Tony Wong's Red Moon photos

My friend June Wong shared these photos taken by her husband Tony on Sunday night. They travelled to Hollywell in Jamaica's Blue Mountains to enjoy the beautiful coincidence of a Harvest Moon and Lunar eclipse.

What a great Jamaica we can build!

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

Observer column for MON 21 SEP 2015  

Their Excellencies Governor-General Sir Patrick and Lady Allen cut the ribbon for the opening of Phoenix Central while our daughter Anita Chin looks on.

As our family arrived at a significant milestone last week, I am sharing some of the steps we took to get there. This was the opening of our first real estate development project by that distinguished couple, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen.  Hubie and I, the children of humble folks, have surprised ourselves with this audacious journey.

I thought back to 1978 when by happenstance I bartered meals for needy children with then Pegasus Marketing Manager the legendary Carrole Guntley, offering to do publicity for the hotel.  She agreed, and the photos were featured in a full-page newspaper spread.  Carrole then asked me to do freelance work, and introduced me to their extraordinary Food & Beverage Manager Susan Campbell of blessed memory.  Susan and I became close friends, and she encouraged me to start my own business.  She suggested that I propose exchanging my services for an office in the hotel, and organised a meeting with then manager Peter Westbrook, who confirmed an agreement on November 29, 1978.

Our family: our children Noel and Anita Chin, Mother Maisie Lowrie, yours truly Jean, Sister Sandra Lowrie, Hubie Chin

Thus was born PROComm, with the slogan ‘follow through sets us apart’.  The business grew faster than expected, and in 1981 we found a quaint but derelict old house on Kingsway with a ‘seventies’ price tag.  My enterprising mother, Maisie Lowrie oversaw the renovation on a shoestring budget. 

I think that is when those endless childhood hours of playing ‘Monopoly’ kicked in. We extended the building, providing office space for ourselves and three tenants, saved the rent, and cleared the modest mortgage (thank you Jamaica National).  We were keen on legacy for our children and so, as the rent accumulated, we used the funds to pay down on a place at Phoenix Avenue in 1988, which was leased for all these years.

Phoenix Central professional complex - Collin Reid photo

By 2013, our children had completed tertiary education and were in the PR-ad business, but they explained that they felt no great passion for it.  We created PRODEV, revived a development plan we had on the back burner, and they threw themselves wholeheartedly into this first project.

Although Hubie’s and my parents were humble folks, their faith and tenacity were the inspiration for our $280 million project. I looked back on the actions of my widowed mother with four small children and a little shop at 2 Rose Street in Savanna-la-mar.   She sewed vestments and altar covers for Father Knight at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and bartered groceries for our fees at the best private school in the town, St Mary’s Academy, run by the Mercy sisters.

She took us on a journey of diligence and prayer, and later married the unforgettable Joscelyn Lowrie.  We moved with him to Kingston and were referred by the Sisters to Alpha on South Camp Road. Our father, stricken with a rare form of arthritis, bravely continued his accounting practice at home, retaining most of his clients until his death in 1977.

19-y-o Hubie and 17-y-o me

Meanwhile, young Hubie Chin worked along with his devoted parents, Ralph and Ruby Chin.  Theirs was a lively Franklin Town grocery and bar where Bustamante and his friends would meet over drinks. Hubie lived “shop-life” until he was 17 and described the late night clean-ups, the ever open side-window on Sundays and public holidays.  His parents emphasised education and Christian living, and their fine children of whom my husband is the youngest, have made them proud.

Although Hubie went to St. George’s College, he was a couple of years ahead of me, so we never met until his best friend Horace ‘Natchy’ Campbell invited him to Mass at our Catholic Mission in Pembroke Hall.  They liked to brag that they were “CAST men” – engineering students of the College of Arts, Science and Technology, now UTECH – meaning that they were more grounded in the practical rather than theory.

How right they were.  When we decided to grow our family, Hubie joined PROComm in 1988 so we could manage our family time better. He was the one who was able to make sense of the digital revolution, attending courses that his engineer’s mind could easily absorb, helping us to continue on the path of efficiency and productivity.

Good business practice

This is an important point.  Regardless of the business you are in, you need to be computer literate.  With smartphones becoming so affordable, even the smallest of enterprises should be embracing the use of email, text and various Google and Facebook apps if they wish to move to the next level. 

PROComm Team membersenjoy doing 5Ks together

And so, we created certain processes in our business which to this day we continue to fine-tune.  We also have fun traditions for our team, as we know that the most important factor in business is the human factor.  We have a strong board that insists on corporate governance, although we have to say that the string of new taxes introduced in recent years have created challenging moments for us.  My sister Frances Beard who holds a Master’s degree in organizational development from Johns Hopkins, has been invaluable in helping us to develop best practices.

We are committed to pro bono work for various worthy causes, especially the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) and have a scholarship fund administered by the Stella Maris Foundation for children in Grant’s Pen.

The PR business has allowed up to see up close, the drive and determination of our clients – working with three generations of the Hendricksons at National Baking, and the dynamic Denis O’Brien led Digicel, has fired up our enthusiasm for enterprise.

The power of prayer

Every birthday is celebrated at PROComm

We start every meeting with prayer, because we draw strength from that awesome power that only the Almighty possesses.  This gives us the confidence of which Marcus Mosiah Garvey wrote – that confidence that makes you a winner before you have even started.  This is not hollow pride, because as we proceed with our meetings, tasks are reviewed, assigned and recorded. Indeed, confidence and diligence go hand in hand.

As our beloved Governor General Sir Patrick Allen said at our opening, success requires, “ninety-nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration”.   For us, the closeness of our family and our team and the trust we have for each other have sweetened our labour, because we know that we are building a legacy and creating employment. 

To my fellow Jamaicans therefore I say, do not be daunted by the negative news.  Look at your beautiful children and promise them that you will use your energy for positivity and perseverance. You will walk with Divine guidance, plan, save, and do everything in your power to bring security to your loved ones, even as you share with the needy.  This is a God-blessed country – let us have the will to make it great.

Sidjae says 'It's your ship!'

Message from Sidjae Walia  ...

Good day leaders,

Valuing Your Team

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending a keynote address by Mike Abrashoff, author of the bestselling book It's Your Ship! Mike shared his strategy and leadership style that transformed one of the least battle-ready ships with one of the highest turnover rates in the Navy into a Spokane award-winning ship for battle readiness with a near perfect retention rate. His 'magic bullet' was to have conversations with each member of his 310 member crew to better understand their goals and to see how he could help them to achieve them. Each crew member was treated with respect and dignity and reminded that rank does not make anyone more important than another. He further instilled a sense of ownership among crew members to take care of the ship, be diligent about their duties, and not be tied to only their tasks. When individuals are valued, they are willing to go the extra mile for you. When individuals take ownership, they are willing to go the extra mile for the organization.

What conversations have you had with your team in recent times? How have you demonstrated that you value their input and you are interested in their goals? What steps can you take to help your team members take ownership of their responsibilities and be willing to go the extra mile?

To Your Unlimited Possibilities,

Sidjae
--
Sidjae Walia
Founder/CEO
UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES
Training that expands your mind and life
"The mind, once expanded to dimensions of bigger ideas, never returns to its original size" - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Twitter ID: http://twitter.com/SidjaeWalia
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/upthenextlevel
Website: www.upthenextlevel.com
(647) 927 9289

*If these nuggets ring true for you and your team, please contact me to assist you. I provide training and coaching in leadership development, team building, and sales. I am also certified to administer the MBTI for individuals and groups. Give me a call if you are interested in learning how your personality impacts your work, team, and personal life.*
   

Prayerful preparation - 2015 Manning Cup....STGC vs Kingston Technical High Tomorrow!

REPORT FROM DR LLOYD TENN

At Sunday devotion today for the football squad, Fr. Rohan Tulloch took the reading from today's gospel, Mark 8:27-35. 'The Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected.. and to be put to death....'.

Fr. Tulloch explored how suffering and pain should be viewed by the disciple. Hardship should be viewed as a part of the Christian experience which brings growth and redemption.

Fr. Tulloch encouraged the players to put in 110% tomorrow; to play fair and hard.

Coach Bell told the group that the journey is about to start and now it is about performance. Quite simply, tomorrow you put all the training into action and you show the substance you are made of.

Match time is 3:30pm. Park at Emmet Park or the North Street Parking lot and walk on to the campus.

Lloyd 
AMDG

NATIONAL BAKING INVESTS $200M IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

FASCINATING STUFF!
Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites (right) is deeply engrossed in the display of work from infant school children at the launch
of ​National Baking Foundation at the Jamaica Pegasus. Joining him from left are: Christine Scott-Brown, Executive Director of the National Baking Foundation and Patron of the Foundation, Gary Hendrickson.

PACKING AWAY:
National Baking Company staff and volunteers actively packing the learning kits for the National Baking Foundation. The packages are distributed to over 2,500 early childhood institutions islandwide.

Kingston, Jamaica, September 4: The National Baking Company has invested $200 million over four years to assist nearly 3,000 children, primarily by providing learning kits to basic schools and by giving support to early childhood education programmes.

This was announced by Mr. Gary 'Butch' Hendrickson, CEO and Chairman of the National Baking Company at the recent launch of the National Baking Company Foundation held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

At the launch, Mr. Hendrickson said most of the intervention programmes for children were administered through the Crayons Count project, of which National Baking Company is the major sponsor.

He said the National Baking Foundation would seek to continue the company's focus on providing well needed resources for early childhood education, which is a critical part of nation-building.

 "The National Baking Foundation is our way of sustaining meaningful partnerships and establishing sustainable initiatives throughout Jamaica," said Mr. Hendrickson.

"The synergies created in our collaboration with thousands of people across Jamaica have motivated us to keep doing more. Their dedication, commitment and vision certainly provide an impetus for national development in Jamaica," he continued.

Four years ago, the National Baking Company made a commitment to develop the Crayons Count programme based on an idea broached by Deika Morris on. They committed to providing learning tool kits to some 2,500 basic schools and to actively participate in the campaign to make Jamaicans aware of the importance of early childhood education.

The National Baking Foundation will continue to be involved in the importation, packing and distribution of the learning materials and operate the mobile unit for Crayons Count.  In fact, the female employees who pack products at the National Baking Company are the ones who prepare the learning kits that are distributed to the schools. 

 "The Crayons Count-branded mobile unit is especially important in the campaign to make Jamaicans aware of the need to invest in early childhood education as it passes through the various districts," Mr. Hendrickson said.

The National Baking Company is also the major sponsor of such projects as:  Bold Ones of Manufacturing, Talk Up Yout and Union Gardens Foundation. Additionally, the company has donated to some 25 charitable organizations, including Food for the Poor, while investing over $20 million in providing school furniture islandwide.

For further information on the National Baking Company please visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/nationalbakery

Happy Birthday Louise Bennett

I wrote this column in August 2006, as Jamaica mourned the passing of our beloved Louise Bennett.

 

Miss Lou made us 'smaddy'

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

When we left the Pantomime, "Queenie's Daughter" that night in the sixties, we took Miss Lou home with us.  She was captured in a bright green vinyl record, and as she spun on the turntable we jigged on the "stage" of our living room:

"Queenie tu'n queen – ah-hah!  Yu see what ah mean – Queenie tu'n Queen!"

Every Monday night she and Ranny Williams took centre stage with the "Lou & Ranny Show" in thousands of Jamaican homes. To her imperious, "Pass mi flatboa'd!", Ranny would give out a pitiful "Woi-oy!" 

The Honourable Louise Bennett Coverley introduced us to her know-it-all 'Aunty Roachie', whose radio commentaries influenced public opinion as much as our more serious talk-show hosts.  And since there was no medium that she could not master, she moved smoothly to television to share our folklore with Jamaican children on "Ring Ding".

Writer Sandy McIntosh remembers Miss Lou telling her in an interview, "I refused to believe that Jamaican patois was 'bad English.'  Most of the good people I knew as a child spoke patois, so how could I believe there was anything bad about it!"

Indeed, our Jamaican dialect is as economical as it is musical.  How many sentences would you have to use to convey the meaning of "Eh-eh!", "cooyah" or "carry go bring come."  In re-reading Miss Lou's collection of poems, "Jamaica Labrish", we are entranced by the vibrancy of our language. 

Louise Bennett easily spoke the Queen's English, but she was also the Queen of our beautiful dialect.  She distilled six decades of national ferment into a heady, witty narrative of Jamaica's struggle for self-determination.

Here is a sampler of Jamaica's milestones incomparably recounted by the people's historian.

Women's Federation call for the registration of fathers' names on birth certificates:

Lawd a massi, me feel happy!

For me glad fe see at las'

Ooman dah-mek up dem mine fe

Serve back man dem sour sauce!

The end of World War II:

Den, baps we prayer answer, an

Baps, Hitla get him fall –

An wat did sweet him wicked heart

Tun eena bittagall.

Hard times (our nurses, police and teachers can relate to this):

One poun gawn awn pon we pay, an

We noh feel noh merriment,

For ten poun gawn on pon we food

An ten poun pon we rent!

There were poems on the introduction of Universal Adult Suffrage:

Everybody got a vote, an

Every vote gwine swell de score;

Missa Issa, Missa Hanna,

An de man wat sweep de store.

And on the correct way to vote after there were attempts to mislead the public:

Yu doan haffe cross out nutten

Nor haffe draw no line

Jus mark a X side o' de name

A who deh pon yuh mine

She reflected on our rejection of Federation:

Beg yuh pardon Federation

Fe de sudden separation

If we sufferin' survive

We acquaintance might revive

And wryly welcomed our Independence:

Independance wid a vengeance!

Independance raisin' cain!

Jamaica start grow beard, ah hope

We chin can stan' de strain!

She chuckles at the 'shade' consciousness of the forties:

Miss Jane jus hear from 'Merica,

Her daughter proudly write

Fe sey she fail her exam, but

She passin' dere fe wite!

She comes to the stout defence of her beloved dialect:

Ef yu kean sing "Linstead Market"

An "Wata come a me y'eye",

Yuh wi haffe tap sing "Auld lang syne"

An "Comin thru de rye".

Having moved to Canada some years ago so that her late husband, Eric "Chalktalk" Coverley could avail himself of specialised medical care, Miss Lou had an ever widening circle of fans, including my brother-in-law Leslie Chin, a talented musician.  He had enjoyable visits with her, playing his guitar while they sang her old favourites.  Miss Lou shared the same doctor with him and he could attest to her good humour even in her declining years. "She told me she went for an anti-flu shot, but despite that, she caught a cold.  She said they didn't give her 'anti-flu' but 'flu Auntie'!" recalls Les.

Miss Lou's brilliant use of our language made us all 'smaddy' – united in laughter, delighted with this awesome daughter, the essence of Jamaican excellence.  In her memory, let's recapture the spirit of our Independence as she saw it:

"Teet and tongue was all united,

heart and soul was hans and glove

Fenky-fenky voice gain vigour pon

"Jamaica land we love'."

Walk good, Miss Lou, we'll be 'tallawah' for you!

Observer column for MON 31 Jul 2006

"Be strong, fear not!".. Today's Readings

It was a blessing to do the First Reading at our Stella Maris evening Mass yesterday - the Prophet Isaiah reminds us of God's protection and provision.

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 128

Reading 1IS 35:4-7A

Thus says the LORD:
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools, 
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.

Responsorial PsalmPS 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2JAS 2:1-5

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality
as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes
comes into your assembly,
and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,
and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes
and say, "Sit here, please, "
while you say to the poor one, "Stand there, " or "Sit at my feet, "
have you not made distinctions among yourselves
and become judges with evil designs?

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Did not God choose those who are poor in the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
that he promised to those who love him?
AlleluiaCF. MT 4:23R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 7:31-37Again Jesus left the district of Tyre
and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
into the district of the Decapolis. 
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd. 
He put his finger into the man's ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
"Ephphatha!"— that is, "Be opened!" —
And immediately the man's ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly. 
He ordered them not to tell anyone. 
But the more he ordered them not to,
the more they proclaimed it. 
They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
"He has done all things well. 
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

   

DIGICEL COMMITS OVER US$500,000 IN SUPPORT OF DOMINICA'S RELIEF EFFORTS

Photo from LoopJamaica

-          As the first operator to be functioning across the entire island, it has provided free call credit to all mobile customer

-          Digicel Play TV service is also being provided free of charge to all customers for the month of August

Friday 4^th September 2015 – Roseau, Dominica: Digicel today announced that it has committed over US$500,000 in support of the relief efforts in Dominica following the devastation that was left behind when Tropical Storm Erika hit the island last week.

Having confirmed the safety of all staff, Digicel's immediate focus moved towards ensuring its networks were restored and operational as quickly as possible, enabling customers to communicate with friends and family throughout other parts of the island and abroad. With the mobile network now 98% operational, Digicel has given away free call credit to customers across the island.  On the Digicel Play side, the network has been restored in all of the main areas and Digicel is today announcing that as a result of the disruption, customers will not be charged for their TV service for the month of August, also easing the financial burden at this time.

In tandem, Digicel has been supporting the relief efforts on the island in partnership with aid agencies as well as directly with those communities most affected. To date, it has delivered US$150,000 in food supplies, blankets, mattresses, stoves and handsets to staff and residents in the worst affected communities and continues to work closely with the Red Cross – donating supplies as well as a boat to provide access to those who are cut off by road.

The team is also assisting various groups with handsets and credit including the Police Head Quarters, Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority, and the Meteorological Office. In addition, Digicel has launched a text to donate line across all 32 markets – from which all funds will be donated directly to Dominica's relief efforts.  

Paul Osborne, Digicel Regional CEO, said; "We are deeply upset and concerned by the devastation left behind in the wake of Tropical Storm Erika and are doing everything we can to support the much-needed relief efforts. In the coming days, my team will be at Roseau Grammar School and Grandbay where they will be serving food and hosting the evacuated families in these locations."

"We hope that others will also step up to support the people of Dominica by providing aid to assist with the recovery and rebuilding efforts that are now needed on the island," concluded Osborne.

Contact:

Gillian Power

Digicel Group

+1876 470 8601

Gillian.power@digicelgroup.com

LOOP NEWS CELEBRATES 500,000 ANDROID DOWNLOADS IN THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE

Major Milestone for Trend Media's flagship app

Thursday 3rd September 2015 - Kingston, Jamaica: Loop News, the Caribbean's leading news resource, today announced that it has hit a major milestone having reached a whopping 500,000 downloads from the Google Play store since its entry in the market just over a year ago.

Following on from its early successes in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Cayman and Curacao, the app, which showcases the best local, regional and international news, was recently launched in several new countries including Haiti, St. Lucia, Suriname, Aruba and Bonaire. To complement the new market launches, Loop released a new and improved version of the app for both Android and iOS users - as well as launching a Windows Phone version for the first time.

Speaking from the company's Kingston, Jamaica headquarters, Trend Media Group CEO, Richie Kelly, said; "Today is a terrific day for Loop, celebrating such an important milestone and reaching so many users across the Caribbean.  As a Caribbean company, born and bred, we are extremely proud to have passed that 500,000th download so soon after launch - a fantastic achievement and testament to our hard working teams across the region."

"That said, this is only the beginning! We're in the process of finalising another major release of our app which will come with many more great new features – further cementing our position as the go-to app for news in the region. With such a huge reception for Loop in such a short period of time, we are now setting our sights on 1 million downloads and 10 more market launches before the year is out. Watch this space," concluded Kelly.

With its cutting-edge product development and unique local news offering, the Loop news app has seen exponential growth, making it the Caribbean's number one news app in just six months.

Contact:                                                                                
Abi O'hUiginn                                                                        
Head of Marketing
TrendMedia                                                                         
Tel: +1876 470-9129
Email: abi@trendmediagroup.org 

ABOUT LOOP

Loop News is the Caribbean-wide resource for local, regional and global news. Loop now provides local news in Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Cayman, Curacao, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. (www.LoopNewsGroup.com). Loop News is the Caribbean's number one downloaded news app.

Download the app today!

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aggrego.loop

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/loop-news/id854778074?mt=8

Windows Phone: https://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/loop-caribbean-social-news/fc30c50c-a9bd-4668-bf29-9b1ee62fa18c

Loop.Trade (www.Loop.Trade ) is currently live in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Cayman and Barbados. Loop.Trade is your go-to classifieds site. Search and sell on our world-class, user-friendly site. You can post your own classified's ad in real-time.

Digicel SportsMax (www.DigicelSportsMax.com ) is a hub for all Caribbean sports fans. Digicel SportsMax covers the best of local sports combined with all your favorite international sport and teams.