Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Left:
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (left) with former Jamaica Labour Party MP Verna Parchment, at the State Opening of Parliament at Gordon House, on Wednesday, April 12. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Right:
Ambassador Raymond Wilfe (right) shares a jovial conversation with (from left) Dr. Laura Tanna, Mexican Ambassador Leonor Rueda and Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva at a reception hosted by Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva and his wife Sara Silva to celebrate the signing of an agreement with the National Gallery of Jamaica. It took place at Norbrook Road, St. Andrew, in March. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
MY DEARS, it's now official, the fabulous Verna Parchment - she being the giant killing political neophyte who toppled the former all-powerful 'Scree' Bertram of the P.J. Patterson administration of yesteryear - will make a big decision re her political future soon.
Pity though, that those she's leaving behind think that their best and only defence is to trash her reputation and performance as MP, when it was well known that some people in her constituency thought and behaved in a fashion suggesting that they had found someone to do their bidding, and when she objected to their interference, resorted to undermining her in the constituency.
Now that the fab lady is moving on, it seems that the party is all set to do some more of their dirty linen in public. Oh, if only they would spare us!
NOT LEAVING
Then, my dears, it seems that even though some members of the former Patterson administration's contracts expired at the end of March, they are still to demit office and are still a presence and would-be force at Jamaica House, causing more than a little consternation for the incoming administration.
Darlings, it seems the problem is no one is prepared to bell the cat and tell these former potentates that there's a new PM in town, and not only does she have her own complement of staff, they are basically overstaying their welcome!
Pumpkins, more anon, because this here stew is still a-brewing, and leaving some unpleasant faces all around.
And what's this now about the NDM fielding a candidate in the expected by-election to fill Mr. Patterson's seat in the House?
Read my lips: NDM equals Never Did Matter. But then again there are those who say their entry would be a grudge match designed to spoil the JLP of coming in a comfortable second place when the votes are tallied.
NEW REPRESENTATIVE TO UN
And so, Ambassador Raymond Wolfe is to be our new Permanent Representative to the U.N. in New York. Well, congratulations are definitely in order and are extended to this career diplomat on this his latest assignment on behalf of the Government and people of this fine country.
And speaking of things diplomatic, sadly, later this year, Jamaica will be losing two friends in the personages of Head of the European Delegation here, HE Ambassador Gerd Jarchow, and Canada's first citizens here, Their Excellencies, High Commissioner Claudio and Louise Valle.
My daahlings, the buzz is that both Ambassador Jarchow and High Commissioner Valle are retiring from their respective foreign service, opting to take a break from the hustle and bustle of international diplomacy, for a more relaxed life away from the glare of the public scrutiny and in the company of family and friends.
To be sure, Jamaica will be seeing more of both Ambassador Jarchow and High Commissioner and Mrs. Valle, as they are not only avowed friends of Jamaica, they are committed to continuing sharing their expertise and know-how in any way possible with the people of this, their beloved adopted country.
MORE BABIES!
We will, however, miss them for however long they will be away. And then, my daahlings, the stork is expected to drop another bundle of joy into the lap of the ultra-gorgeous doyenne of fab radio, Paula-Ann Porter-Jones, and her hubby, Dr. John Jones, later this year.
And the couple are positively delighted with the news as this is their fourth such visit. They can't wait until she gets here, so more anon.
Now someone has got to tell those 'Little Caymanians' that while there are hordes of the unskilled here who would flock to their 'little island' out of necessity to perform menial tasks there in the hope of a fair day's pay, there are equal number of the well-to-do here who avail themselves of the banking facilities there, and quite frankly, have no intention of doing anything else there.
Can you all imagine, them turning away a leading Jamaican businessman from their little airport a few weeks ago, on the grounds that he was some kind of a undesirable?
Now, I put it to y'all!
Can you imagine the cheek?
And we are not talking about an inconsequential businessman here, we are talking about one of our leading citizens. Mind you, not that this here scribe has any sympathy for those who would secrete their money in an island that clearly holds them in less than scant regard, but the nerve of it all is, well, unnerving!
And the buzz all this week is all about last week's fabulous high-powered shindig, hosted by Jon Baker of Gee-Jam music at the Gee-Jam mansion, in the Millsbourough neighbourhood of fabulous St. Andrew.
Honeys, hosted last Friday night in honour of visiting international music bigwigs, Brandon Bakshi of BMI and Frank Liwall of Royalty Network Inc., the affair which was slated to be a cocktail reception lasting just about two to three hours evolved into a full-fledged blast of fabdom that went on way into the early hours of Saturday morning.
And pumpkins, it was all that and then some, with the young and fabulous in tow and vibing like divas. Oh honeys, it was like that - hot like a cauldron of niceness and vamping beauties and buffed hunks dripping gorgeousness like confetti!
But honeys, wait, as the buzz is partying has found a new mansion, so expect some fabulous soirees and then some, in the very near future!
JMA EXPO
Then my dears, if y'all missed Sunday's closing session of the annual JMA Expo, at the National Arena, then luvs, y'all not only missed a fabulous outing showcasing the very best of Jamaica and its manufacturing sectors, y'all missed an absolutely fabulous social, as the world and his wife were out in force, browsing and enjoying the various offerings on display.
Sweet-things, it was not only a great expo with several goodies on offer, it was one helluva social, with some of this city's hottest names in attendance. And then there was no getting away from the fact that except for the traditional monopolies offering their wares, for the most part, there was a changing of the guard, as indeed, the majority of those showcasing their stuff were members of the younger generation of entrepreneurs.
Among those spotted, during the rounds were: Industry and Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell; JMA president Doreen Frankson, past president Clarence Thomas; the tres elegant Judith Douglas; Gerd and Elaine Dreyer and their son Franz Dreyer; William Tavares-Finson; Chris and Zein Nakash; Ray Miles Jr; the fabulously gorgeous Mandy Melville; and the oh so fabulous Jodie Summerbell; brothers and business partners Omar and Emile Azan; the lovely Shernette Wynter; Aswad Morgan; and music personality Sharon Burke; plus several
hundreds more.
