I just discovered Zam Magazine. The moment I opened it, I fell in love. Finally an Amsterdam-based magazine that focuses on Africa and African topics! But what I love most about the publication is their portrayl of contemporary Africa in all its splendor. The articles show that the continent is more that just problems, and the pieces were well thought out and well written. From arts and culture to politics and entertainment, Zam had me covered. It’s about time.

This is crazy. I have been cleaning my house for winter and as always I donate the stuff to secondhand stores.

To my surprise I called several stores (Kringloopwinkels included) to ask if they want my stuff and I was told no. They DO NOT WANT my stuff because they get to much and have to throw it away anyway, which costs them money. Huh? (more…)

The 25th celebration of the Dam to Dam Marathon last Sunday was a Masai family affair. The siblings Linet and Moses Masai, both from Kenya, came in first. Linet in the ladies run and Moses in the mens. How awesome is that. Even though it was not an official record time, the organization says that Linet put down the fastest time ever with 50 min and 39 seconds on the 19 mile race.
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Only thing I can say, is Big UP KENYA.

There a new thing in town. Hipster Amsterdam massively found their way to Artmarket Amsterdam last Sunday. In an old garage Artmarket Amsterdam was held for the first time. According to Afairai, the organizer, she felt that there was so much talent walking around in Amsterdam that she wanted to give them a venue to present their work. And did she ever. Artmarket Amsterdam can without a doubt, be called a success. Full of unexpected treasures, young edgy designers, home-made food and specialized arts and crafts products it was a delight for your senses.

-Poema Jones -

The talented Ms. Jaydee Tucker.
My girl is a self thought fashion designer who also won last November’s Maf Fashion Battle. I love her work because it brings flavor to the Amsterdam fashion scene.

-Poema Jones – (more…)

As an Amsterdam native, I’ve been known to enjoy a smoke now and then, however things in my city are changing. For example, the smoking ban, red-light district downsizing, coffee shops closing…and I can only think, ‘Why?’

I don’t smoke tobacco, I don’t visit the red-light district and I don’t like hanging in coffee shops but I like to know that they are there if I ever feel the need to visit them. That is more my point. That is what makes Amsterdam. Not to mention the millions of tourists visiting Amsterdam for these reasons.

But before I, along with a lot of Amsterdam natives, start getting angry, let me break down our concerns:
• A new bill called Het Amsterdamse coffeeshopbeleid 2008 proposes to close down coffee shops (places where you can buy and smoke weed for those who don’t know) that are within 250 meter of a high school and not primary schools. Of the city’s 228 coffee shops, 43 will be closed by 2011 based on this ruling.
• Meanwhile, Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen, is joining the Weed top (a group of 30 mayors) that will discuss the matter of government-controlled weed plantations, (since growing pot is illegal while selling and smoking is not) to stock coffee shop. This, so they say, to eliminate growing in the criminal circuit.

Then you have the other problems that are occurring since the smoking ban:
• You can’t smoke tobacco in cafés and coffee shops but you can smoke pure weed /hasj. Don’t ask.
• You can smoke pure weed/hasj in café’s but café’s can’t have heated sections outside for people who smoke tobacco. Don’t ask again. (more…)