The Friends of the West Hempstead Library announces the Long Island Distinctive Author Honorees

West Hempstead, NY - The Friends of the West Hempstead Public Library’s Long Island Distinctive Authors Reception is being held on Thursday, October 18th at the West Hempstead Public Library beginning at 7:00 pm.  The Friends program will be featuring several distinctive authors from Long Island as they celebrate the launch event of their new headquarters.  Announcing today the Long Island Event Author Honorees: 

Bob King, “Raising a Fallen Treasure” “The Vanderbilt Homes”
“ A Dream Remembered” “Long Island Authors”

• Bob McMillan, “Global Passage”
• Valentina Janek, “In Love and Friendship”
• Jim Ryan, “Simple Happiness”
• Sheila & Letty Lustrin, “The Teacher Who Would Not Retire”
• Christian Carrington, “The Time Paradox”
• Diane Baumann, “Show Dog”
• Lynn Broder, “The Long Winding Road”
• Ann Schrank, “Growing Up Italian”
• Lori Gershon, “Child of Light”
• John Marco, “The Sword of Angels”
• Kathleen Bart, “The Teddy Bear Book”
• Kevin Durst, “Glitter That Was Once Gold”
• Tim McHeffey, “Juggling the Journey”

The Friends are looking at the Long Island Distinctive Authors Reception as a tribute to authors who have made a special contribution to Long Island and who clearly represent community spirit.  All proceeds from the event will benefit the West Hempstead Public Library’s Enhancement Campaign.

As quoted by Kathleen Dunne, President of the Friends, “watching the new library being built, one can’t help but see it as a testament to the vision and dedication of an entire community. A dream like this can only take shape through the passion, commitment and support of local organizations and community leaders.” Local author, Valentina Janek, recently published a book describing the love and friendship that can be generated in a community.  “They say in the end, all that really matters are the connections and relationships people share” stated Janek. “When people come together in love and friendship, that force and tenacity can do wonderful things for a community.”

To celebrate this spirit of community and involvement, the Friends of the West Hempstead Public Library would like to invite you to not only make a difference, but to actually be the difference at the Long Island Author’s Reception on October 18th, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM at the new West Hempstead Public Library located at 500 Hempstead Avenue, West Hempstead, New York.

The cost to attend the benefit is $50.00 per person.  For reservations, sponsorships and congratulatory messages to distinctive authors, visit www.whplibrary.org or www.pro-fusion.us.  Deadline for sponsorships, which are available in various denominations and sizes, are due by September 15th. All checks should be made payable to “Friends of the WHPL.”  Questions can be emailed to us at friendswhpl@yahoo.com or vjanek@optonline.net.  The Friends can also be reached by calling Carol Segrete at 516-481-6591, Valentina Janek at 516-565-3714 or Patricia Locurcio at 516-385 8766.

ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF WEST HEMPSTEAD PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Friends of the West Hempstead Public Library work to support and enhance the resources, services and facilities of the West Hempstead Public Library, through public awareness, advocacy and fundraising. 
www.whplibrary.org
friendswhpl@yahoo.com

ABOUT PRO-FUSION

Profusion is a public relations small business partner serving clients in media relations, event management, internal communications, cause related and social marketing.  
www.pro-fusion.us      
 vjanek@optonline.net

New York, NY– New Yorkers for Immigration Control and Enforcement (NY ICE) will rally in front of Mayor Bloomberg’s home at 17 East 79th Street (off of 5th Avenue) in Manhattan on Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 at 5:30pm.
 
Mike Bloomberg has a record of support for illegal alien trespassers, and has actually opposed the Senate’s amnesty proposal because he feels it does NOT accommodate enough to illegal aliens.
 
NY ICE opposes the current Senate amnesty proposal because we want our existing immigration laws enforced for a change. We should try enforcing existing immigration laws, like employer sanctions when they hire illegals, before even entertaining amnesty.
 
There was already an amnesty in 1986, when our legislative liars promised the American people that we would have secure borders as a tradeoff for amnesty. And, guess what? Here we are, more than 20 years later, and our borders are still NOT secured.
 
If NY ICE is forced to move from in front of Bloomberg’s home, it will exemplify the Mayor’s hypocrisy– he is all for allowing millions of illegal aliens to trespass across our borders, BUT we cannot stand in front of his home to call attention to it?
 
Mike Bloomberg should STOP allowing NYC to be a “sanctuary city” for illegal aliens, and allow the NYPD to ask about the immigration status of its arrestees. Currently, the NYPD is handcuffed when it comes to asking about an arrestee’s immigration status– and, this occurs while at least 25 Americans are killed EVERY DAY by an illegal alien trespasser who should never have been in our country to begin with. (numbersusa.com)
 
NY ICE is open to all Americans and legal immigrants who believe in enforcement-ONLY immigration legislation. We represent the diversity and rich culture of New York, and welcome Americans and legal immigrants of all races, ethnicities, and religions who are united in our common struggle to protect our borders through enforcement-ONLY immigration legislation.
 
To get involved or for more information about NY ICE, please contact 917.686.8695, or email progressrose@yahoo.com

Joanna, President
NY ICE
http://www.nyice.us

Garden Festival 2007 will be held at Farmingdale State College

Following a successful debut last June, Garden Festival 2007 will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Farmingdale State College’s beautiful four-acre Ornamental Horticulture Teaching Gardens.  Admission is free.

Visitors are invited to enter Garden Festival 2007 through the wrought-iron garden gates to buy plants and crafts, grab a snack, enjoy an expert-led tour of the magnificent gardens, attend gardening workshops and take home new ideas for your own garden.

This year’s workshops include:

Growing Roses
Container Gardening
Landscaping for Curb Appeal
Pruning Trees and Shrubs
Composting 

The Farmingdale Horticulture Committee’s mission is to benefit excellence in the Farmingdale State horticulture curriculum, to provide scholarships for the best and brightest students, to advertise the program and to further the development of the Horticulture Teaching Gardens as the very finest in the Northeast if not the country.

Plan to buy your garden plants at Farmingdale State College’s Garden Festival 2007.  For more information contact, 631-420-2075 or email at brownj@farmingdale.edu

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DREAM BIG.
Ann Marie Moresky
Office of Communications and Marketing
Farmingdale State College
2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735

631-420-2500
www.farmingdale.edu

MADD is pleased to announce its 1st Annual walk, on Long Island

Strides for Change is a 5K, non-competitive walk to allow corporations and individuals to team up with MADD in “keeping our communities safe”.

The funds we raise will help people in our community by providing victim survivor support, by teaching kids to be smart and safe passengers by reminding people to designate a sober driver.     

Who:
MADD presents Strides for Change

What:
Strides for Change is MADD’s signature 5K non-competitive walk

When:
Sunday, June 3, 2007

Time:
10:30am Warm Up/Welcome
11:00am Walk Begins

Where:
Farmingdale State College/Great Lawn
2350 Broadhollow Rd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735

Details:         
To register online at www.stridesforcahnge.org

About Farmingdale State College:

Farmingdale State College is a coeducational, public college with almost 6.400  students pursuing degrees in one of 31 programs in the areas of business, applied arts and sciences, health sciences, and technology. Students enjoy small, personalized classes with a dedicated faculty and staff including 86 Chancellor’s Award winners; twelve of whom have been promoted to Distinguished Teaching/Service Professors. Strategic partnerships with many Long Island companies result in active recruitment of our students for internships and full-time careers. Farmingdale offers a comprehensive athletic program, consisting of 16 men’s and women’s teams, and is an active member of the NCAA Division III.

What’s Your Dream?
2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735
www.farmingdale.edu

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Media Contacts:

DREAM BIG.
Ann Marie Moresky
Office of Communications and Marketing
Farmingdale State College
2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735
631-420-2500
www.farmingdale.edu

Island gets a little taste of the Motown sound when the Long Island Museum presents The Supremes, Reflections

Stony Brook, NY … May 23, 2007 … This summer Long Island gets a little taste of the Motown sound when the Long Island Museum presents The Supremes, Reflections: The Mary Wilson Supreme Legacy® Collection, curated by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

This exhibition explores the exciting history of one of America’s most popular groups ever, The Supremes, in 50 drop-dead gorgeous gowns. With large graphic panels and photographs, the exhibition chronicles the history of the costumes as well as Motown, and its connections to Civil Rights history and social and political change in the 1960s.

“We loved glamour. We loved looking good. We set the trend and we would not have wanted to look any other way,” says Mary Wilson. “This exhibition is a dream come true for me.”

In addition to the costumes, Reflections covers all major aspects of The Supremes’ career and break-up as well as an ambient soundtrack and video clips of the group’s television performances. Visitors will have a chance to be in the spotlight too in a mock dressing room that includes full length mirrors and costumes. Programs scheduled throughout the summer include a fashion illustration workshop and a Motown karaoke party! Check the museum web site for details at www.longislandmuseum.org or call 631-751-0066.

Located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook, the Long Island Museum is open from Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5. Admission is $7 per person, $6 for seniors and $3 for students ages six to 17. Museum members and children under six are admitted for free.

The Supremes exhibition runs from July 21 through October 21, 2007

Photo credit:
The Supremes, c. 1966, courtesy the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

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Media Contacts:
Julie Diamond
Director of Communications
The Long Island Museum
1200 Route 25A
Stony Brook, NY  11790
631-751-0066 X248
jdiamond@longislandmuseum.org

 

14th Annual Long Island/NYC Emergency Management Conference

Uniondale, NY-May 23, 2007-The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) co-sponsor of the 14th Annual Long Island/New York City Emergency Management Conference to be held May 30th and May 31st, at The Hilton Long Island is pleased to announce that the event is sold out.  The Conference is an important opportunity for those charged with keeping
the public safe in the event of an emergency. This year’s Conference theme, “Together:  Ready for Anything,” will focus on the working relationships that have been forged in the preparedness community over the years to respond to a wide variety of emergencies. The subjects to be explored at the Conference range from severe weather emergencies to terrorism to the potential for pandemics. Several experts will be sharing their years of knowledge and hands on experience on a variety of topics that could have impact on Long Island and the metropolitan region.

The highly successful annual Conference, which will be attended by more than 500 first responders and emergency managers, is co-sponsored by: KeySpan Corp., Long Island Power Authority, New York State Emergency Management Office, New York City Office of Emergency Management, Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, and Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management.

The welcoming remarks will be presented by conference partners, Suffolk County Executive, Steve Levy, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, New York City Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno, KeySpan Chairman Robert B. Catell, Long Island Power Authority CEO/President Richard M. Kessel and New York State Emergency Management Office Director John R. Gibb.

Homeland security and terrorism have been in the forefront since the attacks on America in 2001.  Michael Balboni, Deputy Secretary for Public Safety in the State of New York will be discussing New York’s security needs and homeland security.  Former CIA agent and author of “Imperial Hubris:  Why the West is Losing the War on Terror,” Michael Scheuer, will discuss where we are in finding Bin Laden and fighting Al Qaeda.  There will also be a session on The Psychology of Terrorism presented by Dr. Jim Jacob, Professor, California State University.  He will analyze the impact of terrorism on everyday life.

Hurricanes and the vulnerability of coastal regions are a primary topic. Local meteorologists, Mike Wyllie, National Weather Service, Nick Gregory, Fox 5 New York, Craig Allen, WCBS News Radio 88, and Greg Playford, New York State Department of Environmental conservation will be discussing what Long Island can expect and the art of tracking and
watching hurricanes along the Eastern Seaboard.   There will also be a session on what went wrong in the Big Easy when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 and the lessons learned in relationship to Long Island.  The moderator is John Gibb, Director of New York State Emergency Management Office.  The panelists are James J. Callahan, Jr., Commissioner of Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, Joseph Williams, Commissioner of Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management and Kelly McKinney, Deputy Commissioner, Nassau County Office of Emergency Management.

In addition to the keynote speakers there will be workshops covering topics such as: Critical Issues in Financing the Costs of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity; Exercise Design 101; Every Disaster is Local; Interoperable Communications-A review of the latest and greatest in technical communications for Emergency Managers; School Decision Making and Planning for a Disaster; Military Resources in a Disaster; and Key Ingredients of a Business Continuity Program:  Creating, Documenting and Testing your Plan.

For further information on the Long Island/NYC Emergency Management Conference visit the Conference Web site, www.linycemconference.com for a detailed program and speaker information.

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LIPA Contact Information:
Media Relations: (516) 719-9892
Media Pager: (516) 525-LIPA
media.relations@lipower.org

LIPA News Center
http://www.lipower.org/newscenter

Request for Proposals Issued for 25 Megawatt Hours Of Land-Based Wind Energy

Also Seeking Independent Assessment of Offshore Wind Energy Project Cost Economics

Uniondale, NY-May 22, 2007- The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) today announced that it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking bids for supplying LIPA with 25 megawatt hours (MW/hr) of land-based wind energy, transmitted to Long Island later this year via the new Neptune cable, from generating facilities in the Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Maryland (PJM) power market.

LIPA is seeking a one-year contract with a wind energy supplier for the energy commodity itself. June 4 is the deadline for submitting an RFP response. Should a viable proposal emerge from the evaluation of the RFP responses, a proposed contract for purchasing the wind energy could go before the LIPA Board of Trustees for review.

LIPA also announced that it has retained PACE Global Energy to undertake an independent review of current wind energy market conditions both nation-wide and around the world, including offshore wind energy projects, to provide LIPA with updated data on the cost/benefits of large-scale wind energy undertakings including its Offshore Wind
Project.

Among other things, the Pace study will compare estimated offshore wind energy projects to new conventional generation on Long Island; the implied “green premium” of wind energy; and relate the green premium to estimated Renewable Energy Credit prices and capacity and energy prices in the New York Market.  To be completed in July, the study will also compare the out year costs on LIPA’s proposed wind project to conventional resources, including the cost of oil, gas and carbon avoidance costs.  The study, which will cost approximately $50,000 tocomplete, will form the basis of evaluating LIPA’s proposed wind project.

“Long Island needs to move away from its heavy dependence on fossil fuel-generated electricity for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is to clean the air with lower power plant emissions,” said LIPA CEO/President Richard M. Kessel.  “With more and more land-based wind energy generators going on line in the PJM market and with the new Neptune cable coming on line this year it certainly makes sense to explore the possibility of importing wind-generated energy to Long Island from an off-island resource now.

“We also need to get an unbiased evaluation of wind energy economics as they exist now in the United States and around the world to help make an informed decision on the future economics of the proposed Long Island Offshore Wind Energy Project,” said Mr. Kessel.  “Wide estimates are being tossed about and we need to make sure we have reliable, updated economic data so the LIPA Board can make a decision one way or the other on whether to go forward with the proposed Offshore project or not.

Go to: http://www.lipower.org/company/papers/rfp/windenergy.html to view or download the Wind Energy RFP.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric utility, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens.  LIPA is the 3rd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of customers served and the 6th largest in terms of electricity delivered.  IN 2006, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State in all three major reliability categories. LIPA does not provide
natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org.

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LIPA Contact Information:
Media Relations: (516) 719-9892
Media Pager: (516) 525-LIPA
media.relations@lipower.org

LIPA CEIME
http://www.lipower.org/cei

LIPA News Center
http://www.lipower.org/newscenter

Junior Volleyball Program Offered in Long Beach & Babylon

East End Volleyball, as part of its program to develop beach volleyball players of all levels, is offering a beach volleyball program for Junior players aged 8 to 18 years old. The leagues are held in conjunction with EEVB’s adult leagues at Riverside Blvd. Beach in long Beach and Cedar beach in Babylon. The 2006 program had over 100 players. The 2007 program is expected to attract an even higher number of kids

The Junior program has 3 separate levels for boys and girls combined:

8-11 year old: beginner

12-18: beginner to intermediate

16-18: Elite for higher level players

Complete info and how to register is available online at www.eevb.net/juniors.htm. Any questions should be directed to Richard Heiles at 631-728-0397.

Details:

1.       Schedule/Location: Each night is a separate program with separate fees

a.       Cedar Beach in Town of Babylon Tuesday evenings

b.       Long Beach: Tuesday evenings

c.       E. Quogue: Tuesday evenings

2.       Time: 6:15 pm until sunset.

3.       Dates: June 19 – August 28 (10 weeks)

4.       Ages: 8 to 18 (open to anyone under 18 up to the summer before they enter their senior year in high school)

5.       Divisions: (divisions will change depending on how many players sign up for each group)

a.       8-11 years old: very basic volleyball skills

b.       13-18 years old

c.       Players will be broken up mostly by skill level. Ages are used mainly as a starting point to break players into groups. Players may switch to another night if they feel the program better fits their skill level.

d.       Elite division for players with higher skills to prepare players for doubles tournaments will be held every Wednesday night at Long Beach, coached by Eric Pavels (College: Univ. of California-Santa Barbara, head coach at Rutgers-Newark, top beach volleyball from northeast with numerous Men’s Open Tournament victories)

6.       Details:

a.       The goal of the program is to teach players basic volleyball skills in a non-competitive environment. Any games played will be without scoring to avoid placing too much pressure on winning and to place focus on performing

b.       All divisions will have coaches teaching players the basic skills. The first part of the evening will include a coaching session followed by organized games for players to practice their new skills.

c.       Players may be moved during the season as their skills improve.

d.       League will be run on lower nets to allow players to learn spiking and blocking skills as well as serving and defensive skills.

e.       Main coaches will have high school and college level coaching experience.

7.       Costs: $120/player ($140 for Elite Division) includes

a.       League t-shirt

b.       Volleyball

c.       Weekly coaching sessions

d.       Organized games

e.       Volunteers are welcome to help organize games and to learn from league’s coaches

f.         Fee covers entry into 1 session: Tuesday @ Cedar or Tuesday @ Long Beach.

8.       Additional costs:

a.       All players must be members of AVPNext, the grass roots program of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.
About East End Volleyball

East End Volleyball has been organizing beach volleyball tournaments for 29 years since 1977. Based in the East End of Long Island, EEVB has grown into the largest beach volleyball series in the East End of the country with tournaments from Newport, RI to the Florida Keys. Sanctioned by AVPNext, the grass roots organization of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, EEVB runs over 35 events for over 3,000 players.

East End Volleyball programs have supplied opportunities for many players to improve their skill level and advance to higher level play. Many tournament players have advanced into the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour including Phil Dalhausser, who is currently ranked #1 on the AVP Tour and is expected to represent the US in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing

About AVPNext

AVPNext, the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour’s membership-based grassroots program, works with local organizations to host and run volleyball programs for all ages and levels of competition. It sanctions a wide variety of volleyball tournaments, recreational leagues and instructional camps/clinics for all ages and abilities throughout the United States and represents the nation’s largest network of outdoor amateur volleyball associations.

Richard Heiles
East End Volleyball
PO Box 49
Hampton Bays, NY 11946
www.eevb.net
631-728-0397 or 631-355-1293

Tales from the EEAC

Riverhead, NY—May 21, 2007—The East End Arts Council is proud to announce the appearance of several renowned local storytellers at the 11th Annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival on Sunday, May 27th(rain date: May 28th).  Alternating with Talking Drum West African interactive drumming circles under the Storytelling Tent, our professional tale-spinners are sure to transport all listeners, adults and children alike, to the land of make-believe. Here’s the schedule for this year:

12:30-1:15- Johnny Cuomo, interactive musician and storyteller

2:15-3:00- Joyce Duncan, African Folk Heritage storyteller

4:00-4:45- Harvey Heilbrun, interactive musician and storyteller

For more information, please call (631) 727-0900.

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Summer Art Classes, Riverhead, NY— The Community School of the Arts is now taking registration for summer art & music classes. For kids there’s African Drumming, Pinhole photography, Nautical Art, Book Making, Mommy & Me Art, Group Guitar, Youth Choir, Teen Theatre, On Camera Acting and more. For adults there’s Pastel Drawing, Oil, Watercolor & Plein Air Painting, Drawing Camp and African Drumming. For registration and information call the Community School of the Arts at (631) 369-2171, or visit www.eastendarts.org.

Contact: School of the Arts                                                     
631-369-2171

Media Contact:
Laura Helms 631-727-0900

FIRST ANNUAL CARIBBEAN BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT SET FOR CARIBBEAN WEEK IN NEW YORK, JUNE 16-17, 2007

- Top Teams in AVP-Sanctioned Qualifier Win Trip to Puerto Rico for Championship Matches -

NEW YORK, NY (May 14, 2007) – The First Annual Caribbean Beach Volleyball Tournament will be held in Long Beach, NY on June 16-17, as part of Caribbean Week in New York 2007, an annual week-long series of consumer-focused events, including cooking demonstrations, sporting events, music and cultural performances.

Players will compete for $1,500 cash prizes, as well as vie for a qualifying spot in the championship matches.  The top placing team from both the male and female open divisions will receive a complimentary trip to Isla Verde, Puerto Rico in early November, where they will compete with winning teams from other qualifying tournaments elsewhere in the U.S. for the First Annual Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship, sponsored by Marriott.

The Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship will be held Nov. 3-4, 2007, awarding $2,000 cash prizes as well as the Caribbean Challenge Trophy.

The Hiler Trophy – named in honor of Guy H. Hiler, a Caribbean national who became involved in working for the promotion and uplifting of Caribbean people –  will be awarded to a player who best exemplifies true sportsmanship and the spirit of the Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship.

“While Cricket is the most popular sport among Caribbean nationals, the Caribbean itself is best known for its pristine beaches and tropical weather,” said Hugh Riley, one of the event’s main organizers.  “We are happy to include this new event in our weeklong program to incorporate the sun and sand for which so many travelers escape to the Caribbean every year.”

The Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) has partnered with New York-based East End Volleyball to produce the tournaments.  Sanctioned by AVPNext, the grassroots organization of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), East End Volleyball has grown into the largest series on the East Coast of the United States with over 35 events featuring more than 3,000 players each year.  In addition to the Long Beach tournament taking place during Caribbean Week in New York, qualifiers will be held in Myrtle Beach, SC; Newport, RI; Pt. Pleasant, NJ; and Clearwater, FL.  Visit www.eevb.net for more information about the tournaments and how to register.

Caribbean Week in New York 2007

Caribbean Week in New York 2007 aims to recognize and acknowledge June as Caribbean Heritage Month.  The Caribbean Week 2007 schedule includes the following:

Celebrity Invitational Cricket Match — The Celebrity Cricket Match features past, present and emerging players from West Indies cricket teams competing against a team of all-star players from New York-area cricket leagues on June 9 at 11:00 am at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, NY.  Further details on the Celebrity Invitational Cricket Match may be obtained calling the CTO at 212-635-9530 or visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.

Caribbean Gospel Fest — An Interfaith Gospel Concert entitled, Gospel Fest, scheduled for Saturday, June 9, 7 pm – 9 pm, at St. George’s Episcopal Church (209 East 16th Street at Stuyvesant Square, Manhattan) will feature performances by internationally acclaimed gospel artist Lieutenant Stitchie; The Grace Thrillers, winners of several international gospel awards; Trinidad & Tobago native Gerard Placide, a three-time winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest; Mya Daniel of Barbados; Selta Brown from St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Simeon Outten of the Bahamas; and the A Fe We Culture Ensemble featuring Mykal Somer.  Caribbean Ministers, Commissioners and Directors of Tourism, New York State and City officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, tourism industry leaders, representatives of the media, and a cross section of New York’s Caribbean-American community will be in attendance.  Tickets can be purchased for $20 by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or calling CTO’s New York office at 212-635-9530.

Gospel Performances — A number of performers from Gospel Fest will also be participating in special Gospel Performances taking place on Sunday, June 10 throughout the day in New York.  The performances will take place during religious observances at St. George’s Episcopal Church (209 East 16th Street at Stuyvesant Square, Manhattan), St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (777 East 222nd St at Barnes Ave., Bronx), and Grace Deliverance Church (650 Remsen Ave, Brooklyn).

Caribbean Gospel Brunch — Themed “Caribbean Culture on the Sound,” the Caribbean Gospel Brunch will feature performances by internationally acclaimed gospel artist Lieutenant Stitchie; The Grace Thrillers, winners of several international gospel awards; Trinidad & Tobago native Gerard Placide, a three-time winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest; the South Street Steel Orchestra; the A Fe We Culture Ensemble; and others.  Authentic Caribbean cuisine will be prepared by celebrated Dominican Chef Daniel Andrew.  Caribbean art, vacations, and culinary items donated by Bloomingdale’s will be auctioned.  Caribbean Culture on the Sound – so named as much for the location of the venue on the Long Island Sound as for its rousing gospel notes - will take place on Sunday, June 10 from 11 am – 3 pm at Caribbean Island Restaurant in City Island, Bronx.  Tickets for the event are $100 per person ($50 per child under 10 years) and can be purchased by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or contacting the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s New York office at 212-635-9530.  Roundtrip coach transportation will depart the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan at 10 am and costs an additional $20 per person.  Proceeds from the Caribbean Culture on the Sound Gospel Brunch will benefit the Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation.

Caribbean Celebrity Chefs — Chefs from world-class Caribbean resorts and restaurants will be in New York to spice up the city with savory regional flavors.  These “celebrity” chefs will prepare samples of authentic Caribbean dishes at Bloomingdale’s flagship store at 59th Street and Macy’s Herald Square at 34th Street.  The chefs will be featured at various New York City restaurants, the Caribbean Media Marketplace (Marriott Marquis), the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart (South Street Seaport), and the 34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball (Waldorf=Astoria).

Town Hall Meetings — Scheduled for June 11, simultaneously in Brooklyn and the Bronx, the two Town Hall Meetings will provide an opportunity for visiting Caribbean tourism ministers to interact with their New York-based constituents in discussions led by popular moderators.

In Brooklyn, attendees will meet at Medgar Evers College (S Building Auditorium, 1650 Bedford Avenue, between Montgomery & Crown Streets) where Hon. Aloun N’Dombet Assamba, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; and Hon. Glen Beache, Minister of Tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will be on-hand to discuss the state of Caribbean tourism.  This forum will be moderated by veteran broadcaster Donn Bobb.

In the Bronx, participants will meet at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (777 East 222nd Street at Barnes Avenue) with the Hon. Joseph Parry, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Nevis; and Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, Minister of the State for Tourism of St. Kitts & Nevis.  The moderator for this session will be Irwine G. Clare, co-founder and managing director of Caribbean Immigration Services, Inc. (CIS).

Senator the Hon. Allen Chastanet, Minister of Tourism, St. Lucia and Chairman, CTO, will also be participating in the evening’s events.

Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart — For the third year in a row, the South Street Seaport will be the host venue for the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart, featuring approximately 70 booths manned by representatives from Caribbean destinations, hoteliers and strategic partners.  Slated for June 12 from 11 am – 9 pm on Piers 16 and 17 at the South Street Seaport, the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart will offer consumers the opportunity to purchase specially-priced Caribbean vacation packages from travel professionals.

During a special Presentation of Proclamations, Caribbean tourism ministers and directors of tourism, along with private sector strategic partners, will be in attendance as New York City and State officials deliver proclamations officially declaring June 9-17, 2007 Caribbean Week in New York.

The Fair will also feature two ‘live’ Caribbean Weddings, sponsored by the Condé Nast Bridal Media, scheduled for 3 pm and 4 pm.  The two lucky couples exchanging vows at the Fair will each receive a romantic Caribbean honeymoon to either the British Virgin Islands or St. Maarten/St. Martin.

New at the Fair this year will be the Children’s Village.  Organized by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), the Children’s Village will include artist workshops on music, arts and crafts and storytelling that would be held throughout the day.

The Fair will conclude with a Caribbean Concert from 6 – 9 pm featuring performances by popular Caribbean musicians.

34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball — Fine food, fashion and fun will be showcased at the black-tie 34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball scheduled for Friday, June 15 at 7 pm in the Waldorf=Astoria’s Grand Ballroom.  Tickets, advertising opportunities and special sponsorship packages for the Ball may be obtained by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or calling CTO’s New York office at 212-635-9530.  Proceeds from the Ball will benefit the CTO Foundation.

Caribbean Week 2007 Sponsors

Caribbean Week in New York 2007 is sponsored by American Express® Publishing, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Bloomingdale’s, British Virgin Islands, CaribVision, CaribWorldNews.com, Condé Nast Bridal Media, Dominican Republic, Empire State Building Company, Grenada, Jamaica, Macy’s, Monroe College, New York Cricket Region, New York Magazine, New York Times, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Southern Living Magazine, and Turks & Caicos Islands.

For additional information about Caribbean Week 2007, please contact CTO’s New York Office directly at 212-635-9530 or visit www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.

The Caribbean Tourism Development Company

The Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) is a marketing and business development unit, owned equally by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Its mission is:

To own, promote, protect, advance and enhance the Caribbean brand.

The CTDC combines the resources of the Caribbean region’s destinations, accommodations and service providers to create a viable, cohesive, business unit that is able to identify commercial opportunities and allow the members of CHA and CTO to benefit collectively from those opportunities in ways that individually they could not.  In all its endeavors the company will engage only in activities that honor the Caribbean brand and benefit the members of CHA and CTO.

CTDC may be contacted through the offices of CHA and CTO: CHA’s Miami office is located at 2665 Le Jeune Road, Suite 910, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Tel. (305) 443 3040; Fax (305) 443 3005. E-mail TGrace@CaribbeanTDC.com.  CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad Street, Suite 3200, New York, NY 10004. Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (

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Richard Heiles
East End Volleyball
PO Box 49
Hampton Bays, NY 11946
www.eevb.net
631-728-0397 or 631-355-1293