Monthly Archives: August 2017

There is the potential for two tropical systems, one in the Atlantic and one in the Caribbean, to slowly develop and drift westward over the next week.

The next two names on the list of tropical storms in the Atlantic for 2017 are Franklin and Gert.

Residents and those planning vacations around the Caribbean should closely monitor the weather and forecasts.

Up to this point in the season, there have been extensive areas of dry air and Saharan dust as well as a large zone of strong westerly winds aloft. These three factors act as a strong deterrent toward tropical storm formation and can bring an early demise to well-developed tropical storms and hurricanes.

Conditions are gradually becoming more favorable for development in the tropical Atlantic with dry air, dust and strong winds aloft on the retreat. Waters are sufficiently warm over the region.

One system, dubbed 90L, is located close to South America over the south-central Caribbean and is the more immediate concern of the two.

"In the short-term, the close proximity to South America will be a significant inhibiting factor for development," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll.

"However, once this system moves away from South America, it will have a better chance for development sometime this weekend," Doll said.

Depending on the track and speed of strengthening of 90L, some of the islands and mainland areas may be affected by adverse conditions and perhaps localized flooding.

An immediate concern for torrential downpours, gusty thunderstorms and building seas will be in northwestern Venezuela, northern Colombia, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao through Saturday.

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As 90L grows in size, the risk of flooding downpours, gusty winds and rough seas may affect Jamaica late Saturday night and Sunday.

Westerly steering winds may bring 90L close over Nicaragua and Honduras later this weekend.

While this track would mark an end for strengthening, the two nations could be affected by damaging and dangerous conditions from flooding and gusty winds.

Should 90L take a more northwesterly track, toward the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, it would have more time for development and may then wander into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico next week.

The system farthest away from North America, dubbed 99L, has the potential to gradually develop into next week and beyond, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll.

"Nintey-nine L could become a tropical depression by the end of the weekend," Doll said.

Provided the system avoids strong winds aloft and dry air to the north, significant additional strengthening could occur.

If 99L develops and/or survives, then it is likely approach the Windward and Leeward islands during the middle to latter part of next week. Parts of these islands are likely to experience an uptick in showers and thunderstorms at the very least during that time.

The exact track of 99L in relation to the proximity to the islands will depend on how quickly the system strengthens. A weak and poorly organized system is more likely to track to the west. A developed system is more likely to track north of west.

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Caribbean, East Atlantic may spawn tropical threats in coming days - AccuWeather.com

Caribbean Hoopfest, an international youth basketball festival, is approaching its third year in the beautiful island of Jamaica. This years showcase will be held at the Montego Bay Community College in Jamaica from August 16-21.

Aside from Jamaica, the list of countries that are slated to partake include Trinidad, Canada and the United States. While all players arrive on the 16th, when they will partake in a variety of community and social events, the action on the hardwood starts on Friday, August 18. The itinerary aims to balance competition, entertainment and culture immersion.

An event that originated with four teams has grown to over 12 squads and hundreds of visitors from across the world. Featured players for the 2017 Caribbean Hoopfest include Brandon Jacobs and Loseni Kamara. The Queens native duo will be entering college this on full scholarships, with Kamar attending The University of Idaho and Jacobs attending Pace University.

Caribbean Hoopfest founder Donald Francois had a vision of bringing corporate resources to an underserved region. And so while uniting the global community he partnered with ADIDAS, the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second largest in the world.

RISING STARS, a non-profit organization is also assisting with the Caribbean Hoopfest initiative. The organization is dedicated to building communities and creating more balanced individuals, which directly align with the goals and mission of the Caribbean Hoopfetto assist in the development of life skills through basketball.

Both organizations recognized Francois vision and ever since have supported the idea of uniting the global community by Bringing the Worlds Together to teach, educate and converge the youth.

This unique event focuses on strengthening morale amongst the athletes, as well as their families, local business owners, community leaders and vendors, whom have all been impacted by the annual showcase.

Our goal has always been to promote growth and culture and this is our best way to do it, says Francois.

Robins Nest Childrens Home, an orphanage in Jamaica, recently partnered with the Hoopfest outreach program. Proceeds from numerous fundraisers will be presented to Danielle Stryka, the Director of Robins Nest.

Francois is also the boys freshman basketball assistant coach at Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, Queens.

At Molloy, hes coached and mentored current Division I prospects Cole Anthony, Moses Brown and Khalid Moore. In addition to his wide range of community projects, he is also the Director of TEAM NYC, an emerging AAU boys travel organization founded in 2012.

In Francois own words, the commitment is not limited to basketball; Its a commitment for life.

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2017 Caribbean Hoopfest Slated for August 16-21 in Montego Bay, Jamaica - SLAM Online

GENEVA, Switzerland (CMC) Two United Nations agencies say, among global countries, the Caribbean has failed to fully meet the recommended standards for breastfeeding.

According to a new report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Global Breastfeeding Collective a new initiative to increase global breastfeeding rates only 40 per cent of children younger than six months are breastfed exclusively given nothing but breastmilk and only 23 countries have exclusive breastfeeding rates above 60 per cent.

The Global Breastfeeding Scorecard, which evaluated 194 nations, finds that breastfeeding has cognitive and health benefits for both infants and their mothers.

It is especially critical during the first six months of life, helping prevent diarrhoea and pneumonia, two major causes of death in infants, the report says. Mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer, two leading causes of death among women.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director general, said breastfeeding gives babies the best possible start in life.

Breastmilk works like a baby's first vaccine, protecting infants from potentially deadly diseases and giving them all the nourishment they need to survive and thrive, he said.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said the scorecard was released at the start of World Breastfeeding Week, alongside a new analysis demonstrating that an annual investment of only US$4.70 per newborn is required to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding among children under six months to 50 per cent by 2025.

Nurturing the Health and Wealth of Nations: The Investment Case for Breastfeeding suggests that meeting this target could save the lives of 520,000 children under the age of five and potentially generate US$300 billion in economic gains over 10 years, as a result of reduced illness and health care costs and increased productivity, according to PAHO.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective and cost-effective investments nations can make in the health of their youngest members and the future health of their economies and societies, said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. By failing to invest in breastfeeding, we are failing mothers and their babiesand paying a double price: in lost lives and in lost opportunity.

PAHO said the investment case shows that in five of the world's largest emerging economies China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Nigeria the lack of investment in breastfeeding results in an estimated 236,000 child deaths per year and US$119 billion in economic losses.

Globally, investment in breastfeeding is far too low, said PAHO, stating that, each year, governments in lower- and middle-income countries, such as some in the Caribbean, spend about US$250 million on breastfeeding promotion, with donors providing only an additional US$85 million.

The Global Breastfeeding Collective has called on Caribbean and other countries to increase funding to raise breastfeeding rates from birth through two years.

It has also called on countries to fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions through strong legal measures that are enforced and independently monitored by organisations free from conflicts of interest.

Additionally, the Global Breastfeeding Collective urges countries to enact paid family leave and workplace breastfeeding policies, building on the International Labor Organization's maternity protection guidelines as a minimum requirement, including provisions for the informal sector.

The Global Breastfeeding Collective wants countries to implement the 'Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding' in maternity facilities including providing breastmilk for sick and vulnerable newborns and improve access to skilled breastfeeding counselling as part of comprehensive breastfeeding policies and programmes in health facilities.

Breastfeeding is critical for the achievement of many of the [UN's] Sustainable Development Goals [SDG], PAHO said. It improves nutrition (SDG2), prevents child mortality, and decreases the risk of non-communicable diseases (SDG3), and supports cognitive development and education (SDG4).

Breastfeeding is also an enabler to ending poverty, promoting economic growth, and reducing inequalities, it added.

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UN agencies say Caribbean fails to fully meet recommended standards for breastfeeding - Jamaica Observer

JONESBORO The Caribbean Association of Georgia Inc. is hosting its 8th Annual South Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival on Aug. 19.

The festival, presented by Clayton County Board of Commission Chairman Jeff Turner, will be held at the Clayton County International Park, 2300 Ga. Highway 138, from 1 to 8 p.m. The event will celebrate Caribbean American heritage.

The CAG festival will feature a lineup of entertainers including dancers, singers, musicians, stilt performers and spoken word artists. Visitors will have the chance to taste authentic Caribbean food and children can play in the CAG Kids Zone. Free medical screenings will also be available.

The Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival provides a family friendly atmosphere that highlights the rich contributions of the Caribbean American community. Each year, the Caribbean Association of Georgia shares the spirit and economic power of Atlantas Caribbean American community. This years celebration in Clayton County will help support CAGs ongoing international humanitarian efforts and local social impact programs.

Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available, but space is limited. For more information about the South Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival and the work of CAG visit http://www.caribbeangeorgia.org.

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South Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival planned for Aug. 19 - News-Daily.com

Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)

Royal Caribbean tests Diamond drink redemption change Royal Caribbean Blog (blog) Onboard Majesty of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Blog reader Nick Vitani shared this photo of a notice given to guests who are at least Diamond level in Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society. The note advises guests that a pilot program is in effect, ...

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Royal Caribbean tests Diamond drink redemption change - Royal Caribbean Blog (blog)