Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

My dears, after her much-publicised appearance at the Democratic National Convention, the fabulous Sheryl Lee-Ralph is in town, compliments of Sagicor, and my dears, looking as fabulous as only this diva can.

And we do mean glowing here, as the actress-turned-author is basking in the afterglow of the success of her first book, titled Redefining Diva - Life Lessons From The Original DreamGirl, that was released a few months ago, and since then has been busy climbing the best-selling charts! And little wonder here, as indeed the page-turner is dedicated to her parents, Dr Stanley Ralph and Mrs Ivy Ralph, the celebrated fashion designer; her brothers Stanley, Timmy and Michael; her children Etienne and Coco; her housekeeper Miss Mae; and her husband, Democratic Senator Vincent Hughes, from Pennsylvania.

We are talking about a celebration of family, talent, and cultural roots here and it makes for a fab read.

But, my dears, not one to rest on her laurels, and they are plenty, the celebrated actress and motivational speaker is already working on her next big project, and with Jamaica being at the centre of her universe, wait for it, as our roving ambassador is definitely all gung-ho on this here island in the sun.

Then my daahlings, following on the heels of what was truly a 'September to remember' at Hedonism II, over there in Negril, the hotel's GM and entertainment staffers are promising a rocking October that will raise the resort's temperature a notch and then some, as the resort is all set to host the 10th staging of the Mr Caribbean International contest, showcasing the chiselled-bodied beefcakes of the Caribbean diaspora, for which the contest is celebrated.

And dears, the action starts on October 1, as the competition kick-starts the October heatwave that will see competing gents strut their stuff in swimsuits as they fight for the right to be crowned Mr Caribbean International, with a series of events that includes talent, fitness, modelling and public speaking in a week-long series of preliminary competitions that will culminate with the grand finale showcase on the evening of Saturday, October 6.

Talking about hot, dears, it will be like that and then some as the beaches of the uninhibited playground of Hedonism II serve as the perfect backdrop for what promises to be a to fun-filled week of pool parties, beach games, crazy nights in the disco, romantic blind dates and much more. This year's event will also feature Taboo Raw Uncut Live with sexpert, comedian and host, Troy Rawlings from Los Angeles, California; and competitors drawn from: Trinidad & Tobago, Anguilla, Barbados, and the USA, so dears, you know it's gonna be reigning men!

Birthday Toasts

And my dears, its all about the Age of Libra, this season, and so we extend birthday wishes to: the charming Annabella Proudlock; the fabulous Simone Chin; the beautiful Samara South, of the British High Commission; the fab Suzan Salmon, in Spanish Town; the fab Jackay Golding, in New York; North coast habitués Hugh Blunt, of Monument Beach, Massachusetts, and Mark Stiegelbauer of Bay side New York; Noel Sherry; the fabulous Geri McLean, now in London, and England; who all celebrate today.

Tomorrow Saturday the 29th, will see: Former PNP MP Danny Melville; Colin Steele; the lovely Patricia Huntington; the fab Simmone Bailey, in Mandeville; the lovely Joan Lee; and Trevon Salmon, both over in Montego Bay; the lovely Charlotte Copeland, now in Nassau; the charming Cresencia Leon-Medhurst, now in Florida; Mike Miller, in East Meadow, New York; and the charmingly fab Carolyne Amoyah, in Mombasa, Kenya; who share the same birthday.

And on Sunday the 30th, those celebrating will including: Former JLP Senator Dr Ronald Robinson; he fabulous Paula-Ann Porter-Jones; Celebrated Fashion Designer Earl Biggy Turner; the gorgeous Kerry Spencer; the lovely Annmarie Soares; the fabulous Raxann Chin, in Montego Bay; Jermaine Morrison; the fab Janet Stanbury, now in Palm Beach, Florida; Monica Harvey Palmer, now in New York; and the lovely Janet Wright, also in the Big Apple.

The partying continues on Monday the October 1st, when: Le Grande Dame Yola Headcock; Businessman Dave Simpson; the fab Graceann Cameron; the lovely Tracy Brooks; Andre Cooper, in Montego Bay; Njeri Thelwell Clarke, also in Montego Bay; Twins, the beautiful Shurline Perry in Ocho Rios, St Ann and equally beautiful Sherrel Robertson, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; and Leroy Brown, formerly of Banbury near Linstead, St Catherine, and long-time resident of Toronto, Canada; celebrate their birthday.

On Tuesday, October 2 the fan Caron Anderson; the lovely Michelle Scott; the lovely Patricia Williams, formerly of Christiana, Manchester, now residing in West Palm Beach, Florida; former National Dance Theatre Company principal dancer, Christopher Morrison, now living in Rochester, New York; and internationally acclaimed and celebrated artist Bernard Hoyes, now in LA, California; will make it a day of talented celebrants.

And come next Wednesday, October 3, the birthday celebrations move into high gear as: Leading Socialite Sheila Hart; businessman and chairman of the NSMWA Steve Ashley; the mega-talented Tommy Ricketts; the happening Marcia McPherson; the charmingly fab Judi Cohen, now in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Milton Russell, in Miramar, Florida; the fabulous Debbie Hoffren, in Spring, Texas; the fab Sandra Waddell, now in Maryland; Wayne Russell, now resident of Brooklyn, New York; the fab Lisa Livingston, in Sag Harbour, New York; and the sizzling Nicole Giff, now resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; will be among the birthday celebrants.

And it will be all-systems go, next Thursday, the 4th, as king of comedy, Oliver Samuels; social entrepreneur and original high priest of fab parties, Michael Fox; the fabulous Denise Bradshaw; Greg Gordon; Pulse model, the fab Zemel Bennett; the happening Neeka Briscoe, in May Pen Clarendon; the gorgeous Lolita Thomas, over in New York; North Coast habitué Elizabeth Garvey, in the United Kingdom; will be among the Librans partying!

Best wishes all around with Champagne toasts and Beluga treats!