Straight Forward – Show #7 is next

Straight Forward, a lifestyle talk show will be having its 7th program this Thursday, June 18 at 8pm CT on Instagram and Facebook LIVE. The program started May 7 this year.

This week’s guest is CEO, Solid Agency, Sharon Burke, a woman who is a pioneer in the business of music in and out of Jamaica. She has done this for just about three decades.

The program, hosted by Carole Beckford, looks at interesting personalities who are leaders and influencers in their respective fields. The one-hour show, broadcast on Instagram and Facebook live has a twist of Straight talk and takes the conversation Forward in an entertaining, yet frank and honest way. 

So far, the program has featured 

• Jamaican, international chef, Noel Cunningham 
• Former West Indies fast bowler, Tino Best 
• Jamaican International Reggae performer and producer, Tony Rebel 
• Actor, Director and Full Time Nurse, Shauna Chin (based in Los Angeles) 
• Actor, Film Entrepreneur, Educator, Sherando Ferril Cupid 

Businessman and Head of the KLE Team (owners/operators of Usain Bolt Tracks and Records), Gary Matalon was the show’s sixth guest. The program has an eclectic line up for the rest of June and July. 

It is on at 8pm CT/ 9pm EST and 6pm PT. 

The IG profile is here at this link https://www.instagram.com/carolebeckford/ – while the program is developing its own space on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StraightForwardwithCarole/ – in the meantime though, with a weekly reach of up to 300,000 on the combined platforms of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Carole is building a robust audience for the show. 

The show is primarily from the locations of the guests and host, but it has been outside twice, on location, courtesy of the Jamaica Pegasus. The show is currently supported by Strictly Roots Water. 

The show has its own music – Sunny Day – an instrumental piece played by iSax and produced by Ryan Bailey, who doubles as the show’s executive producer. The rest of the technical team has Jelani Walters, Ricardo ‘Champs’ Williams, Belinda Brady, Celia Thompson and Andre Helps.

Sport Fans – What are we missing?

KINGSTON – Sport fans globally have been lamenting the absence of live sport that they can watch on screens or even attend considering we are all being affected by this covid19 pandemic.

What is true though, this is one of the toughest periods sport fans have gone through in the last twenty years.

• We were 65 matches in the NBA season.
• The English Premier League (EPL) did not go beyond the March 14 date.
  • (Liverpool – two matches away from being declared winner)
• UEFA has suspended and pushed back dates of all its leagues
  • February 19 a match was held in Milan – Atalanta vs Valencia
• MLB was in the pre-season. March 26 was supposed to be opening day.
  • The Nationals are the defending champions  
• NFL was doing combines and getting ready for draft (April 23 – 25) this will be virtual
• ESPN will show The Last Dance – the Michael Jordan series
  • Originally set for June and will be brought forward to Sunday, April 19
• WNBA draft is coming up in May and could be virtual

The Summer Olympics was scheduled for July 24 to August 9 and sport fans were all lining up.

On the track and field calendar, the World Indoor Track and Field, Nanjing was the first event to be postponed from the IAAF calendar and all the other Diamond League events, World Continental Tour (which includes the Racers Grand Prix event in Jamaica) are all being affected.

We are looking at hundreds of hours of TV/Sport content, live and delayed that, we, as sport fans are all missing.

What about the athletes?

With five sporting disciplines (Baseball/Softball, Karate, Skateboarding, Sport climbing and Surfing) to be added to the existing 28, apart from the athletes who were gearing up for the 33 sporting disciplines in this year’s planned Summer Olympics, all the other leagues and competitions listed above would see a significant percentage of the world’s best athletes on show.

The major brands, Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok, Under Armour would be in the world’s eyes. Some of us would be ordering stuff online and even when we attend some of the meets, we would acquire the latest merchandise that is available.

The athletes would wear the latest set of gear that has been made and we consumers would grab this up at every chance we get.

Opportunity for athletes during COVID

• Stay safe and follow the protocols
• Show us snippets of you working out in your branded gear
• Give tips that can be used to inspire the world as you would always do
• Keep all your fans informed; you may even get new fans

No one will or should be able to say when any major sporting event will return to the court, field or track, but one thing is sure, live sport is a thing.

Until then, cherish the memories… of sport!

Stay in the Game!

Jamaica’s Sport Industry

Jamaica’s sport industry will be hit hard with the advent of the corona virus pandemic.

The first blow came when the Inter Secondary Schools Sport Association (ISSA) was forced to cancel the 2020 edition of the Boys and Girls Championship. The event which was scheduled for March 24 – 28 was called off on Wednesday, March 11 by a team comprising the Ministry of Health and Wellness, ISSA and the lead sponsor partner, Grace Kennedy.

ISSA was quick out the blocks in estimating that at least J$150 million would have been lost. That amount would have included not just sponsor contribution, but income from broadcast rights, tickets and concessions.

The annual CHAMPS event is but one of the major calendar events which has been affected. The other sporting disciplines include an incomplete Red Stripe Premier League; Netball Jamaica was just about getting ready to start their national league in all divisions; an international volleyball club championship, scheduled for the weekend before CHAMPS, was also canceled along with several other competitions.

Subsequently, all public sporting and entertainment events have been postponed or cancelled. The only sporting event which managed to keep its foot in the door was horseracing which saw its last event being held on Saturday, March 21.

The effects on the system cannot be quantified just yet, but there are several layers that will be impacted. First off, all the athletes in all sports elite and amateur have been affected. While they are unable to compete, they are now unable to train.

Additionally, service providers, those employed directly and indirectly will all be affected; because with no events being held, there is no revenue being generated and therefore a lot of those in that industry will receive reduced pay packages for a limited time. Those who offer freelance services are on a wait and see game.

Elite Athletes

While the elite (professional athlete) may have a lifeline through the partnership with their sponsor partners, for example gear and beverage companies and other short-term partners. We await feedback from that group.

With every aspect of the industry almost coming to a halt, the fall out will be devastating. There is no timeline for the restart of any leagues now on hold. Some have been postponed indefinitely and some are considering cancellation.

National Sport budget

As a background, the Jamaican system has never been able to record a correct estimate of the contribution of the sport industry to its gross domestic product (GDP); but the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in its annual public, the Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica (ESSJ) suggests that sports (an entertainment) contribute a combined figure of up to 3.5 per cent.

The GDP as reported for the 2019 period is $14.516 billion. The sport figure would therefore be close to $500 million.

When the Government presented its 2019/2020 budget for $803 billion the allocation for sport was $4.119 billion; a figure that has shown steady increase over the years. Certainly, in the last decade the country has participated in two Summer Olympic Games – 2012, 2016 and was about to go to its third in 2020, now postponed to 2021.

The global impact is severe and already we are seeing fallouts from all the major leagues in every sport. All have had an impact on its salaries for its professional players, full and part time staff.

We now have to live through the memories of sport, games we all love so much.

#StayInTheGame

DJ Kurt Riley presents The Global Party

KINGSTON, Jamaica – DJ Kurt Riley, more popularly known as the Party Animal in the Dancehall, took to the digital streets and spun into action last Saturday (March 28).

In what his team dubbed The Global Party – Caribbean Edition, the just over three hours event went live on Instagram; Facebook and YouTube.

Just before The Global Party was launched, Riley had 29,400 followers on Instagram, that has now moved to 30,500 in just a few days. Riley, speaking after the first show said, “I am ready to go again.” He will be on every Wednesday and Saturday through to the end of April in the initial stage.

DJ Nicco (left) and DJ Kurt Riley

Riley had DJ Nicco with him in the Kingston-based studio and hosted personalities from across the world, with heavy inputs from USA, Canada, Africa, Australia, and a host of fans from across the wider Caribbean and home island, Jamaica.

Young and upcoming singer, Abby Dallas made a guest appearance.

The mix of songs attracted a wide demographic as Riley punched tunes from soca, dancehall, reggae – hits after hits, after hits. He also paid tribute to the late great Bob Andy who passed recently. Bob Andy and Kurt’s father, Winston Riley shared a good friendship.

Grace Kennedy Money Services (GKMS) joined in the party too. They partnered using their brands Bill Express Online and Western Union under the theme #StayHomeAndParty.

Senior Communications Manager, Grace Kennedy Financial Group, Yolande Gyles Levy was part of the livestream endorsing the event in a live interview.

Special thanks to Grace Kennedy Money Service, our live guest artist @theabbydallas, our first guest dj @djnicco876 and all who made a success. Big ups to CPJ & Magnum

The event was powered by Animal Instinct Entertainment and was supported by CPJ, Magnum and IPMG.

This Wednesday, April 1

The Global Party will feature a Trailerload of 70s, 80s, 90s music starting at 6pm entertaining the quarantined across the globe.

-ENDS-

International Club Volleyball in Jamaica, March 20 – 22

KINGSTON, Jamaica –  Top-class international club volleyball action returns to Jamaica this March (20 – 22). For the 28^th year, the Venus Volleyball Club will stage its three-day tournament.

The event this year will feature seven male and eight female teams. Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, USA and Jamaica. The teams will be vying for top honors to include the 2020 Trophy and cash prizes and individual awards.

Home team and hosts, Venus International are the defending champions in both the male and female categories.

President of the Club, Kenneth Reid, in praising his team, says “we are happy to continue to contribute to the development of volleyball in Jamaica. For almost three decades we continue to showcase our own talent and we have been able to facilitate a wide range of international talent over this period. We continue to make serious inroads in the sport.”

One of the community initiatives the clubs has embarked on is ensuring the schools in St Catherine have access to this level of competition. Several high and primary schools will be invited.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is one of the main sponsors for the event, along with the Tourism Enhancement Fund, The Knutsford Court Hotel, and SportsMax Ltd.

Action serves off on Friday, March 20 at the GC Foster College and runs through until Sunday when the final in both categories will be held. Action starts at 9:00 am on Friday.

At last year’s staging, five (5) overseas based teams participated, representing three (3) countries; USA, Bahamas, and Trinidad.

Rockers Takeover, Elizabeth Sloane sign 3-year IP management deal

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Rockers Takeover a brand owned and operated by Israel Group Limited has signed an Intellectual Property management deal with Elizabeth Sloane. The deal which has been inked for three years will see Elizabeth  Sloane managing the business development and commercialization of the Rockers Takeover brand and its Intellectual Properties. 

Rockers Takeover

Rockers Takeover is a platform established to preserve and promote Jamaica music, culture, art, and design globally will have its inaugural event on Saturday, February 22. 

The event is a Reggae Month listed and Jamaica Tourist Board endorsed event. The brand aims to use the 70s, 80s music to attract tourists, locals, and persons in the diaspora, also to educate about Jamaican culture, art, music, and design. The brand will be used as a platform to move around the world educating and exposing millions to Jamaican culture, music, design, and art. The platform which will take the form of an event will tour throughout the year starting with a Rockers Takeover Music Festival held in Kingston during Reggae Month.

Managing Director, Elizabeth Sloane, Melanie Wynter, explains “Jamaica creatives have suffered too long from the exploitation of the orange economy and as such will be using Elizabeth  Sloane as the brand to protect and grow IPs, managing the business development and commercialization of Rockers Takeover. 

Elizabeth Sloane whose expertise is business development, productizing, commercializing and market entry especially in West Africa and the Caribbean, will be responsible for the growth of the brand throughout the Caribbean and Africa. “We believe the partnership is monumental to commercializing our creative industry in the Caribbean. We are very grateful for the faith Rockers Takeover as placed in us.”

CARE FOR THE ELDERLY BUSINESS NOW AVAILABLE IN KINGSTON

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Elderly care and assisted living have become quite the partnership in today’s society. A significant part of the Jamaican population (at home and abroad) are approaching that age and stage of their lives and are opting for a home away from home living for ease and sometimes more comfort.

Health-trained professionals, to include, but not limited to nursing are getting into the field of entrepreneurship to provide assisted-living services for this age-group.

Living Room

Once such business is Premier Nursing Solutions which is run by a nurse with over 12-years’ experience. When we spoke to her, Nurse Mattis, as she is affectionately called, she told us that, “in the research done assisted living allows a bit more independence and costs a bit less than nursing home care but is more expensive than an independent living facility. However, the costs depend on the level of care the resident requires as well as the location and housing type. Contracts can be all-inclusive or a la carte and may be on a month-to-month basis or longer term.”

Bedroom

She believes Jamaica is ready for this type of business and she is ready to offer that service in Kingston for those in need. Mattis is aware of the competition and knows there are a few facilities across the island.

We asked her a few questions about the business:

How did this business idea come about? 

Premier Nursing Solutions was founded in November 2018. The CEO and founder a Registered Nurse with over twelve (12) years’ experience noticed that the standard for elderly care had decreased significantly and the lack of assisted living facilities specifically. This concern was further exacerbated when a search commenced to find a long-term caregiver for her father-in-law. Realizing that there was a real and growing need for various forms of elderly care in Jamaica, the idea was born to establish a pioneer this facility.

How has your training as a nurse influenced your decision to do this? 

My training and experience over the past fourteen (14) years have offered me insight into Jamaica’s healthcare system, and the limited options available for elderly care and improved quality of life. These have convinced me that ageing needs to be rethought to assure the best standards for our elderly. Various forms of care need to be available, as clients will have different demands based on their needs. This is compounded by Jamaica’s development as a nation, steadily increasing the life expectancy of her citizens by at least one (1) decade over the last fifty (50) years.

Who are you targeting? 

This is not limited. Whilst the facility will attract those who are ill and in need of such appropriate care, it can also be a very fitting retirement facility for local citizens who are living alone or returning residents. The amenities are designed to provide a sense of community, but also to assure privacy, convenience, and independence.

Define the specific services.

The facility will initially provide assisted living, short term/Respite Care (a week to few months), Adult Day Care (a few hours to week), Recovery Care, and Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Care.

Talk about affordability and how folks can access the facility

The facility’s base price provides a wide range of amenities which are competitive by any market standard. For a detailed view of complete amenities, interested clients are invited to contact us via the following sources:

Mobile: (876) 442-5538/ (876) 403-9581

Email: premiernursingsolutionsja@gmail.com

Instagram: @premiernursingja

Facebook: premiernursingsolutions

Website: http://www.nursingja.com

The property is now available for viewing.

Who are your care providers and what special training do they come with? 

Our Care Team is a diverse group of medical professionals. This includes our on-call doctor, family medical doctor, registered nurses with different specialties (i.e. emergency, public health and geriatric care), geriatric practical nurses, nutritionist and physiotherapist. All our nurses are trained in basic life support (BLS).

Rebel Salute 2020 – Come for the show, stay for the experience

When the band strikes the first note on Friday, January 17, it would signal the 27th staging of Rebel Salute. The festival which was first a one night event, has now turned into a massive two-day festival catering to a wide and diverse audience globally.

This year’s renewal will feature the experience of a lifetime with great music from Reggae Artistes. Patrick Barrett, aka, Tony Rebel, host of the event, along with his team, says “this year’s line up for both evening will showcase over 700 hits across the talent that will be on show. That is quite a remarkable feat.”

What is happening now, 9 days before the start of the show is the full suite of artistes rehearsing at studio locations across Kingston. This is where the artistes and their teams come to perfect their performances. They appear with back up singers, band members and even some of the managers stop by.

Chevaughn who is on the Friday line up, had a session https://twitter.com/CaroleBeckford/status/1214956823545044992?s=20

While Errol Dunkley of Black Cinderella fame, gave a shout out to the fans to join him on Saturday, January 18 https://twitter.com/CaroleBeckford/status/1214971011063590913?s=20

The stage manager is there on location and provides support to the crews that come in and ensures that the times allocated are adhered to.

The show welcomes 49 per cent of the total audience from overseas and this, according to Tony Rebel, “indicates that the show is a fitting product for music lovers at home and abroad.”

The Grammy-nominated Reggae Album Group, Steel Pulse will be on stage on Friday along with Toots and the Maytals, Sanchez, Chi Chi Ching, Kenyatta Hill – to name a few; while on Saturday, Moses Davis (Beenie Man), Jessie Royal, Tony Tuff, Chronnic Law and Benjy Myaz are among the stars to be on the show.

There is comedy with Johnny and Friends on Friday. While on Saturday a dub plate show case featuring Jack Scorpio (Jamaica) and DynamQ Sound (South Sudan) will be a highlight on Saturday.

The village will present an eclectic presentation of art and craft and the now popular herb curb, with Dr Julius Garvey as a special guest.

Tickets are available at https://secure.ticketpal.com/affiliate/rebelsalutewebsite

The two-day show, held at the Grizzlys Plantation Cove, Priory, St Ann is one you won’t want to miss. Gates open at 5pm and show starts promptly at 7pm.

Come for the music, stay for the experience – after all, it is the Peoples Show.

See you there

Girls Trip – You should try one

Long before the 2017 American comedy Girls Trip with the star-studded cast of Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish, the trips were a thing.

I did two of such trips in 2019 and they were therapeutic. I would therefore like to recommend a few reasons why women of all ages should take a Girls Trip.

Beach Front, Ocho Rios, JAMAICA

Before I get into the reasons though, it is a time when you can sample a new set of experiences to include, food, wine, attractions, sport, theatre, music among a few things.

1. You can do this from as early as college. Girls Trip can be used to conduct research for that final paper before graduation; or if there is a conference you want to go to network, plan a few days around it.
2. After College, it is a way to have a reunion with your circle, especially if everybody moved back home and got new and exciting jobs/projects and it will provide a great opportunity for updates face to face.
3. If you keep in touch with your friends from as far back as high school, then here is another reason. Even within the big-group reunion, there is always room for four/five of you (who are close) to reconnect.
4. Girls Trips can also be fun for sport. Say the Summer Olympics which is coming up (July 24 to August 9) in Tokyo, Japan. I don’t need to add anything more on this one.
5. Work friends can use it to unwind, once you can all get vacation at the same time
6. If you are part of service clubs, community groups, a small group from either team can take a trip too.

Travel Tips

• Make a budget
• Four/five days are good (especially if it is the first)
• Check the weather and pack accordingly
• Select a team leader (she will create an agenda)
• Use miles
• Book for the airport closest to the hotel
• Book room for at least two each
• Look up the great restaurants
• See what events are on so you can book tickets early
• Check if it is more reasonable to do Uber/Lyft – or rent a car

These trips are usually shared expenses and if you suggest an activity outside of what was agreed, ensure there is enough notice. Also, plan an hour or so and do a gift exchange, preferably on the last evening before departure. You can pick up on hints on what each other like, so that should be easy. And take loads of pictures. – the memories are what matter.

So, start calling your girlfriends from school college or work, and plan a trip for 2020. You will be glad you did. Go for the fun, enjoy the experience.

#OneLove

How to watch sport with your man/woman

Ladies – I have some suggestions for you when you accompany your male spouse to a sporting event. First off, lots of other women follow sport and are BIG fans, so, like me, we know the athletes, coaches and we develop friendships over time with the men in the crowd. So, if you are attending for the first time
1. Be pleasant (especially when you are being greeted)
2. Do not sit there looking bored – take a book if you plan not to watch
3. If your intention is just to “watch” the man; opt to stay home
4. Try and learn even a little about the sport/school/club the man supports
5. Take a snack bag with the things he likes and share them with him during a match
6. You may also choose to go buy him a drink (preferably a beer) during half time, so he can discuss the match with his friends. Also, you may see another friend from your own high school college or even your workplace, yes other women do the same as you are doing
Just make yourself comfortable.

7. If you are not interested in the sport, stay home. Remember, he will come home after each match.

Men

Suggestions for the men who have Women Who Love Sport
1. If you have no interest in the sport – Stay Home
2. You may offer to drop off and pick up
3. She may also choose to go with friends; so plan a drink up at home while she is away
4. Don’t text (WhatsApp) too often while she is there
5. If you decide to go… Take a book or your kindle – if you are not interested in the event, you will be bored
6. Take a snack bag with chips, or cooler (if allowed) with your favorite beverage
7. At half time, pop by the bar, snack counter – offer her a drink, some of us drink 🙂
8. At the end of the match, go back to your book/kindle while she runs a review of the match – half an hour is good
9. When you are walking back to the car, expect a few stops
10. When on the ride home, never ask who was that guy in the purple shirt, you may regret asking
11. Support your woman if she loves sport, know the schedule of the season/s; so when she off every Wednesday/Saturday you know where she is.

Next post will be on the TV edition! Until next time