Phenomenal and intriguing are a few words that come to mind when summing up this year so far.  Naturally, we are feeling amazingly healthy (which helps from “ditching” meat, LOL); energetic; sheer exuberance; and most importantly unstoppable!!!  Oh yeah, we are ready to continue traveling the world and spreading the word about our www.mycaribbean.us and Arious Entertainment.  Needless-to-say, the love we have for this entertainment business is becoming more intense and truly stimulating as the days go by.  Clearly, “it’s in our bones” as family and close friends typically and consistently say.  Of course, to us this music and entertainment “thang” is utterly fabulous; and indeed we will continue with our endeavor of sharing, talking, building and spreading what we can about it through our means of communication.  Hum…although throughout the years during our building and learning process, quite a few odious folks have crossed our path making our road a bit unbalanced.  However, we have a strong will and have had a guidance that is far beyond explanation, and nothing is surprising and really has no real effect on us anymore.  As always, we will “trod” on positively, happily and unfazed.  [Thank you Mr. Lashley “Flash” for inspiring me to write the above, your kind words was motivating.  Indeed you are a leader in our world (community) and please know that many of us “the little people” are trying to learn something from you and follow in your steps. Additionally, we want you to know we welcome your writings, poetry input and any feedback you may have regarding our commentaries]

Although, the image of things and people around us are a bit weird at times, our mind seeks quietness and peacefulness; and the “rosy” demeanor we have on life and everything around us (overall) comes to the forefront.  Soooo, with that being said…what about April so far…how is it going for you?  Succinctly, I must say it is truly crisp and sparkling.  The beauty around us is breathtaking to me…LOL.  I laugh as I say this because for (1) I have never really noticed the beauty in the past; and (2) I have never cared too much for April due to suffering tremendously from the crazy pollen.  I am one who hates any kind of medicine, so year after year I would endure the escalated suffering.  However, for me somehow this year has been insanely great with this pollen “knock on wood.” (LOL, I'm knocking as I write, ha...ha...ha!!!)

As we continue with this month, I want to take a brief moment to talk about an issue that is close and dear to my heart.  You see, April is the month that awareness is brought to Autism – “A severe developmental disorder that begins at birth or within the first 2 & ½ years of a child's life, and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the function of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communications.  Most autistic children and adults are perfectly normal in appearance, but spend their time engaged in puzzling and disturbing behaviors, which are marked differently from those of typical children.  They show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.  Autism is one of five disorders that fall under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by “server and pervasive impairment in several areas of development.”

I found the following statement to be very true “Autism is thought as just a fate one accepts,” and accepted it has been with my relatives.  Actually, brushed off as if it was “just the spirit” in a child who eventually grew up to be a man with this disorder. 

I recall my younger years with my beloved Markie who I know is autistic (NOW,) and he started off being just a beautiful normal child taking his first steps and words.  However, one day out of the “clear blue sky” young Markie seemed to have taken ill.  He was no longer the baby boy we knew him to be, his speech stopped; his behavior was unexplained; and communicating with him as we did in the past was not achievable.  As I look back at life with Marke, he truly exhibited all the signs of being autistic throughout his growth, but in my country (Trinidad) this disorder was not one in the forefront.  Actually, back then there was little to be found on the subject.  As a matter of fact I understand for many years this disorder was found to be rare, but since the early 1990’s the rate has increased exponentially around the world.  [Boys with this disorder out-number girls four to one]. 

Therefore, young Markie was talked about and treated as the “possessed child”.  Everyone in the family and throughout the entire neighborhood would say an evil spirit was living within him (possessed) due to his actions, his lack of normal speech, his lack of communication skills, his repetitiveness when he did speak, his sometimes wondering off (the spirit had taken him on a journey/excursion…folks would say), and as you can imagine no help was ever seeked for him.  Gosh, I have witnessed how smart Markie has been and how extraordinarily intelligent he has become.  He would amaze me with his unusual knack for mechanics and electronics and with no training whatsoever.  He would and still will dissembling a radio or any electronic equipment and put it back together as good as new in a short amount of time; he knows everything about vehicles (weird since no one around him owns one); he would see something now, and later sketch it exactly as he saw it (truly a photographic memory).   Some of the hardest puzzles were purchased for him and he would put them together in a matter of minutes.  Markie most definitely is very intelligent!!!!  Most recently, family members tried convincing me that he is unable to read.  Yeah…right…LOL! Markie looked at the computer and read to me exactly what he saw.  OH NO…NO…NO, Markie is not possessed…he is just autistic, and I wish the family was made aware of this years ago so that treatment could have been seeked, and the proper schooling would have been obtained for him. 

The fact is Autism is treatable, and with some treatment it may lead to great improvement.  Of course, age has had a direct impact on the outcome; because typically, the earlier a child is treated the better the prognosis will be.  I read even though the majority of autistic persons remain impaired in their ability to communicate and socialize, but that in recent years there has been a great increase in the percentage of children who can attend schools in a typical classroom and live semi-independently in community settings.  I urge you to read and learn more about autism.  It has impacted my life greatly, and with knowledge it may help you understand this disorder and impact your life too.  Click here to learn more from the Autism Institute. www.autism.com and to help/support log on to www.autism-society.org 

Sarcastically, I say…Huh, what it’s the 15^th of April already?  You mean to tell me a whole year has passed?  Well, I am trying my best to stay away from the relentless criticisms I have had every year during this time.  As the saying goes “people who complain are often more vocal than those who are satisfied.” Yeah...LOL, well then “what the heck” let me be vocal and "sound off" on this hateful time of year for a minute…LOL!        

Yup, it's really a very distressing time of year for many of us!!!  With all the hardships many of us are continually undergoing in America due to job loss, and even the still unstable economy, scores of us really didn't want to think about these “freaking” taxes, much less file them.  However, as it has always been...WE MUST FILE!   Therefore, regardless of being stressed many of us were off to the post office on April 15th mailing our tax returns, and many of us were even on-line preparing and filing them.

This dreaded day really crept up on me, so I wasn't so lucky with getting mine done on time.  I do expect the outcome to be favorable for me; but a smile will not be on my face because every cent  immediately goes back to the "forces that be"  Anyway, I noticed in DC and around America the "Tea Party" held massive demonstrations on Tax Day.  [I guess my Facebook friend Nigel Coleman, leader of the Danville VA Tea Party was in his glee yesterday.]  I still believe after a year of learning more about this movement and listening to them from time to time, they are still pretty much built too much on hate for President Obama, which is not cool!!! Go ahead and hate on Taxes, not him (personally) since taxes have been in effect for over 140 years.  Learn more about the origins of taxes by CLICKING HERE!

The Tea Party Movement  (Taxes Enough Already Movement).  Americans angry over taxes and the economy attend anti-tax “tea parties” around the country on Tax Day, Wednesday, April 15^th.  Rallies used the dreaded April 15 – the U.S. deadline to file income taxes as a hook to vent about government spending in a homage to the Boston Tea Party.  The Tea parties were promoted by FreedomWorks, a conservative nonprofit advocacy group based in Washington DC and led by former Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas who is now a lobbyist.  This organization is said to have been originated through online social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter and was exposed exclusively through Fox News.  

 

Last weekend was outstanding!  We saw some amazing performances, spent time with good friends and had some of the most enlightening and thought provoking conversations with them; entertained ourselves by frequenting our favorite restaurants and cool spots; and just enjoyed the normalcy of our blessed and fulfilling life (which comes with a great peace of mind.)  Undeniably, last weekend is another one that will forever stay in our memory, because it was absolutely fantastic.  As I look ahead, I see this weekend “gearing” up to be the same.  So as you scroll below, I urge you to check out what’s happening and make plans to attend some of the events we have featured.

Tonight-4/16/10 - If you are from Baltimore or actually from the Maryland, Wash. DC and Virginia areas by now you must know that popular Caribbean radio personality Neil Mattei hosts his “Free Yuh Mind” Fridays at the Caribbean Paradise @ 1818 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.  Without a doubt Neil continues to do what he loves, and actually what he does best with exposing the Caribbean music.   So join Neil this Friday and every Friday to just relax and “Free Yuh Mind”  (Click the flyer on the right for all the details) or call Caribbean Paradise @ 410-332-8422.

On Saturday 4/17/10 (need I say), it’s all about the Carnival Bandleaders Association of Washington DC ("CBLA").  You must absolutely begin making plans NOW to join them for their 2010 launch of the DC Caribbean Carnival bands.  The Carnival Bandleaders Association is a community-based non-profit organization formed in 1993 by a group of individuals from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Thomas, VI, and Jamaica.  The membership has a committed passion to share the culture of the Caribbean with the residents of the Washington, DC metropolis.  To learn all the details on this event CLICK HERE! You can also click on the flyer.  To learn who the current member of the CBLA please log on to their site www.cbladc.com.

4/17/10 - The West Indian-American Military Members Association "WIAMMA" is holding their annual Spring Fling Event this Saturday at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.  For the  past 12 years WIAMMA has sponsored yearly events, participated in community activities and functions, and supported family, friends and associates.  So they cordially invite you to join them this Saturday for their big Spring affair.  Click on the flyer to the right for all the details!   The purpose of WIAMMA is to promote awareness, increase understanding and recognize the contributions of West Indian-Americans to the United States military. This is done through the exchange of culture, promoting diversity through education and celebration, while focusing on the month of June as the West Indian-American Heritage Month, and continuing throughout the year.  In 2005 WIAMMA received their charter from Andrews AFB, as an official, non-profit organization.

On Sunday - April 18th, the Caribbean Carnival bands continue to launch for the DC Carnival season, so the fun starts with Roots and Culture Promotions as they present their all day fete.  In addition to sharing their theme/presentation with you, their costumes will be displayed.  There will be food, drinks and without a doubt lots of fun.  On the left click the flyer for details.

Let me take this time to remind you that the Carnival season is in the air around “these here parts” so from now until June 26th, most weekends will be filled with outings to "Mas" camps as they expose and present their costumes to their supporters and the public.

Also this Sunday 4/18/10 - Veteran "Mas" Maker Jackie and associates invite you to join him at his “Mas” camp in Silver Spring as he launches his theme and costumes.  His Mas camp is located at 805 Philadelphia Avenue, Silver Spring Maryland.  The "lime" begins at 5:00pm. For Info Call: 301-565-9037 or 301-524-8718 Or Visit us on the web www.Jackiecarnival.com.

Finally, this Sunday 4/18/10 another important event is taking place in Maryland for an important cause, so as a courtesy to the Connie Campbell Foundation and our friends at the Crossroads Entertainment Complex, let me take a few moments to bring awareness to a very important and heartfelt issue. 

On August 23rd, 2009 Conradine 'Connie' Campbell, had a seizure minutes before going on stage (while on tour) at the Crossroads Entertainment Complex in Maryland, USA.  She suffered a "Brainstem Stroke" and now has "locked in syndrome". The prognosis is guarded due to quadriplegia from brainstem cva.   Favorable factors are her young age, good family and friends support and possible ability to comprehend and follow directions for rehabilitation. She is NOT in a coma and is able to open her eyes when her name is called and many times is able to follow commands to move her eyes in tracking objects as directed by the physician.  She will need extensive and prolonged therapy over 6-9 months. Therapy has not yet been started. Funds are desperately needed to cover Connie's therapy and other mounting hospital costs.  To learn all the details on Connie and to help her sing again, PLEASE CLICK HERE.  

Additionally, you can help support Connie by attending a special concert on Sunday at Crossroads Entertainment Complex in Bladensburg, Maryland.  Many reggae stars are scheduled to perform, and they are as follows: Tarrus Riley, Dean Fraser, Duane Stephenson, Sherita and Special Guest Reggae Superstar Shaggy, along with Cocoa Tea.  Backed by the Blak Soil Band.  Click on the flyer on the right to learn all the details or www.crossroadsclub.com.

We welcome your input, so if you have any comment or feedback on the commentary or events - please feel free to send an e-mail to: susan@ariousentertainment.us 

We at Arious Entertainment Group is proud to be a part of the DC Caribbean Promoters for Haiti (DCPH) alliance.  DCPH represents area promoters who have formed a coalition to maximize their contribution to the Haiti recovery and reconstruction effort. As the unprecedented scope of Haiti's devastation becomes more apparent every day, your support and generosity are desperately needed. The group has an immediate goal to raise $30,000 in 30 days. DCPH will contribute all monies raised by making donations to Yele Haiti, CARE International, and Medical Teams International. Our collective contribution will help these organizations provide the people of Haiti with necessary supplies and services including food, water, temporary shelter, and medical attention.  SEE MORE!

DC Caribbean Promoters for Haiti is an alliance of Caribbean promoters in the Washington DC area. DCPH was formed to maximize individual contributions to the Haiti recovery and reconstruction effort. The advantages of jointly working together are to: (i) reach a wider audience; (ii) capitalize on resources; and (iii) ultimately raise more money for this worthy cause. Learn more or donate.

     

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