SINT MAARTEN/FLORIDA (MIAMI) - NOAA forecasters with the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, predict near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season.

NOAA is forecasting a range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges.

The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be less active than recent years, due to competing factors — some that suppress storm development and some that fuel it — driving this year's overall forecast for a near-normal season. 

After three hurricane seasons with La Nina present, NOAA scientists predict a high potential for El Nino to develop this summer, which can suppress Atlantic hurricane activity. El Nino’s potential influence on storm development could be offset by favorable conditions local to the tropical Atlantic Basin.

Those conditions include the potential for an above-normal west African monsoon, which produces African easterly waves and seeds some of the stronger and longer-lived Atlantic storms, and warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea which creates more energy to fuel storm development.

These factors are part of the longer term variability in Atlantic atmospheric and oceanic conditions that are conducive to hurricane development — known as the high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes — which have been producing more active Atlantic hurricane seasons since 1995. 

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - The TRIBUTE TROUPE, under the leadership of DJ Jansen de Jong and Joost de Jong Jansen has once again wowed audiences with their incredible talent and dedication. Ten professional ladies worked tirelessly to create a show that left audiences in awe, and due to popular demand, they have decided to give another double performance on June 18th, 2023, at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm in the BLACK BOX THEATRE @ NIA, John Larmonie Center.

The TRIBUTE TROUPE’s latest show was so good that the audience simply didn't want to leave! It was an unforgettable experience of Tribute Troupe with songs, dance and acting.

That's why they've decided to give another performance, so you can come and relax, burst out laughing, and maybe even shed a tear. You'll definitely leave happy, and best of all, it's free of charge. Donations are extremely appreciated, so please give generously.

On a very important note, please leave your goats at home. We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy the show without any distractions.

So mark your calendars and get ready for another unforgettable performance from the TRIBUTE TROUPE. Tadaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Make your reservations through WhatsApp messages only on 580-7174. For more information check our Facebook and Instagram: Tribute Troupe.

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - Beyond Kultura Events (BKE) Foundation is pleased to announce that Curaçao’s library Biblioteka Nashonal Korsou (BNK) has selected two stories of children’s book author Loekie Morales for inclusion in its new story compilation book for 2023.

The theme of this year’s book is MY HOME. Authors were asked to write about the theme from an in Curaçao based child perspective.

“When I learned from BNK that both my stories will be included in their prestigious storybook, in Papiamentu and Dutch, I couldn’t be happier. I’m so grateful with the acceptation of both stories,” says Morales.

Morales: “In January I was sitting under a palm tree in St. Maarten, where I was awaiting my car to be washed. A flock of birds was chirping there, while the wind was playing with the palm tree leaves. The story of ‘De palmboom bij opa, mijn thuis’/‘The palmtree at Grandpa’sis my home’ was born in my head. It is about a boy who is sad about his parents divorcing. Under the palm tree at grandpa’s house he finds solace. There is his home.

The other story: ‘Trampas bracht mij veilig thuis’/‘Trampas brought me safely home’ is a story based on a real life experience of my youngest sister. When she was a todler, her dog Trampas used to pick her up from school and bring her safely back home.

This year marks the first lustrum for the publishing of BNK’s storybooks. The book will serve as a gift for Children’s Book Week-Siman Ban Lesa. It will be distributed to all primary schools in Curaçao.

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Adequate and affordable housing for the residents of St. Martin is an urgent matter requiring immediate attention to ensure the population’s safety in the face of climate change. Through the Island(er)s at the Helm research program and in collaboration with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and the Royal Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV-Leiden), the University of St. Martin (USM) is looking into the challenges and opportunities related to designing safe housing, especially for low-income households.

Social housing is in short supply, requirements can be overwhelming, and often they do not meet the population’s needs. Consequently, many people on the island are left without access to adequate housing, which is considered to be a human right. As a result, some residents had(?) no choice but to build their own homes.

They built the units mostly on undesired plots, such as hillsides that were left vacant for a long time, or even in their backyards to rent them for much needed income. Although the conditions of self-built housing are far from ideal, they are often the only housing option for those with little income and who find themselves barred from social housing.

To gain a better understanding of how hurricane and climate proof homes should be designed, USM is hosting architect and doctoral researcher Ms. Aga Kus of TU Delft, who began interviewing residents earlier this month. Working with two local bilingual research assistants, Kus is set to gather data on different types of housing construction including traditional jollification, formal contracting and informal settlements on Pond Island, Dutch Quarter, Belvedere, Cole Bay, and Philipsburg.

By documenting testimonies from before and after hurricanes Louis (1995) and Irma (2017), Kus hopes to identify practices which can inform designers and policy makers on the needs and concerns of local inhabitants. Research Assistants are Kimberly Watamalejo and USM student Marlenny Richardson.

While repair and rebuilding support has been provided to some inhabitants(?), those who did receive the assistance have taken the challenge of fixing their properties upon themselves. However, concerns regarding the safety of these units are rising, especially with the upcoming hurricane season.

Architects, builders, and researchers have acknowledged the urgency of the problem. Yet, despite their efforts, many inhabitants of the islands still lack access to appropriate housing. Ms. Kus’ research aims to enhance the safety and affordability of housing by studying conventional building traditions and self-built housing practices to enhance material circulation and collective design for the future housing proposals.

“The challenge of providing housing on the Islands is increasing due to population growth and rising prices, and then exacerbated by natural hazards caused by climate change,” Kus was quoted saying in a USM press release.

“However, self-built housing units offer valuable insights for housing design on the Island. These units are developed gradually, making them affordable and functional, which is lacking in many social housing projects around the world. Additionally, some low-income residents build their houses collectively through jollification, decreasing costs and strengthening community bonds. Moreover, inhabitants often circulate materials by reuse or repurposing, which reduces environmental impacts. These qualities could serve as guidelines for designing houses in the future,” she stated.

Adhering to USM research protocol, which promotes social research on both sides of the island, Kus took a peek at self-built housing development in French Quarter by interviewing senior women who actually participated in the physical construction of their homes.

These recalled the days of outhouses, the introduction of concrete blocks as a common building. material and the opening and closing of hardware stores across the border, where wood and zinc could be purchased. Additionally, Kus visited traditional wooden homes which survived hurricanes.

“If the gale does not stop at the border, neither does the sharing of knowledge-practices and experiences among the people of St. Martin, especially now when facing climate change challenges. The same goes for ethnic diversity. Many migrant residents are newcomers to the island, and they bring with them building strategies from all over the Caribbean”, said USM President Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez who accompanied Kus in some of the interviews, serving as an interpreter for Spanish speakers.

“We are happy with Ms. Kus’ presence at USM and the respect she has demonstrated to the island and its people. She is an ethical researcher who is working with the local population and local experts in developing bottom-up solutions,” Carmona concluded.