Portie MxBk(mixbook) VOl I: Riding High

Beez

I-Glori

Our first tap of the wellspring of musical talent that is Port Antonio takes into the SommersTown area and the yardKore music studio, which while perched on a sloping rise and not occupying a huge space (yet) is making a big noise in music spheres.

Singer I-Glori (right) is eyeing a summer take over with tracks like "Party", while Beez, who left the relative safety of office employment to trod the music path, is increasing rotation for his "girls anthem "Over and Over Again"

The two are committed to consistent high quality musical output and are each looking to spread their sound and influence far and wide over the coming months.

Bay View by day, [Tim] Bamboo by Night: Portie Mothers Get Fetedy

Lukie D thrilled at Tim Bamboo

"Lust" is listed as one of seven deadly sins, but it took only one-quarter of L.U.S.T. the pop-reggae harmonizers, to put a scintillating stamp on a Mother's Day Sunday of entertainment in Port Antonio. Lukie D, the "L" showed that he was well capable of thrillin an audience all by himself as the featured act on Hotel Tim Bamboo's programme (which actually saw brunch and dinner offered on the day).
The performer unapologetically set the tone for the night with a suitably stirring rendition of Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" the audience immediately joininig in.

Thereafter, a thoroughly energetic and professional set , backed impeccably by the Natural Vibez band, saw the seasoned performer romping through ska, gospel and roots reggae classics as well as dipping into the L.U.S.T. catalogue

All of which helped the full house of patrons dig into a sumptuous four-course meal.


Earlier in the day, at Bay View Eco Resort, the reception/dining hall upstairs the pool deck (the latter marked by sweeping views of  Dolphin Bay/Turtle Crawle as well as the hotel's lush greenery and installed solar panels

Upstairs, patrons feasted on hotel fare which included chicken ham and fish all in a tangy sauce and pistachio ice cream for dessert, a repast made palatable by the ultra smooth selections of Stone Love legend Rory 9supported by Jaabo Sound), and the  striking African-oriented fashions of Aya Wear whose proprietor/designer Arlene Passley is an enrtertainment all-rounder herself.

Jah 9 will soon release debut album

After the visual stimulation Jah9 took the room and delivered for the brain and the heart, offereing cuts from her upcoming debut album, "New Name" a video for which the artiste recently shot in the scenic Blue Mountains (more on that in a later post).

At Tim Bamboo (on the eastern edge of town), ladies were presented with a rose upon arrival and ushered into the dining hall.

Boston catches painter's eye in new show

Wandeka Gayle's rendition of Boston beach

Among painter Wandeka Gayle's inspirations, as this Gleaner piece shows, is the famous Boston beach (her impression of it anyway).

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120513/arts/arts4.html

Gayle opened her exhibition and launched a short volume of poetry, at Kingston's Red Bones art gallery

Portie Small Biz: May 31 is "Your Day"

 Plans for a day-long “Small Business Day” have been unveiled by Chamber of Commerce President Daney-Ann Thomas for Friday, May 31 at four separate Port Antonio venues. The day will kick off at the Portland Parish Council Chambers at 10 a.m. with a Chamber of Commerce address presented by President Thomas. 

This is followed by a “Meet the Mayor” session and address for small business operators at 10:15 a.m. A question and answer session for taxi drivers, various hospitality providers, hairdressers, barbers and “corner shops” will follow at 10:30 a.m. At 10:45 a.m. there will be a transport authority update covering new rules, dress code and safety measures. At 11:45, the venue moves to the Chamber of Commerce secretariat at 2 Harbour Street. The intention is for the Chamber of Commerce offices to serve as an information centre for all types of information on the parish. The intention is for this office to take up the slack of the Jamaica Tourist Board and TPDCo offices that have closed in Port Antonio.

 At noon, the venue switches to adjacent Neville Antonio Park where lunch will be available and a variety of demonstrations and addresses are slated. At 12:30 p.m. there will be a mixology demonstration sponsored by Lascelles. MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) Alliance Chairman Dr. Rosalea Hamilton will be the guest speaker from 1 p.m. addressing such topics as partnership, networking, alliances and affiliates. From 1:30 p.m., the Heart Trust/National Training Agency
will have various skill displays and outline their certification requirements. At 2:15 p.m.there will be various merchandising booth displays in the park. From 3 p.m. there will be an open air concert on the park stage.

An evening venue will be held at the Hotel Tim Bamboo at 5 p.m. with a forum including both the Jamaica Stock Exchange and Chamber of Commerce focusing on investments. Working refreshments will be included and the session will end at 7 p.m. There is no change to participate in the day‟s event and it also presents an excellent opportunity to meet other enterprising business operators from the community. For additional details, call 873-0882 or 378-6542. 
- from the Portland Tribunal

R.I.p. Dr Manley west - Canasol pioneer

Portland has produced its fair share of outstanding Jamaicans, and one of them was laid to rest on Saturday last, in the church yard in his native district of Friendship. A prior engagement kept this writer form attending the service, but it had been the talk of the area all that week, and no doubt will remain so for a while.

An alumnus of Portie's Titchfield High School, Prof. Manley West was later Professor Emeritus in the department of Pharmacology at the University of the west Indies. Beginning in the late 70s West, and Dr. Albert Lockhart, overcame loads of scepticism by successfully formulating a topical treatment (eye drop) for the degenerative disease glaucoma. The drug’s name Canasol, belied its source material, the cannabis, or ganja plant. The United States Food & Drug Administration, in its “great wisdom” has decided that Canasol – developed in 1983 and successfully used around the world – can be sold as a prescription item in the US, even though it has no demonstrable side effects.

They also developed Asmasol, another cannabis-derived pharmaceutical useful, as the name suggests in combating the respiratory disease now fairly widespread in Jamaica nad indeed many other countries.


West, was by all accounts, an assuming yet affable man, a "country gentleman" who possessed a mind sharper than many sophisticates, yet did not let his lofty status as a an academic and pioner go to his head.

CheapS talkpread your wordfectivTalk CTC - ely

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151596643260486&set=t.100000913126903&type=3

the above was designed (at least its initial iteration) by Portie's CTC

and in addition to all manner of design and digital printing, their handiwork also encompasses:

- phone accessories;
- internet cafe;
- photo restoration;
- CD & DVD covers
and a host of other services

They're open late and ready to serve

reach them at graphixwizz@yahoo.com;

Call 876-5367/437-1435;

or drop by at 19 West Street (across the road form the KFC) when next you're in Portie

The recently concluded JMA-JEA EXPO trade show attracted enterprises, companies and delegations from across Jamaica and overseas.

The Portland Chamber of Commerce, led by president Daney-Ann Thomas (left), was very much present at the National Arena, co-ordinating the biz advocacy for the parish.

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.