Charity begins at home

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

My daahlings, rain or no rain, the show will go on, in fact, the fans are saying the show must go on.

The show is the 11th annual staging of the region's premier fashion event, Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW). The organisers are promising to pull out all stops to ensure this year's event is all that, and then some. It comes at the end of a week of dreariness and drudgery caused by steady rains. And with fans from home and around the world having already made their minds up, with some already in Kingston, the designers and models are now simply awaiting the call to action. Entertainers are queuing and waiting to go, honeychiles, it's gonna take more than a deluge to keep this here scribe away! Kingston is raring to kick itself out of its rain-inspired funk, so it's all about CFW. Models, take your marks, and let the partying begin in earnest!

Tourism giants

Congrats are most definitely extended to the gentle emerging giant of Jamaica's tourism, the esteemed Karl Hendrickson, founder and chair of National Continental Corporation, and his ever growing hotel empire; and co-awardee Lee Issa of Couples Resorts, on being recognised by the tourism/hospitality industry, at the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association annual general meeting in Ocho Rios recently! The illustrious Hendrickson is lauded by tourism insiders for his savvy and professionalism, and is seen by many as a positive role model for many in the industry. He is to be commended for his approach to the industry, getting the job done without ever blowing his own trumpet, or asking others to do so in his name!

Issa is admired and respected for his operational mode which also sees him eschewing the glare of self-publicity, while quietly positioning the Couples Resort chain, to be one of the leading in the region and the world, and doing so with a corporate conscience! And congrats Clifton Reader, general manager of Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios, on being adjudged the Hotelier of the Year 2010.

And more congratulations to Marcel Robinson, son of Lincoln and Barbara Robinson, who, a few days ago, announced his engagement to the lovely Sherene Singh, a native of London. No word yet on a day for the nuptials, but the couple is loving every moment of their new status and the parents are simply over the moon!

Then there is a call for those who repatriate funds to start reinvesting in the infrastructure of the country to help improve the social circumstances! Many are now asking for a paradigm shift from the existing model which sees many a supposed Jamaican business using Jamaica as merely a business location to mine the gold to facilitate their lavish lifestyles and homes abroad, and then turn around and complain that "the Government is not doing enough, for the country". More anon.

Birthdays

Happy birthday greetings to: the lovely Sharon King-Williams; the fab Anita Bather, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now a resident of the Big Apple; and Chicago native and north coast habitué, Skip Edwards, who all celebrate their birthday

Tomorrow will see Alain Miller, formerly of Stony Hill, St Andrew, now resident of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and the enterprising Courtney Lodge, both celebrating their birthday!

On Sunday: the eminent Adrian Foreman; the illustrious Don Parchment; hotelier Leon Beale; Matthew Reid in Montego Bay; and the fab and talented Kesha Wilks, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad - all celebrate their very special day!

On Monday, it will be all about Dr Donna Hope-Marquis, as she celebrates her birthday! The following day: singer and musician Ed Robinson, now resident of the Big Apple; former leading male model, Marlon Atkinson, now in New York; and the fab Carla Dunlop-Saunders, in London, England, make it a very special day!

Next Wednesday: the fab and enterprising Millicent Lynch, and French diplomat Roland Blanchard, formerly based in Kingston, now based in Dakar, Senegal, celebrate! On Thursday: Davian McKen, in Whitehouse, Westmoreland; the fab Marlene Daley, in Atlanta, Georgia; and the fabulous Diane Levy, in Florida; make it a very special day of celebrations!

And happy belated birthday wishes to the charmingly lovely Jojo Paige, who celebrated in fab style on Tuesday, as did legendary fashion designer Ivy Ralph.

Best wishes also to former public defender, Howard Hamilton, QC, and the absolutely charming, Valerie Juggan-Brown, who both celebrated on Wednesday. Yesterday, MP and former energy minister, James Robertson, marked his birthday by celebrating with immediate family and very close friends!

And speaking of beautiful people and fabulous places, resort of choice next weekend is definitely the Palmyra Resort in fabulous Montego Bay, not only for some fun and relaxation but for what promises to be a fabulous Father's Day brunch!