Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Left: Portia Simpson Miller (centre) sharing plesantries with Dr. Karl Blythe and his wife, Dr. Norma Blythe, at a farewell dinner for outgoing Governor-General, Hon. Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke, hosted by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson at Jamaica House, St. Andrew, on February 13.
Right: Joline Whiteman (left) and Louise Valle as the Canadian High Commissioner hosted a Black History Month reception at Seymour Avenue, St. Andrew, on February 20. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
BY THIS time next week, there should be a clearer picture emerging from the dust of the People's National Party (PNP) presidential election, as to when the end of the P.J. Patterson era, will be.
By tomorrow evening, the PNP should have elected its new president.
We can only wish all the four candidates the very best in this their quest to attain the ultimate political prize - that of Prime Minister.
And speaking of high offices, it now seems that the dust has now settled on anointing a new Governor-General, and in the appointment of Professor Hall, we are well pleased.
However, the process was not without its fair share of intrigue as the buzz around some of the hallowed halls of power is that there's a lot more to the 'hasty retirement', of Sir Howard Cooke, than meets the eye!
Luvs, some say it was done to facilitate a stricter, more legal interpretation of the constitution, in appointing a new Prime Minister, just in case, the vote does not go according to plan, but more anon.
CANDIDATES FOR CONSIDERATION
Even more interesting however, was the process of elimination and or consideration given to some prospective candidates for the exalted office of G-G.
Doves, stories there are, and a-plenty about the process, and they all make for very interesting discourse. Now, according to one source, there were quite a few firsts associated with the process and among them were:
One candidate who thought himself eminently qualified, forwarded his CV, directly to the Queen for consideration.
Another candidate, (considered a front runner by many political insiders) was eliminated because of the wife's 'high-colour'.
Yet another was eliminated because of been too well versed in the dialect.
And yet another who was short listed, asked not to be considered.
So there you have it - one hot little brew, but more anon.
POWER CELEBRATIONS
The invitations are out and still being pumped out, as the charming Janet Farrow, head of the Jamaica Redevelopment Foundation, (successors to Dennis Joslin and Company) you know, that Texan conglomerate that acquired the bad-debt portfolio that came about after the meltdown of the national financial industry, the lovely lass will be celebrating her 50th year come mid-March, and pumpkins, it promises to be a power event of the highest order.
Me daahlings, wait for this one as it promises to be all that and then some. It's like that and threatening to get not only hotter.
And speaking of birthdays and celebrations, George Harrison and wife Shirley McCarthy-Harrison, will be celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary tomorrow, with a reception at their lovely home near the Old Capital in St. Catherine.
For Geoff and Jennifer Messado, however, it is their 39th wedding anniversary, and for this fabulous milestone, the lovely couple have opted for an Egyptian holiday and are currently cruising the Mediterranean.
And speaking of fabulous places and fabulous people, my dears, it's one of high-society's best kept secrets for some time now as the fab do like to keep a darn good thing to themselves.
Anyway the fabulous Issa siblings, heiresses Suzanne and Jackie Issa, are back from another of their fabulous weekend getaways and this time the destination of choice was the hot and oh, so appealing Las Vegas, where they partied up a discreet little firestorm with a number of other international jet-setting socialites.
This took place at the icon of world-class indulgence and opulence, the US$2.7 billion Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Casino, owned and operated by wealthy Las Vegas hotel tycoon Steve Wynn.
Well me-daahlings, the Issa girls are not the only members of high society slipping quietly out of the island for a little trip as also spotted there was advertising dynamo and Consular Corp big-wig, Robert MacMillan. And mind y'all, Las Vegas had still not fully recovered form the Digicel invasion, only weeks before!
But, as they now say: 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas'.
SADLY LEAVING
And the fabulous Edith Jarbeau, will be returning to her beloved Canada, this summer, leaving behind scores of adoring fans and friends. She hastily adds however, her return in no way signifies the end of her relationship with this island she now happily regards as her second home.
Sadly, also leaving us later in the year, will be Canadian High Commissioner Claudio Valle, and his belissima grande wife, Louise Valle. Their tour of duty will come to an end in or around the month of October.
