Florida Organization of Jamaicans (FOJ) Provides Relief to Alligator Pond Primary School

Florida Organization of Jamaicans recently completed a project benefiting Alligator Pond Primary School in Jamaica. FOJ donated to Two (2) 20 foot containers which were converted to a class room for computer training. FOJ also presented a check for J$ 210,000.00 to help with furnishing. FOJ also replaced the schools refrigerator in the canteen at a cost of J$60,000.00. Mr. Joseph Rhoden of Antilles Freight & Shipping donated the shipping of the refrigerator.

FOJ wishes to thank the following persons for their support in the project: Mr. Robert Bell, Seaboard Marine Shipping; Mr Charlie Johnson, Jamaica Freight & Shipping; Mr. George Crimarco, P.A.; Mr. John O Minott, CD. JP, Jamaica Standard Products; and persons in the community who contributed cash, and purchased raffle tickets. For more information on upcoming projects and the work of the FOJ, please contact Norma Bancroft, Florida Organization Of Jamaicans, email, [email protected]

Caricom Consuls General visit Florida Governor Charlie Crist

A delegation of Consuls General representing the CARICOM member countries in Florida State met with the Governor, Charlie Crist on October 25 at the State Capitol office in Tallahassee. The team headed will be headed by Jamaica’s Consul General, Ricardo Allicock, who is also chair of the CARICOM Diplomatic Corp in South Florida. Other Consuls General include, Mr. Edward Bushell of Barbados, Ms. Alma Adams of Bahamas, Mr. Gerard Greene, Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Ralph Latortue, Haiti and Mr. Ian Sweeney of Antigua.

Discussions included shared interests in trade, technical cooperation, especially in the area of law enforcement, education initiatives, and matters of immigration and community development. Discussions also focused on environmental management with emphasis on cooperation in disaster preparedness and ways to partner in cutting edge approach to coastal management.

For more information on feedback from the meeting, contact, Cheryl Wynter, JIS officer, Consulate of Jamaica, 305-374-8384.

Body Nation Dance Theatre Seeks Financial Community Support for United Nations Performance

Body Nation Dance Theatre, a renowned local dance and performing arts community organization, has been invited to perform at the United Nation’s Assembly Hall in New York City on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 6:00 P.M. presenting “CULTURAL EXPRESSION”. This is a special opportunity for the group. The organization is in need of community support to underwrite associated costs of the including meals, transportation and costumes for 20 dancers for this special dance performance celebrating 20 Years of Dance. BNDT is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Performing Dance Theater that has provided dance instruction to South Florida community since 1987. With a year round dance program that encourages growth and achievement by educating children ages three and up in the art of culture and dance. To support their efforts, please contact Marie Minto at (954) 394-2892 or Email [email protected] or mail any financial support to 17466 SW 29th Street, Miramar, FL 33029

Broward County Library Honors Captain Barrington Irving, Jr., O.D. With Bridge Naming

On Saturday, October 27, 2007, the Broward County African- American Research Library and Cultural Center, the City of Lauderdale Lakes, and the City of Lauderhill will honor the accomplishments of Barrington Irving, the world’s youngest global aviator. At 9:00 am, the City of Lauderdale Lakes will dedicate a bridge in his honor at the Park Lakes Elementary School, 3925 N. State Road 7. From there, a motorcade will proceed to the African American Research Library and Cultural Center/Rev. Samuel Delevoe Park complex located at 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard (NW 6 Street), Fort Lauderdale. The motorcade will be greeted by the community and marching bands. At 11:00 am in Delevoe Park, Irving will share his adventures with attendees. His autographed flight suit and robotic equipment used in the operation of airplanes will be on display in the library. The motorcade will begin at 10 am from NW 36 Street and State Road 7 in Lauderdale Lakes, and proceed south on State Road 7/441 to NW 19 Street; east on NW 19 Street to NW 31 Avenue; south on NW 31 Avenue to Sistrunk Boulevard; east on Sistrunk Boulevard, and end at the Rev. Samuel Delevoe Park/African American Research Library and Cultural Center complex. The public is welcome. For more information, call Alicia Antone, 954-625-2807, [email protected]

Jamaican PhD Candidate Seeks Research on Jamaican Eating Habits

University of South Florida PhD Candidate, Carol Williams-Oladele, is conducting research on the eating Jamaican eating habits. Do you eat more stew peas than fresh fruit or more hardo-bread than multi-grain breads? Your input is needed. The purpose of the Jamaicans Migrating to the United States (JAMUS) Study is to get an idea of what Jamaicans living in Florida are eating. She is interested in finding out your food preferences since migration to the US and she only needs 1 hour of your time to talk about your favorite foods. To be eligible you must: (1) Be Jamaican born (2) Have lived in the US for at least 1 year; (3) Be between 25-64 years of age; (4) Current resident of Broward County. If you are interested in participating or more information, please contact Carol Williams-Oladele at 813-974-2951 or email [email protected]

Upcoming Events of Note – SAVE THE DATES

Saturday, October 27, 2007, 9am

Bridge Naming in Honor of Barrington Irving (see above)

Saturday, October 27, 11am

4th Annual Minority Mentoring Law Picnic

Amelia Earhardt Park

For more information – go to www.kttlaw.com/picnic

Sunday, October 28, 2007, 4pm

Christian Awareness Association Inc. Gospel Concert

City of Lauderdale Lakes Auditorium

4300 NW 36th St., Lauderdale Lakes

Donation: $10 Adults; $5 Kids (Ages 5-10)

MC: Dr. Marcia Magnus

Featuring: Rod Spence; Three – 16 – First Baptist Church Of Plantation; Praise & Worship Team – Abundant Life Ministry; Maurice Bryan; Jean Powell; Holly Bowen

Proceeds To Benefit The Holy Rosary Church, Kingston, Jamaica

For more information, call 954-974-8453

Thursday, November 1, 7:30pm

An Evening of Elegance

A Formal Black Tie five star dining

With Ms Lisa Rene Hanna, Member of Parliament (South East St. Ann, Jamaica)

Miss World 1993

At The Private members only Havana Club

Wachovia Financial Center building

200 S Biscayne Boulevard, 55th Floor, Miami, Florida 33131

Contribution of $500 per couple

Proceeds benefiting Garden Parish heritage foundation in St. Ann, Jamaica

RSVP and information: 954.709.8472, 954.573.2323 or 754.234.2324

Jamaica Business & Legal Link Town Hall Meeting Series

Presented by: Jamaica United Relief Association (JURA)

Starting November 2nd

Willie Webb Centre

3601 NW 21st St., Lauderdale Lakes, 12 Noon – 6pm

Meeting Includes: Jamaica Passport Renewal; US Passport Services; US Citizenship Drive; Voter Registration; Meet Staff Members of Jamaica’s Administrator General; Meet Attorneys From Jamaica to discuss legal needs on: Probate * Wills * Conveyance Matters * Late Name Entry Deed Poll * Birth, Death & Marriage Certificates

JURA will be collecting donated school supplies and toys for distribution in the hurricane affected areas of Jamaica

For more information: Contact Vonnie McGowan at 954-437-6987 or 954-987-3489

Saturday, November 3, 2007, 10am

Kids In Science (K.I.S.) Club

2nd Annual Community Science & Technology Fair

Presented by: Eric J. Hammond, P.E. Jim Ward Community Center

301 N.W. 46 Avenue, Plantation

Project Display: 10AM – 1PM; Judging & Ranking: 1PM – 4PM

ADMISSION: FREE

For more information contact: (954) 327-7203 or (954) 804-3681

Saturday, November 3rd, 8pm

Cornwall College Alumni Assoc. Inc. Dinner Dance

Sheraton Ft. Lauderdale Airport Hotel

1825 Griffin Rd., Dania Beach

Admission: $60

Music by: DJ YoYo

For more information contact: Lance Gibbs 754-368-5532

Sunday, November 4, 3pm-10pm

Jamaica Aid Concert, A Reggae Charity Benefit

Presented by: Jamaica Children’s Heart Fund, Inc.

Ft. Lauderdale Stadium, Commercial Blvd.

Donation $11 adv. $15@gate includes raffle entry

Children 12 yrs & under free

Live Performances by local and international Reggae Artists

Aid to help the people of Jamaica devastated by Hurricane Dean

Proceeds will go towards Food for the Poor, Inc.

For more information call: 305-603-444

Friday, November 9, 6pm

Jamaican Art Show & Exhibition

Benefitting “A Thousands Roofs of Love”

American Friends of Jamaica Hurricane Dean Relief Fund

Out of the Blue Café

2426 NE 2nd Avenue, Design District, Wynwood/Miami

For more information, Deborah McConnel-Abrahams

305-3423-7880 or [email protected]

Friday, November 9, 2007

Jamaican Diaspora Community Forum, Orlando

Location: TBA

Friday, November 9 to Sunday, November 11th

Florida Caribbean Students Association Bi-Annual Conference

University of Central Florida

For more information, visit www.fcsaconference.com or www.fcsainc.org

Saturday, November 10, 2007, 7pm

Jamaica Nurses’ Association of Florida

Annual Scholarship Awards & Anniversary Ball

Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel

7707 NW 103 Street, Hialeah Gardens, FL

For more information: (305)794-8290, (954)579-5996 or

Email: [email protected]

Saturday, November 10th, 9pm

St. Hugh’s High School Alumnae Association of South Florida

Presents A Swan Dance

West Broward Hall

927 NW 178th Avenue

Pembroke Pines, FL 33029

Music by Mark Swaby

Tickets: $20 prior $25 at the door

For more information, email [email protected]

Saturday, November 10, 8pm

Calypso at Dirty Jim’s

Carnival Center for the Performing Arts

Featuring: Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose and others

For ticket reservations: www.carnivalcenter.org

Sunday, November 11th, 7pmh

Andy Roach’s “Strength of a Woman”- Comedy Play

Presented by:Riddims Marketing & Jamaica Awareness

Coral Springs Center For The Arts

2855 Coral Springs Dr., Coral Springs

General Admission: $30 Upstairs; Reserved Seating: $35 Downstairs

Play Directed by: Winston “Bello” Bell

For more information call 305-405-2712 or 305-405-1059

Friday, November 16, 11am

The Florida Association for Volunteer Action

In The Caribbean and The Americas

Presents its 25th Anniversary Celebration aboard The Norwegian Pearl

Port of Miami

Celebration, honoring our founder and former Florida Governor, Senator Bob Graham

For more information contact: Kay Cranley @ 850-410-3100

or visit: www.favaca.org

Sunday, November 18th, 6pm

7th annual Miss Florida Caribbean Evening of Pageantry

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel

1870 Griffin Road, Dania Beach

For more information contact: Jannice F. Davis @ 954-882-2729

or visit: www.missfloridacaribbean.com

Friday, November 23-24th

Friday, November 23rd, Post Performance Thanksgiving VIP Reception

JAMAICA FAREWELL

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Amaturo Theater, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale

Tickets: $25.00 – $35.00

This solo performance directed by Monique Lai is based on the award-winning writer/performer

Debra Ehrhardt’s true story which takes its audience on a wild roller coaster ride

from Jamaica to America.

For more information visit: www.browardcenter.org/Events/jamaicafarewell

Saturday, November 24, 12 noon

IslandFest 2007

Presented by: The City of Miami Jazz on the Bay Concert Series

Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove

Admission: FREE

Live Performances By: Ziggy Marley, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Bemol

Crossovah

For more information call: Garfield Price @ Infinite Markets (305) 623-5078

December 3-5, 2007

31st Annual Caribbean-Central American Action Conference

Prime Minister Bruce Golding Visits South Florida for Conference

For more information, visit www.c-caa.org

Saturday, December 1

Jamaica Investment Forum

Details to be confirmed

Saturday, December 8

2008 Jamaican Diaspora Southern US

Strategic Planning Meeting/Conference Call

Location and time to be confirmed

Purpose: To set goals for Jan-Jun 2008

January 23, 2008 (to be confirmed)

Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board Meeting in Jamaica

*Development of Conference protocol, agenda, program, production

*Discussion on Diaspora Foundation developments and institutionalization

June 16-17, 2008 (to be confirmed)

Jamaican Diaspora Conference, Jamaica

If your organization is hosting a public event (especially for the upcoming holidays), please forward at your earliest convenience confirmed details to CONNECT with the community at large. Please forward the attached to others in your family and community circle.

Marlon A. Hill, Esq.

Advisory Board Member

Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States

786-349-2584; 876-621-0102 (Jamaica) ● Facsimile: 786-551-0785

[email protected]