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Season’s Greetings Season’s Greetings Season’s Greetings Season’s Greetings Season’s Greetings from the from the from the from the from the Management & Staff Management & Staff Management & Staff Management & Staff Management & Staff of of of of of Caribbean American Caribbean American Caribbean American Caribbean American Caribbean American Passport News Passport News Passport News Passport News Passport News Magazine! Magazine! Magazine! Magazine! Magazine! You’re Invited to Celebrate the Launch of Caribbean American Passport “Orlando’s Caribbean NewsMagazine” At our Caribbean Christmas Marketplace Event December 18th, 2010 10 am -4 pm 6488 Currin Drive Orlando, FL 32835 (Metro West -Corner of Hiawasee & Flashing Lights) Tel: 407-421-8118 All are Welcome, Admission is Free. Lots of Giveaways, Vendors, Caribbean ChristmasMusic. Formal Presentation & Gift Giveaways 2:30 pm NEWS MAGAZINE NEWS MAGAZINE NEWS MAGAZINE NEWS MAGAZINE NEWS MAGAZINE FREE

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Christmas Season Caribbean American Passport NewsMagazine

Transcript of December 2010

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Season’s GreetingsSeason’s GreetingsSeason’s GreetingsSeason’s GreetingsSeason’s Greetingsfrom thefrom thefrom thefrom thefrom the

Management & StaffManagement & StaffManagement & StaffManagement & StaffManagement & Staffofofofofof

Caribbean AmericanCaribbean AmericanCaribbean AmericanCaribbean AmericanCaribbean AmericanPassport NewsPassport NewsPassport NewsPassport NewsPassport News

Magazine!Magazine!Magazine!Magazine!Magazine!

You’re Invited toCelebrate the Launchof Caribbean AmericanPassport “Orlando’s

Caribbean NewsMagazine”At our Caribbean

Christmas Marketplace Event

December 18th, 2010 10 am -4 pm

6488 Currin DriveOrlando, FL 32835

(Metro West -Corner ofHiawasee & Flashing Lights)

Tel: 407-421-8118

All are Welcome,Admission is Free.

Lots of Giveaways,Vendors, Caribbean

ChristmasMusic.

Formal Presentation &Gift Giveaways 2:30 pm

N E W S M A G A Z I N EN E W S M A G A Z I N EN E W S M A G A Z I N EN E W S M A G A Z I N EN E W S M A G A Z I N E

FREE

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L I F E S T Y L E Guenet Gittens-Roberts,

Publisher/Editor

GGR Marketing & Public Relations1969 Alafaya Trail, Suite 133 • Orlando, Fl 32828

407.421.8118 • [email protected]

Publisher/Editor ................................................ Guenet Gittens-RobertsContributing Writers: ................................................. Samuel Roberts

............................................... Natasha Gittens

............................................. Jackie Rampergas

............................................. Natasha Walrond

....................................................... Janet Green

...................................... Shahzad Ahmed, Esq.

.................................... Guenet Gittens-RobertsContributing Photographers ................................................. KP Singh

Copyright (C) 2010 GGR Marketing & Public Relations All rights reserved.

Wow, what a year 2010 has been. For many of us ithas been a turbulent one filled with ups and downswhile trying to figure out how to live this new life

that we've been dumped unceremoniously into. Like most ofyou I had to start over from losing in the real estate market,losing a real estate career, losing savings and then still losingyour credit in a last ditch bid to hold on to real estate. I like tojoke now about the comatose state we fell into for a while try-ing to figure out - how, where and what about this new life?Fast forward to three years later and I can see light coming upat the end of the tunnel. The "collapse in everything" as I liketo call it - was a turning point for me. I used it to start workingon a career I wanted - I stepped back and assessed the stuff Ihad - I had a fantastic database of Caribbean People in Florida,great contacts in the business community and an ability todesign marketing campaigns for people that used very littlemoney...it took into account strengths they already had andworked them in to give the campaign more of a kick. Thatworked for me and it segued into writing a weekly email news-letter of Caribbean Events that were happening here in Or-lando to appearing on the Caribbean radio station twice permonth to now this newsmagazine featuring Caribbean Peopledoing their thing in Central Florida.

It's been a fun ride...Caribbean American Passport is only 4issues old, but it's become exceedingly popular in a very shorttime. I love the diversity of our culture and the people work-ing hard to keep it alive in this Community. Our last issuewhich featured the Curry Duck Curry Competition on the frontcover was gone in a very short time, we played up the Trini,Guyanese competition in that event. We covered Grenadaand Val Duncan in our Island Hopping Section and did a lotmore features on local people and the feedback was that youwant more of the same. So we’re going to keep our focus onthe Caribbean people in Central Florida. If you work hard tokeep up the culture in this community we will highlight yourefforts. We currently print 5000 copies but soon it won't beenough. We intend to expand into Ocala, Space Coast andTampa by early next year...Featuring their Around Townevents and printing a special batch exclusively for those ar-eas. Look out for us- share us with your friends, support ouradvertisers, subscribe to us so that you get the paper mailedto you monthly.

I look forward to 2011, it’s going to be exciting for us in theCaribbean Community. We have big plans for CaribbeanAmerican Heritage Month in June 2011 and you’ll start seeingmore about that in our January issue. We’ll do an Island Hop-ping Section featuring a Caribbean island and a Personalityfrom that island who lives right here in Central Florida.

We’re expanding and we’re hiring – I was trying to growslowly but that isn’t an option anymore. So contact us ifyou’re an active member of the Caribbean Community or ifyou would like to be an active member of the CaribbeanCommunity in Central Florida. We’re working on our Pass-port Team and you’ll see them all over next year at yourevents. We’re choosing one person from each active Carib-bean Community to be our liason for events and anythingelse we need to be aware of in our community. Sandra Fatmijust joined us this month as Sales Manager – you’ll see lotsmore of her next year at our events.

Join us on Saturday, December 18th, 2010 to show your sup-port of our NewsMagazine. From 10am - 4pm we'll be meetingand greeting you at 6488 Currin Drive, Orlando, Fl. 32835. It'sin Metro West at the flashing lights and Hiawassee Rd. Therewill be lots of giveaways, specials and gifts.

So much to do, so little time, this is always the last column Iwrite for the paper, so now I’m celebrating….the paper is out.I’m finally off to do my Christmas Shopping, My extended fam-ily is coming to spend Christmas at my house this year. We’vegot a new baby in the family to cuddle and fight over. WhatI’ve learnt over the past three hard years is that a great life isnot about money and gifts – sometimes it’s the little thingsthat make the best memories. I realized that I’m happiestwhen surrounded by family and friends, so I look forward tohaving a wonderful Christmas Season filled with tears, fights,warmth and love. My wish for you is peace, prosperity a MerryChristmas and a Happy New Year….From the Caribbean Ameri-can Passport Family to yours!

Meri Krismas &Hepi Nu Yia

. . . the appointment of Sandra Fatmi asour Sales Manager. Sandra comes froma background in banking and events asolid mixture when coupled with her in-volvement in the community. She willbe building our Sales Team and liasingwith the Community on Outreach Pro-grams for Caribbean American Passport,Newsmagazine.

For your advertising needs ontact Sandra Fatmi at 770 789-7004.

Caribbean AmericanCaribbean AmericanCaribbean AmericanCaribbean AmericanCaribbean AmericanPassport News MagazinePassport News MagazinePassport News MagazinePassport News MagazinePassport News Magazineis pleased to announce...is pleased to announce...is pleased to announce...is pleased to announce...is pleased to announce...

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CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Dec. 8, 2010:Three Caribbean nationals convicted of immigrationviolations have been pardoned by New York Governor,

David Paterson.

The three had all been subjected to deportation due to crimi-nal convictions under immigration rules, but the pardon willnow spare Jamaican Marlon Oscar Powell, Darshini Ramsaran,who has dual citizenship in Guyana and Trinidad, and MarioBenitez of the Dominican Republic.

Powell, who immigrated to the United States from Jamaicain 1986, when he was 13 years old, had been convicted ofusing a fake ID to gain admission to a club where he wasarrested for misdemeanor drug possession and sentenced to9 months in jail - under the mistaken belief that he wasthen 21 years old.

Powell, who is now in immigration detention in New Jerseyand was recently ordered removed from the country, will nowbe able to have his case for removal re-opened.Ramsaran was brought to the United States on a visitor‘s visa,and her parents never sought to adjust her status. When shewas 21, she pled guilty to third-degree robbery for being thedriver during a street robbery perpetrated by her then-boyfriendand two other men.

She remained in custody for over two years, even though shewas sentenced to only 364 days in jail for her conviction. Shehas since been detained by immigration officials.

The pardon will assist her in obtaining a visa to live in theU.S. legally.

Benitez was 26 years old when he immigrated to the UnitedStates from the Dominican Republic. In 1988, after serving inthe Navy, Benitez pled guilty to second-degree criminal sale ofa controlled substance and was sentenced to 8 years to life inprison. This pardon will make him eligible to seek discretion-ary relief from deportation.

Two other individuals were also pardoned and will receive immi-gration relief as a result. In May 2010, Governor Paterson con-vened a special Immigration Pardon Panel to gather informa-tion and recommend deserving individuals for pardons to assistthem in avoiding deportation. The initiative was designed to ad-dress several aspects of the immigration laws that may result ininflexible and unjust decisions to remove legal immigrants fromthe United States, often tearing them away from their United Statescitizen children or spouse. One harshness of the Federal law re-sults from retroactive changes made in the mid-1990s, wherebycrimes that did not previously carry the consequence of deporta-tion were made deportable. In many other cases, individuals pre-viously had pled guilty without being aware that their plea mightsubject them to mandatory deportation. As a result, many indi-viduals who were convicted many years ago are now facing de-portation, often after they apply for citizenship or seek to renewtheir permanent resident status.

‘That immigration officials do not credit rehabilitation, nor ac-count for human suffering is adverse to the values that our coun-try represents,‘ Governor Paterson said. ‘I have selected casesthat exemplify the values of New York State and that of a justsociety: atonement, forgiveness, compassion, realism, open arms,and not retribution, punitiveness and a refusal to acknowledgethe worth of immigration. I will not turn my back on New York-ers who enrich our lives and care for those who suffer.‘

Three Caribbean Nationals PardonedThree Caribbean Nationals PardonedThree Caribbean Nationals PardonedThree Caribbean Nationals PardonedThree Caribbean Nationals PardonedBy NY GovernorBy NY GovernorBy NY GovernorBy NY GovernorBy NY Governor

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Dr Lawrence Williams, a research scientist at the Scien-tific Research Council (SRC) in Jamaica , has beenawarded an international patent on a compound iso-

lated from the Guinea Hen Weed as a protein complex ofdibenzyl trisulphide. The SRC, one of Jamaica ‘s chief propo-nents of scientific research and development, commended itsteam member on his “outstanding contribution to science”.

The SRC said the protein complex has the ability to kill a widerange of cancers, Dr Williams’discovery has the potential tofight various kinds of cancers, a few of which are: melanoma,lung cancer and breast cancer. The molecule also has implica-tions for the treatment of aging diseases.

The SRC noted that, with more than 13 years dedicated to thisresearch, Williams has revealed that the complex is superiorin killing cancer cells relative to the pure compound found inthe Guinea Hen Weed-dibenzyl trisulphide. Williams saidthat the next stage is conducting clinical trials of the compoundand the development of a pharmaceutical agent. Rights tothe patent are shared with Dr George Levy, a Jamaican-bornmedical doctor living in the United States .

In most of the Caribbean, this plant is known as guinea henweed, guinea hen leaf, garlic weed or gully it’s a herb that isindigenous to the Amazon rainforest and the tropical areas ofthe Caribbean, Central and South America and Africa . Itsbotanical name is Petiveria alliacea. Anamu is the name it’sknown as in the Spanish speaking Caribbean, Gully root orMapiurite is the name in Trinidad and Tobago . Whatever youcall it - this herb has a long history in herbal medicine in allthe countries where it grows. Herbalists and natural-healthpractitioners have traditionally used it for a wide variety ofconditions, including arthritis, digestive disorders, infections,diabetes, cancer, for pain relief, and to induce abortion.

Previous research and knowledge from our Caribbean upbring-ing has shown that Caribbean women and Creoles have al-ways used bitter herbs - in Barbados bitter herbs include cerasee,rice bitters, gully root, motherwort, mauby bark, neem,“governor’s balls”, and aloe vera, many of these are known asweekly staples in Guyana as well...we were told that it wasgood for us and so we had to drink it to clean out your blood orclean your body.

Now we’re finding out that these herbs really do have the ca-pacity to balance, cleanse and fortify the body. Drank weekly,they will purge the blood and balance the body. This is real,ancient knowledge that must be reclaimed.

Over the past quarter of a century, modern scientific researchhas studied gully root intensively. Many biologically activecompounds have been discovered in anamu: flavanoids,triterpenes, steroids, and sulphur compounds. The researchpublished now validates many of the historical uses of this herb.

CANCER INHIBITORCANCER INHIBITORCANCER INHIBITORCANCER INHIBITORCANCER INHIBITORLaboratory investigations show that gully root retards thegrowth of several strains of cancer and leukaemia cells. Re-search showed further that the compounds in it were able todifferentiate between normal cells and cancer cells, killing only

the cancerous cells. Jamaican men have known this for yearsand used it to fight prostate cancer with beneficial results.

BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEMBOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEMBOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEMBOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEMBOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEMGully root has also been verified to have immunostimulantproperties. It stimulates the immune system to increase its pro-duction of lymphocytes and natural killer cells - powerful dis-ease-destroying cells. At the same time, it increases the pro-duction of interferon and interleukins - chemicals used by theimmune system in fighting cancers and infections.

FIGHTS INFECTIONSFIGHTS INFECTIONSFIGHTS INFECTIONSFIGHTS INFECTIONSFIGHTS INFECTIONSIt demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial propertiesagainst numerous bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeast. Com-pounds in gully root directly kill and/or inhibit the growth ofthese germs. Interestingly, man medicine practitioners believethat infection plays a major role in many cancers. It is widelyused in folk medicine for treating infections. In Trinidad andTobago this same herb, known as mapiurite and is used whenyou have a fever.

PAIN RELIEVERPAIN RELIEVERPAIN RELIEVERPAIN RELIEVERPAIN RELIEVERIts traditional use as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatismhas been validated by clinical research that confirms its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect. Researchers in Swedendemonstrated its COX-1 inhibitory properties (cyclo-oxogenase-1 inhibitors are a new class of popular and profitable arthritisdrugs). Gully root extracts have been found to relieve painand inflammation even when applied topically to the skin.This herb is used in some Caribbean countries for treatment ofArthritis, especially osteoarthritis, and cancer. Like most plantsit contains many phytochemicals one of which is coumarinmuch like the spice Turmeric which has a very anticancer ac-tion. Even the aroma of the plant is said to help with migraineheadaches

LOWERS BLOOD SUGARLOWERS BLOOD SUGARLOWERS BLOOD SUGARLOWERS BLOOD SUGARLOWERS BLOOD SUGARWhile gully root has not been widely researched for diabetes, ithas been documented to lower blood-sugar levels by more than60 per cent in laboratory animals. This reflects herbal medicalpractice in Cuba where anamu as it is known there has beenused as an aid for diabetes for many years.

Herbal remedies have been used in the Caribbean for manyyears, the downside is the lack of written information aboutthe dosage leverls, effects and side effects of using these rem-edies. For example pregnant women who use Gully root havebeen found to cause contractions of the uterus that can lead toabortion and miscarriage. As such, it should not be used bypregnant women.

The herb Gully Root leads Jamaican scientist to findingThe herb Gully Root leads Jamaican scientist to findingThe herb Gully Root leads Jamaican scientist to findingThe herb Gully Root leads Jamaican scientist to findingThe herb Gully Root leads Jamaican scientist to findingan effective treatment for some types of canceran effective treatment for some types of canceran effective treatment for some types of canceran effective treatment for some types of canceran effective treatment for some types of cancer

‘Tan saafly betta danbeg paadn.

Prevention is better than a cure.

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With all the changes, rising cost and confusion abouthealth care and health insurance not many Florid-ians realize that there are numerous FREE public clin-

ics through out Florida that are Federally-funded health centers.These facilities provide health care for you even if you have nohealth insurance - you simply pay what you can afford, basedon your income. These health centers provide:

• checkups when you’re well• treatment when you’re sick• complete care when you’re pregnant• immunizations and checkups for your children• dental care and prescription drugs for your family• mental health and substance abuse care if you need it

Federally-funded health centers are in most cities and manyrural areas. Listed below are some of Central Florida’s PubicHealth Centers and Free Clinics:

LAKE UNDERHILL FAMILY HLTH CTR5730 Lake Underhill Rd. , Orlando , FL 32807-4366 407-322-8645 x239

CENTRAL FL FAMILY HEALTH CENTER-ALAFAYA11881 E. Colonial Dr. Ste A, Orlando , FL 32826-4723 407-322-8645 x239

CENTER FOR WOMEN & FAMILY HEALTH AT STADIUM PLACE1503-1507 Bill Beck Blvd. , Kissimmee , FL 34744-9516 407-343-2050

CENTRAL FL FAMILY HEALTH CENTER-HOFFNER5449 S. Semoran Blvd. , Orlando , FL 32822-1722 407-322-8645 x239

PLANT CITY FAMILY CARE CENTER508 N. Maryland Ave. , Plant City, FL 33563-3820 813-349-7568

CFHC LAKELAND OB/GYN1729 Lakeland Hills Blvd. , Lakeland , FL 33805-3016 863-452-3003

COMMUNITY HLTH CTRS @ CLEARWATER 1020 Lakeview Rd. , Clearwater , FL 33756-3423 727-824-8100

ZELLWOOD FAMILY HEALTH CENTER3688 Day Care Center Rd., Zellwood, FL 32757-7324 352-735-2255

LAKELAND PRIMARY CARE936 E. Parker St. , Lakeland , FL 33801-1968 863-452-3003

WINTER GARDEN CHILDREN’S HEALTH CENTER1210 E. Plant St. Ste 1300, Winter Garden, FL 34787-2995 407-877-4350

WINTER GARDEN FAMILY HEALTH CENTER1210 E. Plant St. Ste 1200 , Winter Garden , FL 34787-2995 407-877-4340

ANTHONY HOUSE6215 Holly Ln. , Zellwood, FL 32798 407-428-5751

Some Health Clinics Provide a sliding scale for paymentsSome Health Clinics Provide a sliding scale for paymentsSome Health Clinics Provide a sliding scale for paymentsSome Health Clinics Provide a sliding scale for paymentsSome Health Clinics Provide a sliding scale for paymentsAPOPKA CHILDREN’S HEALTH CENTER618 S. Forest Ave. , Apopka , FL 32703-5338 407-886-6201

APOPKA FAMILY HEALTH CENTER225 E. 7th St., Apopka , FL 32703-5327 407-886-6201

WINTER HAVEN HEALTH CENTERWinter Haven , FL 33880 863-452-3003

EATONVILLE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER434 Kennedy Blvd. , Orlando , FL 32810-6272 407-645-3989

PINE HILLS FAMILY HEALTH CENTER1800 Mercy Dr. Ste 20, Orlando, FL 32808-5646 407-209-3202

HCCH & DENTAL CLINIC234 N. Orange Blossom Trl., Orlando , FL 32805-1612 407-428-5751

HEALTH CARE CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS232 N. Orange Blossom Trl., Orlando , FL 32805-1612 407-428-5751

LAKE ELLENOR DENTAL CENTER6101 Lake Ellenor Dr. Ste 106 , Orlando , FL 32809-4616 407-956-4660

SOUTHSIDE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER6101 Lake Ellenor Dr. , Orlando , FL 32809-4616 407-322-8645 x239

PRIMARY CARE MED SVS-POINCIANA105 N. Doverplum Ave. , Kissimmee , FL 34758-3309 407-943-8610

ZEPHYRHILLS FAMILY HEALTH CENTER37920 Medical Arts Ct., Zephyrhills , FL 33541-4323 352-518-2000

SOUTH LAKE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER1296 W. Broad St. , Groveland , FL 34736-2012 352-429-4104

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS TARPON SPRINGS247 Huey Ave., Tarpon Springs , FL 34689 727-824-8100

LEESBURG COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER225 N. 1st St., Leesburg , FL 34748-5150 352-360-0490

HEART OF FLORIDA HEALTH CENTER1025 S.W. 1st Ave. , Ocala , FL 34474-4220 352-732-6599

FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER AT THE SHORES9305 S.E. Maricamp Rd., Ocala, FL 34472-2343 352-793-5900

New Neighbourhood Pharmacy Opening Soon to Serve Ocala & N. FloridaNew Neighbourhood Pharmacy Opening Soon to Serve Ocala & N. FloridaNew Neighbourhood Pharmacy Opening Soon to Serve Ocala & N. FloridaNew Neighbourhood Pharmacy Opening Soon to Serve Ocala & N. FloridaNew Neighbourhood Pharmacy Opening Soon to Serve Ocala & N. FloridaPepperTree PharmacyPepperTree PharmacyPepperTree PharmacyPepperTree PharmacyPepperTree Pharmacy

5854 S.E. 5th St, Unit 1 • Ocala, FL 34472 • Tel: (352) 622-56015854 S.E. 5th St, Unit 1 • Ocala, FL 34472 • Tel: (352) 622-56015854 S.E. 5th St, Unit 1 • Ocala, FL 34472 • Tel: (352) 622-56015854 S.E. 5th St, Unit 1 • Ocala, FL 34472 • Tel: (352) 622-56015854 S.E. 5th St, Unit 1 • Ocala, FL 34472 • Tel: (352) 622-5601Visit us after December 20th to discuss your prescription needs with us.Visit us after December 20th to discuss your prescription needs with us.Visit us after December 20th to discuss your prescription needs with us.Visit us after December 20th to discuss your prescription needs with us.Visit us after December 20th to discuss your prescription needs with us.

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Still in its infancy - eight months and growing; CentralFlorida’s Premier Gospel Publication is setting trends andmaking marks that cannot be erased. Absolutely unfor-

gettable in every way, the first annual Gospel Now Black TieGala created the near perfect blend of church and community,and faith and family. Almost 600 guests gathered at the RosenShingle Creek to en-joy an evening of el-egance while payingtribute to some of thearea’s pioneers infaith, and celebrat-ing leaders in com-merce and commu-nity service.

T r a i l b l a z i n ggatekeepers andtemple guards thathave been called Liv-ing Legends of Faith,were honored fortheir dedication anddevotion to the Cen-tral Florida Commu-nity. The 2010 recipi-ents are OverseerCarrie Buie Bryantfrom the True Holi-ness Deliverance Tab-ernacle, Dr. Nettie M.Fred-erick from Or-lando Christian Ministries , Bishop Karl (K.P.) Hardemon fromthe Washington Park Church of God, and high school sweet-hearts, Bishop Henry Leonard and Overseer Phyllis BradshawLeonard. These menand women haveserved in ministry for50-plus years, and arestill leading congre-gations today.

The celebration of faith was coupled with an equally spec-tacular recognition given to businesses and leaders who

have impacted the community with incomparable displaysof service and style. The 2010 NOW Award winners in-clude Irv Gotti for Best Barber, Fades to Fro’s for Best Bar-bershop, Necole Morgan for Best Hair Stylist, A Nu U forBest Hair Salon, Golden Krust for Best Caribbean Restau-rant, Mama Nems’ for Best Soul Food Restaurant, Mr. “Q”

for Best Barbecue,and Bishop AllenT.D. Wiggins re-ceived the People’sChoice Award. Theawards were pre-sented based on popu-lar votes cast on theGospel Now website,www.gospel now.net.

Complimenting thespectacular eveningwas a host of artistsand ministers, includ-ing the Mime BOYZ,national recordingartist Madelyn Berry,national recordingartist “Rob J,” and thePrince from theChocolate Nutcrack-er, Brenton McNeil -the newest memberof the Alvin AileyDance Company.

Interweaving and facilitating the evening’s flow was one ofOrlando ‘s favorite radio personalities, Monica May from

STAR 94.5FM, andBET Comic View’sSteffon Vann.

If the atmosphere oflaughter, celebration,

faith, family, and community could be packaged in a boxwith a bow, it would look and sound something like, “A Nightto Remember.”

Golden Krust Orlando receivesGolden Krust Orlando receivesGolden Krust Orlando receivesGolden Krust Orlando receivesGolden Krust Orlando receivesBest Caribbean Restaurant AwardBest Caribbean Restaurant AwardBest Caribbean Restaurant AwardBest Caribbean Restaurant AwardBest Caribbean Restaurant Award

at Gospel Now Galaat Gospel Now Galaat Gospel Now Galaat Gospel Now Galaat Gospel Now Gala

Golden Krust Orlando voted Best Caribbean Restaurant in Orlandoby online voting at Gospel Now Magazine’s website.

6488 Currin Drive, Orlando, Fl. 32835

. . . the first annual Gospel Now Black Tie Gala created the nearperfect blend of church and community, and faith and family.

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My son asked me a question the other day....have youalways had dreads mom? It made me stop and thinkfor a while about my hair styles over the years. How

many hair styles does a woman of color really go through?

I personally think that I have had them all, my first memo-ries of my hair was back in my teens. I had what they call inthe islands “hard hair”... “not long but tall hair” my firstmemories were going to my mother’s hairdresser and hav-ing my hair pressed....when you walked out your hair hadbody and style, but having that pressing iron (a comb thatwas placed on a stove with Vaseline) glide through your hair,making it smooth was a type of torture. At any minute youcould get burned and it seemed like it was in the same placesevery time - ear tips, back of neck and across the forehead, forall to see.

Then there was the “Jerry curl,” Michael Jackson had nothingon me with activator to keep the shine in. God help the headrest you came into contact with....I left a reminder that I wasthere every time.

Then PERMS or Relaxer (dreaded words) women have beenknown to take time off of work for a perm. Sitting in the chairwith the horrible smelling chemical in your hair... havingthose famous word spoken to you - don’t worry about theburning “the longer you keep it in the better it will look”- think again - don’t do it! Painful - but that’s the process we

go through to have straight hair -with body. Within six weeksor less depending on if you work out a lot - you’re like an ad-dict back for your fix.

I have even gotten up early on the weekends to head uptownto the Bronx, New York for the “African Ladies” to braid myhair. On your first time - remember two key things - bargainonprice, and never, ever say you are not tender headed. Youwill pay for those words later...as they transform you with aninstant facelift and you leave with slanted eyes your eyes trans-formed by the pulling of your hair against your scalp.

My favorite style for over ten years was the ponytail. The po-nytail hair style left a permanent dent in the center of myhead plus the pins to keep this human hair attached lefttheir own dents. So many styles... “pineapple, finger wave,twist, wigs or having a full head braided then weaved.

For over three years my husband (boyfriend at the time)didn’t know I had a weave. As I told you in an earlier articlehe’s an Indian man from Guyana. Until then, he just thoughtthat I had “good, long hair” until one day when my hair-dresser couldn’t come to touch up my hair and it was lookingterrible. Like an addict, I had to fix it at any cost. I asked himto cut the stitching out but not the hair...to remove it. The lookon his face was priceless, his hands shook...I swear he almostdied. I don’t think he even knew it was possible. After morethan an hour he was able to remove it...at the time, I hadshoulder length hair but liked the thickness that weaves addedto my hairstyles.

Since then he has always asked me whenever we come intocontact with a women...is she wearing a weave? I think that Ihave traumatized him for life. We as women go through somuch to look beautiful, have you ever noticed how you feelwhen you do your hair. Your self-esteem changes, you feel con-fident and sexy. Hard to imagine that a little thing as yourhair can make you feel better about yourself. Remember theexpression “your hair is your beauty” I know it’s true despitehow much we’d like to think we’re better than that.

NOTE FROMNOTE FROMNOTE FROMNOTE FROMNOTE FROM

How many hair styles does awoman of color really go through?

Guyana American Cultural Association of Central FloridaChristmas PartyDec 17th at Spring Garden RestaurantMaguire RoadWinter Garden , FL

Jamikin Me KrazyReggae, Soca, Dance HallDec 17th at 5688 International Dr .Orlando , FL 32819

Barbados Alliance Coalition, Inc (BACI) PresentsCaribbean StyleFriday December 17th, 2010, 8:00pm -1:00amat the Episcopal Church of the Atonement Hall.4401 W. Oakland ParkLauderdale Lakes, Fl 33313

‘A Fashionable Evening’ from Break Away Moments‘Forever Paradise’ Design LineFriday Dec. 17th, 2010, 5:30pm - 8:30pm ‘Things & Fashion’ boutique152 Lake AveMaitland, Fl. 32751(In The Villages Plaza at the corner of 17-92 and Lake Ave. )

CBA- CF Tropical Holiday PartySaturday, December 18th · 7:00pm - 11:30pm501 E LIVINGSTON STREETDOWNTOWN ORLANDO

Parang Soca Parang PartySaturday, December 18th at 8:00pm - December 19 at 3:00amTimehri Banquet Hall7371 W. Colonial Drive

XMAS Spectacular Vol. 5Saturday, December 18th at 9:30pm - December 19 at 12:30amMELA ROOM9677 S. ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL

St Lucia Association's Christmas Social & Membership MeetingSaturday Dec. 18th, 8:30 pm - 12:00 am at Sunquest Hall1044 Plaza DriveKissimmee Fl

Bhakti Sargam - Florida EditionSUNDAY, DECEMBER 19th, 2010OLYMPIA HIGH SCHOOL4301 Apopka Vineland RoadOrlando, FL 32835Doors open @ 4PM - Concerts Begins @ 4:30 pm

Island Beat’s 6th Anniversary & Mad Hatter’s PartySaturday Dec. 25th, 2010

Christmas Holiday PartyDec. 24th, 2010, 8pm to Christmas MorningTimehri Banquet Hall

Night of EleganceDec 31st at The Penthouse at Legends1315 South Orange AvenueOrlando , FL USA 32806

New Year’s Eve DanceDec 31st at the Mela Room9677 South OBT

Elegant New Years Eve GalaDec. 31st, rom 9:30pmSpring Garden Restaurant1575 Maguire RdOcoee, FL

Orlando Caribbean Domino Association’sNew Year’s Eve BallDec. 31st, From 8pmTimehri Banquet Hall

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� �����������In the Caribbean we have some recipes that we have to

make at Christmas time...I stayed away from those reci-pes, as people make then in different ways and I know that

it will cause people to stop me in the streets to complain that Ididn’t do it correctly. Since I’m not an enthusiastic chef at thebest of times I won’t have an argument for any of the recipes.So here are my Christmas picks - Sorrel, Glazed Ham and Ba-nana Bread. I know some of you were expecting recipes forPepperpot and Fruit Cake but I figured if you like to eat them,you’re accustomed to the way your family makes them - so Ichallenge you to ask your parents, aunts, uncles and or grand-parents for their recipe - as the taste you know, is the best ver-sion of the recipe. Have a Merry Christmas...Guenet!

SorrelSorrelSorrelSorrelSorrelIngredients* 5 to 6 (1-inch) slices ginger* 1 cup dried sorrel leaves* 1 tablespoon cloves* Brown sugar* Red wine sherry, optional

DirectionsLet cut ginger sit for 2 to 3 hours. The longer it sits the strongerit becomes. Boil ginger in 2 quarts of water. Once water is boil-ing, add sorrel and cloves. Boil for 30 minutes. Strain and addsugar and wine, to taste. Chill and serve.

Glazed HamGlazed HamGlazed HamGlazed HamGlazed HamPreparation Time: 10 minutesCooking Time: 2 1/2 hoursServes: 15-20INGREDIENTS:* 1 lb. (5 kgs) ham* 1 bottle marmalade* 2 tsps. grated orange rind* 2 cups fresh orange segments* 5 medium ripe bananas* 2 Tbsps. fresh lime juice* 1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar* 15 whole cloves* 2 Tbsps. vinegar

METHOD / DIRECTIONS:1. Bake ham in preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F, (15 minutesfor each pound).2. In a saucepan over low heat, heat marmalade until it is of asyrupy consistency.3. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon, remove marmaladefrom heat and blend in orange segments, banana slices andlime juice.4. Spoon mixture over ham 15 minutes before it is finished baking.5. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar and vinegar,brush this over ham. Bake ham for a further 15-20 minutes.

Banana BreadBanana BreadBanana BreadBanana BreadBanana BreadIngredients* 1 cup granulated sugar* 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature* 2 large eggs* 3 ripe bananas* 1 tablespoon milk* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon* 2 cups all-purpose flour* 1 teaspoon baking powder* 1 teaspoon baking soda* 1 teaspoon salt

DirectionsPreheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light andfluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in themilk and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together the flour,baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the banana mix-ture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dryingredients, mixing just until flour disappears. Pour batter intoprepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until atoothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside tocool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invertonto rack and cool completely before slicing.

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By Natasha Walrond

Orlando based “Breakout” author joins “Break the Silence,Say No to Violence” rally in Guyana.

Guyanese born Sukree Boodram, who has been living in Cen-tral Florida for some 21 years, returned to Guyana at the endof November to be part of the International Day for the Elimi-nation of Violence Against Women observances.

Violence againstwomen and chil-dren is consideredthe most pervasivehuman rights viola-tion and Boodram,an abused victim,has chronicled herexperience in herfirst book “Breakout”which will belaunched here in theUnited States earlynext year, with aseparate launch inGuyana.

She said that the inspiration behind the book “came from thelearned knowledge of the symptoms of the disease of alcohol-ism and how it impacted me and my family. One of the mostprofound things I learned is that I cannot cure it, I cannot con-trol it, and I did not cause it, but I can contribute to it by en-abling it.”

She hopes that through her writing, abused victims, spe-cifically women would make better decisions to take astance against such abuse, unlike her choice to remain inan abused marriage for more than 20 years with the hopethat it will change.

“If I had a chance again I would still fall in love with the same

Celebrating your ownCelebrating your ownCelebrating your ownCelebrating your ownCelebrating your ownperson, but I would not hide the abuse from others. I wouldspeak out at the onset of the physical abuse when my headwas busted,” she noted.

Boodram joined Guyanese at the Georgetown Cricket Club onNovember 25 to stop the violence against women and childrenunder the banner “Break the Silence, Say No to Violence”.

Several organizations have partnered to launch the 4-day eventincluding Red Thread and Kids First Fund and asked Boodram

to share her storyin order to em-power women.

“I am honored tosupport my countryin this epidemic.This is now how Iplan to spend theremainder of mylife on this earth.My goal is to helpone person. Any-thing above that isa blessing.”

Breakout is ex-pected to be completed by April 2011, with its second partalready being planned and penned “this book ends when myabuser left following the divorce. The next book talks aboutmy emotional healing from years of abuse, it will come outwithin reasonable time of Breakout’s release. This second bookis a joy to write. It is about how I was able to turn around andmake the life changing decision to help others, includingmyself and my children. It is my book of faith and hope,”Sukree says, insisting that the book’s aim is not to degradeanyone or for her to gain financially but to change the livesof abused victims.

Breakout is being published by Create Space, an Amazon.com Company.

Press Conference at Pegasus Hotel, Wednesday November 24th, 2010.From Left: Stella Ramsaroop, news reporter; Stella Says; Varshani Singh, Kids First;

Diana Madray, IMRARC; Luke Daniels, Counselor for Perpetrators of Abuse;Sukree Boodram, Survivor of abuse and speaking out.

Congressional procedure is a bit crazy andcertainly confusing, so people are probably feeling puzzled about what hap-

pened in the Senate earlier with the Dream Act.

The basics are this: The Senate Majority Leader, HarryReid wanted to buy some time for a DREAM Act votebecause there are still some Senators who are waver-ing on their votes. He moved to “vitiate” the cloturevote twice – which is a fancy way of saying not havethe vote. Both times, his move was rejected.

He then moved to “table” the vote, until the Senate could takeup the House version of the bill that was passed. That motionpassed with 59 votes, which means the House version of thebill will be voted on later in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Dick Durbin,the No. 2 Democrat in the upper chamber, said in a jointstatement that they will work with House leaders and theadministration to ensure that the bill, which would carveout a path to legalization for hundreds of thousands of for-eign-born youngsters brought to this country illegally, will

Take the time to call your SenatorsTake the time to call your SenatorsTake the time to call your SenatorsTake the time to call your SenatorsTake the time to call your Senatorsto say you support the Dream Act!to say you support the Dream Act!to say you support the Dream Act!to say you support the Dream Act!to say you support the Dream Act!

be law by the end of the lame-duck session.

If you’re still confused, please know that the bot-tom line is this: this is a good thing. A supporterof the Dream Act recently summed it up this way:

"All in all this gives DREAM a better chance inpassing, especially when considering that thereare Senators on the fence who do not want to betargeted and be in the spotlight twice. And obvi-ously this gives advocates, activists, and you moretime to call and ask that DREAM be supported."

Keep up the fight– keep up the phone calls! As an immigrantcommunity we need to do this for the future of children in ourcommunity. Do this for every Caribbean child who is illegaland can't continue their education after high school - we'll havea bunch of people from our community not fulfilling their po-tential - if this bill does not go through. Do this for them - Callyour Senators and get the Dream Act passed!

Your Senator: 866-996-5161Key Senators: 866-587-6101

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Reggae Singer, Ritchie Stevens launched his new album “ Reggae Evolution” at My Island Jerk Spot.The Jerk Spot is a new Caribbean restaurant located at 3404 W. Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL S34741

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The cricket was interesting but the members of the Jamaican Cricket Team and the DJ certainly enjoyed Caribbean American Passport

Shym Ali, Ajay Manieram, Hakim Bacchus, Rocky Jawahir and Tony Kissoon atthe FSCA Presentation Dance and 10th Anniversary Celebration at the Mela Room

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The New Destiny Christian Center Business Ministry eightmonths ago by Janet Green of Jamaican GlobalThrowdown Catering Service. The Ministry is divided into

two segments an - Entrepreneur Ministry and one for CurrentBusiness Owners. These teachings are open to the public andare not designed to benefit only NDCC members

The Entrepreneur Ministry is designed to educate individuals whohave not yet established a business about the steps they need totake to start a new business. During the seven week course theyfocus on: Business Planning, Types of Business Insurance, LegalStructuring of your business, Balance Sheets, Business Name Reg-istration, Location Selection, Employer’s responsibilities to em-ployees, hiring and maintaining the right workforce, techniquesfor successful Business Networking, tapping into government re-sources, utilizing resources such as Disney Entrepreneur Center,

Some of the Attendees at the New Destiny Christian Center Business Ministry's Networking Event.

New Destiny’s Business MinistryNew Destiny’s Business MinistryNew Destiny’s Business MinistryNew Destiny’s Business MinistryNew Destiny’s Business MinistrySCORE, SBA, BBIF, Minority Certification and Preparing individu-als as Christian Business Owners by combining the Spiritual,Mental, Physical, and Tithing concepts.

The Current Business Owner’s Ministry is designed to navigatebusiness owners through networking with other local businessesand tapping into government resources. Janet Green spoke toCaribbean Passport about the ministry and said "we work tostrengthen our involvement within the community throughtithing our talents. We create commerce, through events de-signed to nurture relationships among members, and by de-veloping strategic initiatives for business and kingdom growth."

So far the Ministry has had two Graduating Networking Cer-emonies with a total of 35 graduates who have gone on tostart their business.

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Page 13: December 2010

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Florida Cricket Conference just completed their first 20/20night cricket tournament in Orlando at the McCracken Field.

For cricket fans it was four nights of glorious, exciting, top qual-ity cricket. This event showcased the best of Orlando ‘s cricketplayers representing Countries as far away as India , Pakistan, Jamaica , Guyana and many other small islands of the Car-ibbean . Participants and spectators alike praised the organiz-ers for the level of professionalism and the atmosphere pre-sented during this four day/night event. I experienced this eventfirst hand and it took me back to the glorious day of cricket atBourda in Georgetown Guyana - the music, the food, the crowdand of course -the ball by ball commentary from the near-byspectator who claims to know everything.

The final game brought the Caribbean All Stars up against theGuyana Galaxy for the top prize and bragging rights. It was aclose and exciting game. The Caribbean All Stars opened with121 runs off of 20 overs. The Guyana Galaxy started slow andsteady, but started slipping around the 11th and 12th overs. How-ever, thanks to some steady batting by the middle order batsmenthe Guyana Galaxy team finished strong in the 19th over.

Congratulations to the Guyana Galaxy team, the CaribbeanAll Stars teams and the other participants for a great exhibi-tion of our beloved game. Congratulations must also go out tothe Florida Cricket Conference and their sponsors for a verywell organized 20/20 tournament.

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Festival of Cricket - 20/20 Night CricketFestival of Cricket - 20/20 Night CricketFestival of Cricket - 20/20 Night CricketFestival of Cricket - 20/20 Night CricketFestival of Cricket - 20/20 Night Cricket

Florida Softball Cricket Association’s 10th AnniversaryFlorida Softball Cricket Association’s 10th AnniversaryFlorida Softball Cricket Association’s 10th AnniversaryFlorida Softball Cricket Association’s 10th AnniversaryFlorida Softball Cricket Association’s 10th AnniversaryOn Saturday December 11th the Florida Softball Cricket As-

sociation (FSCA) hosted their 10th Anniversary Celebra-tions and Presentation Dance at the Mela Room. This eventwas attended by more than 500 players, friends, family andsupporters of the FSCA. It was an exciting evening of reflectionand acknowledgement of the players, supporters and sponsors.Attendees were given an opportunity to experience the yearsand memories of the first 10 years of FSCA.

FSCA speared no expense in its efforts to recognize the players,umpires and supports that helped build FSCA to be one of thelargest, if not the largest, Softball Associations in the USA. Play-ers were recognizes for most catches, most wickets and mostruns; while teams were recognized for most discipline, mostruns in a season and most wins.

The master of ceremony for the evening was FSCA’s statistician– Ryan Jaffarally, and he was a character, he referenced play-ers, managers, and everyone possible by ‘false names’ like

chubby, plantain, and slim; just to name a few – he was hys-terical. The high light of the evening was truly the awardsceremony; every category was recognized and everyone ap-preciated their individual awards and achievements. The teamthat seemed to dominate during the 2010 seasons was “TheDream Team” it seemed like every category was dominated bymembers of the “Dream Team” and the grand award finallydid go to the Dream Team for winning all three seasons. Teamcaptain, Ajay Manierram and vice-captain Rocky Jawahir wereextremely proud of their teams and proud of their achieve-ments – they are also the opening batsmen.

Congratulations to all the players, umpires, supporters of FSCAand the executive members – Hakim Bacchus (President), TonyKissoon (Events Coordinator), Rex Jaiwan (Treasurer), DanielSadeo (Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee), Shym Ali(Secretary), Ryan Jaffarally (Statistician) and last but not leastLeema Jiwan (Events Committee) for 10 proud years of softballcricket in Florida.

Guyana Galaxy wins 20/20 competition. Commissioners Linda Stewart and Bill Segal got the games started. Photos by F2Pro Photography.

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Buju Banton winsBuju Banton winsBuju Banton winsBuju Banton winsBuju Banton winsan appealan appealan appealan appealan appeal

JAMAICAN Reggae star Buju Banton, today won an appeal againstan order which denied himthe right to perform on aconcert on January 16.The concert, dubbed ‘Be-fore The Dawn’, will beheld at the Bay FrontAmphithe-atre in down-town Miami and will fea-ture Banton and otherprominent Reggae artistes.The concert is being pro-duced by Rockers Island.

Banton, had applied forpermission to perform atthe concert on November23 but his motion was dis-missed by United StatesJudge Anthony Porcelli on the grounds that the artiste was aflight risk.

However earlier this month Judge James Moody cited that theissue had been already addressed when Banton was releasedon bail in October. David Oscar Markus, who is the singer’slead attorney, was grateful for the ruling which will allow hisclient to earn much needed income to pay for his security de-tail which is costing Banton US$20,000 monthly.

Banton and his co-accused, James Mack and Ian Thomas werearrested last December after US law enforcement agents alleg-edly recorded them planning a drug deal. Mack and Thomasboth pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. But Banton,who has repeatedly claimed he was not guilty, faced the courtin a trial which ended in a hung jury.

He is now out on bail and scheduled to return to court for asecond trial early next year.

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Season’s Greetings from ...Financial Solutions with Dahlia & SandraListen Live on Wednesdays at 2pm on WOKB Radio

Season’s Greetings from ...the St. Lucian Association. Thank you to the Caribbean Com-munity for your generous support in the wake of HurricaneTomas earlier this year.

Season’s Greetings from ...the Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida.From the Executive and Members of GACACF, thank you tothe Community for your support throughout 2010.

Season’s Greetings from ...the Board and Members of the Caribbean American Chamberof Commerce of Florida, Inc. We enjoyed working with youthroughout 2010 and we look forward to a continued relation-ship in 2011. Join us, as we work towards celebrating June asCaribbean American Heritage Month with a bang next year.

Season’s Greetings from ...the Management & Staff of Life Worth Living Pharmacy. Joinus January 27th - 29th for our Grand Opening of our Phar-macy in Metro West and later in February for the Grand Open-ing of our Ocala Location. We look forward to being of serviceto you the Community.

Season’s Greetings from ...Financial Solutions with Dahlia & Sandra.Listen Live on Wednesdays at 2pm on WOKB Radio.

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Planning your trip to the CaribbeanPlanning your trip to the CaribbeanPlanning your trip to the CaribbeanPlanning your trip to the CaribbeanPlanning your trip to the Caribbean

T ravelling to the Carib- bean is as simple as buying an airline or a cruise ticket

for most. But before packing yourbags, be prepared for all the im-migration requirements. Even ifyou are a U.S. citizen, there couldbe some surprises along the way.So let’s look at what you need tobe prepared for.

For U.S. CitizensFor U.S. CitizensFor U.S. CitizensFor U.S. CitizensFor U.S. CitizensDue to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, U.S. citizenstravelling to the Caribbean must carry a U.S. passport bookor card.

In addition, before making their trip, citizens should makethemselves aware of any preparations suggested by the U.S.Department of State. The Department of State publishes anysuggestions or warnings at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

For Lawful Permanent ResidentsFor Lawful Permanent ResidentsFor Lawful Permanent ResidentsFor Lawful Permanent ResidentsFor Lawful Permanent ResidentsFor non-citizens who are lawful permanent residents of the UnitedStates, there are various other considerations. First, as a gen-eral rule, permanent residents should not depart the U.S. formore than 6 months. Otherwise, the Departmentof Homeland Security may deem their residenceto be abandoned. If you do plan on being absentfor a longer period of time, consult with an experi-enced immigration attorney about obtaining a re-entry permit.

Second, permanent residents should make surethat the length of their trip will not impact theireligibility for naturalization. Generally, an appli-cant for naturalization must be physically presentin the U.S. for two and a half years (if applyingbased on 5 years of residence); or one and a halfyear (if applying based on 3 years of residence).So, it is important to calculate what impact, if any,the length of departure would have on the conti-nuity of residence or physical presence.

Third, a non-U.S. citizen who has been convicted of certaintypes of crimes may face deportation upon returning to theU.S. This may happen even if the person was able to enterpreviously without any consequences. Again, it would be im-portant to consult with an attorney before departing the U.S.

For Non-ImmigrantsFor Non-ImmigrantsFor Non-ImmigrantsFor Non-ImmigrantsFor Non-ImmigrantsPeople who are in violation of their immigration status, shouldconsider the potential consequences of their departure. Underthe Immigration and Nationality Act, if someone has not beenin authorized stay for 180 days, then his departure would trig-ger a 3-year bar. Anyone who departs after 365 days of unau-thorized stay, would be barred from returning for 10 years.Some exceptions do apply. Given the serious consequences ofthese bars, it would be wise for anyone who may be affected bythese bars to seek professional advice.

Last, those who are in non-immigrant status (temporary sta-tus) in the U.S., whether it is for tourism, business or em-ployment, may not be able to return if they do not possessan unexpired visa. Often, we confuse our immigration “sta-tus” with a “visa.” There is a distinction between the two.The visa allows one to come to the U.S. The status deter-mines for how long the person may remain here. So forexample, a visitor may have changed his status to an L-1(as an intracompany transferee for her foreign business).However, if the L-1 status holder travels abroad, she will notbe able to return to the U.S., unless she has an unexpired L-

1 visa or another visa.

Accordingly, before travelling to the Caribbean,be prepared. Too many members of the commu-nity run into unexpected immigration problemswhen travelling. Knowing the immigration re-quirements can prevent problems and pave theway for a successful trip.

Shahzad Ahmed, Esq.PartnerSenior Immigration AttorneyNeJame, LaFay, Jancha, Ahmed, Barker & Joshi, P.A.189 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 1800Orlando, Florida 32801 • Phone: (407) 245-1232www.immigrationcounselors.com

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Deadline Approaching for Haitian TPSDeadline Approaching for Haitian TPSDeadline Approaching for Haitian TPSDeadline Approaching for Haitian TPSDeadline Approaching for Haitian TPSU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had previously announced that eligible Haitian nationals will have anadditional 180 days to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a relief program launched in response to the catastrophicearthquake in Haiti earlier this year. Thus, the new registration deadline is January 18, 2011. Any Haitians who may qualifyfor this important benefit must file by this deadline.

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