Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Luvs, as the soothsayer was reported as forewarning Caesar - 'Beware the Ides of March', some economic prognosticators are bellyaching about the Ides of the IMF.

Anyway my dears, this here island in the sun and its people are made of sterner stuff than political naysayers would have us believe, and so we press on.

Now it's official, the landmark Hedonism II resort in Negril has now changed hands. Fashioned by the pioneering John Issa, who prudently introduced the concept of all-inclusive resorts that was copied by many, both nationally and internationally. The majority of shareholders are now PD and J, Jamaica Limited, with principals being John Gross and Harry Lange; with Kevin Levee, and the Issa family interests, being minority shareholders.

Dears, the word is, guests can expect a revamped look, as well as very exciting entertainment offering that will be geared towards the resort maintaining its role as the preferred adults-only resort. And with Kevin Levee continuing as the resort's GM, pumpkins, wait for it, 'cause it promises to be all that and then some! The transformation is already under way.

And speaking of pressing on, the Jamaica 50 Commemorative Tome published by the Government of Jamaica is now available. And dears, it is not only a beauty to behold, it is simply the best collector's item emerging out of the Jamaica 50 celebration. It boasts some simply fabulous photographs showcasing the island's natural and inherent beauty; as well as a number of leading personalities who, through their own effort, have collectively changed the educational, social, cultural, business, and entrepreneurial, landscape of this developing country.

Dears, we are talking about the pioneering hotelier and businessman John Issa; the late and iconic Professor Rex Nettleford; Maurice and Valerie Facey; Usain Bolt; Lascelles Chin; Mutabaruka; Robert and Judy Levy; Michael Lee-Chin; brothers Butch and Kevin Hendrickson; Paul Scott; Earl Jarrett; Michael Holding; Butch Stewart and his heir apparent, Adam Stewart; Lord Morris of Handsworth; plus our political leaders; sporting and athletic stars; as well as a number of others.

The authors and publishers not only captured the essence of the island, its people, aspirations and expectations, it eloquently sets the Jamaican landscape and historical architectural treasures as picture-perfect backdrop for this absolute treasure.

Talk about a must-have!

Age of Pisces

And talking about beautiful Jamaica and its beautiful and resourceful people, the age of Pisces finds Pisceceans everywhere, celebrating. And so, we laud those celebrating, with special salutations to: artist Jiivanii Redmarks; businessman Robert Collins; the fab Jully-Ann Samuels; the dapper Elton Barnaby and the charming Opaline Quinlan-Palmer, in Oracabessa. The affable Junior Taylor, in Montego Bay; the fabulous Sharon Parris-Chambers, and Annie Lisa James both in Negril, the lovely Amanda Cross-Seaga, in Miami, Florida, who all celebrate their birthday today.

Come tomorrow, among those celebrating will be: the enterprising Mark Brooks; the fabulously beautiful Romi Toyloy; Denton Ellis, in May Pen, Clarendon; Michael Barnett, now in Queens, New York; and the lovely Claudie Warner, formerly of the French Embassy in Kingston.

On Sunday the 3rd it will be all about: former Miss Jamaica World, the fabulously lovely Cornelia Parchment Horn, now in Connecticut; the elegant Sonjia Griffiths; John Beckford, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; north coast habitué and Hedonism II repeat visitor and honorary Jamaican, Louie Delgado, from North Hackensack, New Jersey. Also the beautiful Kim Chase in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; one-time international hairstylist, now musician, Jason Barnes, in London, England; the charming Sigrid Ribbe, now in Bottrop, Germany; and international jurist Courtney Spence, now in Shanghai, China, will be among those celebrating their birthday.

And come Monday the 4th: the trailblazing Maj Johanna Lewin; the multitalented Dr Michael Abrahams; the lovely Pauline Gordon-Gray; Omar Palarchie; the charming Eve Gordon; Oscar Williams, now in Birch Grove, Grenada; Clifton Harriott, now in Brooklyn, New York; and the lovely Prudence Anderson, also in New York, will be the ones blowing out birthday candles.

On Tuesday the 5th, Montego Bay's grande dame and style doyenne Nerissa Braimbridge, will be leading the birthday celebrations. Also celebrating on the 5th will be: Peter Morris, of Gymkhana; the drop-dead-gorgeous Carleene Debbie Samuels; the lovely Shallett Huslin; the fab Alissa Rebecca Binns, now an American citizen; the dapper Leroy Francis, in Atlanta, Georgia; the gorgeous Moya Hamillton-Ashman, in New York; and the affable Bjorn Ottorclou, formerly of Digicel, now in Camden Paget, Bermuda.

On Wednesday the 6th the birthday celebrants will include: the fab Candy DePass; the lovely Linda Stacey Delapenha; chef Oji Jaja; bailiff Andrea Johnson; Davion Cole; the lovely MaryKay Mullaly in California; and the stunning Olga Bukavyn, Brussels, Belgium.

And come next Thursday the 7th, music industry guru Donovan Germain and the fab Karen MacDonald will be the lead birthday celebrants.

Belated wishes to: ambassador Burchell Whiteman, who celebrated his special day on the 21st.

And the Reverend Carlene Davies-Cowan, who celebrated her special day on the 23rd.

Many happy returns all around with champagne toasts and beluga treats!