Hakka Chinese Jamaican

There will not be a full May issue (mini updates) as I will be traveling. Webmaster

Step into the extraordinary life of Pui Chan, a Chinese immigrant who battled the hardship of living in Communist China during a turbulent political era, and faced the effects on his family and environment. He eventually made a life for himself, one that would touch the lives of many others around the world. It all started with a simple dream… and today, the dream lives on. This family-authorized biography follows the path of a young boy who learns the value of hard work and perseverance through kung fu training... click on "Pui Chan" in the News section.

It's one of the biggest scams targeting seniors in the U.S. right now. Federal officials say "Jamaican lottery scams" are growing at an alarming rate, bilking the most vulnerable members of our population out of hundreds of millions of dollars a year. It works when scammers in Jamaica obtain lists of older Americans' names and numbers. They then call the seniors, usually pretending to be with an American sweepstakes company, telling them they've won money. To get the prize, the person just has to pay a fee, which they are told is for processing, or taxes... click on "Jam Scam" in the News section.

Even for a rare piano talent who has won medals at every level since 2002, this performance at the highest level of the Royal Conservatory was astonishing. Rashaan Allwood, 18, played through a one-hour piano exam of baroque, classical, romantic, impressionist and 20th century music with such panache and precision that enthralled adjudicators gave him a perfect score. Allwood’s “perfect 100” set the music fraternity abuzz in January, when he received the national gold medal as Canada’s top student sitting an exam for the world-renowned Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) diploma... click on "Piano 100" in the News section.

That’s why she jumped at the opportunity to donate C$45,000 for the construction of a basic school at Georges Valley, just outside Mandeville, when the charity organisation Food For the Poor came calling for help... click on "Kisko donation" in the News section.

Yamaye was a recorded name, at the time of Cristóbal Colón (Columbus), for the island of Jamaica. Frey Bartolomé de las Casas estimated that there were approximately six million Taino in the northern area of the Caribbean at the arrival of Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Generally, the islanders within the large Taino ethnic collective of Caribbean Amerindians called themselves by the names for their islands. They were, Yucayas or Lucayas (Bahamas), Caobana (Cuba), Kiskeya or Aytí (the island of Hispaniola shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Boriken (Puerto Rico) and Yamaye (Jamaica)... click on "Arawaks" in the Articles section.

Here are some photos from Gah San. It was well attended and David Chang was kept busy at his usual position assisting folks to find their loved ones graves. He was ably assisted by Robert Hew and Vincent Chang.... click on "Gah San" in the Articles section.

King street holds a special place in the hearts of us older Jamaicans as being the main thoroughfare in Kingston of early years for shopping, commuting or festive promenading during Christmas [Grand Market} or other occasions. I hope these series of pictures will rekindle fond memories...click on "King Street" in the Articles section.

Following my request for nostalgic photos are these circa ‘50’s generously provided by Ms. Simone Tai of her family at Hope Gardens with pond, swans and Long Mountains behind; along with one of her dad at the beach. There is also a current shot for you back-home yardies, of a grey squirrel in my backyard fattening up for the winter. I am sure we all have albums chock-full of photos from JA in the good old days that we have lying around and taken for granted. Well those photos are a treasure trove for me and anyone of similar nostalgic vein. Well I am begging you for these. I know there may be some that are too painful, intimate or personal but anything else please share with us... click on "Picture Appeal" in the Articles section.

Read assorted info, this and that... click on "Dis ’n Dat"

Cook up some Egg Roll... go to the Recipes page.

April and May 2013