ANGUILLIAN CHEFS ARE TOAST OF THE HAMPTONS

Over the July 24 weekend, Anguilla was once again the sole Caribbean destination represented at the prestigious and annual Chef & Champagne event in the Hamptons, Long Island, New York. Anguillian and Caribbean Chef of the year, Glendon Carty of Ripples and Cap Juluca and Chef Dale Carty of Tasty's wowed over 1,000 foodies and honoree Martha Stewart with their delectable Conch Ceviche with Japanese Seaweed and velvety Island Pumpkin Soup. The event featured a sumptuous tasting party with flowing Champagnes, the wines of Wölffer Estate and culinary offerings from a select group of more than 30 fine chefs. Chefs & Champagne® New York is the James Beard Foundation's annual summer gala, and this year honored Martha Stewart.

Anguilla Summer Festival Schedule 2010

Prices in EC and US

Friday July 30th

Official Opening & Fireworks Display
Landsome Bowl
6:00 pm
OPENING NIGHT
ADULT/CHILD $3.00 $1.00

Prince & Princess Show
Landsome Bowl
7:00 pm
Junior Calypso Show
Landsome Bowl
9:00 pm
PRINCE & PRINCESS/JUNIOR CALYPSO
ADULT $25.00 $10.00
CHILD $13.00 $5.00

Saturday July 31st

Anguilla Band Clash
Landsome Bowl
9:00 pm
SOCA BAND CLASH
ADULT $40.00 $15.00
CHILD $20.00 $8.00

Sunday August 1st

Heineken Warm-Up Boatrace
Sandy Ground
2:00 pm

Latino Caribbean Night
Landsome Bowl
8:30 pm
NO INFO

Monday August 2nd

J’ouvert Morning - Sunrise Street Jam
The Valley to Sandy Ground
4:00 am

August Monday Boatrace
Sandy Ground
3:00 pm

Caribbean Beach Party
Sandy Ground
6:00 pm

Tuesday August 3rd

Island Harbour Boatrace
Island Harbour
3:00 pm

CCB Talented Teen
Landsome Bowl
8:00 pm
CCB TALENTED TEEN
ADULT $30.00 $12.00
CHILD $15.00 $6.00

Wednesday August 4th

Sandy Ground Boatrace
Sandy Ground
3:00 pm

Female Calypso Show
Landsome Bowl
8:00 pm

Calypso Monarch
Landsome Bowl
8:00 pm

Thursday August 5th

August Thursday Boatrace
Meads Bay
3:00 pm

Miss Anguilla Swim Suit & Costume Competition
Landsome Bowl
8:00 pm

Miss Anguilla Queens Pageant
Landsome Bowl
8:00 pm
MISS ANGUILLA QUEEN SHOW
ADULT $40.00 $15.00
CHILD $20.00 $8.00

Friday August 6th

Parade of Troupes
The Valley Streets
12:00 pm
FREE
Saturday August 7th

Leeward Island Calypso Competition
Landsome Bowl
9:00 pm
CALYPSO MONARCH

ADULT $40.00 $15.00
CHILD $20.00 $8.00

Sunday August 8th

Champion of Champions Boatrace
Sandy Ground
3:00 pm

AREO attends key meeting with Haydn Hughes, Parliamentary Secretary Responsible for Tourism.

AREO attends key meeting with Haydn Hughes, Parliamentary Secretary Responsible for Tourism.

As part of an ongoing series of meetings with the Government of Anguilla, Anguilla’s Renewable Energy Coordinator, Beth Barry met with First Nominated Member and Parliamentary Secretary Responsible for Tourism, the Honorable Haydn Hughes to strategize the development of Anguilla’s Renewable Energy resources. As stated in the Manifesto of the Anguilla United Movement, “The AUM government will aggressively seek out alternative energy sources and reduce the cost of electricity to every single household and business”.

During their discussion Mr. Hughes confirmed that the GOA is “100% on board” with moving towards a renewable energy solution. They went on to discuss how “renewable energy will stimulate Anguilla’s economy and create jobs”, how there are opportunities to market Anguilla as a green tourism destination, and concluded that “now is the time to make this happen”. They also discussed an upcoming workshop on Environmental Best Practices for the Tourism Sector which the AREO and AHTA are organizing and which Mr. Hughes fully supports.

Current plans for the island are three-fold. They include a centralized wind farm that will sell electricity directly to Anglec, support of grid-interconnected solar pv systems for homes and businesses and an aggressive energy efficiency program projected to reduce the island’s electricity consumption by an estimated 20% over the next two years.

With support from OTEP, the Overseas Territories Environment Programme, the Anguilla Renewable Energy Office, run by Ms. Barry will work closely with government, especially the Department of Communications, Utilities, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICUH) and the Ministry of Tourism to achieve substantial progress in renewable energy development and energy conservation.

Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre

This delightful show returns to Sirena Resort every Thursday night.
Dinner starts at 7:00 and the show starts at 9:00.

A beautiful show, with traditional costumes, featuring “the days gone by” in Anguilla. Then dance to true West Indian music. Enjoy a traditional Anguillian dinner buffet comprising some of the freshest seafood, meats and local vegetables or tryout out Bar Snacks while having an exotic cocktail.

Dinner is served from 7:00pm, music at 8:00pm and the show begins at 8.30pm
Dinner and Show $35 a person
Reservations is suggested
For more information call 4976827

Think Globally Act Locally Issue 7 - A Green Anguilla newsletter from the AREO

LOCAL NEWS: MINISTER GUMBS CONCERNED ABOUT LOWERING COST OF ENERGY FOR ANGUILLIANS

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Renewable Energy Office – I attended an important energy conference (about which more in the Regional News section) and, very importantly, I met with the Honourable Mr. Evan Gumbs, Minister of Communications, Utilities, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICUH). We discussed the activities and goals of the Anguilla Renewable Energy Office (AREO) and the different ways the AREO can support MICUH.
Much of the discussion was centered on how the development of Anguilla’s renewable energy resources can lower the cost of electricity for Anguillians.
Minister Gumbs is dedicated to reducing the cost of electricity, and was keenly interested in the AREO’s three main energy initiatives, which are 1.) a centralized wind farm that will sell renewable power directly to Anglec, 2.) grid-interconnection that will make home and business solar pv systems a smart, affordable investment for property owners, and 3.) island-wide adoption of energy efficiency and conservation measures.
The potential benefits of developing Anguilla’s renewable resources and committing to island wide energy efficiency and conservation practices are many. They include reducing the cost of electricity, reducing the amount of electricity we use, drastically reducing Anguilla’s dependence on costly and polluting fossil fuels, gaining control of Anguilla’s energy future and creating jobs in a dynamic new sector of the economy.
The AREO is excited about working with Minister Gumbs and MICUH to realize the goals above, and hopes to involve all of the Ministries in moving Anguilla towards an energy independent future.
For a brief explanation of the benefits of a grid-tied solar pv system please click here http://www.cometenergysystems.com/Docs/CES-AREO-SampleIRR-20100707.pdf

LOCAL INTEREST: HOMEGROWN TENNIS CAMP THRIVES

The AREO and GREEN ANGUILLA would like to say congratulations and well done to the hardworking people at the Anguilla Tennis Academy http://www.anguillatennis.com/
who are currently celebrating their 15th year of operations and conducting their popular summer tennis camp for the children of Anguilla. The ATA’s motto “Shaping Lives and Building a Future” continues to be both inspirational and true. Many of the current staff and volunteers at the impressive facility were students at previous Summer Camps. And it is estimated that over 2,500 of Anguilla's children have benefited from activities at the Anguilla Tennis Academy over the past 15 years. This year Green Anguilla is showing support by providing a kids' ‘Green Up Guide’ and donating biodegradable garbage bags as well as Green Anguilla merchandise for participants.

GREEN GLOBE NEWS: ANGUILLA WORKSHOP ANNOUNCED

I am delighted to announce that the AREO, in partnership with the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA) and global sustainability leader PA Consulting www.paconsulting.com will conduct a two-day workshop – taking place this month, July 28th-29th from 9am-12pm (location TBA). The workshop will focus on Best Practices for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Tourism Properties, and will provide information on gaining Green Globe Certification www.greenglobe.com.
Property managers, engineering staff and other relevant staff will be invited. A nominal fee of US$100 will be charged per property for as many delegates as they wish to send. Participating properties will have an opportunity to win a free energy audit (normal value $2,500 in consultancy fees) by entering a lottery during the workshop. The energy audit will be a valuable tool for reducing the winner’s monthly energy bills and would also significantly reduce the winning property’s cost for becoming Green Globe Certified.
We hope this will refocus efforts on gaining Green Globe Certification (an increasingly important marketing tool for the industry) and that it will draw substantial interest from our tourism properties. I encourage all interested properties to sign up/learn more by contacting me at beth@anguillanet.com asap to ensure their spot.

WORLD VIEW: RENTING ‘GREEN-ER’ VEHICLES

If you’ll be traveling to the US or further this summer and plan to rent a car during your trip, check out this encouraging article from carbonfund.org about some of the low-emission options out there. Traveling to and from Anguilla is going to leave a carbon footprint, but this shows one way that we can mitigate some of our impact.
http://www.carbonfund.org/blog/carbonfree-partner/a-smarter-greener-way-to-rent-a-car/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+CarbonfundorgBlog+(Carbonfund.org+Blog)

REGIONAL NEWS: NEVIS WIND FARM DISCUSSED AT ENERGY FORUM

As mentioned above, I've recently returned from a very interesting renewable energy conference in Jamaica, full details of which appear in our press release about the trip – please email me if you would like a copy at beth@anguillanet.com.
The presentations focused on sustainable energy policy development, the particular challenges to alternative energy production faced by the region, mechanisms for growth such as carbon-trading programs and feed-in-tariff (FiT) schemes and the particular experiences of islands that are currently initiating renewable energy and efficiency programs such as Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
I reported to the National Energy Committee and Minister Gumbs that the stand-out presentation was offered by Mr. Ernie Stapleton, Permanent Secretary of Communications, Works, Public Utilities, Posts, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Environment in the Nevis Island Administration. Mr. Stapleton shared Nevis’ experiences in the renewable energy sector with a rapt group of listeners, all of whom were very much impressed by the substantial progress Nevis has been able to make over the last few years. While most of those present were aware that Nevis has been pursuing development of its geothermal resources, many were surprised to learn that the island of just over 12,000 people is in fact pursuing a diversified renewable energy base by also implementing a wind farm.
The Nevis Island Administration is working in partnership with Windwatt, a Canadian renewable energy company that focuses on small to medium size wind farms in the Caribbean. They have already installed eight (8) 275kW wind turbines in the St. James area of Nevis’ north-east coast and expect to commission them during the month of July 2010.
I believe this progress is very exciting for Anguilla, as there are real parallels between Anguilla and Nevis in terms of size and capacity, and also because plans to build a wind farm on Anguilla are already well developed. Nevis’ successful installation of a wind farm that will contribute up to 12% of the island’s overall power is a great encouragement to Anguilla where we currently depend on costly fossil fuels for 100% of our electricity production.
The fact that Nevis has chosen to develop their wind capacity even while they have local access to plentiful geothermal reserves is further encouragement that a diversified portfolio of renewable energy is an ideal to be worked towards. Here in Anguilla we may not have geothermal, but we do have plentiful wind and solar resources which, correctly developed and managed, can largely free us from the expensive shackles of foreign oil and keep our energy dollars at home where they are desperately needed.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: CHRIS MASON & COMET ENERGY SYSTEMS

I really enjoy reading Chris Mason's regular column on renewable energy for The Anguillian Newspaper. It is a fact that for this nation to make progress in the renewable energy field we need commitment not only from our Government and Utility, but also from the private sector. We need businesses and individuals who will invest in the technology, equipment and training to make it happen. I congratulate all businesses that are making progress in this area and am happy to promote their products and services in this newsletter.
Chris Mason’s Comet Energy Systems (CES) - based here in Anguilla - offers consultation, planning, importation, installation, and maintenance on a range of renewable technologies including PV, small wind and even Sun Ovens!
He has also recently completed a project that will be of interest to many who want to cut their energy costs and be more environmentally aware. As part of an ongoing effort to reduce energy consumption and costs, Moonraker Villa retained CES to install their energy saving thermostat solution "Temp$aver" in all guest rooms and living spaces. The Temp$aver replaces the existing thermostats and includes the wireless "Door Monitor" system to ensure the guests do not leave doors open while running Air Conditioning.
Comet Energy Systems has the obtained the regional distribution for the Temp$aver product and is promoting the use of energy management devices to reduce costs in the hospitality sector and meet the challenge of increased energy overhead. The Temp$aver is focused on the rental condo, rental villa and small hotel market in particular.
More information on this product and the other services offered by Comet Energy Systems can be found on their website www.cometenergysystems.com


DID YOU KNOW: THE CARIBBEAN PAYS A HIGH PRICE?

The Caribbean pays some of the highest prices worldwide for electricity while we are home to some of the world’s richest renewable energy resources. One estimate shows that up to 60% of the Caribbean region's foreign exchange dollars are spent on fossil fuels alone. It is certainly time to make a change.

Thank you for reading!

With best wishes,

Beth Barry, Renewable Energy Coordinator
Anguilla Renewable Energy Office

If you would like to contact the AREO direct and learn more about our work please visit our website www.anguillareo.org.