Save The Goat Islands in Jamaica

www.savegoatislands.org

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP SAVE GOAT ISLANDS

Share the Petition with your friends using this link: 

http://chn.ge/1ecZdCO

Little Goat Island along with Great Goat Island are the cays that make up the Goat Islands, located less than a mile off the coast of Jamaica, southwest of the Hellshire Hills. It is part of Saint Catherine Parish. Little Goat Island is adjacent to the northwest portion of Great Goat Island, and both are within the Portland Bight Protected Area. Until the 1940s, these cays were home to a population of Jamaican Iguana. However, as with most mainland populations, the Little Goat Island population was thought to have become extinct, mainly due to predation by introduced small Indian mongooses and habitat alteration by feral goats. These areas are of high conservation value due to the numbers of vulnerable and endemic species that live there.

The Government of Jamaica is engaged in negotiations with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to establish a large transshipment port in the Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA) in the vicinity of the Goat Islands. The Portland Bight Protected Area contains significant environmental assets. The coastline includes the largest mangrove system in Jamaica (about 2/3 of all Jamaica’s mangroves, according to land use 1998) which together with extensive sea‐grass beds and coral reefs, likely contains the largest nursery area for fish and shellfish on the island.

Coral reefs are found mainly in the shallow waters surrounding the nine small islands or cays within the PBPA. The PBPA includes some of the most extensive areas of coral reef in Jamaican waters, and although, like reefs island wide, they are under stress, in 2003, hard coral cover at six reef sites surveyed ranged from 5.8 to 33.4 percent and “fish counts were generally higher than at other Jamaican sites surveyed using Reef Check method”. The Galleon Harbour area, in particular, is a major nursery and critical habitat area for fishable species of all types, including snapper, grunt, lobster, shrimp, and oysters. Beaches in the PBPA and on its cays are considered the most important nesting areas for sea turtles in Jamaica, with at least four species of globally endangered sea turtles nesting there. The beaches of the PBPA are valuable to local communities as fishing beaches and for recreation.

March is Women History in the USA

I Matter © 2007

Written by Janice K. Maxwell

www.JamaicanDiaspora.com

You might not want me here but I am and plan to stay.

No, I won’t shut up and accept what has been

ascribed,

prescribed

and described about me to make you feel comfortable, less threated or superior.

For many reasons, I matter.

I breathe air and life is still in me.

My soul has traveled far, so I matter.

I have survived the middle passage,

endured the cane fields

media stereotypes,

sneers

and slights.

I am not going away

head down

or defeated.

I am here to stay.

The voiceless has spoken

And

will continue to speak

against  injustice

ignorance

and insensitivity.

Yes,

oh yes,

I matter.

February is Black History Month in the USA

February is Black History Month in the USA

IN THE BLACKNESS

In the Blackness

As we reclined together

I heard your whisper

Take the breath from my lips

And let us breathe as one

If only for a night

Let time Stand still

Let it wait to be summoned

By the future

But for us, now

Only the present matter

In the Blackness

You’ll find my light

It shines

Just for you

By Anthony Jules

PORTLAND: THE OTHER JAMAICA

 

By Ken Roueche

www.PortlandtheotherJamaica.com

 

PORTLAND: THE OTHER JAMAICA offers a glimpse into the history of this most beautiful parish, stretching from Buff Bay to Hector's River and up the many river valleys to the Blue Mountains. Portland has been home to some remarkable people, including more than a few dreamers, schemers and crusaders. Shaped by the heavy hand of Mother Nature Portland is blessed with outstanding beauty and challenged by remarkable geography, which provided a perfect homeland for the Windward Maroons as they fled the terror of colonial oppression under the spiritual leadership Nanny. The 1739 Maroon Treaty was followed by the invasion of British planters with their toxic mix of slavery, violence and sugar.

The end of slavery opened up abandoned plantations and mountain villages to modest opportunities for liberated slaves. Within a generation their sons and daughters were enterprising banana farmers responding to the call from Captain Baker to grow banana for the world. Portland soon became the "Banana Capital of the World". This was followed by the arrival of the railway which spurred even more banana production and helped launch the tourist industry and the building of the Titchfield Hotel.

Many of the world's major events have shaped Portland's history, including Port Antonio's strategic location during the Spanish American War and the loss of so many young men during the Great War. The Parish has also been blessed with great leaders including Captain Quao, Ken Jones, Sir Harold Allan and many others. In recent years Portland has also attracted the attention of Hollywood stars, starting with Errol Flynn and followed by Queens, Princes, Princesses, Barons, Captains of Industry and more movie stars. And today the dreamers and schemers are still coming to Portland.

TOP TOURIST SPOTS IN JAMAICA

Written by Alice Jerusha


Since time immemorial Jamaica has been the best travel destination for many tourists all around the world. This country is blessed with numerous great physical features as well as great entertainment and culture ever witnessed anywhere before. Apart from that, the natives here are also very kind and polite to all visitors from every corners of the earth.

Apart from her great physical features, the country of Jamaica is also blessed with just the perfect climate that is favourable for every human being. The daily weather conditions are also awesome as this country lies within the tropical region. It is true to say that the perfect climate has made Jamaica to be among the best tourist destination places worldwide.

Therefore the following are just but a few top places you should never fail to visit as a tourist in Jamaica;

Dunn's River Falls

If you visit Dunn's River Falls, you will be amazed to see the spectacular 600ft water fall which is very popular.

This magnificent water fall is characterized by cold and clear white froth that splashes over a series of stone steps while trickling towards the sea at the same time. Therefore if you want to greatly enjoy your visit to the Dunn's Water Falls, ensure that you hire a tour guide.

Montego Bay

Another great tourist attraction spot that you can visit if you are a tourist in Jamaica is the popular Montego Bay. Montego Bay is characterized by nice beaches that offer great opportunities for each and every tourist to enjoy all types of water sports. This place is among the best spots in Jamaica where tourists who love seeing attractive beaches as well as swimming can have the best times of their lives. Apart from other spots here, there is the spectacular Doctor's Cave Beach where any tourist can enjoy having a nice warm bath.

Ocho Rios

If you love reggae music then Ocho Rios may be the best place for you to visit especially if you have been a great fan of legend reggae artists like Bob Marley and etc. Ocho Rios hosts the popular Bob Marley mausoleum for the sake of the late Bob Marley's fans where one may even luckily bump into the late Bob Marley's family members. Apart from that, there is also the great Chukka Cove's Zion Bus tour for tourists who love road trips.

Negril Beach

It is true to say that Negril Beach is among the finest lengthy white sand beaches and top spots in Jamaica. This place is characterized by beautiful open air cafes as well as beach bars for tourists who love drinking wine and dinning. Any tourist who loves the above activities as well as enjoying the evening sun set can have the best time of his/her life at Negril Beach.

Kingston

Since Kingston City is the capital of Jamaica as well as the cultural hub of the entire Caribbean region, any tourist who visits this city is guaranteed to have the best for his/her money and time. If you want to experience great entertainment and culture, Kingston is among the best places for you to visit. Any tourist here can visit the 120 year old Devon House Heritage Site that hosts numerous events each and every single day.

If you are planning for any tour it’s better to have a self-drive with a car. It is always important to make an inquiry about using your personal car in a different country before you travel with it. This is the reason why the DVLA helpline is public in case of such issues. Through their help you will be able to know if that self-drive trip is worth it or if you have to change your destination.

Author Bio:

Alice, a travel blogger and a writer from London who loves to travel and share my experiences with people around the world. Travelling is my ultimate passion. As of now she is focusing on DVLA helpline which provides information regarding driver and vehicle licences...

Motivation Creates Greatness

Motivation is central to creativity, productivity and happiness. Motivation is what causes us to act, and when we act, we create movement, growth and change, we feel involved, masterful and significant, we feel powerful through experiencing how we can change the world, and we create more of what we love in our lives. And all of this gives our lives purpose and happiness, so why do so many of us not feel this zealousness and passion for life? Most of us have just one distinction for demotivation, which means that you’re likely to assume that you’re struggling with the same problem whenever you’re motivated, when in fact demotivation is a category of problems that has many different distinctions within it.


When you have just one distinction for demotivation, you’ll apply the same old strategies whenever you feel demotivated, which for many people looks like this: set goals, push harder, create accountability checks that will push you, and run your life using ‘Getting Things Done’ (GTD) methods and to-do lists. These strategies are ineffective with most types of de-motivation, and in some instances they can even make you more demotivated. At its essence, demotivation is about you not being fully committed to act, and there are many reasons why you might be in that position. Having more distinctions for your demotivation will help you to identify the real reasons for your unwillingness to commit to action, so that you can pick the right tools and strategies to get motivated again. www.tolerance.org

October is Black History Month in England

                                                       What makes a Black Man Cry?

                                                              Written by Myrna Loy

Seeing how easy it is for his son to die. When trying desperately to preserve what’s left of his life; His relationships breakdown and so does his wife. Constantly robbed of his self-esteem...

Lack of an achievable vision destroys his dream.

What makes a Black man cry?

Getting caught up in a situation he found hard to resist. Regretting his choices and the opportunities he’s missed. Displaying a front that says

I’m the big ‘I am’ So that his ‘brothers’ will think that he is ‘The Man’...

But he’s been found out, and is feeling ostracized, because as a result of his stupidity, someone has died. He tried to contain the evidence of his woe because he didn’t want his loved ones to know - It’s hard playing tough and living lie, And that’s what makes a black man cry.

Why Do Black Men Cry..?

He is crying for the men who feel they have to pretend; He is allowing his tears to symbolize their anguish and pain: The disappointment and disempowerment is seen on their face, while mothers and fathers hold their heads down in disgrace. When you taste the salt tears on your lips Remember the new moon always precedes an eclipse; Trauma and regret will say its goodbye...

So my vulnerable Black man - It’s ok to cry!

Myrna Loy © 2013