The Rotary District 7020 Disaster Team has met to coordinate relief efforts to help their friends affected by Hurricane Irma.
Rotary is a non-profit organization and District 7020 consists of different territories in the Caribbean such as St. Martin, St. Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands, Haiti, Jamaica, USVI, BVI, Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Anguilla. All territories are like a family to each other and for many years have worked together to help communities and less fortunate persons globally.
As a past Rotaractor, I am happy that my friends are alive and safe but I am truly saddened by the devastation that Hurricane Irma has caused to their homes and the Islands in general.
Within the District it seems that St. Martin, St. Maarten, BVI and USVI have been struck the worse.
Scenes of devastation in St. Martin, St. Maarten and the BVI
I am sure the Rotary District 7020 Disaster Team has assessed the priority of help needed and will donate contributions respectively.
Please assist our Caribbean neighbours as much as you can in their time of need and help them to rebuild. One Love.
Please click on the link below or you can see the information how you can help here:
Sloane Stephens won her 1st Grand Slam Title on Saturday! She beat Madison Keys 6-3, 6-0.
Stephens was fully zoned in throughout the entire match, making very few unforced errors. While the favourite to win, Madison Keys probably had her worse match of the tournament. Her serve that is usually powerful was only on point for the first game of the match and deteriorated quickly afterwards. Her usual accurate forehand created many errors, often overhitting the ball. A lot of pressure was on her to win this title as the better player and I think it got to her mentally and then physically. Her game was completely off and just did not come together.
Thankfully the two finalists are friends and embraced each other strongly at the end of the match.
For Stephens, after being out for so long with an injury, this must be one of the greatest comebacks ever in tennis history. Congratulations to Sloane Stephens and we hope to see more of you!
CPL T20 Final
The CPL T20 Final was also last Saturday night between the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots and the Trinbago Knight Riders. Chris Gayle was only able to score 1 run for the Patriots who batted first, so you know what that means! The Trinbago Knight Riders are the CPL T20 2017 Champions! They finished at 136/7 (19.0). Congrats to them.
US OPEN Men’s Final
Yesterday, World no. 1, Rafael Nadal won his 3rd US Open Title vs. Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4! This was Rafa’s 16th Major Title. Nadal played for his Sweet 16 with spectacular groundstrokes, net game and quickness that was just too much for Anderson to handle. Congrats Rafa!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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The Trinbago Knight Riders knocked out the Guyana Amazon Warriors last night and are through to the Finals to meet Chris Gayle and the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots this Saturday!
US OPEN Ladies Final
Who would have thought? It will be Sloane Stephens versus Madison Keys in the US Open Ladies Final tomorrow at 3pmET.
With Serena out, it has been anybody’s game.
Sloane Stephens showed she wanted to be in the Final more than ever last night, beating veteran, Venus Williams in an epic 3rd set. She beat Venus, 6-1, 0-6, 7-5. Her reach and movement was phenomenal.
On the other side of the draw, Madison Keys has been relentless and rolled over Coco Vandeweghe, 6-1, 6-2.
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Roger Federer crashed out of the US Open last night. Juan del Potro came out with all guns blazing to spoil the anticipated Nadal-Federer Semifinal party.
What happened to Roger?!
Photo: ftw.usatoday.com
Well I can agree with what he said in his post-match interview. He had too many misses. Del Potro was not making many errors apart from a few double faults. Del Potro was just the better player last night. His forehands were powerful and aggressive and Federer had no answers for them. He was in the wrong position too many times. Del Potro’s serve was also on point. Federer failed to seize opportunities when the times were right compared to del Potro who did the exact opposite. It mattered most when Federer had FOUR set points to win the 3rd set and he lost them all. That gave del Potro the confidence to win the 4th and the match. The closeness of the match even when Roger played horribly, showed how great he is in this game. Del Potro beat Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-4.
Del Potro will face World no. 1 Rafael Nadal in the Semis. Nadal knows that if he doesn’t play his best his chances are low versus del Potro who is currently at the top of his game.
Who’s in the other Men’s Semifinal?
Kyle Anderson (28) spoiled the USA party and upset Sam Querrey (17) in 4 sets. Spectacular match. He will face Pablo Carreño Busta (12) tomorrow.
Who’s left in it for the Ladies?!
For the 1st time in 36 years there will be All American Semifinals for the Ladies!
The Semifinal action will be on today. I think they’re all going for it and it’s anyone’s game. Everyone will have to play their best tennis to have a chance to win.
Here’s the Schedule:
Photo: express.co.uk
Venus Williams will play Sloane Stephens. Of course I give Venus the edge but Venus will need to improve her serve based on how she has been playing this tournament and will have to keep moving well.
Coco on a roll. Photo: marketwatch.com
Then you have Coco versus Keys. That should be a cracker. Both ladies have been playing extremely well. Even though Keys has a higher ranking, I give the edge to Coco if she keeps her emotions in check.
Note that Coco also took out World no. 1 Karolina Pliskova in straight sets in the QF, 7-6, 6-3.
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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GW Art is currently at Dr. Jordan Hardie’s OBGYN Office to set the patients’ eyes at ease.
Dr. Hardie was featured in The Jamaica Observer’s All Woman, May 29th of this year. Go and consult him for your OBGYN Services at 1C Braemar Ave., Kgn. 5 (Ph: 876-368-5547; 876-616-8132).
Suga waited a month to visit Jamaica’s 1st and only Vietnamese Restaurant located in Manor Centre.
Coincidentally, I went two Saturdays ago, which happened to be the Saturday following its marketing publication on Thursday, August 24 in one of our local papers, The Jamaica Observer.
It was a bad day. Positives? All their dishes such as Spring Rolls, Rice, Vegetable, Beef and Chicken dishes, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and Dessert cost less than $800JMD. So, I was only impressed with their reasonable prices and modern decor. Apparently I wasn’t the only one. I was approached by two young ladies after I left, who asked my opinion of the experience and expressed their dissatisfaction.
I found the contrast of views to be interesting between them as foodies, and a member of the Chaine des Rôtisseurs (International Association of Gastronomy, IAG) who also dined there that day. The ladies believed that, since they are just opening everything should be on point, versus the IAG member who was quick to opine that you cannot judge an establishment within their first month of opening.
I agree with both views, but not entirely. I know of Restaurants that have gotten it right within the 1st month of opening. Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine, Great Escape – Runaway Bay, Jamaica Liquor Warehouse Deli, Cellar 8 and Hard Rock Cafe – Montego Bay are some of those Restaurants, just to name a few.
Since it can be done, what excuses do the Restaurants that don’t get it right have? When is it suitable not to judge and to tolerate teething pains?
It is suitable to tolerate teething pains when the owners are willing to seek general feedback via all mediums whether face to face, over the telephone or via direct messaging. Also, when the owners are willing to have respectful, balanced discussions with dissatisfied diners and are inclined to accept honest, negative feedback and suggestions so that they can prepare themselves with solutions to turn things around as quickly as possible.
Vi Nguyen, one of the founders for 4U Vietnam Restaurant spoke with Suga, and is excited about bringing something new to the Jamaican market and would like to guide her staff to do their best to improve the Restaurant everyday.
Obstacles and Outlooks
â— Lack of Owners’/Managerial Presence
It is critical for an owner to oversee their Restaurant for at least the first 3 months after opening, put in the marketing and stress test the Restaurant. Nguyen, who does not live here and has a different career overseas, got a taste of Jamaican reality. It was a reality check in terms of how long things can take to get going in Jamaica because of various regulations and just how slow the overall process is to open an establishment compared to the USA and Vietnam. It definitely surpassed her time here of 4 months, so she had to leave shortly after the opening to return to work.
There was also unexpected difficulty in getting visas for overseas staff members, which include another Chef and Manager.
She will return to Jamaica in about a week and four other members of staff from overseas, with experience in Vietnamese cuisine should be arriving in November.
â— Overwhelmed staff members leading to an increased shortage of staff
After my visit, where they were one server short, a new server was trained and employed to replace the previous server.
â— Shortage of Ingredients, thus lack of authenticity compared to Vietnamese Restaurants overseas, a limited menu and being unable to offer certain options at a late time on a busy day
A huge shipment of ingredients and supplies is on its way. There is a consideration to eventually buy land here and grow various ingredients such as lemon grass as well.
Why is lemon grass short in Jamaica? Despite the global demand for lemon grass essential oil and the relative ease with which the plant grows in Jamaica, it is not produced commercially.(Jamaica Observer, May 20, 2012)
***Note that one of my brothers’ favourite cuisine in the States is Vietnamese, so I had no choice but to experience it several times and I enjoyed it. Clean, healthy and fresh eating with kicks of herbal flavour. I am looking forward to having this plan realised.
â— Will they take the risk of Participating in Restaurant Week this November?
Yes, but they will only be doing the Lunch Special, which is the most manageable option.
It was a pleasure speaking with Vi Nguyen. It was refreshing to hear how genuinely passionate and eager she is about her plans to improve the Restaurant. I hope they overcome the various setbacks by December and persevere, as I think there is a lot of potential for the Restaurant to improve and possibly grow into a franchise here in Jamaica.
Good luck to Vi Nguyen and the team. Suga will visit again.
A little over a week ago, President Kashane of the Rotaract Club of UTECH worked wih the Chicora Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina to feed 125 homeless men in the Myrtle Beach area.
They conducted this operation of selfless service at the New Directions Men’s Shelter.
Rotaract Club of UTECH, Jamaica
Instagram: @utrchrotaract
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Anastasija Sevastova sent Maria Sharapova packing early in 4th round. Beating World no. 2, Simona Halep in the early rounds was probably just too much for Sharapova. Sevastova moves well but I don’t expect her to reach far with her poor service game.
Photo: metro.co.uk
Two-time Wimbledon Champ, Petra Kvitova upset Wimbledon 2017 Champ and US Open favourite, Garbine Muguruza in hard-fought straight sets including a first set tie break last night. Muguruza rolled through her opponents in the opening rounds but Kvitova was just the better player last night. Her powerful shots were too much for Muguruza. Maybe the hard courts just aren’t Muguruza’s specialty either.
Kvitova recently made her comeback after a traumatic injury from a robbery, having to do surgery on her hand with lingering damage to the nerves and more. Kudos to her for making it to the Quarterfinals. She will meet Venus Williams, where she has the advantage of a 4-1 head to head. It is believed the winner of that Quarterfinal in the toughest half of the draw, may ultimately win the US Open.
Photo: dailymail.co.uk
Venus Williams at 37 years old, beat Carla Suárez Navarro to reach the Quarterfinals. It took 3 sets but she showed the true Champion she was, totally dominating in the 3rd set. She has some work to do on her serve that eventually came together. But her movement was phenomenal, as if she was set back in a time machine.
Sloane Stephens is back from an injury as well. She is not back to her full potential yet, but is still playing well. She is through to the Quarterfinals.
What’s happening on the other side of the draw?
Current World no. 1, Karolina Pliskova will play in the round of 16 today. USA’s Coco Vandeweghe will also be in action along with no. 4, Elina Svitolina who will play the other American still standing, Madison Keys.Â
Today’s Schedule (Women):
Men’s Singles
Today’s Schedule (Men):
Sam Querrey, who upset Andy Murray at Wimbledon has been playing extremely well with more confidence, powerful shots and angles. He is one to watch.
Photo: eurosport.com
Marin Cilic, past US Open Champ and who reached the Finals of Wimbledon this year, had an early exit.
Juan del Potro (24) is healthy and has been playing well. He will meet World no. 6, Dominic Thiem today.
Photo: dailymail.co.uk
Roger Federer, who has been suffering from a back injury recently, was struggling in the earlier rounds with 5-set matches. However, he looked like himself again on Saturday, moving much better and destroyed Feliciano Lopez in straight sets.
World no. 1, Rafael Nadal had a shaky round on Saturday but is still through to play in the Round of 16 today. He has never met Roger Federer in the US Open in all their years of rivalry, but if both of them stay on course, they are 2 wins away from a Semifinal match up!
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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After the Tallawahs’ spectacular win over Chris Gayle’s Patriots, they are now 2nd on the Points table, with the unbeaten Trinbago Knight Riders at the top.
The final 2 matches before the Playoffs will be held in Barbados. The Playoffs and Final will be in Trinidad.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors are currently in the 4th spot and the Barbados Tridents are in 5th Spot. Darren Sammy’s St. Lucia Stars without a single win in the tournament so far, don’t have a chance.
So, expect the Warriors to fight to secure a spot in the Playoffs tonight, but our Jamaica Tallawahs are looking good!
Enjoy!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Sam Querrey, who upset Andy Murray at Wimbledon has been playing extremely well with more confidence, powerful shots and angles. He is one to watch.
