Celebrity golf, parties and birthdays galore

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

And so my daahlings, the round of farewell functions to outgoing Spanish Ambassador His Excellency Jesús Silva and his wife, Sara, has begun. It's been raining parties across this fab city - 'The Ackee Pod' - as friends and colleagues of the outgoing envoy host the charming couple to dinners, soirees and receptions, before his departure. Silva will host the Spanish National Day celebration before leaving for the new post in Panama as his country's ambassador.

Dears, not since former Canadian High Commissioner John Robinson has there been such an outpouring of genuine admiration and affection for a member of the diplomatic community by Jamaicans. And really, no surprises, as since his arrival Silva has made it clear that he was not one of your traditional stuffy envoys, given to pompous posturing. He demonstrated that he was a proactive diplomat who believed in social and political engagement.

And so with his colleagues, friends and Spanish nationals here all wanting to show their appreciation for his tour of duty and the positive intervention it engendered, it has been back-to-back parties for them.

Dears, we are talking sometimes as many as three social engagements in one day, starting with lunch, followed with a supper engagement and then closing the day with a full-blown reception. That was the case last week. The ambassador's diary was filled with farewell engagements and courtesy calls, with this week looking just as hectic.

Getting ready for clinton

The buzz is that security clearances are now being processed for former United States President Bill Clinton's visit this month, as the world and his wife are queuing for the expected outing.

And speaking of the fab and beautiful, my dears, following on its success at its inaugural staging, this year the organisers of the ESPN and Ocean Style 2010 Golf Invitational are promising a bigger and better event, in scope and appeal. It will be moved from a one-day event to a two-day affair, slated for the luxurious Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, St James.

Dears, it promises to be a celebrity-packed event, and then some. Among the notables expected to join an all-star cast are former footballers Robbie Earle and Shaka Hislop; with National Basketball Association's Dikembe Mutombo and Dwight Yorke. Also expected for the event are sporting greats, former world boxing champion Lennox Lewis; cricketers Ambassador Courtney Walsh and Jeffery Dujon; and sprinter Donovan Bailey.

Luvs, the organisers are promising a glamorous and memorable do for the October 9 and 10 event, saying the tourism mecca of Montego Bay will be the sporting and glamour capital of the Caribbean then.

Birthdays

Then, my dears, the cycle of the age of Virgo came to an end on Wednesday, and so we now celebrate the ascendancy of the sign of Libra!

Celebrating birthdays are: businessman Kynan Cooke; the lovely Betty Valiante McKenzie; actress and public relations practitioner Fleurette Harris, in New York; former model and journalist, the lovely Marlene Campbell Hargitay, now residing in London; and the lovely Kenya Desulme, currently at the University of South Florida - who all celebrated their birthday on Thursday, September 23.

Those who celebrated on September 24 are: the lovely Joanne Simpson; Judith Bodley; Bess FM's Steve James; and the beautiful Shantell Creary.

On Saturday the 25th, celebrations were on for the lovely Katrin Schafelner Casserly, formerly of Round Hill; designer Bill Edwards; and the lovely Sandrene Weichenberger.

On Monday, Carole Orane Andrade, now settling in Canada; stylist Michael Atkinson; and Jon Sexton, in London - all celebrated their special day.

Travel consultant and beauty Simone Chin; Massachusetts resident and north coast habitué Hugh Blount; and Mark Stiegelbauer of Bay Side, New York, and the north coast, celebrated on Tuesday.

Opposition Member of Parliament Sharon Hay-Webster; former People's National Party Member of Parliament and businessman Danny Melville; Montego Bay's style buff Joan Lee Crooks; and model Andrew Gordon all celebrated on Wednesday, September 29.

Yesterday, the pre-eminent lady of morning radio, Paula-Anne Porter-Jones; celebrated designer Earl 'Biggy' Turner; the elegant Janet Stanbury, formerly of St Andrew and now a resident of Palm Beach, Florida; the beautiful Kerry Spencer of beauty fame; businessman Vance Campbell; and the lovely Janet Wright - all celebrate their very special day.

Champagne wishes all around with Beluga treats!