THE BUZZ REPORT: Five Things We're Talking About

THE KID: He's a legend in the making whose name has become synonymous with astonishing performances on the track. Jaheel Hyde's latest stunner came on Day Four of the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys Athletics Championships, where the golden boy powered his way to a new national junior record in the Boys' Class One 400M hurdles at the National Stadium. Per media reports, Hyde's time of 49.01 seconds (down from 49.49) is the second fastest time in the world so far this year, bettered only by the American Michael Stigler (University of Kansas, the Texas Relays), who clocked 48.44 on Friday. Hyde is also a top contender for the gold in the Class One 110 M hurdles, one of the key events expected to bring the crowd to its feet on Saturday's final day of the championships. At the end of Friday's events, Edwin Allen held a commanding lead of 131 points among the girls, while Calabar High was in front on the boys' side with 104 points.
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SECOND TIME AROUND: It was there, in May 2008, that he stunned the world by shattering the world 100M record, setting a new time of 9.72 seconds, subsequently lowered in Beijing. Now, seven years later, Usain Bolt is making his long-awaited return to the Adidas Grand Prix, set for June 13 in New York City. We're expecting another magical performance from Jamaica's sprint king. The organizers have already dubbed it the 'Bolt homecoming', and the event is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators to the Icahn Stadium. The Adidas Grand Prix is the latest addition to the growing list of meets the World's Fastest Man will grace this season in the run-up to the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China, in August. On July 9, Bolt will face the starter at the Areva Diamond League meeting in Paris. Before that, on April 19, he'll treat his South American fans to an appearance at the Mano a Mano meet at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where he'll compete in a special 100M exhibition race for the second year in a row.
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VOICE OF REASON: Call it the end of an era. After hosting the long-running call-in programme for almost three decades, Barbara Gloudon and RJR FM's Hotline are parting company. Confirming the news in an email distributed to staff on Friay, Gary Allen, Managing Director of the RJR Group, hailed Gloudon as "a creative genius" who's given stalwart service to the country. "This brings to a close one chapter of her association with RJR 94FM, which she embarked on some three decades ago. We wish to place on record our sincere appeciation for her service to the nation via the Hotline programme, even as we look forward to engaging with her in other capacities moving forward," Allen said. Remaining with the RJR FM family, but in a slightly different role, Gloudon is set to host an upcoming Sunday afternoon programme at the station. No word yet as to whether she will be taking on-air calls.
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CALLED TO SERVE: Hearty congrats to Jeffrey McKenzie, a noted man of the cloth, who's been appointed the new Custos Rotolorum of St. Catherine. Pastor of the landmark Phillipo Baptist Church in Spanish Town, McKenzie's appointment will take effect on April 1, according to the office of the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who recently presented the new custos with his instrument of appointment. McKenzie succeeds Sophia Azan, also a reverend, who has retired after 12 years in the role. 
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SHOW TIME: It's the single most anticipated theatrical event of the year, so naturally the production team is pulling out all the stops. To help make King David the musical a truly unforgettable affair, Father HoLung and Friends have reportedly enlisted reggae superstars Shaggy and Tarrus Riley to contribute material for the show's soundtrack. Excellent choices, given their impressive track record and knack for tuneful, crowd-pleasing records. Meanwhile, we're dying to hear who's been cast in the lead roles for the show that opens at the National Arena in early May. Father HoLung productions always play before capacity crowds, with special days set aside for student audiences, and if the early buzz is anything to go by it's a rousing and visually stunning hit-in-the-making.

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