An Interview with Crochet Couture Diva, Minka.Nestled above the historic cane fields and factories of western Jamaica, is a small town called Grange Hill, which has produced one of the emerging fashion giants in Jamaica. She is what some would call a renegade and others a bellwether. A visionary, in more ways than one, Gillian Francis aka Minka, is one of Jamaica’s premiere designers with a promising future in world fashion domination.
Jamaicans.com Heart Foundation Drive in Memory of Marcia “Ackeegirl” DavidsonIt has been six years (7/13/03) since Marcia “Ackeegirl” Davidson passed away after a long battle with heart disease. She was instrumental to the Jamaicans.com website and served as the first moderator, first administrator, and in many other areas. She had the heart of an angel. This month, to honor the memory of Marcia “Ackeegirl” Davidson, we are raising $500 to donate to the Jamaica Heart Foundation. Please help us today.
Granny Gheeta and I talk about the power of the dead and dearly departedThe Caribbean culture is filled with mysticism, folklore and a great deal of superstition. Many believe these ideologies are “mullarkey” and just the ravings of “country people”. Jamaica’s mystique has gained notoriety, partly because of its tales of ghosts, witches and bedlam.
Interview with Duane...Rising StarThis month I interview Jamaican-American rising star Duane "D-WAYNE" Howard. Being born with a gift is one thing. Recognizing and utilizing that gift to it's full potential is another. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Jamaican parents Duane Howard, better known throughout the music fraternity as D-Wayne.
Common Mistakes to Avoid when Applying for Immigration BenefitsThe Immigration laws of the United States are governed by complex statutes, internal Immigration memorandums and case law. Consequently, it can be quite daunting for a non-citizen to maneuver his or her way through the entire immigration process. This article will address some common mistakes that clients usually make in applying to Immigration for benefits. I will also offer some easy solutions for those individuals who feel compelled to go through the process by themselves.
How To Manage Your MoneyIn a recent column entitled “The 3 Ms of Money,” we discussed the principles of financial achievement - managing, multiplying and maintaining your money. Over the coming weeks, we will examine these three pathways to money success in greater detail. The key to managing your money is knowing what to do with the money that you are already earning, so that you can comfortably pay your bills and work towards attaining your goals. There are four components to successful money management, which, like the ingredients in a recipe, are all essential to producing the perfect end result.
Redundancy and its impact on those left behindAfter the dust is cleared, come Monday morning the so called “lucky” ones who are left behind, huddle at someone’s desk discussing the sad events of Friday afternoon when some of their colleagues were given marching orders.
Food Shopping in JamaicaFood 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.
Cooking SaltfishThis is not a recipe by any means but a childhood memory of me cooking saltfish for the first time. As a child growing up in Clarendon during the seventies, if you happen to be the eldest child in the household it was your responsibility to learn fundamental domestic duties. Cooking, washing, ironing, sewing, things like that.
I’m Allergic - Jamaican Book ReviewThis book targets children who are ages 3 to 7 years old, and the family members that read with them. The tale introduces the topic of food allergies as told by a young character by the name of Li'l Al Lurgic, who is very sensitive to popular edibles that are common to children's diet. The book aims primarily to be fun, and only secondarily speaks to children who have special needs, or sensitivities of which the adult world is lovingly ignorant. In a subtle way, the author is opening a space for more sensitive handling of the individual perculiarities of all small chiildren.
Back in the Old Days, Agriculture Was King in JamaicaBefore 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.
Growing Up Like A Jamaican - What to do when you don't have electricityWhen I tell people that my maternal grandparent’s home was not wired for electricity until 1997 their jaws often drop open. They want to know what did we do for light and didn’t we get bored without TV? Well, during the day we used daylight and at night we used lanterns.
Ms. Dulcie Sey: "Wey Happun To Nu Yauk!"Hallo hall hoff mi wonderful an fateful fans, ow iz hall hoff uno doin? Well a ope uno iz doin well. Miss Dulcie juss get back from ar trip to de big ole Happle an bwoy no hask if he nevva haff wan hole heap a wum.Lorks haff mercy, me nevva cuss an carry on so much inna alla a fi mi bawn life.
Kool Runnings Water Park - NegrilThe Kool Runnings Water Park was established in early 2007, and since then, it offers a welcoming family-friendly entertainment option in Jamaica. The park is located in Negril – the island’s “Capital of Cool” – on Norman Manley Boulevard. Kool Runnings is a state-of-the-art water park that features attractions for visitors of all ages, locals and tourists alike.
The Adventures of Abby Alligator Read in Jamaican PatoisTeach yourself Jamaican patois/patwa with children stories. Listen and watch the video of " The Adventures of Abby Alligator" read in Jamaican Patois. It is the first in the Alphatales series from A to Z.
Ital Stew Peas (Veggie Stew Peas)Stew Peas is a popular Jamaican dish that is enjoyed by meat lover. Vegans do not have to be left out anymore. Enjoy the Ital/Veggie/Vegetarian Jamaican Stew Peas. With Kidney beans as the feature ingredient this dish is high in protein which is especially important for Vegetarians.
Do Dreams Really Come Through : Memoirs Of An Illegal Alien Part 48The handcuffs were tight and as I moved they felt like they would cut through my skin. I wiggled to get comfortable. I knew I should now have gone down to the immigration office. It felt like a set up but the thought of getting a USA passport was too good to pass up. I had gotten a fake birth certificate and applied for a passport.
Book Review: From Saddam Hussein To Barack Hussein: The Story of Change, Legacy, and AscendancyFrom Saddam Hussein To Barack Hussein: The Story of Change, Legacy, and Ascendancy, by Jamaican author Donovan A. McFarlane ,communicates the paradoxical nature of change and leadership as processes shaping the very nature of existence, impacting the lives of ordinary and extraordinary individuals alike to forever alter the course of our world. This book chronicles the change process following an approximate decade of leadership, its ineffectiveness and effectiveness, and the breaking and making of strong leaders in national and global political contexts.
