Volcano erupts, help pours in for residents

For the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it was just a matter of time — and that time came Friday morning when the active volcano erupted for the first time in generations, spewing hot ash and sending residents fleeing for safety.

Meanwhile, experts quickly warned that volcanic explosions could continue for days or even weeks, reported The Associated Press.

“The first bang is not necessarily the biggest bang this volcano will give,” Richard Robertson, a geologist with the University of the West Indies’ Seismic Research Center, said during a news conference.

Cruise ship lines are stepping up — with Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection expected to arrive to help transport evacuees.

And the “Saint Vincent Volcano Disaster Relief” GoFundMe page has been set up by the South Florida-based Invest Caribbean global private-sector investment agency and the Barbados-based Ritzury Group to “satisfy the urgent needs of displaced individuals ... as well as those who have now been forced into shelters.”

Looking ahead, the fund also seeks to “support the long-term needs of many Vincentian families, students and children who will be displaced for months to come.”

“The water situation is going to be dire because of the ash falling in St, Vincent,” said Felicia Persaud of Invest Caribbean. “And in Barbados, the ash is falling. It looks it’s like night over there.”

Visit bit.ly/SaintVincentVolcanoDisasterRelief to donate or search GoFundMe.com for the “Saint Vincent Volcano Disaster Relief” page.

The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center reported the most recent La Soufrière eruption on Twitter.

“At 8:41 am this morning 9-4-21 an explosive eruption began at La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent. This is a culmination of the seismic activity that began on April 8,” the center tweeted. “The eruption is ongoing and more information will be shared as things progress.”

An ash column jutted more than 33,000 feet into the sky late Friday. Heavy ash fall continued to rain down, and the pungent smell of sulfur filled the air Saturday, marking the most recent eruption in the La Soufrière volcano’s long history.

Natural care products

The offerings from the natural Yoto & Claire skin and hair care line are among the many products and services on display at Soul2Sea’s “Spring Fling Stop and Shop” popup store next Saturday in the Bronx.

The “Stop and Shop” popup will be held at the Grand Slam Banquet Hall, 478 E. Tremont Ave., on the second floor, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“Some of the Bronx’s most talented vendors” will be featured in the Soul2Sea popup shops, according to organizers, who say there will be more than 20 sellers of “apparel, soaps, candles, drinks, food, jewelry” and other products.

Register for the springflingstopshop.

Taking COVID-19 precautions, masks are required for shoppers and temperatures will be taken.

“Cocoa Body Butter” — made from cocoa butter, mango butter, coconut oil, almond oil event at bit.ly/ and Vitamin E — and “Essential Hair Cream” — which has mango butter, shea butter, walnut oil, pumpkin seed oil and lavender oil as its ingredients — are examples of the natural products in the Yoto & Claire line.

For more on Yoto & Claire products, visit yotoandclaire.com.

Honoring Midwin Charles

The sudden death of popular Haitian-American attorney, community leader and cable news legal commentator Midwin Charles has sparked condolences from VIPs and everyday folks.

Charles, 47, the founder of the Midwin Charles & Associates law firm and a legal analyst on CNN, MSNBC and other networks, died last Tuesday. Her cause of death is unknown.

Her passing was announced by her family on social media last week.

“She was known to many as a legal commentator on television but to us, she was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, niece and cousin,” wrote the family in a Twitter post. “Our lives are forever changed and we will miss her for a lifetime. The family thanks you in advance for your love and prayers. Please allow the family time to grieve.”

Charles, who was a board member of the Haitian Roundtable nonprofit organization of Haitian-American professionals, was remembered by the group on its website and social media.

“HRT is deeply saddened by the news of the death of our beloved board member Midwin Charles. A loving sister, loyal friend and fierce advocate. Midwin was a beacon. We will cherish Midwin’s joie de vivre and legacy,” posted the Haitian Roundtable.

CNN contributor legal analyst Laura Coates, New York mayoral hopeful Maya Wiley and city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams were among the many people those remembering Charles.

Mag honors two greats

Two of reggae’s finest — VP Records co-founder Pat Chin and the late Neville Livingston (aka Bunny Wailer) — grace the cover of the April issue of Everybody’s magazine.

Calling Chin “the Grand Dame of Reggae,” the feature article by Everybody’s magazine publisher Herman Hall is a profile of her recently released memoir “Miss Pat: My Reggae Music Journey — From Mento, Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae to Dancehall.”

Hall piece covers Pat and Vincent Chin’s amazing story from their small record shop in Jamaica to becoming the world’s largest independent Caribbean-owned record label.

And the Bunny Wailer article, by Hope Stoddart, follows the life of the original member of the Wailers, which included Bob Marley and Peter Tosh and made music history.

Nonsubscribers can order Everybody’s magazine in digital format by visiting everybodysmag.com/magazines. The 44-year-old publication is also accepting donations at bit.ly/everybodysdonate