Jamaicans.com Callathon 2010 Jamaicans.com Forum Boardites its that time of year again. So get your phone cards ready get your minutes ready and let us chat up a storm on Friday March 26th 2010.

Grow Your Own, Eat Your Own  For some time now the Jamaican Government has been encouraging its citizens to plant a garden in their yard to help compensate for the world’s economic crisis affecting all of us.  This sounded like a pretty good idea to me.  My very first job at the tender age of eight was on a carrot and parsnip farm near my home.  I enjoyed being outside in the fresh air but my farming career was short-lived when I developed small watery eruptions on my fingers which turned out to be an allergy to the parsnips.  However, I didn’t let that slight setback keep me out of the garden for long.  Over the years I have had some pretty impressive gardens, if I do say so myself.

Under Pressure There has been a series of unexplained deaths occurring in our Society today. Most people attribute these losses due to drugs, ill health or simply, That it was their time to go.

A Short Love Story: The Reggae Dance Law - One Dance Won’t Do! He stood there against the wall, dressed in a silvery-grey suit, razor sharp seams, toes turned outwards; silk socks and crocodile shoes. He was standing in between his two bredren - one arm hugging his waist while supporting the elbow of his other arm so that his fingers could stroke the stubble on his chin. He was rocking his head to the music – a leather cap tilted precariously on one side of his head.

Hold Me During this month when we celebrate Valentine’s Day and ponder the meaning of love, ask yourself this: When was the last time you felt comfortable asking someone aside from your child to kiss or hold you—especially at a time when you really needed it and nobody else seemed to know?

Oncovering Lack of Conscience: The Result of a Floundering Economy The world has been experiencing an economic decline for several decades. The primary cause of this downward spiral is due to the lack of quality goods and services administered throughout the United Nations and America.

White Rastafarians? When you think about the word “Rastafarian”, you probably imagine a Jamaican man with dark skin and dreadlocks… as a matter of fact, you probably think about Bob Marley. This wouldn’t be an inappropriate association, after-all, Bob Marley is probably the most internationally recognized practitioner of Rastafari. However, not all rastas these days are from Jamaica, and there is even a small but growing population of Caucasian practitioners. No, I’m not talking about teenaged skateboarders who smoke marijuana and listen to reggae music; I’m talking about real, deeply religious, white rastas. Now, depending on how much you know about Rastafari, you’re either wondering, “How does a White person join the Rasta faith?” or you’re wondering, “What’s the big deal?”. I think it may be wise to first address the latter.

Donate to Haiti earthquake relief today!!! Please donate to Haiti earthquake relief today. Our Haitian brothers and sisters need our help. We should stand with them in their time of need by doing everything we can to assist.  Here  are a list of charities providing direct relief to Haitians following Tuesday's (January 12th, 2010)  devastating earthquake. You can send money by text or checks by mail. Checks should be made payable to the organizations listed. Please Designate Your Gift to “Haiti Earthquake”

Top 10 Jamaicans of 2009 We asked the Jamaicans.com writers, editors and bloggers to name their top Jamaicans for the year 2009. Some of the names you will recognize but some are everyday people who are making an impact on Jamaica and the world in their own way. We are pleased to present the Jamaicans.com Top 10 Jamaican for 2009.

Jamaica Year in Review 2009 The year, 2009 began with vast global recession triggered by a plunging US economy which was characterised by a ‘tsunami’ of job loss, diminishing dollars and rising prices which was bound to affect the islands.  Jamaica’s newish ‘govament’ (as any ruling body is called by Jamaicans) chose the denial route. Public opinion channelled through its excellent cadre of journalists cited a level of diffidence in the new administration’s approach to public information. The criticisms continued to surface when it found itself hard put to contain a persistently high crime rate and the rising tide of job losses. There was also its perceived lack of resolve in sanitizing the sickly smell of carry-over scandals (political and otherwise) from the previous administration.

“Duppy Conquering”: An Exploration of The Supernatural in Reggae Music The Caribbean has historically been associated with the supernatural. Tales of Jamaican Maroon leader Nanny’s mystical prowess, the memorable Miss Cleo of Psychic Readers’ Network, and legends of the devouring Bermuda Triangle all envision the Caribbean from inside and out as enchanted. Within the Caribbean, duppies, soucouyants, zombies, rolling calves and jumbies are frequently an element of cultural productions such as songs, poems, novels, and plays. There are also various Caribbean spiritual practices associated with the supernatural such as Voodoo, Obeah, Myalism and Santeria.

Best of Jamaica 2009 Results The votes are in !!! The question was asked in our Jamaicans.com 2009 survey "What is the best of Jamaica" in Jamaica or in the city you live. Categories included Tourist Life, Jamaica Life, Jamaica Shopping, Restaurants, Jamaican Foods and Diversions/Entertainment !! See the results today!!!

Yardie in South Africa - Jamaicans coming to SA for Soccer 2010 or otherwise I’ve played host, tour guide and restaurant sampler for Jamaicans and other West Indians visiting South Africa for the first time during the 8 years that we’ve lived here. I love to hear their impressions, to de-coding South Africa through my eyes, and to check out what they find fascinating about SA. I can hardly remember what I thought of SA before I set hit  Joburg for the first time in 96, but each time someone shows up, they take me right back to a memory or two--Crisp, dry air. A sense of space. Occasionally, a sense of being caught in a social time warp. A country that’s pretty on the outside, comfortable on a superficial day to day level, but sometimes gritty and cringe-evoking on the inside once you stick around for a while. 

Life in a Jamaican Community For those of you who want to live in Jamaica, it is important to find the right community. Homes can be found all the way from the ghettoes to the exclusive homes with swimming pools and can be found from the city into the country. There is a community for everyone’s taste and budget.

In Memory of Michael Jackson- The Gloved One Who Visited Jamaica It was 1975; I was 13 years old and in third form at St. Andrew High School for Girls, when I heard the news that Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were coming to Kingston to perform. My mother, a strict Pentecostal Christian, forbade my sisters and I to play secular music or to dance. Yet, I could not help watching Michael Jackson while she was at church, which was several nights per week.

Food Shopping in Jamaica Food shopping in Jamaica, while having some resemblance to the American experience, can be challenging at times. The Jamaican supermarkets are laid out with aisles of packaged foods and general merchandise similar to the US. Around the perimeter of the interior is the meat, dairy and produce sections. Glaringly absent is the ever popular and ever busy deli department. The only cold cuts I have seen come in blister packs and a very limited variety.

Back in the Old Days, Agriculture Was King in Jamaica Before bauxite was discovered and mined, before Jamaica had a "financial sector," before various governments sold the island’s birthright to attract screwdriver industries and garment-industry sweatshops, Jamaicans made their living mostly from the land. As I recall, it wasn’t easy. I wonder what became of all that hard work? How did it change? And who let it happen? I suppose it’s useless to point fingers now. I can only cheer the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries on and wish him luck in reviving the island's aricultural tradition.

In Real Life, as in Fiction, Jamaica's Future Depends on Agriculture, Not Bauxite In my book, "Hill-an’-Gully Rider," I have the Prime Minister resisting the efforts of bauxite companies to invade his fictional Caribbean island. Despite the wealthy companies’ efforts – including political machinations and even violence – the Prime Minister succeeds in protecting the island and eventually reaps great rewards through pursuing a policy of environmental preservation and innovation.

Health Care in Jamaica Quality medical care in Jamaica is one of the prime concerns of many of my readers. Between my wife and I, we have had seven years of experiences with doctors and other medical facilities in the Montego Bay area. We have found the quality of medical care to be quite adequate, although not perfect. Considering this Third World country boasts over 1,000 people above the age of 100 one would have to say that the medical care throughout the island is more than adequate. 

Caribbean Country Profiles Every June we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage month. This month we profile all the Caribbean countries with their rich heritage, people and culture.

Meet the Jamaicans.com Writers This month we are having a "Meet the Jamaicans.com Writers" discussion in our forums. Each writer will participate in discussions. Post your questions and chat with your favorite Jamaicans.com Writer during the month of May in our forums.

Lost In Words - Weekly Story Check out our new weekly story titled "Lost in Words" by Jamaicans.com community member "Phatty" . The story takes a look at  how tough the music industry can be tough for the people behind the scenes.  You will meet Nancy Clarke is more about the business than the music.  Administrative assistant to Hip Hop's most powerful man, Robert Phillips. 

Reflections on a Trip Back Home That Almost Was When I read of gang members slaughtering women and children, as well as each other, of policemen being gunned down and rampant corruption and crime, I picture an island full of danger. As a child and even as a youth, I wandered freely in the country and the city, even venturing into the worst parts of Kingston when I was a reporter for the Gleaner. But I gather from the news that it would be suicidal for me to do that today.

Jamaican in DC for the Presidential Inanaguraion of Barack Obama When I received the notification from the Presidential Inaugural Committee that they wanted us to be among the first to know about the sale of the 5,000 tickets for the historic Inaugural Parade to begin on January 9th, at 1:00 p.m., together we began to call at 1pm sharp. As luck would have it, we triumphed – so off to DC we went.

It May Not Be the End of the Road for the "Banana Man" in Jamaica Perhaps Mother Nature is coming to the aid of the Jamaican "banana man." A recent article in the London Independent predicts that the Gros Michel bananas grown so profusely and cheaply - and by such questionable tactics - in mainland Latin America may be doomed by disease. And Jamaica already has been through that calamity. 

Jamaican Wedding It has been over six and a half years since I’ve moved to Jamaica.  During that time I have attended more funerals than I care to think about, but not one wedding.  Perhaps I am at that stage in life where all those around me are moving on to the other side and not down the matrimonial aisle.  On December 18^th, my wife and I finally attended our first Jamaican wedding.

Bob Marley Would Have Been At Obama's Inauguration! It's a natural fit to not only celebrate Marley's birthday in February, but February is also the official celebration of Black History month in the U.S.A.  We celebrate the birthday of The Honourable Robert Nesta Marley, O.M., on Friday, February 6.  Marley would have been 64 years of age. With the ushering in of a new era in America's political landscape of the first African America President, Barack Hussein Obama this celebration becomes even more poignant as was seen by the tremendous outpouring of emotions by Americans and people worldwide regarding such an achievement.

A Year In Review Another year has come and gone.  It has been a very busy year for me.  Life has been anything but boring since I retired to Jamaica.  The year began with my having tendonitis of the left knee which made it impossible for me to drive my standard transmission car.  Try as I might, I just couldn't teach my wife how to use the clutch.  The alternative was to purchase a newer car.  This led to my February article about my new car. 

Jamaica Year in Review 2008 This year, it was the natural resilience of the Jamaican people which helped them overcome social, financial and natural disasters such as escalating crime mainly among young males,the ravages of Cash-Minus and of seasonal hurricanes.Then there were the  sparks? showers? of gold emitting out of Beijing, the achievement of a clothing designer who copped the contract for the Miss World gowns, the local Choir placing 14th (at their brand of Olympics in Austria) out of 96 countries fielding 100 entries.

Reggae Boyz Year in Review 2008 In the year 2008 Jamaica football had it’s highs and lows. Though the Reggae Boyz did not get pass the first qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup the year ended with a championship and a move up in the world rankings.  Here is a chronological summary of the Reggae Boyz Year in Review for 2008.

Presentation to the Jamaican Olympic team In September we asked many of you to sign our online guest book to show your appreciation and congratulate the Jamaican Olympic team. We compiled all the well wishes into a printable book. It was presented to the the Jamaican Olympic team on our behalf by Liz Burns of Jamaica United Relief Association (JURA).  Feel free to download a copy of the PDF version of the book.

Barrel Kids? I was sitting in the monthly meeting of a Jamaican based organization in the U.S.A. when the attendees were challenged by one of the officers sharing a story that “touched her heart.”  She had read an article stating that the rate of suicide amongst the “barrel kids” (children whose parents are overseas but receive the regular barrel filled with clothes, shoes, food, etc.)  is greater than those whose parents are with them; and compared to the other Caribbean nations, Jamaica’s children fared worse. 

Jamaicans Should Prepare to Feed Themselves as Global Food Crisis Looms Sometimes simple logic can provide answers to complex problems. Take the looming food crisis, for example. Many informed and intelligent voices have addressed the problem recently, warning of the ripple effects of the global financial crisis and the meltdown of stock markets around the world. But the answer is as plain as the nose on your face.

Hope For The Wild and Loose in Jamaica My September article, Wild and Loose, dealt with abandoned dogs and cats on the streets of Jamaica.  Much has happened in the two months since then.  To begin with, the male and female dog did what comes naturally and produced four puppies. 

Technology Breakthrough Offers Hope for Jamaica's Ethanol Project Reading an item in The Daily Gleaner recently about the Jamaican Government’s proposed waste-to-energy facility, I felt a familiar sadness. Before the proposal was even unveiled, naysayers were at work. It seems the same old spirit of “Choh! No waste me time” is alive and well in Jamaica.

Summer Vacation Over Decision time again in regards to the new school year, summer vacations are over and the children are out of school for the summer and as parents, we are faced with the task of finding money for back to school expenses which is escalating everyday. Not only does one have to worry about these additional expenses, but one has to also worry about the safety of our children as well. This is not even a political thing. It is not a JLP or PNP issue.

Honoring Our Olympians I continue to read, with excitement, the outpouring of accolades, and the national pride that is being experienced as a result of the stellar performance of the Jamaica contingent to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. With the unprecedented number of medals won, and the records set.

Wild and Loose in Jamaica Abandoned animals are found throughout Jamaica.  These dogs and cats roam from place to place looking for whatever food they can find.  It isn't unusual to hear dogs fighting over choice morsels throughout the day while cats seem to confine their confrontations to the evening and overnight periods.

Our Olympians, Our Ambassadors It is great to see that crime has taken a back seat to the wonderful performance that our athletic ambassadors are doing in the Olympics. The athletes are performing and the world is responding and taking notice.

No Yamaye Taíno Heroes in Jamaica – The Jamaican Coat of Arms Debate During a recent stay in my island home of Jamaica a local television announcer posed a question about the island’s Coat of Arms. The query was, “Should Jamaica change its Coat of Arms?” One interviewee said, “The Coat of Arms should have black people on it.” The theory was that the island’s Coat of Arms should have images that reflect the island’s African Jamaican majority.