navy island Clean-up #4: Man taketh, nature giveth right back

Ships Ahoy for Portie

The parish of Portland figured prominently in the Saturday edition of the Gleaner, what with the upcoming Boston Jerk Festival and other events (see my upcoming post on "Super Sunday"). this one highlights potential opportunities for the Marina against the backdrop of initial signs of a thaw in strict US snactions against travel to Cuba.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120331/news/news1.html

Navy Island CleanUp #3: bonfire by the "8-Mile" marker

Week #3 of the Clean-up series found us (myself and an initially small group that grew with time heading to the  beach at the western point of the island. The shallow water is laid with a dark bed of seagrass which makes it prime habitat for both sea urchins (sea eggs) and conger eels, but the crystalline shore is still nice for relaxing.

Relaxation of course, was not on our minds, and the thick growth of various trees and shrubs (many almond trees, but other varieties as well) meant there was much to occupy our time and energy. The presence of a chainsaw made the going considerably easier, but there was still a considerable amount of  "elbow grease" required, not only in clearing leaves, limbs and other detritus, but in hauling stuff back to the main entry point for  final transport.

Gratitude to local fisherman/caretaker, the industrious Elvis Thomas, his cohorts, and several of the ladies in the group, for putting together a tasty rib-sticking lunch of seasoned rice (with pumpkin and saltfish bits), to the boat pilots and all the Marina hands who have assisted in the process thus far.

Oh yes, the title of this blog. Well, the Clean-up experience has turned up some intriguing and unusual discoveries (including a cannon) but you can imagine my amazement at encountering, about 30 yards from our actual clean up spot, a concrete mile post, deposited from God-knows-where, laying on its side, with the number 8 visible at the top. Wherever that original 8-mile spot is (the photo here is not the actual article), it must be quite a memorable spot for the person to choose to comemorate it on an island.

We retun to "8Mile" and the rest of Navy Island next week.  

Another Portie Success story

Another inspiring Portie-focussed story from the Gleaner, this time of educator Althea Loban Esty

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120324/life/life3.html

Poem-tree Culture: Dis Poem founder

We've previously mentioned the Dis Poem festival coming up, but in this Gleaner feature, Takura "spills the beans" about the motivation and formation of the event

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120325/arts/arts1.html

Italain Job: Uniting North & South in Portie

When Piedmont native Gianmaria Pedroli first set foot in Portland, he fell victim to a familiar malady - he was spellbound.

"Negril and Mobay nice," he declares, " but I never see anything like this place." The effect was so gripping that Pedroli decided to stay, and that meant he needed to support himself. So, what's a well-thinking, northern Italian man to do in such circumstances? - Open a pizza joint, "My sister in Italy has a bakery, so this is natural progression for me."

menu fold

Natural progression ,but some unnaturally hard work and effort to get the place up and running. but since October of last year, The Italian Job has been serving customers of all types from its location in downtown Portie. Though Portlanders are not strangers to pizza, Pedroli has helped ease the transition (and cover economic and stylistic bases), with an interesting "dual-style" approach. "By the slice, I sell the Neapolitan (or southern) style but I also do my traditional Tuscan style for whole pizzas".

A section of Downtown Pt Antonio

its working "Little by little" thus far, he says and adds that, at this point, his local traffic exceeds that of the overseas visitors. he further balances the menu with several budget items (cheesy dogs, etc) that start as low as J$100 to keep customers coming in and the cash register ringing.

Redroli works diligently with his staff of six to keep service high at the sit-down/take-out combo. "I mix in the Jamaican and Italian way of working," he says.

He is still revelling in the incidence of "first-time thrill”when people discover his food and enjoy it not having tried it before, and is now anticipating the introduction of delivery service. "I bought a small scooter; there is demand out there, especially among working people." he will also shortly introduce dessert. 

Italian Job is open Everday till 10 pm; 29 Harbour Street; call:291-4310

Navy Island Clean-Up II: Through the Vines to the Cliffs

The numbers were slightly reduced from the previous outing, but not the energy and communal spirits that pervaded the first Navy Island Clean-up over a week ago.

This time around, heavy overnight rains rendered some tasks unfeasible, but work nonetheless continued apace on bringing some semblance of order to the fabled resort island.

By the time the first wave of volunteers set foot on the shore, the sun was fully dominant, and only the sodden walls and floors of the main building provided any evidence of the previous downpour.

With leaves and debris collected and even some new planting in progress, a small band headed west to the beach, passing by the former hideaways of the rich and famous, now uniformly in ruins, and the massive concrete basin that awaits resuscitation as the swimming pool.

Machete, weed whacker and chainsaw-armed crews meanwhile set about removing excess branches and limbs adjacent tot he main resort house

this writer then took the opportunity to trek through the dense overgrowth to reach to the honeycomb cliffs at the island's northern end, a vantage that opened up the entire Folly area and the peninsula to the east.

Not unlike some dramatic scene in an  adventure movie, of the type Errol Flynn frequently starred in, with the crashing surf, providing the soundtrack.

Reverie ended, it was soon time to board the boat, say farewell to Navy Island and head back to the Errol Flynn Marina. but the separation is merely temporary. We'll be reunited on Saturday, March 24, when the next clean-up is scheduled. Why don't YOU join us?

Pimento Lodge: Commanding The Heights

travel along the sweep of Portland's  spectacular Long Bay and the surf, wave after wave of liquid azure crystal, dominates. The sea hurls itself against the accepting shoreline.

Journey up the short, steep hill that runs off the main "square" however, ans a different perspective emerges. The water appears calmer, almost as if one could walk on it


From the balcony or from the expansive pool deck of the Pimento Lodge hotel, if you look down at the Caribbean, closes your  eyes, then open them again, its not hard to have visions of some Mediterranean hilltop villa say, in Italy or Greece.


Billed as "a boutique, family run hotel born of a Jamaican/German partnership" the resort first took shape just about six years ago, when owner Lloyd edwards and his wife returned home after living for many years in the UK as well as in Germany


He had no prior experience in the hospitality industry, but he knew he had a gem of a property on his hands that could be transformed, with not inconsiderable amounts of capital and  sweat equity, into an attractive resort.

Six years later, with the aforementioned stunning poolside panorama, Afro-inspired artwork (by artist Katapul) and eight "suite-sized" guest rooms, Pimento Lodge stands ready to welcome all looking to add that critical extra dimension to the splendid but  well-worn "sun, sea, sand" vacation experience.


Visitors can choose from any number of accommodation packages, from room only, to all-inclusive. and hey, as long as you don't test the wicked undertow, sun, sea and sand is a short hop down the hill if you still desire.


Pimento Lodge can be reached at:

info@pimentolodge.com

Tel. Jamaica + 876 882 5068

Tel. U.K + 44 (0) 7899 801118

Tel Germany + 49 176 764 764 45

Pimento Lodge Resort,
Rose Garden, Long Bay,
Portland

Surf's Up, Part II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC2c6dGDLRo&feature=relmfu

Came across this in a "semi-random search" (if such a thing can be) of Portland links. Check it out. the guys are doing a lot with little.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC2c6dGDLRo&feature=relmfu

DeMontevins Lodge: History at Ease in the Now

When Britain's Prince Harry visited the island recently, there were accolades and criticisms and outrage, and expressions of mild surprise.
Some of the surprise was registered in Portland, where the venerable DeMontevins Lodge hotel has made almost a tradition of hosting visiting royals, not least of all young harry's Grand-mum, Queen Elizabeth II, on several of her previous visits to our shores.
And who could blame them. The landmark on Fort George Street, with its iconic red brick facade, has been attracting visitors for well over a century. while the area around its ivory-plated front gate sign has been showing increasing signs of blight, the DeMontevins has retained its burnish, even if the overall economy seems to have quietened. The current owner/management dynasty bought the property from its prior owners over two generations ago and have been running it since.

the red brick facade               

The Demontevins building once hosted Port Antonio's original post office.

dining room

These days, in addition to overseas and out-of-town visitors, the hotel hosts weekly live music showcases and big-screen sports viewing in its revamped Tiki bar.

And the owners intend to be making a fair bit of noise - in a good way, of course - in attracting more locals and visitors to the trademark facility and to allow persons to savour the difference in ambiance and service that comes from being well-established and accustomed to rolling out the red - or purple - carpet for dignitaries.


You can reach them at the following:

 info@demontevinslodgehotel.com

Main Telephone: 1(876) 993-2604

Tel & Fax : 1(876) 715-5987

Cel : 1(876) 797-7445

Boston in the News(II): Surf - and School - Is Up

The Jamaica Surfing Association recently received a letter from a few of its members from the North Coast chapter who are seeking support in the form of a grant in order to  fund the construction of  a school near the beach that would benefit children in the Boston Bay area of Portland.

According to Denyse and Tristan English, once children in the area become comfortable with the sea in this sea-side community, they become excited to learn to surf. Therefore, the fund would allow them to combine the children’s love for the beach and love for learning by building their school in a permanent location near to the beach.

“One reason it seems like a great idea to link up with Jamaican Surfing Association is that JSA offers scholarships to young surfers with academic promise. We’d like to give the youth of Boston more opportunities to win those scholarships, accomplishing high marks with the help of our school, which will give both academic tutoring and opportunities to learn to surf,” said Denyse and Trystan.

The duo aim to accomplish this by promoting youth empowerment through a focus on a broad educational program. The course will begin with the ABCs of reading and writing, and cover topics such as Jamaican history, geography, arts and music, environmentalism, nutritional awareness, and physical fitness that focuses on water safety and surfing.

The program, which is currently being run outdoors on the beach, has has a significant impact on the lives of young students. “The students have shown loads of love and dedication towards the school. Children who haven’t had much experience with the sea have learned to become familiar with it by having lessons on the beach, which involved swimming tutorials, diving, discovering creatures and just playing in the waves,” says the duo.

Although these Portland youths enjoy this environment and are eager to learn, Denyse and Tristan are experiencing several challenges that are affecting the smooth operation of their education program.

“We’ve been through tough challenges at times, so that we had to put the school on hold for a few weeks but the children found this unacceptable, and they came to get me at home three days in a row, straight after school! They expressed their desire to study every single day. Three times a week is not enough for them! This is difficult, because at the moment we don’t have our own space. Weather and time constraints don’t always permit us to meet on the beach, so we’ve been having lessons on the grass near a busy main road.”

Both Denyse and Tristan are motivated by the dedication and thirst for knowledge that they have seen in their students, and, despite recent challenges, are committed to the development of Jamaican youth. “Our ambition is to fulfill our students’ desires; they are thirsty for knowledge, curious about the world, and they deserve to have the opportunity to learn! We feel we simply can’t let them down.”

“Boston Bay is a place that naturally invites children of all ages to learn to play in the water. It is also a perfect spot to nurture the next generation of Jamaican Surf Association champions. We want everyone to be able to try surfing, but for those who display talent and determination, we want to help them attain their goals of JSA scholarships and team membership. We will focus on the whole child, so that surf training doesn’t take priority over school work and studies. We want the surfing youths of Boston Bay to be well-rounded: literate, knowledgeable about the geography of Jamaica and other places they may visit in the world, able to handle money and travel, as well as being great surfers. We want them to be active citizens, who are a credit to their community, who will one day come back to help the next group of children coming up behind them.”

For more information, or to see how you can help with this cause, contact the Jamaica Surfing Association at 876.750.0103 or email jasurfas@hotmail.com

From the Jamaica Surfing Assn via surfgirlja

Boston in the News (I): Jerk Swings Home

Having secured a ringing endorsement from newly elected Member of Parliament Dr Linvale Bloomfield, the coastal town of Boston, Portland, will see the return of its jerk festival on Sunday, April 8.

For residents, the news couldn't have come at a better time, with many saying they had given up hope of ever seeing the festival again staged in the popular east Portland community.

"Boston is the official home of jerk and there's no way this community should not have its own jerk festival," said Karen James, a resident of neighbouring Fairy Hill. "Anywhere you go in the world and you see people jerking they will always claim they are from Boston. It is great that Jamaicans will once again be given the opportunity to come and be treated to the finest jerk dishes in the world."

Instant hit

The Boston Jerk Festival began in 2000 and became an instant hit with patrons across Jamaica. However, in 2007, organisers, saying the festival had "outgrown" Boston, moved the event to the Folly Great House in Port Antonio. The event also changed names to become known as The Portland Jerk Festival.

Dr Bloomfield, however, noted that the Boston name was not only synonymous with jerk worldwide, but that a festival "at the home of jerk" was a fitting way for Portlanders to commemorate Jamaica's 50th anniversary celebrations.

"I am very pleased with this initiative and it has my full support," the MP explained.

Coordinator of the event, Stephen Williams, was quick to point out that the Boston festival has nothing to do with the annual Portland Jerk Festival which is held on the first Sunday in July, noting "it's very important that the distinction is made".

"Ours will be the Boston Jerk and Cultural Festival," Williams noted. "We will be assembling some of the finest jerk men in the world and patrons will again have the opportunity to taste the real Boston authentic jerk dishes. If you have never been to Boston then you have never truly tasted jerk."

The festival, he said, will be a day filled with entertainment and great food, including the traditional jerk pork and chicken, roast fish, breadfruit, festival and other delicacies.

Parking facilities, Williams added, will be at Fairy Hill, the Boston playing field, and also at neighbouring Castle.

"We will also have a two-way shuttle bus system for patrons coming in from the Port Antonio route and those coming from the St Thomas side. We have also moved to a bigger venue at the Boston Community Centre," he said.

Safety of patrons

The police, he said, will be on hand to direct traffic, and to ensure the safety of patrons. The entertainment package will include popular reggae artistes George Nooks, Jimmy Riley, Tinga Stewart, Specialist, Harry Toddler, Hero, Contractor, Toya, Foota Hype, Dadda, Junior Mervin, Javaughn Genius, Major Mackerel, Food Kartel, PZ, Leroy Gibbons, Eddie Fitzroy, Carl Dawkins, Foxy Brown and Ruffian.

Section of Boston Jerk Centre

There will also be a cultural village, a kiddies' village and other local acts. Admission is $800 for adults and $400 for children.

The venue is located just a stone's throw from the Boston Jerk Centre, and less than half an hour east of Port Antonio's town centre.

This year, patrons can expect a wide variety of foods, with the addition of conch, mutton, shrimp and lobster, all cooked in traditional authentic jerk sauce. Vegetarian meals will also be available.

Title sponsor for the event is Wisynco. There is a host of associate sponsors, including Tropical Vibes, Downsound Records, Petal's Variety, Bay View Villas, IRIE FM, and North Coast Times.

-From The Gleaner, March 15, 2012

Navy Island Clean-up #1: of Ghosts, Garbage, and Rainbows

Sitting like a ship (or maybe the visible body of a submarine) Navy Island is 65-acrs of mystery to most 'non-Porties" - soaring royal palms, lush foliage, pearly strands of beach, the island has been largely left to ruin, its Errol Flynn heyday, and even the mid 80s play place now a matter of select memory.

Navy Island, seen from the Errol Flynn Marina

But a hardy group of volunteers ventured out this past Saturday to demonstrate that all is not lost. Early morning showers gifted the marina, harbour and environs with a breathtaking double-rainbow, while the lingering clouds kept conditions cool throughout the day, ideal for the task ahead.

The "locals" of various stripes were joined by an intrepid international band that included persons from Australia, New Zealand, Quebec, Germany, the US  and Japan.

Together, they set about clearing overgrowth and removing debris, mostly from the southern approach (facing the Marina). This included the two-storey main house, a space that once boasted three seaparate kitchens and  no doubt hosted some lively gatherings. The consensus is that with proper care, it could well do so again; that once properly maintained, the island  could serve a whole raft of purposes.

Before and amid the clean-up, project co-ordinator and Marina  chief Dale Westin sought to spook the visitors with tales of Errol Flynn's ghost, but no supernatural sightings were reported. What was very much in evidence were dead plants and tree limbs, old wooden furniture and rotted beams, assorted plastic container, jewellry and even two 38-calibre shell casings. Whether the latter were movie props or the remnants of some more nefariouos activity is open to speculation.

One thing is unquestionable: through concerted effort, and a spirit of "can-do" the clean-up volunteers are helping to put a national treasure in much better shape than that in which they found it.

The second in the series of clean-ups takes place this Saturday (March 17 - St Patrick's Day)

Guilty Pleasures: Portie's New Feel-Good Food Spot

The bustle of Port Antonio's William Street can overwhelm even the most jaded city dweller, as the town's traders, hawkers, hustlers and "schoolers" converge on and scramble to traverse the seemingly always congested artery that runs just opposite the market and ends up outside the United Church.
As one might expect ,those masses (and the few intrepid interlopers) will be looking to the numerous food and fruit stalls and cook shops to provide their sustenance. Thus the great, unrelieved bore of starch, chicken and goat, along with various packaged snacks and the aforementioned fruit.

But in this unlikeliest of settings, something fresh has popped up. Since last August a new eatery (and for most "Porties" even the term eatery is alien) has been open at the upper (church) end of the street. Guilty Pleasures is the brainchild of KellyAnn Goodall Kissoon, who spent time in the US, but out of a strong desire to be near her family, returned home and  after some combination of thought, misgivings and serendipity, opened the business, initially as a take-out only . its since expanded to include sit-down dining, but the guiding principle is the same. "I'm really about serving stuff that I enjoy eating," she explains. "We're not trying to be another cook shop"

So here you will not find the staple rice (and peas), curried chicken (or goat) or other heaping traditional street fare so abundant throughout the town. that is not to say  you won't be filled. The restaurant offers panninis and sandwiches (like that on the right) or pastires (left).

Founder-owner KellyAnn

Thee's also the more traditional cake and ice cream, though the owner says she's considering reducing the number of flavours offered. indeed, though the business has more or less kept afloat the past eight or so months, its not all peaches and cream. Porties are notoriously resistant to new dining options and despite the fairly widespread adoption of pizza (which Guilty Pleasures does not carry), old eating habits die very hard indeed, which can create frustration in the mind of a young, forward-thinking entrepreneur.

Nevertheless, she says she will stick it out for a while longer, and has some guarded plans to make the diner more attractive as well as to increase awareness of its presence. Time will tell if toasted sandwiches and the like will become the norm in this seaside town, but consider Guilty Pleasures a worthwhile vehicle for change.

Jammin on Titchfield Hill, a live music showcase with a distinctly Portie vibe continues on the Titchfield Peninsula of Port Antonio this and every Sunday.

As the organizers say " its a get together at the moment, but we can turn it into Sunsplash if we  feel like it.

Drinks and soup will be on sale, as well as Blue Mountain Coffee (as you might expect)

Ambiance resumes with "Billz"

Sherine Smith, manager, Ambiance Lounge

The Ambiance Lounge, situated atop the Royal mall at the base of Port Antonio's Titchfield Peninsula, will officially "re-present" itself to the entertainment public this Saturday (March 10) via an event approrpiately billed as "Billz". Cover charge will be $100 dollars (or a "billz" in local parlance), and mixed drink coctails will be offered at the special price of......you guessed it! $100.

Newly installed manager Sherine Smith explained that the popular lounge had been closed for some five weeks or so, during which time a number of improvements had been affected, and it was now time to publicly acknowledge the recreated entity.

The Ambiance will now open daily for lunch, but evening operations will be concentrated Wednesdays through Sundays, with an assortment of themes for each night including Latin (Thurs) Open Mic (Friday) and Karaoke (Sunday).

The club's location affords patrons handy views of the town's western harbour and the adjacent Titchfield Hill. 

Sea Cloud II breezes into Portie

tourist high mast ship the Sea Cloud II breezed into the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio earlier this afternoon, and visitors from the vessel were visible throughout the town, taking in sights and possibly bargain-hunting.

According to Marina Director Dale Westin, the boat was once the property of the billionaire Post family and investment advisory firm EF Hutton (its famous tag line went "When EF Hutton talks....everybody listens"). expect more small to medium-sized vessels to come calling soon.

Glimmers of A Former - and Future Glory

here;s excerpt of a feature on Portland - inclduing highlights of the new ital restaurant Akwaaba Ital, that is published by Caribbean magazine MNI Alive. You can click the link at the end to read the full story.

Gazing out on the azure curve of Port Antonio's East Harbour in the late afternoon has a near hypnotic effect: from the tip of Navy Island, across to the promontory that houses the former Titchfield hotel and the high school of the same name -the harbour wantonly pushes its curvaceous rump into the town proper before curving outward once more towards Folly, where the aspiring but relatively messy urbanization begins to give way to the more traditional rural landscape of lush vegetation, small freeholdings and beachfront villas; the setting sun ripples across the water that laps invitingly just inches from our feet - glimmers of a soon fading glory.




http://www.mnialive.com/caribbean/jamaica/2089-glimmers-of-a-former-and-future-glory-.html