Shaking state of emergency blues

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

It's now time to shake off the state of emergency blues. Time to put some distance between the unpleasant happenings which led to images of Kingston's fury being broadcast all around the world. Jamaica's reputation took such a walloping that even little Grenada thought it downright neighbourly to offer us troops to take back control of the city!

Talk about hurt national pride! This was it, as the cry all across the face of the city was: "Look what we have come to!" And so in one fell swoop the image of Jamaica was in tatters. At least, that was how some foreigners saw us. From Africa to Asia, to Australia, and most definitely in North America.

Mind you, we were down, suffering from a self-inflicted injury but definitely not out, and so it's time to hoist the Jamaican colours once again. In the meantime, however, Kingstonians, tired of the constant diet of bad news, made a dash for it last weekend, and the buzz is, the place to be was definitely Paradise Park, the beachfront estate of Busha Clarke, for his annual fund-raising crabfest!

Beefcake extravaganza

For the hedonists among us, the destination of choice was decidedly Hedonism III in Runaway Bay, St Ann, where the all-male revue 'Devine Men of Choice', led by hunk Marlon Birbridge, worked up a glow, to the delight of the many women who not only motored over from Kingston, but also jetted in from New York, Miami, London and Atlanta for the beefcake extravaganza.

Now this weekend, still shell-shocked by images reminiscent of some faraway conflict, Kingstonians are still leaving the city in droves. No, not out of fear, but to shake of the 'Emergency Blues'. The destination of choice is decidedly Negril and the red-hot Hedonism II adult resort, celebrated for its fabulous shows and entertainment. It is the envy of many resorts, not just here in Jamaica and the Caribbean, but across the globe, due to the loyal repeat guests it has engendered.

This weekend promises to be an extra-special getaway as it will see the crowning of the Ultimate Men of Hedonism Resorts and calendar hunks of 2011, with the selecting of its Men of Hedonism. A slew of international contestants will jet in to compete for the cash prize and bragging rights, not to mention the right of gracing the cover of the 2011 calendar!

And speaking of fabulous events, all eyes are on the week of June 15 through 21 for the region's most fashionable event, Pulse-created and promoted Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW).

One can only hope that with this postponement the Jamaica Tourist Board and all the attendant organisations will use the opportunity to use CFW and the press that will be here covering the event to our best advantage. The buzz around the contest is that the man to beat is Jamaican model and entertainer Miguel Bernard, the current star of the Flow mega advertising campaign.

Then, warm birthday greetings to the lovely June Danvers Hughes, who celebrates her birthday today; the iconic Barbara Blake-Hannah; and artist Andy Jefferson, who both celebrate their birthday tomorrow. The beautiful Marie Berbick and Oliver Hill share the same birthday and will celebrate on Sunday, June 6. Internationally acclaimed photographer Brian Rosen celebrates his birthday on Monday, as will the lovely Junia Williams and the beautiful Francine Chin, who will be celebrating in New York.

The lovely Jennifer Westcarr-Marshall, formerly of Linstead, now resident of Atlanta, Georgia, celebrates her special day on Tuesday. Actor Carl Davis, poet and social activist Gina Rey Forest and designer Delrose Bahadure will all celebrate on Wednesday, June 9. Sharon King Williams will celebrate her special day next Thursday in the nation's capital. But for former Linstead, St Catherine, resident, Anita Bather, who also celebrates on the 10th, the partying will be at her Norwalk, Connecticut, home.

Belated birthday greetings to Javette Nixon, who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, May 30. Plus, greetings to television personality, the charmingly lovely and unflappable Raquel Jones, and Howard Hinds, 'Howie' to family and friends, of Old Stony Hill, who both celebrated their birthday on Monday.

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