The "Little Square" near the square

Walking through the main square of Port Antonio can be a mixed bag of sights, experiences and interactions.
One of the more pleasant of these involves what can only be described a "three-sided box" (the "fourth" side is of course open to the public) that sits at the base of an ungainly three-storey 
building - overlooking the Square (the original courthouse, now an NCB branch, sits proudly opposite) close to the Parish Library and the mini-Park.

Iturja (pictured above - that's our take on his given name) is part of a multi-member family outfit that has run the little bar for some time.

The unique feature of this place apart from its location, is that it maintains a welcoming yet engaging vibe that's not lost on visitors and locals alike, what with the market beckoning only a few yards to the rear, and all manner of hustle and bustle taking place directly in front - not to mention many heated discussions and debates on a variety of topical issues (Real Madrd vs Barcelona, for instance).

if your business or leisure finds you in the heart of town, stop by for a refresher, and a quick chat. But bring your knowledge A-game.

Portie swimmers seek to "synchronize" competition funds

The Port Antonio Synchronized Swimming Team is seeking sponsorship in exchange for
spectacular synchronized swimming water shows! Synchronized swimming is a hybrid form of
swimming, dance and gymnastics, consisting of swimmers performing a synchronized routine
of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music.
 

Visual from recent Synchro Swimming Show, at Goblin Hill

The synchronized swimming team consists of 6 swimmers who are all coached by two time
Russian Olympic Gold medalist, Olga Novokshenova. Beside her Olympic and European
championship gold medals, she has been able to achieve unprecedented accreditation in
synchronized swimming in Jamaica.

Synchronized swimming is a demanding sport and the team undergoes extreme training
intricately designed by the seasoned Russian Olympian.    They dedicate many hours per week
with the long range goal of becoming Jamaica’s own Olympics-worthy synchronized swimming team.

This year the team qualified to represent Jamaica in the CARIFTA Swimming Championship. In
an effort to develop our team’s international experience. The organizers are now gathering funds to
to send the team to the United States regional meet in California, scheduled for May 18‐
20, 2012. Coach Olga had picked this meet as it will expose the team to the strongest
synchronized swimmers in the United States.

Anyone wishing to support the team may contact:


Olga Novokshchenova
olga_swim@yahoo.com
876.889.9253

the team may also be followed on Facebook at Port Antonio Synchro

All Aboard for.....Art!!: PortlandArt Gallery

The Port Antonio line was among the more pleasant rides in the now long-defunct Jamaica Rail system (historically a pioneer in the Western world). It culminated in the former banana port after steaming through some spectacular and lush scenery to be found anywhere, certain inspiration for artists of all stripes.

Now, in the former railway station just outside the town square, an enterprising group is "expressing" the beauty of the parish and their own thoughts in a form at once more stationary and yet capable of travelling far and wide.

Artist Hopeton Cargill, the spokesman/convenor for the Portland Art Gallery collective says the group consists of a diversity of artists with more joining over time. The work reflects the general spirit of the still largely rural parish  - farm  and country scenes and looks at the ways that folks have traditionally entertained themselves, as the pics her show

Artist Hopeton Cargill outside the Portland Gallery

but even if bucolic pasture scenes or young boys diving off a pier are not your thing, the Gallery welcomes a wide range of styles and themes.

There is even a bit of semi-abstract fantasy, incorporating nature, as represented in the piece below.

Now established in their "station" the artists' group is forging ahead to make itself and its handiwork known to the wider public.

Shem Dixon: Fashion's "Star of the East"

if you watched any of the SAINT International fashion extravaganzas, you've seen the (moving) handiwork of Shem Dixon. Chances are its been on lithe, leggy models wearing dazzling (and yes, a bit revealing) one or two-piece swimsuits while strutting the catwalk.

But, as a visit to her West Street shop confirms, there's much more to this Portie native than swimwear. Shem Designs makes and sells formal, evening, sports and casual wear for men, women and children.  Near obsessed with fashion and design from her childhood days, the petite and willowy "fashionpreneur" absorbed all the knowledge she could from various sources before setting up shop some five years ago. Why not Kingston or even Ocho Rios? "I thought about it," she muses, "but this is my home, this is where I feel grounded and connected."

Fashion designer Shem Dixon (left)

How odes she keep her edge? One way is Extended shopping. "many people shopping for clothes for retail may go up for a weekend. I typically spend two weeks to a month at a time. As a result, in addition to our own in-house stuff, the clothes we sell from other outlets is generally unlike  what's available elsewhere"

The wily entrepreneur is presently looking to expand, to provide more display space, and also to make a fuller entry into the bridal gown business. But she remains focussed on providing top-class clothing, whether for runway or running around, at competitive prices

Smile, Portie (And Behave): Dekal is Watching You

A greater "focus" on the day-to-day activities in Port Antonio is coming soon, as was revealed by wireless info provider Dekal at the Portland Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Dekal’s Alan Fong gave a demo of the planned multi-camera surveillance system that the company proposes to install in the town.

It will operate based on Wi-Fi signals which Dekal, as provider, has developed some expertise in , offering as it does now islandwide coverage.

Inquiry was  made regarding the Police stations – for cameras to be placed there.

The cameras are being put in free of charge, and are set to last for 18 months, the aim being to romote safety and also give  up-todate feedback on road and traffic conditions

Portland Can, must "Come From Behind"C

On occasion of Jamaica 50,Milton Samuda – JCC president, used analogy of our world-beating athletes to examine the position of Jamaica socially, economically and politically, and to put a charge before the membership of the Portland Camber of Commerce during their 1st qtrly meeting for 2012, at the Errol Flynn marina.

"We have to develop the ability, like Veronica Campbell, to win whether she's running from behind or in front."

While praising the athletes, Mr Samuda also said they were "distractions" - taking some focus away from the pressing issue of national failure in other aspects. While there are many moments of national pride, taken as a whole, the occasion of 50 years should really make us hang or heads in shame as we have not realized the enormous potential so obvious at our Independence"

In a wide-ranging address, he spoke of the paramount importance of responsibility, and that he was adamant that parish chambers must become stronger, otherwise the national movement is weaker.

PCC president DaneyAnn Thomas

He praised Portland as a  reemerging Chamber and also lauded the leadership - early in the term - of new president DaneyAnne Thomas;  "I urge and plead for you to ensure that movement is fostered"

Economically, Samuda said it would be in Govt's best interest to divest itself of certain services, in order to save critical jobs and drive economy to greater competitiveness. The Penal system and  Places of safety being just 2 examples;

Another striking theme of the address is that with certain decisions now being "made for us instead of by us, Jamaica - including Portland - is now out of time"

Coming to paint Portie "Red"

RdBk Comes to Portie

Reps from new directory service RdBk stopped by the Portland Chamber of Commerce quarterly meeting as sponsors, to pitch for their promotional product

L-R: Bernard Henry, RdBkCEO; Richard Robinson, Mktng Chief, and Digicel's Mark Linehan

Chief marketing Officer Richard Robinson took the membership and expanded audience through a coherent and lively presentation that made an  irrefutable case for RdBk's presence in a directory market long dominated by that "other colour" whose proprietors have, since RdBk's impending arrival, gone on a promo and ad blitz of their own

The creation of five regional directories rather than a general one is a strategic move as the company wants them to be portable because "people need to carry them around". Additionally, persons will be able to see and access services offered in their area as opposed to the general islandwide listings that are available now.

Marina is a “wedding memories” venue

Section of the marina Pier, looking over at Navy island

Similar to Kingston’s Emancipation Park, Hope Gardens  or Devon House, the Ken Wright Pier and the entire Errol Flynn marina property in Portie is a popular  stop for newlyweds seeking their “Kodak” moments (notwithstanding that Kodak is no more). Sometimes as many as three different wedding parties traverse the property each day, and the Marina also hosts wedding receptions on a regular basis.

Adrienne "Joan" Duperly, who has campaigned unceasingly for the preservation of the Blue Lagoon, easily one of Portie's most recognizable attractions, was on hand at the Portland Chamber of Commerce meeting to share the good news from the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. The Preservation Notice has been signed which is the first step to protecting the integrity of the Lagoon as per a letter from the Trust (see letter in the Blue Lagoon's site at this link:


http://bluelagoonjamaica.blogspot.com/2011/12/great-victory-for-blue-lagoon-jamaica.html

Discussions are now underway with the Nature Conservancy to fund the establishment of fish sanctuaries within and outside the confines of the Lagoon, a popular spot for leisure and water sports, including the demanding practice of free-diving (diving without the aid of oxygen).

bay View Steps Up with Events

Bay View Eco-Resort, tucked into a slope overlooking the Turtle Crawle/Dolphin Bay area of Portland, has since the start of 2012, developed a monthly series of events highlighting various aspects of parish and national life.

Manager Marcia Lawrence explains that the activities are designed to achieve a number of objectives, including:

Exposure for the property and its varied offerings (spa, rooms, venue, meals)

To boost the entertainment quotient in Portland

To offer to  guests and local Portlanders opportunity to participate in

February Reggae Month

March – culture; poetry, photo exhibit and “Pig Out” night all pork dishes

And ‘Nuh Badda Cook Sunday” month-end; Jamaica Corner set up

April Health and Wellness Month

Healthy Moments @ Bay view Eco resort – each Thursday

Barter and no-cash exchange; performers give their service in return for either accommodation and/or meals.

For May, focus on Youth

June- Father’s day and Jazz Festival

Looking also at Olympics tie-in

Boston's Jerk in pics

The dust has settles; the stalls have been broken down and packed up; the food not consumed put away or given away.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.375394239171961.92854.160448100666577&type=1
See our coverage of the return of Jerk Fest to Boston Sunday last.

Prelude to Pork

Strolling towards the Boston jerk Centre yesterday, we came across this process: a pig been stripped an cleaned in preparation for jerking - such activities were in full swing with the Boston Jerkfest on for tomorrow (Sunday, April 8).

We also spent a little time with one of the enterprising

craft-sellers, who wasted no time showing us "artistry" and explaining his motivations.




Then later that evening, a perfect benefaction: the full moon peeping through the lush growth of the coastal main. its a sight many take for granted, particularly those hurtling along in the mini-buses and shuttle taxis plying the east-west corridor.

But we couldn't let it pass.

Its a "Super Sunday" of Easter Entertainmwent

So often described as "quiet, laid-back" and other retreating terms, the Port Antonio area 9including communities to the east and west of the town proper will this Sunday experience a kind of "event-a-palooza" (yes, our term), with a host of leisure/entertainment activities from tip to tip.

Beginning in the west, native son and dancehall toaster (we say DJ) Bugle heads to Buff Bay's Lynch park for Bugle Journey, featuring other top reggae/dancehall stars.

the all-day jerkfest in Boston marks the important return of the celebration of jerk to its "home" in the East Portland community

Soca/calypso  heads east with Portland Carnival

Socin Wet at Shanshy beach

and continuing on the aquatic theme (though freshwater) there's the Synchro Under the Stars event at Goblin Hill.

Food With A View: Urban Spoon in the Royal Mall

Ever since her childhood days, Nikki Shaw always always loved cooking. She was a fixture in the family kitchen, whipping up dishes to be savoured by all. Fortunately, she also proved to have a flair for business, whether as a manager or as an entrepreneur.

Port Antonio's Royal Mall

Within the imposing walls of the Royal Mall in port Antonio, she has ample opportunity to exercise all her attributes. She manages the property, and is also a "tenant" as proprietor of Urban Spoon, her very own restaurant on the second floor. In the cool airy confines of the eatery, patrons can sit at individual tables or at the bistro counter running along the rear wall. They can also opt for the coveted balcony seats, which look out  onto the entrance to the Errol Flynn Marina, and the bustling town square, as well as upwards towards Titchfield. Of course, if they're really in a hurry, they can have their meal to go. 

Turns out that the culinary space was not her first entry into the business arena. "With a partner, I had started a boutique, which was really a 'crash course' in business," she recalls. Remarkably, both she and the enterprise survived that crash course, and the boutique - in another location  - and restaurant are now operating satisfactorily.

For this, the owner gives copious credit to her staff. "I really have a tremendous team here," she points out. "People who really get that we're trying to offer a higher level of service and they just pitch in and they just jump and give as the situation requires, and that makes a difference."

The interior of Urban Spoon

Of course, the proof is in the eating as they say. Two visits in quick succession - on which we saw repeat customers -  confirmed that the chef knew his way around a savoury piece of meat. The stew pork consumed on our first visit was tender and juicy from start to finish, with just the right proportion of seasoning. On our second visit, we switched to the "house specialty" bar-b-fry chicken, and found that too, to be near perfect, crispy outside, succulent on the inside, with a sweet sauce nicely tempered by hints of ginger, pimento and cinnamon(?). The rice and peas was a little stickier than we'd like on both dys, but markedly better the second day.

Urban Spoon is located in the Royal Mall
opens for breakfast lunch and dinner (will remain until the last customer leaves)
Prices: - US$3-5 for the typical meal (including soda or most soft drinks)