Entertainment: The Mico "goes Smart" through Music

Founded in the immediate aftermath of British West Indian slavery, The Mico University (formerly the Mico

Ernie Smith (left) with Samantha Strachan and Wayne Marshal

teacher Training College) is, at 180 years, the oldest teacher training institution in the Western Hemisphere.

That said, for it to continue to be relevant, it has to adopt new technology and technology-driven delivery methods. Foremost among these is the building of some 15 "smart classrooms" that when completed, will allow for virtual connections - not only to faclities (Library, Labs, Lecture theatres) on the Kingston campus, but to similar facilities and institutions around the world, many of which have Mico graduates in their midst.

But the project naturally represents a massive investment, and so the Mico Alumni are partnering with the university directorate to raise funds to meet the costs of the ambitious and worthy project.

VETERAN musician Ernie Smith  - who has returned to national prominence via the re-working of his classic Red Stripe Beer campaing featuring the song "Life Is Just for Livin'" is one of the headliners slated to perform at tomorrow’s (November 13) Evening of Musical Excellence at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew.

The show will begin at 5:00 pm.

The event, hosted by the Mico University College Alumni Association, will also feature Dem Three Tenors, Kimiela Isaacs and Desi Jones Combo. It held under the patronage of British High Commissioner to Jamaica David Fitton.

The organizers aim to raise some $6 million from the event.

Brands: with #EnjoyResponiblyJa, Red Stripe Doubles Down on restricting youth access to alcohol

Iconic beer brand Red Stripe has been in media overdrive of late, what with returnign its production facilities tothe famed Spanish Town Road plant, and taking on additional employees in advance of a renewed export push under new owners Heineken.

That continued yesterday, but this time, the focus was on restricting access to beer and other alcoholic beverages to minors (the drinking age and voting ages coincide at 18; the age of consent is still 16). The company, in recognition of the parent Heineken's Enjoy Responsibly Day, observed globally, relaunched its I Pledge To Drink Right and the We ID campaigns under the #EnjoyResponsiblyJa banner.

There were expressionso f support and well-wishing from retail partners, including hosts Boulevard Sovereign Centre (formerly Michi) and Bashco/megamart and petrol retailer Rubis, whose convenience stores are a major access point for alcoholic beverages.

There was also, as expected, a sobering note from the National Council on Drug Abuse, whose Exec Director michael Tucker pointed out that that teen access to booze remains rampant, even as he wholeheartedly commended RedStripe and the "rum People" J Wray and Nephew, repped o nthe occasion by Gary Dixon.

By events end, there was much levity anda stirring performance by Drink Right Ambassador Iab Mahr, the perfect prelude to a group photo behind the #EnjoyResponsiblyJa banner and some cocktails - all kept within the theme of the Day, meaning water, fruit punch and Malta rather than the world-class, world-famous brew.

Cheers!