BIM VIEWS NET

Mount Gay Round Barbados Regatta 2012

2012-01-20T21:46:00.000-08:00

TODAY is a big day for Sailing competition in Barbados as the Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Race gets under way at 7:00am. The race is a pursuit race to establish record times and 27 vessels are registered to compete in several classes including Monohull Open, Multihull Open, Classics, Spirit of Tradition, Monohull One Design, Double Hands and Single Handed.

Bim Views was able to speak to captains of two vessels participating in today's race. Young Ollie Yates is representing the United Kingdom as captain of one of the On Deck boats, a 65 foot Farr, with 3 crew and 12 guests from Mount Gay. His boat currently holds the record for the Under 18 foot class but he is expecting a tough challenge from a new vessel that is entered in the race today.

See Bim Views's very light hearted chat, with Skipper Yates below.

Bim views also met up with David Speiler, Captain of the 47 foot Leonora, who says that although she does not race very often, she is expected to perform well today.

Bim Views Blogger Nichole aboard Leonora with a mate and the crew

The prizes! On breaking any of the existing Barbados records, the yacht will be awarded Mount Gay Rum to the weight of the Skipper as recorded at the official Weigh In. Each Absolute record holder is also presented with the Mount Gay Rum Round Barbados Trophy. there is also the Errol Barrow Classic Yacht Trophy presented to the fastest classic yacht. Several other trophies will be presented and general prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each class.

Officials of the Barbados Cruising Club tell Bim Views that the best vantage points for taking in the action are the East Coast and the South Coast. Accra Beach and Pebble's Beach are the most popular spots between 11am and 2pm. See you at Pebble's Beach!

Agriculture in Barbados - Digging Yams

2012-01-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

THE activity may not be as popular as fifty years ago but agriculture is alive and surviving in Barbados. Unfortunately praedial larceny is ruining the experience for many farm owners who remain involved in agriculture for the love of it and for the sake of our nationhood.

Bim Views started the new year by taking an opportunity to venture into a yam ground in St. Philip where workers were supervising members of the public who wanted to buy and dig their own rods. A Barbadian woman who is often found in the grounds herself was willing to take us in.

Armed with forks and gloves and bags, everyone knew that they were in for substantial bargains, because that week yams were for sale in the market $2.50 per pound. Since I am no yam digger, trust me when I say it is an admirable art, so a Guyanese worker was paid $5 to dig the rod, which cost $20. He dug his fork into the ground backing the spot where he realised the yam was located. I was to learn that this practice is to avoid ripping the root crop apart. He swiftly dug and exposed about seven yams, big and small, in the 10 foot length that made up my assigned rod.

A punctured yam weighing close to5 pounds

Calculating the day's bounty, we got seven yams at about 20 pounds for $25. Yams being sold at $2.50 per pound, it would be safe to say that we got $50 worth of yams for $25. Not bad for half hour wait and willingness to brave the sun.

I got to thinking about Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, edoes, cassava and other crops that are harvested at various farms on a weekly basis, and the potential savings that could be accumulated over a few short weeks. Al it would take is willingness to rise early and get in touch with nature. If individuals with large enough lots of land were willing o pay to have their land forked up and planted, pretty soon Barbados would be well on its way to a lower food import bill.

Let us get digging, let's save our economy!

2012-01-01T01:19:00.000-08:00

Happy NEW YEAR

TO EVERY READER and VISITOR to BIM VIEWS NET.

FROM

Nichole Murray

Blogger

P.S - This first week of 2012 in Barbados will be full of twists and excitement in all spheres! Stay tuned to your newspaper, tv, radio and this blog!

December 9th Bridgetown Duty Free Day

2011-12-09T06:14:00.001-08:00

Not much office work today!

Don't look to get much of any documents processed or approved today in Bridgetown. A wild and exciting shopping feast has been prepared for locals and they are reportedly eating their stomachs full since day break.

The Ministry of Finance has finally supported a recommendation by the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry to have a duty free allowance day for locals. This means that desks will be empty for more than 1 hour lunch and that phones will be ringing off the hook. Photoggraphers in Bridgetown from as early as 7am captured throngs of people waiting in front of Cave Shepherd ahead of its early opening.

The Duty Free Day is a part of the Bridgetown Alive actvities for 2011 and the The only exceptions will be alcohol, tobacco, cigarette products and selected electronic items.The terms and conditions also limit locals from spending more than $1000.00 Barbados on any item(s). All Bajans have to do is walk with their Barbados passports. Once they have made their selections at a duty free store, their passports will be stamped in the back of the passport. This is being done to ensure that the system is not abused and that an official record is kept of the quantum of purchases.

I believe that this is an genius idea to boost economic activity in a period when people have been spending carefully. The DLP government must have realised that a boost in economic activity could only help the country's ratings in the coming year. Although this is an excellent measure, the Government still has to answer major questions about the increased basket of goods that was to e coming for quite a few months. We are still waiting for the publication of the list in the media and for prices to reflect the changes.

However, one day of shopping or a small city such as Bridgetown draws a few concerns, particularly about the level of petty theft and crowd management. Over 40 retailers in Bridgetown are participating in the day of goodies for locals including Cave Shepherd, Henrietta's closet, Shoe Locker, The Runway, Thani Shoe Shop, Mademoiselle, Music N' Echo, Shopper's Paradise, Unicomer Courts Barbados, Little Switzerland , West Riley Electronics and most major jewelry stores on broad Street.

Competing stores not involved offering major discounts of up to 25% off items and some even offering VAT free shopping in order to compete. I know I won't get any business done today. The only thing left do is to join the crowd in town!

QEH Open Day

2011-11-24T11:16:00.001-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to be a part of the Open Day at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Last week, in mid-November, was a great time to hold the Open-Day, in keeping with national Independence Celebrations, the hospital's anniversary and my visit to a relative.I have included photos below for those of you who missed the celebrations at the QEH.Staff took time to share information on health issues and demonstrate use of equipment to the many visitors to Barbados' premier health care institution. I took time to stop by the display by the Physical Therapists and got my muscles electrically shocked for stimulation and pain relief.

There have been revelations of the current DLP government that there are plans to close down the age old institution and build a replacement much to the chagrin of opposition supporters and financial critics who question the spending of this administration. Truthfully the QEH looks, smells and feels depressing, almost like those who are well will walk out feeling ill. A new hospital would be great but questions about the timing are also valid. Questions about the attitudes of the staff and the blatant management issues that continue to exist are also not going to be erased when there are new facilities.

Long hours in the Accident and Emergency Department; a lack of beds due to the abandonment of the elderly are reasons enough to want a new hospital. However, questionable practices by one or two consultant medical professionals provide even more of a worry who have been rumored to attempt to gull unsuspecting elderly patients of their pension money by having to pay for a "put up" in order to get an operation in a timely fashion or by having to pay the same consulting professional for private services in order to get superior treatment. Not to mention nurses and doctors and management fighting for territory could only increase in the future when there is new territory.

New skin will not work with the old oil. We can consider options for investment in at this time that can bring us real returns OR simply refrain from spending more money. Perhaps this is an option can help our country out of these downgrades and lower ratings by international agencies.

The busy QEH Lobby

The EMTs had quite a few visitors

I love my country but sometimes harsh words are needed to push wheels of progress into motion. I will continue to be grateful for the positives about the QEH even if there are a few sore spots and i remain positive that a new facility could only give patients more options for care.

The Physical Therapy Booth

All about the blood

A dummy on a stretcher

Cost of Living Ease with An Increased Basket of Goods

2011-09-15T05:55:00.000-07:00

Bim Views Net Continues our discussion on the Cost of Living in Barbados...

SINCE May 2011 we have been hearing from members of Cabinet in Barbados that consideration is being given to increasing The Basket of Goods in Barbados. Recently, Minister of Commerce and Trade Senator Haynesley Benn stated that a paper had already been sent to Cabinet to expand the list to include another 24 items including toiletries and items for use by the disabled community.

The Basket of Goods and Services is a fixed list of commodities and services that are selected for inclusion in the computation of the Retail Price Index. The original basket of goods included 27 items, such as chicken, New Zealand Cheddar Cheese and salted fish and has since been expanded.

According to the Barbados Statistical Service website:
"To obtain the basic information required for a revision of the Retail Price Index (RPI) with respect to:

Determining the list of items to be included in a new basket of consumer goods and services.
Revising the ‘weights’ (relative proportion to the total budget) of all the items in the basket. These weights are required for the computation of the index.
Reviewing the outlets to be canvassed for the collection of price quotations on the items to be included in the Index."


Under a new Act, wholesalers and retailers would be expected to provide invoices to the Ministry of Commerce and Trade before increasing prices of items included in the Basket, and those failing to comply could be subject to a $2 500 fine and a term of imprisonment of five months or both.

This is excellent news for locals and visitors alike who are seen reeling at the prices on supermarket shelves which, in some cases, have been unbelievable. Many agencies have been asking for healthier food options to be included in the basket, which would motivate Barbadians to have affordable options for their shopping dollars. In Barbados over 40% of deaths are the result of chronic and non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Oftentimes those suffering from these complaints could have avoided illness by leading healthier lives with better diet and increased exercise.

The government of Barbados really needs to roll out an overall vision for our nation in terms of the health and livelihood of its citizens. Cabinet can consider, if only in conversation, which food items could turn on the healthy lifestyle light bulb in our heads. These items can be included in the Basket of Goods.

View our other articles on the Cost of Living

Fate of Cost of Living in Barbados left to 2011 Budget

2011-08-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

THE cost of living in Barbados is one of the most topical issues in public forums. Incidentally, our cost of living posts have drawn the lion share of readership Bim Views Net, indicating that this is the issue of most concern to you. On Tuesday August, 16th, 2011 at 4.00 p.m., The Hon. Christopher P. Sinckler, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs will deliver the Annual Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals for the year 2011.

Hon. Christopher Sinckler, M.P. Minister of Finance

This budget will, in many ways, determine whether or not the poor families, individuals repaying mortgages and loans and the small and medium sized enterprise owners will survive the remainder of this international recession.

There have been many public requests from Trade Unions, retailers, hoteliers, NGOs and members of the public at large. The most popular request is for the Government to refrain from any increase in taxes. In this regard, Bim Views Net will be following the debate closely and posting related blogs.

If you are considering relocating to Barbados, the cost of living will not impact on you as it would members of the lower socio-economic strata, since government incentives for foreign investments are very attractive. Please visit the Invest Barbados website for details.

If you are a Barbadian living overseas or just interested in being among the first to hear of the government’s proposed plans, Parliament will be streaming live here.

You can also view the comments of Bim View's own Nichole Murray on Twitter @BrokenTrident.

Barbados Youth Festival on SLAM 101.1FM NOW 2:00pm to 3:00pm

2011-08-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

Tune Into SLAM 101.1FM BARBADOS to hear Ambassadors Kimberly Davis and Kurt Clarke talk about the National Youth Festival from 2:300pm to 3:00pm today with DJ DMZ.

Tisha D'hayle, Marketing Officer of the Barbados Workers' Union Cooperative Credit Union Limited (BWUCCUL) , the sponsor of the radio show, will also be there talking about BWUCCUL's products and services.

Click HERE to listen live!

Meanwhile, the Barbados Youth Development Council is nearing the need of the two-day Regional Youth Seminar, where delegates have been sharing on their best practices in youth empowerment activities.

Gillian Rowe of Read For Life

Some of the best practice models discussed include the Barbados based Read For Life programme run by Ms. Gillian Rowe, which brings volunteers to public libraries on the weekend to reach with children and teach them skills in language and communication.

Louise Victor of St. Lucia NYC

The Sign Up! volunteer project led by the St. Lucia National Youth Council was presented by Louise Victor, General Secretary. Sign Up! is a government started and youth led drive to encourage participation of youth in community activities and youth projects for development.

National Youth Festival on this weekend

2011-08-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

The Barbados Youth Development Council (BYDC) has officially stepped into full gear for its third annual Barbados Youth Festival, which runs this year from August 11th to 13th.

Beginning with the inaugural two-day Regional Youth Seminar at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, the President, Mr. Jason Francis said that the seminar is meant to celebrate the culmination of the United Nations International Year of the Youth, which ends Friday, August 12th, 2011.

Pictured below is Minister of Youth, Culture, Family and Sports, Hon. Stephen Lashley and representatives of the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, USAID and the Commonwealth Youth Programme Caribbean Office, with local and regional delegates to the Seminar.

Delegates from ten Caribbean nations are represented at the Seminar, which climaxes tomorrow with Presentation of Discussion papers on Education, Youth Participation and Volunteerism, Human Rights, Gun Violence Chronic Non-Communicable diseases and CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

President of the Barbados Youth Development Council. Mr. Jason Francis told Bim Views Net that the inspiration for such a seminar came from Henry Charles, Director of the Commonwealth Youth Division at last year's event. "Mr. Charles recommended adding a regional component to the Youth Festival and we as a council looked at seeing what we could do to help to re establish a regional body to have one voice. It is a dream come true for me".

When asked to encourage more youth to get involved in volunteerism and participation in national youth bodies, Mr. Francis said "Sometimes people think that because I am the president that I have all the ideas. If you have ideas, bring them and we will push it and give you the support because we cannot realistically reach everyone. If you know a programme will work in your community then we will be all for it. See yourself as being a part of the Council. Your ideas sometimes may be more important as ours and we are left to be facilitators."

According to the BYDC Executive Committee, the Barbados Youth Festival concludes at 3pm on Saturday, August 13th, 2011 at Illaro Court, with a Youth expo and trade show that brings together young people from across the country to highlight and promote the positive work of Barbadian youth, youth organizations, young entrepreneurs and artistes. Young persons will also be exposed to career coaching opportunities, financial planning and much, much more.There will be a massive after party featuring Donnya Piggott, Adrenalin Dancers, Mosaic Steel Orchestra and headliners NexCyx.

River Bay Barbados - Sargassum Sea Weed Attack

2011-08-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

BROWN Sargassum seaweed is growing in Barbados at an alarming rate. A recent visit to River Bay in St. Lucy was a stark indicator of the impact that the sea weed is having on the seascape and the landscape. The sheer volume of the weeds, reaching almost two feet in some areas, has changed the colour of the water from crystal blue to mirky brown.

Along my tour of northern beaches, we passed homes and farms where the property owners are using the seaweed as fertiliser. What ingenuity!

River Bay has managed to hold on to many of its picturesque elements but the stench of decaying weeds has resulted in an infestation of flies. The weeds have also affected the flow of water into the bay and reminded me of the power of nature.

Take a look at the video below taken on August 2nd, 2011 from the YouTube channel from Seagrapesndunks .

Way Side Vending (as we know it) Must End

2011-05-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

... at least in the form that we endure from day to day in Bridgetown

The President of BARVEN, Allister Alexander will not like me after my post today but the truth must be said. Wayside vending in Barbados as we know it must come to an end. Bim Views takes photos, and lots of them, to bring strength to every publication.

No one is out to stop Vendors from making a living but the shanty-town image does not bode well with what we the general population want for Barbados. Some of these structures are water rotten, termite infested, rat breeding disgraces and n o health inspector should allow food to be sold from them to begin with.

Others are simply beautiful, especially when new. This photo below is of a multi-story shop, erected in Bridgetown. No one can convince me that the owner is not sleeping upstairs this multi-story,well barricaded fruit stall. Is the Air conditioning for cold storage of fruits?

What about this other two story structure with a sash window upstairs? Is our housing situation that bad Michael Lashley? No man, I refuse to believe that an Association representing the interest of these vendors would condone this slackness. Whilst the remainder of us pay taxes and fees, what overheads do these retailers incur? We also need to know who is regulating the food vendors and monitoring their food preparation practices.

I believe that there is room for kiosks in a major city but they need to be organised. Any old thing just won't do and unfortunately, the snow cone vendors are included. I would never even buy ice from some of those carts.

Barbados Status on World Bank Listing

2011-04-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

I recently did some research on Barbados' position in relation to the World Bank. As far as lending is concerned, countries are classified into different groups of economies such as 'Low Income' and 'High Income' for example. The photo below is included to show how Barbados currently matches up to other Caribbean and Latin American Countries on the Country and Lending grouping lists of the World Bank for 2011.

A country's economic status also has serious bearing on it's citizens. One good example is the potential cost for attending international conferences where citizens of low income countries are offered lower registration fees. Another consideration is the offer of scholarship positions, aid, grants and even fellowships. This leads me to wonder two things:

1. Is it a hindrance for this tiny island of 166 sq. miles to have this status? It seems as though the less a country has, the more other countries are willing to give. We may look good on paper, but what's the reality on the ground for the average person when monthly bills take 3/4 of the income?

2. Barbados seems to be doing well based on the standard of living of it's citizens but should the World Bank adjust it's lending categories to focus on more than just the income of an economy? It doesn't matter if I earn $955 if I spend $1955. I look better than the country with an income of $34 but they may only be spending $32. My issue with the whole scenario is that we have few industries (and room to accommodate them for that matter) here in Barbados and I wonder what we would really accomplish with Developed Country status. Will we continue to go to conferences and abstain from votes because we want no enemies? Will we be wasting a seat?

I am no Economist but I see that there are several holes through which citizens can fall because of status imposed on organisations and institutions. Based on our population, our citizens will have to fight harder for scholarships and opportunities. Our numbers are few and we will have to shout much louder than our neighbours and fellow category members if we want to be seen and heard.

For evidence on my view on the potential costs differing for countries of different status please click here. Don't ask, just go over to our sister blog via the link to the right and get those answers.

NEW!!!! Information Barbados Portal

2011-03-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

I recommend this Information Barbados website to you if you are planning to visit Barbados or want general information on conducting business or leisure activities. It does not look like much but they are packing loads of information. Have a look and let them know if there is any information missing.

Flowers in Barbados

2011-03-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the beautiful flowers I have seen around Barbados. I don't know all of their Latin names, so just take it in. Please credit Nichole Murray as the owner if you use any of them on your site or in your assignments. Thank you.

Highway 2A to Speightstown via Whim

2011-03-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

I am following MhizzBajanBeauty on her trip around Barbados. You can follow her too! The Whim is beautiful.

Cost of Living in Barbados too High?

2011-03-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

Or is this Price Gouging?

by Nichole Murray

TELL me who would have thought that we would see the day so soon when twelve (12) grapes, yes literally twelve grapes, cost BDS$2.38 cents? Here at Bim Views pride is taken to have evidence for whatever is published and nothing speaks louder than a photograph.

A recent visit to a local supermarket brought this unpleasant surprise and although I thought my eyes deceived me, I noticed that everything in the chiller was ridiculously priced. Life is Bim is getting tough and unless one is willing to eat the canned foods, pasta products, oil and other products high in sugar and saturated fats, then starvation seems the only viable option. Healthy eating in Barbados is an oxymoron unless one is in the upper class. Forget the Middle class because hey are eating the same as those in the lower income brackets.

Relaxing Sounds of Waves - Folkstone Park Barbados

2011-03-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

These videos help us to appreciate the glory in nature and the virtue of silence.

40 Year-old Burnt Pie passed through Barbados

2011-03-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

A Burnt Meat Pie which has now become a family hierloom is said to have passed through Barbados in its 40 year life span. The owner, Tony Johnson of Lancashire, is proud of his keep sake and says it may even have helped him to win a lottery. Read More about this light-hearted story at Metro UK.

You may be surprised where little old Barbados comes up in the news.

2011-2012 Estimates Debates Begin Today

2011-03-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

ONE Week of debates concerning the Appropriations Bill and the Annual Estimates Presentation by the ruling party, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) have begun in the Lower House in Barbados. The Minister of Finance, the Hon. Christopher Sinckler, M.P. has been on the floor defending his party's management of the economy and their plans and projections for containing and reducing Government's fiscal deficit.

Here are the General figures as posted online by the Parliament of Barbados:

Estimated Current Revenue ... ... ... 2,522,762,383

Estimated Total Expenditure ... ... ... 3,557,239,659

Estimated Excess of Total Expenditure over Current Revenue 1,034,477,27

You can tune in to the debate LIVE on your computer at this link to the Barbados Parliament. You don't want to miss this no matter where you are in the world.

The Ministry of Education Responds to Alleged Cases of Sexual Violence in Schools

2011-03-09T06:04:00.000-08:00

Sex amongst children in Barbados is now a BIG deal. It seems like it is commonplace

My sister blog http://sexualwellnesscaribbean.blogspot.com/2011/03/sexual-violence-in-barbados-primary.html has the release.

NY Times Report - Horror Flight from Barbados to NYC

2011-03-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

A Flight on Sunday evening from the Grantley Adams International Airport to John F. Kennedy airport in New York that was to take 4 hours ended up lasting 12 hours.

Image courtesy of FlightAware

According to the New York Times, the pilots attempted to land the American Airlines Boeing 757 plane flight 1384 carrying close to 200 passengers more than twice, diverted to Boston to refuel and then attempted to land at JFK again, only to pull up at the point where passengers could read the signage on the airport building. After the pull u the plane ended up in Philadelphia.

Photos of Bridgetown

2011-03-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

If you have not been to Barbados in a long time are interested in how Bridgetown looks from the Swing Bridge, please visit the people at this link:

http://s1118.photobucket.com/albums/k618/ncmnetwork/?action=view&current=d392933d.pbw

BNCPTA Installation of New Board Feb 27th 2011

2011-03-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

The Remarks of Ms. Rhonda Blackman, President of the National Council of Parent Teachers' Associations (NCPTA) at their installation service on Sunday, February 27th, 2011.

Condoms in School - A Lazy Debate

2011-03-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

Nichole Murray

March 1st, 2011:

THE debate surrounding the distribution of condoms in schools is back after a St. Lucian Activist made the recommendation for institutions there. I call it a lazy debate.

Considering the emphatic ‘No’ coming from the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and the National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA), one would assume that sex education and life skills are a main stay in the daily school experience in Barbados but it is not.

I happen to know that Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) is taught as an essential part of the Education Programme at Erdiston Teachers’ Training College but the reality is that HFLE is not a priority for Principals of Primary Schools and I would dare say that it is not a priority for the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development or we would not be having this discussion.

Porter's Accident - Traffic Cleared

2011-02-23T08:33:00.000-08:00

After a half hour of backups, the traffic on Highway 1 by Porter's Main Road is now free and flowing. Officers of the Royal Barbados Police Force showed up soon after the accident and made things right with the driver in quick time, that is one hedge and bumper later.

See a short video below of the owners of the apartment right next to the spot where the accident occured:

Unfortunately, accidents do happen but now there is one less bus operating on the roads and the Transport Board has to find money to fix it :(.

Accident in Porter's St. James - Delays Expected

2011-02-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

A Ministry Ambulance and Transport Board Bus narrowly avoided each other in the corner at Porter's main Road around 11:55am, both running off the road on the opposite side.

I happen to be in the office across the street when i heard the loud crash and came out to see the bus, which was on it's way south off the road an the hedge of a property in Old Queen's Fort. the Ambulance was up on the verge of a private apartment block.

It seems that no one was hurt because bus passengers quickly got on the bus that was behind and the ambulance personnel checked up on the bus driver, who was visibly shaken, before moving on.

Transport Board Bus drivers and minivan drivers, no, all drivers take that corner too wide and too fast. If I can, I will post a video with evidence for you. The drivers go so quickly sometimes that they cannot stop at the bus stop and have to go on for about 15 metres in order to come to rest.

Half of the road remains blocked at post time and traffic is backed up.

Holetown Festival in Full Swing

2011-02-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

And it's the Holetown festival again! Stall owners and seen busy this morning in preparation for the grand finale of the Holetown Festival, which culminates this weekend.

Tents are being erected and stages built, whilst members of the Royal Barbados Police Force were going through their final rehearsals on Thursday morning.

The usual Night time Tattoo and several street events are slated for tonight, Saturday morning and Saturday night. Based on my observations, patrons will be able to sample local foods and craft, whilst a plethora of bras, panties and jewellry will be there for the taking. It seems to me like the Holetown festival has lost some of its cultural and symbolic essence over the years in an effort to appeal to a growing number of flea market shoppers.

At least some visitors still stop by the Holetown monument, which commemorates the landing of the first settlers to Barbados.

Meanwhile a primary school was holding its annual house sports on the Trents playing field much to the delight of onlookers and parents in attendance.

Construction at the new Limegrove Lifestyle Centre(supposed outlet mall which is Bajan for high end shopping )continues. For the life of me I Don't understand how an outlet mall can be a lifestyle centre catered to the upper echelons of society. Something is missing.

HOLETOWN

Visitors passing the historical Holetown Methodist Church

The new Barbados National Bank branch located on the compound of the Limegrove Lifstyle centre

Signs for some of the business in First and Second Street

"The Unveiling" Trade & Business Expo 2011

2011-02-16T06:02:00.000-08:00

Information

The Organiser of an upcoming youth trade show has sent me the flyer and registration form for young people in my network to showcase their "wares" from Friday March 4th to 5th 2011.

Should you require any further information please feel free to contact Nigel Jules, the Managing Director of Chilax, at (246)244-0595 or email him at chilaxhealthylifestyles@gmail.com to secure your space at "The Unveiling".

12 Week Eagle Hall Wait

2011-02-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

Bridgetown Feb 15^th 2011- SENIOR citizens who traditionally travel to the Eagle Hall Post Office to cash their monthly government pension cheques will have to hold on for a while before its doors are re-opened.

Word of this comes from Postmaster General Joel Brathwaite, who told Bim Views blogger Nichole Murray in an exclusive interview today that the estimated completion date for work is at least the first week in April.

Based on the schedule given by Mr. Brathwaite, the badly leaking roof should be completed “within another 7 weeks based on weather”. The Post Office has been closed for three weeks to date.

All activities have been relocated to the Bridgetown Post Office in Cheapside and Postmen have to travel longer distances to service residents of the Eagle Hall catchment area.

Protests Erupting in Haiti

2011-02-08T06:18:00.000-08:00

Our neighbours, the Haitians, have taken to the streets to demand the removal of President Réne Préval after a disappointing run of election last November 28th. Read More Here. Apparently their X's were not enough to cancel the doubt cast over the allegedly manipulation of election results.

Préval's five year tenure as President ended yesterday February 7th, 2011 but his position remains in tact by a parliamentary decision to keep him there until May this year.

Contrastingly, we in Bim talk about the 1937 riots (now called a small uprising) which led to the exile of one of our National Heroes, the Right Excellent Clement Payne (aTrinidadian born Bajan) with an air of disconnect and apathy because we seem to be far removed from the results of oppression, pent up anger and frustration.

We live our lives in relative comfort (at least on the surface) and have a few complaints about ningling problems. When we get sick and tired our our political leaders, we appreciatively accept their 'gifts' and then VOTE THEM OUT with our X's.

Haitians still have no electricity for the general population in Port-au-Prince, far less housing, decent food and clean water. There are endless rumors of corruption within government workers at the ports of entry for cargo. How can people rob their own brothers and sisters in the midst of a national crisis that has never been seen before. It is reprehensible and unfortunate that the men and women blocking the flow of aid to their own people have not been relieved of their duties in favour of men and women that are willing to do what is right to build Haiti once more.

What is it about power that leaders change into mean, detached shadows of the warm and caring canvassers that they were as little as a few months before? What is is about the taste of power that they never want to let it go? What is it that has kept ordinary Barbadians from taking to the streets in protest of the wrongs and injustices we claim to experience? I believe that the call in programmes be thanked for their politically usefulness in allowing us to ventilate our frustrations so that we don't have to act them out. I wonder still, how much longer the call in shows will be enough of a salve for our wounds as a people.

I pray for Bim, I pray for Haiti.

Weekly Word #1 - Proselytise

2011-02-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

I am on a search for an expanding vocabulary and I will be searching dictionaries each weekly for one word that I can use immediately in my conversations.
Starting today I am opening up my quest for knowledge to you. Let's learn and grow together and prove that the literacy rate in Bim is really 98%. Today's word is strange and is in no way a tone setter for our intentions.
Please always click on the link for my online reference.

Proselytise - to convert someone to your faith, belief or religion

Photos of Brandon's Beach

2011-02-04T08:31:00.000-08:00

Bim Views Net took an early Saturday morning visit to Brandon's Beach in St. Michael and was met with the clearest water and a rare serenity scenes. take in Brandon's Beach with us.

Pure white sand

A Beautiful flower

The Barbados Coast Guard Headquarters and Flour Mill at Spring Garden

A cruise ship coming in to the Bridgetown Port

The Spices We Use - Tumeric, Curry, White and Black Pepper

2011-02-03T05:31:00.000-08:00

Bridgetown, Feb. 3rd,2011

This week we continue our discussion on the most commonly used herbs and spices in Bim. My dear friend Neil who inspired this series of posts has not yet visited the site but I sure hope that the information shared here is helpful for expanding your general knowledge. This journey has certainly brought me a deeper appreciation to the hard work that goes into the production of the various forms of powders that make my meals delightful to taste.

Tumeric

Tumeric is a bright orange fleshed root of a plant. The tumeric plant is related to ginger and grows as a shrub and its active ingredient in is curcumin.

Tumeric has a variety of uses including fabric dye and natural food dye. It is used to colour hot pepper sauces, mustards and cheeses.

Tumeric has a bitter taste and is said, like most bitter plants, to have a long list of health benefits. These include antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, liver detoxification, fighting certain cancers, healing skin diseases and joint problems. Read more here.

Curry

Curry as we know it in Bim is a mixture of spices and herbs to create a yellow, spicy blend of flavours that is popular in Indian and Caribbean foods. In other parts of the world, curry simply means a spicy Indian dish.

Incidentally, the main ingredient in curry powder is the leaves of the Curry Tree, which are essential in its production.

The curry trees grow to a maximum of 6 metres and produces white flower buds and black berries which are edible but whose seeds are poisonous (I'd say just don' teat them at all).

The Curry powder, which we all appreciate in our rotis, contains curry leaves, tumeric and black mustard seeds, cumin, corriander and sometimes other herbs such as garlic. We use curry with vegetables and meats including goat, beef, chicken, lamb and fish.

Black Pepper and White Pepper

Black pepper may be the most commonly used spice in Bim, simply because we tend to put pepper in everything. For Individuals that prefer a milder form of pepper, white pepper is used. Interestingly, black and white pepper are from the same berry of the same plant. These berried are known as peppercorns, which can also be bought whole and ground at home for a stronger flavour.

The difference is that the colour depends on the ripeness of the berry. The black peppers are harvested before ripening and they retain the dark colour, whilst the white berries are picked fully ripe and skinned, giving the difference in colours.

Incidentally, Black pepper is said to account for one quarter of the world's spice trades alone.

As with almost every other spice discussed in this series, black and white peppers are native to India and continental Asia.

In the final article on The Spices We Use,we will take a quick look at the most common fresh herbs used in Bajan cooking. Follow these two links to read the other articles in this series.

Relaxing sounds of waves at Brandon's Beach

2011-01-31T06:29:00.000-08:00

I just had to repost this short but destressing video of the waves crashing ashore at Brandon's Beach in Bim. Visit Seagrapesndunks on her Youtube page here http://www.youtube.com/user/seagrapesndunks?feature=mhum for more videos about Barbados.

The Spices We Use Part 2 - Cinnamon and Allspice

2011-01-19T05:11:00.000-08:00

Bridgetown, Jan 19th, 2011
CINNAMON

A favourite in pastries and desserts, cinnamon is the inside bark of a type of an evergreen tree that is said to grow as tall as 20 metres. It is known for its health benefits including its use as an anti-inflammatory.

Cinnamon renders a sweet taste to food, even in the absence of sugar and is mostly used in desserts and Asian Massala. In Bim we put cinnamon in cakes, sweet bread, sugar cakes, teas and bakes! YUM!

This is what a cinnamon tree bark looks like on the tree. What we use is the fully dried version, the ground, powder or the oil. Most of my peers may just know it as brown dust that their mother throws in the mixture.

Visit the website for Registered Dietician Leslie Rock to read about a 2006 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation found that cinnamon extract had a moderate effect on reducing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in type 2 diabetics.

AllSpice

Allspice is probably the most widely sued spice in Bim. We put spice in everything. Believe That! Allspice is native to the Caribbean - Jamaica specifically! YAY! It's ours and we can be proud. Is is known to reduuce colic, gas, stomach problems of many kinds and most of all it makes food taste yummy.

We only see the powdered form of Allspice, but the actual spice can come from the berries, the leaves or the bark because they all carry the strong, sweet scent.

The berries are tiny and round and the leaves are a bright, polished green.

To date we have looked at Nutmeg, Clove, Cinnamon and Allspice, what I consider to be the most popular spices that we in Bim use in our cooking. Look out for the next article in this series which will feature tumeric, curry, black and white pepper. After that we will look at fresh herbs.

The Spices We Use Part 1 - Nutmeg and Clove

2011-01-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

Jan 14th 2011, Bridgetown,

I was nearly thrown to the floor with despair a few weeks ago when a close friend of mine asked me “what is nutmeg?”

You cannot imagine the horror I felt when this man in his mid twenties admitted that he does not know what it looks like. The sad thing is that members of his generation do not know what spice or cinnamon bark look like because the parents bought it ground or only use cubes of seasoning.

These unfortunate cohorts of mine couldn’t tell you the different between the cinnmon or spice, five finger fruit, passion fruit, guava, mammy apple, pomegranates, ackees or anything else, a trait that once identified a cultured Barbadian.

Over the next few weeks we will focus on spices and fruits that are found in or used heavily in meals all over Bim.

Today I make an attempt to provide visuals of spices (to address the fruit in another article) to ease the guilt I share with members of generations past who failed to pass on basic knowledge to my peers. Let us begin with a look at nutmeg since this is the spice that got the whole conversation going.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is the spice featured on the national flag of Grenada, our neighbour island and Caricom member. It grows on a tropical evergreen tree and is oval shaped.

Nutmeg is grown on tall trees, which bear many bright yellow fruit in season. The Nutmeg we use is the highly scented seed that is encapsulated in a hard shell covered in a red or pick web called Mace, which is cracked open. Nutmeg is usually grated to be used in food. mace is also used as a spice

CLOVE

Clove is grown on a large evergreen tree, mostly in the middle east and the east coast of Africa.

The spice we use is actually the bud of a flower. Clove is usually ground or inserted whole into foods to add an unusual and distinct flavour. To much clove makes food bitter and distasteful, so if you are using it for the first time, use as little as possible.

Next Post will look at Cinnamon and what we know as All Spice.

Neil, I hope you are reading!

Celebrating 100 Visits to BimViewsNet!!!

2011-01-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all of the viewers that have visited our blog over the past 22 days, most of whom browse our articles. What we say may not change much on the national scene but we hope that something we said has educated and informed you or lightened your day somewhat with a smile.

THANKS AGAIN FOR VISITING!!!

BimViewsNet

BDS $2.00 and PSVs Still Out of Control

2011-01-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

January 6^th, 2011. Six days after the Government of Barbados increased bus fares from $1.50 to $2.00 for adult passengers, I embarked a yellow omnibus.

My eyes beheld the following sign on the left interior of the van that reads “If it’s too loud, you are too old”. Music by Peter Ram was blasting in the air asking passengers to Pat and Crank with inserts of cuss words “Caw Bleng” in the song. So far for the year (only 6 days) I have had two outbursts of discontent with both drivers and conductors.

The young conductor shouted at his passengers asking us to “help him today”. Help with what? Apparently his version of help is stepping back in the aisle so that he can fit as many people in as possible. The complaints of the PSV owners and operators in 2010 were focused on how little profit they make because of fuel, insurance and road tax costs. Now that they make two full dollars more from me on a day trip, I don’t see why I should be offering ‘help’.

I believe that an increase of 50 cents is enough help for him for 2011 and some behavioural counseling and community service would be even better help. To ‘help’ these perpetual nuisances who continue to be selfish would be to do what their bosses refuse to do which is to call the police or the insurance agency and report the bad behaviour. Even that is now a mental bother (calling owners makes no difference because aggressive, criminal drivers make the most money).

Still ‘help’ would be getting all of these men and women under one umbrella body (a miracle) for regulation. Trust me when I say that the conductor would not accept any form of help I have to offer in this regard, so I tire and simply take photos and upload them to this blog.

Help you? For $2.00 you really mean Help Me!

SMDH

Welcome in United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Croatia and Singapore

2010-12-30T05:47:00.000-08:00

Since the original post we also received visits from Antigua and Bermuda! Hello *waving frantically*
YAY!!

Bim Views Net is happy to have readers from United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Croatia and Singapore (no particular order of preference) to visit our pages in the first month of our existence.

Although our readership yet small, we do appreciate your taking the time to look us up and spend time in your busy days reading our views about Bimshire, the little island most easterly of the Caribbean, known as Barbados.

Our articles are sure to get varied and interesting if such a word can be used as an understatement.

Congratulations QEH for Bim's Best Government site of 2010... No competition

2010-12-26T17:29:00.000-08:00

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) here in Bim may come under some heavy fire from members of the public for all the things that go wrong at that institution but someone somewhere inside did something right by placing the QEH ahead of the game when they decided to give the QEH its own website in 2010 that is *gasp* up to date! We must give jack his jacket and the QEH is certainly our Jack of the year. Kudos to the leadership for having the best government site for 2010.

If you have lower expectations about the online representation of Bim's Government agencies, then you will definitely be impressed with the accessibility bar and depth of information available on the site. We know that first impressions last longest and the website is a good first impression hands down.

The QEH is the only real hospital we have in Bim. We have a private institution on Bay Street nearby, which gives excellent care, but in emergencies patients still have to be ferried over to the QEH for critical care. That says something about high level of respect held for the QEH, since it holds the fate of most sick Bajans in the hands of its staff.

Update! Come Again Barbados Postal Service

2010-12-23T04:32:00.000-08:00

An associate of mine has indicated that there is a way to access a postal code in Barbados if you did not get that little slip posted to your home a few years back. for her it took picking up the phone and making a call to the Barbados Postal Service BPS and asking for one.

She said it worked for her and I thought it would be a good idea to save you some run around the internet and give you the numbers for the BPS.

BPS PBX 246 436-4800
Customer Service Complaints Inquiries 246 426-1801

Let me know if this helps.

Get Shot In Barbados Photo Competition

2010-12-23T03:55:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holiday season there is a great and exciting FREE photo competition in Barbados this December. FREE Professional photography and the chance to win VIP Barbados Music Awards Tickets, or A Free Hotel Stay or a great Lunch for Five at one of Barbados's Best Restaurants.

According to the creator Dwayne Bishop, Lead Creative at Opusseven, all you have to do is log onto www.ilovemybarbados.com to sign up and for details. It's FREE. See their website for full details. Be apart of this Experiment. Here is some of what they say:

Pelau.. or is it pualao or pealou!!!

2010-12-23T03:18:00.000-08:00

I passed through a popular mall in Bim and saw this label on the buffet counter and could not help but think that we all have slip ups in our spelling. For the record Pelau is the accepted form of the word. I didn't matter at the time because I knew exactly what the person meant.

We have room for lots of error and variation in the English Language. In other languages, one extra letter and we are profane. There are instance in English as well but we are so understanding ofeach other. What else could the deli staffer mean?

Let's not be judgemental folks, many of us have mispelled cole slaw (I always wondered who coined that term) like cold saw, cole saw and so on. We can identify own own errors and those of others and then make sure it motivates us to be correct next time, just in case our word has to be interpreted by a person with another first language. The Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage gives us a colourful view at all the accepted variations of spellings of words and provokes the occasional laugh at the unmatched creativity of us Caribbean people.

Lunar Eclipse in Bim with Video

2010-12-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

The lunar eclipse was beautiful here in Bim earlier this week but unfortunately I only got to see it by way of photos. I thought I would do a video of the full moon eclipse for you so that you could enjoy it too if you were sleeping the night away like I was. It makes me feel like singing Auld Lang Syne ...

Cheers!

US Embassy Protected itself from Alan Stanford... did the Barbados Government do the Same?

2010-12-21T06:12:00.000-08:00

The US Government sure knows how to take a hint. If there is anything to be gathered from the latest cables on Wikileaks about the US Embassy in Bridgetown is that the Governments of the United States of America trust their staff and takes their information seriously.

Read more »

Open letter to PSV Operators in Barbados

2010-12-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

I am a youth activist in my 20s and an all too regular user of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and I must lend my voice to the proposed changes in bus fares and license fees as laid out by the Hon. Christopher Sinckler, Minister of Finance in his recent Budgetary Presentation for 2010.

I agree with fairness lowering of licencing renewal fees to the match those of Transport Board drivers but I am also glad that you and your Operators will have to comply with the law in order to benefit from the goodies. Since we are being fair to you, you need to be fair to us passengers. If I have to pay more, I reserve the right to expect higher standards and better behaviour across the board. Bus fares will go up to $2.00 for adults and whilst it has been long in coming I will not be happy about paying that rate for transportation where I am treated like a sardine in a can to accommodate ZR drivers’ fitting 17 to19 people in a vehicle licensed and insured to hold only 13.

GANGS ON OUR TURF– can we get our children back? PT 2

2010-12-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

Dysfunction often does not come in what we say or do, but more so in what is left unsaid and undone by members of a family. We hardly hear a complaint on what is being done, more than not we hear complaints about what is incomplete , undone or half done in our society regarding families, our schools, our churches, our sporting organisations, roads, housing, government agencies, service providers.

In a gang, at least the members know who is in charge, respect for their position of authority and are willing to do what it takes to ensure that the group stays alive. Are we doing this for our families or do we give up and run at the first sign of trouble?

In the Holy Bible in 1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version) there is a passage above love.

^"1If I speak in the tongues^[^a^] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails.”

Gangs are on our turf. They are taking our children and we want them back. One solution for ending the problems with gang membership begin with love in the home, a strong support base, and the honing of positive behaviours in children from early childhood. It is no failsafe but at least we knew we would have tried our hardest.

GANGS ON OUR TURF– can we get our loyal sons and daughters back? PT 1

2010-12-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

WE cannot address the high interest and involvement of youth in Barbados gangs without first acknowledging the root cause of all of this error – sin. Not the sin in the context of actions that do not please God but sin in the context of the fallen state of man that is defined by our mental, spiritual and physical separation from God who represents everything good and everything positive. We will look at a definition of dysfunction, explore the true function and give recommendations.

Dysfunctional is defined by thefreedictionary.com as Abnormal or impaired functioning. Wicktionary.com defines dysfunctional as - A failure to function in an expected or complete manner. Usually refers to a disorder in a bodily organ (e.g. erectile dysfunction), a mental disorder, or the improper behaviour of a social group.

Having all the basics is important to correct functioning, building a sense of self and belonging. Love, kinship, support and communication are all important in the bonds built up in gangs. Unfortunately the sense of belonging is linked to fear, deviance, crime and self-endangering practices. A study by Barron and Tindall (1993) reported that young men with weakened social bonds were more likely to get involved in gangs. For details on the study see the Book by Herbert C. Covey here.

What we are discussing today is what makes a complete family? What we are seeing is a mass movement away from God and modesty, selflessness, family, kinship, responsibility, legacy and love.

When we look at a Barbadian dysfunctional family, what are we really seeing?

The way I see it, couples no longer want the responsibility that comes with family such as marriage and faithfulness but we want everything good that is associated with a strong family unit. It cannot happen no matter how hard we try, It’s like wanting rain without the clouds. When you get pregnant, you are responsible to two other people - your partner, if you remember who it is, and your unborn child. Life changes full stop! You are no longer your own.

This is the root problem right here. There is no longer a right and wrong, we now live in a relative society. When a mother can invite her girlfriend over to braid her hair and be making out in front of the daughter and son, we have dysfunction. When a mother can tell her son be gay because the women out there are dirty and only want you for your money, we have dysfunction.

When a parent can get welfare money for a child and spend it on hair, nails, looking good and the child has to wear to school hand me downs or old clothes, we have dysfunction. When a father can believe that his mother did a good job in raising him so his child mother can do the same, we have dysfunction. When children are given food, clothing and shelter and no direction, guidance or emotional intimacy we have dysfunction.

Come Again BPS ....Where's My Postal Code?

2010-12-16T09:23:00.000-08:00

THE Barbados Postal Service is under my microscope today. Another visit to their website looking for Postal Codes has led me to believe that the department is either running low on cash, has a new boss that placed a stop order on progress or their Research and IT departments are just lethargic when it comes to completing a task.

The development of Postal Codes for Barbados was an excellent and timely venture on the part of the BPS when first instituted but is now another disappointingly incomplete Government project, by way of lethargy or perhaps a lack of funding. I sure hope it is not due to lack of staff because we the taxpayers of Barbados cannot afford to hire any more right now.

Just so you know there are only four parishes with postal codes. If you need evidence, here it is on our captured screen:

I spoke to a senior officer in the BPS earlier this year, who made poor excuses about the project having never been completed. My question is simply Why? I have to borrow another community’s postal code in order to function in my day to day internet transactions. In effect, I am forced to lie about my postal code because there is none in my community.

It so happens that some of us Barbadians have advance beyond 2002 when the BPS site was last updated. We actually do something called online shopping where a Postal/ZIP code is a requirement in order to complete our purchases. The delay is unacceptable are not good enough.

Lest I be deemed a critic (we know that nobody likes a critic) I have one suggestion that can make an improvement in all of this incompletion. The postal code numbers should be retained as is, but applied to larger areas, inclusive of two or three communities. In some cases one code can be applied to a whole parish such as St. Joseph. Either that or apply a postal code to a polling district. The complication with suggestion number two is that electoral boundaries would have to stay as is and never be changed, unless we want to change the postal code again.

There are good things I can say about the BPS. For one, their kids club! Our history will live on in the hearts and minds of children who are interested in collecting stamps. Secondly, the BPS continues to provide immeasurable support to senior citizens who need to cash their pension cheques and to Barbadians who need to pay utility bills. The rest of us need our postal codes!

What do Barbadians Know about the Economic Partnership Agreement?

2010-12-16T06:23:00.000-08:00

THE Cotonou Agreement that signed into effect the Economic Partnership between the European Union and Barbados, along with most of the rest of the world, affects all of us in Barbados in some way. What happens to the money that is given to the Government? Who benefits from it?

Quite frankly, many members of the general public are still in the dark about the implications of the Cotonou agreement to our daily lives and our country’s relations with other states.

The Government of Barbados is actively engaged in the economic partnership agreement with the European Union and Non State Actors (NSAs), who are also mandated to be a part of the negotiations in the partnership, are unaware of how degree to which their daily or weekly activities impact on the economic relations between the government and the European Union(EU). Non State Actors include Trade Unions, Civil Society, the Manufacturing Sector and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

The NSAs for a significant period of time were left in the dark about details of the framework of the ninth Economic Development Fund (EDF), largely because the then administration created the framework for a Non State Actors Advisory Panel (NSAAP) which is made up of selected heads of various interest groups.

The government of Barbados has already forged ahead with the 10 th EDF. Still there remains lack of knowledge, misinformation and confusion amongst members of the public at large and member agencies and organizations of the Barbados NSAAP.

Most of the information received about the EDF comes from the European Union or we are left to read about it online.Still we need NSAs and members of the public to know how every financial decision made will impact on our economy and our society. This release of information will be key to ensuring that all members of the public can see value in the Trade Unions, Civil Society, and NGOs. Business owners in every sector of the economy need to be made aware of how much or little and how they are contributing to our economy.

There are many questions to consider. What happens to our society if we choose imported foods over locally grown foods? Do farmers really contribute to the economy? How much foreign exchange does it cost us per year when locals refrain from agriculture to allow non-nationals to take those jobs because of a slavery stigma? Can Barbados businesses and products be exported to the EU and survive long term? What do we have to do to get our products up to scratch?

We need to look at the behaviours and activities that detract from the economy and how best citizens and residents can make a contribution. Consider that crime of all kinds takes up the energy of the police force, leaving the officers to work longer hours and increases their over-time payments. The neglect of children, the disabled and the elderly all lead to a strain on the social services, leaving less money to be invested in small business and entrepreneurship.

Consider that littering and pollution overworks the Sanitation Services Authority takes more time to be cleaned and leads to us have to spend less time maintain the vehicles and equipment, so the trucks break down, they are repaired over and over and pretty soon we need new trucks – more money spent.

These few thoughts of mine are important and it would be good for the Barbados Government to help us to help ourselves with this crucial information.