Recently in What's Cracking Category

Follow @YardFlex

It is that time of year again; and as Jamaican households prepare for the festive celebrations of Christmas, the kitchens invariably harbor a lingering and pleasant scent of sugar and spice and everything nice. The food part of Christmas is oh so important and getting the flavors just right is an art envied by many, but the final products are always enjoyed by all. There are Christmas 'food customs' that are strictly adhered to as the season springs, and this tradition of fixing plenty food with beverages to match, follows Jamaicans wherever their chosen adventurous roads lead them, throughout the world. Christmas is not a one day celebration in Jamaica, as the yuletide spirit starts at the top of December and lingers through till the first week of January, with non-stop rolling out of delectable eats. Sharing the tasty dishes with friends and neighbors is a must and some folk look at it as showing off the culinary expertise of each household in a pleasant and joyful way. There has been an unspoken rule however, when it comes to the Jamaican Christmas cake. Everyone bakes the same kind of cake, but no-one likes to pass the recipe on. All Christmas cake bakers tend to like their own unique flavor, but that buck stops here this year. Follow @YardFlex

New York, NY (December 8, 2011): New York City is in for a treat on Wednesday, December 13, 2011 when Actor/singer, LEON will remove his acting hat and replace it with that of "Artist." Known for his roles in movies such as "Cool Runnings," "Above the Rim," "Waiting to Exhale," "The Temptations," "Little Richard," "The Five Heartbeats," along with television series "OZ" and "Resurrection Boulevard," LEON will perform live, for a worthy cause, with his band "Leon & the Peoples" at Sullivan Hall. LEON became lead singer of his own band, Leon & the Peoples in 2005 and went on to release their debut album, "The Road Less Traveled" in 2006. In 2007, the band received a nomination for the album from the International Reggae and World Music Award. Later that year, the band joined Beres Hammond and Marcia Griffiths on their thirty six city US tour, For The Love Of It Tour. Leon was also a frequent surprise guest on Beres' 2008 A Moment in Time US tour. In 2010, the band headlined at NYC's Aids Walk Concert in Central Park, Jazz Aspen Festival and more. The Actor remarks, "I am never too busy to do something charity related. I am more than happy to lend assistance because the work is so important. I am urging everyone to come out and support this cause. Give A Gift, Change A Life, Make A Difference. This is what Christmas is about, giving to those who cannot afford to do so otherwise." The Holiday concert, which will also feature performances by Curtis Bailey & The Clinic and Alexis Layne, is held in conjunction with The American Friends of Jamaica, who will host a Toy and Book Drive during the event. Concert goers are asked to bring a toy or book unwrapped to benefit one of the children's homes supported by the AFJ in Jamaica. A Press reception will be held at 7:00 pm, followed by performances at 8:00pm.
Follow @YardFlex

LOS ANGELES, Calif: David Heron, the award winning, Jamaican born playwright, producer and one of the most successful Caribbean actors of the past decade, has landed the lead role in the new Xoom.com TV ad for its new mobile site, which rolls out in the Diaspora on November 9. Heron, who flew to Los Angles to shoot the flick, was extremely elated about the role. "I'm really happy to be associated with this great product, which enables our Jamaicans here in the USA to easily and conveniently remit funds home with their mobile phone," Heron said with a beaming smile. With the new Xoom.com mobile site, the Diaspora can send money to Jamaica from anywhere, anytime using their Smartphone. Their loved one can pick up the money in minutes at over 100 locations islandwide, including Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) and Capital & Credit's Reggae Money Express. Customers can also send money directly to their loved one's bank account at any bank in Jamaica, that way they can receive the money safely and securely without leaving home. Customers can access the new Xoom mobile site by visitingxoom.com on their iPhone, Android Phone or any other Smartphone. "Our mobile site is especially convenient for Jamaicans who don't have time to go to the money transfer location between jobs or who don't have Internet access at home," said Jamaican-born Julian King, senior vice president of marketing and business development at Xoom. Heron, who performed some of his own stunts in the commercial, added "Filming the commercial was a blast, with a terrific and professional cast and crew. But, the best part for me was doing some of my own stunts -- riding on a pink bicycle meant for a five year old girl! Holding on to the back of a moving truck while riding a bike half my size is now the essence of cool for me! I would do it again in a second!" Jamaican born actress Kimberly Whittaker, who played Heron's wife in the Xoom commercial, has had guest roles on ABC's "Castle," "The Closer," "Law and Order LA," and NBC's "Outlaw." She has also starred on ABC's "I Survived a Japanese Game Show." She will play the lead role "Kathleen" in her first 3D Sci-Fi movie "Exedia Nation" later this year. Follow @YardFlex

Five Jamaican men are in police custody in the Cayman Islands after hundreds of pounds of ganja were recovered following a pursuit at sea. The Royal Cayman Islands Police reported that officers were conducting border patrols along the south coast of the island early Tuesday morning when they observed suspicious activities near the Pedro Bluff area. The police said they saw parcels being thrown from a speeding vessel which was stopped after a short pursuit. It was later confirmed to be a Jamaican canoe. The police said the five packages thrown overboard were all recovered. They were later discovered to contain 785 pounds of ganja.
Follow @YardFlex

Although dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel is behind bars, his team is hard at work.

The publishers of Kartel's book have decided that they are going ahead with the release of the book Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto in time for the Christmas holidays.

In a statement the publishers said there was never doubt on their part as to whether they were going to complete production of the book as they believe it has a very powerful message that Jamaica must be aware of.

According to the publicist, they originally planned for the book to be launched next year but Kartel had tried to advance the release date for this summer as his writing was complete.

In the Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto, Vybz Kartel, whose given name is Adidjah Palmer, speaks of poverty and a number of other social issues and according to the publishers release "readers will be surprised to read the things Kartel would have changed in his career and his true feelings about many other Reggae/Dancehall artistes; but most importantly, Kartel elaborates on the Jamaica he 'visions'."

 

Follow @YardFlex

  Follow @YardFlex

Lawyers in the US have come to the defence of a Jamaican man who has been languishing in prison due to challenges with his asylum hearing as he is illiterate and has a severe speech impediment.

He has been identified as 42-year-old farm worker Derrick Cotterel.

Mr. Cotterel had been living in the United States for 10 years picking citrus in Florida and apples in West Virginia before his arrest last year on robbery charges.

He ended up in immigration custody in Pennsylvania but judges there struggled for nearly a year to understand his request for political asylum as he speaks Jamaican patois and his speech is affected by a severe stutter that makes him nearly impossible to understand.

According to reports out of the US, Mr. Cotterel can neither read nor write.

It is reported that the Jamaican remained in York County Prison, from July last year until May this year while frustrated judges continued his bail and asylum hearings.

An immigration attorney and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have now offered to assist him.                

The ACLU agreed to file a friend-of-the-court brief that argues for the government to provide lawyers to disabled immigrants, based on fairness and disability law.

It also wants the government to provide a speech professional to determine whether an electronic device or other tools can help the Jamaican prisoner communicate to the court.

Last week lawyers for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said they would not oppose the motion for another asylum hearing.

In the meantime, Mr. Cotterrel remains in prison as he is yet to take up his $1,500 bail.

Follow @YardFlex

Green-thumbed executives of LIME last Thursday rolled up their sleeves to mark National Tree Planting day spearheaded by the Forestry Department.

Representatives of the telecommunications company led tree-planting efforts at Hellshire Beach and the Cumberland High School in St Catherine, as part of a move designed to reinforce the importance of preserving green spaces within the municipality.

"LIME has a vested interest in the city of Portmore and so along with the relevant agencies, we are determined to ensure its further development" said LIME head of marketing, Stephen Price.

The project, led by LIME, will see over 40 new trees planted within the Portmore area and the company will continue to spread the message of environmental preservation in and around the township.

"This partnership with the Forestry Department is another tangible way in which we can execute our commitment to the people of Portmore," Price added.

Since 2010, LIME has led numerous projects within the Portmore area, inclusive of a major environmental study and refurbishment project at the Hellshire beach as well as the development of several community parks and green areas.

 

Follow @YardFlex

We like how MOBO-nominated reggae act, Khago, is moving conscious.  As soon as it was announced that Alborosie had won the MOBO for 2011, Khago immediately sent out his congrats to the Sicilian-born sing

Khago, with the way how you ting tek off and you a fly out now, maybe next year the MOBO will be yours.

Other nominees were Nas and Damian Marley and Mavado. Jah Cure had been dropped after the organizers found out that he had been charged for rape at gun point.

Follow @YardFlex