Category Archives: Caribbean

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In an effort to boost sustainable food production across eight Caribbean countries, The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) and The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have partnered to implement The CSIDS SOILCARE Project. The project is expected to facilitate in participating Parties meeting their obligations to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), benefit farmer organizations and their members through capacity development on sustainable food production systems and alternative livelihood options, including training on development preparation of projects that enables them to better access private sector support and investments for financing initiatives that promote Sustainable Land and Soil Management (SLM). The project will be rolled out in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provided grant funding of USD 8,155,205 for the implementation of the project with an estimated USD 25,797,816 in co-financing in cash and in-kind co-financing coming from the recipient country governments, private sector and non-governmental organizations totaling USD 33,953,021. The project which commenced on 24 November 2021, has a duration of 48 months, and will benefit farmers, farmer organizations, farming communities, government agencies, relevant public and private sector, civil society, and academia.

The long-term solution envisioned under the CSIDS SOILCARE Project is to enhance the national capacities for establishing the Caribbean Soil Laboratory Network and the Caribbean Soil Information System as the basis for guiding the rehabilitation of degraded land and soils, build resilience against natural disasters and climate change, as well as to enhance food systems and alternative livelihoods. As such, the project has been designed to address a number of barriers that exists which constrain the participating countries and the region in implementing these solutions including, limited soil information which hinders data to guide long and short-term development and investment decisions; insufficient persons trained in soil science and climate smart agricultural tools and practices which is necessary for sustaining soil health and food productivity; and the lack of sufficient inclusion of soil health issues such as food security in major legal and policy instruments and public education programmes of the participating countries.

During her remarks at the SOILCARE Summit on 16 December 2021, Renata Clarke, FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, stated that the partnership between PISLM and FAO brings together at the governance level of the project, the skills and expertise in land degradation and sustainable land/soils management to drive the transformation of the management of land which is essential to the food security and the very survival of the Caribbean Small Island Developing States.

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Meanwhile, Calvin James, Executive Director of PISLM stated, PISLM joins in the regional effort to mitigate against food insecurity and the impacts of climate change on the agriculture sector. As the governments of the Caribbean Community are actively drafting policy instruments ensure the regions food security. PISLM, in partnership with FAO and in collaboration with CARICOM are pro-actively providing and contributing to the enabling environment for the region to food security needs through its flagship programme known as SOILCARE. He added that, SOILCARE will provide the tools required to ensure soil health, strengthen the regions soil lab network, introduce new technologies in climate smart agriculture and build the capacity of the regions agri-practitioners.

In May 2022, PISLM signed a cooperation agreement with The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus to implement relevant activities under the project which includes the establishment and operationalization of a PISLM/SOILCARE Regional Research Facility on New Climate Resilient Adaptation Technologies. The UWI has agreed to lease at least 25 acres of the Agriculture Innovation Park which is located on 200 acres of land at the Orange Grove Estate, East Trinidad to establish the facility.

The PISLM/SOILCARE Regional Research Facility is intended to identify and evaluate agricultural practices and technologies that enhance productivity, food security and resilience in specific agro-ecological zones and farming systems in the Caribbean and provide training to farmers on those practices and technologies. The ceremonial signing took place on 27 May 2022 at the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. In attendance were Pro Vice-Chancellor and Professor Brian Copeland Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus (now retired), Calvin James Executive Director, PISLM, Gaius Eudoxie Lecturer Soil Science, UWI, Mark Wuddivira Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, UWI, and Neila Bobb-Prescott FAOs Climate Finance Specialist.

A number of other activities are also commencing under the project including an assessment of land and soil degraded areas in order to develop strategies for the rehabilitation and restoration in those areas; a market analysis to determine which crops/products have the most commercial potential that will be produced by climate smart model farms. Additional activities are; an assessment and accessibility of existing financing mechanisms which invest in profit-generating sustainable land management and restoration projects; the adoption of sustainable and good practices to boost productivity while mitigating and adapting to climate change and a review and updating of the Caribbean Community relevant policy frameworks to ensure the integration of climate resilient sustainable soil and land management actions. Other key areas to be targeted include resilience building to land degradation, natural disasters and climate change through climate smart agriculture and drought risk management.

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The enhancement of food systems and alternative livelihoods through the promotion of innovations in agriculture and livestock production systems and mobilization of the private sector through strengthened public-private partnerships is also an important activity the project will CSIDS SOILCARE Project address as well.

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Eight Caribbean Countries to Strengthen Food and Nutrition Security - St. Lucia News From The Voice - The Voice St. Lucia

WASHINGTON (CMC) The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says it is joining forces with the United Nations Green Climate Fund (GCF) to create the first regional fund to promote electric mobility and green hydrogen in Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to the IDB, the fund is expected to provide US$450 million in concessional loans and grants to nine countries.

The funding will underpin a transition in the regions cities towards lower carbon emissions and resilient public transportation by accelerating the use of electric and hydrogen-based public transportation and by making urban mobility systems more resilient to climate change, said the IDB in a statement.

It said the resources will enable this shift in Jamaica, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The regions urban mobility systems are under strain. The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a hard blow to public transportation companies, reducing the number of users and revenue needed to sustain operations, move away from volatile and polluting fossil fuels and transition toward more secure energy sources, said IDB President, Mauricio Claver-Carone.

This regional e-mobility fund will provide the financial resources needed to adopt cleaner technologies. It will also boost the resilience of transportation and energy systems, he added.

GCF Executive Director, Yannick Glemarec, said GCF is pleased to partner with IDB for the first fund that will promote electric mobility and green hydrogen in the region.

Not only will our investment of US$200 million help increase access to low-emission transportation and strengthen the resilience of the urban transport infrastructure, it will provide socio-economic benefits to millions of people in Latin America and the Caribbean, Glemarec added.

By increasing access to low-emission transportation, the IDB said the programme will eliminate 7.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Its climate adaptation measure will directly benefit 1.5 million people and indirectly benefit 9 million, representing nine percent of the entire population of programme countries.

The benefits include lower fossil-fuel import bills, improved public- and private-sector mobility capacity, new green jobs, a fair transition that addresses gender and other considerations, and a power grid that is more resilient to climate events.

The IDB said it and other partners are expected to provide US$200 million of the funding (US$195 million in loans and US$5 million in grants).

The governments of the nine beneficiary countries are expected to provide an additional US$50 million in local partner funds, for a total initial investment of US$450 million.

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IDB, Green Climate Fund, to promote e-mobility in the Caribbean - Jamaica Observer

Theres lots I crave about Jamaican food, beyond jerk and curried meat. At cook shops, tucked away in shopping plazas, on highway roadsides and up in the hills, the Rastafari and Seventh-Day Adventists alike serve a rotating daily feast of plant-based dishes that celebrate the islands fresh produce, from leafy greens to starchy roots and bright fruits, combined with local herbs and spices.

Unlike Guyana and Trinidad, Jamaica doesnt have a big Indian community. This dish, then, is something of a Caribbean Sea melting pot, fusing chana, or curried chickpeas, with a Jamaican vegetable curry. The softened chickpeas are swamped in a silky coconut curry sauce, with the heat dialled up with fresh ginger and a whole scotch bonnet.

Prep 20 minCook 40 minServes 4-6

75ml rapeseed or vegetable oil large onion, finely chopped3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced2.5cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced2 spring onions, white and green parts separated, thinly sliced1 tbsp curry powder (mild or medium)1 tbsp ground cumin1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained1 x 400ml tin coconut milk1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning tsp ground cinnamon250g sweet potato, peeled and cut into 2.5cm pieces1 large carrot, sliced1 bell peppers (a mix of colours), deseeded and cut into 1cm dice2 large tomatoes, diced (or 8 cherry tomatoes, halved)4 sprigs thyme1 tsp sea salt1 tsp black pepper1 tbsp maple syrup or soft light brown sugar (optional)1 tbsp desiccated coconut1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole

For the okra2 tbsp coconut oilA pinch of dried chilli flakes56 okra, topped and tailed, halved lengthways

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and saute for two minutes, add the garlic, ginger and the white part of the spring onions, then cook for another two minutes.

Add the curry powder, cumin and a tablespoon of water, and stir for a minute to combine. Stir in the chickpeas, coating them in the seasoning, then add the coconut milk, the all-purpose seasoning and cinnamon, and keep stirring for another minute or so.

Next, stir in the sweet potato, carrot, peppers, tomatoes and thyme. Add the salt, black pepper, maple syrup or sugar, if using, and the desiccated coconut, stir, then add the scotch bonnet. Turn the heat down to low, cover with the lid and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir, cover again and simmer for a further 1015 minutes, until the sweet potato is tender.

Meanwhile, cook the okra. Heat the coconut oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and add the chilli flakes. Add the okra and fry until they start to brown slightly. Remove with a spatula and drain on kitchen paper. Add the okra and its spicy oil to the pan of coconut chickpeas or serve separately, if you prefer.

Serve with the green part of the spring onions.

One of the dishes that has popped up at many Jamaican Ital shacks and restaurants is this sticky, sweet and sour vegan version of peppered steak, which is influenced by the countrys Chinese communities. Strips of beef steak are reimagined in the form of tofu, which sits in a thickened sweet soy-sauce blend that youll be hard-pressed not to enjoy every last drop of.

Prep 20 minCook 25 minServes 4

400g firm tofu, drained well, patted dry and cut into 2.5cm wide slices 5 tbsp light soy sauce4 tbsp cornflour (corn starch)2 tbsp dark (AKA black) soy sauce or tomato ketchup5 tsp apple cider vinegar3 tbsp maple syrup or soft light brown sugar 1 tsp browning (optional)4 tbsp rapeseed oil onion, thinly sliced2 spring onions, white and green parts separated, thinly sliced3 sprigs thyme scotch bonnet pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced34 garlic cloves, peeled and minced2.5cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced carrot, julienned1 red pepper, deseeded and sliced tomato, chopped (optional)

Put the tofu in a shallow bowl and add the soy sauce. Gently turn it until coated, taking care not to break up the slices. Add three tablespoons of the cornflour, then turn to coat all sides of the tofu and set aside.

In a bowl, combine the dark soy sauce or ketchup, vinegar, maple syrup or sugar, the browning, if using, and 90ml water, then set aside. In a separate bowl, mix three tablespoons of water with the remaining cornflour.

Heat three tablespoons of the oil in a large wok or frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the tofu, in batches, for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper while you cook the rest of the tofu, adding more oil when needed. Drain and set aside.

Wipe the wok or pan clean, and heat the remaining oil over a medium-high heat. Add the onion, spring onions, saving some of the green part to garnish, thyme and scotch bonnet. Stir-fry for three to five minutes, then add the garlic and ginger, then cook for another two minutes.

Add the dark soy sauce mixture and stir to combine. Next, add the cornflour-water and cook, stirring, for one to two minutes, until the sauce starts to thicken.

Add the carrot, pepper and tomato, if using, and three tablespoons of water, then stir until combined. Cover with the lid and cook for two minutes. Add the tofu and heat through, adding an extra two to three tablespoons of water if needed. Cover and heat through, then serve with a scattering of the green part of the spring onions.

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Coconut curry and peppered tofu: Riaz Phillips vegan Jamaican recipes - The Guardian

Just about three months ago, four men in their twenties joined forces to become the countrys newest metal band. Beyond the Animus is, as the name suggests, a catharsis for lead singer Donny Bartoo who uses the songs as a therapeutic escape, to get him through some of his darker moments last year.

The band jokes he recruited them by playing the songs on his phone in the middle of a noisy concert; so they moved to the parking lot to hear properly, and everything fell into place.

Inspired by System of a Down, Slipknot, Linkin Park, Eminem, the group says its sound is actually like the R&B singer The Weeknd. In their words, its WeekndCore!

As the world reopens to performances the band hopes they have more opportunities to open the eyes of Trinbagonians and the world to the sounds of Beyond the Animus.

Check them out on Facebook and Instagram and Spotify.

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Caribbean Creators: Beyond the Animus | Loop Jamaica - Loop News Jamaica

CARTERVILLE, ILLINOIS (WSIL) -- You can slow down and enjoy the island life without leaving southern Illinois.

A Caribbean Festival will be taking place at Walker's Bluff. The event will include traditional dancing, LIVE music with steel drums, and food trucks including Da Caribbean Hut.

Freeman Johnson, who owns Da Caribbean Hut, is from Nassau island and will be cooking up authentic cuisine like jerk chicken, crack pork, and juicy shrimp.

"The jerk chicken has the Caribbean jerk spice on it," he explains. "The crack pork is made in the way we do our crack conch. It's tenderized and deep fried in a special batter. It just melts in your mouth."

Freeman wants locals in the region to experience his home and its vibrant culture.

"You have the beautiful southern Illinois with the four seasons, and the leaves and the greenery," he says. "Growing up on the islands, you miss that sound. The sound of the junkanoo drum. That sound that goes with the smell, with the food that brings back that life of living on the island."

Another person excited to bring this event to southern Illinois is Sabine Henry with Walker's Bluff. She says the festival is family-friendly with bounce houses, face painting, and balloon twisting for the kids.

"Itis definitely a cultural experience for us to have it here in southern Illinois," she adds. "Something definitely new to experience for people who might even have had it on their bucket list to see, myself included."

Both Johnson and Henry hope to continue this festival and have it grow each year going forward.

The Caribbean Festival is taking place on Saturday, July 30th from 5-10 p.m.

Tickets cost $15 and can be found here.

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Caribbean festival coming to southern Illinois - WSIL TV

Tony Finau became the first player since Brendon Todd in 2019 to win back-to-back PGA Tour events, taking advantage of the friendly conditions to win the Rocket Mortgage Classic by five shots.

Finau who entered the final round with a four-stroke lead along with Taylor Pendrith madesix birdies and one bogey in a closing five-under 67 atDetroit Golf Club. It was his only dropped shotof the tournament, after just three bogeys last weekend in his 3M Open triumph.

The 32-year-old finished on an incredible 26 under, with Patrick Cantlay,Pendrith andCameron Young tied for second place.

Prior to that 3M Open success, Finau had only two wins for his career, and one since the 2015-16 season, with the notoriously mediocre putter figuring things out on the greens.

He entered the week as the 142nd best putter on the tour this season, but was the 13th best in that discipline for the tournament among players to make the cut, according to Data Golf's strokes gained stat.

It made a devastating combination when combined with his strong tee-to-green stats clearly the best of the week, gaining 3.44 strokes on the field in that area, 0.73 more than any other player.

Speaking to the CBS after stepping off the 18th green, Finau said it feels extremely rewarding to have his hard work culminate in such an incredible fortnight.

"It feels amazing, last week was amazing," he said.

"I was actually quite disappointed in my finish last week, and all I wanted to do this week was show that I am a winner and a champion. I think I did that today.

"The work has been relentless, and to be able to just get rewarded for it you never know in this game, but you keep your head up, put one foot after the other and good things can happen. That's what's happened the last couple weeks for me."

Pendrith startedthe day as co-leader, before finishing as one of 16 players to shoot 72 or worse.

A 72 sawPendrith's challenge fade, while Cantlay signed for a 66 and Young carded a 68.

Germany's Stephan Jaeger finished alone in fifth at 20 under, America's Taylor Moore was sixth as the only player at 19 under, and South Korea's Kim Jooh-yung tied the tournament record with a nine-under 63 to shoot up the leaderboard into outright seventh at 18 under.

Wyndham Clark and J.J. Spaun both shot 65s to finish tied for eighth at 17 under.

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Turks & Ciacos Islands to host 65th Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship this August - sportsmax.tv

The summer hits a musical crescendo the week of July 31 through Aug. 6 with whole festivals of blues bands, reggae bands, Beatles tribute bands and jazz bands. The fests can be found throughout the state, from Simsbury to Waterbury to North Stonington. The music is a main drawing point, but the events can also focused on food, or 60s memorabilia or cannabis cultivation.

With so many outdoor weekend festivals, this list of The Courants picks of things to do cluster around Saturday, Aug. 6. Plan carefully, as theres a lot to distract and excite you that day.

Indoors, earlier in the week, youll find a surfeit of 60s soul, with Earth, Wind & Fire at Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater and the 5th Dimension at Ridgefield Playhouse. A true Connecticut treasure, experimental jazz guitarist Joe Morris, is playing out with his recent Mess Hall project. In a whole other world, the comic voices of Jeff Dunham convulse Mohegan Sun.

Philip Bailey, left, and Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Thats the Way of the World, After the Love is Gone, Sing a Song, Boogie Wonderland, Shining Star... Those are just some of the hits of the elemental soul/pop group Earth, Wind & Fire. The ensemble still includes three members who have been with Earth, Wind & Fire since the early 70s: lead vocalist/conga player Philip Bailey, bassist Verdine White and percussionist Ralph Johnson. Baileys son is in the group as well, plus five other guys. In Connecticut, various versions of Earth, Wind & Fire have played everywhere from Toads Place to New Haven Green. Now theyre at the states newest arena on Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. at Hartford Healthcare Amphiteater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport. $39-$149.50. hartfordhealthcareamp.com

Joe Morris is one of the worlds great improvisational guitarists, and his current project Mess Hall finds him exploring shared thematic concepts with drummer Jerome Deupree and keyboardist Steve Lantner on Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. at the musicians living room, Cafe Nine in New Haven. Also on the bill: New Haven Improvisers Collective founder Bob Gorry with his Roundhouse trio of himself on guitar, Conor Perreault on various electronic devices and Michael Larocca on drums/percussion. $8. cafenine.com.

One of the top pop acts of the late 1960s and early 70s, The 5th Dimension got some fresh attention from the Oscar-winning documentary Summer of Soul, which shows the group performing an outdoor concert in Harlem in 1969. In present-day interviews for the film, some of the groups members say they were worried how they would fare against some of the soul acts on the bill, yet you see them win over the crowd. The current line-up visiting the Ridgefield Playhouse features founding 5th Dimension member Florence LaRue. Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. $55-$65. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Jeff Dunham

The most successful ventriloquist of his generation, and todays most successful live comedian based on ticket sales whenever he chooses to tour, Jeff Dunham covers all the bases: family friendly material, bad taste jokes, political humor, dumb gags, puppetry. Hes a great straight man at the same time that he orchestrating the laugh-getting puppet on his lap. His new tour is titled Seriously?, returning him to Mohegan Sun Arena Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. $39-$69. mohegansun.com.

Weekly

Our picks for things to do and places to go this weekend

The Fab 4 Music Festival celebrates The Beatles with hours of tribute bands, each of which specializes in a certain era or style of the Liverpudlian legends. While listening, you can browse dozens of vendor booths stocked with fab Beatles gear. There are even acts devoted to Beatles-adjacent bands like Badfinger and The Monkees. The Fab 4 fest has been around for a long fab time, for years in Danbury and then last summer in Wallingford. This is the first time all those Beatlemaniacs will descend on Simsbury Meadows. Aug. 6 from noon to 8 p.m. $30, $25 in advance. simsburymeadowsmusic.com.

Trying to tie the band Khruangbin to a single musical genre is futile. Theyre attracted to sounds from various countries at specific periods of history, like Thailand in the 60s or outer space in the future. Khruangbin is on tour with another eclectic trio, Canadas Men I Trust, who ironically enough named their latest release Untourable Album. Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at the spacious Westville Music Bowl in New Haven. $25-$126. westvillemusicbowl.com.

The latest in a string of city jazz festivals this summer is the venerable Brass City Jazz Fest Aug. 6 from 2 to 10 p.m. in the Waterburys Library Park. Brass City refers to the metal that used to be milled in Waterbury factories. Here, it could also evoke brass jazz instruments namely trumpeter Willie Bradley though woodwinds seem to be most prominent, with saxophonists Paul Taylor and Doug Jones and flutist Sherry Winston all in the line-up. Also performing: Unit 3 Deep featuring bassist David Dyson, vocalists Lori Williams and Taylor Sorice and the Brass City Jazz Fest Band led by Steve Clarke. Free. gnhcc.com.

Come for the jerk chicken, stay and eat while you gaze at the costumes, dancing and reggae/dub/dancehall/jazz performances from Johnny Osbourne, Elan Trotman, Jabez, Nelson Bello, Annicia Bands, Janice Hart, Amandla, Tribal Legacy and others. Its the 17th annual Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 11 a.,m. to 9 p.m. at Riverfront Recaptures Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. Free. riverfront.org.

Some of the New Englands most reliable Blues/R&B club bands gathers for an earthshaking Stafford Spring Blues Fest Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Stafford Springs Hyde Park. Topflight blues busters include James Montgomery Band, Neal & the Vipers, Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave, the Willie J Laws Band featuring Roberto Morbioli, the Diane Blue Allstar Band featuring Ricky King Russell and the side stage attraction Six Pack of Blues. WUMB radio Spinning the Blues host Holly Harris is the MC. allevents.in.

The 2nd annual Hempstock Music Festival enlightens and entertains Saturday, Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Better Together Connecticut Farm and Sanctuary in North Stonington. Theres a day of music from the Americana siblings the Rowan Brothers, reggae act Soulshot, multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Sandy Sandman Allen, jam band HannaHs Field, bluesy Mike Crandall Band, Eastern Pequot tribe shadow dancer Natasha Gambrell, jazz/art instrumentalist Lee Mixashawn Rozie, alt-rockers Dopey Lopes and the Up All Night Band and bluesman Cuppa T. Jones. Hempstock also features guest speakers: cannabis pharmacist Brian Essenter, holistic health writer Mark Braunstein, chemist Robert Rafka speaking on the selection of growing media for potted plants, cannabis farming specialist Matthew DeBacco and representatives of the return-to-the-land organization Haven Earth. hempstockct.com.

Christopher Arnott can be reached at carnott@courant.com.

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10 best things to do July 31 to Aug. 6: outdoor Caribbean and hemp festivals, plus soul and jazz legends - Hartford Courant

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves says a damage assessment following heavy winds from a tropical wave this morning revealed the damage was not as bad as previously suspected.

Gonsalves gave the update today in a national broadcast on state radio.

Weve had some damage this morning. The good news is the damage is not as extensive and the further good news is that it is the tail end of the tropical wave which affected more to the south, he said.

Gonsalves reported that damage was limited to a few houses losing their roofs and fallen trees and there were power outages in a few areas.

There were no reports of injuries or loss of life.

The National Emergency Management Organisation(NEMO) also reported that a housecollapsed on Bequia under the strong winds.

At least five other homes in the south of Bequia also received damage.

A number of residents have been placed in a shelter at the Bequia S.D.A Primary.

Gonsalves said the government will be assisting persons whose homes were damaged.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Service has forecast that weather across the country will be mostly cloudy with the chance for showers and isolated thunderstorms.

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SVG Govt to assist residents affected by today's tropical wave | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean

The Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) is offering a first-of-its-kind Afro-centric summer camp in August.

Kuumba Summer Camp, for children aged eight to 13, will run from Aug. 5 to 19 at NACCAs new community centre at 449 Eagle St.

The camp will provide an opportunity for campers to encourage positive self-awareness and resilience strategies to boost self-esteem, confidence and knowledge of Black culture and heritage inspired by Black youth for Black youth, NACCA said in a statement.

Kuumba Summer Camp will feature Black-affirming and fun-filled experiences including a summer reading club, Art Starts Here, culinary and gardening workshops, outdoor adventures, indoor fun and games, swimming, wellness and hair and skin care from the practical to the cognitive all geared for Black youth.

On Aug. 18, special guest and author, Yolanda T. Marshall, will take campers on an educational journey to learn about Canadas Caribbean Carnival.

C is for Carnival features a diverse cast of children in vibrant costumes as they play mas while dancing to Soca and Calypso music," the statement reads.

Identified as a pillar from its inception, NACCA will continue to see supporting youth as a primary focus when it releases its five-year strategic plan in September.

This summer camp program is no exception, as it will also engage three Black youth mentors who will work to co-create activities for the program for their younger peers. This will allow for much needed hands-on experience for these youth to develop their leadership skills," the statement reads.

NACCA chair Jerisha Grant-Hall is pleased NACCA is offering this first of many-to-come youth-focused programs.

As NACCA is poised to deliver direct services to the community and is especially focused on Black youth, with an aim to empower, educate and affirm, this is one of many future programs to come, she said.

NACCA has received tremendous support for the camp from the town, the York Region Food Network, Penguin Books, Tundra Books, the Ontario Trillium Foundations Resilient Communities Promising Young Peoples Fund and many volunteers from the Black community.

For more information, visit naccacommunity.ca.

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Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association offering first-of-its-kind Afro-centric summer in August - Toronto Star

2022 Atlantic hurricane names: See list, including supplemental names

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Here is the list of names for 2022, as established by the World Meteorological Organization.

Cheryl McCloud, Wochit

The Atlantic basin remained quiet again, with no tropical cyclones expected over the next five days, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters are watching three tropical waves, with one in the western Caribbean.

Your guide to preparing for the 2022 hurricane season in Florida

Track all active storms

Excessive rainfall forecast

A weak tropical wave brought thunderstorms to South and Central Florida Tuesday, with rain amounts ranging from 1 to 3 inches.

Scattered storms are forecast this afternoon over the same areas.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.

The next named storm in the Atlantic basin will be Danielle.

Hurricane season 2022: CSU, AccuWeather forecasters agree: Active hurricane season ahead. Here's what you need to know

WeatherTiger: The 2022 hurricane model power rankings: Who has the best spaghetti, who's off track?

Forecasters agreed earlier this year an active hurricane season is coming. Colorado State University meteorologists predicted 19 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationsaid 14 to 21 named storms will develop.Of the predicted hurricanes, three to sixcould be major hurricanes, packing wind speeds of 111 mph or higher.

Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 8a.m. July 27:

Tropical wave 1:A tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic is located north of Cape Verde. It's moving to the west at 19 mph. It's embedded in dry Saharan air, which is inhibiting development.

Tropical wave 2:A tropical wave is located in the central Atlantic between the British Virgin Islands and Cape Verde. It's moving to the west at 15 mph. It's also embedded in dry Saharan air.

Tropical wave 3:Another tropical wave is located in the western Caribbean off the Yucatan Peninsula. It's moving to the west at 13 mph.

It's too early at this time to determine if there will be any impact to the U.S. from the tropical waves.

Forecasters urge all residents to continuemonitoring the tropics and to always be prepared during what's expected to be an active hurricane season.

If you can't see any local weather warnings here, you'll need to open this story in a web browser.

See the National Hurricane Center's five-day graphical tropical weather outlook below.

Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.

We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look at ourspecial subscription offers here.

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NHC keeping eye on 2 tropical waves in Atlantic, 1 in Caribbean - Naples Daily News