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March 23, 2009
News Brief
$25M fire at Sizzla’s residence
Reggae/dancehall artiste, Sizzla Kalonji, may have to temporarily relocate to his August Town-based Judgement Yard property as his Richings Ave, Liguanea residence was burnt down on Sunday morning.
“Sizzla did just drive out when the fire start,” a source told YardFlex, adding that the fire started after 9:30 Sunday morning .
Yesterday morning, scores of persons, including players in the music industry — one of whom was said to have just left Sizzla's house — gathered at the Richings Avenue house, owned by Exterminator producer and manager of Sizzla, Phillip ‘Fattis’ Burrell. Burrell, who was also on the scene, was not in any mood to hold discussions with the press.
The cause of the fire, which reportedly caused extensive damage to the upscale property, is still unknown. Loss is estimated at $25 million and it is not known at this time whether or not the property was insured.
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Steve Lobel sues Louis Vuiton
Veteran rap and hip-hop manager Steve Lobel, who says he was hurt at Kanye West’s star-studded 30th birthday bash is suing luxury clothier Louis Vuitton, which hosted the event.
Lobel, who oversees the Grammy-winning group Bone, Thugs-N-Harmony, was among the glitterati partying with West at Vuitton’s Fifth Ave. store on June 7, 2007, when a temporary panel fell off the wall onto his chrome dome, the suit charges.
He is demanding unspecified damages from the company.
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Millions to Maxfield Park Children's Home
The Maxfield Park Children's Home, in Kingston, is the beneficiary of a gift of $3.5 million from the Japanese government to renovate sections of the 90-year old institution.
At a ceremony to sign the agreement, Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency Masahiro Obata, explained that the grant falls under the Japanese Government's Grass Roots Human Security Project to Jamaica. The project started in 1994, to provide non refundable financial assistance for development projects designed to meet diverse needs in Jamaica.
He noted that the assistance is a reflection of Japan's goodwill in contributing to a safe, secure and risk free environment for the children at Maxfield Park.
Acting Manager of the Home, Stacy-Ann Nelson, explained that the grant will be used to refurbish 11 bathrooms; repair broken windows; and replace kitchen cupboards, damaged doors and hinges. The funding will also be used to purchase 15 bunk beds for the boys' dormitory, as well as 15 cribs and mattresses for toddlers and babies at the Jeliffe House, which serves as a nursery for children from birth to six years.
The Maxfield Park Children's Home is the oldest co-ed child care facility in Jamaica.
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No more free meals for economy passengers on Air J
As of May 1, national carrier, Air Jamaica will no longer offer economy passengers a complimentary meal or champagne. Instead they will receive a complimentary packaged snack.
Tea, coffee, soft drinks and juices will be complimentary and passengers will be able to purchase alcoholic beverages as desired.
In September, the airline will introduce a new 'Buy on Board' programme in the Economy cabin offering local beverages for sale.
However, Air Jamaica’s premium service in Lovebird Executive Class will continue to feature complimentary meals and beverages. Air Jamaica’s has 218 weekly flights to 13 destinations, with service between Jamaica and Toronto, New York (JFK), Chicago (O’Hare), Baltimore, Philadelphia, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Curacao, Nassau, and Havana, as well as service between New York and Barbados and New York and Grenada.