Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Little savings for retirement

Executive director of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Rohan Barnett made a startling revelation that only five percent of Jamaica’s workforce is saving for retirement, a figure that does not correlate with the nation’s aging population.


“Population aging presents significant challenges not only for each country’s health and social security systems, but more importantly for individuals who must find resources to help themselves as they get older” the FSC executive director revealed at the International Organization of Pension Supervisors and Caribbean Regional Workshop on Private Pension Supervision.

In his presentation he argued that of the approximately 241,000 elderly persons in Jamaica, only 123, 329 are receiving some form of retirement benefits. In this breath, Barnett used the opportunity to urge youths to start to plan and save for retirement and confessed that as regulators there is a need to facilitate a more robust pensions industry.

One of the things that have been at the forefront for the FSC is the implementation of a national financial literacy programme geared towards highlighting the importance of retirement savings and the need to have post-employment income when one retires

“Creating an environment that enables growth in the demand for pensions services as well as supply of pensions by corporate entities and promoting stability and public confidence in the pensions sector are some of the ways we as regulators can facilitate the development of the pensions industry” he explained.

Meanwhile, the current global economic crisis that has seen some 30,000 jobs cut locally will have an impact on the country’s NIS system in the long run. According to Barnett “less jobs leads to less funding of the NIS, which as an ultimate result, leads to a reduced pool of resources to support retirees in their latter years”.

However in overcoming that task he suggested in managing the NIS assets you place the them into products that will generate significant amount of returns to offset the fallout in terms of the volume of NIS contributions.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Magnum celebrates in style




The 10th anniversary Magnum Tonic Wine celebrations transformed the Cambridge square in St. James into to an entertainment show ground on Saturday night through the performances of dancehall heavyweights Konshens and Lady Saw.

With no need to pay an admission fee and the longed desire to party with these two champions of dancehalls, the anniversary celebrations created a ripple effect of traffic pile up for at least a mile in the small town of Cambridge as persons wanted to park as close as possible to where the event was being held.

Under the musical tutelage of Stone Love and Copper Shot sound systems residents of Cambridge and surrounding communities took the time to warm-up for the main event through exuberant dance moves, waving and gyrating for over two hours as the awaited the high quality performances from the headliners.

There was no doubt in the minds of dancehall fans that when dancehall sensation Konshens was announced on the microphone by emcee Miss Kitty that he would engage the audience in an entertaining masterpiece which began with his hit with Tarrus Riley Good Girl Gone Bad. Looking quite fashionable in his red necktie to match his baseball cap and his red and white Puma sneakers he made it clear that he was Young Black and Powerful which his fans agreed.  

However, he made it clear in his performance that he does not subscribe to Rasta Imposta but he would be comfortable with a Pretty Devil. With a passion for the ladies he tickled their interest as collaborated with upcoming artiste Dari on the popular hit Do Di Thing which sent the huge contingent of female audience into to frenzy, singing the song word for word. Nevertheless, he made it clear that being at Magnum’s 10th anniversary celebrations indicated that This Mean Money and that he is always a Winner.

Queen of the dancehall ‘Mumma’ Saw or Lady Saw as she is best known as delivered an excellent package of risqué but entertaining performances. It was evident that her song Beg Yu was not to suggest that she was pleading for crowd to respond to her performance as she could no wrong throughout here 45 minute stint onstage with her collection of past and present hits. With I Got Your Man, Chat To Mi Back and Backshot it was clear that this versatile female dancehall champion wore her crown well.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Food the Bobsled way


Whether it is the smoked duck quesadillas or the crispy coconut chicken strips, Bobsled Sports Bar and Grill restaurant along the ‘Hip Strip’ in Montego Bay promises to subdue hunger and satisfy your taste buds.

During the celebration of this year’s Restaurant Week from November 7-14 the hip and fun Bobsled restaurant offered appetizing meal choices with a bit of Jamaican Bobsled flair.

With a seating capacity of 70 persons, the authenticity of this unique sports bar and grill have even found its way on the menu list where the true Jamaican Bobsled theme is portrayed in an appetizing twist.

Feel the Rhythm (appetizers) will see the delectable Crispy Coconut Chicken Strips, Downhill Sliders (consisting of either mini chicken or pork burgers) and Smoke Duck Quesadillas being served.

Feel the Rhyme (entrées) will see the Bobsled’s signature Blue Burger, Rasta Fish Rush and the Buffalo Chicken Pizza being featured.

It’s Bobsled Time (dessert) entails the Big Foot Tracks with Power Sugar and the tantalizing Pina Colada Bread Pudding.

Jamaica's presence on the world stage in sports (especially the famous Jamaican Bobsled Team) inspired the concept at this particular Montego Bay restaurant. It was established in 2005 and it offers its clientele a unique Jamaican open café and entertainment setting - similar to the ones in Paris or New York while adding an intimate setting to enjoy and appreciate the diversity of Montego Bay and Jamaica at large.

Each Wednesday some of the members of the Jamaican Bobsled Team who made their famous debut in 1988 at the Winter Olympic Games in Canada participate in an autograph signing session at the facility for the benefit of locals and tourists alike.

Besides the typical feature of plasma television feature that populates an ordinary sport bar and grill, Bobsled personifies the colourful and vibrant atmosphere that is common in the Jamaican culture with an unusual twist of winter features. The facility will soon feature a natural snow effect as patrons walk through the entrance of the restaurant, coupled with a fireplace that will be uniquely designed to add an interactive game on the inside of the fireplace.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Chillin' at Chilitos

Mexican food never looked and tasted so good until Chilitos Restaurant located in Montego Bay and Kingston came on the scene.

Despite the many Spanish-owned hotels along the North Coast this Jamaican owned restaurant has dedicated its menu to fusing Jamaican and Mexican cooking styles together to merge what is known as JaMexican.

According to co-owner of Chilitos Restaurant Nadia Carby explained that the Montego Bay branch was opened in May to with the intent to bring something new and different to the western end of the island. In addition, the expansion of the restaurant into the second city was also to expose Montegonians to a new way of eating out and trying new style of food preparation.
Nestled on the serene property of Doctor’s Cave Hotel on Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay the Mexican-inspired eatery was conceptualize through the fact that the owners’ parents’ are Mexican and Jamaican descendants, therefore the owners thought it would be a good idea to combine the two in creating a restaurant.


Coupled with the relaxed, easy going vibe of Montego Bay, a visit to Chilitos Restaurant will see you experiencing a comfortable dining atmosphere where there are no limitations on dress code, a place where you can be yourself, dine and have drink by the bar.
It is okay to treat yourself to a delicious cheesy chimichangas or the crunchy beef tacos this ignites your taste buds with all the flavours that are place in that scrumptious wrap.

The restaurant’s giant burrito is always a hit especially among the males who enjoy fulfilling meals that contains all the necessary nutrients. Before, after or during your meal a minty mojito or a lemony margarita is sure to add a bit of twist to your dining experience at Chilitos in Montego Bay.

A week of delicious meals

After a tiresome day at work or if you just feel like treating yourself to a delicious meal Pier One on the Waterfront in Montego Bay is an excellent place to unwind and relax.


With its rustic, outdoor bar and dine setting this dining spot is not just a restaurant but an attraction according to sales and marketing manager Sandra Martin. With a marina nearby and the beautiful sunset in the background, there is never an uninteresting moment when dining out at Pier One.

With a variety of delicious seafood, international and vegetarian dishes to choose from, it is no doubt as to why this location is among the top spots to dine in western Jamaica. Restaurant Week (Nov.7-14) will give diners the opportunity to whet their taste buds to some of the most delicious meals at affordable rates at Pier One on the Waterfront restaurant.

Among the meals that persons can expect to be on the menu is the Smoked Marlin On Toast shaved thin with Capers and Onions as the appetizer and the Gingered Shrimp sautéed in a delicate orange sauce as apart of the main course. They also offer a flexible catering option for persons who are not dining in house and the facility to host romantic wedding ceremonies. There is a dining capacity of 250 persons with includes the private dining lounge for more intimate moments.

Each Sunday, the restaurant has a Seafood Special where customers come in, purchase fresh seafood items from an open market and have the meal prepared their way by the chef. . This special event begins at 5:00pm. Pier One on the Waterfront is opened everyday for lunch at 11:30pm and dinner at 5:30pm. The restaurant is also Wi-Fi friendly so you can log on to your favourite websites or continue to conduct business while you dine.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Honouring the best in Hospitality

Hard work and a commitment to the education within the hospitality industry have rewarded Cecil Cornwall of Western Hospitality Institute (WHI), an honorary doctorate degree from Hocking College in the United States of America.
Dr. Cecil Cornwall is only the third Jamaican to ever receive such a distinguished award from the US-based tertiary institution and only the 12th person in the history of the 41-year-old college to receive an honorary doctorate degree.


During his conferment ceremony recently Dr. Cornwall noted “it is true that hard work and a genuine commitment towards service does have its rewards and I am grateful for this honour that has been given to me by such a distinguished institution as Hocking College”. In his humility, he revealed that despite being bestowed the honour of an honorary doctorate degree, he is the same Cecil Cornwall who will continue to provide and further the development of hospitality training for persons in Jamaica.

Among the persons who were awarded at the ceremony were Wayne Cummings (president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association), Diana McIntyre-Pike (president and CEO of Country Side Community Tourism Network), Vana Taylor (president of Villas and Attractions of Jamaica) and Dennis McIntosh (president of Culinary Federation of Jamaica) who all received Honorary Bachelor of Science Degree from WHI.

Dr. Cornwall conceptualized the idea of WHI, which began in 1988 as Western School of Cake Decorating, Pastry Making, International and Creative Cooking. Since then WHI, has accomplished numerous achievements such as being first and only tertiary hospitality institution in Jamaica that offers accredited degree programme without Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) subjects.

One such success story that WHI boast is that of June Clarke. She was a cook in the hospitality industry who has no CXC subjects no formal training but is now a student at the Oklahoma State University in the United States of America pursing her PhD in Hotel Management. June Clarke has successfully completed her Associate Degree, Bachelor, Master of Business Administration (MBA) at WHI in collaboration Hocking College (U.S.A).

Monday, November 2, 2009

Voyage of Ja through an artist

It has taken some two decades to celebrate the works of renowned artist Michael Lester through the publication of a book titled “Michael Lester-his life and works” authored by close friend Kenneth J. Jones.


“The reason it has come out now is that it has taken so long to gather photographs of his work from all over the world. But it is a very comprehensive collections of his works and it’s a biography from my own knowledge of him,” said the author who at one point lived with the now deceased Michael Lester and his wife’s Belmont residence in Montego Bay.

Born Michal Antoni Leszczynski, Michael Lester is originally from Poland but moved to Jamaica in 1952. He died in 1972 at the age of 66. The book offers a rare opportunity to examine the life and works of this brilliant artist who became so in love with the beauty and charm of this island that he dedicated most of his paintings and art years leading up to his death in featuring Jamaican scenery and people.

The journey brings with his early art stretches when he was a sailor, where he stretched anything in from a rope from the ship to trips of his voyages at sea nothing was taken for granted on his artistic quest.

After attending the Polish State Nautical College in Gdynia, he received his diploma in Marine Studies he later spent two semesters at the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts. He also studies Piano at the Chopin School of Music, Warsaw Conservatory. His mother, Eleanor Walter was also a painter was Lester’s first tutor in painting. After he arrived in Jamaica in 1955, he established the Lester Art Gallery in Montego Bay at 20 Market Street. The majority of his works at the time were sold to tourists and winter residents through the Lester Gallery according Kenneth.

So captivated is this author with the works of Michael Lester that he used the opportunity to encourage youths to develop a greater level of appreciation art and the persons who spend time creating beautiful masterpieces. He argued “it is important culturally for young people to appreciate his art and many other artist. This was a foreigner, a European and a very culturally educated man who came here and became apart of Jamaica”.