

The documentary, titled `Witness to Jonestown,` will air on MSNBC and will take an insider's look at an unforgettable American tragedy. Co-produced with Peacock Productions, the two-hour documentary will be the first offering from MSNBC Films.
Through exclusive, rarely-seen footage that was shot inside the Peoples Temple on the eve and day of the disaster, the film will provide an intimate first-hand account of this unimaginable catastrophe, a press statement said.
In `Witness to Jonestown,` viewers will be introduced to many members and relatives affected by the massacre and see archival and present-day interviews with surviving and former Peoples Temple members, who will attempt to answer the questions of how and why 900 Americans would follow one man to their deaths.
Among them are: Stephan Jones, the son of the Peoples Temple leader, Reverend Jim Jones; Grace Stoen, whose attempts to reclaim her son from the Temple outraged Jones; Terri Buford, in her first in-depth television interview since she defected from the Temple's inner circle; and Tim Carter, who witnessed the deaths of his wife and child in Jonestown before he escaped through the South American jungle.
NBC News lost two of its own journalists at Jonestown. Their survivors and those of Congressman Leo Ryan will also be included. While NBC's own Fred Francis and The Washington Post's Charles Krause, who was wounded at the airstrip, provide chilling remembrances and insight as the first television and print journalists to arrive on scene and witness the horrific aftermath.
Hindus, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana mark the annual event yearly with a national holiday in their countries.
The day is marked by the distribution of sweets to signify the importance of serving and sharing. It is celebrated to signify the victory of good over the evil within every human being.
CaribWorldNews, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mon. Oct. 27, 2008: Bandleader extraordinaire, Byron Aloysius St. Elmo Lee, has been conferred with the National Honor of Order of Jamaica for his contribution to the island`s music industry as he battles with cancer.
The pioneer musician was presented with the order by Governor General, Professor Sir Kenneth Hall at the Tony Thwaites Wing at the University Hospital of the West Indies where Lee is currently a patient.
Addressing the ceremony, Bruce Golding Prime Minister of Jamaica, said the O.J. was most richly deserved by Lee, leader of the world-famous band, Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.
`Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires was an institution that made such an impact on the lives of so many people that Byron’s contribution must be boldly recorded when the history of Jamaican music is being written,` Golding said.
In playing his part to popularize Jamaican music, the prime minister said Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires had taken the music to `our living rooms and then to the rest of the world.` He said that even where people did not understand what was being played they were still drawn to the music.
Noting that the band only last year celebrated its 50th anniversary, Golding said Byron Lee and the Dragaonnaires had entertained, inspired and mesmerized three generations of Jamaicans. He said that in the process, the band had brought Carnival to Jamaica, ` expanding and enriching our music and our culture.`
The prime minister said Jamaica was proud `to pay tribute to Mr. Lee for all that he has done for our music and for his powerful fight against cancer.`
Lee, 73, was diagnosed with stage three cancer in November 2006.
This highly anticipated list reflects a wide range of accomplished and talented individuals scattered throughout the globe. It promises to surprise readers who didn't know the heritage of these highly recognized individuals who hail from the Caribbean, otherwise known as 'a tropical mecca of good living.'
The selected individuals were chosen through a combination of physical attractiveness and beauty, personal character and substantive achievement, with the final cut reflecting the ethnic diversity, culture, values and ambition inherit in the phrase 'Caribbean Roots'.
Barbados is the proud home of the R&B Pop Sensation, Rihanna, who tops this inaugural list ahead of such notables as Lenny Kravitz, Nia Long, Gabrielle Reece, cricket superstar Brian Lara and former beauty queens Penny Commissiong, Lisa Hanna, Wendy Fitzwilliam and Giselle LaRonde-West. The music world is well represented with Sean Paul and Machel Montano topping the list, two of the region's best known and most popular, along with Wyclef Jean, Bryce Wilson, Tammi Chynn, Shaggy, Faye-Ann Lyons and Cezar among the notables.
The Top 10 is below and the full list can be viewed in the new issue of Ocean Style (Now Available on Newsstands!). To get an early look visit the website at www.oceanstylemagazine.com.
KMC has always has a passion for music. As a young child he used to sneak about and listen to the bands in his village. "At the age of seven, I used to go under the house by the band and when they weren't around I would play the drum set." As time marched on, the same energy and precociousness that brought the young KMC to the drum set also brought him to teach himself how to play music. "Music is something I was never taught. I was never taught to play the keyboard. I learned to do everything on my own. Love is what made me master it. Everything I do is by ear and not by reading," he proclaims.
KMC started his musical career as a dancehall artist, recording and releasing a total if sixteen records. In 1998, he decided to test his skills in the Soca genre, bursting onto the scene with songs like "Kaya", "Bashment to Carnival" and "Soca Bashment". These were well received by his fans and helped to establish KMC as a leading Soca artist.
With over ten independently released Soca albums and compilations to his name, KMC is responsible for the Voodoo, Drunk Man, Concubine, Party Alliance, Thunderbirds, X-Out, Stinging Nettle, and Tear Drop Riddims, amongst others. He has also produced songs for some of the leading Soca artists, including Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin, Maximus Dan, Destra Garcia, Denise Belfon, and Jungle. KMC is known for songs like "Doh Want to Know", "Carnival Rags", "Rough Wine", "First Experience", "Flopping Up", "Cyah X Me Out" and "Animal".
In April 2005, KMC was signed to the American music label Sequence Records. His debut album on the label was entitled Soul on Fire after the album's first single. The album entered the Billboard Top 200 at number 84 and has sold approximately 285,000 copies worldwide.
"Soul On Fire", the single, was the first track released from the album in June 2005. The song’s remix, featured Jamaican dancehall star Beenie Man and American disc jockey Fat Man Scoop. The video for the Soul on Fire single was filmed in Tobago and featured the Trinidadian model Teri Bovell.
Selman Vincent Lewis-August 4, 1948- September 29, 2008
Selman’s life began 60 years ago in Trinidad. He attended Belmont Intermediate School. As a youngster he played mas in Kiddies Carnival. He continued to play mas every year in Trinidad and Tobago. Selman was a loyal member of Peter Minshall’s band for many years and in recent years with Brian McFarlane “mas band”.
Selman migrated to New York in 1969. He attended Pace University and aviation school in New York. Selman was awarded a government scholarship from the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and after graduating with a Bachelor's Degree; he returned to Trinidad & Tobago to work for the Government in various Ministries, including a posting as a Foreign Service Diplomat with a portfolio, which included tourism and international trade.
In 1980, Selman started working for the Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Board in Miami. He formed Mega Marketing Inc. in 1988. As a tourism and marketing professional, Selman also played a role in building Miami as a destination brand within the Caribbean Diaspora. Selman has had Board responsibilities with numerous front-line organizations nationally and internationally and has received many awards for his management, marketing and leadership abilities.
“Selman Lewis offered his marketing acumen in making Miami a premier destination brand. His contribution to our region's cultural tourism is unquestioned," said Bill Talbert, President, Greater Miami Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
Selman’s love and passion for Carnival continued when he became the guiding force behind Miami Carnival in 1990. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Miami Carnival Inc. and as such was responsible for the execution of the annual Miami Carnival, which is the third-largest Caribbean Carnival in North America. He is also the President of China Mas Group, the most outstanding mas band in Miami Carnival, which has won the "Band of the Year" title for seven consecutive years. In addition to Miami Carnival, Selman started the era of the Coconut Grove Convention Center Carnival party, hiring 5 music bands for two nights in Miami. An innovator, possessing an immensely creative mind, Selman truly laid the foundation for the success and growth of the Miami Carnival celebration.
“Always and to the end, Selman was the icon of knowledge behind Miami Carnival. He worked on the 24th Annual Miami Carnival until the day he went into the hospital. He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves us with extraordinary inspiration to draw upon this Miami Carnival season”, states the Miami Carnival Inc., board members.
"We are saddened at the loss of Selman Lewis. He was a community pillar who provided leadership to the important cultural institution of Caribbean Carnival in South Florida”. Miami-Dade County, Commissioner Dennis Moss, District 9
"Within in the last few months, a number of personalities from the Trinidad and Tobago community in South Florida have died. The Trinidad and Tobago Consulate General extends its deepest condolences to Selman's family on this very sad occasion” states Mr. Gerald Greene, Consul General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Selman is survived by his wife Janet, two sons Christopher and Adrian, daughter-in-law Jerry, grandchildren Kai and Terrick and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made payable to the Selman Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund. Mail to Miami Carnival office at 18425 NW 2nd Ave, Suite 335, Miami, Fl 33169.
Details about his wake and funeral services
Wake
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 from 7pm
at Claudia’s 17730 NW 27th Ave
Miami Gardens. Fl
Closed funeral services for family and close friends
Friday, October 3rd, 2008 from 6pm-9pm
Boyd Funeral Home, 6400 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood
Public Memorial Service
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 11:30am
St. Bartholomew, 8005 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL.
954.431.0612
Repast immediately after Public Memorial Service
Claudia’s-17730 NW 27th Ave, Miami, FL