Mighty Diamonds / Gregory Isaacs Club Show in Kingston

Nice review of the Diamonds and G. Isaacs - also nice is that venues like this are happening in Jamaica. For too long, too many Jamaican artists do not get the opportunity to perform live in Jamaica. Venue alternatives to large stage shows are great to expand visibility.

Like genuine jewels, Diamonds are forever

BY BASIL WALTERS Observer staff reporter

Friday, July 30, 2010

THE vocal trio of Donald 'Tabby' Shaw, Fitzroy 'Bunny' Simpson and Lloyd 'Judge' Ferguson, with their Studio 38 performance last Sunday night, proven without a doubt, that they are indeed, The Mighty Diamonds.

The 41-year-old group, without a recent hit, had patrons at the popular Kingsley Cooper's joint rocking to their vintage recordings as well as a few borrowed tunes thrown in for good measure to enrich a shining performance. It was one that brought back memories of a past era when our sweetest music was at its prime.

With the same membership as when it started in 1969, one of the most enduring reggae triumvirates in their hour-long stint satisfied the capacity-size audience with their evergreen collection of hits from which came Right Time, Have Mercy, Africa, I Need A Roof, Pass the Kutchie, Heads of Government and many others before unleashing their versatility.

In showcasing their varied musical taste and the ability to perform different forms competently, The Mighty Diamonds -- collectively and individually -- entertained by going down lovers' lane imitating the Manhattans' smash There's No Me Without You; with Judge putting up gallant effort on Smokey Robinson's Tracks of My Tears after which Bunny amused with his wonderfully playful attempt of Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World.

Then came another delightful side of the well-loved group of entertainers, taking patrons to church with a medley of Negro spirituals and some hand-clapping, foot-stomping gospel favourites.

At this juncture, Studio 38 was greatly enlivened with The Mighty Diamonds' spirited interactive sing-a-long choruses such as Behold I Live, Amen, climaxing with improvised lyrics like If You Only Knew the Blessings that Rastafari Brings, You'll Never Stay Away.

But it was the Cool Ruler, Gregory Isaacs who, as the opening act, set the pace with his signature appearance and vocal style, a kind of creaking groan that invited the patrons to sing along. Appearing in a black suit, white shirt with tie and his customary black felt hat, the quintessential lover's rock crooner -- in a voice that could melt the thickest glass -- breezed through Number One, Tune In, Top Ten, All I Have Is Love, Love Is Over Due, Night Nurse, The Border, Mi Waan Go Home, Front Door and Rumours.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Like-genuine-jewels--Diamonds-are-forever_7830508

Big toke in the Big Smoke: Hemp expo blows into Toronto

By Linda Nguyen, Postmedia NewsJuly 15, 2010

TORONTO — A three-day expo, which kicks off Friday in Toronto, is being billed as the first convention ever held in Canada to promote the use of medical marijuana, with organizers expecting as many as 30,000 people from around the world to attend.

The Medical Marijuana and Hemp Show will be held at the Metro Convention Centre, the same downtown location where leaders from the G20 countries met just three weeks ago.

The size and scope of the event, featuring exhibitors from around the globe, educational seminars with doctors and even a hemp fashion and cooking show, is a big step toward legitimatizing the multimillion-dollar industry, said event organizer Marco Renda.

"We're trying to educate people on responsible use," said Renda, 50. "These people could be your neighbours, your lawyers, your mothers and fathers. They could be your doctors."

Renda, a Toronto resident who publishes a magazine for cannabis users called Treating Yourself, said the prohibition of the herb has made users uneducated and afraid to share their experiences with others.

"This expo is a family event. I encourage parents to bring their children," said Renda, who uses cannabis to treat arthritis. "There's no marijuana being sold or distributed at the show. Everything we're doing is within the law."

People from Hawaii, Hong Kong and the U.K. were expected to arrive for the expo, which will also feature a 4,600 square foot vapour lounge, allowing patients with a license, to use medicinal marijuana on-site in a communal environment. Attendees will have to supply their own product to use the lounge, which Renda said will be the largest ever in the world.

Health Canada has approved the use of medical marijuana for certain health conditions ranging from pain management to cerebral palsy, to mental illness since 1999.

Nearly 5,000 Canadians have an approved license to possess marijuana.

Despite this, Renda believes there are thousands of others who use the drug illegally for their health, fuelling an underground industry that puts approved users and growers at risk of home invasions and robberies.

He argues that if complete legalization occurs, patients can then get their medical marijuana at the pharmacy like any other drug.

The issue has been a contentious one for decades. Last month, a number of medical marijuana clubs were raided in Montreal, Toronto and B.C.

In May, Canada's self-described Prince of Pot, Marc Emery was extradited to the United States on drug charges. Emery, 51, plead guilty to conspiracy to manufacture marijuana for alleging selling cannabis seeds in the United States. He remains in detention in Seattle until his sentencing.

According to his website, Emery claimed he made $3 million a year and has sold more than four million seeds.

For Allan Graham, medical marijuana saved his life.

Graham, 48, from Campbellford, Ont., was diagnosed seven years ago with Chron's Disease, a digestive tract disorder. He found himself unable to eat, sleep and was in pain most days. At one point, he found himself taking up to 32 pills a day, including morphine.

When he approached his doctor with the idea of using cannabis as a pain reliever and as a way to increase his appetite, he was shot down.

"It took two years for me to get educated. I spent a lot of that time talking with my doctor, who is quite traditional," said Graham. "Eventually, he signed my paperwork. Many doctors are just not trained on this in school. A lot of them are being educated by their patients."

Graham, who lights up about five cigarette-sized joints a day, said medical marijuana is something he plans on taking for the rest of his life.

"If I didn't have this, I believe I would've ended up in a situation where I would always be on a narcotic pain pill," he said. "There are a lot of people who start off with OxyContin, Percocet and maybe if a doctor stops providing them, it doesn't mean they stop taking them. That is a concern, seeing what happens to other people."

Martin Birzle, owner of Roor, a company specializing in glass products for smoking marijuana, came from Germany to set up a booth at the weekend expo. He has attended about 50 conventions in the last few years and said fear over the legalization of marijuana is universal.

"People in general, think it's a drug, that people who take it become stupid or that it's not good for you," he said. "They think you should follow the rules and all those things. I just look forward to the day when everything is more free."

The Medical Marijuana and Hemp Show runs from June 16 to 18 at the Metro Convention Centre. For more information, visit http://www.medicalmarijuana-hempexpo.com.

© Copyright (c) Postmedia News

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/toke+Smoke+Hemp+expo+blows+into+Toronto/3282254/story.html

Union Says Legalize It

Going mainstream......

Union endorses initiative to legalize marijuana in California

July 14, 2010 | 4:23 pm

The 200,000-member United Food and Commercial Workers, Western States Council, on Wednesday announced its support for Proposition 19, the initiative to legalize marijuana in California.

“The Western States Council is endorsing Proposition 19 based upon our previous support of the medical cannabis initiative, 1996’s Proposition 215,” George Landers, the council's executive director, said in a statement. “We view Proposition 19 as an enhanced version of the previous proposition, that creates taxable revenue and produces jobs in agriculture, health care, retail and possibly textile. We further believe that the proposition will deprive narcotics traffickers of a significant source of criminal revenue.”

Ron Lind, international president of the union, and Dan Rush of its Local 5 also spoke out in favor of Proposition 19.

“The marriage of the cannabis-hemp industry and UFCW is a natural one,” said Rush. “We are an agriculture, food-processing and retail union, as is this industry.”

The council is the political arm of UFCW in several Western states. It comprises the UFCW local unions in the states it covers.

-- John Hoeffel

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/union-endorses-initiative-to-control-and-tax-marijuana-in-california-.html

Environment Protection Eforts In Jamaica - Interpenetrate The Kulcha

UDC moves to protect environmental zones

Published: Thursday | July 8, 2010

Patrina Pink, Gleaner Intern

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is beginning to ramp up efforts to protect and sustain important environmental zones in Jamaica.

The areas - Caymanas, Ocho Rios and Portland Bight - were selected based on their high level of biodiversity as well as cultural importance to communities.

Though only at a consultative stage, sections of the three areas will eventually be converted into biosphere reserves. If successful, those models will be replicated in other parts of the island.

UDC officials hope the initiative will help to promote cultural values and biological diversity while advancing the economic development of designated zones.

A biosphere reserve is an international designation awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Biospheres differ from many protected areas in which the construction of residences is often prohibited.

People are generally encouraged to enter, live and work in biosphere zones.

Part of a larger movement

Jamaica's burgeoning biosphere thrust is part of a larger movement initiated by the UNESCO. Since 1970, the movement has grown to include 564 reserves in 109 countries.

Biospheres are ecologically diverse areas that have been bordered to accommodate research and planning. Another layer functions as a buffer to protect that core. The transition area or final layer may include industrial activity and would have the largest number of human dwellers.

In a speech at the Man and Biosphere Workshop on Tuesday, general manager of the UDC, Joy Douglas, impressed upon participants the importance of sustainable development and the role of biospheres in developing Jamaican communities.

"Given our responsibility for national development and, more so, the design and planning of our urban centres, the UDC sees the embrace of the biosphere concept as a necessary and integral plank of our national development," she said.

Douglas stressed the need for a community-based approach to spreading the message of change.

"We have been strategically introducing persons to this concept and its importance to our daily lives," the UDC boss added.

The corporation has already initiated discussions at the community level by organising an environmental competition for schools in St Ann. Students were challenged to learn about the biosphere and to consider long-term benefits to their communities.

June Marie Mow, an international advisor on biospheres and leader of Day Two of the Man and Biosphere Workshop, said consultation was critical to the success of the biosphere project in San Andrés, a Colombian territory off the coast of Nicaragua.

"We had over 300 sessions with the fishermen. We had to ensure that they understood the concept for themselves," she told the group.

San Andrés was forced to take a fresh look at environmental policy after Colombia spearheaded legislative reform.

Mow said that even though the movement in San Andrés was not as complex as Jamaica's prospective model, the latter nation could learn from the small island with a population of 80,000.

"It's all about people; you have to engage the community, because if one fisherman is listening to you and the others do something different, then you would have achieved nothing," Mow explained.

patrina.pink@gleanerjm.com

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100708/news/news2.html