www.PersianTribune.ca • Volume 1, Issue 6
What's the value of something we can't live without? A CLEAR PICTURE OF
BLURRED VISION R oc k B a n d
Rumi, Persian Poet, Theologian & Sufi Mystic
Responsible & fashionable
the Eco Chic Fashion Show
ISSN 2291-580X
9 772291 580004
Are We Losing Our Connection to Art in Canada?
When
Democracy is silenced
Identity Forged by Culture
J.P. Chenet wine another great offering from France
D FC
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Volume 1, Issue 6
16 38
9 History
28 Food
10 Art
29 Food
12 Art
31 Health
16 Film
34 Law
RUMI: Persian Poet, Theologian & Sufi Mystic
Are we losing our connection to Art in Canada?
Parvaneh Radmard: Multimedia Artist
Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You
18 Fashion
Responsible and Fashionable: The Eco Chic Fashion Show
19 Wine
David’s Wine Pick of the Month
10 44 Photo: Kent Kallberg
Cover Photo courtesy of Paul Delaney Photography
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• PERSIANTRIBUNE
20 Main Feature An exclusive interview with Blurred vision
25 Real Estate
How Buying a Home can be a Pleasant Experience
26 Real Estate
Real Estate Across The Pond
Tortilla Chip-Crusted Chicken with Guacamole and Salsa
From the Persian Kitchen: Khoresht Gheymeh
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Identity Forged by Culture
36 People
Enagaging the Community
38 Education
Preparing Our Children for an Ever-changing and Uncertain World
41 Politics
Democracy Silenced
43 Sports Toronto Marlies
44 Environment
What's the value of something we can't live without?
46 People
Person of the Month: Jamil Mardukhi
Letter from editor
Letter from Editor
Once again the great hot summer days have turned into memories and we are, or at least I am anticipating the exotic and mysterious change of colours in nature across the land in this part of the world. To our online readers around the globe I should say that the extent of the beauty of autumn in Canada, especially in Ontario is indescribable. It is a feast for the eyes and an unforgettable experience by itself. Autumn has always been a special time to mankind all over. It is the time to celebrate the beauty of nature and to thank her for what she has given us. It is no wonder that Iranian literature has always referred to autumn as “the spring season for the poets.” So, Happy Autumn to all.
Volume 1, Issue 6 Publisher: Persian Tribune Inc.
Editor-in-Chief: Kiumars Rezvanifar
Managing Editor: Courtney Boyden
Creative Director: Ramin Deravian
Associate Managing Editor: Teresa Tiano
Art Director: Courtney Boyden
At Persian Tribune magazine we are proud to announce that the David Suzuki Foundation has joined our great team of contributors and each month we will read and learn about the important issues effecting Mother Nature and the environment around the world. In this issue we get to know the philosophy behind the rock band “Blurred Vision.” Rumi, a Sufi and a great Iranian man of mysticism… a man whose name that has gone beyond the borders of Iran. You will know more about him in this issue as well. Finally September is Prostate Cancer month and there are alarming statistics in this issue that men can no longer ignore.
Copy Editors: Arezou Amin Edi Grace
Just a reminder that you can read Persian Tribune magazine online at persiantribune.ca and issuu.com
Account Executives: Parisa Alizadeh Mehri Rahimian Stephan Williams Robin Wright
Please do not forget when on facebook, the Persian Tribune page is expecting your “LIKE.” As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and we would like to hear your views and comments. Once again, Happy Autumn. Kiumars Rezvanifar Editor-In-Chief kiu@persiantribune.ca
Research: Artemiz Rezvanifar Senior VP Marketing Communications: Tina Rogers
Print Production Manager: Omid Jesmi Web Management: Ramin Emadi Social Media Manager: Marjan Alaeddini
Graphic Designers: Omid Jesmi Mark Kowalski Shadi Raoufi Contributing Writers: David Akhlaghi Arezou Amin Robert Atkinson Sarvenaz Barghgir Jerry Bermack Jay Chauhan Dr. Kevin Davis Naz Deravian Jasmine Jackman Dr. Davod Kafai Amanda Labelle Eli Lukawitz Costas Menegakis MP Doris Pontieri Fereydoon Rahmani Rose Reisman Rocco Rossi Dr. Kevin Rod Shamsi Shahrokhi David Suzuki Teresa Tiano Bryon Wilfert Ali Zohouri Mehdi Zohouri Sahar Zomorodi
Persian Tribune magazine is published twelve times a year by Persian Tribune Inc. It is distributed free of charge in libraries, business and cultural centers in GTA. Persian Tribune magazine is an independent publication and its contents imply no endorsement of any product or service. Opinions expressed are those of the writers. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission from the publisher. Canadian Head Office (Toronto) Persian Tribune magazine, 25 Valleywood Drive, Suite 12, Markham, ON L3R 5L9 Canada
U.S. Office (Los Angeles) Persian Tribune magazine, 22726 Ventura Blvd., Suite C, Woodland Hills, CA 91364, U.S.A.
Tel: (905)763-1061 Fax: (905)763-8972 Email: contact@persiantribune.ca visit us at www.persiantribune.ca Printed in Canada. ISSN 2291-580X. All rights reserved.
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I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone celebrating the launch of the Persian Tribune magazine. I would like to commend all those involved with this monthly English‐language publication for their commitment to delivering interesting news and information to the Iranian community in Canada. Your efforts strengthen the diverse character of our nation and offer a new generation of Iranian Canadians an opportunity to learn more about their heritage. Please accept my best wishes for every success with this magazine.
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Rumi
•History
Persian Poet, Theologian & Sufi Mystic By: Mehdi Zohouri
O
reasons as he had left the first time, but this time he never returned. Many academics believe that Shams was murdered by jealous disciples of Rumi, while others believe that he passed away in the town of Khoy, Iran.
Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Balkhi Rumi, better known as Rumi, was born on September 29th or 30th, 1207 C.E. in Balkh, Afghanistan. He was a Persian poet, theologian, and a Sufi mystic. In 1207, Balkh was part of the Iranian Kharazmian Empire, which ruled most of modern Iran, western and northern Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia. There, Rumi studied at a school where his father was a teacher, but in 1219 they had to flee Balkh before the invading Mongol hordes could reach the city.
Rumi poured his emotions into writing a collection of poems known as Divan-e Shams Tabrizi, or Divan-e Kabir. He also made new close companions, and later in his life one of them, Hussam al-Din Chalabi, encouraged Rumi to begin writing his master piece the Masnavi. Rumi worked until his death in 1273 on the Masnavi, which is composed of 6 books encompassing 25 000 verses. The Masnavi is not only considered one of the finest works of poetry but it is also one of the greatest works in Iranian literature (Cambridge History of Islam, 1977). According to the UNESCO History of Humanity (volume 4), the works of Rumi played an important role in establishing Farsi back into Iranian culture after the Arab conquest of Iran. The Masnavi is also an essential book of Sufi Islam.
ne of my most enjoyable activities is teaching high school students history and the social sciences, and it also happens to be my profession. A few years ago I had the pleasure of teaching a grade nine English class’s poetry segment. Since then, I have developed an interest in poetry, and recently I was pleasantly surprised to learn that one of the most popular poets in the West, and according to some the most popular poet in the USA (BBC, 2007), is a thirteenth century Iranian poet.
After leaving Balkh, the family traveled throughout the Middle East and made a pilgrimage to Mecca, before finally settling in the city of Konya, in the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum around 1228. The sultanate had a mixed Persian-Turkish culture, and it was called Rum, meaning Roman in Arabic, because it was established in areas previously belonging to the Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire. Konya was conquered by the Mongols by 1243, and made into vassal of the Mongol Empire. However the city and its culture were left intact. By 1240, Rumi had become an important religious and spiritual figure in Konya, but he still traveled the Islamic world and journeyed within himself in order to gain a deeper understanding of religion, spirituality, and love. In 1244, Rumi found his best friend and fellow spiritual explorer in an Iranian by the name of Shams Tabrizi (Shams-e Tabrizi). Most scholars believe that Shams left Konya in 1246 for modern day Syria, because of jealousy and threats from Rumi’s disciples. After much convincing, Shams returned to Konya and reunited with his friend Rumi, who had been devastated by his absence. Shams left once again in 1248, for the same
Rumi’s message of love, spirituality, and tolerance transcends religion and culture. It is relatable to religious and non-religious alike. It has meaning for those who have grown up in the East as well as in the West. This can best be affirmed by his funeral, which was attended by Jews, Christians and Muslims, by Iranians, Turks, Greeks and Arabs. Rumi’s popularity and influence did not die with him. His works inspired many people and groups, including the Whirling Dervishes or Mevlevi Order, a group founded by Rumi’s Sufi followers soon after his death and which is still active today in Turkey and other places. However it could be argued that the best evidence for the timelessness of Rumi’s poetry is the fact that his works today are celebrated in more places, and in more languages than ever before.
Mehdi Zohouri is a teacher who was born in Iran and raised in Canada. He has a Master degree in History, a B.A. in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University. When he is not teaching he goes on canoe trips. PERSIAN TRIBUNE
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•art
By: Doris Pontieri
G
rowing up in Canada in the 1960's, our school system was full of art awareness, even in kindergarten. I fondly remember putting on a large white shirt covered with paint splatters to work on our daily project introducing us to yet another medium. Our class would then proudly show off our copies of the great masters at parent/teacher nights and talk about all we had learned about the arts. High school was no different, having art in our curriculum daily or at least weekly, learning art history and painting in many mediums and styles. We studied the great masters, the Canadian Group of Seven and modern art as it pertained to our society, reading countless books on the subject of art. This culture was mandatory back then, and considered just as important as the three r's(reading writing and arithmetic). But something happened along the way, and slowly art was eliminated from our schools, public and private. Budgets were reduced over the years and arts and culture seemed to always take the hit when it came to funding. How unfortunate that we could not see the writing on the wall with respect to the great loss this would represent in our childrens futures, not to mention the depth of our Canadian cultural awareness. We now have to look for extracurricular classes and avenues to introduce art to our young. With our already stress-filled, busy lives we have little time left to study the history of art let alone the practical approach to
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painting and creating. Our teenagers now believe that art is something you create by downloading an app on their computer. And if you ask them who Monet was,you may just hear"who?" As I travelled to Paris twice over the past year and visited the great museums, I saw very few young people, which disheartened me greatly. Although I know field trips to museums are still organized by some school boards, it seems to be less about the art and more about the outing. Being young once myself, I understand this, enjoying the excitement of being out of school for a time. But we still had art classes at that time, and could relate our studies to these great buildings housing great art and history that was recognizable to us. That is the difference now. Visiting Europe, the depth and awareness of the arts is so much more prevalent which is understandable, given the number of great artists who were influential historically, and from Europe. But we have so many great artists from Canada, and our own deep history that we should be proud of and continue to teach the rest of the world about. As we have become so multi-cultural, lets teach all these young new Canadians about our artistic history and let them see our pride. I believe it is our responsibility to bring back the culture of the craftsmen and women of the past to allow it to continue to live past our generation and to give our
•art
“
I believe it is our responsibility to bring back the culture of the craftsmen and women of the past to allow it to continue to live past our generation and to give our children the chance to pick up a pencil or a paint brush and to express themselves artistically.
”
children the chance to pick up a pencil or a paint brush and to express themselves artistically. A chance to experience what a great feeling of accomplishment it is to paint a tree,and put it on the fridge. As a teacher of art, my students are most often retired men and women who are looking to re-capture those wonderful feelings of long ago when they were allowed to just create something with their own hands. They regale me with stories of paintings, done in their youth, often bringing them to class as they still proudly have them on display. No matter how bad they considered them to be, these were their own creations and are from a time that will never be forgotten. If the impact of this time in our lives was so strong that it is sought after many years later, then why are we not giving this to our children so they can have a taste of what we all so fondly recall? Re-capturing the loveliness and creativity of our youth is a universal phenomenon shared by all to some degree. We all talk about the old days when life was more simple and pleasure was achieved by building things with our own hands, when we didn't have the technology of today. Well, there is no denying that technology is a great thing and has enriched all of our lives, but we cannot forget to add in some of that good old-fashioned "I made this with my own hands" feeling. So lets go home, pick up a paint brush with our kids, and paint that masterpiece for the fridge. Then open a dialogue about the history of Canadian art. If they aren't doing this in the schools, lets bring it to our kids ourselves. It might be much more fun than playing games with each other on the computer! Doris Pontieri is an award winning artist and art teacher. Her work is featured in many galleries in Canada and U.S. Since being invited to exhibit at the Louvre in Paris, she has been awarded the medal for Outstanding Artwork by the Paris Society of Arts, Science and Letters, one of the oldest societies in France. PERSIAN TRIBUNE
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•Art
Parvaneh Radmard
Multimedia Artist
By: Jerry Bermack
P
arvaneh Radmard is a practicing visual artist and graphic designer who was born in Iran, and has been living in Canada for more than three decades. She graduated in the field of graphic arts and painting in Iran, completed her post graduate studies in England and also completed her post graduate studies in printmaking and painting in Canada. The influence of North American and western contemporary art, and the new technologies have had an effect on her art production. Her work is highly charged in cultural, social, and political issues. Radmard creates in variety of media, such as painting,
drawing, prints, and photography, that function together with accompanying text. The text remains, to manage and convey the emotional or political messages of the art form. The words are mostly in poetic forms, as there is a relation between her art work and literature. She has been greatly inspired by poetry, and at times uses it to compliment her work. Some words are adapted from her Iranian heritage, where poetry is a very deeply rooted language of people’s lives, since Iran is well known as the land of poetry. Her art work is based on study, research, and from traveling to different countries to experience the cultural identity from different people and societies. Reminisence
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•Art
“
Heroes
The influence of North American and western contemporary art, and the new technologies have had an effect on her art production. Her work is highly charged in cultural, social, and political issues.
”
Unity
the daily news how a large number of young ordinary people, and Canadian military peace keepers were killed almost every month. This was the emotional response to a national and international view of war, and its consequences. Radmard published two books with her illustrations and designs. Another Birth is a poetry book, and Night Perception is a political one. They are in collection at the Museum of Women in Arts in Washington, DC, where the original copy of Night Perception was also displayed, the National Library of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Art Metropole, in Toronto, and Text, in Montreal.
Her most recent multi-media painting, print, and photography project Uprise was exhibited in the Red Head Gallery in Toronto, and is influenced by the political situation in the Middle East. The major multi-media project titled Heroes, also exhibited in the Red Head Gallery, is influenced by fallen Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, by her witnessing in
She has had numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Canada and the United States and participated in the International Biennial of Drawing and Prints internationally and was also awarded the Medal of Honor, Biennial of Graphic Arts, in Lubin Poland. Radmard’s art work is in collection at the Art Council Bank of Canada, Museum of Modern Art of Bahia, Brazil, and in a number of private collections. For more information about Radmard’s work the artist see: http://www.parvanehradmard.com PERSIAN TRIBUNE
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A FIGHTING MAN
ALTMAN
BREAKOUT
CAS & DYLAN
THE ART OF THE STEAL TIFF® GALA PRESENTATION
DEBUG
THE F WORD TIFF® SPECIAL PRESENTATION
THE FROZEN
TIFF® SPECIAL PRESENTATION
I’LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN
QUEEN OF THE NIGHT
STAGEFRIGHT
TIFF® SPECIAL PRESENTATION
THE HUSBAND
WATERMARK
Credit / Courtesy: Photo © Edward Burtynsky / Courtesy Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Toronto
ENEMY TIFF® SPECIAL PRESENTATION
WOLVES
OMDC IS PROUD TO SUPPORT ONTARIO FILMMAKERS OMDC is proud to support the Toronto International Film Festival®. Look for these upcoming OMDC Film Fund titles at festivals and theatres near you. Our programs and initiatives are helping to create a thriving, multi-billion-dollar industry and a wealth of opportunity. Be part of it. OMDC.on.ca
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•FILM
to a Theatre Near You!
L
ooking to get away from it all, even for just a couple hours? Grab some popcorn and settle in there are some truly excellent films coming to a cinema near you. The thriller Enemy is based on a novel by Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramango. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a man who spots his exact double in a movie and sets out to find him - turning both their lives upside down in the process. The F Word, a romantic comedy from director Michael Dowse (FUBAR), follows a young man named Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe, in his first romantic lead) who falls for a girl named Chantry (Zoe Kazan). Unfortunately, Chantry already has a boyfriend, and Wallace struggles to accept that he has been “friend-zoned.”
The F Word
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Enemy In The Art of the Steal, a tiff 2013 Gala Presentation, Kurt Russell plays a motorcycle daredevil and art thief ready to pull of one last job with his brother, played by Kevin Dillon. Things don’t quite go as planned when the old
•Film
support from the Ontario Media Development (OMDC) Film Fund. The Fund which provides funding to Ontario producers for feature films has generated an estimated $424 million in GDP since its inception.
The Art of Steal
“OMDC drives investment and job creation in Ontario by working with talented local producers and attracting international productions as well,” says Karen Thorne-Stone, CEO of OMDC. “Our multi-billion dollar creative economy is putting us on the map and showing audiences all around the world, what Ontario has to offer!”
team gets together to steal a priceless historical book. Directed by Jonathan Sobol, this comedy also stars Canadian actors Jay Baruchel and Katheryn Winnick. If you prefer your comedies black, you might like The Husband, a funny but at times gut-wrenching story of a man juggling a miserable ad-agency job, an infant son, and a wife in jail (for cheating on him with a fourteen year-old). If you’re in the mood for a documentary, the visually-stunning Watermark is an excellent choice. Co-directed by photographer Edward Burtynsky and filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal, this informative and thoughtful film explores the ways that humanity uses (and abuses) one of our most vital resources - water. Each of these exciting films was selected to be screened at tiff 2103 and each one was made right here in Ontario with
Watermark OMDC, an agency of the government of Ontario, is the central catalyst for the province’s cultural media cluster including book publishing, interactive digital media, music, magazine publishing and film and television industries. Film and television are big business in our province: in 2012, the industry contributed $1.3 billion to provincial GDP and employed 29,000 people. Production has doubled since 2008 and keeps growing. That’s because Ontario is a world-class jurisdiction for movie-making, thanks to prime locations, skilled crews, modern studios, visual FX services, competitive financial incentives, a world-class Film Commission, and other programs and supports. Blockbusters like Total Recall, Pacific Rim and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones have all shot in Ontario to take advantage of the sophisticated capabilities developed here.
The Husband
For more great made in Ontario films to add to your viewing list, visit the OMDC website at www.omdc.on.ca follow on twitter @OMDCtweets or join on facebook www.facebook.com/OMDCOnline PERSIAN TRIBUNE
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•Fashion
Responsible and Fashionable: The Eco Chic Fashion Show
By: Amanda Labelle
T
he Eco Chic Fashion Show is a local event organized by Simply Green Unique Events Inc. exhibiting ecofriendly Canadian designers such as NAZBASH, HASTI, YOYO STREETWEAR, and 3D ART DESIGN STUDIO. Persian inspired designers Nazanin Bashi (NAZBASH) and Hasti Homayoun (HASTI) are sure to be a focal point of the show. NAZBASH and HASTI recently collaborated for Toronto Arts and Fashion Week 2013 with their conceptual design line “Food and Fashion.” This collection is inspired by Persian foods, mixing Iranian taste with a modern and contemporary fashion theme and is all about colours, textures, abstract forms and minimal cuts. Designs were inspired through the process of cooking: colours slowly changed to suit ingredients being used. This is a women’s wear collection with the combination of handcrafted wearable art garments and accessories made of natural fabrics including silk and linen, incorporating hand painting with natural paints on re-used fabrics. NAZBASH and HASTI were selected by BlogTO as one of the top 10 looks of Fashion Art Toronto 2013 and were featured in NOW Magazine. Also a featured artist, YOYO Streetwear is a young, conscious, and creative clothing company inspired by lifestyles, music, art, and sub cultures. Their collection of Iranian inspired T-shirts has been well received. Finally, featured artist Elina Ten PhD (Artist/Designer and owner of 3D ART & DESIGN STUDIO) combines the methods of ancient silk painting and nuno felting techniques with the integration of modern design approaches. She uses high-end luxurious materials and designs with the purpose to reveal unique personality, sense of style, creativity, and imagination. Actively involved in the local art scene, she’s a member of the Richmond Hill Group of Artists, York Art Council, Federation of Canadian Artists, Ontario Crafts Council, and has solo and joint exhibitions in Canada and overseas. Elina has over 15 years experience teaching art, and her 3D Art&Design program has been approved by York Region District School Board. Ultimately this event is a platform for local designers to introduce products to the market and for industry professionals and business owners to network and exchange ideas. It aims to encourage consumers to shop local and switch to eco-friendly consumption methods. 18
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Eco Chic Fashion Show will be held on Sunday October 6th 2013 at the Markham Hilton Conference Centre from 11am-6pm. It is definitely an event you won’t want to miss. Support these local designers, and the arts within your community and be on the right side of fashion as well as environmental concerns and sustainability.
Designer’s Sites: WWW.3DARTDESIGNSTUDIO.COM http://www.yoyostreetwear.com http://www.nazbash.com http://hasti.ca Photo Sources: Photos provided by Simply Green Unique Events Inc., submitted by exhibiting artists respectively. Photos also sourced from: http://hasti.ca/, http://www.nazbash.com, and http://www.yoyostreetwear.com/lookbook.htm
David’s
ir o tN o Pin
Wine Pick of the month
•Wine
By: David Akhlagi Executive Director at The Wine Cave
W
hen it comes to choosing a French wine, we have so many selections. The general view is that the higher the price of the wine, the better the quality would be. Even though that theory is to some degree correct , there are always rules of exceptions and I have found that J.P. Chenet Édition Limitée Pinot Noir 2011 to be one of those exceptional cases.
Tasting Note
It is the kind of red wine that is not too heavy, and not too light. It is deliciously balanced and with a fruitflavored taste, it is very popular and a crowd pleaser. This medium-bodied, dry red is clear ruby in colour with hints of purple. Raspberry and cherry aromas predominate with a touch of spice. Red berry flavours in the mouth lead to a medium finish with a hint of earth and spice.
Suggested Pairings: Bruschetta-style macaroni salad, Bocadillos (omelette sandwich), Cheese and shrimp-stuffed cherry tomatoes and Bocconcini and guacamole bites….
Clear ruby with hints of purple; raspberry and cherry aromas with a touch of spice; medium body, dry; red berry flavour with medium finish.
Price $ 11.95 @ LCBO
Suppor ting
ONE MATCH STEM CELL AND BONE MARROW SWABBING EVENT ON SITE
2013
OCTOBER 6
ECO CHIC
&
FASHION SHOW
E X H I B I T I O N
DJ & LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE
PERSIAN TRIBUNE
• 19
•Feature
BLURRED By: Arezou Amin
Blurred Vision is not a band that grew up playing together. In fact, its four members did not even grow up on the same continent. Several years ago, they were brought together in Toronto, and have been playing together since. In 2012, following the release of their EP “Democracy”, they embarked on a headlining tour of the UK. Now back in the studio, working on their first album, they took time out to speak with Persian Tribune. I met up with Sepp and Sohl Osley at a coffee shop on Queen Street and we were joined by keyboardist Joel Lightman and drummer Ben Riley. They spoke to me about their current and future projects, and the causes they support.
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•Feature
VISION Rock Band
Persian Tribune's exclusive story
PERSIAN TRIBUNE
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•Feature
First things first, when did you guys come to Canada?
Sepp: Ben was born here, so he’s been here for a while... Ben: I won’t say how long! (laugh) Sepp: Joel came about 6 years ago, and Sohl and I have been here since 1988.
What drew you to music?
Sepp: In the 90’s, I saw a Pink Floyd concert on TV, and after that, I just knew music was what I wanted to do. Ben: I was born into it. Both of my parents were professional musicians. I got my first set of drums at age 3, and that was it. I’ve been playing since. Joel: I was born into it as well. My dad was a flautist, my mother played the cello. I feel art is a free form of expression. I’m not exactly cut out to be a dancer or a gymnast, so music was the art form that came naturally to me. Sohl: I’ve loved it since childhood too. I’ve just always had the idea that music was the right thing for me to do.
Tell me about how your song, “Hey Ayatollah” came to be?
Sepp: I got the idea at one of our live shows. We were doing a cover of [Pink Floyd’s] “Another Brick in the Wall”. I just improvised and sang the lyric “Hey Ayatollah, leave those kids alone”, and the crowd really responded to it, and supported it. We did it because we wanted to show our support for the kids in Iran and what they’re going through. Sohl: Roger (Roger Waters of Pink Floyd) has been very supportive, giving us permission to use the song.
So, what does that mean to you, having that kind of backing?
Sepp: To have a big legend, an idol to all four of us give us that kind of the support is a huge boost of confidence in our short career. Joel: It was surreal, the time between performing the song and being in the studio recording it. It’s been a roller coaster. Sepp: I remember the morning Roger publicly announced his support for the video. He posted it on his Facebook feed. When we saw it. we all started calling each other. We were so excited. It’s been phenomenal. Now we send him our new stuff and he gives us feedback. His support has carried on. Having your idol support you like this is something we never thought would happen. 22
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You did a shorter “Hey Ayatollah” video for Amnesty International. Tell me about what you do for them?
Sepp: We all feel strongly about human rights. We don’t focus on any one place over another, everyone deserves their basic rights. Music puts a spotlight on the cause, so that’s what we do.
And you work with Why hunger as well. What do you do there, same kind of thing, just bringing awareness?
Sepp: Not being hungry is a basic human right as well. It’s at the core of basic rights. There are so many people around the world who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Hopefully we will always continue this kind of work.
So, if not music, what would you do? Ben: We’d all be astronauts! (laughs) Sepp: I’d be a chef. I love to cook. Ben: He can literally take anything out of the fridge and make a gourmet meal. Sepp: I would have a show called “Something out of Nothing”! Sohl: I’d probably be a writer. A novel writer. Joel: I’d be a lawyer, that’s where my parents always saw me. Ben: I’d go into medicine. That was actually a plan until the end of high school. You know, theres actually a scientific connection between music and medicine. I explored that a bit more and wound up on the music side of things.
So what’s coming up now?
•Feature
Sepp: We just recorded the soundtrack to [Iranian director] Babak Payami’s new film, Manhattan Undying. He asked us to, and we wrote and performed the whole thing. He worked with us on the “Hey Ayatollah” video and we’ve been friends since then. Right now we’re also recording new material here in Toronto before going back to New York [their other base]. We’re playing the CBGB festival out there too. We’ve also got our album coming out either later this year or in 2014.
What about your long term goals?
Does being Iranian influence your music at all?
Sohl: Well, we draw from all experiences in life. We have been exposed to Iranian art so we do draw some inspiration from there.
Had you ever done anything like the Tirgan festival before? Sepp: No, we’ve actually never performed in the Iranian community before. It was different that what we are used to, and the type of events we usually play at. Ben: It was cool though.
Sepp: Be the biggest band in the world! (all laugh) Obviously everyone goes into this business to succeed big. We strive to succeed and have great global ambitions. Ben: We have music that needs to get out there. Hopefully we’ll be touring well into our 70’s, after 35 hit albums. Sepp: We’ll die on stage. Ben: Really, we just want to leave a legacy behind.
What would you say to our readers, especially those looking to start a career in music?
Sohl: Don’t! Go study law or medicine! (laughs) Ben: Lots of people will sit and wait for opportunity to fall in their lap. Go after it, you have to treat yourself like the business you are. Sohl: It can be hard, treating yourself like a business, but when it comes down to it, it’s work. You want to get paid. What’s the point pursuing your passion and giving it your all if you never get paid for it? Joel: Remember, life is not like American Idol (all agree) Sohl: You have to have thick skin Sepp: Be ready for criticism, be ready to hear “no”. If you’re not, the industry will eat you up. You have to have the confidence and believe you can do it no matter what, and that will get you through. Joel: If even 0.5% of the world’s population likes your music, you’ll be outselling many top bands. If only that 0.5% likes what you’re doing, you take that and it’s a great start. You’re on your way.
So, in conclusion?
Sohl: Long live rock! Follow Blurred Vision on Facebook at www.facebook.com/blurredvisionmusic and on Twitter @B_V_music www.blurredvisionmusic.com Photos courtesy of Paul Delaney Photography & Blurred Vision Music Inc. PERSIAN TRIBUNE
• 23
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How buying a home can be a pleasant experience
W
hen purchasing a home, you are faced with a multitude of decisions. The primary one is whether you are actually prepared to purchase a home. Locating the perfect home is not always an easy task, and obtaining a mortgage loan can be a complex and tiring process. But once you have determined that you are ready to move forward with the required effort towards your home-purchasing goal, the rewards are unquestionable. The right realtor will make purchasing a home easier, more enjoyable, less time-consuming, and less expensive than if you undertook this challenge on your own. A realtor helps you prepare so that sellers perceive you as a preferred buyer. They will also help you locate and assess properties for sale that match your specifications, and help you through the myriad of details pertaining to the actual purchase. A local realtor is always familiar with the homes currently on the market, and know neighbourhood values well, so as to help you determine which properties are fairly-priced and in good condition before you start your search. Your First Step Your first step to buying a home is to first ask yourself why you want to buy a home: to stop paying rent? To start building equity? To have a place of your own? To raise a family? To entertain business associates? To move up to a bigger house? Next, list what kind of home you'd like, and where you would like to be. Be specific. Separate the "must haves" from the "want to haves."
•real estate By: Sarvenaz Barghgir
Think of yourself as zeroing in on a target, going from the general to the specific. Consider area (city, the suburbs, country), community, neighbourhood (older and settled or sparkling new, a particular school zone), recreational facilities, and other community services such as transportation, day care, shops, entertainment. Ask yourself how many minutes you are willing to commute to work. Think about home styles. How much space do you need? Does your situation require a one-level home, or are stairs acceptable? Consider the size and kind of property. Do you want a newer home, or maybe an older one to fix up? Someday you or your children will want to sell. Consider how long you expect to live in this particular home. Your Next Step: Loan Pre-Qualification Your next step in the purchasing process is to get pre-qualified with a mortgage company. This can be done over the phone or even online in a matter of minutes. The Right Home For You Once you've been pre-qualified, and know what price range you want to stay in, your realtor can help you determine which properties fit your needs by using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system to locate them. Then comes financing and inspections, and to close on the transaction. Congratulations! Now your home buying experience should be pleasant, cost-efficient, and successful.
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• 25
•real estate
Real Estate Across The Pond I
'm writing this as I relax in a beautiful loft in East London, UK. I spent a wonderful evening here discussing the differences in the real estate systems between our two countries, which provided the inspiration for this column. I found it interesting how a home in the UK can have multiple agents representing the sellers, whereas Canadian sellers will only have one agent. The upside to the UK method is you may find a buyer faster but the downside is the fee paid is double, triple or higher depending on how many agents you select. The UK buyers are left to their own devices to seek out a home, determine the market value and then they have to negotiate directly with the better informed agent or agents. I told the group about how we have a system where only one agent represents the seller, and buyers have the benefit of having an agent represent them as well, putting them on equal footing with the sellers! They were quite interested in our model here, commenting how it gave buyers a better chance at a better price. The one take away I had was that selling commissions were lower in the UK, but that was due to the fact that agents get a salary and commission is used to top it up. The one piece I wasn't able to determine is, if not from commissions, where does the salary come from?
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By: Robert Atkinson
Overall I think our system here is a better system where sellers and buyers can negotiate a fee with their agent in exchange for a treasure trove of experience, information, and skill. ď Ž Robert Atkinson is a Real Estate Sales Rep serving the GTA and works for Century 21 Leading Edge Realty Brokerage. For more information visit his website at www.RobertAtkinson.ca
•Food
Rose Reisman’s Family Favourites
Tortilla chip-crusted chicken with guacamole and salsa By: Rose Reisman
T
he tortilla chip crust is crunchier than a regular bread¬crumb crust and gives the chicken a different texture. This is my version of a Southwest chicken dish, and has much less fat and fewer calories than the traditional Mexican version. If you can't find baked tortilla chips use regular, but the number of calories and amount of fat will be slightly higher. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly coat a baking sheet lined with foil with cooking spray. 2. To make the guacamole, combine the avocado, cilantro, mayonnaise, jalapeño, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Cover and set aside.
{serves 6} GUACAMOLE 1/2 cup mashed ripe avocado 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro 1 Tbsp light mayonnaise 1 tsp finely chopped jalapeño pepper (or 1/2 tsp hot chili sauce) 1/2 tsp finely chopped garlic 2 tsp lemon or lime juice pinch of salt and pepper CHICKEN 1 1/2 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 4 to 6 breasts) 1 egg 2 Tbsp low-fat milk 2 1/2 cups baked tortilla chips 1/3 cup seasoned dry breadcrumbs 1/4 tsp chili powder 2 tsp vegetable oil TO SERVE 1/3 cup medium salsa 1/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup shredded aged white cheddar cheese 28
• PERSIANTRIBUNE
3. Working with one at a time, place a chicken breast between 2 sheets of waxed paper and pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Set aside. Whisk together the egg and milk and pour into in a shallow dish. Set aside. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the tortilla chips, breadcrumbs and chili powder. Process until crumbly. Dip the pounded chicken breasts in the egg and milk mixture, then into the tortilla crumb mixture. 4. Lightly coat a large, nonstick skillet with cooking spray, add the oil and sauté the chicken breasts for about 3 minutes per side or until browned. Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet. 5. Divide the salsa over the chicken. Top with the beans and cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or until the chicken is just cooked. Serve with the guacamole.
•• per serving Calories 425 • Protein 33 g • Carbohydrates 37 g • Fiber 4.5 g • Total fat 16 g • Saturated fat 4.7 g • Cholesterol 114 mg • Sodium 334 mg • prep time 25 minutes • cook time 15 minutes • make ahead Prepare the chicken and guacamole early in the day Bake just before serving. • nutrition watch Canned beans can have a high amount of sodium, from 140 to 500 mg for a 1/2-cup serving, so consider rinsing them thoroughly with cold water before using in a recipe.
From the Persian Kitchen...
•Food
Khoresht Gheymeh
(Split Yellow Pea & Beef Stew)
I
n every culture there are certain dishes that once you are a master cooking them, you can call yourself an expert in that culture's cuisine. Some call it a right of passage or food initiation. Khoresht Gheymeh (pronounced koresht gay-may) is one of those dishes in a Persian kitchen. For one to call themselves a Persian cook, they must know how to prepare this popular dish. To Iranians, Khoresht Gheymeh is what lasangne is to Italians. In most Iranian gatherings you are likely to find this delicious and popular stew amongst many at the table. Especially at their grandmother's cozy dinner table. Patience is the main ingredient in preparing this delicious dish. Noushe Jan! (Stew Recipe) 1 Cup Split Yellow Peas 3-4 dried limes (or fresh squeezed lime juice) 1 ½ Lbs cubed or ground Beef Vegetable oil 2 Onions 1 tsp Salt, 3 tsp Turmeric 1 tsp Saffron 2 1/2 Tbsp Tomato Paste 4 medium Potatoes PREPARATION: 1. Slice and chop the onions. 2. Pound saffron to a powder and soak in 3 table spoons boiling water for 20 minutes.
3. Poke the dried limes with a fork ( to pierce holes in it) 4. Rinse split peas with cold water, then soak in warm water for 1 ½-2 hours., then drain. 5. Cut 1/2 of the potatoes into cubes 6. Slice remaining potatoes into small wedges (like you would for French fries) DIRECTIONS: 1. Fry onions in vegetable oil until golden brown, set aside 2. Fry the sliced (wedges) potato in vegetable oil until golden brown, set aside (you will use these for the garnish) 3. In a large pan, brown meat in 2 table spoons of vegetable oil 4. Add 2 ½ cups water, fried onions, split peas, to beef and bring to a boil 5. Add tomato paste, spices, dried limes, and cubed potatoes to the pot 6. Stir in ingredients, and bring to a high simmer for 5-7 minutes 7. Reduce to low heat and cook for 1 – 1 ½ hrs., stirring occasionally 8. add water if necessary (should be consistency of a spaghetti sauce when done) Adjust seasoning according to taste. Garnish with fried potato wedges. Serve this delicious khoresht (stew) on top of white rice. PERSIAN TRIBUNE
• 29
•health
September is
Prostate Cancer By: Rocco Rossi, CEO Prostate Cancer Canada rocco@prostatecancer.ca
I
t’s September again. A time when families touched by prostate cancer reflect upon the men in their lives, and Prostate Cancer Canada looks for ways to ensure better outcomes for all. Men are notorious for not wanting to go to the doctor, for ignoring symptoms and, thereby, taking risks. It’s especially true when trouble may lurk below the belt. In the case of prostate cancer, the chance of pulling the short straw is a whopping 1 in 7. With a disease this prevalent, and a remarkable cure rate of over 90% if detected and treated in its earliest stages, why mess around? Early detection is key. Prostate cancer can be a slow-growing cancer so often there are no visible symptoms, but all the while, it could be taking hold. And it’s not just you that gets blind-sided. All those people who love you have to deal with the fallout as well. Keep your head up and open your eyes. There’s a 1 in 7 chance that you could be hit below the waist. With early detection, “more than 90% of men can recover from prostate cancer,” says Rod Seiling a former NHL star defenseman. “I’m living proof that testing can detect prostate cancer while it is still treatable,” he says. “You just have to look for it, face it, and deal with it.” “There is no reason for any guy not to save his life and protect the welfare of his family by not being tested for prostate cancer regularly.” Seiling advises, “Man up! Get tested, so that you can defeat prostate cancer before it defeats you.” This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, no matter your age, book your annual physical. If you’re over 40, be sure to ask your doctor about your prostate cancer risk. Ask about a simple blood test called a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test. It’s been said by some that a PSA test can lead to over-treatment but rest assured, simply
Awareness Month
taking the test doesn’t land you on an operating table. If test results raise flags, there are follow up steps and many treatment options that you and your doctor can consider. Early detection doesn’t happen magically. It requires action, and a PSA is one of the top two ways to know where you stand. The other is the DRE. No, it’s not a rapper. It’s a digital rectal exam. There I said it. And it’s over almost as fast. “At the snap of a glove,” as the doctor says. Combining the PSA blood test with a DRE provides your doctor with more information and helps to increase the accuracy of these early detection methods. As with other cancers, there are risk factors to consider. If you have a family history of the disease, you’re at a higher risk. If you are of African or Caribbean decent, you have a 65% higher risk than a Caucasian man. If you are overweight or have a diet high in fat and low in fiber, you are at greater risk of developing prostate cancer. And lastly, the chance of getting prostate cancer rises quickly after a man hits the big 5-0. If you’re a woman reading this, you have a huge role to play in your man’s health. You’re in position to be supportive - and objective. Ensure your husband, brother, or friend has an annual physical that includes one or both of the prostate screening tests. Educate yourself and your loved one on prostate cancer. Don’t ignore the odds. Tell your friends to tell others. This means having open and frank discussions about the disease in order to raise awareness and quash the ridiculous stigma associated with it. Ultimately, though, the power to beat prostate cancer lies with the individual. One in seven men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. Seven out of seven should speak to their doctor. It will be a conversation that could save a life. Yours. PERSIAN TRIBUNE
• 31
Become. Go beyond.
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•Law
Identity Forged by Culture By: Sahar Zomorodi & Jay Chauhan
I
n a multicultural country like Canada the identity of many groups is forged by their original cultural heritage, and their new Canadian identity. We grapple with our identities in our daily lives, in our interaction with the world outside, and within our social networks. This creates a conflict in our minds as to decisions to be made in many spheres of life, including legal issues. Laws reflect the basic norms of expected behavior from individuals in society. People coming from an Iranian background see the legal and political system in terms of their experience with the regime in Iran that has ruled since 1979, and also the Islamic culture which has prevailed for centuries. The institutions including courts and administration are perceived as authoritarian and religious in Iran, where the court decisions and political decisions are made with religious overtones. The Canadian political system is separated from the Christian religion, which was the backdrop of the common law legal system evolving in England and transplanted to Canada in 1867. When a legal dispute arises, the cultural tendency of many Iranian Canadians is to see the legal system from their past experience, and view the role of the lawyer as an agent who can deal with the authority of the court or administrative institution. In reality the Canadian common law system permits the full and free presentation of the position of the party in dispute to the court, with legal advice of lawyer on technicalities of law. The opposing party is equally able to present their position to the neutral judge unfettered by religion to make a judgment. It is not surprising in this situation to see the clients in conflict with the legal system. What is surprising is how often legal disputes are handled without sensitivity to the cultural issues that give rise to those disputes. Given the cultural diversity in Canada, the legal system has become complex needing expertise not only in law but also in understanding the cultural ideologies that govern the identities of those we encounter in our daily lives. Laws represent the minimum standards of conduct expected of the citizen in each society, and sanctions are applied when there is failure to observe the norms. Since the Iranian and Canadian legal systems are so different, it is baffling for some of the Iranian Canadians on how to deal with the legal system and the laws to find resolution to their disputes.
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Examples of the vast differences in the two legal systems exist in the laws relating to inheritance, giving of evidence by women, support for the separating spouses, marriage contracts and Mahrieh, equality of women before the law, civil law decision making, criminal law, bigamy, etc. To illustrate the point, whereas in Iran it would be permissible to marry a second wife, the same conduct would be considered bigamy in Canada and a criminal offense. With such drastic differences, some litigants resort to remedy in both jurisdictions, with serious legal cost consequences and havoc in their personal lives. Legal problem solving must start with an understanding of the ideologies that set our multicultural communities apart, while simultaneously assimilating to local and regional customs. The choice of Canada as an abode carries with it the responsibility to understand the legal system of Canada and abiding by the laws of the adopted country. This poses a difficult issue of identity for many individuals who must culturally adjust to the different legal norms of the Canadian society. The freedom accorded to Canadian citizens carry with it the duty to understand and adjust to the legal system of Canada, along with it the willingness to change the behavior and consequent identity of the individual. This adjustment is more evident in the role of women in Canadian society, which permits women to pursue equality much more than the freedom granted in the Iranian culture. Changing the culture of the individual in the society outside of the family is bound to bring some of that value system into the family, and this is particularly the case in the second generation. The choices that each one makes differs in the degree, intensity, and spirit with which we pursue the changes, and is bound to carry conflicts within the individual and family, and ultimately reflects the identity we assume for ourselves. Pursuing your adjustment and happiness in your new country does not just come with the house, car and trappings of material wealth, but also in adjusting and accepting the best legal advice you can get to assert your legal rights when it comes to a conflict resolution situation. ď Ž Sahar Zomorodi is a lawyer practicing in Richmond Hill. Jay Chauhan is a lawyer and Deputy Judge in Richmond Hill.
•People
ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY Y
ork Regional Police does not just work to ensure citizens in the region feel safe and secure through excellence in policing. The organization is dedicated to engaging with citizens and making a difference in the community through a variety of events each year.
A recent example of this commitment took place in July, when York Regional Police hosted the 2013 Special Olympics Summer Games. Held at venues across York Region, more than 1,000 athletes, coaches and staff from across Ontario participated in softball, soccer, rhythmic gymnastics, golf, and track and field. “Our service has a long and proud tradition of supporting Special Olympics Ontario,” York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe said. “When we decided to take on the challenge of hosting these Games, it was important for the entire region to participate in this experience. Every single one of the nine municipalities in York Region hosted either a sport competition, athlete’s village or special event - an amazing feat achieved with the help of our nine mayors and members of regional and municipal councils.” This marked the second time York Regional Police hosted the Special Olympics. In 2000, the organization headed the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games, with Detective Constable Rob Plunkett serving as Games Manager. York Regional Police is the first police service to host the Games twice. “As chief of a service that holds teamwork and community as two of its key values, I was proud to see what we as a region managed to accomplish,” Chief Jolliffe said. “Everyone did an amazing job in making the event a reality.” With a commitment to crime prevention, York Regional Police is also involved in the annual Festive Season Enhanced R.I.D.E program, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Project Red Ribbon Campaign to combat impaired driving during the holiday season. Launched in November each year, the campaign aims to educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving and arrest those who fail to obey the law. “Impaired driving is no accident,” Chief Jolliffe said. “It is a senseless, selfish and completely preventable criminal act that kills four Canadians and seriously injures close to 200 Canadians each and every day. Through our R.I.D.E program, and our award-winning Safe Roads…Your Call program, we have made it our mission to eradicate this serious threat to community safety.” 36
• PERSIANTRIBUNE
York Region continues to have the proud distinction of being one of the most diverse communities in Canada and is enriched with residents who trace their heritage to all corners of the world. Each spring, York Regional Police embraces diversity through the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. For the past 11 years, York Regional Police has held this free event which features community booths, guest speakers and diverse musical and artistic performances. This event provides an opportunity for community partners to join in the celebration of the region’s diversity and to collectively re-affirm a commitment to the eradication of prejudice and all forms of discrimination. “The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination event allows members of York Regional Police to celebrate and say thank you to our community, for their friendship and gracious hospitality, we are welcomed daily through the many events and interactions across our community,” the Chief said. Chief Jolliffe notes that in order for York Regional Police to continue to be effective, it needs to work and engage with the citizens being served. “I am proud of the dedicated work our members do each and every day,” he said. “We are dedicated to providing superior quality service and we know that the best way to accomplish this is through initiatives that embrace the visions and values of the people we are sworn to serve.”
What your mother never told you ! A Special Morning for Women who have it all (and want to keep it!)
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•Education
Preparing Our Children for an Ever-changing and Uncertain World D
iscerning parents recognize that the world has changed and schools need to advance as well. Simply ensuring the development of strong basic skills and the memorization of a body of information is no longer an effective strategy for preparing our children to define their own successful path through university, and later life. Today, our children must have a real understanding of the skills and knowledge base they are developing. They will be equipped to maintain an effective lifelong love of learning that will enable them to make the most of the opportunities with which they will be presented. It is essential our children have multiple opportunities to pursue the questions and ideas that are important to them. This foundation assists children as adults to be able to create solutions for difficult real-life problems for which no single correct answer exists. Fortunately, there are specialized educational programs such as the Montessori program, which enables student learning for productively engaging in the adult world. An Accredited* Montessori educational program is unique in that it focuses on the “Whole Child Approach”, The "Prepared Environment", has specialized Montessori Materials and the teacher‘s role is to facilitate learning: The Whole Child Approach – The focus of the program is to help students reach their full potential and, under the guidance of a specially trained teacher it provides activities that promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, physical coordination, and cognitive skills. This “holistic curriculum” provides a student time to enjoy the process and experience the “love of learning”, the development of self-esteem, and provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge. The "Prepared Environment" enables self-directed learning to take place. The facilities, room, materials, social climate, and experiences are all supportive for student learning. The environment has teachers providing resources, and opportunities for children to
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function in a safe and positive climate where they can be supported. This trust enables the students to explore and discover confidently. The Montessori Materials Dr. Maria Montessori's scientific observations of the children led her to develop multisensory, sequential, and self-correcting materials. These facilitate learning which builds from the concrete to the abstract in constructing their knowledge. The Montessori Teacher creates the environment, is the resource person and demonstrator, observer of individual student behaviour and growth. As the facilitator of learning, a trained Montessori teacher has extensive training that includes supervised classroom practice teaching and specialization for the specific age group (infant and toddler, 3 to 6 year olds, 6 to 9 year olds, and 9 to 12 year olds) Each Montessori class, from toddlers through elementary, operates on the principle of freedom within limits. Every program has its set of ground rules which differ from age to age, but is always based on core Montessori beliefs - respect for each other and for the environment. Children are free to work at their own pace with materials they have chosen, either alone or with others. The teacher relies on his or her observations of the children to determine which new activities and materials may be introduced to an individual child or to a small or large group. The aim is to encourage active, self-directed learning and to strike a balance of individual mastery with small group collaboration within the whole group community. The multi-age grouping in each class provides a family-like setting where learning can take place naturally. More experienced children share what they have learned while reinforcing their own knowledge and skills. The multi-age community interaction is intrinsic to Montessori. This encourages rich language experiences, and opportunities for the development of empathy and social learning. For more, visit www.tmsschool.ca
* (from CCMA web site http://www.ccma.ca/ )
Reza Moridi, MPP
http://www.ccma.ca/page.aspx?menu=67&app= 242&cat1=617&tp=2&lk=no Since Montessori is a word in the public domain, it is possible for any individual or institution to claim to be Montessori. An authentic Montessori classroom must have the following basic characteristics at all levels:
1. A classroom atmosphere which encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching, and emotional development. 2. A schedule which allows large blocks of time to problem-solve, to see connections in knowledge and to create new ideas. 3. A diverse set of Montessori materials, activities, and experiences which are designed to foster physical, intellectual, creative, social, and personal independence. 4. A partnership established with the family. The family is considered an integral part of the individual's total development. 5. Teachers educated in the Montessori philosophy and the methodology for the age level they are teaching, who have the ability and dedication to put the key concepts into practice. 6. A multi-aged, multi-graded heterogeneous grouping of students. ď Ž
Richmond Hill
Serving the riding of Richmond Hill We are proudly here to assist you in accessing the programs and services offered by the Government of Ontario.
9891 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1V1 T: 905-884-8080 rmoridi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org www.rezamoridi.onmpp.ca facebook.com/moridi | @rezamoridi
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•Politics By: The Honourable Bryon Wilfert P.C.
Senior Strategic Advisor Tactix Government Relations & Public Affairs
F
or the third time since 2008, the Prime Minister of Canada has prorogued Parliament – shut it down, because facing the opposition in the House of Commons was not convenient – messy – tiresome. Although the Head of State of Canada is officially Queen Elizabeth II, and the Governor General represents her, it is the Prime Minister who rules Canada, with powers that surpass that of the president of the United States domestically. It is the Prime Minister, as leader of his party, who maintains tight control over his parliamentary colleagues in the governing caucus, and it is he who decides what bills are introduced and which laws are passed.
Democracy Silenced In 2008, the Prime Minister, in an act of desperation, caught off guard by the united position of the opposition parties to stand up against his position to eliminate public subsidies for political parties among other things, and facing a non-confidence vote in Parliament in which his government would have been defeated, went to the Governor General to seek the proroguing of Parliament. This was completely unacceptable given he had lost the confidence of Parliament, but was able to shut it down and buy time by closing it down. In 2009, in order to avoid unpleasant questions surrounding the Afghan detainee’s issue, the Prime Minister again shut down Parliament.
The Prime Minister appoints members to his cabinet, as well as to the Senate, Governor General, Justices of the Supreme Court, ambassadors, and board members. He also appoints Presidents of Crown Corporations, justices of other federal courts, members of other federal boards, such as the refugee board, parole board and labour relations board.
Now we have a government wanting to avoid the Senate expenses scandal.
Although Parliament votes on whether we go to war, the decision is effectively made by the executive branch – Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Democracy is silenced when there is no accountability through Question Period. Democracy is silenced when there is no oversight by Members of Parliament. Democracy is silenced when the government views the institution of Parliament as unnecessary and unimportant.
Canadians do not elect a Prime Minister. We elected Members of Parliament to form a government and then, in theory, hold both the Prime Minister and his Cabinet accountable. The power of the Prime Minister to reward his MPs is a powerful incentive for them to fall into line and not exercise the role they are suppose to play, which is oversight of legislation brought before Parliament. It is an essential component of democratic governance. Accountability is critical in government, and it is Parliament that is supposed to hold government accountable. Clearly that is impossible to do, as Parliament is not sitting – no daily grind of asking questions in Question Period to the government, regardless of the answers, the nation’s business is conducted in full view of the television cameras. It is Parliament that approves legislative requests from government. In the Westminster model, virtually all legislation emanates from government. Therefore, all governments need the approval of Parliament to enact legislation, and the government can only govern provided it enjoys the confidence of Parliament.
Closing down Parliament for up to another six weeks demonstrates that contempt the government has for the legislative branch. Oh yes, the government was found in contempt of Parliament in 2011.
This prorogation is not about “re-setting the start button” on new legislation, as has been suggested by the Prime Minister. It is politically motivated, to avoid scrutiny, and silence the voices of opposition. Parliament can’t be viewed as the keepers of the national good if they do not exercise their role and responsibilities. It is impossible to do that when, again, the nation’s business is not being conducted for all to see. The public expect their elected officials to be “on the job” dealing with the issues of the day. Given our current state of affairs we might as well put up a sign on Parliament Hill that reads “Space for Rent.” The public needs to hold their MPs accountable and demand that they start representing them, not simply follow the wishes of their leaders to curry favour for unspecified positions. Being in Parliament, being at committee meetings and reviewing legislation is critical
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PERSIAN TRIBUNE
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if we are to have both confidence in our leaders and faith in the system, which are right now at an all time low.
JAKE GARDINER
Given the Prime Minister’s decision to once again prorogue Parliament, it will not improve public trust. For the record – proroguing by any government of any political stripe does not sit well with me. Canadians need to speak out and demand better. The alternative is a continued political malaise that none of us can afford.
The Honourable Bryon Wilfert, P.C.,ICD.D is a former MP who was Liberal Party Critic for Foreign Affairs/Defence. Currently Senior Strategic Advisor at Tactix Government Relations/Public Affairs in Ottawa.
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Toronto Marlies
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Colborne (150 AHL regular season games) and 22-yearold Jerry D’Amigo (189 games).
Now in their ninth season, the Toronto Marlies provide affordable professional hockey and an early look at future Leafs to an ever-growing fan base.
Change, a hallmark of life in the American League, extended beyond the bench as new coach Steve Spott takes over for Dallas Eakins, the new head coach with the Edmonton Oilers.
or aspiring Maple Leafs, the road to the Air Canada Centre runs through Ricoh Coliseum.
The Marlies are members of the 30-team American Hockey League, the development league that takes prospects and polishes them for NHL careers. Stories abound in the AHL. Veterans at the tail end of their career mix with fresh-faced kids just out of junior or college hockey. While their home, the 92-year-old Ricoh Coliseum has been transformed into one of the American Hockey League’s showpiece venues, the Marlies play in a league shaped by long bus rides and often grueling road trips. Life in the NHL, with posh hotels and lavish charter flights beckons but being a Marlie means earning your stripes. The result is a fast, tough, entertaining game in a league packed with longstanding rivalries. The Marlies are a vital cog in the resurgence of the Maple Leafs. Eleven Marlies were called up to play for the Leafs during the 2011-2012 season.
Spott was hired on the strengths of his years developing talent in stops that included Kitchener, home of the Ontario Hockey League’s Rangers. “I think we’ve done a real good job developing our players in Kitchener. The job that I have to assume with the Marlies in Toronto, is the development of our young players,” Spott said. This year’s Marlies team will be younger than in past years when veterans held prominent positions on the team. “They wanted to make this truly a development team now where you are putting your younger players in situations that maybe they haven’t had in the past,” Spott said. “It will truly be a pure development system.”
A look down the Leafs roster shows Nazem Kadri played 119 regular season games as a Marlie. Jake Gardiner, the Leafs great young defenceman played 57 games wearing Marlies’ blue while goalie James Reimer tended goal for the Marlies 44 times. Key Leafs Tyler Bozak and Carl Gunnarsson also played for the Marlies. This year prominent prospects include forwards David Broll, Tyler Biggs, Brad Ross, Josh Leivo, Spencer Abbott and Greg McKegg while defencemen Stuart Percy and Jesse Blacker are expected to command big minutes on the blue line. Barring callups, the team will also depend on young veterans such as 23-year-old Joe
American League teams such as the Marlies have to maintain a balance. The league exists to develop players but a roster swimming with youngsters lacks the experience to thrive in the dog-eat-dog world of professional hockey. Constant losing, naturally, impedes progress but a lineup choked with veterans doesn’t allow young players the opportunity to evolve. “We constantly weigh the development of the individual player versus the importance of creating a winning environment,” said Dave Poulin, the Leafs vice-president of hockey operations. “That balance is the key.” PERSIAN TRIBUNE
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•Environment
What's the value of something we can't live without? By: David Suzuki
Who needs nature? We do. Without nature, we would not be here. How do we put an economic value on that?
Photo: Chris Yakimov
More than 13 per cent of Canada's gross domestic product depends on healthy ecosystems, according to Environment Canada briefing notes obtained by Postmedia News. By contrast, the Harper government's pet economic project, the Alberta oil sands, represents a mere two per cent. But is 13 per cent a reasonable estimate of the "value" of nature? With the current perspective that elevates the economy above all else, it's important to find ways to include nature's value in our calculations so it doesn't get ignored in decision-making. At the same time, it seems absurd to try to assign worth to something so vital we can't survive without it. Most of the world's people are now urban dwellers and spend increasingly less time outdoors. As such, we assume we can create our habitat. As long as we have parks to play in, we don't think much about nature. So, let's consider a thought exercise. Scientists invent a time machine to take us back four-billion years before life appeared. We strap ourselves in, press buttons and are transported to a time when the planet was sterile, devoid of life. We open the hatch and go out. And, we're all dead! That's because before life arose, the atmosphere was toxic for animals like us — rich in CO2, ammonia, sulphur and water, but devoid of oxygen. Oxygen is a highly reactive element that is quickly used up when elements like sulphur and iron oxidize. Only after life evolved a way to exploit the sun's energy through photosynthesis was carbon dioxide removed and oxygen released as a byproduct. Over millions of 44
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years, photosynthesis liberated oxygen, which built up to become 20 per cent of the atmosphere. To this day, all green things on land and in oceans maintain the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide. However, since the Industrial Revolution, we've been burning fossil fuels, liberating more carbon dioxide than life can absorb. It's accumulating in the atmosphere and oceans, and that's driving climate change.
•Environment Back to our experiment. We knew about the toxic atmosphere before we started out and so we packed helmets and compressed air tanks, which we don before opening the hatch. We exit and wander about, looking at the eerie, barren landscape for an hour or two before becoming thirsty. There's water, but what could we trust to drink? Life is part of the hydrologic cycle that circulates water around the world in rivers, lakes, oceans and air. Soil organisms like fungi and bacteria, as well as plant roots, filter molecules from water to render it drinkable. We knew that, too, and so we have water bottles attached to our helmets, connected by straw to our mouths. After many more hours, we become hungry. But before there was life on Earth there was no food for animals like us because everything we eat was once alive! We consume the carcasses of animals and plants and absorb their molecules to form every part of our bodies.
sun's energy as photosynthetic products that we burn to liberate fire. Before life, there was no fuel. Again, in anticipation we brought wood, kindling and paper and set them up for a fire. But fire requires oxygen, so nothing happens when we strike the match. The point of this exercise is to illustrate that the very foundations of our lives — air, water, photosynthesis, soil and food — are made possible by the web of life that evolved on a once-sterile planet. Living organisms on land and in oceans — including us — create, cleanse and regenerate those vital elements. Who needs nature? We do. Without nature, we would not be here. How do we put an economic value on that?
We also anticipated that and brought food. In fact, I expected to stay a while and brought seeds to grow greens. But where could I plant them? There would be dust, sand, clay and gravel, but no soil because it's formed by the accumulation of molecules from the remains of plants and animals.
Photo: Kent Kallberg
Finally, the sun sets and although it's warm because of greenhouse gases, we decide to build a fire so we can sit around and exchange stories. Where could we find fuel to burn? Wood, peat, dung, coal, oil and gas all store the
Dr. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author, and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. He is Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO's Kalinga Prize for science, the United Nations Environment Program medal, the 2009 Right Livelihood Award, and Global 500. Dr. Suzuki is Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and holds 27 honorary degrees from universities around the world. He is familiar to television audiences as host of the long-running CBC television program The Nature of Things, and to radio audiences as the original host of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks, as well as the acclaimed series It's a Matter of Survival and From Naked Ape to Superspecies. His written work includes more than 52 books, 19 of them for children. Dr. Suzuki lives with his wife, Dr. Tara Cullis, and family in Vancouver, B.C. Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org PERSIAN TRIBUNE
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•people
Persian Tribune
Person of The Month
Jamil Mardukhi, M.A.Sc.,M. Eng., P.Eng., Ing., Consult.
Jamil Mardukhi is the Managing Director of NCK Engineering Ltd., Toronto office. A consulting designate structural engineer with over 40 years of civil and structural design and project management experience, he has been a longstanding leader in the field, having played key roles in the design and construction of several iconic developments. He has also made significant contributions to the intellectual development of the structural engineering and development business through his personal scholarship and support for academic research and development. He received his Master's degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1974, and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tabriz in 1969. He joined NCK Engineering, at the time called Nicolet and Associates, in 1973. He has been managing the Toronto office of the firm since 1982, and became a partner of the firm in 1992. Mardukhi has been responsible for the design of many tall towers, high rise buildings and special structures in Canada, Mexico, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Tehran, Trinidad, and Moscow since 1973. This includes key roles as the lead structural engineer for award winning projects such as the CN Tower, 46
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in Toronto and Les Pyramides Du Grand Louvre, in Paris. He has also been the chief engineer responsible for all inspections, monitoring, and revamping of the CN Tower since its completion. In parallel to his professional practice, he has been closely involved in many research and development projects, including research on the use of advanced fibers for the reinforcement of structural systems, detailed study of the uses of Tuned Liquid Dampers and advanced modeling work into the structural complexities of Tall Wind Towers. This work was achieved in partnership with academic and research institutions, including the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario and Ryerson University. Mardukhi has published many professional papers including several papers on the structural performance of the CN Tower, the use of advanced fibers in construction and technical issues related to tall tower design. He has appeared in numerous presentations and media reports, and his papers have been printed in technical journals, and presented at Conferences on tall Towers, Wind Towers, and Earthquake Research. He was Key-note speaker at the 9th US National and 10th Canadian Conference on Earth-Quake Engineering, Tall
Tower Conference in Moscow in 2002 and several other major conferences in Mexico, Trinidad, Erbil, Dubai and Toronto. Since his arrival in Canada in 1973, continuing the tradition of Iranian engineers, he has been an active community member with a particular focus on the community of professional engineers, and the Iranian and Kurdish communities. He organized the first Iranian Students Association in the University of Toronto, where he led the Norouz celebrations for the Iranian community in Ontario in 1973 and 1974 before moving to Montreal and continuing his activities there. In 1991, he was a driving force behind the major fund raising effort for the Iraqi Kurdish refugees in Turkey and Iran, while in 2003 he was one of the lead organizers for the Bam Earthquake Relief Committee, and was one of the pioneers of the The Canadian Society of Iranian Engineers and Architects in 1988 and the Ontario Kurdish Association in 1987. Jamil Mardukhi is a member of several professional and technical societies including the Professional Engineers Ontario, Consultant Designate; Order of Engineers of Quebec; Canadian Society of Civil Engineers and the American Concrete Institute.
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