Gold alert!

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Dears, talk about living in historical times, they simply do not get any better than this, and how!

With Jamaica in the throes of celebrating her 50th year of Independence, and her athletes competing in the London Olympics, the spirit of nationalism and patriotism is like never before and dears, fabulously so!

It's all about Jamaica and everything Jamaican at the moment! Talk about flavour of the moment, honeys it's definitely Jamaica's moment, and pumpkins, how! The black, green and gold celebrations continues all over the globe, but especially here in Jamaica. Following upon our Jamaica 50 Grand Gala, the country is now on gold alert, in anticipation of our athletes medalling in their relays in London, as the Games progress!

Anyway my dears, it's been one fabulous weekend of official celebration and an even longer period of unofficial celebrations.

Luvs, from the peanut vendor in Manor Park, who painted his vending cart in the colours of the national flag, to a number of leading corporate entities, who decorated their headquarters and outlets in the Jamaican colours, the nation remains awash in the spirit of nationalism, from Morant Point to Negril and every nook and cranny in-between.

Mind you, there were some corporate entities that were somewhat craven when it came to showcasing the spirit of nationalism in terms of 'flying' the national colours. But where big business failed, the people led the way in glorious style and fashion and it made for a spectacular national showpiece of an Independence.

Dears, from the weeklong interactive display and socio-cultural expo and platform hosted at the National Arena, to the absolutely fabulously educational Jubilee Village; and the phantasmorgoric climax on Independence Day, Jamaica and Jamaicans were at one and 'in their ackee' my dears, and historically so - proving to be the mother of all Independence celebrations!

Kudos all around, and nothing but!

Leos celebrate

Dears, it's still the age of Leo, and among those celebrating are: The fabulous twin heiresses Zein Issa-Nakash and Muna Issa, who celebrate their birthday today, but are in London, lending their support to the Jamaican Olympic team..

Also celebrating today are: the fab Jennifer Chang Binns; the affable Gordon Webster; the lovely Joy Roberts; Damone Donegal; the lovely Venessa Shaw; Jermain Kidd, in Ocho Rios, and Richard Francis, in Montego Bay. Also the fab Debra Prendergast Lee, in Florida; Dennis Gittens, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now in Lithonia, Georgia; former model and budding actor Lincoln Wynter, now in the Big Apple; Independent film producer/maker Orville Matherson, in New York; author and blogger Ian Paul McKenzie, in California; and Errol Barnswell, in Toronto, Canada - all share the same birthday.

Tomorrow: Member of Parliament André Hylton; doctoral candidate Glenda Prescod; the lovely Kay Wilson-Kelly; the dapper one and party animal Albert Lord Campbell; the charming Shirley Parkins; and entrepreneur Richard Vaz, in Higgin Town, St Ann, will be among the birthday celebrants.

Come Sunday the 12th, those celebrating will include: Vinay Walia, of the Guardsman Group; the lovely Josephine McGann; Kerry Ganna; Valerie-Dawn Henriques-Thorpe, now in Florida; Rosemarie Roth, in Florida; Andy Baylis, in Kissimmee, Florida; the lovely Allison Bent Bessey, in Virginia; and Lawman Lynch, in New York will celebrate.

On Monday the 13th, it will be a lucky day for singer and entertainer Pluto Shervington; the legendary Ronnie Burke, of Sunsplash fame; the fabulous Sheila Hylton; ceramist Donovan Fairweather; the lovely Lounette Elkhalili; Pulse model Kaye Myers and the charming Yvonne Lyn-Watson, in Ocho Rios. The fab Tricia-Ann Robbins, in Runaway Bay; O'Shane Ellis; Norbert Anderson, in New York; the fabulous June South-Robinson, now back in the United Kingdom, and Tanya Cameron, of Shades of Africa, now in Paris, France, who will be celebrating their birthday.

Then Tuesday the 14th, those celebrating will include: Matthew Zaidie; the fab Audrey Cole-Crossdale; media personality and communications specialist Glen McFarlane; the beautiful Nadeisha Ramsaran; the lovely Faith Johnson, now in South Carolina; and the charming Rema Green Blake, in Queens, New York.

On Wednesday the 15th: Brian-Paul Welsh; the lovely Aliya Leslie; Davel Thompson; the fab Nikki Fagan; the beautiful Mexine Bisasor, in Montego Bay; and celebrated Guyanese fashion designer Sonia Noel will be among the beautiful people celebrating their special day.

And come next Thursday, the 16th, it will be all about writer and gourmet critic Rosemary Parkinson, now in Barbados; the fabulous Gail Whiteman; the lovely Suzanne Fredericks; the charming Donna Arthurs; Jerome Miller, now in the Turks and Caicos; the beautiful Sandra Ochoapita, now in Miami, Florida; Wayne Dawson, now in New York; the lovely Marcia Willmarth, in Phoenix, Arizona, as they celebrate their birthday.

Champagne wishes all around with beluga treats!

Goodbye and welcome

We welcome the new Belgian ambassador, who arrived a day after her predecessor departed our shores, and the buzz is, in-between presenting her diplomatic credentials, Godelieve van den Bergh is said to be settling in nicely.

And word out of Canada is that the successor for outgoing Canadian High Commissioner Steven Hallihan has been identified, with the appointment and announcement expected soon.

And there are changes at Digicel Jamaica. Scotsman Andy Thorburn will be taking over the reins of Digicel Jamaica, and current CEO Mark Linehan moving on to St Lucia as regional CEO for the Eastern Caribbean.

And so we say welcome to Andy Thorburn, and walk good to Linehan and his wife, as they get ready to take leave of our shores.