Holiday Edition - 2009
ARAWAKROOTS NEWS
HOLIDAY EDITION
Vol.7; No.7
December 2009
ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI DAILY NEWS-11/17/09)- The thunderstorms that hit the Virgin Islands on 11/16 were actually part of a trough associated with a low-pressure system that used to be Hurricane Ida, according to the National Weather Service.
Ida formed almost 2 weeks ago in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, moved into the Gulf of Mexico, made landfall as a tropical storm in Alabama USA and weakened. Its remnants moved up the eastern coast of the US as a powerful "Nor'easter". Those remnants have drifted into the central Atlantic Ocean. St. Thomas and St. John received over 4 inches of rain with St. Croix receiving over 2 inches. Flash flooding occurred in those areas that typically see it during heavy rains. Cyril King Airport on St. Thomas had flooding in the main terminal causing flight delays.
ST. THOMAS, USVI (VI DAILY NEWS-11/12/09)- A group of taxpayers have asked the Public Services Commission to reconsider its approval of the power purchase agreement between the Water & Power Authority (WAPA) and Alpine Energy Group. In October, the PSC approved 2-20 year agreements for waste and petroleum coke energy plants Alpine plans to build in the territory. (See Vol.7 #6 for more details.)
Because the deal between Alpine and WAPA ultimately will affect the ratepayer, the PSC was charged with ensuring that the deal will save money in the long run. At the series of public hearings held, many residents spoke of their concerns, particularly the large number of unknown costs that may be passed on to them. The problem with the agreement is the high economic risk involved. Included in those risks are construction cost overruns, fluctuating petroleum coke prices, and special incentives to get Alpine to burn more trash than pet coke. Stricter regulation of carbon emissions in the future could end up costing the ratepayer. Pet coke is 80% carbon and one of the highest emitters of CO2. The agreement makes WAPA responsible for any penalties or upgrades needed because of new regulations. Alpine Energy President James Beach said the provisions to protect Alpine are standard and necessary to obtain financing for the $440 million project. The PSC was not charged with considering the environmental impact of the project. The project must still jump several hurdles- the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers being 2 of them- before construction can begin.
ST. THOMAS, USVI (VI DAILY NEWS- 11/12/09)- The brown pelican has made its way back from the brink of extinction and has been removed from the endangered species list. Known for its swooping and diving for fish in the Caribbean's turqoise waters, the brown pelican provides an essential element to the Virgin Islands experience.
Photo courtesy Denise Beal
The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that there are 650,000 brown pelicans in the US, Caribbean and Latin America today. They were listed as endangered in 1970 after pelicans were discovered dying from eating fish laced with the pesticide DDT. The species began to recover after DDT was banned in 1972. Past efforts to protect the brown pelican led to the birth of the National Wildlife Refuge System more than a century ago. Paul Kroegel, appalled by the slaughter of pelicans for their feathers, approached President Theodore Roosevelt who later created the first National Wildlife Refuge at Pelican Island in Florida in 1903. Kroegel was named the first refuge manager and today the system has grown to 550 refuges. The agency has developed a post-delisting plan which is designed to monitor the pelican for the next 10 years. The plan is based on tracking colonies and nesting pairs at breeding grounds. If a decline in the colonies is observed, Fish and Wildlife will investigate the causes and can even re-list the brown pelican on the Endangered Species List. Although the brown pelican has been removed from the list, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Lacey Act will continue to protect the bird, its nests and its eggs.
KINGSTOWN, ST. VINCENT (BBC/CARIBBEAN- 10/26/09)- Food prices remain stubbornly high in the Caribbean even as countries wrestle with increasing food production. Island nations are being urged to produce much more than they are. A new report from Great Britain's Royal Society is warning that the world must increase food production by 50% by 2050, when the population is expected to reach 9 billion.
A combination of changing diets, growing population, demand for farmland for biofuels, and high energy prices have stoked food prices and renewed interest in agriculture. St. Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves is among those worried by prices in local markets. "I can't understand how ripe bananas in Kingstown Market are more expensive than in supermarkets in London.", he said in reference to the fact that the fruit is produced locally. Gonsalves said that his country's food bill last year was almost $70 million(US). He stated that a Taiwan-backed program of agricultural diversification was bearing fruit, with St. Vincent now self-sufficient in pork production as one example of progress. In Barbados, the government is considering establishing its own bulk import agency to bring down the cost of imported food. CARICOM's total import food bill has been estimated at US$3.5 billion.
Editor's Note: In the article that follows, when the reporter refers to "skunk" cannabis, I believe she is speaking of Cannabis Indica as opposed to Cannabis Sativa.
LONDON, UK (BBC NEWS- 12/4/09)- People who smoke potent skunk cannabis are more at risk of psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia than those who use other types of cannabis, scientists suspect. According to new research, regular users more than double their risk of psychosis, with the increase in the levels of THC being the primary culprit. The authors of the research- published in the British Journal of Psychiatry- were quick to stress that their work is merely to inform. They point out that drug use accounts for only 10-15% of cases of psychotic illness. But they say Cannabis, particularly skunk, should be considered a potential health hazard in a similar way to alcohol. When doctors at the Institute of Psychiatry screened 280 patients admitted with psychotic symptoms for the first time, they found most- nearly 80%- were heavy skunk users. Unlike skunk, hashish- cannabis resin- contains substantial quanities of another chemical called cannibidiol. Research suggests this can act as an antidote to high concentrations of THC. Experts are concerned because skunk cannabis has come to dominate the cannabis market in recent years.
CARIBBEAN NEWS BRIEFS from the BBC/CARIBBEAN:
ROSEAU, DOMINICA- Hundreds of angry residents from the community of Layou brought traffic to a 7 1/2 hour standstill as they protested about health problems being caused by a nearby French quarrying company, Emile Gaddarkhan et fils. They are also protesting the proposed opening of an asphalt plant, which the MP for the area said the company has not been given permission. ST. JOHNS, MONTSERRAT- There are plans to launch a long-term ferry service between Antigua and Montserrat beginning in January. The 100-seat ferry will be jointly owned by the governments of the 2 islands. The vessel is due to sail from Southampton UK to St. Thomas VI this month. In the meantime, Montserrat is introducing temporary ferry service for December to cope with increased travel during the holiday season. SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- Sceintists say that lower-than-feared sea temperatures over the past few months have given a break to fragile coral reefs across the Caribbean that have been severely damaged in recent years. Unusually warm sea temperatures causes the organisms that make up coral to expel the colourful algae they co-exist with, creating "bleaching", eventually causing death. At a meeting of the US Coral Reef Task Force here, one scientist stated: "We dodged a bullet this year."
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
KINGSTON, JAMAICA (JA OBSERVER- 11/1/09)- Newly-appointed managers of the Peter Tosh estate plan to resurrect the late reggae legend's slumping royalties via a marketing campaign invoving albums, apparel, internet, film, TV and video game exposure. JAM INC. will release a Tosh album next year and is currently focusing on building an official website and creating pages on Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites. It will also align Tosh's image and philosophy with human rights organisations.
Jam Inc. is also acquiring the services of 7 different marketing companies- including US-based ROCKET SCIENCE- to increase the presence of Tosh in various media. Peter Tosh is arguably the most important reggae star after Bob Marley. However, while Marley dominates the charts and has an incomparable online popularity, this eludes Tosh. Jam Inc. blames poor marketing for his waning influence, particularly among teenagers. With Tosh's masters in the hands of 5 different labels, releasing albums will require cooperation. Negotiations are in the works with Sony surrounding the albums "Legalize It" and "Equal Rights". Jam Inc. also manages the estates of rock icons The Doors and Janis Joplin.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA (AP- 11/1/09)- Bob Marley's heirs are plunging into the global trademark wars, seeking to enforce their exclusive rights to an image that has grown steadily since Marley's death in 1981. The Marley name, look and sound are estimated to generate $600 million a year in sales of unlicensed wares. Legal sales generated a mere $4 million in 2007.
The family has hired Toronto-based Hilco Consumer Capital to protect their rights to the brand. The turn to big business has stirred some grousing from die-hard fans in Internet chat rooms, who say it goes against the grain of a singer who preached non-materialism and popularised the Rasta credo of oneness with nature. However, a representative of the Bobo Ashanti Order- a Rastafarian community- stated in an e-mail release: "Bob Marley was and still is a stepping stone for many around the world who seek Rastafari roots and culture. We can only hope and pray for the family's success, as the task seems insurmountable due to the years of piracy and counterfeiting." The family says it cares less about moving merchandise than about preserving the patriarch's legacy. "People need to know what they're getting is from the Marley movement", said Rohan Marley as he showed the AP around his organic coffee farm, whose product is dried, roasted and packaged in bags emblazoned with Marley song titles such as One Love and Misty Morning.
(Editor's Note: Marley Organic Coffee can be purchased by clicking on the "ReggaeNetLink" icon on our Home Page. You'll find the Marley Coffee icon towards the bottom of their Home Page.)
MUSIC REVIEWS:
compiled by Pato
RAS ZACHARRI- HERBSMAN
Just released on Shem Ha Boreh Records, Ras Zacharri's debut album HERBSMAN is a blessing. A perfect mix of roots reggae and dancehall stylings, the album consists of 15 solid tracks, with Luciano, Gregory Isaacs and Natty King lending vocal support on various tracks. From the opening 30-second intro, you sit up and take notice, and not just for Zacharri's powerful voice. I could hear from the start the production and engineering values- it sounded in perfect balance. The harmony vocals are as up front in the mix as any of the instruments and play a crucial role in conveying each of the songs messages ("Dem A Fight I" and "We Survive" stand out). As the album played on, I noticed there were no boom-boom, wah-wah guitar solo's- nothing like that. And there was no need- each song said what it had to say and got out of the way for the next one. "Jah Reign" revives a classic reggae bass-line and breathes new life into Jamaican Dub. "Knock Knock" is a sweet Lovers Rock with Gregory's voice adding the perfect backdrop. Speaking of featured vocalists- Luciano's cameo on "River Jordan" is a perfect blend with Zacharri's chants and the message of the lyrics. The messages for the youth in "Gun Boom and Bullets" and "Too Much Youths A Die" are not gentle exhortations, but messages to be heeded. The Binghi Mix of "Dem A Fight I" proves the song's worthy in any genre. And the Dubs that round out the album are pure engineering artistry- homages to the masters of Jamaican Dub. The album is mixed and mastered at Anchor Recording Studio in Jamaica. Head to our Music Store to hear more samples after I entice you with "River Jordan" below.
River Jordan-Ras Zacharri w/Luciano
CARLTON LIVINGSTON/ECHO MINOTT
Over the summer I mentioned, right here on this page, the 7" vinyl release on Uniteam Records by 2 household names in the annals of reggae music- Carlton Livingston and Echo Minott. If you never got the chance to mosey over to Uniteam's website (it was summer after all), let me get you caught up: Carlton Livingston has recorded for legendary producers and his classic album "100 Weights Of Collie Weed" is still distributed by Greensleeves Records. His work with Sir Coxsone- Why, Here I Stand, Predictions, etc.- were on many different labels like Channel One and Bull Whackies. Echo Minott released his first album at age 17 working with Prince Jammy. His album with George Pheng, "Echo Minott Meets Sly & Robbie" is classic. His first #1 Jamaican single- Love Problems- was produced by Joe Gibb. His singles with Jammys label- Original Fat Thing, What The Hell, etc.- were Jamaican hits. Flash forward to now, with the UNITEAM ALL-STARS producing a classic reggae riff and bringing 2 legendary vocalists into the studio to dub their latest vocal styling over top and you've got the classic "Mix Up Maggie/Summertime".
Carlton Livingston-Mix Up Maggie sample
Echo Minott-Summertime sample
MOSAIC FOUNDATION
Led by the soul-stirring vocals of Laura "Eva Bless" Haykel, this 9-piece(!) roots band from Rochester,NY blasts the power of a 3-piece horn section, a strong rhythm foundation and some tasty guitar licks and mixes in lyrics sometimes of social justice ("We Stand Strong", "Solutions"), sometimes easy-breezy lovers rock ("The Long Way Home") to easily prove that-"yeh, Rochester Rocks!" The double-whammy of having a live horn section and a strong female vocalist (a rarity these days), makes this band a must see. Already opening for acts as diverse as Toots and the Maytals, Rebelution, and John Brown's Body makes it a sure bet they'll be coming your way soon!
Mosaic Foundation-The Long Way Home sample
JUAKALI
My man JuaKali has had a busy, busy year. Bouncing coast-to-coast, producing 2 of his own phenominal EP's (BreakGround and Come From Yard) and appearing on trend-setting DJ's albums from around the world (Sub Swara's Coup D'Yah, Kush Arora's Dread Bass Chronicles, Other Weapons' Basis To Break This, and various Babylon Station singles), he is now preparing (with a little help from his friends) his next video project for his song "Dem City". Directed by Cory Shaw, the story goes something like this: JuaKali's music and lyrics open up a dimension that turns the city into a surreal landscape of all the evils of Babylon. His soundpower protects and guides him through the treachery....Whew, can't wait for this one!
JuaKali-New Cycle sample
JuaKali-Dem City sample
RANKIN & SMOKES - The HAPPY LIFE RIDDIM
Direct from St. Lucia, Mezzo Forte Records released this installment of their "Riddim Vendor Series" in October. Alot like The Uniteam All-Stars, RANKIN & SMOKES (Rankin Morgan and Irvine Springer) had produced a great riddim and searched out St. Lucia's best vocalists to each add their "vision" to the track. The Happy Life Riddim fuses rock guitar and sudden pop overtones with a signature dancehall bass-line that gives each vocalist room to express their ideas full on. Although Louis Dan, Mac 11, and Pizo appear on the EP, featured here is Bounty Hype/Baby Blue's version, "Up In The VIP".
Bounty Hype feat. Baby Blue-Up In The VIP sample
A Holiday Gift from ArawakRoots News:
Check our FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD page Dec. 24-25 for a special treat.
CARIBBEAN HOLIDAY CULTURE:
This article and recipe came from the ST. JOHN TRADEWINDS and was submitted by Eliza Magro: SEASONAL SORREL
You may have seen sorrel juice on sale during the Holiday season as it is a common beverage in the Caribbean and West Indies during this time of year. Caribbean Sorrel, an annual herb- as opposed to the perennial European Sorrel- is a tropical fruit cultivated and harvested. It can grow to 7 feet with flowering branches. It begins flowering in October and is ready for harvesting in late November. One can often find the red, fresh sorrel flowers for sale in December, while the rest of the year it is most commonly sold dried. Sorrel Juice is easy to make and has a fruity taste. 5-6 one-inch slices of Ginger
1 cup dried sorrel petals
1 tablespoon of Cloves
Brown Sugar Syrup (1 cup water + 1 lb. brown sugar boiled together)
Orange Peel for flavor (optional)
Dark Rum (optional) 1.Let cut ginger sit for 2-3 hours. The longer it sits, the stronger it becomes.
2.Boil ginger in 2 qts. of water.
3.Once water is boiling, add sorrel, cloves and orange peel.
4.Boil for 30 minutes.
5.Cover tightly and steep over-night.
6.Strain and add sugar syrup and rum to taste.
7.Chill and serve. As seen from this recipe, a juice or a rum drink can be made with this flavorful flower. Sorrel liquid should be juicy and syrupy after chilling. If it is too syrupy, dilute it with water or club soda. The strong color of sorrel juice, which is also used as a natural food coloring, is also excellent for frostings. With its orange and clove flavors, it is like a Caribbean-style mulled cider. It gives off a wonderful aroma while boiling and is simple to make. Although it really is a seasonal beverage due to its harvest time and considered a holiday treat, experiment with it. In the meantime, enjoy this spiced, fruity drink!
If you need to make something quick for a Holiday gathering, check out this uniquely Caribbean recipe:
CANNED BISCUIT MONKEY BREAD 3 (7.5 oz.) cans of country-style biscuits (Note: If you use the 16-oz. cans of larger biscuits, such as Home-Style Grands, cut into quarters instead of halves)
1/2 cup of sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter
1 cup of light brown sugar, lightly packed.
1 Bundt Pan 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.Open 1 can of biscuits and separate into individual pieces. Combine sugar and 1-1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a bowl and stir until well-combined.
3. Cut each biscuit in half and toss in the cinnamon sugar, coating completely.
4. Pile coated biscuit pieces in a bundt pan. (Pile them in an even layer, but don't worry about spaces between the pieces.)
5.Sprinkle half the walnuts into the pan. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar over that.
6.Continue with second can of biscuits, ending with remaining walnuts and more sprinkled cinnamon sugar.
7.Finish with the final can and any remaining sugar.
8. Place butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until melted. Bring to a boil and boil 1 minute.
9.Pour hot syrup evenly around the biscuit pieces in the bundt pan
10.Place in oven and bake 40 minutes.
11. Remove from pan and let stand for 10 minutes. To Remove: Run a knife around the outer edges and the center tube of the pan. Place a plate on top, invert the cake onto the plate and remove the pan. Serve warm. (Can be wrapped in foil and reheated before serving.)
Pato's Holiday Tip:
Be sure to have plenty of Trinidad Charlie's Hot Pepper Sauce on hand, especially the West Indies Pumpkin flavour. It will heat up the coldest nights!
At this auspicious time of year, I am reminded of these words credited to Jesus. The passage comes from one of the so-called heretical Gospels- the Gospel of St. Thomas, Verse 28:
"Jesus said, 'I took my stand in the midst of the world, and in flesh I appeared to them. I found them all drunk, and I did not find any of them thirsty. My soul ached for the children of humanity, because they are blind in their hearts and do not see. For they came into the world empty, and they also seek to depart from the world empty. They are drunk. When they shake off their wine, then they will change their ways.' "
Happy Holy Days from ArawakRoots News!
09/3/2010
"But , 'Man can not live by bread alone'. Man , after all , is also composed
of intellect and soul. Therefore , education must aim to provide beyond the
physical - food for the intellect and soul. That education which ignores man's
intrinsic nature and neglects his intellect and reasoning power cannot be
considered true education".
H.I.M. Haile I Selassie I
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