KINGSTON:
Cable & Wireless Jamaica (C&WJ) has forged a partnership with the National Council of Taxi Associations (NCOTA), a new umbrella organisation established to promote the development of the country's taxi industry.
Launched recently at the Runaway Bay Heart Hotel & Training Institute in St. Ann, the association aims to improve the standard of service currently being offeredby its members to the travelling public.
Its immediate areas of focus will include providing customer service training, increasing awareness of the laws governing road use and ensuring all its registered members adhere to the stipulations of the Transport and Road Traffic Acts.
C&WJ will be assisting the work of the council by providing communications services, including mobile handsets and closed user group service to facilitate better communications among its members.
The company will also be creating economic opportunities for the council's members through its Affiliate & Urban Man Programme, which will allow individuals to sell e-top-up credit for bmobile phones and other C&WJ products and services under the company's 'Team Member Programme'.
- Contributed
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------'Ochi' Seafood Festival to be made annual
OCHO RIOS, ST. ANN:
Last Sunday's inaugural Mega Phone sponsored 'Ocho Rios Seafood Festival', held at the Turtle River Park, was from all indications a huge success for its organisers.
The event only became a reality following the suspension of the annual Reggae Sunsplash, which prompted organiser Garwin Davis to seek a to fill the gap. It was with strategic planning and his expertise that many are already making reservations for next year's staging.
"This is definitely going to be an annual event," said Mr. Davis.
"I also take this opportunity to thank the many individuals who believed in us. As a first time event, others took the decision and adopted a wait and see attitude. I realised Ocho Rios was badly in need of a festival to call its own, and I can proudly say this festival is here to stay," added Mr. Davis.
The organiser explained that it is his intention to have Turtle River Park become the home of the Ocho Rios food festival.
He said attempts will be made to get the Urban Development Corporation interested in the future of the festival, which could allow for the adoption of the park.
-G.D.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------New library for Cheswick CHESWICK, ST. THOMAS:
The St. Thomas Parish Library Network officially opened the Cheswick Branch Library last Thursday.
Cheswick is a district in the large community of Dalvey in St. Thomas. This community, which was included on a list of Jamaica's largest cities and towns, published by the World Gazetteer 2007, in recent years has had to rely on the mobile library belonging to the St. Thomas Parish Library Network.
It was with the generous contribution of a resident of Cheswick, Urcel Williams, that the vision of a library service in the community was realised, as she made a building available for this purpose.
Among the regular services a library offers, the residents of Cheswick and neighbouring communities will benefit from services such as Internet access, faxing and photocopying.
- Contributed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------High schoolers tackle research programme
MANDEVILLE, MANCHESTER:
Thirty students from high schools across the island participated in the third staging of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Research Apprenticeship Programme (RAP), held from July 9 to August 9.
RAP is a residential summer research programme, sponsored by NCU's Office of Research and Grants, which aims to stimulate interest in careers in science and agriculture, business and social sciences, and religion and politics.
Students remain on dorms throughout the programme and are required to participate in research in one of the academic disciplines offered at the university.
The participants work along with selected NCU faculty members to complete assigned research activities, most of which are based off-campus.
Along with daily research, the students are also taught by research experts and scientists who are brought in to give lectures on various research-based topics.
Approximately 19 of the 30 participants in this year's programme, plan to become full-time students at NCU.
- Contributed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Students take part in library programme
PETERSFIELD, WESTMORELAND:
Eighty-two students from Petersfield and its environs participated in the Petersfield Branch Library annual summer programme held from July 23 to August 3 under the theme 'Our African Connection'.
Activities for the period included: impact of African culture in Jamaica which was done by Nickeisha Lewis, 2007 Festival Queen for Westmoreland, old-time work songs presented by Mavis Wedderburn, career advancement done by Shaneek Atkinson, and old-time stories - Anancy done by Heather Perrin.
The programme climaxed on Saturday the 3rd with a variety concert and presentation.
Roshelle Thomas was voted the most outstanding; Fabian Harvey, the most improved; Alana Cespedes, the most congenial; Tasia Pierce, best art and craft female; and Kason Johnson, best art and craft male. Jason McIntosh got the award for best attendance and punctuality over the period.
- Junior Grandison
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Fun day to fund boys' home
WESTMORELAND:
The Cornwall Area Council Women's Fellowship, an affiliate of the United Church in Jamaica and Grand Cayman Western Area, which comprises Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth hosted their annual family fun day on the grounds of the Savanna-la-Mar United Church on August 2.
Its objective was to raise funds for their different projects. President of the fellowship, Paulette Hylton, told The Gleaner, funds garnered from this venture each year are given to some charitable organisations.
Last year she said they were able to donate $100,000 to the renal unit of the Cornwall Regional Hospital. This year, part of their proceeds will be going towards the Mount Olivet Boys' Home.
- J.G.
