October 28, 2010 vol xvi, number 10 Events Calendar Oct. 28 Public Law Enforcement Forum STT Oct. 28 SGA Election Forum STX Oct. 28 Biodiversity Film Festival STX Oct. 28 RTP Board Meeting STX Oct. 30 UVI Board of Trustees Meeting STT Oct. 29 Debate Team Meeting STX Oct. 29 FBLA Meeting STX Nov. 1 Liberty Day Holiday - UVI Closed Nov. 11 Veterans Day Holiday - UVI Closed Nov. 14 UVI Concert Choir Performance STT Nov. 18 Creative Lunch Series STX Record Crowds Observe World Food Day P eople turned out in record numbers for UVI’s annual observation of World Food Day on Oct. 17, on the St. Croix campus. A record two tons of non-perishable food items were also col- lected in the “Kids CAN Make a Dif- ference” food drive. This year’s theme was “United Against Hunger.” World Food Day brings attention to the plight of the hungry and undernourished in the territory and the world. It also provides an opportunity for a deeper un- derstanding of the complex solutions required to reduce hunger. Items collected in the food drive were distributed to various charities, including Caribbean Catholic Chari- ties, My Brother’s Table, The Light House and Rotary West. The featured foods for this year’s event were tomato, citrus and poultry. Tomato and citrus fruit seedlings were distributed. Work- shops and competi- tions were based on the featured foods. A highlight was the “Youth Super Chef” competition for junior and senior high school stu- dents. The “Citrus Splash” competition featured breads, desserts, preserves and drinks made from citrus fruits. The day included entertainment by the Guardian of Culture Mocko Jumbies, the Rising Stars Youth Steel Or- chestra and DJ Porter. Students from the St. Croix Mar- tial Arts Center gave demonstrations. Vendors were on- hand selling food, drinks, produce and art. World Food Day activities are sponsored by the UVI Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with UVI’s Agricultural Experiment Station and the V.I. Department of Agriculture. “T he Caribbean Writer” has a new look, a new feel and a new editor. Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa, a long- time contributor to the anthology published annually by the University of the Virgin Islands was named editor in January. She has since produced the book’s 24th edition and is working hard to make “The Caribbean Writer” a household name. “UVI has this literary gem,” Dr. Adisa explained. She said that “The Caribbean Writer” has the potential to be- come a powerful local and international marketing tool, and she is working to position it as such. “I want to make sure that everyone is aware of it and feels compelled to purchase it,” she said. “I have my copy on my coffee table and I feel that there is where the book rightfully belongs,” Dr. Adisa said. The latest edition, with its re-designed cover, was rolled out with a launch party on Sept. 30, in the Great Hall on UVI’s St. Croix campus. The event included read- ings from the journal by UVI students and local contribu- Above left, Devanand Mangru of Good Hope School participates in the “Youth Super Chef” competition at World Food Day. Children sort food itmes for the food drive. ‘The Caribbean Writer’ to become Household Name see Literary Gem on next page GET CONNECTED TO UVI news, activities and accomplishments at . . . www.uvi.edu dateline: UVI 2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, VI 00802 dateline: UVI is a production of the UVI Public Rela- tions Offi ce. Contact us by telephone at 340-693-1056 or by fax at 340-693-1055. Literary Gem Continued M ore than 240 people participated in the Health and Wellness Screening Day hosted by the St. Thomas campus Health Services Offi ce on Sept. 24. Held in the Sports and Fitness Center, the event featured free health exams such as screenings for blood pressure, blood glu- cose, blood cholesterol and HIV, eye exams and massage therapy. Attendees included students, staff, faculty and members of the St. Thomas community. “It was an overwhelming response,” said Health Ser- vices Supervisor Ronda Herbert who organized the event. “Our numbers increased considerably from last year’s event,” Herbert added. “This shows that our message, that UVI nursing student Shenika Freeman draws blood from an at- tendee at UVI’s St. Thomas cam- pus Health and Wellness Screen- ing Day, held on Sept. 24, in the Sports and Fitness Center. UVI Offers Free Screenings health matters, is getting out to the UVI community and trickling out to the wider community.” Herbert extended thanks to everyone who attended and participated. tors, a jazz performance by the St. Croix Central High School Jazz Band and Caribbean appetizers. “The Caribbean Writer” is evolving to become an entire brand, and not just a book. A 2011 calendar was recently released. It is a unique art and poetry calendar that includes the independence dates of various Carib- bean islands, birthdays of local and regional poets, and important dates specifi c to the Virgin Islands. Dr. Adisa said the calendars, just in time for the holidays, will make perfect gifts. In January Dr. Adisa will also introduce a monthly newsletter based on “The Caribbean Writer.” It will in- clude important dates and monthly news. Rather than just selling “The Caribbean Writer,” Dr. Adisa has introduced subscriptions. Subscribers pay an annual fee, and in addition to receiving the book, they may receive note cards, the calendar and the monthly newsletter. Subscriptions, Dr. Adisa explained, keep the anthology in the forefront of people’s minds and help to generate needed funds. Dr. Adisa is also fundraising for the Marvin E. Wil- liams Scholarship. The new scholarship memorializes the former UVI Humanities professor and editor of “The Caribbean Writer” who died earlier this year. Williams is renowned for his contributions to Virgin Islands lit- erature and culture. Each year the scholarship will pro- vide $1,000 to a UVI student pursuing the Humanities. A Scholarship Drive and Memorial for Williams will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 19, on the St. Croix campus Great Hall with a video conference link to the fi rst fl oor conference room of the Administration and Conference Center on UVI’s St. Thomas campus. For more information about “The Caribbean Writer” visit the website www.thecaribbeanwriter.org or call 340- 692-4152.