President Bush Proclaims !!!

June As CARIBBEAN HERITAGE MONTH


President, George Bush has said that the observance of Caribbean Heritage Month is an opportunity for the United States to show its appreciation for the many ways Caribbean Americans have contributed to its growth.

In proclaiming June as Caribbean Heritage Month, President Bush said: "Caribbean Americans have helped to shape our national fabric with their vibrant traditions and their unique history. They have brightened our lives with the spirit and vitality of their culture through strong leadership and pride in their heritage."

"Caribbean Americans have enriched America in all walks of life and they have contributed their talent and added to our nation's development and prosperity. We especially show our gratitude for the men and women of Caribbean descent who served bravely in our Armed Forces and those still serving today. These heroes have answered a call greater than self and we keep them in our thoughts and prayers," he added.

Several activities have been planned to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Among the events will be the staging of Caribbean Film Showcase, featuring The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff and Africa Unite featuring the Marley Family, which will take place from June 6 to 7, sponsored by the Institute of Caribbean Studies, Trans-African Forum, Caribbean Association of World Bank (CAWI) and staff, and Caribbean Professional Networking Series (CPN).

On Thursday June 12, Jamaican author, Beverly East will read and discuss her latest work, Reaper of the Souls, a novel based on the 1957 rail disaster in Kendal, Manchester. The reading will take place at the Enrique Iglesias Auditorium of the Inter-American Development Bank. The event is sponsored by the Institute of Caribbean Studies, the Office of the Caribbean Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C.

In June 2005, the U.S. Senate passed a Bill designating June as Caribbean American Heritage month and in June 2006 a Proclamation making it official was signed by President Bush.

Actress and singer, Sheryl Lee Ralph and basketball great, Rick Fox are the official spokespersons for Caribbean American Heritage Month.

HUh! Of the week

Mary Jane Buss!

A Colombian soldier runs through packages of marijuana in Corinto . The army said it was more than seven tons of the stuff from rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Natty Notez

• Wow Huh!!!!
  

Maxi Priest is the new lead singer of British reggae band, UB40. He has replaced Ali Campbell as the new front man of the band which has decided to carry on despite an acrimonious split with Campbell after a festering row with management. The collaboration with Priest has already yielded a recording of Bob Marley's I Shot The Sheriff and is expected to form half of a double A-side single soon. Priest joined UB40 on tour last year, culminating in sellout shows at the NEC in December. He had top ten hits with Wild World in 1988 and Close To You in 1990. He has worked with Sly and Robbie, Roberta Flack, Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, Joe and Dennis Brown.

Michael Campbell aka Mikey Dread Dies at 54

Jamaican radio DJ and producer Mikey Dread – perhaps best known to rock fans for his work with the Clash – succumbed to a brain tumor at his sister's home in Connecticut . He was 54.

Born Michael Campbell, Dread played an important role in the sonic evolution of the Clash, producing their 'Bankrobber' single in 1980 and appearing on several cuts (including 'Junco Partner') of the band's subsequent sprawling, three-disc release, 'Sandinista!'

"I remember going into the studio to make this track ['Bankrobber']," Dread said in 2006. "And when I heard the track, I wasn't sure about it, because it was too fast. I couldn't understand what Joe [Strummer] was saying. So I told him to slow it down, and we could make it reggae style. And I showed him the beat. And then they didn't have a keyboard player, so I said, 'Reggae has to have a keyboard' -- it can't just have two guitars and drum and bass. And they get Mickey Gallagher."

Dread, who helped introduce underground reggae to mainstream Jamaican radio as a respected disc jockey on the Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation via his 'Dread at the Controls' program, also recorded reggae hits as an artist, including 'African Map' and 'Barber Saloon.'

In late 1979, Dread did a press junket to England, which reaped stories in U.K. music papers of the day such as the NME, Sounds and 'Melody Maker. "I guess [the Clash] may have read about me being there," Dread explained in July 2006. "But by the time they contacted me, I was back in. I never know what punk was."

!Coco Tea all for Obama!

The tribute song "Barack Obama" will be released this week by New York's VP Records.
"It's about the changes, what the Americans need."

Click To Hear the Song

Waiting for the bunny to Attack!!!