.A small amount still remains in the food supply. 3.6 Pollen-sterilizing barnase in GM crops may cause kidney damage 1.Corn and canola are engineered to produce a pollen-sterilizing toxin called barnase. MORE ON THIS TOPIC IN FEB 2015 EDITION P9 cx - january 2015 A Raw Food Diet Can Change Your Life Nothing compares to the satisfying crunch of carrots, the sweetness of sugar peas straight from the vine, or the leafy green goodness of a forkful of salad. For many of us, raw fruits and vegetables are largely seasonal pleasures associated with farmer’s markets, CSAs, and the hot summer months. Come autumn and winter, we welcome hearty soups and steaming casseroles. For others, raw food is a year-round way of life. Endorsed by the likes of designer Donna Karan, model Carol Alt, and actors Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore, “raw foodism” is becoming increasingly popular, and generating mixed media attention. Proponents of the raw food diet claim that consuming a diet consisting of 75 percent or more raw foods greatly enhances overall well-being and can improve or eliminate a wide range of health complaints. Critics say the regime is for dietary fanatics and can lead to a host of physiological imbalances. Seems like, between the two perspectives, there should be a healthy medium in there somewhere—we’ve outlined the raw food facts below. Dining in the Raw As one might expect, the raw food diet consists primarily of plant foods including fresh Thank You for you support fruit and vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, grains, legumes, seaweed, and dried fruit. Raw foodists believe that heating food above 116 degrees F. destroys the naturally occurring enzymes that assist in digestion and absorption—and saps vitamin power to boot. Therefore, cooked foods are out, as are all processed foods, refined sugars and flours, caffeine, and acid-forming foods, like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Raw foods supply the body with important vitamins and minerals, which would otherwise be mostly depleted when cooking, says Stella Metsovas, a certified nutritionist in Laguna Beach. “[They] contain beneficial living enzymes that help to digest foods naturally without pulling from your physiological reserves.” According to Metsovas, live foods also contain beneficial fibers that can help regulate blood sugar. To make their meals more digestible and palatable, raw foodists employ preparation techniques including sprouting, juicing, soaking, blending, and dehydrating. In general, raw diners aim for a diet of at least 75 percent raw foods; hardcore enthusiasts shoot for 100 percent raw. The Raw Food Diet Benefits Many people who’ve gone raw rave about the raw food diet’s numerous health benefits, especially noticeable in the first few months or years. “I saw weight loss, improvement in my menstrual cycle, better digestion and elimination, thicker and shinier hair, much better skin, and better emotional and mental health,” says Lenka Zajic, currently of San Diego (see Lenka Zajic survey of raw foodists). “I made the most fun, yummy things and totally indulged, and I still lost 25 pounds, had the energy of a 12-yearold, and was extremely happy.” The raw food diet has many apparent health boons. Because it is low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium, fiber, and phytochemicals, it can help dieters to easily shed pounds and can also help fend off diseases like diabetes and cancer, particularly colon cancer. “The raw diet is extremely cleansing,” says Jeanette Bronee, a Holistic Health Counselor and Nourishment Consultant from New York state. “That’s why it feels so good.” “In particular,” says Bronee, “eating raw foods can help cleanse the system of toxins that can accumulate in the digestive tract due to eating too many starches, flour-based foods, meats, and dairy.” Studies show that the raw food diet, having little or no saturated fat and trans fats, can also be extremely heart healthy. A 2005 Journal of Nutrition study found that a long-term raw food diet can lower and balance serum LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. The Drawbacks of a Raw Food Diet In spite of its many seeming benefits, a raw food diet may not be a wise choice for some. “The problem with raw food,” says Bronee, “is that we can’t necessarily absorb it. Sometimes, to be able to absorb food, we need to cook it, and that varies from person to person really.” According to Bronee, people with weak digestive systems, “which, by the way, is most people out there, people who eat excessive amounts of sugar and highly processed foods,” may simply not possess the digestive enzymes required to break down the nutrients in raw foods. Genetics and culture can play an important role as well. “If you have lived your life thus far on traditional [cooked] Indian cuisine,” says Metsovas, “your physiology has a blueprint to metabolize foods in a certain way.” Both Metsovas and Bronee agree that a person’s digestive enzymes can slowly be ‘trained’ to tolerate raw foods, but both advise a cautious approach. “Transitioning to a raw food lifestyle should be treated as a process and not as an instant switch,” says Metsovas. “Beware of the detoxifying properties a live food diet is capable of producing.” Headaches, nausea, lightheadedness, and extreme cravings are all symptomatic of rapid detoxification and a good cue to take it slow. MORE ON THIS TOPIC IN FEB 2015 EDITION cx - january 2015 La Rich Interview 2015 Will be a most challenging year, but for those that set their goals ,be consistent and work hard towards making their dreams come true, it will be a year worth the challenges and achievements. One person we can say that stands out amongst the various communities today and definitely reflect passion, ambition and hard work Is Local aspiring Artist and Entrepreneur Mr Lucinda Audain better know as La Rich. Cultural Xpression News Letter got a chance to interview Ms La Rich in the cozy setting of the The Philipsburg Cultural Center… Surrounded by kids that share a true passion for their arts, it was hard to stay focus on the interview as the the kids rehearsed , moment by moment they stole your attention away by the expressions made by them through their art…. Lucinda Audain born and raised on the beautiful island of St Maarten grew up in the town area of the dutch side of that island, which we call philipsburg. ‘’Proud gyal from town ‘’ she couldn’t help but to mention that she was born at St Rose hospital an Arcade area where most of us today that are under 25 have minimum or no knowledge about…. Born of proud parents Mr Anthony Audain and Ms Sherly Richardson, Lucinda started sharing a passion for art at the tender age of 6. It didn’t stop there , as art was not the only passion she shared, La Rich always had a mind set for business even at a young age, from young she started exploring her entrepreneur skills, by selling chocolate, stickers or bracelets ect.. ‘’ I always had a a little side hustle ‘’ she explained.. As she grew older her love for arts and business also grew , she went to complete her studies in business management, but never but her love for the art on the side.. She made transition from being a civil servant in government, where she worked as a facility manager to dedicating more of her concentration to the arts… At that moment she started to work as a designer for an art decoration company for 2 year…. After gaining that experience she decided to take a grand step towards opening her own business which focuses on Creative arts, Culture and innovative concepts … After putting a few years of experience under her belt with a Local Art Event Decor company where she did marketing P10 , creative concepts, graphics and event decor for cooperate companies, she is now confident that she was heading in the right direction. as and individual in the local community pushing her own business.. Funtopia formally know as Body Arts By La Rich, is a concept that is now leaving its brand mark amongst various community and organization… Inspired by the first concept Body Arts By La Rich which focused on body art and face paintings for events, children parties, fashion show and carnival, Funtopia is a transition into a much more fun and cultural experience for kids and families by now including, clowns, stilt walkers and living statues to their menu… The Funtopia concept has been growing strong ever since 2012. One of our strengths Lucinda explained is that she never limits anyone on bringing an idea to the table ’’as artists , they all have something to offer’’. ‘’ There is a young man that i have had with me since he was a 13, now he is grown up , finished with high school and works for me full time, if they believe in their art the sky is the limit, you never let and one discourage you from your passion or goals’’ she explained. The focus became stronger for Lucinda after completing studies and trying to ficus on a direction… After taking a trip in 2010 to a body arts convention in Miami , she took it upon her she to grasp as much as she can pertain to the arts and business and brought it back to St Maarten.. Taking advantage of the different dimension within the arts and entertainment field, the Funtopia concept began continued on page 11 P11 cx - january 2015 la rich interview... to grow. ‘’It took us many years and transformations to build the brand to the point where we can say and be proud to be an N.V. Lucinda’s ambition continues to be inspired and motivated by want to lead the youths in a positive manner… ‘’ I get all my motivation and inspiration from the youths’’ Lucinda expressed, Kids think limitless, different to older heads, that may see things only one way, give the youths a concept and they run with it, always thinking outside the box and that is one of her biggest motivation… La Rich now spends most of her time working with the youths on developing new concepts with in the arts and entertainment field… ‘’I teach them as much as i can’’ lucinda added , we also take workshops on discipline, self motivation and responsibilities, because i know what it will take to get there.. ‘’I Iive as a testament to keep them motivated that they also can make a living off of their arts if they remain consistent and dedicated’’ she added. Another one of her biggest inspirations come from local artist Ruby Bute and Ms Clara Rayes, both locally know for their renowned work amount the various communities, Ms Bute has always encouraged me to never give up on my Arts and that one day once i continue to believe in my self, i will achieve my goals. La Rich continues to be inspired by every local artist that is working hard in which ever field they are in.. In 2015 La Rich plans to sharpen up all her previous services, she would also like to take a groups if kids if all goes well , to a creative arts convention over seas in Florida so that they may also have a chance to be inspired by a different environment… She also has plans to expand on a new creative concept called Dream Chasers which she didn’t mentioned to much From page 10 about , but just for us to know that as usual is all about the youths.. In the 2015 Funtopia will be expanding on its services, with new T Shirt concepts ect, They will be out and about throughout the various communities , raising funds through various family fund filled events to be able to obtain enough revenue to take the kids on the trips schedule for the upcoming months… La Rich said in her conclusion to cultural Xpression that ‘’ 2015 is a year for people to Discover Funtopia, they heard about us, they know us, but now it’s time of them to discover us’’.. For more information on how you can Discover Funtopia Visit FaceBook: La Rich TheArtist OR Funtopiasxm Cultural xpression Looks forward on bringing you more great interviews from Great Local Artist in the months to come… cx - january 2015 P12 P13 cx - january 2015 Benefits of Ecotourism There are many different benefits that can be derived from ecotourism if it is used as a tool by local communities rather than large outside interests. However, the results are a direct reflection of the motivation behind the project. Since these motivations are often mixed it follows that the results are often mixed too. The following article was originally published by USAID, an organization that helps fund various ecotourism projects in many non industrialized nations. USAID has it’s own unique problems and challenges but it’s an interesting article nonetheless. Win Win Approaches: Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation Whether called nature tourism or ecotourism, recreational and educational travel based on natural attractions is a promising means of advancing social, economic, and environmental objectives in developing countries. It offers countries new opportunities for small-enterprise investment and employment and increases the national stake in protecting their biological resources. However, making ecotourism a positive economic and environmental tool requires policies that foster responsible nature tourism development, broad-based and active local participation in its benefits, and conservation of developing countries’ biological heritage. The Problem Forest and marine habitats are being destroyed and some of the wildlife they contain is being driven to extinction under the pressures of hunting, logging, agriculture, and fishing. Where areas have been officially reserved for nature conservation, many developing coun- try governments lack sufficient funds to manage and protect them. These areas are being destroyed because they are not fully valued for their role as nature’s genetic reservoirs of the world’s biological resources. The Win Win Solution A recent USAID evaluation has identified ecotourism as an enterprise with potential positive contributions to the conservation of endangered biological resources. Contributions of ecotourism include raising local awareness about the value of biological resources, increasing local participation in the benefits of biodiversity conservation (through new sources of jobs and incomes), and generating revenues toward conservation of biologically rich areas. Wildlife and its habitats in developing countries are becoming increasingly popular attractions for international tourism. Many of the richest areas, biologically, are in the developing world. Growing numbers of ecotourists are flocking to the mountains of Nepal and Madagascar, the tropical forests of Costa Rica and Thailand, and the beaches of Belize and Sri Lanka. Nature tourists bring with them money to spend, money that creates jobs and incomes for households and communities in and around national parks and other protected areas. Ecotourism enterprises, tour agencies and guide services, lodges and private reserves as well as such satellite activities as crafts industries and transportation and food services, also generate revenues and foreign exchange. Governments can use this income in operating and protecting natural habitats. By recognizing the importance of protecting biological diversity, ecotourism is raising appreciation for biological re- sources and leading to better conservation practices by developing country populations. It must of course be properly regulated and managed to protect against adverse environmental and cultural effects that can come with overbuilding of tourist facilities and influx of populations around fragile ecosystems. Assuming such oversight, nature tourism can benefit both the environment and economic development. The Role of USAID USAID supports nature-based tourism activities as part of its biodiversity conservation programs in more than a dozen countries worldwide. The Agency’s ecotourism activities include support for developing national park systems, demarcating and equipping new national parks, recruiting and training park staff, and encouraging government reforms that promote regulated investments in private lodging, guide service, and other tourism ventures. The Agency’s involvement is recent, beginning in the mid-1980s, and the effect of these activities is only starting to emerge. USAID biodiversity conservation programs have demonstrated that potential local resistance to setting aside forest and fishing areas for conservation can often be softened by employment and income-producing opportunities ecotourism can generate. In Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Sri Lanka, USAID support led to the creation of entirely new wildlife parks that have begun to spawn tourism facilities around them. Tourist demand for food, lodging, souvenirs, educational materials, and guide and transportation services stimulates local investment, employment, and incomes. Costa Rica has introduced revenue retention arrangements to keep earnings from entrance fees for park operations; it awards contracts to local communities to operate food and souvenir concessions as a means of building local involvement in and commitment to park conservation. Costa Rica has also included a variable park entrance fee structure (charging higher fees to international tourists than to local visitors) to increase revenues. In Nepal, Madagascar, and Thailand, USAID has supported integrated conservation and development activities to promote new livelihoods including nature tourism based employment as alternatives to encroaching into protected national parks for hunting, logging, and farming. Engagement of local people in planning and conducting ecotourism activities has generated a new group of stakeholders with a vested interest in protecting parks. The new nature jobs depend on it. MORE ON THIS TOPIC IN FEB 2015 EDITION cx - january 2015 Save a Struggling Business: 8 Tips P14 people-related issue. Not financing, not capital: Employees, management, or owners. Somewhere along the way something broke and now there’s a disconnect between the owner’s concept and what people did with that concept. The problem may be entitlement, complacency, laziness, or ego. Eventually, between the reality of the marketplace and the company’s ability to act within that reality, something fractured until it was too late. Always start with people, because it’s always about people. Nearly every aspiring entrepreneur dreams about starting a company from scratch. Few dream of turning around a struggling business. Like a friend of mine. He’s wanted to own a business for years. I don’t blame him. He’s a brilliant operations guy. But there’s a problem. “I don’t know what kind of business to start,” he invariably says. That’s why he’s decided to buy a once thriving, now struggling business. Compared to a start-up the advantages are obvious: An established infrastructure, a certain level of market awareness, and at least some cash flow. Plus the one thing every start-up envies: Existing customers. Still, turning around a struggling business is far from easy. I asked Niels Juul, a partner at the brand recovery firm Nofatego, how he typically approaches a turnaround. Juul and his firm just finished a three-year turnaround and restructuring of Cecchi Gori Pictures, the film production company behind Oscar-winning movies like Life is Beautiful and Il Postino. (Named as temporary CEO, Juul was brought in to recover lost assets and restructure operations after years of mismanagement and fraud.) Here’s what Juul says about how to turn around a struggling business: Think like a firefighter. We feel often like firefighters; when we kick in the door we don’t know what’s going on inside. Usually the flames are bigger than we were told, and we walk in and don’t know if the house will collapse before we put out the fire. That’s because we’re often called when it’s almost too late. You may get the opportunity to buy a struggling company when it’s almost too late, too. Why? Raising the white flag is tough. Most people don’t want to admit they need help—much less that they’re failing. Everyone holds out hope, even to the end, so always assume the business is in worse shape than you were led to believe. Ignore the business plan. A business plan is often little better than a fantasy. On the other hand, a struggling company involves realities you can touch and feel. Maybe they had a plan and didn’t follow it. Or maybe the plan is totally unrealistic. I worked with a company that had burned through $8 million and had 600k in sales to show for it. They were operating under a business plan and a flawed model that would never ever fly. Often people go into businesses they don’t understand. Only spend time reviewing the business plan if that will help you identify why the business is struggling. Instead put all your attention on reality: Revenues, expenses, operations, cash flow... Focus on people. If a once-successful business is struggling, it’s almost always a Then assess the brand. That disconnect always manifests itself in one or two places: on the front end with the brand and sales, or on the back end in sourcing and operations. Maybe the brand has lost its core attraction or equity. Or maybe distribution can’t support the brand. Either way, when did that disconnect occur, and what was the reason? If it’s a brand problem, when did the company stop looking at new avenues for sales? Have they ignored international expansion? Lots of American companies underestimate the enormous potential overseas. We’ve done great things with American brands in Japan, China, Europe, etc, and in every case the owners underestimated or even ignored the opportunity. If a brand—or a business—once had value in the eyes of customers, it can recover that value, and that value can be extended, whether regionally, nationally, or internationally. Then assess operations. The main problem may lie with the brand, but ultimately the issue will be a question of operations, because if the wheels are not working the business is still a lost cause. CONTINUED IN FEBUARY 2015 EDITION P15 cx - january 2015 6 tips for daily fitness... From page 16 1. Give yourself at least 20 minutes per day for fitness and exercise. Although the time you spend on fitness and exercise may vary depending on the activities you perform, at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise (such as running, swimming, or basketball) is required for an optimal workout. 2. Set fitness goals. In most cases, goals will force you to establish a routine in order to meet those goals. For example, if your goal is to lose a certain amount of weight within a specific timeframe, you will more than likely have to exercise consistently on a daily basis to meet your weight goal. Consult with a certified fitness trainer or expert to help you set realistic fitness goals if you are unsure of the timeframe in which you can achieve your goals. 3. Choose a fitness activity you enjoy. You will be more likely to establish and adhere to a daily routine if you genuinely enjoy the activity you are performing. For example, if you enjoy playing a specific sport, join a team or league for that sport Choose a sport or fitness you enjoy. in your neighborhood or at a gym. 4. Perform short, less intense exercises in the beginning. If your routine is too strenuous or intense up front, you may dread exercising; however, if you feel comfortable and satisfied with your initial exercise routine, it may increase the likelihood of fitness becoming a permanent daily routine. Walk up and down flights of stairs instead of taking elevators or escalators, and park your automobile in the farthest spot away from your destination to increase your daily activity in the beginning. Work your way slowly up to your ex- No ragatta party in marigot ....From page 16 seriour fun with Heineken Rgatta Korteweg said the Collectivité’s budget had been approved in December 2014 but she had been told the Collectivité could not help. “What with everything that happened with budget costs last year there’s no way we can put in any extra money to finance the party on the French side. They did put us in the budget, but only for a certain amount and not the amount we requested to hold the party. And the late feedback didn’t help as we prepared as if we weren’t going. They did say what they could manage, but our plans were already made,” she said. She said the Tourism Office had offered 30,000 euros, but the request had been for a little more than double that amount. “It’s sad that we had to make that decision to cancel, but if we had done it and taken the risk without being able to afford it then you don’t have an event anymore. We have to make all sorts of adjustments to the event in order to remain the biggest and best and not blow up financially. We took a big hit in the budget on the Dutch side two months before the event last year, which was very dangerous and we just survived. It’s not getting any easier. We have to cut out all financial risks and this was one of them,” she said. She said the cancellation in no way would detract from the overall high quality of the regatta. While small businesses accustomed to having stands at the Marigot party will be disappointed, she said they could approach the organisers for the possibility of renting booths on the Dutch side during the regatta. – The Daily Herald ercise goals. For example, if you want to make running part of your daily fitness routine, start out by walking at a brisk pace until your body feels comfortable and ready for jogging or running. 5. Prepare your fitness equipment in advance. This will allow you to attend your workout without taking the extra time to prepare or pack your equipment, which can be helpful if your daily schedule is extremely busy. Pack your gym bag for the following day on a nightly basis, or keep your fitness equipment in your car or in a locker at the gym. 6. Take breaks as needed. If you exercise on a daily basis even on days when you are especially tired or sore, you may become resentful of your fitness routine and lose the motivation to work out. Allow your body to rest and recover 1 or 2 days per week. If you feel guilty about missing a workout, or want to maintain a routine even when you are tired, perform a milder activity such as housework or strolling around your neighborhood. Thunderz move into first.... From page 16 their record to 10-1. Second is Cash 4 Gold Lava Girls at 8-2. MGM Lightning is third at 6-4 and followed by Learning Unlimited at 1-9 and Bush Tea Remedy 1-10. Chantel Hodge was named Motorworld Player of the Game as she led Thunderz to a 52-25 victory over Bush Tea Remedy. Hodge had 21 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Salammbo Guibert - Soutade was good for 14 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and six steals. Sunday Joyette Lloyd had 13 points, 15 rebounds and four steals as she led Thunders to a 40-35 win over MGM Lightning and earned the Motorworld Player of the Game title. MGM took the early lead and was up 30-25 at the end of the third quarter. Lightning was led by Jamaiah Newton-Herbert with 17 Points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and four steals. Team mate Micaela Galva added six points, three rebounds and seven steals. In the early game Last week Sunday, Cash 4 Gold Lava Girls crushed Learning Unlimited 62-29. Three Lava Girls netted more the 15 points. Wendy Jack was named Motorworld Player of the Game with 17 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and seven steals. She was assisted by Diasha Ferdinand with 18 points and five steals and Selah Fleming with 19 points and seven rebounds. Jakisha Brooks had 14 points and 20 rebounds for Unlimited. Team mate Fabiana Richardson was good for 11 points and three assists. Games continue last Saturday with Bush Tea Remedy taking on MGM Lightning at 6:00pm and on Sunday MGM Lightning tip off against Learning Unlimited at 3;00pm followed at 5;00pm by the two top teams Cash 4 Gold Lava Girls versus Thunderz . Highlights and full games can be seen on the YouTube page www.youtube.com/walichibasketball. Little League School Tournament Runners are on the move as Leonard Connor blasted past Sister Borgia in the St. Maarten Little League School Tournament at the Stadium on Pond Island ealier thiis week . Leonard Connor won 15-5. Hector Hassell was the winning pitcher. Action continued later that afternoon as Methodist Agogic Center went up against Ruby Labega. The Daily Herald Little Leaguers have fun on the field - Photo The Daily Herald cx - january 2015 Thunderz move into first place in the Ladies Basketball Championship SUCKER GARDEN--Thunderz won both Last week Saturday and Sunday’s games to move into first place in the Walichi Basketball Association’s Ladies Basketball Championship which is sponsored by Motorworld & Jeep. Playing at the Melford Hazel Sport and Recreation Center Thunderz bested Bush Tea Remedy Saturday and MGM Lightning Sunday to improve continued on page 15 6 tips on how to How to Make Fitness a Daily Routine no party this year in marigot for regatta 2015 MARIGOT– Heineken Regatta Director Michele Korteweg confirmed Wednesday that there will not be a regatta party in Marigot this year, partly because the Collectivité is not able to meet the regatta budget increase required to hold the event and partly for logistical reasons. The traditional Saturday night party will instead be held on Kim Sha Beach. However, she stressed that the door was not closed to the French side, as the regatta intends to look at different ways to include and promote the French side. “Logistically it’s a lot easier to be located in one central location, so all starts and finishes will be in Simpson Bay,” she explained. “We got feedback also that moving boats around was not very easy, and if you don’t then you have to rely on taxis and accommodation for the crew, which was difficult, so that was something else we listened to. “Secondly, for several years now we have handed in proposals to the Collectivité explaining that the costs are significantly higher than the amount they sponsor. The Collectivité paid in the past, but now it has been taken over by the St. Martin Tourism Office since 2011. We’ve explained we can’t continue in this fashion unless they increase their budget because we end up partly financing the party in Marigot.” continued on page 15 P16 Adding fitness and exercise into your daily routine is an ideal way to benefit your health, especially after you have made fitness a consistent habit. When your life is busy enough as it is, and you already have a daily routine in place, the act of adding fitness into your life may seem complex. However, with the proper goals and mindset, you can take steps to make fitness a daily routine. Continue reading this article to learn about the many ways you can add exercise into your life and stay consis- tent with your fitness. 1. Designate a specific time for fitness. You can adhere to a routine if you set aside specific daily times for exercise. Without a scheduled timeframe, you may be more likely to stray from your daily fitness commitment. Choose a time that compliments your daily schedule. For example, if you join a gym located near your place of work, you can exercise early in the morning before you go to work, or in the afternoons or evenings following your work shift. continued on page 15 JACoNupo2n E0dit1io5n