Everton 'Peso' Pessoa And His Big Band For Jazz In The Gardens

Everton 'Peso' Pessoa

Everton 'Peso' Pessoa, a musical virtuoso, is a Kingstonian with a wide experience in entertainment. He is a singer, songwriter, producer, music teacher, and an accomplished trombonist. His love for music started in the church. This intensive love developed further in school, where he sang tenor and he also played the drums.

His unique talent for playing the trombone made him a sensation. He was therefore requested to join other artistes on world tours.

Everton was the lead singer and trombonist in The Abyssinians Band and The Bare Essential Band. He has also toured internationally with soca kings Arrow and Justin Hinds and The Burning Spear.

Peso is in demand to perform at events such as cabaret shows, corporate functions, weddings, funerals, and parties. While his favourite music is jazz and reggae, his musical repertoire covers all musical genres.

Peso was the Festival Song winner for 2011, which he won with his original song, 'Oh If We.' This musically talented Jamaican has recorded several singles and numerous collaborations with popular artistes. Peso’s life is all about music as he teaches, writes, plays, and even provides recording and rehearsal studio services to help others build and promote it.

#JazzInTheGardens

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Large Turnout For Free Kidney Screenings At Mandeville Health Fair

Press Release From Southern Regional Authority, Marcy 13, 2026

Scores of people turned out for free kidney screening tests at a health fair hosted by the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) Renal Department, as part of activities marking World Kidney Week.

The event, held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, offered a range of services including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, urine testing, eye examinations and HIV testing. Medical professionals were on hand to provide guidance on kidney health and disease prevention.

Nurse Manager at the MRH Renal Unit, Mrs. Marika Davis -Miller, said the screening initiative is aimed at helping persons detect potential kidney problems early.

“Here we are testing persons so they could know if they have kidney disease or if they are at risk of getting kidney disease. Based on the theme this year which is ‘Kidney Health for all, Caring for People, Protecting the Planet’, we want persons to eat healthy and stay active because a healthy people will provide a healthy nation.,” Mrs. Davis-Miller said.

The renal team organized a week-long series of activities, such as a church service, a blood collection drive, a webinar, poster competitions and presentations highlighting the importance of kidney health and preventative care.

Health fair attendees welcomed the initiative, with one participate, Suen Palmer praising the organisers for a job well done. 

“I mean, it's a good initiative. The renal units, I think it's an annual thing that they do. It's a very good initiative. I think it's very helpful to the community overall. It was pretty easy. There wasn't any hiccups. Smooth sailing. Yeah, it was good,” Palmer said.

Following the positive feedback from participants, Davis-Miller sought to reassure those who might feel hesitant about being tested. 

 “They don't need to be scared because it is a regular test that we are doing. What we tend to do is put ourselves in the patient's position. How would we like to be treated? So, we won't treat them unkind. We are here to care for them,” she said.

The Nurse Manager encouraged the public to adopt healthier lifestyles, including regular screenings, proper hydration, balanced diets and physical activity.

Is Your Money Safe In The Bank???

I have just received another report of JAD227,657.87 missing from the account of a woman who is a hardworking farmer. For several years, funds have been going missing from people's accounts at the banks. In this case, the bank is the Bank of Nova Scotia, Jamaica.

The banks do not speak publicly enough on this matter. Banks tend to blame the customer for the problem, which is the easy way out. The matter must be fully investigated by the police and the Bank of Jamaica. I understand that some banks have been telling customers that if the suspected fraud is beyond a certain date, they cannot investigate it. I did not know that the statute of limitations on fraud is just a few days.

In February of this year, another Scotiabank customer lost JAD75,777.45 from their account over a period of a few months, last year. This issue must be addressed by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, and the police.

Some people are tired of going to the banks to have these matters dealt with and they feel they have no right. I am going to make sure that these ladies get back their money. This is not SSL

Where should people put their money and go to their bed knowing that their money is safe? It seems that they have to put it under the mattress, and if it is a small amount, they can put it in their bosom or in their shoes and hide it under the bed.

The banks have introduced another stupid idea, and that is to allow cashiers to tap your bank card, and the payment will go through. If you lost your bank card, then some lucky person could be tapping away for several days or weeks using your bank card.

Many bank customers believe all of this missing of funds is an inside job. Start checking your accounts now and document transactions that you are not aware of. This is a very serious matter which Bark Di Trute is dealing with. Share this blog with all your friends and family.

#BankOfNovaScotia

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Government Disburses JAD5.22 Billions To Hurricane Melisa Victims

Press Release From The Ministry of Labour And Social Security, March 11, 2026

Minister Pearnel Charles

The Government of Jamaica has disbursed more than J$5.22 billion to households affected by Hurricane Melissa under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) Programme, the Minister of Labour and Social Security announced today.

Speaking at a Post-Cabinet Press Briefing this morning, Minister of Labour and Social Security Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. said the programme continues to provide critical financial support to Jamaicans whose homes were damaged during the passage of the hurricane.

“The ROOFS Programme is the Government’s primary mechanism for delivering shelter recovery support to Jamaicans whose homes were damaged as a result of Hurricane Melissa,” Minister Charles Jr said.

To date, several beneficiaries have received payments, with funds being distributed through multiple channels including direct bank deposits, prepaid debit cards and QR code payments. The Ministry has completed four payment batches since the programme began issuing grants on January 30, 2026.

More than 100,000 household assessments were conducted across the island using the Jamaica Household Damage, Impact and Needs Assessment (JHDINA) digital system. The assessment phase officially closed on February 28, 2026.

The data-driven process categorised damage into three levels:

•                  Severe Damage: J$500,000 grant

•                  Major Damage: J$200,000 grant

•                  Minor Damage: J$75,000 grant

Minister Charles emphasised that rigorous verification procedures are in place to ensure the programme remains fair and accountable.

“The integrity of this process is paramount. Every dollar of this programme must reach a family that genuinely lost their home or had it damaged. Our verification systems exist to protect taxpayers and beneficiaries alike,” he said.

Verification measures include geotagged assessments, TRN validation, GPS location checks, and cross-referencing by the National Spatial Unit.

Several western parishes continue to account for a large share of verified cases due to the severity of hurricane damage. Current figures show:

•                  Westmoreland: Major – 3,806 | Severe – 2,488

•                  St Elizabeth: Major – 2,203 | Severe – 952

•                  St James: Major – 1,677 | Severe – 1,129

•                  Trelawny: Major – 1,011 | Severe – 318

•                  Hanover: Major – 948 | Severe – 442

The Ministry said payments will continue to be issued in verified batches as additional cases become payment-ready. Beneficiaries whose homes were assessed as severe or major damage receive a text message containing a secure link and personalised QR code to redeem building supplies at approved vendors. They may also collect up to J$75,000 in cash if desired.

Persons with Minor damage are contacted by telephone and receive the J$75,000 grant through direct deposit or prepaid bank cards. Recipients must present valid government-issued identification, such as a passport, voter’s ID card, or driver’s licence, when accessing benefits.

Minister Charles further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting all families affected by Hurricane Melissa. “The ROOFS Programme represents one of the most significant shelter recovery initiatives ever undertaken in Jamaica. We remain firmly committed to ensuring that every Jamaican family affected by the hurricane receives the support they need to rebuild their homes and restore stability to their lives,” he said.

The Minister also continues to encourage beneficiaries to rebuild using proper building standards and hurricane-resistant construction measures, including the installation of hurricane straps, to strengthen resilience against future storms.

From left to right: The Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour and Social Security (5th left), surrounded by beneficiaries of the ROOFS Programme, as they hold a symbolic $200,000 cheque for major damage under the Programme following the live demonstration during the Post-Cabinet Press Briefing. Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (1st right); Hon. Donovan Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (1st left) Mrs. Dione Jennings, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Security (2nd left) share in the moment. 

Jamaica To Get Medical Workers From Other Countries

Contributed By Michael Spence

Just a reminder gwaan Barke di Trute:

Jamaica to get doctors/healthcare workers from the Philippines. The government was being proactive in dealing with the Cuban fallout.

Jamaica was supposed to be partnering with the Philippines to address acute public health staffing shortages by recruiting medical professionals, including doctors and nurses. 

Signed in January 2025, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focuses on recruiting healthcare workers and facilitating training exchanges, with immediate plans to bring Philippine health workers to Jamaica for the Ministry of Health & Wellness, Jamaica.

It should be noted, however, that the Philippines' healthcare system is in shambles while facing a severe, multi-faceted crisis marked by a shortage of over 195,000 health workers, chronic underfunding, and high out-of-pocket costs. 

Experts warn of potential collapse within 2–3 years due to mismanagement of PhilHealth funds, leaving patients to face long wait times and inadequate facilities

What can go so as since January 2025, nothing more has been heard from the Minister.

Michael Spence

Micspen2@hotmail.com

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Harold Davies Jamaica's Talented Keyboard Player and Singer For Jazz In The Gardens

Harold Davies is a big man with a big voice and a big talent, yet a gentle heart. You have to see him to believe it. Born Harold Arthur Davis in the rhythm-rich soils of Kingston, Jamaica. He is not just a man who plays jazz and reggae music, but his performance is a show of excellence. This excellence is a reflection of the training he had in the classical disciplines of piano and violin at the prestigious Jamaica School of Music.

Harold is one of those powerhouse Jamaican musicians. He is comfortable and at home being a part of a band or with his fingers gliding up and down the keyboard while delivering a song to move his audience.

Harold's electrifying stage presence, with a voice that commands attention, has mesmerized audiences from the heart of Jamaica to the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom. 

His debut studio album, "Harold Arthur," released in 2010, is a testament to his ability to blend genres and collaborate with legendary artists. The album features collaborations with the late William 'Bunny Rugs' Clarke of Third World, Wayne Armond of Chalice, and Tony Greene. His second album, "Something Special (Piano Ska)," released in Jamaica in 2014 and launched in London in 2016, showcases Davis' innovative approach to interpreting the works of Jamaican music pioneers.

Harold Davis does not just perform. He also takes you on a musical journey. a journey of passion, a journey of excellence, and a journey that will leave a legacy as a treasure for our people.

#JazzInTheGardens

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You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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Breaking News

Ten players from the Jamaican side, Mount Pleasant, have been denied a visa to enter the United States for Wednesday's Concacaf Champions Cup tie against La Galaxy.

Eye See More Hardship As Cuban Doctors Leave

Contributed By Michael Spence

Jamaica's economy is heavily reliant on the US, with 90% of retained foreign exchange coming from remittances, tourism, exports, mining, and other activities. This dependence makes the country vulnerable to US sanctions and embargoes, as seen in the recent tensions over Cuba.

The government's move to send home Cuban health personnel was a desperate but necessary step, given the economic pressures.

Jamaica's economy is often described as parasitic, lacking self-sufficiency in key areas like food production and relying heavily on imports.

1. To break this cycle, Jamaica needs to adopt a more self-reliant approach, investing in local industries and training more professionals, such as doctors, under a free education model. 
2. Shutting down non-essential imports and reducing vehicle imports could also help save foreign exchange and fuel costs.
3. The current economic model, likened to a motorized pyramid scheme, is unsustainable. Jamaica must prioritize production and reduce its reliance on imports.
4. The government must take bold steps, despite potential political risks, to ensure the country's long-term economic stability. 
5. Potential strategies should include further diversification of the economy,  reducing reliance on a single USA or other market.
6. Investing in local production by boosting agriculture and manufacturing.
7. Promoting self-sufficiency by encouraging local innovation and entrepreneurship. 
8. Also reducing national debt with increased savings

By taking these steps, Jamaica can build a more resilient economy while reducing its vulnerability to external pressures.

Michael Spence

Micspen2@hotmail.com 

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.

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