Channel 11 News Baltimore

Jamaicans celebrate Independence in US

Jamaicans residing in Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia, US, have moved into celebration mode, with a number of official events scheduled to mark the 49th anniversary of the country's Independence planned for the next three weeks.

Between August 4 and 21, the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, DC, under the leadership of Ambassador Audrey Marks, will be engaged in a number of activities supported by leading Jamaican organisations.

On Thursday, August 4, an open house will be held at the embassy, between noon and 4 p.m. It will provide an opportunity for the public to meet the ambassador and other members of staff. It will also showcase embassy activities and promote various aspects of Jamaican culture.

On Independence Day, Saturday, August 6, two organisations will stage Independence balls - the Jamaica Association of Maryland (JAM) and 'Team Jamaica Bickle', Philadelphia chapter.

JAM's ball, under the distinguished patronage of Ambassador Marks, will be at the Martins West Conference Centre, Baltimore, and is expected to attract about 400 Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica. Baltimore's Mayor, Stephanie Blake, will be the guest speaker.

This year, JAM will present the Marcus Garvey UNIA Award for outstanding educational and community service to Professor of Biology at Morgan State University, Dr Joseph Whittaker, while US congressman Elijah Cummins will be conferred with honorary membership for his support of the Jamaican and Caribbean communities, and Nicolas Nathan for his outstanding support for JAM.

In Philadelphia, 'Team Jamaica Bickle' will stage its second annual Independence Ball at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Philadelphia. The organisation will honour Jamaica's outgoing Honorary Consul in Pennsylvania, Dr Alston Meade and former Consul General to New York, Dr Basil Bryan for outstanding contribution to the Jamaican community in Philadelphia.

Independence Message

The Dumbarton Chapel at Howard University's School of Law is the venue for the annual service of thanksgiving on Sunday, August 7, starting at 11 am. General Secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, the Rev. Karl Johnson, will deliver the sermon. Ambassador Marks will give the official welcome and deliver Prime Minister Bruce Golding's Independence message.

Members of the diplomatic corps, Washington DC's Mayor, Vincent Gray, and members and representatives of the US Congress will also attend the service.

Coast Guard ends search for missing man near ... - Coast Guard News

BALTIMORE — Coast Guard and local agencies ended their search for a missing man after divers recovered the man Sunday morning in the waters of the Riviera Beach Channel.

Coast Guard Sector Baltimore watchstanders were notified by Anne Arundel County Fire Department at 5:35 p.m., when he was reported to have not resurfaced after going into the water from an 18-foot pleasure craft Saturday.

A 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Coast Guard Station Curtis Bay, Md., along with crews from Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Maryland Natural Resources Police and Maryland State Police participated in the search for the man.

Maryland NRP is leading the accident investigation.

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