Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer
LAWRENCE
AND SO, the much anticipated social outing - picnic fund-raiser - organised by HE Ambassador Peter King, as head of the Flamstead Heritage Society, to assist in raising donations for the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, that was scheduled for the Chapel Royal in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, overlooking the nation's capital and neighbouring parishes, has not only been rescheduled, but now has found a grander home for its October 13 performance by the National Chorale of Jamaica.
Dears, with inclement weather forcing an abandonment of plans to stage the affair two Sundays ago, the fundraiser will now be staged at King's House next Thursday, and under the joint patronage of the Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke, and The Lord Bishop of Jamaica, The Right Rev'd. Hon. Dr. Alfred Reid.
A MUST-ATTEND
My daahlings, a worthier cause never existed and so y'all know, with snob-society already queuing to attend this premier event, it's a must-attend, not just for social profilers, but for lovers of fine music, as the National Chorale will be in full musical flight, and then some.
And so as not to miss the point of the outing, the organisers have asked guests to walk with their cheque books and make cheques payable to the Jamaica Red Cross/Katrina (for transmission to the American Red Cross).
Pumpkins, more anon, as this has all the trappings of a smasheroni.
And then the word about town is that the political potentate that is a well known presence on many a board and is regarded by many as the most powerful man of our time - Dr. Vin Lawrence - turned 60 last Saturday, and to mark the occasion announced his intentions to relinquish some of his considerable power and influence, to spend more time with his family.
Some, however, see the move as a strategic one to coincide with the imminent retirement from the body politic by his long-time friend and political patron, outgoing Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
HARD ACT TO FOLLOW
Dears, whatever the reason, Dr. Lawrence's retirement from his role as chief powerbroker and arbiter will not only leave a void, but he will be a hard act to follow, as irrespective of the many hats he wore, he remained above the many scandals that have beset the Patterson administration from the very outset.
Then the always happening Shirley Stanglemire del Fabio celebrated her birthday last Sunday at a small and intimate do thrown in her honour by long-time friend Tony Passmore, at his North Coast residence near Tower Isle, just east of Ocho Rios.
Dears, the buzz is love was in the air and then some, as friends gathered together to make it a memorable affair.
Businessman Steve Ashley celebrated his on Monday, but wife Betty Ashley says the celebrations are to follow.
And dears, speaking of birthdays: the buzz about town is all about the expected smasheroni on October 21, to mark the lovely Michelle Hussey's milestone of fabulousness!
Dears, already, the passports and requisite visas have been issued for the affair and the word is it will be a jam-packed flight, naturally first class all the way, and with the attendant amenities that attend that station.
And dears, please do so remember - first class is not a boarding pass, it's an attitude, and the classy thing to do when not invited is to not solicit invitations.
BUNDLE OF JOY
And so, congrats are in order and extended to head of the Super Plus chain of nuclear age superstores, Wayne Chen, and his fabulous wife Dr. Diana Thorburn, as the stork visited on Wednesday and left the charming couple their own little bundle of joy, baby Isabel.
And speaking of fab couples, Che Delfosse-Ingleton and his fabulous wife Sabrina celebrated their first anniversary with a little outing to the north coast last weekend where the young couple were spotted partying the weekend away.
And you've all heard the term 'dropping it like a star'. Well dears, that's the way to go, as nothing else will do.
Then somebody must have designated September/October the month of Velisa's and not informed us, as every magazine of worth one picks up, one is graced with fabulous pictorials and editorial spreads celebrating the culinary delights that are to be found at the oh so 'n' Velisa's Restaurant, on Devon Road, New Kingston.
Dears, from the National Geographic Traveller edition, to Air Jamaica's in-flight Skywritings magazine, to the absolutely fabulous Barbados based Island Life, its all about Velisa's and dears, how. Let's just say, the restaurant with its simply awesome dishes is the flavour of the season, and deservedly so.
Not to put too fine a point to it, but as they say - when you are hot - daahlings, you know you are when an international music mogul who has decided on tying the marital knot in Anguilla, and has decided to fly you in from Jamaica, to cook up a storm for his guests on his wedding day and for the intimate dinner parties leading up to the affair.
Well, me daahlings, that's Betty Delfosse-Ingleton, for you - in demand and hot like that!
BACK ON THE ROCK
And continuing to speak of hot like that, stars and royalty, Her Serene Fabulousness Francesca von Hapsburgs is back on the rock, cooling out from her
summer.
Come early next year, however, her Imperial Highness Gelala Haile Selassie will be making Jamaica a priority destination, and thus joining the list of fab 'A-crowders' and jet-setters who have been making destination Jamaica a must on their itinerary of fabulous places to be, to be seen and/or simply to escape it all.
Dears, did we say dropping it like a star. Well, Jamaica has been a star, ever since she first came to world attention via the voyages of Christopher Columbus, and honeys, she has not lost that status since, if anything she has become hotter.
