Category Archives: Caribbean

The new location has been a hit with customers, as Caribbean Charm has moved from Main Street to the Victorian-style boutique on the corner of Pitkin Road and New London Turnpike.

Owner Lauren Cheney, a lifelong Glastonbury resident, first opened Caribbean Charm in 2008, occupying the space above Daybreak Coffee Roasters. A move in 2013 to the 2235 Main St. location (now occupied by Nana's Infant & Children's Boutique) brought more visibility, but that brought more customers demanding more inventory.

"Basically, the other place, I was growing out of," Cheney said, adding that as Caribbean Charm's popularity grew, it became necessary to find a larger space. "This place popped up, and I just liked the space. I didn't want to move into a mall. We did a lot of renovations here. It was an office space, but we made a store out of it. We didn't want it to be like a cookie-cutter store."

The new store, at 136 New London Turnpike, opened Oct. 1, and since holiday gift-buying started soon after, there wasn't time for a grand opening celebration. A ribbon cutting on Feb. 1 included several members of the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce, which Caribbean Charm re-joined.

"The uniqueness of Caribbean Charm is indicative of the work that Lauren puts into the store," said Chamber Ambassador Bobby Dibella. "She has accumulated unique gifts from around the world that represent emphasize a a full body of feminine attire, as well as jewelry, at the right price."

Reactions to the new location have included people who say the new store feels like a well-decorated home, and that they like its proximity to Eric Town Square.

"We like the location," Cheney said. "I've gotten really good response from the customers, because they're already out and about, at lunch or dinner at the restaurants, or at other shops nearby. People come for a lot of gifts on their way, or if someone forgot their earrings, they'll stop here on their way to dinner and get some."

Caribbean Charm Boutique specializes in unique one-of-a-kind women's accessories, featuring Brighton Collectibles, Vocal, Spicy Girl, Spanx, Suzie Sleepers, a pajama line designed by Glastonbury resident Suzanne Balducci, and many other treats.

"What is hot now is Brighton. Brighton is big," Cheney said, of one particular brand of jewelry and pocketbooks. "Our own jewelry is doing well, and the clothes. I'm expanding on the clothes. I like my products to be unique. We also offer monogramming and engraving on-site."

Cheney said future renovations are likely to include larger windows, so passers-by can see more of what Caribbean Charm has to offer. Caribbean Charm also offers online shopping and services.

For more information, visit http://www.caribbeancharm.com.

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Caribbean Charm Enjoying New Location - Hartford Courant

National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson discusses attending the Caribbean Series in hopes of bringing artifacts to Cooperstown

CULIACAN, Mexico -- The Caribbean Series has secured a spot in Cooperstown.

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum president Jeff Idelson and Jean Fruth, the Hall of Fame's photographer, were in Mexico this week gathering items and documenting the annual tournament between the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Cuba, an original member of the Caribbean Confederation, participated in the tournament as a special guest for the fourth consecutive year.

Complete Caribbean Series coverage

"The Caribbean Series, the Serie del Caribe, is an important part of the world baseball calendar," Idelson said. "From the Hall of Fame's standpoint, we are here to collect artifacts, to meet new people from the different federations and teams and to really make sure that this event is documented properly in the Hall of Fame."

In 2015, Idelson attended the Caribbean Series in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and returned to Cooperstown with several items, including the championship jersey of Pinar del Rio outfielder Roel Santos from Cuba. He returned with many artifacts from last year's Caribbean Series in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, including the jersey of Jorge Vazquez of Mexico's championship team.

This year, Idelson will take back a list of artifacts that includes the ball from the first pitch thrown by Mexico's Hector Velazquez to start the championship game between Mexico and Puerto and jerseys belonging to Puerto Rico's Jonathan Morales and Puerto Rico's Randy Ruiz. Morales drove home what proved to be the winning run in the top of the 10th in Puerto Rico's 1-0 victory in the Caribbean Series title game.

Puerto Rico defeats Mexico to win Caribbean Series

Manager Luis Matos and pitcher Dereck Rodriguez discuss Puerto Rico's 1-0 victory over Mexico to win the 2017 Caribbean Series

"The artifacts we collect can end up anywhere in the museum," Idelson said. "Viva Baseball!, which is our first bilingual exhibit, talks about the great baseball playing countries like Puerto Rico and Mexico. What we collect could very well end up in Viva Baseball!"

The Viva Baseball! exhibit was opened in 2009 to recognize the impact of Latin America on baseball through an exhibit that celebrates Caribbean countries and its players. All of Fruth's work will reside in the permanent archives, and some will be used in the Viva Baseball! exhibit.

Jesse Sanchez, who has been writing for MLB.com since 2001, is a national reporter based in Phoenix. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB and Facebook. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Caribbean Series artifacts to be displayed in Hall - MLB.com

College of Coastal Georgia recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Anguilla Community College, located in the Caribbean Islands, in a move that CCGA administrators hope will promote international education opportunities for its students, faculty and staff.

The memorandum, signed Feb. 3, aims to promote cooperation in the exchange of students, faculty and staff for both schools.

Tracy Pellett, provost and vice president of academic affairs at CCGA, and James Lynch, the interim director of international education and director of institutional effectiveness, visited Anguilla this month to meet with government and education officials and to sign the MoU.

CCGA is honored to forge a connection with Anguilla, its people, and its Community College, Pellett said during the signing ceremony. We see immediate partnering and impact opportunities that we will be following up on in the next few months. We are fortunate to have this opportunity to further enhance our cultural, programmatic and professional understanding and development.

LeRoy Hill, dean of studies and acting president of ACC, said during the ceremony that the MoU is guided by the schools interests in several fields, including coastal ecology management, biological and environment science, health sciences, hospitality management, education and maritime research and training.

A seed is a powerful metaphor for this occasion, Hill said. Not only because it represents the opportunities and potential for bearing fruit, but a seed in this setting also represents an historical-cultural connection.

Conversations between CCGA and ACC about forging an international education partnership began several months ago.

During our extended conversations with government dignitaries and education officials, we all shared the same feeling of excitement and optimism given education areas of common interest underscored by a strong focus on student welfare and success through impassioned teaching and learning at the heart of this evolving partnership, Lynch said.

Costal now has four formal memorandums of understanding with international schools. The college also recently signed them with two other Caribbean institutions in Belize Ecumenical Junior College and Stan Creek Independence Junior College. And in 2015, CCGA began a partnership with the American College of Greece.

ACC greatly values the partnership with the College of Coastal Georgia and hopes it will be long lasting and mutually beneficial for both institutions, said Rodney Rey, ACCs chairman of the board of governors.

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CCGA enters partnership with Caribbean college - The News (subscription)

The RORC Caribbean 600 attracts the world's fastest racing yachts, magnificent superyachts and corinthian production cruisers. Gathered in Antigua for the start of the 600-mile blast around 11 Caribbean islands, the fleet is a phenomenal sight.

Among the spectacular entries this year are two colossal schooners; Eleonora and Adela, with at least 12 classic-designed yachts joining them on the race course.

Adela dates back to 1903 and at 182ft (55 metres), she is the largest yacht competing in the race. Displacing 250 tons and capable of 17 knots of boat speed, the forces on board are off the charts; the mainsail alone can generate 50 tons of load. Adela has an extraordinary record in the race; coming in the top ten overall under IRC in all four races she has competed in, including third overall in 2013. Adela is unbeaten in the Spirit of Tradition Class and is likely to have 35 crew for this year's race. Since she last competed in 2015, the schooner has undergone major modifications to her rudder and keel. Changing a headsail on Adela requires crew out on her mighty bowsprit, a position for agile, strong and trustworthy crew.

"We are really starting from scratch in terms of how to sail Adela after the refit," commented crew boss Guy Salter. "There have also been a few changes to the crew, so we will be working on boat handling in the run up to the race. We still have Kym 'Shag' Morton on the helm and that is a good thing. Experienced guys from the Maxi era are the closest thing to experts on driving these sort of boats and when you have crew on the bowsprit, which is really just an extension of the foredeck, you need someone on the helm who knows how to drive a displacement yacht. He won't come up at a mark until it is safe to do so. Protecting the crew is the most important part of the race."

Displacing 213 tons with an overall length of 162ft (49.5 metres), Eleonora is an exact replica of the famous 1910 Herreshoff schooner Westward. Since her launch in 2000 she has followed Westward's heritage of racing, however, this will be Eleonora's first RORC Caribbean 600.

"It is an event that the crew have been looking forward to ever since it was decided to enter," explains Brendan McCoy, Captain of Eleonora. "Adela has shown formidable speed in the Caribbean 600 and she has an advantage over us in waterline length and sail area, so it will be against the odds to beat her over the water. On IRC rating, we just don't know how we will fair and the conditions will play a big part. However, it will be an achievement to sail Eleonora well around the course. There are so many manoeuvres; it will be a real challenge for the crew and that is what we are looking forward to. For the race, we will have members from the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Royal Ocean Racing Club on board and we are keen to ensure they all have a memorable race."

Classic yachts have always been a part of the RORC Caribbean 600. Competing this year is the 78ft Maxi Kialoa III, best remembered for victory in the 1975 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, with the race record lasting for 21 years. The 70ft mahogany ketch, El Oro was originally owned by Baron Marcel Bich, the founder of Bic pens and built as a cruising version of his 1973 Whitbread racer, Kriter. Australian yachting enthusiast and owner, Tim Wilson rescued El Oro in 2008 and following a full restoration, has raced the classic yacht for the past five years. Many of the crew will be flying in from Australia to compete in the race. Mat Barker's 65ft sloop, The Blue Peter has unfinished business after retiring from last year's race. The Blue Peter is a true classic, almost unchanged since being launched in 1930.

Nine majestic yachts, built by Nautor's Swan will also be competing this year, including three classics designed by Sparkman & Stephens; Swan 48s, Isbjorn and Sleeper, a Swan 44 Freebird. Other classic designed sloops in the RORC Caribbean 600 include the 88ft Dutch Frers, Tulip, Irish C.N.B Briand 76ft, Lilla and Hound, a 60ft Nielsen Custom from the United States.

The 9th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 will start from Antigua on February 20th 2017 and in excess of 70 yachts are expected, with over 900 sailors from 24 different countries taking part.

For more information visit: http://www.caribbean600.rorc.org

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Classics Gather in Caribbean | Sailing World - Sailing World

Former U.S. president Barack Obama is trying some new and dangerous water sports that the Hawaii native had to miss out on for safety reasons while serving in the White House.

Obama, whose eight years as president ended last month when he was succeeded by Donald Trump, learned to kiteboard while vacationing last week on a Caribbean island owned by British billionaire and adventurer Sir Richard Branson, who published an accountof their trip on Tuesday.

Photographs and video on the website of Branson's Virgin Group show the former president, a life-long surfer, figuring out the increasingly popular sport in which people ride a board while being pulled behind a kite.

"Being the former president of America, there was lots of security around, but Barack was able to really relax and get into it," Branson wrote.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, were spotted last week in the British Virgin Islands, and people posted photos of them on social media. Branson owns 120-acre (48-hectare) Moskito Island, which is part of the archipelago.

Kiteboarding was chosen in 2012 as a sport for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, replacing windsurfing. The decision was criticized at the time because the sport can be lethal, and it was reversed within months.

According to Branson, Obama studied the pastime for two days and flew a kite from the beach, "as if going back to being a child again," before heading out into the waves.

Branson was trying to learn a similar sport, foilboarding, which uses a modified board that rises a few feet above the water. He wrote that he challenged the ex-president over which of them would succeed first.

Obama triumphed, he said, by kiteboarding for 100 meters (328 feet).

"After all he has done for the world, I couldn't begrudge him his well-deserved win," Branson wrote.

(Reporting by David Ingram in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Frances Kerry)

LAS VEGAS Opening statements were to begin on Thursday in the first of three trials over an armed standoff in 2014 at the rural Nevada property of Cliven Bundy, a rancher who has achieved celebrity status in the West in his opposition to government land policy.

BOSTON/NEW YORK The heaviest storm the northeastern United States has seen this year was bearing down on the region on Thursday, forcing schools in major cities to cancel classes and airlines to ground thousands of flights.

Former NBA player Charles Oakley was arrested on Wednesday during the game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers after an altercation with security guards at Madison Square Garden.

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Obama kiteboards in Caribbean with billionaire Richard Branson - Reuters

While several cruise lines will be following on the heels of Carnival with limited visits to Cuba this spring, both Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line have announced they have expanded service through the fall.

Royal will send Empress of the Seas out of Tampa on 4- and 5-night sailings from Tampa through November and Norwegian Sky will sail out of Miami on 4-night trips through December.

Carnival Corp. was the first U.S.-based cruise line to visit Cuba on a regular basis in nearly 50 years when it sailed on May 1, 2016 on its Fathom brand aboard the Adonia as part of an approach that was aimed to provide passengers cultural and educational immersion in the Cuban culture. That brand is going away this summer, and Carnival has yet to announce sailings on any of its other brands beyond May.

In late 2016, Norwegian, its sister lines Oceania and Regenet Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean and sister line Azamara Club Cruises as well as Pearl Seas Cruises all announced various sailings to the island nation, some of which will began in January, but none of the lines were slated to sail beyond May, not having received approval from the Cuban government.

Royal was the first to announce the expanded approval on Friday with Norwegian following on its heels today. Norwegian Cruise Line had five itineraries slated out of PortMiami, all with overnight stays in Havana, with departures in May. The line's addition 25 trips run from June-December.

"We are thrilled to be the first cruise line able to offer weekly sailings from Miami to Cuba through the fall of 2017," said Norwegian Cruise Line President and CEO Andy Stuart in a press release. "We have seen great demand from our guests for sailings to Cuba and we look forward to providing more opportunities for them to experience this incredibly culture-rich destination on a weekly basis."

The trips will offer 15 full and half-day cultural immersion activities in Cuba including a farm-to-table dining experience, exploring natural gem Soroa, exploring Havana in a classic car and others. The four-night trips will also feature stops at the line's private island Great Stirrup Cay. The new cruises will open for sale Feb. 21. Inside cabins start at $699 per person, based on double occupancy. Those rates don't include taxes and port fees. Visit http://www.ncl.com/cruises-to/cuba-cruises for more details.

Royal Caribbean's newly announced trips will offer some overnight stays in Havana - a first for the line - as part of itineraries that also feature stops in Key West and Cozumel, Mexico. 4-night sailings start at $499 per person, based on double occupancy and 5-night sailings start at $599. Those trips are slated to run through Nov. 4, and are currently on sale at RoyalCaribbean.com.

Cruise to Cuba: 'People from all over the world are experiencing this together'

rtribou@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5134

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Norwegian, Royal Caribbean expand Cuba sailings through end of the year - Orlando Sentinel

MASON CITY The 2016-17 Travel and Adventure Film Series continues with Pearls of the Caribbean at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the North Iowa Area Community College campus.

This is a change from the original film, Cubas Secret Side. Cuba will be featured in this film.

MASON CITY Southeast Asia Exotic Spice Islands & Tropical Countries kicks off the

The 2016-17 Travel and Adventure Series is sponsored by NIACC.

Set sail with Marlin Darrah, the worlds most traveled filmmaker, to explore several island gems sprinkled throughout the Caribbean. Countries and cities visited are San Juan, Puerto Rico; Havana, Cuba; St. Barts; St. Maarten; Antigua; Dominica; St. Lucia; and Barbados.

The Caribbean features some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world from beaches to forests to mountains, with blue water, flowers, and brightly-colored birds.

The islands were settled by migrant tribes from South America, gold-seeking Spaniards and European planters from France, England, Netherlands and Denmark.

Add pirates, an African slave culture, Indians, Chinese, Syrians, Lebanese, more South Americans, and you have the recipe that makes up these islands.

The racial mix has produced an astonishing musical and artistic energy, which comes together in the week of Carnival.

This film was shot in 2013 on High-Definition video.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students, available at the door. For information, call the NIACC Continuing Education office, 641-422-4358.

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NIACC Presents Pearls of the Caribbean film - Mason City Globe Gazette

Last night, Disney aired a Super Bowl trailer for their highly-anticipated Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, which is set to hit theaters on May 26, 2017. Many eagle-eyed fans noticed that this new footage offered our first look at Orlando Bloom's Will Turner, who has changed quite a bit since we last saw him in 2007's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. The actor and his beloved character didn't appear in the last swashbuckling adventure, 2011's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and while he is returning in this movie, it remains to be seen how large or small a role he may have.

A number of Twitter users captured screen grabs from the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales trailer last night to show us our first look at Will Turner. Way back in September 2014, Orlando Bloom hinted that he may return, after taking over as the new "Davy Jones" in At World's End. Brenton Thwaites has also hinted in the past that the story will center on the son of Davy Jones, which could be the character he's playing, but that hasn't been confirmed. When Disney announced the full cast list, Orlando Bloom's Will Turner/Davy Jones was nowhere to be found, but now we finally have confirmation that he is returning.

At the end of At World's End, Will Turner committed himself to a 10-year tour of duty as the captain of the Flying Dutchman. There was also a post-credits scene where he returned ashore to meet the son he had with Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) for the first time. It's worth noting that it's possible Will's tour as Davy Jones may be coming to an end, since At World's End was released on May 24, 2007, and Dead Men Tell No Tales arrives in theaters May 26, 2017, exactly 10 years and two days apart from each other. That hasn't been confirmed by Disney yet, but hopefully we'll find out more about how large or small Will Turner's role is in this big screen adventure.

Johnny Depp returns to the big screen as the iconic, swashbuckling anti-hero Jack Sparrow in the all-new Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The rip-roaring adventure finds down-on-his-luck Captain Jack feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing strongly his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the terrifying Captain Salazer (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil's Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea, notably Jack. Jack's only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy.

At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune, but to save his very life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has never faced. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales also stars Kevin R. McNally as Joshamee Gibbs, Golshifteh Farahani as the sea-witch Shansa, David Wenham as Scarfield, Stephen Graham as Scrum, and Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa. Take a look at this new image of Orlando Bloom from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, as we get closer to the May 26, 2017 release date. We also have more new photos which arrived shortly after the Super Bowl trailer, and you can take a look at the trailer itself below.

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Orlando Bloom Returns as Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean 5 First Look - MovieWeb

The Caribbean is the second-most affected region in the world in terms of HIV prevalence rates.[1] Based on 2009 data, about 1.0 percent of the adult population (240,000 people) is living with the disease, which is higher than any other region except Sub-Saharan Africa.[2] Several factors influence this epidemic, including poverty, gender, sex tourism, and stigma. HIV incidence in the Caribbean declined 49% between 2001 and 2012.[3] Different countries have employed a variety of responses to the disease, with a range of challenges and successes.

Although the exact origin of the disease is unknown, the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean most likely began in the 1970s. The first reported AIDS case occurred in Jamaica in 1982, followed by eight cases among gay and bisexual men in Trinidad and Tobago. In the early days of the epidemic, more men were affected than women.[4]:page: 196 By 1985, however, HIV/AIDS clearly was becoming a general population issue and was no longer a disease solely of gay or bisexual men.[5] Contrary to popular belief, the primary mode of HIV transmission in the region is heterosexual sex.[1] The number of new HIV infections among women became and continues to be higher than those among men.[1] Currently, the Caribbean is the only area outside of Sub-Saharan Africa where women and girls outnumber men and boys living with HIV.[2]

Among adults aged 1544, AIDS is the leading cause of death.[1] Between 2001 and 2009, new infections slightly declined.[2] There is a large degree of variation of HIV prevalence between the 21 Caribbean countries. Currently, there are two countries where the national prevalence is over 2 percent, those being the Bahamas, and Belize.[6] In Jamaica and Haiti, the HIV rate is estimated to be about 1.8 percent, while in Trinidad and Tobago the rate is 1.5 percent. In the region, the rate in Guyana and Suriname is between 1 and 1.1%. In the Barbados and the Dominican Republic, the rate is 0.9% and 0.7% respectively. Cuba has the lowest rate, which is under 0.2 percent.[4]:page: 106 The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Caribbean appears to have been overshadowed by the seemingly more severe problems in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the countries with more active and highly visible activism.[7]

A variety of social factors have perpetuated the spread and worsened the severity of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. Many persons are at increased risk of HIV infection because of their social vulnerability, arising from poverty, illiteracy or limited education, unemployment, gender inequity, and sexual orientation.[4]:page: 199 HIV/AIDS can weaken the national education system, perpetuating the spread of the disease by hindering efforts to educate the public about the disease. Furthermore, a weak political response by the government can result in ineffective programs.[8]Public policies in some countries openly discriminate against HIV-positive people, placing the burden of responsibility on the family of the infected individual. Discrimination also takes place in housing, employment, and public accommodations, and currently little is able to be done.[9] Because of these factors, many have less knowledge, skills, and motivation to practice safe-sex and avoid the disease.

Gender plays an important role in the spread of HIV. Young women are more likely than men to contract HIV in the Caribbean, and most of these women are between 2444 years old.[5] In developing countries in general, women are at an extreme disadvantage in terms of the prevention and treatment of HIV. The gender hierarchies found within many societies contributes to the correlation of women and HIV.[10] One of the factors that put women most at risk is sexual violence. The first sexual experience of a girl is often forced, and during unprotected vaginal intercourse, women are more likely than men to contract HIV, because HIV-infected semen has a higher viral concentration than vaginal secretions.[11] The Capability Approach, outlined by Nussbaum's Central Capabilities, lists bodily health and bodily integrity as crucial components of human dignity, and both of these are violated in the case of HIV transmission through rape.[12] Furthermore, sexual relations between older men and younger women during transactional sex possibly explain why more teenage girls than boys are HIV-positive in the Caribbean.[4]:page: 199

Sexuality has also had a significant impact on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. The prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) seems to be high, though reliable, current data is lacking. The HIV prevalence rate across the Caribbean between MSM varies, ranging from 11.7 percent in the Dominican Republic (1996) to 18 percent in Suriname (1998) to 33.6 percent in Jamaica (1996).[4] While unprotected sex between men is undoubtedly a major contributing factor to the epidemic, it remains largely hidden in the data. In many Caribbean countries, gay sexual relations remain illegal. This has led to a heavy stigma associated with same-sex relationships.[2] This stigma and widespread discrimination are definite factors in the spread of HIV.[13] In Trinidad and Tobago, one in five MSM were HIV positive, and out of those, one in four said they also have sex with women.[2] Because of the stigma and discrimination, these men hide their same sex behavior and become involved with women who do not know about their sexuality.[4]:page: 199 This has created a bridge for HIV to pass from the gay community to the general population.[4]:page: 199

Several factors within Caribbean cultures play a role in HIV transmission. Firstly, sexual patterns exist in several countries that foster the spread of the disease. There is a high level of sexual activity among the youth, as evidenced by the 22 to 32 percent of persons in six eastern Caribbean states reporting having sex before age 15.[4]:page: 199 Furthermore, having multiple sexual partners within the past year is relatively common throughout the Caribbean.[4]:page: 199

The commercial sex industry, transactional sex, and sex tourism in the Caribbean are likewise important factors. HIV infection rates for commercial sex workers are high, ranging from 4.5-12.4 percent in the Dominican Republic (2000) to 9 percent in Jamaica (2005) to 30.6 percent in Guyana (2000).[4]:page: 197 One possible explanation is that the use of condoms in transactional sex is less likely.[4]:page: 199 In addition to the specific industry of sex tourism, studies have shown that the general tourism industry is positively correlated with the HIV epidemic.[14] The perceived connection exists in that there are aspects of the environment of a tourist area that foster higher risks for HIV infection. These include riskier behaviors on the part of locals and tourists, as well as employees of the tourism industry engaging in relations with the tourists.[14]

Intravenous drug use also plays a small role in perpetuating the spread of the disease, though it is not very common in many countries. However, two notable exceptions are Bermuda and Puerto Rico. In Bermuda, the prevalence rate is around 43 percent, while in Puerto Rico almost 80 percent of HIV infections arise from drug injection.[1]

The economies of the Caribbean influence the spread of HIV/AIDS as well. Firstly, the cost of HIV on many facets of life, outside of simply human well-being, was underestimated in the past.[15] The disease hindered both the growth and the development of the island nations that make up the region. Because of rising mortality and falling productivity due to illness, the labor force in several industries has been negatively affected.[15] Several aspects on individual economies will also experience negative impacts of HIV, from agriculture to tourism to finance.[13] There have also been observed correlations between condom use and economic security, with those in more impoverished situations being less likely to practice safe sex.[16]

Studies have tried to identify a relationship between poverty and susceptibility to HIV.[17] Many have indicated that HIV/AIDS can have a negative impact on socioeconomic status, as well as the level of overall employment in a given country. In Trinidad and Tobago specifically, being poor leaves one at a higher risk to contract the disease, but having the disease likewise leaves one more vulnerable to becoming poor and unemployed.[17]

Haiti, a nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, has been greatly affected by HIV. As of 2014, the adult prevalence rate of HIV is estimated to be 1.93%.[18] For some time, Haiti had highest rate in the Americas and the highest outside of Sub-Saharan Africa.[1] Like many other countries, the disease began as being associated with men who have sex with men, specifically men in Haiti who engaged in commercial sex with male tourists. Later, the disease crossed over into the heterosexual community, with the main areas of risk being sex with female sex workers, casual sex with partners infected with AIDS, and blood transfusions.[1] The course of the disease in Haiti has been rapid and aggressive, compounded by high rates of tuberculosis and other diseases of poverty. Furthermore, a large number of children were born to HIV-positive mothers before proper treatment was available, leading to a spike in infant mortality. Negative affects have been observed in the country, one being the impact on the economy due to a shrinking tourism industry. The response of the healthcare in Haiti has been fairly effective. Due to swift identification of the disease, a coordinated response was undertaken relatively quickly. Several measures were taken, such as giving the Haitian Red Cross complete control of the blood bank, launching a national awareness campaign, and setting up local health units that provide HIV treatment with antiretroviral drugs. Although Haiti has undergone civil unrest for several years, a priority was placed on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and strong relationships were formed with the private health sector. Through both prevention and care, Haiti continues to manage the spread of the disease.[1]

Currently, the adult prevalence rate of HIV in Barbados is estimated to be 1.5 percent.[4]:page: 196 When HIV first struck Barbados, the island nation was completely underprepared to handle such a significant and detrimental disease.[1] The first case was recognized in 1984, after which those infected with AIDS were heavily stigmatized. In contrast to system in Haiti, much of the healthcare response in Barbados was carried out by the public sector. Several successes of Barbados in its fight against HIV include universal screening, confidentiality, an AIDS information center and hotline, and special attention focused on at-risk groups. Overall, the achievements should undoubtedly be praised, especially considering the fact that these responses were carried out during an economic depression in the 1990s, as well as during a period of severe stigmatization of HIV-positive people.[1]

Jamaica is another island nation that has been hit hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an adult prevalence rate of around 1.5 percent.[1] Currently, AIDS is the leading cause of death among two at-risk groups, young children aged 14 and young women aged 2029. Both the public and private health sectors have played important roles in the response to the epidemic. From providing healthcare to seeking international funds, instituting educational programs to providing condoms, the Jamaican government has done much in prioritizing the HIV crisis. Notably, as part of their strategic plan. Jamaica has set of goal of normalizing HIV as part of normal societal discourse. This would undoubtedly help to reduce stigma towards HIV-positive individuals. The relative successes of the Jamaican program are also notable, as the country has managed to secure its blood supply, expand STI treatment centers, introduce proper surveillance of HIV, and make condoms widely available. The country still seeks to strengthen its response, especially in terms of reducing discrimination and expanding prevention and intervention programs.[1]

The current HIV adult prevalence rate in Cuba is estimated to be about 0.07 percent, one of the lowest in the world and certainly the lowest in the region.[1] Three of the major modes of transmissions in other nations, mother-to-child transmission, transmission through blood transfusion, and through intravenous drug use, are virtually non-existent in Cuba. Instead, sexual contact accounts for approximately 99 percent of all cases. In terms of sexuality, Cuba has followed a trajectory nearly opposite of the norm. Most of the first cases diagnosed were heterosexual men, but the disease then crossed over into the gay community as male-to-male sexual contact began to spread the disease. Today, men who have sex with men (MSM) are one of the most at-risk groups, making up for around 86 percent of men infected with HIV in Cuba.

With the establishment of the Working Group for Confronting and Fighting AIDS, the government and nongovernmental organizations created comprehensive measures to fight the disease. Firstly, Cuba banned the importation of all human blood products and destroyed potentially infected supplies, effectively eliminating transmission of HIV through blood transfusions. Next, the country provided wide-scale HIV testing for Cubans who had travelled abroad and potentially brought the disease back into the country. The most important measures served to prevent sexual transmission, namely through education programs, medical examinations, and admittance of HIV-positive individuals into specialized health centers called sanatoria. These sanatoria were somewhat controversial, especially in terms of possible human rights violations. Although severely isolated in the late 1980s, the program has since improved significantly, providing outlets for social integration and multiple levels of care.[1]

The responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean have varied over time and across countries. In the 2001 Nassau Declaration on Health, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) declared the HIV/AIDS crisis to be a priority for the region. As part of their response, the Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against AIDS (PANCAP) was formed. Today, this partnership is made up of over 80 members, including Caribbean countries, AIDS organizations, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Sources of funding include the World Bank, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and Malaria.[4]:page: 198 Three principles that are crucial to the effective control of HIV are the inclusion of HIV positive persons, prevention and treatment programs that are carried out simultaneously, and the reduction of stigma.[19]

Broadly, increased political will, affordable and accessible antiretroviral drugs, stronger NGOs, and the generous aid of donors have combined to improve access to treatment.[7] Testing pregnant women for HIV and providing antiretroviral drugs has significantly reduced the rates of mother-to-child transmission.[4]:page: 197 Improving awareness of safe sex practices through HIV education and prevention programs, as well as increasing contraceptive distribution, can reduce the rates of sexual transmission.[4]:page: 200 Specifically, childhood sex education is important in helping kids to develop lifelong safe-sex practices like consistent condom usage and reducing risk by delaying sexual activity.[19] Although it does play a minor role in the Caribbean, IV drug use still contributes to the spread of the disease. There is evidence that the harm reduction model, including needle and syringe exchange, is effective at preventing HIV with no other harmful effects.[19] Other responses include screening blood banks to reduce transmission through blood transfusion, increasing HIV screening and testing, and advocacy to establish responsive governmental policies.

Several challenges have hindered the response to the HIV crisis. First, many countries have weak national capacities in terms of their ability to manage, control, and address the epidemic.[4]:page: 199 This management also presents technical challenges for developing countries with varying levels of technological advancement. Because of the many regional governments and international aid agencies, the response to the spread of the disease is often uncoordinated and less effective than it could be.[4]:page: 200 Political factors that affect the response include inattention to or a lack of concern about HIV and incomplete or slow information flow.[9] The stigma associated with both HIV-positive people and the perceived connection to the gay community is often crippling, resulting in discrimination, low use of testing facilities, and increased transmission of the disease.[5] While this is certainly improving, there is still also a lack of information regarding how HIV/AIDS affected specific groups, like commercial sex workers, men who have sex with men, and IV drug users.[5] Without substantive and concrete information, it remains difficult to completely address the needs of the groups. Lastly, it remains difficult to fully implement HIV interventions in several areas, and in-depth research is needed to truly understand how these interventions function to help HIV-positive individuals.[1]

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HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean - Wikipedia

KOKOMO Jerry and Alice Hatfield like to travel. They especially enjoy the Caribbean, and with their new bar and restaurant, The Great Escape, they hope to capture the mood of a laid back Caribbean vacation.

Located at 2411 N. Washington St., in what used to be the bar Kathys Place, the Hatfields want their establishment to bring something new to the Kokomo bar scene.

Theres no other place in town like it, said Jerry. Its just a cool atmosphere.

The Caribbean theme hits you instantly when you step foot into the Great Escape. A large mural depicting tropical wildlife wraps around the circumference of the ceiling. The actual bar is similarly decorated with decals from Clifford Signs Inc. in Kokomo.

We wanted something different, Alice said. Not where most bars are dark and gloomy; we wanted something that made you feel relaxed and cheerful.

Thats where they got the motivation for the name they really do want customers to feel like theyve made a great escape to somewhere warm and sunny.

The Hatfields did the designing on their own along with Jerrys father, Milburn Hatfield, who has owned The Hoosier Bar on West Morgan Street for 37 years.

Each table is uniquely decorated. One has beer bottle caps that form a design beneath a pane of glass. Another is brightly painted with a tropical pattern.

Another is decorated in honor of the military, and another to union workers.

Their first day open was on Jan. 26. They did very little advertising, but were still able to draw a crowd. The next day, a Friday, Alice said they had the place full, with a lot of repeat customers. Theres going to be a grand opening coming up, but they want the place to be a bit more up and rolling before then.

As for the menu, they spoke highly of the kahuna burger, which sports ham, pineapple and kahuna sauce as toppings. They also have fish, including Cajun fish nuggets, and gyros that have been pretty popular.

Of course, they also offer a full line up of bar food. Sometime soon, theyll be equipped to serve frozen margaritas.

On Thursdays they sell domestic beer for $2 and have free games of pool.

There are a few additions they hope to offer in the future, including a karaoke night, and have live bands and DJs perform. This summer, Jerry said he hopes to have a beer garden outside.

The Great Escape is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.

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New Kokomo bar has Caribbean theme - Kokomo Tribune