Weekly curry 'may fight dementia'

BBC NEWS: Eating a curry once or twice a week could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, a US researcher suggests.

The key ingredient is curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric.

Curcumin appears to prevent the spread of amyloid protein plaques - thought to cause dementia - in the brain.

But the theory, presented at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' annual meeting, has been given a lukewarm reception by UK experts.
Amyloid plaques, along with tangles of nerve fibres, are thought to contribute to the degradation of the wiring in brain cells, eventually leading to symptoms of dementia.

Professor Murali Doraiswamy, of Duke University in North Carolina, said there was evidence that people who eat a curry meal two or three times a week have a lower risk of dementia.

He said researchers were testing the impact of higher doses - the equivalent of going on a curry spree for a week - to see if they could maximise the effect.

Animal studies

Professor Doraiswamy told the meeting: "There is very solid evidence that curcumin binds to plaques, and basic research on animals engineered to produce human amyloid plaques has shown benefits."

"You can modify a mouse so that at about 12 months its brain is riddled with plaques.

"If you feed this rat a curcumin-rich diet it dissolves these plaques. The same diet prevented younger mice from forming new plaques.

"The next step is to test curcumin on human amyloid plaque formation using newer brain scans and there are plans for that."

Professor Doraiswamy said a clinical trial was now underway at the University of California, Los Angeles, to test curcumin's effects in Alzheimer's patients.

He said research had also examined turmeric's therapeutic potential for treating conditions such as cancer and arthritis.

Good diet

He stressed that eating a curry could not counter-balance the increased risk of dementia associated with a poor diet.
However, he said: "If you have a good diet and take plenty of exercise, eating curry regularly could help prevent dementia."

Professor Doraiswamy predicted it might be possible to develop a curry pill which had the same therapeutic effect.

However, Rebecca Wood, of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, stressed that people would need to eat a lot of curry - over 100g of turmeric curry powder - to get a clinical dose of curcumin.

She said: "Professor Doraiswamy's unpublished research applies only to animal models; his hypothesis has not been confirmed in human clinical trials.

"We look forward to the results of the human curcumin trial at UCLA."

Dr Susanne Sorensen, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Indian communities that regularly eat curcumin have a surprisingly low incidence of Alzheimer's disease but we don't yet know why.

"Alzheimer's Society is keen to explore the potential benefits of curcumin in protecting the brain and we are conducting our own research into this area.

"A cheap, accessible and safe treatment could transform the quality of life of thousands of people with the condition."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/8080630.stm

Published: 2009/06/03 09:45:58 GMT

© BBC 2012

25 Hot Buzzwords

Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

Have you ever witnessed a presentation that sounded impressive, but left you wondering what it all meant? Have you marveled at a colleague's ability to deliver a discourse consisting entirely of recycled phrases that sound brilliant but say nothing? Want to wow a potential employer with your "understanding" of today's workplace?

Irksome as office buzzwords can be, you've got to admit the ability to string them together (while tossing in a few "mission-criticals" and "customer-focuseds" for good measure) is something of an art-form. Even if you don't think you can use them with a straight face, just knowing these buzzwords can come in handy when you want to deflate a pompous consultant, impress a "buzzing" interviewer, mask the absence of substance in a report, or are simply at a loss for words but need to sound authoritative.

Corporate jargon and clichés are so pervasive that their use - or abuse - has yielded a buzzword of its own: "Deja Moo" (the feeling you've heard this bull before). Here are 25 of today's most popular buzzwords and euphemisms making the rounds in boardrooms and cubicles everywhere.

Air Cover
When a senior manager agrees to take the flak for an unpopular decision, while someone lower in the chain of command does the dirty work. As in: "The CFO will provide air cover, while you reduce staff by half." (A term borrowed from the military.)

Alpha Pup
A market research term referring to the "coolest kid in the neighborhood." As in: "If the alpha pups go for it, we'll sell millions of them."

Bleeding Edge
Beyond cutting edge. So new, its creators aren't entirely sure where it's headed.

Business Ecosystems
When companies in the same markets work cooperatively and competitively to introduce innovations, support new products and serve customers.

Chips and Salsa
Refers to computers. Chips = hardware; Salsa= software.

Co-Evolution
A theory that a company can create new business, markets and industries by working with direct competitors, customers and suppliers.

Cookie Jar Accounting
An accounting practice where a company uses reserves from good years against losses that might be incurred in bad years.

Defenestrate
A 17th century word, now back in fashion, that means to throw someone or something out the window. As in: "Let's defenestrate this marketing strategy."

Dial It Back
To tone down. As in: "Your sales pitch is too aggressive. Dial it back."

800-Pound Gorilla
A company that dominates an industry short of having a complete monopoly.

End-to-End
Used largely by technology vendors to imply that whatever they build for one part of your organization will work with whatever they build for another.

Future-Proof
To create a product that won't be made obsolete by the next wave of technological advancements.

Ideation
Brainstorm session.

Living Document
A document intended to be continually revised and updated.

Market Cannibalization
When a company's new product negatively affects sales of its existing, related products, i.e., it eats its own market.

Optics
How things appear.

Pain Points
A favorite of consultants used to describe places where an organization is hurting due to poor operating structure, technology or inefficiencies.

Pockets of Resistance
Another borrowed military term that describes a person or group that attempts to stall, block or kill a project.

Reaching Critical Mass
Having enough customers or market share to become profitable.

Repurposing
Taking content from one medium (books, magazine, etc.) and repackaging it to be used in another medium.

Reverbiagize
To reword a proposal with the hope of getting it accepted by people who didn't like it the first time around. As in: "It's the same concept, we've just reverbiagized it."

Tszuj
(Pronounced "zhoozh") To tweak, finesse or improve.

Value Stream
Six Sigma term that encompasses every step in the process of producing and delivering a product or service (whether it adds value or not).

Value Migration
Used in industries where there is little market growth, the term refers to the movement of growth and profit opportunities from one company to another.

White Space Opportunity
New high-potential growth possibilities that are related to but don't quite match the capabilities and skills of the organization.

100 and counting - William James lives an active life

Published: Saturday | May 5, 2012 | The Gleaner (CLICK ON TITLE FOR LINK TO GLEANER PAGE)

Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

IMAGINE A man at 100 years old riding a bicycle around town, rowing his boat into the great domain of the ocean to catch fish for his dinner when he so desires, and reading for his pleasure or to broaden his knowledge.

You can stop imagining because this is real. Meet William James, who was born 100 years ago to farming parents Irene McIntosh and Godfrey James in Kingsvale, Haughton Court, in eastern Hanover. We met him recently at the launch of The Gleaner's archival exhibition at the Hanover Parish Library.

"My parents brought me to Lucea while I was still a little boy, and I went to elementary school at the Barracks, which is now Rusea's High School. I completed sixth standard, which was the highest level in those days."

He explained further: "I went to school with the Moo Young children and with the former custos, Percy Miller. From there, if your parents had money, you could go on further. I had to drop out, as my parents were poor farmers."

James began his career in fishing at age nine. The biggest fish he has ever caught a blue marlin weighing 750 pounds in 1954.

James, whose wife passed way more than 20 years ago at age 63, developed a passion for reading while at elementary school. This increased after he completed sixth standard. Reading is a passion that he shares with his nine children and his grandchildren.

"I love to read; it is my hobby. What I learn from reading, you don't get that from conversation - people talking with you and you talking with people. Reading gives me a lot of experience that I could not get anywhere else," related James.

The 100-year-old fisherman, who also functioned as a carpenter, mason, shoemaker, upholsterer, and mattress maker, has been a member of the library since 1979. He rides his trusty bicycle to the library at least twice a month to read from his favourite volumes.

Senior librarian at the Hanover Parish Library, Marvetta Stewart Richards, describes James as an avid reader who is used by the library service as one of its standard-bearers.

Said Stewart Richards: "He is an avid reader. He comes to the library two times per month to get his books. We use him as a marker for the people, telling them that reading is vital and that someone of his age is still reading. He also requested to be a part of the reading competition and he is now participating."

Stewart Richards, who is also the president of the Rotary Club of Lucea, said the club ensures that James is ok and recently donated a stove and tank of gas to assist him with his cooking.

Oldest member

James now lives alone - yes alone - at Haughton Court, just over a mile away from the Hanover Parish Library. He is the oldest member of the library.

"My favourite book to read is history, geography and autobiography. I love to read about personalities," said James, who is an enthusiastic fan of track and field's hottest property, Usain Bolt.

"He is so fast! I love to see him run! He makes the whole Jamaica proud, man! No man not as fast as him. But I would like to see someone who comes now and run and past him before I go," said James.

" I would prefer a Jamaican to do it, though - probably Asafa, at the Olympics. That would be something to watch."

He does not suffer from any debilitating illnesses - no hypertension or diabetes - and he sees clearly, even at night. Apart from reading, he likes to watch a good movie when he feels like it.

"I operate normally. I feel no pain at all. I see clearly. The last time I saw the doctor he says I was fit and all right."

He rides his bicycle to view land he owns at Green Island in the parish, 25 miles away, three or four times a week. He credits this as one of the factors for his longevity.

"If I put down my bicycle, you are going to have to ask where I am because I may not be around," said James. "My bicycle keeps me young. I have to go to Lucea every day, sometimes two to three times a day, and that is what helps me to keep so fit."

- rural@gleanerjm.com

Aloun Assamba's tour of duty in UK begins this month

Ambassador-designate to the United Kingdom, Aloun Assamba, and outgoing UK Ambassador Anthony Johnson share pleasantries at a function in 2009. - File Photo

THE GLEANER | SAT 5 MAY 2012 (click on headline for link to Gleaner)

ALOUN ASSAMBA, former government minister will take up her post as high commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) later this month.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator A.J. Nicholson yesterday confirmed that Assamba would head the mission to the UK.

The attorney-at-law and former tourism minister replaces Anthony Johnson who has been recalled by the Portia Simpson Miller administration.

Nicholson said that "Mrs Assamba's wide experience in several areas of the social, cultural, economic and political life of our country, over time, will serve as cornerstone assets, as she embarks upon this new assignment".

Commenting on her appointment, Assamba indicated that the task ahead was not lost on her.

"My appointment as high commissioner of Jamaica to the UK has happened in the same year that we observe our 50th anniversary of Independence, and in the same year, too, that we anticipate great Jamaican feats in the 2012 London Olympic Games," she explained.

She said emphasis would be placed on increasing the importance of the diaspora as it relates to Jamaica's development.

Meanwhile, informed sources say that the Government is still awaiting correspondence from the Barack Obama administration before Stephen Vasciannie, who is currently principal of the Norman Manley Law School, can take up his post of ambassador to Washington.

The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party has raised concerns about the recall of both Johnson and ambassador to Washington, Audrey Marks, before their tour of duty ends

Digicel responds to TAJ action

Digicel was served with a search order by the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) late this afternoon. Officials from the TAJ were accompanied by members of the police force bearing high-powered firearms who prevented Digicel staff leaving at the end of the working day -  which has resulted in major and unnecessary upset amongst Digicel staff.  
 
For some months, the TAJ has been conducting an audit of the information systems and data of the telecommunications sector.  Digicel has at all times co-operated and complied with the various information requests made subject to the constraints of the Telecommunication Act in terms of the protection of confidential customer information.

Digicel is shocked and offended by the abuse of process and approach undertaken by the TAJ in this matter - especially as all information which the TAJ was seeking pursuant to the order, and which the Telecommunications Act allowed Digicel to provide, had already been supplied.  This appears to have been ignored by the TAJ - although it was previously acknowledged by the TAJ in written correspondence that Digicel had provided information in "the usual timely manner".

In protection of Digicel's rights, Digicel has secured late this evening a stay of execution from High Court Judge, Evan Brown, which prevents the TAJ from continuing to carry out the search. Even more concerning is the fact that the TAJ initially refused to comply with the sealed order of the Court when it was served on them.

Digicel strongly refutes any form of wrongdoing which is to be inferred from what is considered to be a blatant witch-hunt and fishing expedition on the part of TAJ.
 
Digicel intends to use every possible legal avenue to pursue those involved - both directly and indirectly -  in this matter.
 
Digicel will be returning to Court on Tuesday and will be vigorously protecting all its legal rights including asking the TAJ officials why they ought not to be cited for Contempt of Court.
 
Antonia Graham
Head of Group Public Relations
Website: www.digicelgroup.com| Email: antonia.graham@digicelgroup.com
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Usain Bolt reaches out for Child Month 2012

- New York Times photo

by Carole Beckford

HELP in Mathematics for High School Children

The Usain Bolt Foundation has secured licenses for a Mathematics software which is the only software in the region which comprehensively covers the CXC/CSEC Mathematics syllabus designed for students' success. The Foundation has donated 20 licenses which was handed over the school recently. This will help in preparation for exams this year and beyond. The EPAVE Mathematics software is an e-learning software that comprehensively covers the CXC/CSEC® Mathematics syllabus using computer graphics, animations and audio.  All lessons are presented by carefully structured narrations to guide the user through the course which also contains hundreds of questions and solutions accompanied by detailed explanations of the incorrect answers. 

- Tallawah/Tyrone Reid photo

Play and Recreational Equipment

Playground and Recreational Equipment valued at just under US$25,000 will benefit over 1,000 children up to 12 years of age in Portland later this month. The donation of the equipment is part of the Foundation's mandate to facilitate a healthy and safe environment and effective use of a recreational facility. The names of the schools will be announced later.

PE Gear

Uniforms for Physical Education were donated to Piedmont Basic School in Trelawny in March as part of the Foundation's support to children under 12. Students and teachers at the school benefitted Jamaica Paralympic Association is also to benefit from a donation for its preparation for the Paralympics, also in London this Summer

Pan Caribbean Sigma Corporate Run

The Foundation donated US$25,000 to the Corporate Run as a part of a J$33million fund raiser for the Cardiac Surgery department at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

FROM: Carole Beckford, Publicist

(876) 927 6302,  (876) 364 1871, (954) 703 5087

carole.beckford@usainbolt.com  www.usainbolt.com  Twitter: @ubpublicist

 

 

Angella Harvey - still in our hearts

This post was in the 'Draft' folder for over a year! Finally it is being published - and Angella's memory remains strong.

It was a shock to hear that my wonderful friend and colleague Angella Harvey, had passed away. Angella served as the excellent Cultural Specialist for the US Embassy for many years. Her admirers have always remarked on how lucky Jamaica was to have us represented by one so knowledgeable, warm and dynamic.
Angella was the driving force behind the charitable activities of the Jamaica America Friendship Association (JAFA). No detail was too small for her, and I will now treasure her precise instructions for smooth-running benefits and her gift-wrapping session for the organisation’s annual Christmas Treat. We appreciated her laser-like approach to problem solving and her cheerful frankness. We are reeling – how can someone so vibrant be gone so suddenly from our lives? JAFA President Morin Seymour is asking us to remain calm and strong – in memory of Angella Harvey who was the personification of these qualities.

ANNUAL MERRITONE FAMILY FUNDAY IN THE USA DEDICATED TO TYRONE BLAKE

- photo from clintonlindsay.com

From Anthony Turner - IMAGES Media

New York: NY event promoter Conroy Allison, organizer of the annual Merritone Family Fun Day, the largest Caribbean family event of its kind in North America has announced that this year's 15th Annual Merritone Family Fun Day will be dedicated to the memory of Tyrone Blake, a member of the famous Merritone family who died recently in St Andrew, Jamaica at age 69. This year's event will be held on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at Lake Quassy, Route 64, Middlebury, Connecticut.
 
Allison disclosed that "A plaque will be produced with comments from Tyrone's surviving brothers - Winston 'Merritone' Blake, Trevor and Monte with their special memories of their brother. Something more permanent is being planned but specifics have not been worked out yet" he disclosed.

Speaking about Tyrone, Allison said "I first met him about 17 years ago and we had a great friendship. I thought he was an extremely easy going guy who loved life. Nothing seemed to bother him! He had a long and distinguished career in the music industry and was a key member of the Merritone musical family. He was loved by all and will be forever missed" he reiterated.
 
Allison also announced that a feature of this year's presentation will be a special tribute to 50 years of outstanding Jamaican comedy, with the spotlight being shun on Jamaica's First Lady of Comedy, Dr. the Hon. Louise Bennett Coverley (Miss Lou). The presentation will be done by the Tri-State's top Jamaican comedienne, Miss Matty Lou. Reggae's journeyman Pluto Shervington, known for hits 'I Man Born Ya,' 'Ram Goat Liver' and 'Duppy Gunman' will perform in concert for the first time in New York in many years and the first time at the family funday.
  
The very first Family Fun Day was held in 1998 at Pinecrest in Shelton, Connecticut. When the venue was sold, the event moved to its current home at Lake Quassy, CT. 

"The event started with a small gathering of friends and families but has grown to where we can expect over 5,000 persons each year" Allison noted. "Many of our supporters attend year after year and we do see many new faces from time to time." 

The Merritone Family Fun Day is the only event of its kind in the Diaspora with a variety of activities designed to entertain the entire family. Highlights include the Royal Caribbean Patty Eating Contest, the Kiddies' Dance Contest, the Trans Continental Treasure Hunt and the presentation of the 'Family of the Year' award. Lake Quassy, offers a variety of rides for children (and adults). All rides are free. Loyal fans can expect a fabulous time and special treats with non-stop music from Merritone featuring Winston Blake, with special sets by DJ Roy, Desu and Tony from TC Connection.
 

Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel

Hubie in red!

Hubie Chin wore red yesterday in response to a call to wear primary colours to show support of Jamaica's children.

Sleep Yourself Smarter

Adapted from 'Lumosity' blog - link below

Did you know that sleep may be crucial for forming long-term memory?

- minnpost.com

In a study published in the June 2011 issue of Science, University of Washington researchers worked with a special breed of fruit flies that could be induced to sleep on demand. Following a period of training, flies who then underwent 4 hours of induced sleep formed long-term memories of that training. Note that training alone was not enough to trigger memory consolidation—sleep was a necessary component. Flies who trained but did not sleep did not form long-term memories.

The University of Washington study makes fascinating observations about sleep's power to cause memory formation. But if you're wondering how much we can learn from fruits flies, then rest assured that many human studies also show that sleep improves memory and performance.

Proper sleep is easy to incorporate into your lifestyle: consider getting a good night's rest after you've studied for a test, experienced a particularly cherished event, or learned a new name. Sleep may help these novel experiences stick with you.

Not only may sleep help your memory, but lack of sleep may also hurt your health. A 2010 study from Biological Psychiatry found that chronic insomnia may lead to loss of brain volume. Researchers used fMRI scans to examine the brains of 37 human subjects with and without chronic insomnia. Insomniacs had a smaller volumes of gray matter in three brain areas—and the more serious the insomnia, the greater the loss of volume. And a preliminary 2012 study from the Washington University School of Medicine found that poor sleep may be linked to brain plaques found in people with Alzheimer's.

Various studies make a good case for getting a good night's sleep whenever you can. But remember that while sleep may be beneficial, it's only part of the puzzle. Apart from nighttime memory consolidation, you can also work on improving your memory abilities by playing games such as Scrabble and chess.

Learn more on the Lumosity blog.
http://www.lumosity.com/blog/sleep/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RMKTG_Sleep_DB_2012.04.30_A&utm_content=&ll_src=RMKTG_Sleep_DB_2012.04.30_A&ll_ch=EMAIL&ll_u=11888575&spMailingID=5316475&spUserID=NzI2MTc5OTYxNQS2&spJobID=198526847&spReportId=MTk4NTI2ODQ3S0

Kind regards
Jean

Jamaican Colin Wynter - Times of London Lawyer of the Week

Colin Wynter
Julian Cornish-Trestrail photo

by Linda Tsang
Published at 12:01AM, April 12 2012 | Times of London

The QC acted for claimants in a case ruling employers’ liability insurance is triggered at the point of toxic exposure

Colin Wynter, QC, of Devereux Chambers, acted for five of the claimants in the landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that all employers’ liability insurance cover is “triggered” at the point of toxic exposure and not when the disease begins to develop. The judgment could result in compensation for thousands of asbestos victims.

What were the main challenges in this case, and the possible implications?
The case, affecting thousands, turned upon the meaning of a single or several words, always the trickiest type of case. Unlike most of the work that I do, which involves moving money from one balance sheet to another, this case had a very human dimension. There was a permanent anxiety throughout the lengthy period of litigation that we might lose.

What was your worst day as a lawyer?
In 1987, in a North London County Court. We went to court to sue a landlord for the return of my student client’s Pakistani passport, and ended up receiving a splenetic scolding from the judge who decided, before any evidence had been called, that my client was an illegal immigrant and I his knowing agent; a humiliating experience.

What was your most memorable experience as a lawyer?
Winning this case with an excellent team of juniors and solicitors: the effect on claimants will persist long after I have retired, and perhaps even turned up my toes; and saving the life of Kojak the Alsatian dog, who was sentenced to death in 1985 at Kingston Magistrates’ Court for biting a postman, but reprieved by Judge Figgis on appeal to Kingston Crown Court.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
Professionally, Colin Edelman, QC, the most hypnotically persuasive advocate I have seen or worked with; it was he who, when a young barrister, demanded that I be given the chance to work in the areas I now do. On the personal side, my elder brother by 11 months, Brian (now Governor of the Bank of Jamaica), whom I have tried to match my whole life. Also Colonel “Ken” Barnes (father of the footballer John Barnes), who was a towering figure of immense authority, kindness and humour.

Why did you become a lawyer?
Perry Mason, which I watched in black and white as a child in Jamaica.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?
Work hard and be prepared to deal with and repel self-doubt.

If you had not become a lawyer, what would you have chosen and why?
A journalist: I was interviewed by Trevor Phillips in 1983 for a role as researcher at London Weekend Television. He suggested that I might be “overqualified”, to which I replied that I was no more overqualified than him, Trevor Phillips (MSc). I was not offered the job.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Hopefully, under a palm tree on a beach in the Caribbean, eating fried fish, lobster and plantain.

PM Portia Simpson Miller - Time 100 Most Influential

From JIS website

 

 

Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller attended the 2012 TIME 100 Gala celebrating TIME magazine's Most Influential People In The World at the Lincoln Center on April 24, 2012 in New York City. The awards are presented to persons who are considered to have inspired, entertained, challenged and changed the world. They are labelled breakouts, pioneers, moguls and icons. (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images for TIME).

Beautiful 'Jamaica Gold' Flower Show by Jamaica Horticultural Society

Excerpts of Address to the Opening of 'Jamaica Gold' Flower Show - by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Prof Wilma Bailey, President of the Jamaica Horticultural Society inspecting one of the exhibits

This Horticultural Society is a special blessing to our beloved Jamaica. I note your distinguished history, dating back to 1825, confirmed by a letter from the first President preserved in the British Museum of National History. Although there were several years of dormancy, this present Jamaica Horticultural Society was founded in 1955 and has not looked back.

Your regional focus is realized here today with the participation of the Horticultural Society of Trinidad & Tobago who are paying tribute to you, their Jamaican colleagues on the occasion of our Golden Jubilee.

Tribute to JAMAICA 50 by the Trinidad & Tobago Horticultural Society

We in the islands of the Caribbean know that we cannot take our environment lightly. Your respective countries, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica - owe you a debt for your responsible stewardship. You understand the delicate balance of nature and you have ensured that some of our rare plants have been preserved.

This is why we can never trivialize the work of organizations such as the Jamaica Horticultural Society.

The close ties between us are undeniable: UWI graduates have inter-married and through our various churches and clubs, we have maintained close friendships with our West Indian brothers and sisters.

We can use this bond for the greater good of our region. As we survey this stunning display of plants, some of which are indigenous to our respective countries, we see the opportunity to become a powerful floral exporting international hub.

We have heard the rave reviews you have received for your shows, here and abroad. We can pool our passion for horticulture to create those well needed jobs and foreign exchange for the Caribbean region. Only last week the IMF Senior Representative for Jamaica, Dr. Gene Leon, commented that “The Gold of Caricom’s promise is yet to be mined”.

Ferns of Jamaica

He appealed to us to be regionalists, planning a future bigger than single operating islands. At our various seminars and social gatherings for our CCRP members, I am amazed increasingly by the brilliance, wisdom and warmth of our seniors.

I believe that this collective wisdom and experience is the Caribbean’s most precious resource and we must find every possible way to bring this to the attention of our leaders. It is by bridging this ever-widening gap between the generations, that we will strengthen our nations and our region.

I know that you, who are so passionately dedicated to the development of horticulture would like to ensure that the foundations you have laid are strengthened and built upon by equally committed successors.

We should re-double our efforts to nurture and mentor our young people so that all of this wonderful work will not only continue but become a meaningful part of our regional development.

The Caribbean is a veritable bouquet of the peoples of the world, displaying hybrid strength of all the races, colours and creeds. We bloom vividly, showing those in the developed world how excellent we can be. As we see the challenges facing even the most developed countries, we realize that we can bloom even more beautifully where we have been planted, where we are nurtured by God’s glorious sunshine and cooled by His wonderful rivers and seas.

Hearty congratulations to Prof. Wilma Bailey, the Executive and members of Jamaica Horticultural Society and the Horticultural Society of Trinidad & Tobago Executives for staging this wonderful exhibition. Let us take away from this event, the pride that each and every person brings to these exquisite exhibits.

We're in a governance emergency

Excerpt from Observer column | 23 April 2012
by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Resilient Jamaicans are not ready to give up on their country anytime soon.
On Thursday representatives of eight new companies, dubbed ‘The Bold Ones of Manufacturing’ gathered on the grounds of Kings House, where GG Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen launched a mobile campaign which will see vivid graphics of these companies displayed on National Baking trucks. Among them is Mango Valley Pride, owned by Cinderella Anderson from St Mary, which makes flour from banana, plantain, breadfruit and cassava and ‘raisins’ from otaheite apples. Then there is ‘Pretti Slippery’ in St James owned by Dr Angela Chin Hing who created skin products made from local ingredients for her own children, which have found favour with some of the leading hotel spas in our resort areas.

The GG and Lady Allen beamed as they spoke with these eight brave Jamaicans who have created employment and are tax compliant. They saw them as examples of the active patriotism they have been promoting in their ‘I Believe Initiative’, which reminds us that ‘there is nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed by what is right with Jamaica’.
Indeed, there is so much that is right with Jamaica. On Thursday evening, thousands gathered at Emancipation Park for the free premiere of the Bob Marley documentary, a quiet 11th anniversary contribution from Digicel. Dr Sonjah Stanley-Niaah’s ‘live-tweets’ kept us abreast of the rich content: “Bob was the consummate workaholic, writing early in the morning, sleeping only 4hrs per day... It’s lightning and thunder as Marley jumps in the classic performance bringing the leaders of rivaling parties together.” Overseas media were abuzz with reports of this long awaited premiere.
As we count down to the Olympics, the eyes of the world are on Jamaica. We watched the NBC special on Usain Bolt, thanks to a Facebook link from Winsome Foderingham. We saw a focused young man whose father was a strict disciplinarian. “Usain always thanks me for the way I grew him,” said his Dad.

We saw the bright Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser survive and thrive despite the rough environment of her Waterhouse community. Shelly-Ann commented that most girls were preyed upon as soon as they started to mature physically. It was her long hours in training and her protective mother that kept her safe and in school.

NBC host, Lester Holt, who has Jamaican roots, remarked on the paces that our children are put through from a very early age. By the time they get to the Girls’ and Boys’ Championships, they are performing like Olympians. ‘Champs’ is now regarded as the largest and most prestigious high school athletics event in the entire world.

Holt also spoke with coach Glen Mills, a calm individual, who has groomed Usain Bolt and team-mate/archrival Yohan Blake to be the top two sprinters in the world. Mills and fellow coaches are intelligent, patriotic Jamaicans who themselves sacrifice much to bring their charges to this level. I remember former JAAA President and Alcan manager Pat Anderson getting donations of foodstuff to ensure that young athletes in his charge were properly nourished. I am particularly proud of Calabar coach Michael Clarke, who I taught as a fifth former. He was mature beyond his years; respectful and disciplined – no doubt he has passed on these qualities to his alma-mater’s Champs winners.

On balance, Jamaica still comes out as a positive place to be, thanks to folks like our coaches and dedicated visionaries who have never sought the easy way out. It is now incumbent on our leaders to ensure that we address what I have dubbed ‘a conspiracy of mediocrity’ in both the public and private sectors. This phenomenon results in Jamaica’s low productivity score, compared to Caribbean states with far less resources than us. I have too many stories to tell of excellent Jamaicans who simply throw in the towel and migrate, after they are frustrated by the slouches who have no interest in raising their standards at the workplace. We have a clear warning from the IMF – let us stop cosseting the pretenders and discouraging the producers.

WYNTON HUDSON TAKES KINGSTON REGIONAL TITLE IN HENNESSY BARTENDER COMPETITION

  

Kingston, Jamaica, April 20, 2012:  Wynton Hudson's Hennessy Cognac creations won him first place at the Kingston Regional Finals of the Hennessy VS Jamaica 50 Bartender Competition. The event was held at the Macau Gaming Lounge and Bar on April 19, 2012. 

 

Cognac lovers were treated to an array of Hennessy VS mixes as they sampled the signature blends made by the Regional Finalists. The Bartenders were in their element as they captured their audience with colourful descriptions of their entries as well as fanciful displays of talent, throwing and catching bottles filled with liquids.

 

The Judges and audience seemed equally impressed as they sampled the concoctions and nodded in approval of some of the mixtures - and there were many to be tasted. With exotic titles such as Hennessy Pasa Passa, Hennessy Mass Dappa, Henny One, Berry Rumpus, Mystic Mojo, Henness D Menace, Henny Situation, Aaaaaaahhhhh, Henny Amore, Meet Me Half Way and Hero's Legacy, the mixes offered much promise.

But Wynton Hudson's Hennessy Espresso Razmatini and his Class by Hennessy topped the competition and won him the coveted title of Kingston Regional Winner.  Mr. Hudson won for himself a Hennessy plaque, J$10,000.00 and a gift basket.

 

Interestingly, there was a tie for second place which went to St. Aubyn Kidd for his creations, Hennessy Passa Passa and Hennessy Mass Dappa and Ryan Mitto for his creations Henny One and Mystic Mojo. Third place went to Phillip Lovejoy for his concoctions Meet me Half Way and Eat, Shot and Drink.

 

Wynton Hudson will join the three other Regional Finalists in the showdown of the Mixologists at the Grand Finals. This will be held on April 24 at the J. Wray and Nephew Corporate Complex in Kingston.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact: Staci Smith 

              926-6740

              Staci.smith@procomm.com.jm

 

A Bouquet of Seniors from Trinidad & Tobago

Her Excellency Dr Iva Gloudon, T&T High Commissioner to Jamaica (front in white) joins a group of seniors from the Pearl Gomez-James Senior Citizens Centre in Trinidad when they were hosted by the CCRP at Devon House today. Beside Dr Gloudon at right is Founder-CEO of CCRP Jean Lowrie-Chin.

GG Unveils National Bold Ones Campaign

Governor General His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen as he unveiled the National Baking Truck bearing the logos of the eight new manufacturers dubbed 'The Bold Ones' who are being promoted by Continental/National Baking Company.

Looking on are Her Excellency Lady Allen, Continental/National Chairman Butch Hendrickson and National Baking Director of Operations Steven Sykes. The event took place this morning on the grounds of King's House

 

The National Baking Bold Ones for 2012 are:

Jason Dear - No Brand Chemicals (Kgn 11)

Heneka Watkis-Porter - Patwa Apparel (Kgn 10)

Angela Chin Hing - Pretti Slippery (St James)

Suzette Thomas - Sue Tru Caribbean Manufacturers and Distribution Limited (St Thomas)

Michael and Robin Lumsden - Belcour Preserves Limited (Maryland, St Andrew)

Deborah Belcher - Debz Limited (Kgn 6)

Cinderella Anderson - Mango Valley Pride (St Mary)

Denese Palmer, Southside Distributors Limited (St Elizabeth)

Digicel Foundation literacy initiative reaping rewards

by Luke Douglas

Jamaica Observer | Friday, March 02, 2012

AN education initiative, aimed at helping to achieve 100 per cent literacy in primary schools by 2015, is reaping impressive rewards with some students improving by two grades in one year, according to Executive Director of the Digicel Foundation Samantha Chantrelle.

While unable to give an overall assessment of the programme until later this year, Chantrelle said feedback from teachers about the Digicel Foundation's Enrichment Centre Initiative (ECI) has been very encouraging.

Angella Francis (left), teacher at Bridgeport Primary School, and Jeremiah Golding (right), principal of Chapelton All-Age, exchange pleasantries with Major General Robert Neish (second left), executive vice-chairman of the Digicel Foundation, and Executive Director Samantha Chantrelle at a principals' and teachers' forum at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew on Wednesday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

 

"Some of the children have advanced by two grade levels within a year. They come in unable to read, sometimes unable to recognise letters, and the teachers are telling me that within months they are seeing a huge difference," Chantrelle said Wednesday.

Under the ECI, schools with levels of mastery of below 60 per cent in the Grade Four Literacy Test are targeted. Some 26 schools have been provided with enrichment centres and 31 with mobile enrichment carts so far at a cost of more than $100 million from the Digicel Foundation.

The enrichment centres are equipped with desktop and laptop computers, literacy and numeracy software such as Hooked on Phonics, Phonics Pad and Early Success, and Math Manipulative Audio-Visual headsets, TV and DVD players, among other equipment.

Each cart is outfitted with Digicel 4G Broadband netbooks, 4G Broadband service, a multimedia projector, a multi-functional copier/scanner and printer along with the teaching software. The carts can be pushed to various classrooms, enabling the facilities to be used by more students and teachers.

The objective of the initiative is to contribute to the Ministry of Education's goal of achieving 100 per cent literacy in primary schools by 2015, which is a United Nations Millennium Development Goal.

Dave Allen, acting principal of St Michael's Primary, told the Observer that the enrichment cart has made a significant difference at the school which is located in a depressed area of Kingston.

"When we began two years ago almost all of the children were non-readers but since then we have used aspects of it in literacy and we find that it is beneficial," Allen said. "It really motivates the students to learn in ways that they would not normally do."

He said St Michael's has raised its performance in the GFLT from 31 per cent mastery in 2009 to 58 per cent last year. School attendance is also up to 90 per cent.

Meanwhile five schools with enrichment centres are to be short-listed this month (March) to vie for prizes in the inaugural Enrichment Centre School of the Year competition.

The two top prizes of $250,000 each will go to the Best Enrichment Centre Initiative (ECI) School and the Most Improved (ECI) School in the competition which is open to the 26 schools with enrichment centres.

There are also awards for the top teachers, top students and top parents in ECI schools in the competition which will conclude in May.

The Digicel Foundation hosted principals and teachers at a forum at the Knutsford Court Hotel Wednesday for training and sharing best practices to improve the initiative.

The Foundation hopes to get 100 primary level schools in the initiative within a few years.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Digicel-Foundation-literacy-initiative-reaping-rewards_10930300#ixzz1sWCZvIMA

Jamaica belongs to all of us

BY JEAN LOWRIE-CHIN | Jamaica Observer | 16 April 2012

The so-called Jamaican flag backdrop created by that misguided decorator for the Montego Bay mayoral swearing-in was just plain ugly. Without the green, there is no freshness, without the black, it would have had no depth and without the gold, it would have had no sparkle. No wonder our Jamaican flag, this wonderful combo of black, green and gold, was the most recognisable one in the Bird’s Nest Stadium for the Beijing Olympics. As our flag was hoisted day after day, saluting medal after medal, we Jamaicans became the toast of Beijing. We had to stop every few steps so that various spectators could take photos, holding on to our beloved flag.

So when a blinkered individual dares to tinker with our precious Black-Green-and-Gold, we are not going to take it lightly. To add insult to injury, we heard the Mayor of Port Maria admitting on CVM News that he had removed brand new green blinds from his office to replace them with a “neutral” colour. The blinds in my office are green because someone told me the colour promotes calm concentration. I wonder if said mayor will also be rewriting the 23rd Psalm to read: “He maketh me to lie down in neutral pastures.”

One of our leaders has accused the concerned public of politicising the green-omission. Say what?! It was with some relief that we heard PNP Chairman Bobby Pickersgill giving an apology and assuring us that his party would not condone disrespect of our national symbols.

To be honest, when I first heard about this outrage, I thought it was a joke: surely no one would be so backward. Surely, even if someone had been so silly, the new mayor, democratically elected to lead his fellow Jamaicans, regardless of party, should have immediately ordered the removal of that funereal backdrop. The islandwide reports are troubling: booing in Portmore, flag-desecration in Montego Bay, décor-purging in Port Maria and party-skewed messaging for the KSAC swearing-in in Kingston.

A GSAT student of civics would know that this is just plain wrong. Both of our political parties have intelligent, patriotic leaders. I will call no names – generally we know who they are. They are the same ones who suffered deep embarrassment when Norman Manley was not allowed a seat in the Royal Box of the National Stadium, the construction of which was his brainchild when his party was in power.

Clearly, there is an urgent need to educate the political fly-by-nights about the true meaning of democracy. We must no longer tolerate this loutish, threatening behaviour and the weak excuses from those who should know better. We are deeply disappointed in these leaders who parade themselves in Gordon House, don these garish gold chains and show few of the qualities that would make them deserving of the title. May we suggest a week of sackcloth and ashes for both sides of the House to show penitence for the lives destroyed, the rise of vulgarity that has spilled over into the carnal abuse of children (even babies!), the environmental degradation of our beloved country?

Our heroes have been our emancipators, every single one of them from Nanny to NW Manley and Bustamante. Our first and most widely recognised national hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, was a principled leader, writing and counselling his followers about education, ambition, self-esteem, discipline and dignity. The most important role of a leader is to inspire his or her followers to be decent and productive. The leaders of both our political parties have failed us miserably. Campaign after campaign, they allow the overloadng of buses for disorderly motorcades. They have so politicised their party colours that we have to think twice before donning that vibrant orange or attractive green garment.

Buju Banton sang, Another toll to the poll may God help we soul... Could go on and on and full has never been told. This is neither PNP nor JLP country – this is our Jamaica. The “full” must now be told so that mean-spirited pretenders will no longer be allowed to lord it over humble, decent Jamaicans.

Read more:

$1M prize for Digital JAM 2.0 -The Future of Work is Online

Received from the Jamaica computer Society - spread the word!

Ingrid Riley

Digital JAM 2.0 -The Future of Work is Online

Call for Submissions

The Government of Jamaica in partnership with the World Bank and private sector operators in the local ICT sector invites applications from Jamaican software developers and digital artists to participate in the Digital Jam 2.0 Mobile Apps Competition.

Conceived as an integral part of a 3-day Business Development and Marketplace event to be held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston June 28-30, 2012, the following are requirements for submission into the competition:  
• The software application should feature a mobile device interface, serving platforms widely available to the Jamaican public or to a broader international market seeking Jamaica-related inputs or contents.
• The app development should utilize technologies such as SMS, USSD, Java ME, iPhone Xcode, Android development tools and HTML5.
• The application must be new, designed and implemented after January 1, 2012.
• At least half the members of the application development team must be Jamaican by citizenship or parentage.
Concept submission, to be received by April 23, 2012 must specify:
• the proposed features and functions of the  application          
•  Value added component in support of  social  development and/or specific  business objectives  
The process will include sponsored training in specialized mobile applications development along with mentoring and resources to support the competing apps teams during the course of the competition. John Henry Thompson, renowned software inventor and mobile apps developer will lead the program. 

Sponsorship for app development is being sought for 2 categories of mobile apps that have near-term application:

(1) Olympic apps related to the upcoming London games; and

(2) National Culture apps relevant to upcoming
Jamaica 50 celebrations.

Special awards and prize categories will focus on the social value of the mobile applications and the degree to which they integrate creative art content. A grand prize of J$ 1 million will be provided to the overall best application.

More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

For further information on the Mobile Apps Competition kindly contact:

igonzalezb@worldbank.org
Sent from my BlackBerry® device from Digicel