Dreadlocked models the rage

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Luvs, the buzz in literary circles is all about the latest tome penned by the charmingly fab author and environmental activist, Diana McCaulay, who is set to launch her second novel, titled Huracan, next Friday, at the Mona Visitors' Lodge. And little wonder, indeed, as since her best-selling debut - Dog-Heart - her fans and the literary world have been in a state of excitement since word leaked out that the author was working on a second novel.

And dears, word is that Huracan is every bit the eye-opening masterpiece that her introductory novel was, and the advanced reviews have been nothing less than honorific, as critics say. The latest offering captures the very essence of Jamaican life - above and below the clock - with echoes of the days of the plantocracy, that makes for a very interesting and compelling read!

Dears, definitely a must-attend for the lovers of Jamaican literature, as this promises to be not just a fabulous literary outing, but quite the social event of the season.

And mon congrats to Steve Ashley, JP, on being awarded the prestigious Golden Scale Award by the Lay Magistrates Association, for his dedicated service to the association and the cause of improving the dispensation of justice.

Then my dears, the ultra-gorgeous Novlet Green is the new president of Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, having been installed in a fab induction ceremony last night at the Terra Nova Hotel, in a ceremony oversubscribed by fellow Rotarians and family and friends.

Dears, more anon, as this one was definitely a hot number!

And speaking of national personalities and celebrities, my dears, the buzz in the world of international fashion, from the catwalks of Milan to the fashion mega-houses and salons of Paris, is all about the new rage of the catwalk - dreadlocked models.

Dears, since the Kaiser, the name given to the imperious Karl Lagerfeld, thee fashion arbiter for the House of Chanel, populated his last Spring Collection with dreadlocked models - and we do not mean bewigged models and/or faux extensions, we are talking the real McCoy here - dreadlocked models are now the rage of some leading fashion houses, with the doyenne of British fashion, Vivienne Westwood, leading the charge in the UK, with others expected to follow later!

Dears, some say it's a salute to Jamaica's 50th, others not so sure!

Happy birthday wishes to: Contractor General Greg Christie; the fab Jackie Knight-Campbell; the lovely Pat Stubbs, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; actor Elimu Nelson, in LA, California, who all celebrate their birthday today.

Tomorrow, Saturday the 7th, those celebrating will include: celebrated criminal defence attorney Tom Tavares-Finson; Cherton DaCosta; Garfield Douse; the lovely Sheila Morris, in Philadelphia; Jon Ganna in Huntingdon, UK; and the fab Lucy Ossack, also in the UK.

Come Sunday the 8th: the founder of the Guardsman Group, conglomateur and philanthropist Kenny Benjamin; the fab Nordia Witter; Howie Baker; Noble Bonds, from Washington, DC, who is celebrating all week long at Hedonism 11, this very week, with the annual Noble Birthday Bash; the fabulous Kenisha McMillan, of the US Army and resident of New Jersey; Stephane Lecuyer, formerly of the Wyndham Kingston, now in Toronto, Canada; the lovely Yolanda Gomez, in Tampines, Singapore; and Irena Lomakina, Volgograd, Russia, will all make it a very special day of celebrations.

Next Monday the 9th will see: young entrepreneur Jason Robinson; and the simply fine Sonia Allen over in Montego Bay making it a double.

On Tuesday the 10th: noted attorney-at-law Patrick Bailey; the lovely Tammi-Ann Lewin Humphrey; the charming Veneta Creary; and Pulse's media productions dynamo, the lovely Jheanelle Maturah will be hearty partiers.

It will be all systems go on Wednesday the 11th when former director of tourism Paul Pennicook; the charmingly lovely Avil Rauer; the esteemed Sandra Shirley; the affable Donovan Nelson; the lovely Jacqueline Clennon; party animal Nicholas Stewart; acclaimed musician Robert Browne, now in Mirimar, Florida; New York-based Jamaican music specialist Luciano Maneri; Alvin Smith, in West Orange, New Jersey; and the lovely Pamella Damayanti, in Indonesia will all share the same birthday.

Next Thursday the 12th, among the celebrants will be: the lovely Jennifer Mahfood; Hedonism's 11 celebrated disc jock Phillip 'Phildawg' Smith; the lovely Sonia Alam; entertainment and social consultant Jai Gairy Smith; Shane McCarthy; radio personality Keisha Freeman, in Florida; the fab Rachel Walker-Douglas, now in New Orleans; Clarissa 'Cookie' Tanner, in New York; north coast habitué, the fab Nicki Petersen, in Germantown, Wisconsin; and the affable Symon Murray, now in Costa Rica, will be getting their party groove on.

And belated birthday wishes to the lovely Lisanne Magnus, formerly of Jacks Hill, St Andrew, now in LA, who celebrated her very special day on Monday the 2nd.