Merry Christmas!

Home grown International Superstar Shaggy (Bombastic, It Wasn't Me, Angel) has started the "Shaggy: Make a Difference Foundation" to support the Bustamante Children's Hospital.

Most Jamaicans know that despite being the only Children's Hospital in the English speaking Caribbean, the hospital is, like most of our public hospitals, in a deplorable condition. The staff are very dedicated but cannot work miracles with outdated and insufficient equipment. Shaggy is trying to change all that and Yes, He Can! The music video premiered on TVJ on the 30th December but is not yet on YouTube. It is heart-rending. Watch the Appeal.

There will be a Concert on the lawns of Jamaica House on January third with Shaggy & Friends. Tickets are available at Paymaster, Susie's Bakery and Music Mart. The concert will feature Sean Paul. Elephant Man and other Dance Hall Singers as well as Freddy McGregor and Marcia Griffiths for us old fogies! Macy Gray is also taking part.

If you can't make the concert, please make a donation at the Foundation's Website and help give Jamaica's sick children world class care.

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1st December 2008

Dear Reader,

It's that time of year again!. With the World Economy being as it is, many of us don't feel much like Christmas this year but please remember the true Spirit of Christmas and help where you can.

The Holidays are almost here. Our 2009 "Antique Maps of Jamaica" calendar is out as well as new ornaments, posters, etc. We were lucky enough to find seven new maps to include. This year we've also done another calendar called "Jamaica 2009 - Off the Beaten Path." It includes thirteen photographs, including the cover, of not so common Jamaican Scenes; photos I've taken over the years from Portland to St. Elizabeth, no Dunns River or Devon House photos in this calendar. Have a look at some of our other items for sale.

As you can see, after five years online I've finally redesigned Jamaica Allspice! I imagine you're all saying "It's about time."

Don't worry. All of our old content is still here along with some new articles.

You can read about our rich history. For instance did you know that Falmouth is one of the world's most perfect examples of pure Georgian architecture?

Aside from world famous reggae artists and athletes, there are also Jamaicans like George Lecky who developed the Hope Red, one of the most popular varieties of cattle in the world.

There's also the very diverse geography and wildlife of our Island where, almost side by side; iguanas sun on barren rocks, crocodiles lie in wait in mangrove swamps and varieties of birds  fly amongst the trees in our beautiful mountains. You might even see a rodent the size of a dog, the agouti, hiding in a tropical rain forest.

There are lots of other interesting facts. Did you know, for instance, that Jamaica has greater roadway density than anywhere else in the world? Or that we own more cellular phones, per capita, than any other country?

Enjoy our magazine and please feel free to send us your comments.

Betty S.

Editor