Archive for August, 2008

The Association Of Haitian Physicians Abroad, AMHE, Is Hosting An Important Conference On Aruba At The Renaissance Convention Center

Arubans in the News Monday, August 11th, 2008

More than 200 physicians, members of AMHE, Association des Médecins Haitiens a l’Estrager are currently meeting on Aruba for a week-long congress featuring an interesting Scientific program, accompanied by varied Social and Cultural activities.

The conference was welcomed by Dr. Reynald Altema, VP Central Executive Committee and Dr. Georges J. Casimir, President of the New York Chapter, and by Dr. Micheline Dole, the Co-Chair of the Social & Cultural Committee.

Among subjects discussed at the conference Holistic Medicine, Mental Health, Adolescent and Young Adult Topics, as well as in-depth discussions pertaining to medical issues specific to the Haitian community in the USA.

The physicians who serve their communities at large report Aruba was chosen by a special committee who ‘tested the water’ and approved the island as an appropriate meeting and convention destination.

Scott Derrickson Appointed General Manager Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club

Hotels Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

Three GM’s Now Leading The Aruba Marriott Properties

On Tuesday August 5th the Aruba Marriott properties welcomed Scott Derrickson, new General Manager of Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club, to the team. With the addition of Scott to the Marriott family, the Aruba Marriott properties are now lead by three general managers, all overseeing one specific property.

Scott Derrickson will be in charge of all operations departments that support the three buildings of Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club, as well as maintaining the relationship with owners and board members. Surf Club is a Marriott Vacation Club property, consisting of 450 two- and three bedroom villas.

Scott brings with him a wealth of experience in the lodging industry. Most recently he was Director of Operations at the Radisson Aruba Resort. Scott began his hospitality career in 1987 in the Wyndham organization, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has worked and lived in Aruba on and off since 1998, working for both the Wyndham and Radisson organizations in various roles. He has also owned and managed several successful private ventures over his working career, and will bring us the benefit of his varied professional experience.

In his new role Scott Derrickson will be reporting to Rick Zeolla, overall general manager and responsible for all three Marriott properties. Rick Zeolla is based at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (hotel) that is in the final stages of a $40 million renovation project. In July 2008 Corey Guest was appointed general manager of Surf Club’s sister Marriott Vacation Club property, Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club.

Welcome Home World Champion!

Arubans in the News, Sports in Aruba Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

Sarah-Quita Offringa makes windsurfing world history…

Getting the V.I.P. welcome she deserves, young Sarah Quita-Offringa, who just took the title as #1, the World Champion in Women’s Freestyle during the Professional Windsurfing Association’s Grand Slam World Tour 2008, arrived home from Spain last night, accompanied by her parents, Esther and Ruud, and brother Quincy.

Sarah-Quita, who has been competing professionally since she was twelve years old, found the V.I.P. lounge at the Reina Beatrix International Airport filled with friends and paparazzi as Ramon Lee, Minister of Culture, Labor and Sport personally welcomed this outstanding young athlete home. In appreciation for the great honor and pride she has brought to her home island, and the fine example she sets for other young people, he presented Sarah-Quita with a plaque on behalf of the Aruban people.

Since 2006, Sarah-Quita has been pursuing the world title, and at 15, made the history books as the youngest woman to ever win first place in a world-class professional windsurfing competition when she took the trophy in Lanzarote, Spain. During two other matches in Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, she came in second to reigning queen Daida Moreno of Spain, with similar results giving her the world-wide ranking of Sub Champion, and winning the title of “Rookie of the Year.”

However, not this year! “This year Sarah-Quita was determined to come out of the water the winner,” confided her mother Esther during the welcome party that awaited them at their home,” the last few years she couldn’t help being nice, that is how she is, but this year we decided “no mercy.” That determination has made Sarah-Quita’s place in history as the youngest woman ever to be world champion on the pro windsurfing circuit.

Ironically, Sarah-Quita and Esther nearly didn’t make it to the opening competitions in Landzarote, as Sarah had to complete her final exams at Colegio Aruban, but cooperative teachers and administrators allowed her to take her tests a day early, so they could speed off to Spain. If not, she and her parents were ready to dismiss the pursuit of the title. Sarah had no time to take any practice runs, or become accustomed to the conditions as the other competitors, as she and Esther landed in Landzarote the night before the tournament began, and it was off to the races and into the water the very next morning.

Sarah-Quita, relaxing at her home after her grand welcome, was sharing her adventure with friends with videos of her winning performance that can be seen at www.pwaworldtour.com. She expressed that conditions were “very difficult, a lot of wind and big waves,” and indeed, commentary reveals she battled over ten days of over 35 kph winds and increasing ground swells, but her spectacular performance won admiring commentary from European press. Sarah spent six weeks in Spain with her brother Quincy, who also competes, and Esther, with Ruud joining them for the last two.

Sarah-Quita established her hold on first place early in the tournament, but Daida Moreno was not ready to pass on the crown. “Unfortunately for Moreno… the subsequent brawl raised the bar of women’s freestyle to a whole new level. Both sailors went off, but the decisive blow would come when Offringa executed a massive air flaka. (Yolanda) De Brendt (who had beaten Moreno in her bid as first place contender-ed) had no reply to the epic move, granting Offringa the victory, and the first double elimination as hers,” reports the PWA.

Clinching her ranking as World Champion was a sweet victory and fitting birthday present for Sarah-Quita, as she and Esther quietly celebrated her turning 17 on July 4, the day she won the double eliminations at Gran Canaria, the second stop on the tour, and insuring her the crown. Arriving home in Aruba, her spectacular victory was celebrated by the entire windsurfing community that greeted her at the airport wearing tee shirts they had specially made for the occasion. Coinciding with her attaining the title, Sarah-Quita is featured on the cover of the August issue of Boards magazine, out of the United Kingdom. All this attention has not affected this sweet, unassuming young woman one bit, who, despite the possibilities, still puts her studies first.

Welcome home Sarah-Quita, World Champion!!

Westin Aruba Resort proudly presents a special performance of “Absolutely Anna”

Entertainment, Happenings, Hotels Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

The Cabaret Royale in the Westin Aruba Resort welcomes noted New York thespian Anna Berger to their stage on Thursday, August 14 for a single performance of her one-woman show titled “Absolutely Anna.” The proceeds of this very special event will go entirely to benefit local Aruban Foundation Ateliers ’89, which imports noted artists and instructors from Holland to conduct free art workshops for Aruban youth, and assists their students in obtaining higher education at well regarded Dutch art academies. After only a year, they have facilitated the placement of eleven Aruban students, most at the Reitfeld Art Academy in Amsterdam.

Anna Berger may not be a name that rings a bell in most minds, because she is one of those superb, chameleon-like actresses that so become the part they play, audiences only remember the characters they bring to life. Anna has spent over fifty years as a successful working actress on stage, screen and television. She is now every directors’ favorite Jewish, Italian, Polish, you-name-it ethnic mama, aunt or grandmother, immortalizing such characters as Aunt May in Woody Allen’s “Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Most recently TV audiences know her as “Cookie” in The Sopranos, and she was the first to play one of the most famous Jewish mothers of all, “Golde” in “Tevye and his Daughters” when it was first staged in New York, before being transformed into “Fiddler on the Roof.” She is now appearing with Adam Sandler in his latest film “You don’t mess with the Zohan!” Anna is the recipient of a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from her peers of the Coleman and Smith Artistic Company (COLSAC- www.colsac.org.)

Anna was encouraged by her colleagues at The Actors’ Studio to collect and present her memories of the years during which Broadway, Hollywood and television were established, which she has done in the form of a one-woman monologue titled “Absolutely Anna.” It is a humorous, emotional and enlightening journey through time.

Anna lived through The Depression, World War II, The McCarthy era, and was a witness and participant in many of the milestones that made acting history. Her first important acting job was touring in “Diamond Lil” with Mae West, with whom she became intimate friends, and through her life worked with and was close to some of the most famous luminaries of theater, film and television, before and after they got their star on Hollywood Boulevard. These intimate “behind the scenes” memories are presented in a delightful and enthralling monologue full of wit, humor and touching recollections.

Anna has performed her show “Absolutely Anna” at several venues, and after more than twenty years of vacationing annually in Aruba with her husband Bob, has graciously agreed to the staging of a special benefit for Ateliers ’89, “to give something back to the young artists of the island, which has given us so many wonderful moments over the years.”

There will be a single performance of “Absolutely Anna,” including an art auction afterwards featuring the works of noted island artists Elvis Lopez, Gilbert Senchi, Nelson Gonzalez, Glenda Heyliger and Jesse Wolfe. Showtime is 8:00 PM, sharp, with doors opening at 7:15; drinks available from the bar. Tickets cost $40 p.p. and seating is very limited; entrance includes door prizes for weekend stays, activities, Sunday brunch at the Hyatt and more! All proceeds will benefit the Foundation Atelier ’89, a non-profit foundation for the continuance of culture in Aruba, through the next generation of potential artists. Reservations can be made and tickets will be available at the concierge desk of the Westin Aruba Resort, (297-586-4466 ext 59) Aruba Beach Club executive offices, and by calling Ateliers ’89 at 565-4613.

Foundation Atelier ’89 wishes in particular to thank the Westin Aruba Resort, Aruba Industrial Services, Aruba Adventures, De Palm Tours, Hyatt Regency Resort and Holiday Inn Aruba Sunspree Resort for their generous sponsorship of the event and the kind assistance of Maria Silva and Vibrations. This very unique evening is a must for those that appreciate the great days of classic film and theater, come and relive them with Anna, as she takes you for a journey that will fascinate and delight!