Grab yu 'lass and head for Navy Island

From the Errol Flynn Marina newsleter - "Docklines":

A community volunteer campaign to clean up Navy Island will
get underway on Saturday, March 10, and continue through each of the following
Saturdays in the month.  Dubbed “Nice Up De Place” by its sponsor, The Ignite Portland
committee,  the event will start at 8:30 a.m. each Saturday boarding boats at Errol Flynn
Marina which are being provided by Lady G Diver and Somerset Falls.  Volunteers are
being asked to wear jeans and shoes (no flip flops) , bring a hat and gloves, plus some
appropriate tools for cleaning and brush removal.  Suggested items include machetes,
shovels, rakes and  brooms. Volunteers will be treated to a lunch at the Great House on
the island prepared by the Errol Flynn Marina Dock Boys. Lunch food is being donated
by both Kamal’s and Ramtulla’s supermarkets and the Coronation Bakery.   Navy Island
has been abandoned for many years since the former resort went into receivership and
the island became the property of the Jamaican Government.  The buildings are all in
great disrepair and all have been stripped of everything of value.  The Great House,
made largely of concrete, remains pretty much intact.  The island has great historical

significance.

Originally known as Lynch’s Island, it became Navy Island when the Royal
Navy turned it into a defensive location to protect the entrance to Port Antonio’s two
harbours.  It further went down on the pages of history when Capt. William Bligh landed
in Port Antonio with breadfruit from Tahiti.  In the 1940’s it became the property of
Actor-Womanizer Errol Flynn who developed it as his personal hangout.   Flynn was
followed by a succession of developers that turned it into a pristine resort location.
Flynn’s plantings of numerous majestic Royal Palms remain as his signature on the
island. There is presently no access to the island so the volunteers will be getting a rare
opportunity to view where a lot of our country’s history occurred and also make a
contribution toward preserving that heritage.  Persons wishing to volunteer for one or
more of the Saturday workdays should call 876-477-6914 to register.

Portie To Get "Curry"

This is all the official info I have thus far for the upcoming Portland Curry Festival - the 5th Annual, in fact.

Venue - Port Antonio High School

Date  - March 25, 2012


But what we can see looks good so far and holds out the promise of an entertaining - and filling  - day, especially if you are one of the many who go for "our brand of curry". I use that term in quotes, because what we here in Jamaica accept as "curry" is merely one form of the spicy melange.

Anyway, mark your calendars for another stellar food/entertainment mix.

Bacchanal a Portie

The latest on this year's Carnival season in Portie, from the Gleaner.

It's the season for carnival and Tristar Entertainment is in the thick of things with their yearly calendar of events. The organisation will be in Portland to spread the musical energy at Portland Carnival, Soca Mesmerized.

Julius Morgan explained that Portland Carnival is a crowd puller. "We kept it last year and it was excellent. We got over 4,000 patrons and we are aiming to top it this year," he said.

The party will be staged at the Old Marina, Port Antonio, on Saturday, March 3, from 6.p.m to 3.a.m. DJs slated to mesmerise the audience with carnival music are DJ Charm, Arif Cooper and Urban Legends. Morgan also said that a dancehall artiste is expected to make a guest appearance.

According to Morgan, Portland Carnival comes as a part of a general movement to increase entertainment activities in the parish. "The goal is to change the carnival product in Portland. We want it to be as big as even the Jerk Festival," he said. "Portland is one of the most beautiful parishes in Jamaica, and it is often overlooked. We are building a product that tourists can look forward to being a part of in order to enjoy Portland. They don't normally have a lot of parties like Kingston, so this event is bound to get them out," he said.

Morgan said there is a high level of anticipation for Portland Carnival, Soca Mesmerized, and many persons have already committed to attending. Still, the planning committee intends to pull out all stops to get the revellers out in numbers. "Our promotions are concentrating on radio ads and ground work. We also intend to use up the community-based radio stations, because they have the potential to bring the people out," he said.

There will be incentives such as cellphone and Digicel phone card giveaways at the party. Along with 2-4-1 mixes for the entire night and free Supligen mixes as well as free entry to College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) students between 6.p.m and 9.p.m., Morgan is confident that he will have a full house.

Detox refreshments will be on sale, while security will be provided by the Portland police and a security firm. There will be a designated parking area with assigned persons directing the flow of traffic. Presold tickets cost $500, entry costs $700 at the gate, and it is $2,000 for the premium liquor inclusive VIP area.

Sponsors include Digicel, Supligen, Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica 50, Red Bull, Pure Country, I Shango photos and Smirnoff.

"Come out. Last year was excellent, this year we have surprises. Portland people love carnival and this one is going to be of top quality and very exquisite," Morgan concluded.

From Gansta Rapper to Ras?

After being flocked by hundreds of fans when he visited Downtown, Kingston (see link to video), and also spending time in the presence of the elders, and local Rastafarians at one of their Nyabinghi rituals, gangsta rap pioneer Snoop Dogg both chilled and got down to business while  spending time at the famed Geejam Studio, the same studio Alicia Keys spent a week recording last month. 


Snoop was in Jamaica recording new material for his upcoming album and documentary, both named Reincarnated.

Seems we might soon refer to him as "Ras Snoopy"

http://thehypelifemag.com/2012/02/22/video-snoop-dogg-mobbed-by-fan-in-kinsgton-jamaica/

adapted from The Hype Life

Dis Poem Returns to CASE

• The Students’ Council of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education, (CASE) in association with Poet and Past Student RasTakura will be hosting its second annual Poetry experience now named “Dis Poem, Word Festival” in celebration of World Poetry Day 2012. The event will take place on April 29, 2012 at West Campus of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education beginning at 10:00 a.m. The event will unite Poetry enthusiasts including Dub-Poets, Children Poets, Open Mic and Free style poets as well as other literary interests from across the island. This will not only provide a platform for verse sharing but will amplify the cultural diversity and marketability of Portland. Portland is a quiet tranquil place with lush vegetation and beautiful beaches and creating a nice ambiance for a day of Poetry. For more information call (876) 867-7817 or (876) 573-1851 or email dispoemwordfest@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/events/194745287294417/

Two Portie schools in the Top 10- well done Buff Bay & Titchfield

From the Jamaica Observer:

However, Oberlin High retained their title with 590 points, overtaking early leaders Buff Bay (587.5). St Mary High were third with 351, ahead of Glengoffe (225.5), Morant Bay (218.5), Titchfield (169), Yallahs (168) Seaforth (143) and St Mary's College (124) for the top 10.

"I'm overwhelmed and I just want to say thanks to my coaches. I told my coach that by the time Boys and Girls Champs comes around I want to run 23secs as I've been running 24s," Williams told the Observer.

Meanwhile, 18 records were broken over the two days, with Williams accounting for two. Christopher Shakespeare of Morant Bay leaped 6.47m to do likewise in the Class 2 Boys long jump, while Trudy McCalla (15.23secs) broke the 100m hurdles Class One mark.

Buff Bay's Romario Grapine-Rodney broke his own record of 1.80m — along with St Mary High's Anthony Clarke (1.85) — and went on to clear 1.93 in the Class 2 high jump

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Williams-was-awesome--but-Oberlin-repeat_10853633#ixzz1n7Q5MDrQ

Top acts for Bugle's Journey

Recording artiste Bugle will stage his premiere event Bugle's Journey at Lynch Park, Buff Bay, Portland on April 8.

The event is sponsored by Digicel, is being promoted in association with Major Links Entertainment, Daseca Productions and Shocking Vibes Productions.

Bugle's Journey will celebrate his work as an entertainer and recording artiste for the past 10 years.

The inaugural concert is scheduled to see performances from Bugle, Tarrus Riley, Demarco, and Christopher Martin among many others.

Bugle has carved out a niche in the reggae and dancehall fraternity with hits including What I'm Gonna Do (Exercise); Journeys; Pearly Gates; Love Reigns and Idol.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Whitney-rides-the-charts-again_10803258#ixzz1n1MNnKXx