IN JAMAICA: These three beauties from Hillel Academy, from left, Ella McConnell, Emily Vaz, and Leah McConnell, were spotted at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica's annual Run for your Heart awards ceremony

Pretty Girls, All In A Row

Sunday, March 01, 2015    
These three beauties from Hillel Academy, from left, Ella McConnell, Emily Vaz, and Leah McConnell, were spotted at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica's annual Run for your Heart awards ceremony at the Altamont Court Hotel on February 24. (Photo: Garfield Robinson) more

The greatest show on earth : The centuries-old tradition of playing mas dispatched the clarion call to the global contingent of bacchanalists for the annual pilgrimage to Trinidad and Tobago

Sunday, March 01, 2015    

“De riddim it have ah vibe, ah feel so alive!”
“Me an’ meh crew gone wile out.”
“We guh make ah mess in here.
Bumpa like rain.
The centuries-old tradition of playing mas dispatched the clarion call to the global contingent of bacchanalists for the annual pilgrimage to Trinidad and Tobago to pay homage to the soca genre and all the rapturous frenzy that accompanies it. Dwayne Watkins, wedding and lifestyle photog extraordinaire -- with his TeamDWP Studios associate shutterbug Steven McFarlane in tow -- returns to capture the explosion of rhythmic movement and multicoloured displays at the Dirty Dozen J'Ouvert as well as the Carnival Monday experience inside Limin' Professionalz: The Syndicate band, and the Carnival Tuesday hurrah alongside YUMA revellers. SO 'chips' through the bustling landscape of capital city Port of Spain, hanging on to the lyrical coat-tails of the current season's chart-toppers. more

GIBSON/MCCOOK RELAYS - Bolt's Racers Lions beaten by UTech in 4x100m relay... Tyquendo Tracey ran a splendid anchor leg to hold off the late surge of the world's fastest man Usain Bolt

Saturday, February 28, 2015 | 7:32 PM    
Kingston, Jamaica- Tyquendo Tracey ran a splendid anchor leg to hold off the late surge of the world's fastest man Usain Bolt to give the University of Technology (UTech) victory over the Racers Lions in the Mens' Clubs and
Bolt
Institutions 4X100 metre relay at the ongoing Gibson/McCook Relays atthe National Stadium.
Julian Forte ran a brilliant third-leg for UTech to keep Warren Weir
of Racers Lions at bay and thereby enabling Tracey to get a jump on Bolt who came hard but late as UTech won in a time of 38.23 seconds. Racers Lions clocked 38.29 seconds, while AKAN Track Club was third in 39.55 seconds.
UTech also won the Womens' event in a new record of 43.13 seconds, erasing MVP Track Club's old record of 44.18 seconds set in 2007.
Racers were second in 43.75 seconds, with Sprint Tech (44.24 s) back in third.
The High School Girls’ Class One event was taken by St Jago in 45.24 seconds, ahead of Edwin Allen (45.57s) and Wolmer's (46.27s).
Edwin Allen then easily took the Class Two event in a fast time of 45.01 seconds, equalling the record of 45.01 seconds set way back in
2001 by Holmwood Technical. They won ahead of Hydel High (45.96s) and Green Island High (46.11s). more

IN JAMAICA: 80 graduate under Learning for Life programme....The programme has impacted over 100,000 lives in the last seven years, with Jamaicans accounting for over 11,000.

Sunday, March 01, 2015    
EIGHTY Jamaicans have been certified in bartending and agriculture under the Diageo Learning For Life skills training programme which is held in association with the Heart Trust/NTA.
The students graduated on February 19.
Some of this year’s graduates
Cedric Blair, Red Stripe's managing director, said this batch of graduates has pushed Red Stripe's investment in the programme to over $60 million.
"We have made this investment simply because we believe we have a duty to inspire our young men and women to greatness. More specifically, it is an investment in the abilities and confidence of a generation of young people struggling for opportunity," Blair said.
Guest speaker Yaneek Page, managing director of Future Services International Limited, told the graduates that the future of their success depends on their efforts to use the training and certification they have received.
"Red Stripe has given you a significant opportunity. They've made an investment in you so it is now your duty to make the most of it. Share the knowledge you've learnt and pay it forward," Page said.
Learning For Life is an award-winning and globally recognised skills and training programme designed to transform lives in the countries in which Diageo conducts business. The programme has impacted over 100,000 lives in the last seven years, with Jamaicans accounting for over 11,000.

IN JAMAICA (Flush for Life Project) : 50 primary schools set for bathroom upgrades...the project has adopted the organisation's "flush for life" objective, which was implemented years ago to remove pit latrines from schools in Jamaica.

 Sunday, March 01, 2015  
FIFTY primary schools will receive new and upgraded sanitary facilities by the end of May as a result of the Food for the Poor and Ministry of Education sanitary upgrade project.
Students of the Bois Primary School
 celebrate the official opening of their
school’s new bathroom facility with,
 from left in back row: Saffrey Brown,
general manager, Jamaica National
Building Society Foundation; Kathleen
Jones, principal Bois Content Primary
 School and David Mair, executive
 director, Food for the Poor Jamaica.
The initiative, which was officially launched recently at Bois Primary School in St Catherine, is also being funded by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation.
Andrew Mahfood, chairman of Food for the Poor, said the project will provide low-cost solutions to upgrade sanitary blocks in schools through the construction of concrete toilet facilities. He noted that the project has adopted the organisation's "flush for life" objective, which was implemented years ago to remove pit latrines from schools in Jamaica.
"Through the "flush for life" project, we replaced pit latrines in approximately 40 schools with the help of corporate Jamaica and the JNBS Foundation. That sanitation project impacted thousands of lives, and we are now pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and JNBS Foundation to continue delivering low-cost solutions by upgrading sanitary conveniences in primary schools," Mahfood stated.
Ronald Thwaites, minister of education, endorsed the initiative as one that contributes to the overall learning environment for students, and a move by the Government to demonstrate its commitment to the eradication of pit latrines from schools. more 

IN JAMAICA: More heat on Andrew Holness to go... Some funders drop support for embattled JLP leader

BY HG HELPS Editor-at-Large helpsh@jamaicaobserver.com  Sunday, March 01, 2015
EMBATTLED leader of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Andrew Holness is involved in another fight -- this time to attract financial support to his political organisation, the Jamaica Observer has been told.
HOLNESS... under pressure from inside and outside his party
Some leading members of Holness's JLP have informed the Sunday Observer that a number of business organisations and individuals in Jamaica have communicated to members of the party's hierarchy that they will withhold monetary contributions if Holness remains the organisation's leader.
"The matter is a delicate one, but, yes, some of our strong contributors over the years have told us that we need to replace Holness as leader, or else the party will not get any more money," one high-ranking JLP member told the Sunday Observer on Wednesday.
Two days later, similar sentiments were expressed by an even higher positioned member of the party's powerful Standing Committee, who insisted that some of Jamaica's leading businessmen were adamant that the JLP was unattractive with Holness at the helm, and to support the party in its efforts at acquiring State power would be tantamount to putting water into a leaking bucket.
Business people have been known to give political parties huge financial support, particularly leading up to elections. While no general election is due until the end of 2016, a local government poll is scheduled to be held by June of this year, having been postponed from its originally intended March date. more
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I am all right, says Etana...Reports are that the artiste was found unconscious by her husband, Andre Morris, who called in the paramedics.

 Saturday, February 28, 2015    
REGGAE singer Etana is recuperating at home in Florida after being released from hospital on Thursday.
Etana
Reports are that the artiste was found unconscious by her husband, Andre Morris, who called in the paramedics.
According to the singer, the doctors said it was a combination of "exhaustion, dehydration and hypertension".
"I guess my body was just telling me to slow down. I had just come back from Europe after an 11-hour flight and I still wasn't hydrating properly or eating properly," Etana told the Jamaica Observer.
She had been complaining of dizzy spells and back pain before finally passing out on Wednesday evening.
"I just want my fans to know that I am all right. This is a warning that I have to take better care of myself, I have to get the message of truth, rights and justice out but I cannot do so if I am not healthy," she said.
Etana recently completed a three-week European gig, which saw her performing at clubs in France, Belgium, Germany
and the Netherlands.

Sean Paul Gets Busy....This is not the first time "Get Busy" will be listed in the movie credits. The song's remix was featured in Grind (2003), Chasing Liberty (2004), and Baby Mama (2008).

Saturday, February 28, 2015  
SEAN Paul's 2003 Billboard chart-topper Get Busy is showing no signs of slowing down. The single is one of several featured in the upcoming animation flick Home, slated for release on March 27.
The international act said he was elated by the news.
01
Sean Paul
"I love that fact. My music is full of energy and it reflects a good time, so I'm glad people can still feel energy from it," said Sean Paul, in response to the Jamaica Observer's queries.
Front cover of today's paperOriginally released in 2002, Get Busy is on the Steven 'Lenky' Marsden-produced Diwali riddim. The single is on Sean Paul's sophomore, Grammy-winning album Dutty Rock. That set was re-released the following year for the international market.
"That song was written by me and my brother, JigZag, and was number one on the Billboard charts for a couple of weeks. It was a big accomplishment for myself, everyone involved such as producers, other artistes on the riddim and dancehall music, in general. I am proud to be part of a big staple dancehall riddim like Diwalil," he said.
This is not the first time Get Busy will be listed in the movie credits. The song's remix was featured in Grind (2003), Chasing Liberty (2004), and Baby Mama (2008).
"This only means that you've made cultural history!!! You never can tell which songs will be the big ones. You have to just love music and do work. Each player brings their own flavour to the game. There's space for everyone," he added. more

Earl Lloyd, First Black Player In The NBA, Dead At 86....Lloyd made his NBA debut in 1950 for the Washington Capitals


Earl Lloyd, the first black player in NBA history, died Thursday. He was 86.
Lloyd's alma mater, West Virginia State, confirmed the death. It did not provide details.
Lloyd made his NBA debut in 1950 for the Washington Capitals, just before fellow black players Sweetwater Clifton and Chuck Cooper played their first games.
"The State family mourns the loss of a fellow Yellow Jacket and trailblazer who was a true champion both on and off of the basketball court," West Virginia State President Brian Hemphill said in a statement. "When Earl stepped out on the court on that fateful date in 1950, this remarkable man rightfully earned his place in the historic civil rights movement and, more important, he opened the door to equality in America."
earl lloyd
Atlanta's Mayor, Lloyd  share moment
Lloyd helped the Syracuse Nationals win the 1955 NBA title, joining teammate Jim Tucker as the first black players to play on a championship team.
earl lloyd
Lloyd on da boards
The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in 560 regular-season games in nine seasons with Washington, Syracuse and Detroit. He missed the 1951-52 season while serving in the U.S. Army.

'Showcase country's best on Jamaica Day' : "We want our children to understand their culture, who they are, where they are from... in the context of their various communities."

Friday, February 27, 2015    
TODAY'S celebration of Jamaica Day in schools is an opportunity to showcase the best examples of the island, according to event convenor Amina Blackwood Meeks.
Students celebrate Jamaica Day at a Corporate Area school
 in 2014. (OBSERVER FILE PHOTO)
"Jamaica Day is an opportunity to live one of the objectives in the Culture in Education Programme, which is to raise Jamaicans to be the best examples of Jamaicans to Jamaicans," she said.
Blackwood Meeks, who is also the director of the Culture in Education Programme at the Ministry of Education, reasoned that there is a community and education benefit to the observance of the day.
"We want our children to understand their culture, who they are, where they are from... in the context of their various communities. It (Jamaica Day) allows each of the schools to engage in community renewal projects, unique to where they are located, and build relationships with past student associations," she said.
While the majority of the schools will have the day's observance where they are located, the national focus will take place at the Norman Manley High School, in St Andrew, under the theme 'Celebrating Jamaica: Celebrating Regional Friendships From Boukman To Bolivar'.
BLACKWOOD MEEKS... we want our
 children to understand their culture,
who they are, where they are from (PHOTO: JIS)
There will be presentations from Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites; Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips; Mayor of Kingston Angella Brown Burke; and a representative of the Norman Manley Law School.
Guest speaker will be Venezuelan Ambassador to Jamaica, Jacqueline Mendoza Ortega.
The event will have a flag-raising ceremony, cultural presentations, as well as performances from students. more

Cricket World Cup: S Africa bat first, hit 408-5 against Windies Second highest World Cup total of all time

Friday, February 27, 2015 | 2:39 AM    
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — South Africa made 408 for five against the West Indies on Friday, the second-highest World Cup total of all time.
South Africa's batsman AB de Villiers (L) celebrates
 with teammate Farhaan Behardien after reaching a
 century during the 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool B match
between South Africa and the West Indies at the Sydney
 Cricket Ground on Friday. (Photos: AFP)  
In the process, South Africa captain AB de Villiers smashed the second-fastest World Cup century off 52 balls in the Pool B game at the Sydney Cricket Ground before finishing on 162 not out.
The highest World Cup total is 413 for five made by India against Bermuda, a non-Test nation, in Trinidad in 2007.
The fastest ever World Cup century was made by Ireland's Kevin O'Brien, off 50 balls, against England in Bangalore during the 2011 tournament.
 W. I.  Fans
Friday's innings was the second time in as many months that de Villiers had hammered the West Indies' attack after smashing the quickest all-time one-day international century, off just 31 balls, against them in Johannesburg on January 18.

Awful tradegy in Jamaica : 11 injured in Christian Pen, Portmore, St Catherine crash

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com  Friday, February 27, 2015    
ELEVEN people were yesterday rushed to hospital following an early morning motor vehicle collision in Christian Pen, Portmore, St Catherine.
Awful tradegy
Police report that about 5:45 am a Hiace bus with several passengers was travelling along the Christian Pen main road, heading towards Spanish Town, when it collided with a Jamaica Urban Transit Company bus travelling in the opposite direction.
People alleging to be eyewitnesses said the driver of the Hiace swerved to avoid a pothole in the road.
The impact of the crash caused the Hiace bus to overturn, pinning the driver and several other passengers inside for several hours.
It took the combined effort of residents, firefighters, and police to remove the injured from the mangled wreck.
Leroy Tomlinson, whose mother was trapped in the bus, was one of the residents who responded to the desperate cries for help.
A woman points to a section of the overturned
Hiace bus after the crash yesterday morning.
 (PHOTOS: GARFIELD ROBINSON)
"I was in my house preparing to go on the road and I heard the loud collision; when I ran out to look I saw the people trapped in the bus. I did not hesitate, I just started to do what I could to help," said Tomlinson.
It was while he was trying to save lives that Tomlinson learnt that his mother was among the trapped victims.
"When mi go over there and look and see the people them I could hardly stand, but what made it worse was when I saw my mother among the injured," Tomlinson said. more

Bobbi Kristina suffers setback

Friday, February 27, 2015 | 12:41 AM    
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Efforts to take Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of the late Whitney Houston, out of her medical induced coma has suffered a setback, US media are reporting.
Bobbi Kristina and Gordon
Reports are that 21-year-old Brown started having seizures as soon as doctors tried taking her off various medications forcing them to keep her on them.
It is almost a month now since brown has been in a coma, after being hospitalised January 31, having been found face down and unconscious in a bathtub at her Georgia home.
Meanwhile, her estranged boyfriend, Nick Gordon, has voiced his anger on social media networking site Twitter, after continuously being barred from visiting her.
"My heart is full of anger after the Browns have shut me out," he tweeted Wednesday evening. "They don't even know her. Sabotage."
Gordon added, "I miss her so much. I seem so weak right now. You all have been so supportive! Thank you for everything." The family attorney, however, said “there is no reason for any additional discussion with" Gordon.
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To listen, click PLAY icon above then unmute speaker icon at bottom left on player after a brief commercial. 
You may also listen commercial FREE by clicking ON AIR-Listen LIVE AUDIO BOX above or TUNE-IN LINK or call in on Tele at 213-401-0061. Enjoy the sweet music.To chat , please sign in with your Chatango account.Please support the scholarship program by considering to donate at least $10.00 at www.PALAS1.org. Thank you very much.

Simple Skin Test May Detect Alzheimer's And Parkinson's Years In Advance, Study Says

 The Huffington Post By Yagana Shah Email Posted: 02/25/2015 1:48 pm EST
While severe problems with the memory and the nervous system are hallmarks of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's respectively, it's the skin that could detect the disease early on, perhaps even before symptoms surface.
SKIN TEST
Dermatologist examines patient
new study says a simple skin test could be the next breakthrough in predicting the onset of neurodegenerative diseases before obvious symptoms appear. Researchers from the University of San Luis Potosi predicted that evidence of the diseases could be found in skin samples, as brain and skin tissues have the same origin. They studied 53 people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia, taking samples of skin tissue in a minimally invasive procedure, and compared them against the samples of 12 healthy people.
As they'd expected, people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's had seven times the amount of tau protein, which forms problem-causing tangles in the brain, as the healthy control group. The Parkinson's group also had eight times the amount of alpha-synuclein protein, which some studies say is related to the risk of developing the disease.
The study has some limitations due to its relatively small scope, but researchers say the method could improve future research in the area. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, but early detection and treatment are stressed for managing the diseases. Diagnosis typically consists of lab tests, brain imaging, andphysical exams, though recent research has come up with more unconventional ways of detection. In 2013, researchers experimented with a peanut-butter smell test for Alzheimer's and a blood test for Parkinson's. more

Couple Married 67 Years Dies Holding Hands, Just Hours Apart....Floyd and Violet Hartwig died on February 11 just five hours apart at their home in Easton, California.

2015-02-25-ScreenShot20150224at4.58.40PM.png
Courtesy of the family/The Fresno Bee
After 67 years of marriage, Floyd and Violet Hartwig died on February 11 just five hours apart at their home in Easton, California.
With their beds pushed together, the couple held hands up until Floyd's last breath, The Fresno Bee reports. Violet died five hours later.
2015-02-25-ScreenShot20150224at4.12.21PM.png
Courtesy of the family/The Fresno Bee
"We felt blessed because we knew that's what they wanted," their daughter Donna Scharton said.The Hartwigs first met while they were in elementary school. They began dating in the 1940s while Floyd was on leave from the Navy during World War II. While he was away, the young lovebirds kept in touch through love letters like the one below: more
Love you my dearest and want you so. Vi, I heard our song this evening and it sure did make me homesick for you. Honey, did you ever get a record of it? I certainly hope so as I want to listen to it and have you in my arms at the same time

UPDATE: Lawyer says Dancehall artist, Admiral Bailey has explanation..."I indicated that the travel documents they are alleging are fraudulent are documents that he [Admiral] has been using for over 25 years. I am satisfied that when the matter comes before the court, we will be able to offer an explanation...," Tavares-Finson told the Jamaica Observer.

Thursday, February 26, 2015    
TOM Tavares-Finson, attorney-at-law representing deejay Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey, said charges brought against his client are a misunderstanding.
Admiral Bailey
"I indicated that the travel documents they are alleging are fraudulent are documents that he [Admiral] has been using for over 25 years. I am satisfied that when the matter comes before the court, we will be able to offer an explanation...," Tavares-Finson told the Jamaica Observer.
Admiral Bailey, whose given name is Glendon Bailey, was slapped with fraud-related charges when he attempted to renew a passport in the name Micheal George Sullivan at the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency on Monday.
He is booked to appear in the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Thursday, March 5.
Admiral Bailey is charged with two counts of uttering forged documents, two counts of obtaining passport by false pretence, two counts of possession of forged documents, one count of attempting to obtain a passport by false pretence, and one count of conspiracy to defraud.
"Admiral Bailey is someone who is highly regarded by many members of society and not as someone who has been associated with any criminality or even the hint of criminality," said Tavares-Finson.
A cross-over artiste in his own right, Admiral Bailey started his career as a dancehall duo with Chaka Demus, their hit One Scotch (Boops Riddim, Jammys Records) introduced to the mainstream. As a solo act, Bailey went on to rule the 1980s and '90s with hits including Big Belly Man, Think Me Did Done, and Heathly Body. With the assistance of musician Byron Lee, he won over to soca fans with Dancehall Soca and Soca Butterfly.
He has had a successful career in football at the national level, leading Olympic Gardens to the Premiere League and making Tivoli Gardens Football Club multiple winners of the trophy. more

IN JAMAICA: Residents agonise over gruesome murder of 14-year-old Santoya Campbell...."Him wicked. Rope feh go round him neck and hang him because him kill the pickney," an enraged community member lashed out.

BY HORACE HINES Observer West reporter  Thursday, February 26, 2015   
ALTHOUGH 14-year-old Santoya Campbell was last Saturday laid to rest here, three days after 37-yearold Cornelius Robinson was sentenced to life in prison for murdering her, members of her Logwood, Shrewsbury community are still in shock over the teen's horrific end.
01
Protesters
Like several other members of the rustic farming community, Veniesha Hill is of the view that the penalty handed down for such a gruesome crime was a mere slap on the wrist. Hill strongly believes that Robinson, a fashion designer and photo studio operator, should instead have been given a death sentence for the Janury 26 murder.
"Him wicked. Rope feh go round him neck and hang him because him kill the pickney," an enraged Hill lashed out. But father of the deceased, 75-year-old Felix Campbell, who lives outside the community but frequents Logwood, was contented with the sentence handed down by Justice Martin Gayle in the Westmoreland Circuit Court last week. "Let me tell you something, I loved my daughter. [And] I am very satisfied with the judge's action. I am not going to say I am not satisfied. I am very, very satisfied. It is only because I can't get her back," the broken-hearted father, who describes himself as a carpenter and cane-cutter, told the Jamaica Observer West on the weekend.
However, while the father was willing to speak to the Observer West team, Pauline Ferguson, Santoya's mother, was reluctant. She chided the Observer for reporting the testimony given by the convict in court that it was she who approached him to supply the child with lunch money.
"Everything over and she [Santoya] bury yesterday [Saturday] so what unoo come bout again?" said the
seemingly distressed mother. "Don't talk to them!" was her daughter's [Shanika> more