Staff WriterJAMAICAN EMBASSY HOSTS “OPEN HOUSE” ART EXHIBITION—10/04/14
The Jamaican Embassy in Washington, D.C., hosted a three-day art exhibit that featured 80 works of art. The exhibit was opened by Stephen Vasciannie, Jamaican Ambassador to the United States. A large group of Caribbean, Jamaican and international art patrons, as well as other ambassadors and diplomats, joined him for the launch. Courtney Morgan and Paul Blackwood, founders of the Trafalgar Artists Group of Jamaica, were on hand at the exhibit’s opening as well.
JAMAICAN GIRL TO STUDY MEDICINE IN CHINA—10/05/14
George Lindsay of Manchester was ready to sell his house to fund his daughter’s education in China, but Jamaicans at home and abroad provided donations to finance her dream instead. The mother of a prominent businessman in Jamaica paid $1 million, the amount required for the girl’s first year of medical education in China. The Office of the Prime Minister donated half a million dollars to the fund, and individuals from the United States also contributed to the effort. The donations have been sufficient thus far to pay for her medical education through the third year.
JAMAICANS MISTREATED: COLD, HUNGER, DISCOMFORT AT TRINIDAD AIRPORT—10/06/14
Thirteen travelers from Jamaica say there were treated badly after they were denied entry into Trinidad and Piarco International Airport. The Jamaicans claims there were left in very cold conditions, had to sleep on the floor and were not provided access to food or restroom facilities. The travelers were taken to immigration authorities upon arrival and were denied entry to the country.
JAPANESE CULTURE SHOWCASED IN KINGSTON—10/07/14
Anthony Hylton, Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, said that the showcase of Japanese culture on view in Kingston shows the strong ties between the two countries, Japan and Jamaica are marking 50 years of diplomatic relations with the display. The event also included a free public concert of Japanese folk songs performed by Abeya, a group from Japan.
DEEJAY IN NORTH DAKOTA PLEADS GUILTY TO LOTTERY SCAM INVOLVEMENT—10/08/14
Deon-ville O-Hara, who is also known as ZJ Wah Wa, has pleaded guilty for his role in a lottery scam that targeted older people in North and South Dakota in the United States. Twenty-six people were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering. Through a plea agreement, O’Hara entered a guilty plea to conspiracy, which imposes a maximum prison sentence of 40 years.
GRACE JAMAICAN JERK FESTIVAL SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER IN FLORIDA—10/09/14
The Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival will be held in Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida, on November 8, 2014. This event is a top food and entertainment event for the South Florida region. According to Eddy Edwards, CEO of the festival, the 2014 staging is focusing on fun and will feature a 5K walk/run, appearances by Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and other celebrity athletes, and cooking classes.
JAMAICAN POETS PARTICIPATE IN SERIES OF READINGS IN UK—10/10/14
Three contemporary Jamaican poets will participate in “Jamaica Rising,” a poetry reading series that will take place in Bristol, in the United Kingdom. Yashika Graham, Richard “Dingo” Dingwall, and Mel Cooke, held a reading at Redbones Blues Cafe entitled “Colonization in (Re)VERSE” before doing the series. The first event was designed to give audiences a preview of the Bristol performances.
WOMAN IN CONNECTICUT OPENS TOWN’S FIRST JAMAICAN RESTAURANT—10/10/14
Karen Gordon, a native of Jamaica, has opened the first authentic Jamaican restaurant in Fairfield, Connecticut. With the opening of Stan’s Jamaican Kitchen, which was named after Gordon’s father, residents will be able to partake of true Caribbean hospitality and cuisine. Gordon has lived in Fairfield since 2005. She previously worked as an investment banker researcher on Wall Street in New York.
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