Scores of soca lovers turned out for the Montego Bay Blow Out Fete as part of the Wray & Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Carnival islandwide series at Pier One in Montego Bay last Saturday.

Trinidad and Tobago-born soca sensation Iwer George was the main act, promptly throwing a case of water into the audience after his entry on stage, thus signaling what his set was all about. He reeled off several of his hits, including Take A Bathe and Water, much to the appreciation of the crowd.

DJ Spice of Team Soca, Supa Hype and DJ Scott The Supreme completed the night’s entertainment roster, playing popular hits from soca, dancehall and hip hop as they built a party-like atmosphere inside the venue.

Jamaica Observer West brings you highlights.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Montego-Bay-Blow-Out-Fete-_94012

More than 100 houses have been constructed over the past two years by Food For The Poor with money collected through its 5K Run/Walk.

The charity organisation said it has raised over $80 million through the 5K in the first two years of the fundraising event.

The third staging of the 5K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, May 13 in Kingston.

“The goal of the event is to raise funds to construct 100 houses for needy persons in the 14 parishes of the island,” Food For The Poor said.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20170330/100-houses-needy

Morris Baxter (left), one of the 16 people who received a house from National Baking Company Foundation in partnership with Food For the Poor (FFP)-Jamaica accepts the keys to his new home from Lisa Tomlinson (right), promotions manager, National Baking Company Limited. Sharing in the moment are (from left): Marsha Burrell-Rose, FFP-Jamaica marketing and development manager and Junior Reid, FFP housing coordinator.

Needed shelter is on the way for eight of the island’s homeless and most destitute families, as National Baking Company Foundation will fund the construction of units in partnership with Food For the Poor (FFP)- Jamaica, through the charity’s annual 5K Walk/Run event, which will be launched at the Spanish Court Hotel on April 4.

The Food For The Poor annual 5k aims to build 100 units for indigent people in Jamaica this year. A release from FFP said, achieving this target would equal the total number of houses built for families from the event since its inception three years ago.

It said National Baking Company Foundation has been a contributor to the annual event since it was instituted. In 2015 and 2016, the foundation donated eight houses for each year, and for 2017 they decided to continue the tradition with eight more houses.

“Guided by the generosity of our patron, Gary “Butch” Hendrickson, the National Baking Company Foundation remains committed to partnering with FFP on this socially responsible housing initiative. As the foundation endeavours to enrich the lives of the disheartened, this project aligns perfectly with our mantra of assisting the disadvantaged in our society to realise a basic dream, that of owning their own home,” Christine Scott-Brown, executive director, National Baking Company Foundation, is quoted as saying in the release.

Meanwhile, executive director of FFP-Jamaica David Mair is extremely grateful that the foundation is among the organisations which Walk/Run have pledged to donate ahead of the event’s launch.

“Pledging before the launch of Food For The Poor’s 5K not only demonstrates loyalty, but shows that our partners are satisfied with the work our charity organisation has been doing and the lives changed, with their help, in the last two years through funds raised at the event,” Mair said recently.

The executive director also said that the last two 5KWalk/ Run events raised approximately $100 million, and over 100 houses have been constructed with those funds.

“Traditionally, we have always hosted our 5K event on the eve of Mother’s Day, starting and ending at Emancipation Park. For 2017, the concept remains the same. Proceeds from the 5K will be used to assist families in the 14 parishes of Jamaica.

“Adequate shelter is a basic human need, and we at Food For the Poor believe that this need should be fulfilled for all families, including the poorest of the poor,” Mair said.

The next 5K will be held on May 13, starting at 6:00 am. It will start and end at Emancipation Park in Kingston. The funds raised will be matched equally by Food For the Poor Florida, the release said.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/National-donates-8-houses-ahead-of-FFP-5K-Walk-Run_94021

Ahead of the start of the 2017 campaign, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has formed a ‘perfect blend’ with the announcement of a new partnership with NESTLÉ in Port of Spain on Wednesday.

C.E.O, Mr. Michel Beneventi and Head of Consumer Marketing, Mrs. Elisa Doldron – NESTLÉ Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Anglo-Dutch Caribbean) and West Indies World T20 champions Samuel Badree and Carlos Brathwaite, joined representatives from the Hero CPL at the official launch.

“This is a very exciting time for us”, said Mr. Beneventi. “Nestlé, through its brands, is committed to encouraging sport as a key element to the development of our youth in the communities in which we work.  Sport develops both the mind and body and, as I’ve learned in the Caribbean, cricket in particular, brings people together for both entertainment as well as camaraderie. And we are very happy to be a part of this.”

Through their globally popular NESCAFÉ® brand, the new two (2) year partnership will see fans and players alike benefit from engaging coffee-inspired experiences with barista stations at matches and through fun promotions based around the Biggest Party in Sport; inclusive of various supermarket and in-store promotions.

NESCAFÉ® and Hero CPL will host a series of breakfast events around the fifth instalment of the Hero CPL, scheduled to take place between 3^RD August and 9^TH September 2017.

The Company will keep players well stocked with their famous MILO® brand, as well as providing NESCAFÉ® in their dressing rooms and hotels. In addition, match timings will now be known as ‘NESCAFÉ® Start Times’, a hat-tip to the brand message of “It all starts with NESCAFÉ®.”

Welcoming the announcement, Mr. Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director of the Hero CPL said, “The Hero CPL is a long and demanding tournament and coffee is one of the core ingredients that helps the players and event production teams make it through what is often a gruelling schedule. On behalf of all at CPL I’d like to thank NESTLÉ for their support, in particular via theNESCAFÉ® and MILO® brands, and we look forward to a happy and successful partnership.”

Head of Consumer Marketing – NESTLÉ Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Anglo-Dutch Caribbean), Mrs. Elisa Doldron, echoed the sentiments of the Commercial Director of the Hero CPL Mr. Jamie Stewart adding, “This partnership represents a perfect alignment between a Premier League and a premium range of coffees under the NESCAFE® brand.”

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE:

Since its inception in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Over 149 million fans watched the 2016 season, combining broadcast and digital viewership, to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Jamaica Tallawahs are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Trinbago Knight Riders.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:

Mobile: +1-(758)-7287500 (Caribbean)
Mobile: +353-85-7205752 (Ireland)
Skype: pbreen67

It was an adrenaline-pumping experience at the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Jamaica Carnival MoBay Blowout at Pier 1 in the tourist capital on Saturday night.

Soca rockers from across western Jamaica and international guests came out in droves to the highly anticipated fete that gave a night to remember.

The Jamaican way to carnival was on full display as ravers got down, partying to songs such as Hands in the Air by Alison Hinds, It’s Carnival by Destra, We Ready For The Road by Bunji and other soca hits.

Turning Things Up

The atmosphere was kicked into overdrive with the energetic DJ Supa Hype and DJ Spice from Team Soca on the turntable, giving the people all their personal playlists of carnival songs with a mixture of dancehall, reggae and R&B to keep the vibes going.

Their energies were further complimented by the electrifying performance of Trinidad’s very own Iwer George, who gave patrons Water, among other songs from his vast soca catalogue including, Come To Meh, Carnival, Come Back Again, and Take Ah Bathe.

Soca fans were left spellbound to the beat, the glitz and glamour, the carnival costume parade, the dance-offs between local and foreign guests, and all other activities that contributed to a fun-filled night.

“We love Jamaica and Jamaica carnival, and we were so happy to be here,” said one visitor from the USA. “We came here to enjoy ourselves because nobody parties like Jamaicans,” she added, vowing that she and her friends will be back next year.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20170327/adrenaline-pumping-experience-mobay-carnival-blowout

Here are some highlights of the event.

The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation (SJF) awarded five bursaries each valued at $50,000 to young Jamaicans in need, who demonstrate passion and dedication in their study of the Spanish language. This is the third-consecutive year that they have made this award to the UWI Development & Endowment Fund (UWIDEF) bringing the total value of collection to $750,000 to date.

Vanessa Meggoe, project manager of the SJF, visited the UWIDEF office at the Mona Campus on Friday and handed over the donation to Karl Wright, UWIDEF board director, during a ceremony to mark the event.

UWIDEF has committed to continued support of the advancement of The University of the West Indies, Mona, acting as a “bridge” between the university and the wider community. The fund provides support for the welfare of students, including scholarships, scientific and academic research and development including ongoing contributions to the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Meggoe congratulated UWIDEF for its ongoing efforts in seeking assistance in the provision of scholarships. Successful recipients of the SJF award will also be afforded the opportunity to “give back” as they will be made SJF youth ambassadors. In this capacity, they will participate in SJF-supported community service projects.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Spanish-Jamaican-Foundation-donates–250-000-to-UWIDEF-in-support-of-the-study-of-Spanish_93562

There is no stopping the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Carnival team as they continue to spread excitement and revelry across the island. The first in the series of events, ‘Soca In Da City’ was a massive hit, and now the team is heading to Montego Bay for a ‘Blow Out’ fIte tomorrow at Pier 1.

Dubbed Carnival the Jamaican Way’, the fIte kicks off at 10 p.m. and goes up to 4 a.m. Supa Hype and friends, and DJ Spice from Team Soca NY, will be at the turntables delivering non-stop hits and madness with a special performance by soca sensation Iwer George.

DELIVERING GREATNESS

“I am happy to be a part of the return of the real Jamaica Carnival, since I was a part of the beginning with the great Bryon Lee and the Dragonaires, together with the crazy super blue Admiral Bailey, Tiger Colin Lucas and many others. I’m coming to deliver greatness. I’ll be performing all my favourite songs, like Nah Do That, Do The Iwer, Carnival Come Back Again, Up To Take A Bath, plus more,” Iwer George said.

“Soca people, link up. We’re coming to ‘shell dung’ Pier 1. There’s gonna be crazy vibe, fun and excitement from we touch the stage. Everyone come out in your numbers. We’re gonna show you how we fIte in Kingston,” Supa Hype added.

An excited Julianne Lee, director at Jamaica Carnival, said her team is looking forward to spreading soca across the island.

“I’m extremely eager to give western Jamaica a taste of what we will bring to the streets of Kingston on carnival Sunday on April 23. We’ve been having a successful season thus far, and I really have to thank everyone for their continuous support. MoBay, get ready because we’re on our way,” she said.

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/entertainment/20170324/iwer-george-brings-soca-fever-mobay

Stephanie Thomas-Christie (left), acting principal of Camberwell Primary School, expresses her gratitude to Michael Matalon, director of concrete operation at Food For the Poor, and Jodi-Ann Bowen (right), monitoring and evaluation officer, JN Foundation, with thank-you plaques for refurbished bathroom facilities donated to the school. Sharing in the moment is Daniella Jones, grade-six student.

Deep rural St Mary school, Camberwell Primary, has received an upgrade to its bathrooms with replacement of the pit latrines with flushable toilets.

The upgraded facilities were made possible through a donation from the JN Foundation and Food For the Poor, under the Flush For Life Programme, which is geared to eradicate pit latrines in schools. The bathrooms were officially handed over to the school on March 14. Stephanie Thomas-Christie, acting principal of Camberwell Primary School, commended JN Foundation and Food for the Poor for their donation.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170323/jn-foundation-food-poor-donate-flush-toilet-school

United Boxing Promotions boss Tyler Buxton, the man responsible for the Canadian team that will be going up against Jamaica’s top junior middleweights in the 2017 season of the ‘Wray and Nephew Contender’ boxing series, says things will not ‘end good‘ for Jamaica’s No. 1 ranked boxer, Sakima Mullings, if he uses his usual fighting style against his boxers.

Speaking to The Gleaner at the launch of the seventh season at Wray and Nephew on Tuesday night, Buxton says Mullings fights similar to the legendary Floyd Mayweather, but warned the top-rated Jamaican in the series to change his style if he hopes to stand a chance against his fighters.

“Sakima is probably the best guy (on Jamaica team). I saw him fight when I was here in November. If he wants to shoulder roll and stand in front of these Canadian guys, he’s going to get knocked out. I know he didn’t fight a good opponent that night, but if that’s his style and if he thinks he is Mayweather, it is not going to end good for him if he doesn’t change his style before the main fight,” Buxton told The Gleaner.

KNOCKOUTS

“Everyone has their style, but these Canadian guys punch very hard. If you look at their record, they knock guys out,” he added.

Mullings, the 2014 winner with 19 professional wins and three losses, will face a rather inexperienced fighter in Winston Matthews, who has one win and a loss after two pro fights, in the opening bout on April 5 at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium on Old Hope Road.

But Mullings was unfazed by the comments.

“I don’t think I am Mayweather. I am Sakima Mullings, and I have never been knocked out in a pro or amateur fight in my life,” was his brief response.

The seven other boxers representing the Jamaican team are Richard Holmes, Devon Moncriffe, Tsetsi Davis, Ramel Lewis, Meo Yeyo, Ricardo Planter and Gregory Miller. They will go up against Canadians Ryan Young, Frank Cotroni, Dave Leblond, Mike Breton, Larone Whyte, Phil Rose and John Ryan Wagner.

This year’s winner will walk away with $2 million, second place will take home $500,000, third place $250,000 and fourth, $200,000.

Fights will be aired live on TVJ.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170323/early-warning-local-contender-boxers