Four Jamaicans among 11 winners in Proof of Concept contest

The Caribbean Climate Innovation Center (CCIC) — a project of the World Bank and its global entrepreneurship program infoDev — has announced the 11 winners of its first regional Proof of Concept (PoC) competition.

The successful applicants will receive grants of up to US$50,000 to develop, test, and commercialize innovative, locally relevant climate technology solutions.

There are four Jamaicans among the 11 winners. Shirley Lindo’s project is for Organic Soil Conditioner & Fuel Briquettes from Castor Oil Waste. Brian Wright won his award for the Pedro Banks Renewable Energy Project, while Harlo Mayne’s is the H2–Flex Hydrogen Hybrid Project. Kert Edwards was selected for his Fiber-Optic Solar Indoor Lighting (FOSIL)  project.

The PoC grants are designed to help entrepreneurs prove the value of their business concept by providing the resources and the skills necessary to prototype, test, develop, and commercialize services and products. In addition to funding, the PoC winners will also get access to the suite of advisory services offered by the CCIC, as well as considerable exposure and networking opportunities through the center’s media events.

Officially closed on April 20, the PoC received more than 300 applications from 14 countries, including territories within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Entrepreneurs were asked to submit proposals for innovative products, services, or business models in sustainable agribusiness, water management and recycling, solar energy, energy efficiency, and resource use sectors.

“This overwhelming response is very encouraging for the future of the CCIC and its activities,” said Everton Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean CIC. “The process was very competitive and even the unsuccessful applicants submitted interesting ideas that show great potential,” he added.

The 11 winning proposals represent seven Caribbean countries — Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Belize.

Four of the winning concepts were submitted by female applicants.

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Four Jamaicans among 11 winners in Proof of Concept contest

Hug up education, Ferguson urges parents and scholarship winners

MINISTER of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson has underlined the importance of education in nation- building, and urged parents to invest heavily in their children’s future.

Dr Ferguson, who is also member of Parliament for St Thomas East, told an audience at the West Rural St Andrew Education Awards held at the Country Style Restaurant in Stony Hill, St Andrew last Thursday night, that even as they get assistance from those who care for them, they should never shut the door on the hand that fed them.“I am fanatic about education,” Dr Ferguson said. “I say to parents, the best investment you can make in your children is education. It’s better than land, car, house, or even wigs. It is important that you continue to make the sacrifice to buy the books and continue to make this investment in education,” he told a full house.“Education is the key to liberation and we have been liberated, but we sometimes tend to forget where we are coming from. One of the greatest sins of mankind is ingratitude. When some get through, they forget mommy and forget daddy.“No matter how bright you are today, there is nothing in life like a good attitude. One of the lessons I learned as a practitioner is as long as you are compassionate, you will make it,” the minister said.Dr Ferguson said that even before he became an MP, he had a scholarship programme in place, realising the importance of educating the people.He praised the work of member of Parliament for the area, Paul Buchanan, describing him as having a sense of mission.He urged scholarship recipients to demonstrate good core values, be honest, show dedication and respect to everyone.“Do not take the education assistance for granted. Education is preparation for eating. There is no job for life anymore. There was a time when long service awards were 35 and 40 years. Now, long service awards come after five years.“So prepare yourself, become multi-skilled, because when you are well-qualified, people want you. You also need to be competitive, because for every one that gets through, 99 do not get through,” he said.Dr Ferguson, who piloted and implemented a recent move to ban smoking in public places, also underlined the importance of young people staying away from tobacco use.“It is the young people who tobacco always entices. Nicotine is one of the most dangerous substances affecting mankind. I am a pro-health crusader, because tobacco causes every type of cancer. If we cut down on smoking, you will see less heart attacks, less strokes and fewer other diseases.“It is my mandate to protect the health of Jamaica,” Dr Ferguson said.Buchanan, who allocated $3.8 million from his portion of the Constituency Development Fund to assist the education thrust, also underscored the need for continuous learning.“This evening is a watershed occasion for West Rural St Andrew. The only way forward to stability and growth for our country is through education,” he said, arguing that the awarding of scholarships and book grants were done in a non-partisan manner.“We love party politics too much in this country. It is time we put education at the forefront, instead of politics,” he stressed.Touting information technology as the way forward, Buchanan urged the gathering to embrace what he described as the progressive way forward.“The past is gone, we can’t wait any longer. The logistics hub is coming and we don’t have the skills in place. We must go on the software programme and next month we will be going into our IT programme, “Buchanan said.Project manager of the CDF Moveta Munroe also urged recipients to make the best use of opportunities available and grasp them so that “together we will build a better Jamaica”.Hundreds of students received scholarships and book grants to various tertiary institutions, including the University of the West Indies, the University of Technology and the MICO University College.Assistance was also given to students about to enter high schools.Member of Parliament for West Rural St Andrew Paul Buchanan addresses scholarship winners.A section of the audience follows the programme with keen interest.Top student at Padmore Primary Joshua Hyman does a cultural act. In background are Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson (left), MP Paul Buchanan, and Moveta Munroe, head of the Constituency Development Fund Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister.Board members, chairpersons of school boards, and principals pay close attention.Guest speaker Dr Fenton Ferguson (right) presents Oberlin High School vice principal, Khafre Israel with a financial commitment to the institution.Scholarship awardee and UWI medical student Delores Coombs of Mount Cheerful, King Weston, gives the vote of thanks. (PHOTOS: MICHAEL GORDON)

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Hug up education, Ferguson urges parents and scholarship winners

Typewriter wins battle of the Derby winners

Sport

Sunday, September 01, 2013

IN a race which shook the rafters of Caymanas Park, Typewriter, the winner of last year’s Derby, under expert guidance from Shane Ellis stormed up the straight after being held off the pace set by Raging Prospect, to win the Nigel Nunes Memorial Cup over 1,820 metres, the feature race at Caymanas Park yesterday.Typewriter, by Western Classic – Doc’s Paladin, held his ground well over the final furlong although Perfect Neighbour, this year’s Derby winner was coming with his customary late run. Perfect Neighbour lost nothing in defeat, as this was the first time in his career he was venturing out of age-group company. But the kudos go to Typewriter’s, trainer Spencer Chung, who is establishing himself as a trainer of considerable aplomb, and Ellis, who after a respite from the saddle, was winning his second race on the day. He scored in the first race on the Anthony Nunes (son of Nigel Nunes)-trained No Nonsense Man.Commenting on his win in the Nigel Nunes, Ellis said: “I was very confident about my chances and as the race progressed, I became even more sure. The running of the race turned out as I had predicted beforehand. Typewriter is a very good horse and he was well-prepared.”Typewriter was winning his third race for the year, and has now firmly set the marker as the favourite for the upcoming Superstakes (November), one of the most prestigious races on the local calendar.Typewriter, a four-year-old bay gelding, covered the required 1,820 metres in a fast 1:53.3 minutes. Longtime leader Raging Prospect was third, with Commanding Chief fourth.Meanwhile, two punters won the Pick-Nine exotic wager for a payout of $4,326,877.50 each.Typewriter being eased by Shane Ellis at the winning post in yesterday’s feature for the Nigel Nunes Memorial Cup over 1,820 metres at Caymanas Park. (PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)

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Typewriter wins battle of the Derby winners

SDC Twenty20 winners to be decided today

THE 2013 Social Development Commission (SDC) Twenty20 (T20) winners will be decided today with Richmond Park battling Junction/Bull Savannah at the Alpart Sports Club in St Elizabeth, starting at 2:00 pm.

In the third-place match, which begins at 10:00 am, Jack’s River will clash with Petersville at the same venue.The championship match will feature teams with equally contrasting geographical backgrounds and history in the community-based competition.The St Elizabeth-located Junction/Bull Savannah team is a perennial contender and is expected to go all out in their quest for the title.On the other hand, Richmond Park of Kingston & St Andrew are novel entrants. However, their form this season gives them a slight edge as favourites.In the first semi-final two weeks ago, Junction/Bull Savannah, who reached the last four after two teams were disqualified, upstaged Jack’s River of St Mary, with a seven-wicket win at the Ultimate cricket ground in St Ann.Scores: Jack’s River 130-4 (20 overs); Junction/Bull Savannah 136-3 (17.3 overs).In match two at the venue, Richmond Park got the better of Petersville of Westmoreland by four runs.Scores: Richmond Park 173-9 (20 overs); Petersville 169-8 (20 overs).SDC Public Relations Manager Afrika Thompson said her organisation is expecting a bumper crowd at the Alpart venue based on the reception received during previous weeks of cricket.She noted the added effort, money and time that the SDC has invested in making the event bigger each year.“The weekly featured venues have had tremendous spectator support and the SDC is very pleased with the positive response from the communities. We anticipate over 8,000 spectators to attend the final.“The SDC National Community Cricket Competition has seen significant growth among communities and teams. We have had increased sponsorship, increased community support and we see new cricket champions emerging.“Over the years we have had numerous new community groups emerging and supporting various community activities. Additionally, each team is required to contribute 10 per cent of their prize monies to a community project of their choice and these projects promote increased community volunteerism,” she said.Old Harbour won the previous two editions of the tournament.

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SDC Twenty20 winners to be decided today

Performing contracts for Sandals talent winners

WINNERS of the Jamaican leg of Sandals and Beaches Resort International’s Talent and Model Search have been awarded performing contracts by the company.

The contracts will allow them to be paid while displaying their talents as individual artistes during show time at the respective resorts.The top models, singers, dancer and instrumentalists were selected at the company’s annual talent showcase held at Sandals Grande Riviera recently.The Jamaican champions will compete against their counterparts from Sandals/Beaches Resorts in St Lucia, Antigua, Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas for the international crowns, slated for St Lucia on Saturday.The Ocho Rios region claimed three of the six places up for grabs.Overall winners were: Kaisha McDonald, Best Female Vocalist; Robert Wisdom, Best Instrumentalist; Rennex Tapper, Top Male Model (Ocho Rios Region); Jamie Green, Top Male Vocalist, (Sandals Resorts International); Karalee Cole, Best Dance Act (Negril Region); and Krystal Nembhard-Reid, Top Female Model (Negril Region).The event, dubbed ENCORE (Entertainment Now Creates Opportunities Rewarding Excellence), is the brainchild of Sandals’ Creative Director Weston Haughton, and started in 2003 to showcase the vast array of talent present in the company.Each region: Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios, staged their regional finals to select champions in the respective categories, setting the stage for the competitive Jamaican National Finals.The Female Model section was one of the highlights of the evening and Nembhard-Reid had to use all her stage technique to emerge victorious in an exciting competition, which drew much applause from the packed venue.Also riveting was the Female Vocalist category, with all the competitors providing stellar routines. McDonald’s superior vocal prowess and dramatic on stage presentation, proved decisive, however, and captured the hearts of judges and spectators.Jamie Green, doing an original composition, warmed the audience with a virtuoso performance and was a popular choice as male vocalist. He was a bundle of energy on stage and a clear-cut winner.Male Model Rennex Tapper had the females in the audience swooning as he showed off his well-toned, muscular physique, to turn back all challengers. The Dance Category was a joy to watch, with Lee’s creativity and brilliantly choreographed movements being too hot for her competitors.ENCORE was action packed from the start, as all contestants produced high quality performances that ignited an audience comprising Sandals and Beaches management and staff as well as friends and well-wishers.Judges for the event were Miss Jamaica world 2012 Deanna Robins, and fashion and dance impresarios Mark McDermoth and Fabian ThomasAccording to Sandals’ Creative Director Weston Haughton, the company, realising the need to showcase the talents of team members from the various resorts around the Caribbean, a global Sandals and Beaches Talent and Model Search Competition (ENCORE) was introduced to encourage camaraderie, to motivate and to provide unique opportunities to staff to widen their horizons.

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Performing contracts for Sandals talent winners

Weir leads trio of Jamaican winners in Hungary

Sport

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer Thursday, July 11, 2013

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Olympic 200m bronze medallist Warren Weir led a trio of Jamaican winners at yesterday’s Istvan Gyulai Memorial meet in Budapest, Hungary.The national senior 200m champion won his pet event, while Rose Marie Whyte and Andrew Riley were also winners.Weir ran a meet record 20.01 seconds to beat training partner Jason Young, who continues to improve with a season’s best 20.07 seconds, while another Jamaican, Mario Forsythe, was sixth in 20.88 seconds.Weir’s run was adjudged the meet’s top performance and he took home the Bojidar Spiriev award.Whyte, a two-time Olympic finalist, won the 400m in 51.20 seconds to beat American Monica Hargrove, while another Jamaican, Shericka Williams, finished fourth in 52.28 seconds.Riley, who last week became the second fastest Jamaican ever over the 110m hurdles when he ran a personal best 13.14 seconds, won with 13.27 seconds, just beating world champion Jason Richardson (13.28 seconds) and another American, Kevin Craddock, who ran a personal best 13.42 seconds.Kemar Bailey Cole with 10.07 seconds and Jacques Harvey with 10.18 seconds finished second and third, respectively, in the men’s 100m behind Kim Collins in 9.99 seconds.The 37-year-old Collins ran a new St Kitts national record 9.97 seconds last week.Central American and Caribbean Games bronze medallist Aleen Bailey was seventh in the women’s 100m in 11.53 seconds, with American Carmelita Jeter winning for the first time in months after an injury layoff, running 11.07 seconds.Ristananna Tracey was second in the 400m hurdles in 54.94 seconds, while Shevon Stoddart was eighth in 56.74 seconds and Shermaine Williams placed fifth in the 100m hurdles in 13.27 seconds.

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Weir leads trio of Jamaican winners in Hungary