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Couples resorts make top-25 travel list again

Published: Saturday | August 28, 2010
Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

The Couples Resorts chain has reason to celebrate. For the second year running, all four Couples Resorts properties are ranked on Travel + Leisure's Top 25 World's Best List for resorts in the Caribbean.

These are Couples Tower Isle and Couples Sans Souci, both in St Mary; and Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril, both in Negril, Westmoreland.

This makes Couples the first all-inclusive resort chain to have all its properties listed in the prestigious magazine's top 25 list for two years running.

The recently refurbished and renamed Couples Tower Isle (formerly Couples Ocho Rios) comes out best of the four, being ranked at number four. It leads Couples Swept Away and Couples Sans Souci in the top 10, the two being ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, while Couples Negril is ranked 19th.

Additionally, the Swept Away and Negril properties are making the list for the fourth consecutive year. Tower Isle and Sans Souci are on the list for two years running.

For specialised services, there is also great news for three of the properties: Sans Souci, Negril and Swept Away. Thousands of travellers have ranked the hotels first, second and third, respectively, on the World's Best Spa, as listed by Travel + Leisure.

The latest news comes just a month after all four properties made the World's Best Service list, announced by Travel + Leisure in July.

Dubbed the Caribbean's most inclusive all-inclusive, all Couples resorts include a wide array of services, including beachfront locations, water sports, swim-up pool bars, Wi-Fi and Internet cafes, cooking and dance classes, among other entertainment options.

From Jamaica Gleaner News.

Big up Dustin!! Check out our article about Dustin Brown from earlier this year for more information about him.

Brown gets historic win at US Open... Books date with Andy Murray

Thursday, September 02, 2010

NEW YORK, USA (AFP) — Jamaica's Dustin Brown has no coach, no extra money, no major financial backing and no experience in front of huge crowds like the one that will watch him play Britain's Andy Murray at the US Open.

But the 25-year-old German-born standout has no lack of confidence in facing the Scotsman after taking his first Grand Slam triumph yesterday, ousting Spain's Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5.

"I'm really excited to play against him," Brown said. "I'm definitely going to play my type of tennis, play aggressive, try to keep the points short. He's a very good returner, so I'll have to see how it works out, how I'm serving, if it's possible to play serve and volley or have to play from the baseline."

Brown, ranked 123rd, has risen nearly 300 spots in the world rankings as a low-budget operator and is excited to show what he can do against elite talent.

"The last year has been a very good year for me, ranked maybe 400-something to inside the top 100 and that with limited support from federations," he said.

"If I get financial backing and a coach travelling with me, we'll just see what happens. Either way I think there's definitely much more to come."

Brown pays his own travel and expenses to events — "if you lose first round, you could go out with a minus" — but does not envy Murray's riches, saying he has a freedom that comes with not being beholden to sponsors' desires.

"There are a lot of people that have a lot of money, but it also depends if you're also still a free person. I'm very free. I can do what I want," Brown said. "If I don't feel like playing, I'll go home.

"Being in his position and having his type of money, there definitely is a certain amount of contracts that you're tied down to and rules you have to follow. That's why probably right now I don't have any contracts.

"I'm definitely looking properly to make sure I don't give away too much of my freedom and other people are deciding for me where I have to play, where I have to train. Then I just can't perform good."

While his big weapon is his serve, Brown also loves the drop shot.

"I try it and I see how it works," he said. "If the guy is running it down every time and hits a winner, then I should stop."

Brown had inquired about playing Davis Cup tennis for Britain or Germany but hopes to heal differences with Jamaican officials that sent him searching.

"If the possibility is to stay in playing for Jamaica, I definitely would love to do that," Brown said. "But if I realise that nothing is going to change over the years, I have to look at my career."

Murray warned that national pride is a big part of Davis Cup.

"I don't know how British or English he feels," Murray said. "For me, that's quite important when I'm playing for my country."

Brown said match support from New York's Jamaican community made him feel like his US Open debut was a Davis Cup tie and he expects the same for the Murray match.

"That will probably be the biggest crowd I've played in front of," he said. "If we play on a big court there are definitely going to be more Jamaican guys coming."

Visit his website at http://www.dustinbrown.de.tl/Latest-News.htm.

From JamaicaObserver.com.

Jamaica's Tourist Capital Welcomes Its One Millionth Visitor

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay welcomed its one millionth visitor on Saturday, August 28, 2010. The couple, Aaron and Angela Wilson, arrived in Montego Bay onboard AirTran from Baltimore. The couple, visiting Jamaica to celebrate their 2nd wedding anniversary, will be staying at one of the island’s small hotels, Catch-A-Falling Star Resort in Negril.

“We are pleased to welcome our one millionth visitor for the year to the Sangster International Airport in Jamaica’s tourist capital. Despite the challenges of the past year, we are thrilled that Jamaica has been able to achieve this milestone,” noted John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “We congratulate our lucky couple who are visiting Jamaica to celebrate their wedding anniversary as Jamaica remains a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, and the frequency of airlift from the United States makes it more accessible and affordable to visit Jamaica.”

“We are proud to be the airline that delivered the island’s one millionth visitor,” remarked Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales at AirTran Airways. “This is a great milestone for AirTran to be a part of, seeing that we have been offering service to this remarkable destination for six months. We look forward to a successful partnership with Jamaica as we continue to allow travelers to experience the island’s vibrant and welcoming culture.”

Aaron and Angela Wilson were greeted warmly upon arrival at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport by Director of Tourism John Lynch, Minister of Tourism the Honorable Edmund Bartlett, AirTran Station Manager Owen Campbell, Co-Chairman of the Montego Bay Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Omar Robinson and other tourism officials. The couple was presented with a pair of tickets for future travel from any AirTran gateway, valid for one year, as well as accommodations at Catch-A-Falling Star Resort for the return trip.

From South Florida Caribbean News.

Duane Stephenson returns with his brand new album "Black Gold"

By Ras Achis
Tuesday, August 31, 2010

On the tail end of the Jamaican "Roots Reggae uprising" of a few years back which included the rises to prominence of such big named artists like Tarrus Riley, Etana and Queen Ifrica was Duane Stephenson, an artist who, while not receiving acclaim on those lofty levels, certainly secured his place amongst many hardcore Reggae heads with tunes like the remake of Tyrone Taylor's classic "Cottage In Negril" and "August Town". Those big tunes would appear on his very well received debut album, From August Town in 2006 and ultimately lead him back again four years later, for his much anticipated sophomore solo release, Black Gold.

Just like the first album, Black Gold comes via VP Records and features production work from the legendary Dean "Cannon" Fraser. Also on board joining the August Town, Jamaica native are the likes of the incomparable Mutabaruka, the aforementioned Queen Ifrica, Gramps Morgan and the underrated Ras Shiloh, who chimes in on the Kemar "Flava" McGregor produced "Soon As We Rise".

Whether you caught on three years ago or back during his days as the frontman of the well respectable To Isis group, fans of Duane Stephenson can catch up to what he's been working on lately as the potentially excellent Black Gold drops worldwide on September 13 and 14.

From United Reggae.

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Reggae's Dancehall Queen, Lady Saw New Album, My Way, available everywhere September 7th

LOS ANGELES – Dancehall Queen, Lady Saw (Marion Hall), has announced the release of her first album since 2007, "My Way," due out on September 7th, 2010 through new partnership with Toasting Music, alongside her label Diva Records, distributed by Fontana/Universal.

Jamaican-born Reggae singer and “Queen of Dancehall,” Lady Saw was the first female DJ to win a Grammy Award, and the first female to be certified triple platinum as a result of her work on No Doubt’s "Underneath It All" in 2003 after reaching #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Saw also received gold certification for her work "Smile" with Vitamin C. Previous releases "Lover Girl," "Give Me A Reason," and "Passion," paved the way for her best-selling album, "Raw, the Best of Lady Saw" in 1998, which received four and a half stars by AMG.

With the release of "My Way," Saw brings back her famous Dancehall beats and gritty lyrics that first gained her acclaim and widespread popularity at Dancehall shows. The album features fourteen tracks including lead single, "Party Till December," which will also feature a music video due out in late August. Other tracks include "He Is At My House (feat, Eve)," "Every Way Mi Go," and "I Can’t Wait (feat. Ding Dong)".

“Lady Saw exudes a strength and determination in her music both lyrically and melodically that resonates with her fans. My Way continues that sound, and will likely permeate through not just the dancehall and reggae communities, but to Hip Hop and Dance fans as well. That makes her a perfect fit for Toasting Music,” says Steven Weber, President of Toasting Music.

Lady Saw will be playing a number of shows throughout the late Summer and early Fall, including appearances at Hot 97 ‘On the Reggae Tip’ in NYC September 3rd, and at Miami Carnival on October 9th.

Track Listing

1. Every Way Mi Go
2. Your Chick
3. Bigga Than
4. He Is At My House (feat. Eve)
5. My Way
6. Party Till December
7. Tighta
8. Cyaan Get Me
9. Crazy Love
10. My Money
11. Muscle Control (feat. Camar)
12. 5 Minutes
13. Facebook
14. I Can’t Wait (feat. Ding Dong)
15. I’m A Woman

From South Florida Caribbean News.

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The Jolly Boys lead Jamaican sounds in Trenchtown

Wednesday 25th August 2010

Trenchtown returns to Ireland's Electric Picnic to add a touch of the Caribbean to the festivities. A Jamaican village right in the heart of the festival, Trenchtown offers the sites, sounds, tastes of the island in the Stradbally forest. Curated by Martin Hickey who spends 6 months of the year sourcing the finest that Jamaica has to offer.

Jamaica's answer to Cuba's Buena Vista Social Club, The Jolly Boys will be making their first ever visit to Ireland, to make their debut appearance. Joining them in the woods will be the roots, drums from West Africa gospel and ska straight through reggae to Jamaican dance hall; when the sun goes down the bass goes up.

Music over the three days is provided by a One World Sound, Ireland's first integrated Gospel choir - Discovery Gospel Choir, West African song and dance group Wassa Wassa, new Irish Reggae band The BaRLey Mob, a shamanic dub trotting session from Wiggle, Roots Factory, Skaz, Present Arms, Dub Investigation, 7 piece Ska/reggae band The Bionic Rats, Treasure Beach International featuring DJ Floyd Cide and Sou-Wes Krew, and Worries Outernational serving up a crucial mix of Roots Reggae and Dancehall.

Plus reggae stylings from The Launch Crew, 8-piece roots band Indica, roots riddims from The Italics, and finalists of European Reggae contest Intinn and old school professional reggae stalwart DJ Will Softly.

Aside from the music, Trenchtown offers all the delicious foods, drinks and aromas you'd expect to find in Jamaica.

Electric Picnic is held from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th September at Stradbally Hall Estate, County Laois [Ireland]. Tickets are priced at 240 euros for an adult weekend ticket. Family Camping Tickets, and Campervan Tickets priced at 60 euros are also available.

To buy tickets, click here.

The line-up includes the previously announced Roxy Music, Leftfield, and Massive Attack lead the acts announced that include LCD Soundsystem, The Frames, Public Image Ltd, The National, Imelda May, Mumford & Sons, Seasick Steve, Modest Mouse, Hot Chip, Gil Scott-Heron, Fever Ray, Jonsi, Fat Freddy's Drop, Bad Lieutenant, Crystal Castles, Afro Celt Sound System, Booka Shade, Bloody Beetroots Death Crew77, and more. For the line-up details as available please click here.

From efestivals.co.uk.

Bolt will consider long jump or 400 after London Games

By Simon Evans
MIAMI | Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:56pm EDT

MIAMI (Reuters) - Jamaican triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt could compete in the long jump or over 400 meters at the 2013 Moscow world championships, the sprinter told Reuters on Tuesday.

In a telephone interview from Jamaica, Bolt said he was aiming to emulate American Carl Lewis by successfully defending his Olympic 100 meters title at the 2012 London Games.

He said if he completed the 100-200 double again he would then look to try new events, some years earlier than he has previously indicated.

"My aim is to defend both of my titles, I have to focus on those first and then after London, I will decide if I will try either of those events," said Bolt, who is resting at home after cutting his season short to recover from a back injury.

"I really think I will be a good long jumper, that's what I think, I don't know what my coach will think, maybe he'll say try 400 meters."

Bolt's coach Glen Mills and many other Jamaicans, have long felt that the man who smashed the 100 and 200 meters world records in Beijing two years ago, would make an outstanding 400 meters runner.

"A lot of people think I will be a really good 400 meters runner and if he says let's try maybe I will try and see what happens. I will listen to my coach because he has been my inspiration throughout all these years," Bolt said.

Bolt, who on Tuesday announced a new sponsorship deal with Puma, was more enthusiastic, however, when talking about the long jump.

As a school kid growing up in the parish of Trelawny on Jamaica's North West coast, Bolt first got a taste of the long jump, one of the many sporting activities, including cricket and football that he took part in.

But it was a casual jump during a warmup at an event in the Czech Republic two years ago that gave Bolt the taste for the event.

"I did long jump in (school) sports day but it wasn't anything serious, I went Ostrava one year and I tried it out and jumped quite a distance, in my tracksuit. I decided. I'd like to try this before retiring, at the end of my career," he said.

Last year Mike Powell, holder of the world long jump record which he set in 1991, said Bolt could break that record of 8.95 meters.

In the more immediate future though, Bolt is focused on getting back in shape -- he returns to training in Kingston on October 4 -- for next year's world championships.

Prior to taking his break, Bolt was beaten by American rival Tyson Gay in a Diamond League event in Stockholm and he is keen to avenge that loss next season.

"I never like to lose but I knew that I wasn't in the best of shape this season. I didn't train as hard so it wasn't something that impacted me that badly.

"But I know that it's a loss. It makes the sport more exciting now because I know that the next time and Tyson line up it is going to be really big clash and I am looking forward to it.

"Definitely it will (be a different story) -- he knows that and I know that."

From Reuters.

Food Awards creating great opportunities for Chefs

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Kevin Broderick of The Rockhouse Hotel was named Chef of the Year at the 2010 Jamaica Observer Food Awards held at Devon House on Thursday, July 22.

Honoured for his innovative use of authentic Jamaican foods over the years, Broderick has created several mouth-watering treats like Old Time Sinting, Grandma's Sweet Potato Pudding topped with a Zesty June Plum Sauce; Fried Dumpling Jerk Chicken Roulade stuffed with Ginger-Roasted Plantain, and a Guinness Jerk Sauce among others.

Not surprisingly, the award-winning chef has been offered numerous opportunities as a result of his win, and was featured on CVM at Sunrise on August 2. He also did an interview with Pan magazine -- to be released shortly-- where he reflected on his journey as a chef and his recently acquired Chef of the Year title.

Chef Broderick believes winning the title is a testament to his hard work over the years and his undying passion for the culinary arts. "Words cannot describe how I felt at the moment when I heard my name, or when I went on stage to collect the award from Marco Pierre White; it was unbelievable to me and I'm very humbled," he told Thursday Food.

He aims to use his food to change people's lives and inspire Jamaicans to embrace their culture.

From JamaicaObserver.com.

Anthony Cruz cruises through Canada

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

It could easily have been called making up for lost time as singer Anthony Cruz cruised through Canada on his first professional visit to that North American country.

"It was as if the people were holding their breaths and waiting for me," an excited Cruz said, his eyes flashing with glee. "They knew my songs like Half-Way-Tree, but they had never seen me perform live, and it was a big thrill for me to be so appreciated. It was just a joy," he said of his performances at the Jamaica Day Festivals in Toronto and Ottawa and Jambana in Toronto.

According to the reggae singer, who is the nephew of the late Garnett Silk, the positive energy from his Canadian trip was in no way lessened by the fact that the Jamaica Day Festival in Toronto had to be rescheduled. "I did a lot of radio interviews, signed autographs at the venue and really enjoyed the whole pre-show vibe before it was cancelled due to rain," he explained.

And what he didn't get to give his Jamaica Day fans, he unleashed at the Jambana Festival in Downsview Park . Also on the bill were Fab 5, Frankie Paul and Canada-based reggae singer, Steele.

His next gig was at Club Northern Tropics where he played with mostly Canadian artistes like Visionary, Mystics, Princess Anla and Nikki.

In Ottawa, which was another first, Cruz was one of the headliners for the Jamaica Day festival there. He was full of praise for the promoters of the event at the Club Rozz Entertainment Complex , and also for the fans who showed their support. "That show had me, Tinga, Frankie Paul, Visionary and we all gave the people their money's worth," he recalled.

He then turned his attention to the French Canadian city of Montreal which was hosting the successful annual, Montreal Reggae Festival. For Cruz, the question that he was repeatedly asked was, "Why has it taken you so long to get here?"

His answer, "Nothing happens before the right time."

According to Cruz, who's now busy promoting his latest single "Downtown", the people in Canada showed him so much love that he can't wait to return.

From JamaicaObserver.com.

Miss Universe 2010 First Runner Up is Yendi Phillips - Miss Jamaica!!!!

Tuesday, 24 August 2010 03:09 Tricia Williamson

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010 during a pageant that aired Monday night on NBC.

Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillips was named first runner-up during the pageant, hosted by Natalie Morales and Bret Michaels.

Fourth runner-up: Miss Philippines

Third runner-up: Miss Ukraine

Second runner-up: Miss Australia

First runner-up: Miss Jamaica!!!

Winner: Miss Mexico!

On behalf of the PJM team, we congratulate our outstanding Miss Universe 1st Runner Up- Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillips- you did our country proud and we are overwhelmed with emotion and happiness for your outstanding achievement!

To our queen, Yendi we say Congratulations!!!! On a job well done!!!!

From PanacheJamagazine.