Street food in Kingston, Jamaica.

Food, Health and the City: Caribbean Foodscapes Research Project in Kingston

July 9, 2019

In Jamaica, we love our food. Our island cuisine is quite famous (ackee and saltfish, jerk chicken and the like). But…aren’t you a little sick of the plethora of fast food outlets, everywhere you look? There are long lines at drive-ins and certain fast food outlets are bursting with Jamaicans – many of them young … More Food, Health and the City: Caribbean Foodscapes Research Project in Kingston

Partnership for Women’s Health Concerned by Parliamentarians’ Perceived Lack of Interest in Abortion Debate

July 5, 2019

On October 9, 2018, Government Member of Parliament Juliet Cuthbert Flynn opened the debate on her Private Member’s Motion (#61) calling for the repeal of Sections 72 and 73 of the Offences Against the Persons Act, which makes abortion illegal. She is calling for this to be replaced by “The Termination of Pregnancy Act.” This was … More Partnership for Women’s Health Concerned by Parliamentarians’ Perceived Lack of Interest in Abortion Debate

International Reggae Day logo by Michael Thompson.

A Reggae Hall of Fame is a Must for Kingston (Part Two)

July 4, 2019

Some years ago, we visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It is all glassy and modern, on the shore of Lake Erie (think: Kingston Harbour). It is packed with memorabilia- odd bits and pieces designed with the rock music fan in mind. There are quirky little things to amuse … More A Reggae Hall of Fame is a Must for Kingston (Part Two)

Why Can’t We Have a Reggae Hall of Fame in Kingston?

July 4, 2019

July 1 was International Reggae Day. What did it mean to Jamaicans, in Jamaica? It has been said, over and over ad nauseam, that Jamaica does not sufficiently tap into the deep wellspring of its creativity. And it’s true. We tend to tinker away at it – the “potential” of it – puff ourselves up and … More Why Can’t We Have a Reggae Hall of Fame in Kingston?

Award Winning Caribbean Authors Journey to Edinburgh

June 27, 2019

My friend, the quietly dynamic publisher Tanya Batson-Savage of Blue Banyan Books sent me this information on three great authors for young adults, who will be traveling to the 2019 Edinburgh International Book Festival this summer. I reviewed the novel “Children of the Spider” by Guyana’s Imam Baksh two years ago, here. It was a … More Award Winning Caribbean Authors Journey to Edinburgh

Natural History Museum of Jamaica and Highway 2000 East-West: Big Promoters of Jamaica’s Biodiversity

June 26, 2019

I confess to being biased: I just love the Biodiversity Awareness Programme of the Natural History Museum of Jamaica. I also love the partnership with Highway 2000 East-West, who are steadfast supporters of environmental education programmes at five primary schools close to the highway. The company’s support over the years has been hugely appreciated and … More Natural History Museum of Jamaica and Highway 2000 East-West: Big Promoters of Jamaica’s Biodiversity

Record-Breaking Heat is Here, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness Urges Us to be Careful

June 26, 2019

As we keep saying to each other: “The heat is on!” We are all shocked by the soaring temperatures across the island. On June 22, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica recorded the highest temperature on record in Kingston – just over 39 degrees Celsius or 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Professor Michael Taylor of the Climate Studies … More Record-Breaking Heat is Here, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness Urges Us to be Careful