Several groups and members of the Dominican Diaspora in the Greater Houston Area, The Caribbean Student Organization at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas, several Caribbean organizations and The Dominica Houston Association have come together to lead a joint effort to provide flood relief to the island nation of Dominica which was battered by Tropical Storm Erika on Thursday, August 28, 2015. They are asking for donations of supplies to aid the victims of these deadly storm.   Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Erika has caused devastation on the Caribbean island of Dominica, leaving at least 12 people dead and more than 20 missing, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Friday. Erika has wreaked havoc on the island.  Skerrit said Erika caused “extensive damage” across the small island after floods wiped out roads and swamped villages. He expressed particular concern for Petite Savanne, a community hit by mudslides that rescuers haven’t been able to reach. “This is where many are feared lost,” Skerrit said.  

Authorities are focusing on search-and-rescue efforts, with other countries in the region providing helicopters and other assistance.  Skerrit said the task of repairing Dominica’s “dramatically affected” infrastructure would come later, estimating that the cost of fixing homes, roads, bridges and other structures would run into tens of millions of dollars.

Erika caused rivers to overflow and roads and bridges to collapse on Dominica. An elderly blind man and two children were killed when a mudslide engulfed their home in the southeast. “Another man was found dead in the capital following a mudslide at his home but the cause of death could not immediately be determined,” said Police Chief Daniel Carbon. People on the island told of narrowly escaping being engulfed by water as Erika downed trees and power lines as it unleashed heavy floods that swept cars down streets and ripped scaffolding off some buildings.

The Dominican Diaspora and the Caribbean Community in Houston send their heart-felt sympathies to the families who lost the loved ones as a result of Erika.  They are requesting donations of the following supplies:

 Monetary donations can be made at the following link:

• • http://www.gofundme.com/jt2vznj8
• Medical Supplies
• Diapers
• Feminine Care Products
• Water
• New Under Garments
• New/Gently Used Clothing

• Non-Perishable Food Items

Several drop-off locations have been established to receive donations of these items above, with daily drop-offs from Monday August 31, 2015 – Friday September 4, 2015:

• Island Spice Restaurant – 17802 W Little York Rd, Houston, TX 77084 – (281) 859-1499
• Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant – 7433 Bissonnet St. Houston, TX 77074 – (713) 772 8225
• Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill – 8270 W Bellfort Blvd, Houston, TX 77071 – (713) 777-1566

Donations will also be received at the following events in the city:

• Soca Passion – Club Taylors: Friday August 28, 2015, 9:00pm – 2:00am – 13100 S Post Oak Rd, Houston, TX 77045 – (713) 728-9800
• Club Riddims – Saturday, August 29, 2015, 1:00pm – 6:00pm – 8220 W Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77071 – (713) 779-0033
• Avani Lounge – DJ Spinoff – Saturday, August 29, 2015, 9:00pm – 2:00pm – 5711 Hillcroft St D-6, Houston, TX 77036 – (713) 781-9300
• Uptown Hookah Bar – 1st Friday Caribbean Style – Friday September 4, 2015 – 9:00pm – 2:00pm – 5706 Richmond Avenue Houston, TX 77056

For more information please contact Collette St. Rose-Christmus, President Dominica Houston Association:Phone: 713-775-1025 – cbannis@yahoo.com.  You may also contact Makaza at 832-274-6039, Tasha at 713-530-4876 or Julie at 713-775-1025.

Known across North America, as one of the most fair, well organized, and drama free poetry slams, the Toronto International Poetry Slam, will be produced for the final time on Sunday, September 6th.

 After taking a break from the event, multi year winner, Jamaal St. John from New York, will return to the city to try to reclaim the title one last time.

 The Toronto International Poetry Slam (TIPS) always boasts a stellar cast of poets, and if you are a lover of poetry, there is no event in the city that puts this type of variety and quality on stage.

For the final edition of the show, TIPS will return to where it all started, at the Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West.

$20 advance tickets are on sale now at http://www.dwaynemorgan.ca, and as always, priority seating at the Lula Lounge is reserved for those with dinner reservations.To get the best seats in the house, hit up the Lula Lounge at 416.588.0307

Irish and Chin, the promoters of the show ‘Caribbean crack up,’ featuring Majah Hype & friends, has just announced that the show which was schedule for tomorrow, Sunday August 23, 2015 has been postponed. They are making it clear that all online ticket purchases were refunded via paypal. And persons who purchased tickets at a store, are being asked to return their tickets for a refund.

When world renowned sound system selector Ninja Crown teamed up with Cooyah Clothing for “TalkUp, his idea was simple and precise, to open honest dialogues and use his voice to make a difference.

The dj/radio host kicked off his campaign on his beloved island of Jamaica where part of the #TalkUp sales aim to benefit Kingston Public Hospital. Reaching out to the media, Ninja visited such platforms as NewsTalk, Hot 102FM, Fame FM, Hype TV to explain the mission of #TalkUp. Humbled by the experience, he visited Kingston Public Hospital and saw first hand the urgent needs list and assessed for himself what is needed by the hospital.

“My recent visit home, to Jamaica, was a productive one and an eye opener. Meeting with Dr Natlie Whylie of Kingston Public Hospital really made me see for myself that a lot is needed and I have a lot of work to do. But it can be done and will get done” stated Rohan “Ninja Crown” Henry

As Ninja is back on American soil, his mission continues, Talk Up about injustice, Talk Up about the need for the the less fortunate, Talk Up for the Voiceless. Talk Up! Order #TalkUp now on http://www.Cooyah.com or place order now at TalkUpTshirts@gmail.com

Adokwei Addo, a contributor at MJ Magazine is celebrating his birthday today and the MJ Mag family wants to send A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Adokwei is responsible for covering stories primarily from the western region of Africa. Persons based in that area that would like to get their stories to us should send him an email at adokwei@gmail.com, but not today, it’s his day off 🙂

Internet and social media comedian sensation MAJAH HYPE is taking his hilarious characters and skits to the stage on Sunday, August 23rd at Campus High School in New Jersey. Don’t miss this rare chance to see your favorite comedian live in action for his extreme brand of Caribbean comedy.

Majah Hype will be joined by fellow funnymen Jon Laser, Suga Sean Riley, Kenny Williams and Imagine. This event is brought to you by Irish and Chin’s Sound Chat Radio in conjunction with Greag The Barber! For more information visit: http://irishandchin.com/even-tlist/158-event-list/7169-caribbean-crack-up

Several media outlets in the United States are reporting that 22 year old Bobbi Kristina Brown who was in a hospice has passed away. According to Entertainment Tonight, Bobbi Kristina passed away surrounded by family at the Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth Georgia today. In a statement to ET, the family thanked everyone for their love and support these past few months.

On Jan. 31, Bobbi Kristina was found unresponsive in her bathtub, and was then taken to North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, Georgia, where she was put on a ventilator to assist her breathing. She was later placed in a medically induced coma at Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital.

Nearly two months later, she was moved to a rehabilitation center, where she remained until June 24, when she was moved to the hospice center.