Welcome to publication #15!

Issue #15: July 2008

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Did you Know?

• ..that as of the date of this publication, Jamaica had a total of ten (10) national holidays?

  This includes:

  four (4) Christian holidays
  Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day;

  and six (6) secular holidays:
  Labour Day, Independence Day, Emancipation Day, National Heroes Day, New Year's Day & Boxing Day.

• ...that spanning the Rio Cobre river at the eastern end of Spanish Town in St. Catherine Jamaica, is a bridge considered to be the oldest of its kind in the western hemisphere?

  This is the Historic Cast Iron Bridge. The abutment of the bridge is constructed with cut stone while the bridge is cast iron. It is about 81ft long and 15ft wide. This bridge was erected in 1801, at a cost of four thousand pounds!

• ...that Tessa Sanderson, the first British black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, is Jamaican born?

  She won the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics in the javelin competition. Tessa was born in Saint Elizabeth and later became a British citizen.

Now you know!

Get the entire collection of Intriguing facts about Jamaica here.

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The Latest from Jamaica!

1. Jamaica's team off to Beijing!

   The 51-member track-and-field squad was named by the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, August 8 - 24.

   The 2008 Olympics will kick-off on August 8th with a three-and-a-half-hour opening ceremony at Beijing's National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest. The opening ceremony will include the opening addresses, performances, entrance of athletes and lighting of the main flame.

   And by the way, the prime minister will speak to them on August 5. More Here.

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2. A Jamaican Wins WCOPA Title

   "Actor and classical singer, 23 year-old Andrew Clark, who hails from St. James, was proclaimed Grand Champion Performer of the World on July 25, at the 12th staging of the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA), at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Hollywood, Los Angeles."

   More in this report.

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3. Independence Street Parades are Back!

   "It is 'ole time sinting come back again' as the Festival Street Parade and Grand Gala, underthe theme 'Riddim in Motion', has been reintroduced to the list of activities for the Independence Day celebrations....".

   Full story in this Gleaner article.

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The Latest on My-Island-Jamaica.com

1. Submit Your Own News Item (or Event)!

   Do you know any Jamaican related news, have a commentary, or even an event that you think should be shared?

   This is where you can submit it- free! Click Here to go over.

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2. My Favourite Pictures!

   I'll remain silent here, just take a look.

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3. Hotels in Jamaica- My Top Picks!

   I choose each, either because of my personal experience or based on the great feedback and sentiments about it here. Here's my list!

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Features!

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  Powerful (and now Free) e-books that will change your life!

  Click here to take it!

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Summary

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Thanks again, see you next issue :-)

Regards,
Wellesley