Finally, I have found a little time to continue with “My Caribbean Story”, which I begun some time ago.  As you know, I decided to write my story, so that you would get to know me, learn more about my Company, and most importantly for you to trust, respect, understand and support what we are doing here at Arious.  

I ended Part 1 (one) of my story telling you that we were constantly working in Orlando, Florida in our Dry Cleaners, and partying just as hard as we were working.  Sorry for the delay in sharing Part 2 of my story with you, but Caribbean Heritage Month had been a “trying” one, and instead of focusing on positivity, we came face to face with haters and dream killers.  As we go along we will tell you more about that. 

Orlando, Florida our 2^nd home!  There, it was all about working and partying, and the friends we acquired in Orlando were what you would call “real friends”, actually, when you met a Caribbean person in Orlando, you would find that person would “latch” on and would soon become a part of the close knit group of Caribbean folks, who partied/"limed" together on a regular basis.  If not at clubs, it would be at each other’s home or at the local Caribbean restaurants and bars. 

The majority of our close friends were of Jamaican decent, who felt they needed to make me an honorary Jamaican.  I fondly recall when this took place, one of our friends asked me to be the DJ at a party in his home, and I was delighted to do so.  Once the guest started arriving I realized the majority of the guest were of Jamaican decent as well, so as critical as Jamaican’s are about their music and who the selector is, I knew I had a hard task ahead of me trying to rock these folks.  Well, before I knew it the “rude boys” who were lined on the walls with their Heineken and/or Guinness were just rocking and stepping to the selections I played, which was really nice to see.  I actually had them moving/rocking to my selections, and that’s when I was told by my friends and was initiated as a "true Jamaican."  Simply because of how I played the music... they couldn't believe an American could have vibes like this.  It was so funny experiencing how our friends would treat me at weekly happy hour gatherings/"limes" at the local Caribbean restaurants and happy hour spots… during our conversations many of them would insist on including me in their heated discussions and would frequently ask me questions that related to Jamaica, such as “Todd isn't this business on whatever street in Jamaica”, which would just “trip me out” because at that time I had never been to Jamaica, but they had embraced me so that they forgot where I was born, and felt I was from Jamaica and a true Jamaican.  What I learned here is not only the meaning of true friends, but the power of knowledge.  I had taken the time to learn everything (the music) and was able to please.

In Orlando of course there were many great concerts and events (Reggae and Calypso), and since it's warm all year round there were always outdoor shows taking place, so we had the opportunity to see many of the greats.  Anyway, at this point in our life, we continued building our dry cleaning business, as well as building our personal dreams by promoting events for our company (Arious) as well as consulting and working with Orlando’s # 1 Caribbean Radio Personality Lady D.  I recall one big event Lady D and her husband Martel produced, which really sticks out in my mind and I am really proud of - it was the 1st Miss Orlando Beauty Pageant.  Our role in this event was consultants, a sponsor, and we provided the music.  Our role started off very simple, we were just there to help, but we ended up coordinating the entire fashion show portion of the event, after the Fashion Show Coordinator decided to walk away from her project at the last minute. Therefore, Susan and I were asked to pull the project together in a short period of time by Lady D.  With major time constraints, needless-to-say, we pulled it off miraculously, we somehow found models (several young ladies who were our employees at our Dry Cleaners and who had never model before), we acquired clothing and items from local Caribbean stores, found a host/announcer, and somehow pulled this entire show together in a matter of a few hours.  From this point, we knew we could do anything.  We realized though that we had the knowledge to do anything, but we didn't have time to say we couldn't do it, it just had to be done to help out a friend.  This fashion show portion/project turned out to be a major hit of this event.    TO CONTINUE READING MORE OF "MY CARIBBEAN STORY"  CLICK HERE...........

August 11, 2006

The Last Day to Enter the Educational Lyrics, LLC, in conjunction with The Washington Mystics

as they Present

The Hip Hop Forum Essay Contest

A Chance to Win a $500 Scholarship Prize.  On grand prize winner will be chosen, and will receive this $500 Scholarship to go toward the educational advancement of the student's choosing testing and or college admissions fees, supplies, books, etc.  The 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive prizes or gifts, courtesy of the Washington Mystics Foundation.  The Scholarship winner will be presented to winners at the local schools.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Between 14-19 years of age and in attendance at a scheduled taping of the Hip Hop Forum at the Verizon Center tomorrow 8/11/06.

• Forums and Essay Subjects: Why is it important to rise awareness about the AIDS epidemic in your community? What do you think is the most effective way to inform people about this disease?

• Forum: 8/23/06 Hip Hop Health Expo - Essay Subject: Why is there racism?  What is the antidote to cure racism in the future?

For More Details Click Here!!!!

A member of our on-line family is missing one of their family members.  As of yesterday (8/2/06)  Ms. Jemma Owens of New York is still missing and has been missing since JULY 13, 2006. 

Jemma Owens is listed as a missing person since July 13, 2006, from the New York City tri-state area.  She was last seen traveling from the Bronx (University Avenue) to Brooklyn (Flatbush).  The police and the center for Missing and Exploited Children are involved.  

Our on-line family member feels THE MORE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THIS YOUNG LADY LOOKS LIKE THE BETTER CHANCE SHE WILL BE FOUND.  So Please click Ms. Owens picture below for a larger view and circulate to all of your colleagues, especially all of our on-line family in the New York City, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania area.

Please forward all phone calls to either Detective Gianni at (212) 473-3762 or Mr. Jaime Owens at (917) 346-5531

Arious Creative Concepts 

presents

The DC Caribbean Carnival 2k6 DVD

a montage of The "Sights and Sounds of DC Caribbean Carnival"  as I witnessed and experienced

Click Here To View Video Trailer, or button below 

Order your 2 hour DVD featuring Highlights of the 14th Annual DC Caribbean Carnival Festival

"SEE THE SIGHTS...HEAR THE SOUNDS"

featuring

Pan Jam, DiManche Gras, The Parade, The Festival/Concert in the Park, plus a bonus behind the scene look of the Organizers of this major Caribbean event!

Cost - $20.00 and 

Shipping and Handling! -