Looking Back at 2013 121813

CARIBBEAN NEWS, EVENTS, HEALTH, LIFESTYLE & MORE ONLINE: TORONTOCARIBBEAN.COM RIBBEAN.COM • TO ADVERTISE: 647-722-6298 • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, D DECEMBER EC E CE EM MBE BER 18TH 2013

LOOKING BACK AT 2013 With the year drawing to a close, now’s the time to reflect on the past 12 months. But instead of giving you a breakdown of all the news events from 2013, we at Toronto Caribbean decided to do something different.

Here’s a lighter look at the year gone by, featuring some events/trends that you may remember, and others that may have slipped your attention.

Soca reaches new heights It really feels like soca music is growing larger by the year. And now, it’s actually creeping into mainstream North America.

In recent years, Machel Montano has collaborated with well-known American artists, while Kes the Band surprisingly appeared on Good Day New York. This year was Bunji Garlin’s turn to shine.

His breakout song “Differentology” left a giant dent on the 2013 soca scene. Then, it managed to find its footing in America. It won a Soul Train Award for Best International Performance, in addition to winning a major award from revered New York hip-hop station Hot 97. The unique ode to Carnival, which features elements of Latin-style guitar, has even been playing in arenas during NBA games.

However, the song’s biggest achievement to date might very well be when it was played during the opening scene of a November episode of ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. Who ever thought a soca song would make it to primetime network television?

Read More On Page 2

2 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

2013 in review... cause of the excitement and crowds it was able to generate.

David Singh TC Reporter Continued From Page 1 -- Twerking: No 2013 list would be complete without mentioning twerking. The provocative dance has been around quietly for some time now, but finally broke through to gain worldwide attention this year. This is thanks in large part to Miley Cyrus and her MTV Video Music Awards performance.

Now, I know you’re probably tired of hearing about Miley. I am too, so let’s just stop right there and move on to the next point.

CPL cricket This year marked the inaugural Caribbean Premier League cricket tournament, which captured the attention of West Indians everywhere during late summer. (You know, I’m not even a cricket fan, and it got my attention).

The Jamaica Tallawahs were the champions, earning $50,000 US when they beat the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final. The tourney also featured teams from Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. The CPL was deemed a runaway success by its organizers be-

Tessanne Chin As of time of publication, Tessanne Chin was among the three finalists on singing competition show The Voice. Hailing from Jamaica, Tessanne is a reggae fusion artist and younger sister to singer Tami Chynn.

Even if Tessanne doesn’t end up winning the reality TV show, she’s already managed to leave a lasting impression. Her powerful voice has made her a fan favourite – and not only among West Indians, but fans across the globe as well. Need proof? Just check Twitter, where mentions of her explode after each performance.

Selfie You know what a selfie is. I’d be willing to bet that you, your auntie and your grandma have all flipped the camera around to take a picture of yourselves at some point this year. And there’s no shame in that because it’s become a standard activity in our lives now. So much so, that “selfie” was named Word of the Year by Oxford Dictionaries.

Speaking of selfies, did you hear about U.S. President Barack Obama recently taking that controversial picture of himself? It just goes to show how big this trend has grown.

When you look back at 2013, what will you remember most? Message us on Twitter @ Carib101 and let us know.

TNTAO annual childrenʼs Christmas Party Trish islandBesos,

is a Trinidadian Born artist who migrated to Toronto Canada in 2004. Mainly delving in makeup, body art and canvas painting, however she does not limit herself to only those specific avenues.

One of her recent ventures includes Modeling. Collaborating with Toronto born Photographer Jayson Warbucks Williams, who celebrated his 3rd anniversary of his photography carer, whose work has graced magazines and various different prints, they’ve teamed up to create a series of holiday photos. Here is one for you guys!

TORONTO -- Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ontario hosted their Annual Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday 14th December 2013, at the Etobicoke Civic Centre, #399 The West Mall. This year the board and its members continued to focus on not only helping their members, but they have branched out further into the community by helping the disadvantaged children’s community groups in the Jane and Finch Area, (Urban Promise, The Boys and Girls Club of

Scarborough) by bringing Christmas cheer to needy families.

TNTAO looks forward to including needy children in the Peel Region, as one of our objectives for the New Year. TNTAO would also like to thank all of their wonderful sponsors, Brian Mathieu, Raymond James, Mona’s Roti Scarborough and Nicey’s Food and would also like to thank their members who came through for these wonderful children in our community and beyond.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

WI Care benefit concert for the Philippines Emily Singh TC Reporter TORONTO -- In times of disaster anywhere in the world you can always count on the West Indian community to reach out and help. On the evening of Saturday 7th December five amazing musicians and three performing groups took to the dance floor of Forum Banquet Hall in Rexdale for a benefit called WI Care with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Typhoon Haiyan Relief in the Philippines.

Musicians included world renowned Calysonian David Rudder, Canadian Idol top 30 finalist Miss David, DollyBoy, Miss Paige and chutney soca artist Ranjeev

Ramdeen. Entertainment was backed by Toronto’s chutney soca band Level Exodus and Talana BLU Tassa Cru had everyone on the dance floor. The beautiful ladies of Sapna Academy of Dance wowed the audience with their hip pelting chutney soca performance.

“The turnout was amazing and for a worthy cause. Everyone had a good time and the Philippines will definitely benefit, ” commented lime.tt photographer Reyad Juman.

November 2nd 2013 was a lifechanging day for those living in the Philippines after a category five super typhoon left the country with over five thousand dead and $5.8 billion dollars in damages. Thousands were left stranded without homes, food, clean water and their loved ones.

This amazing night was truly successful with all of the proceeds benefiting four worthy charities: Habitat for Humanity, Doctors Without Borders, World Food Program and Global Medic.

Making the world a better place has never been easier TORONTO -- According to research from the Ipsos Canadian Inter@ctive Reid Report, 70 percent of Canadians use their smartphone to take photos. And more often than not they will post these pictures on different social networks for friends and family to see.

For most Canadians these acts have become a habit. Now there’s a way to make these habits more meaningful to children in need here at home and around the world.

Western Union customers are familiar with the concept of giving to others.

Many regularly use the money transfer service to support family and friends they’re separated from while they work abroad.

This holiday season, Western Union has teamed up with World Vision Canada for their Send for Better campaign, in which people are invited take a picture inspired by “what makes the world better”, and upload their photo on Instagram with #sendforbetter. Western Union customers can also participate by sending a qualifying Western Union money transfer and texting “WU” with the last four digits of their MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) to 88898.

Western Union will donate $1.00 CDN to World Vision Canada for every qualifying consumer-to-consumer Western Union Money Transfer® transaction and associated text or post sent during the promotional period, up to a maximum of $25,000.00 CDN.

The donation supports World Vision Canada initiatives that help end child poverty in Canada and improve education programs in global communities.

“The generosity of our customers knows no bounds and Western Union wants to extend our own generosity to help children abroad and in our own back yards,” says Jocelyn David, Western Union Canada marketing and product director. “Instagram and text messages have become such prevalent forms of social media and communication respectively – we’re excited about integrating this form of giving into Canadians’ everyday lives.”

“It’s the easiest ‘donation’ I’ve ever made,” says Mary Abada, a regular Western Union customer. “I take lots of pictures every day and it made me happy to know that one would make an actual difference to a child in need in the form of the $1.00 donation from Western Union.”

“A text message and a photo might not mean much to us here in Canada, just like we don’t consider $1.00 as being able to buy much, but these small things can make a big difference for kids around the world who have very little,” Abada adds. “Our efforts, $1.00 at a time, do add up; collectively it can make positive change happen.” Learn how you can make a difference. Visit sendforbetter.ca for details.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

3

4 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Determined to empower TORONTO -- Joel NR Powell is what you would call a rare and unique commodity. With a Trinidadian and Jamaican background he launched his own company NR Entertainment Incorporated at the tender age of 20 years.

Now the budding DJ, Recording Artist, Author & Entrepreneur is set to release on May 20th 2014 what he calls an “historical event” The Empowerment Series consisting of the book “Black Empowerment & Minority Issues”, the film “Empowerment through awareness”, & the EP soundtrack “7 Issues”. Never has any independent company conducted such a feat and Powell is set to become the first.

Powell grew up in both Jane & Finch and Rexdale; two communities within Toronto where the media often reports to be laced with violence & crime all year round. When asked how did he manage to stay out of trouble and live a clean life Powell sums it up to “music”.

He says that his love for Reggae music and music in general made him into some what of a hermit where he would often stay inside and play music even on hot summer days. “I remember many times people would often ask my Mom if I still lived in the neighborhood because I was always inside know one really saw me” stated Powell.

This type of mentality may seem uncanny to some but not to Powell. His resume is stellar with over 200 mixtapes under his belt as a DJ through his Ninja Ryders Sound brand, 2 successful independent album releases, appearances inside high profile magazines such as XXL Magazine, The Source Magazine,

Toronto Life Magazine, Jamaican Xpress & much more. Powell was even honored with an appearance on the front cover of Humber’s business school’s first edition magazine, be Magazine.

An accomplishment that he takes with great humility “I graduated from Humber in 2005 and they contacted me in 2012 to run a cover story about my time there and my career. I was honored and humbled to be apart of such a great school” explained Powell.

Powell has shown strong philanthropy over the years of his career by speaking on youth empowerment & motivation at various schools throughout Toronto including University of Toronto, George Brown College, Lester B. Pearson Collegiate, Lincoln Alexander Secondary School to name a few. Powell’s story should be an inspiration to many as his life thus far should be viewed as “your environment doesn’t dictate your life”. As a black man he has broken down barriers that are often placed upon the minority community and by doing so brought forth a high level of organic success.

Powell’s latest song entitled “They look at me” featuring Rapper Lil Eazy-E is available exclusively through Itunes and Amazon.com. Follow Joel NR Powell on the following social media sites: Twitter @JoelNRPowell Facebook: Joel NR Powell Youtube: Joel NR Powell Website: www.JoelNRPowell.com

Central Demerara Lions club hosts Christmas party for East Bank special needs children GUYANA -- The Lions Club of Central Demerara hosted its annual Christmas party for special needs children Sunday afternoon at the Special Needs School in Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

The Annual Special Needs Christmas party, which is one of the Central Demerara Club’s signature projects, is meant to spread cheer to the special needs children of the East Bank Demerara in the season of sharing and giving.

According to president of the club, Lionel Chinian, “This is just a regular children’s Christmas party with dancing, goodie bags and gifts. However, it’s for children with special needs which makes it so much more special seeing their faces light up with joy.”

The club catered for approximately 86 children as well as the teachers of the Special Needs School in Diamond. Everyone was

entertained with music, dancing, food, drinks, goodie bags and gifts from Santa Claus.

Annie Rooplall, the secretary of the Lion’s Club Central Demerara told the Guyana Chronicle that, “It’s a party intent on making the special needs children of the school happy for the season; a season that all children should enjoy and cherish.”

This Lions club has been hosting a Christmas party for the children of the East Bank Demerara communities annually for several years. However, about nine years ago they decided to split the party, hosting a separate one for the special needs children of the area.

Mr. Chinian and Ms. Rooplall were joined by other Lions club members at the Christmas party, including past president Wes Davis, Dwarka Singh and Annand Surijpaul.

(Guyana Chronicle)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Swift justice TRINIDAD -- Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has expressed concern about the delays in the justice system and the spike in murders which have surpassed last year’s toll. Speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister’s annual toy drive at Skinner Park, San Fernando, Sunday, Persad-Bissessar also said the Government will be looking at proclaiming the “infamous” Preliminary Inquiry Bill in an attempt to deal with the backlog of cases.

She made the statements when asked to comment on the recent criticism against Chief Justice Ivor Archie about delays by judges in delivering judgments.

Commending the Chief Justice on measures and steps taken to address the issue, PersadBissessar said any delay in the administration of justice is a concern to everyone.

However, she said: “There are matters that we could help with which is on a legislative scale. You remember the infa-

mous Preliminary Inquiry Bill that we had brought to the Parliament which remains yet unproclaimed. “It is something we want to look at again because that could help to deal with some of the backlog at magistrates courts by removing preliminary inquiries and doing paper committals and so on. So legislatively there are matters we could do.”

Concerns were raised after attorneys of death row inmate Lester Pitman threatened legal action challenging the Court of Appeal’s almost four-year delay to hand down his decision. Pitman’s lawyers have also threatened to write the Prime Minister to invoke impeachment proceedings against the Chief Justice for judicial misconduct last month. Asked if she received any letter regarding that matter, she said she had not received any letter, but she could not say whether one was received by the Office of the Prime Minister. (Trinidad Guardian)

East Coast Demerara four-lane expansion pprojects rojects moving movin v ng apace apace GUYANA -- The dismal weather conditions over the past weeks and delays in the supply of materials have presented challenges to contractors working on the four-lane expansion projects on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara.However, Chief Roads and Bridges Officer of the Public Works Ministry, Ron Rahaman, told the Guyana Chronicle that works are progressing, nonetheless.

According to him, works on the East Bank of Demerara are approximately 40 per cent complete.

The East Bank four-lane project is divided into three lots. The first is being done by Dipcon Engineering; lot two by General Earth Movers in association with Geico Construction and General Construction Services; and lot three is being done

by BK International.

Rahaman pointed out that since the contracts for works on the East Coast of Demerara, which got underway earlier this year, were awarded differently, works

are at different stages for different sections of the roadway.

“For Lots One and Two, works are about 70 per cent complete and for Lots Three, Four and Five we are looking at 75 per cent completion. Works on Lot Six are about 80 per cent complete,” he said.

Lots One, Two and Five are the responsibility of Dipcon Engineering Services Ltd, although Falcon Engineering Services was initially tasked with Lot One. However, Falcon’s $468 million contract was terminated after engineers from the Works Ministry found that the contracting firm was behind schedule and was allegedly carrying out substandard work. Lots three and four are being undertaken by Courtney Benn Contracting Service. Salba Engineering is responsible for works on Lot Six. Completion of all road works is slated for 2014. (Guyana Chronicle)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

5

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Expert canʼt say if text messages came from Kartelʼs phone JAMAICA -- An expert from telecoms giant Digicel testified on Friday that he was unable to say whether text messages recovered by the police were sent from devices owned by murder accused Vybz Kartel or his co-accused.

Mario Ghantous Assaad, Digicel’s group chief technology officer, testified under cross-examination in the Home Circuit Court that it was possible for a SIM card to be cloned.

Under questioning from attorney Michael Lorne, Assaad said that it was possible for a mobile phone’s unique identification number to be hacked and for a phone call to be placed or a message sent from a cloned mobile phone, making it appear as if the original owner of the phone number was placing the call or sending the message.

Due to these factors, Assaad said he was unable to say if messages reportedly recovered from Digicel’s system were actually sent from the original devices which the police are alleging were confiscated from Vybz Kartel and his co-accused.

Responding to a question from Vybz Kartel’s attorney Chris TavaresFinson, Assaad admitted that Digicel’s system had in the past been compro-

mised. But he said that the system was in proper working order at the time information regarding phone numbers reportedly assigned to the murder accused were recovered.

The prosecution says it has in its possession several messages allegedly taken from Digicel mobile phones confiscated from the accused men when they were arrested in 2011.

Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer), Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Shane Williams, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones are being tried for murder in the alleged beating death of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams on August 16, 2011.

All the men belong to the Portmore, St Catherine-based ‘Gaza Empire’ headed

by Vybz Kartel.

On Friday there was some laughter in the courtroom when Lorne asked Assaad, who is a national of Lebanon, a series of questions related to Gaza in the Middle East.

But senior prosecutor Jeremy Taylor objected to the question, telling Justice Lennox Campbell, that he does not understand the line of questioning.

(Jamaica Observer)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

7

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

9

CCI embarks on new initiatives to obtain recyclable cardboard waste GUYANA -- Local company Caribbean Containers Inc. (CCI) has said that it is embarking on new initiatives to expand its purchasing of cardboard waste for recycling, moreso in the context of current solid waste disposal and management problems affecting communities.

The CCI, located at Farm, East Bank Demerara, recycles old corrugated cartons (OCC) often discarded as waste to make bio-degradable boxes and packages for a multiplicity of purposes, including commercial packaging, fresh food and fast food boxes, seafood and office packages.

The cardboard waste is responsible for producing 80% of the paper utilised in the making of corrugated packaging in the CCI box plant facility.

The company sells these environmentally friendly products across Guyana and the Caribbean.

Ms. Patricia Bacchus of CCI said that recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction.

She said that the CCI, formerly known as SAPIL, collects approximately

100 tonnes of cardboard waste and bond paper which is white ledger paper or office paper.

“Because we are not getting enough supplies locally, we have had to resort to importing solid waste from other countries. We import waste from Trinidad and Suriname and we actually pay a lot of money for this,” she said.

She said that based on trade information on items coming into the country, that is packaged using corrugated boxes, the company feels that it is collecting only about a quarter to a third of what is actually available for recycling.

She pointed out that Guyana does not have a plan which compels business people and households to sort out garbage in order to make it easier to retrieve recyclable materials.

This, she said, is impairing the ability of the company to acquire more needed cardboard waste.

She said that the CCI has the capacity to recycle an additional 12,000 tonnes per year and added that if the sys-

tem of sorting is established, possibly by law, the company can look to 75% of its requirements being satisfied locally; with a very small supplement from Trinidad or Suriname.

She said that, that would lower the company’s cost of production drastically and the company will then be able to pay more for cardboard waste for the benefit of generators of such waste and the environment.

She disclosed that the current purchasing arrangement is that CCI gets supplies from locals who would pick up OCCs from around the commercial areas around Georgetown and also from companies which generate large quantities of OCCs; for example Banks DIH; Demerara Distilleries Limited (DDL) and the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC).

She said that in terms of encouraging an increase in supplies in 2014, CCI wants to set up collection centres in Georgetown, Linden ,Parika, New Amsterdam and Skeldon and other outlying

areas where there is a great deal of commercial activity in order to make it easier for persons to support recycling..

She said that the CCI has applied to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development for small plots of land in targeted outlying areas that can accommodate a container which would make it easier for businessmen, residents and otherwise unemployed persons to sell their cardboard waste.

“We want to get going but we would first need the lands to be identified and allocated and so we are waiting for the responses from government agencies, to whom we have submitted these proposals,” she said.

She said that the CCI has also submitted proposals to the City Council to help it retrieve cardboard waste and paper waste from the market places and so help to acquire supplies, help people to make some cash and reduce the pressure on the landfill all at the same time. (Guyana Chronicle)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

No good in boycotting goods from T&T, Jamaica, says Caricom official JAMAICA -- A senior Caribbean Community (Caricom) official has suggested that a planned boycott of goods from either Trinidad and Tobago or Jamaica would not help the development of the region.

Caricom assistant secretary general in charge of human and social development Dr Douglas Slater was speaking against the background of the recent denial of entry of 13 Jamaicans into Trinidad, which he described as “unfortunate and should not be repeated”.

The Jamaicans were turned away from the Piarco airport, Port of Spain last month, for allegedly failing to meet immigration requirements, and since that time several lobby groups locally and within the Diaspora have been calling for the boycott of goods produced by Trinidad.

However, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer at a UNFPA multi-stakeholder high-level consultation on the reduction of adolescent pregnancy in the Caribbean, which was held in Trinidad last week, Dr Slater said that he was not too worried about the knee-jerk reaction to this development, but he urged Jamaicans “to put a brake on calls to boycott”.

“Let us slow down, let us take this thing a little bit more seriously and understand the implications. And let us solve the problems because they are not insurmountable — we have the ability to. We have worked on problems much bigger than that and we have succeeded, and we can and must solve these problems,” Dr Slater said.

“A boycott of Trinidad goods by Jamaicans, or vice versa, is not going to help either of the countries nor the Caricom region, because one of the routes to development of the region is through increased trade,” he said.

Dr Slater, who is a former minister of foreign affairs, foreign trade and consumer affairs for St Vincent and the Grenadines, said he was happy about the initiative made

by Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs minister A J Nicholson and Trinidad’s Foreign Minister Winston Dookeran to discuss the thorny issue in Kingston following public outcry.

“I believe that, as a Caribbean people, we are going to have these challenges from time to time, but we must look at the bigger picture [and] work towards resolving our problem more amicably,” Dr Slater suggested.

“I’m not too worried about it, quite frankly, I am optimistic. There will always be little hurdles in the way of development; the European Union who have been many years ahead of us, they still have challenges.

It’s just, I think, for us to be very aware of these challenges, to be sensitive to what our citizens may see, to inform them [and] educate them more,” he said.

The Caricom official noted that the work of the Secretariat had often been misunderstood because of the misperception that it could implement policies. He said while the Secretariat can assist with putting together policies, it was the member states, which formed the executive arm of Caricom, that had the ability to implement them. “...It is the member states, but sometimes that is missed. Take for example, the question of the Dominica Republic and Haiti, several heads of government, including and especially Prime Minister Gonsalves of the St Vincent and the Grenadines, made very strong statements on behalf of his country and Caricom,” he said.

Dr Slater was alluding to a recent court ruling in Dominican Republic which could strip thousands of persons of Haitian

descent of citizenship.

“The Secretariat is willing to be supportive of policies that will enhance the livelihood and the human development of our citizens; that’s what we are there for. But we work in partnership and there are many bodies of the Secretariat that have worked together and we have had a lot of success stories in Caricom,” he noted.

Among the success stories Dr Slater pointed to are the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC); the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) and the Caribbean Court of Justice which just recently delivered a landmark ruling in the case of Jamaican Shanique Myrie who is to be awarded BDS$77,240 (J$3,862,000) following a humiliating body-cavity search at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados two years ago.

Dr Slater said the turning away of the Jamaicans from Trinidad was unfortunate, and has urged each member state to be very careful when making decisions at any level, especially in terms of immigration, “in light of the issues and the reaction that it can create and has created”.

“I think that there might be some misunderstanding regarding the whole question of the free movement of people. The movement of people is the goal of the Caricom region, [but] I think free comes with some inverted commas [because] there is no total freedom,” he said, adding: “I think all member states would like to have a situation where we can move around our countries much more hassle-free, but at the same time, we must recognise that there are certain security issues that if the member states feel are being infringed, they must maintain the right to act accordingly.” (Jamaica Observer)

11-year-old girl sent to womenʼs prison TRINIDAD -- Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal is calling on the newly formed Child Protection Task Force to investigate and consider the process by which children are transferred between the country’s official orphanages and industrial schools, through acts of indiscipline.

On Thursday, Seetahal represented an 11-year-old girl, who lived at the St Dominic’s Children Home, in Belmont and was transferred to the Women’s Prison at Golden Grove, Arouca, for breaching the rules of the Belmont-based orphanage. In a telephone interview Sunday, Seetahal said that the transfer was ordered by a magistrate during a court appearance on December 5.

She explained that under the Children’s Act, which governs the process, children at the country’s two official orphanages-St Dominic’s and Tacariguabased St Mary’s Children’s Home, who are accused of indiscipline are sent to the country’s only two industrial schools St Jude’s School for Girls, also in Belmont or to St Michael’s Home for Boys in Deigo Martin.

The T&T Guardian understands that some magistrates have begun send-

ing children to the adult prison because of space constraints at both industrial schools, with prison authorities being forced to establish make-shift facilities, so that the children would be isolated from the rest of the prison population. “I have been told that right now there are at least seven such children that are under 16, who are in the prison,” Seetahal said.

Through a habeas corpus writ, filed by Seetahal, on Thursday, the child was taken out of the prison and brought before Justice Joan Charles in the Portof-Spain High Court for a hearing. While addressing the court, Seetahal noted that the Children’s Act does not specify which rule at orphanages was an “offence” which warranted transfer to an industrial school and the act does not provide that children to be taken to adult prison instead of to industrial schools.

After hearing submissions from Seetahal and Deputy Solicitor General Neil Byam, Charles ordered that the child be placed in the custody of a family friend, who the court deemed “fit” to take care of her before her next hearing before the magistrate in January. Attorneys Ria Reyes and Cassandra Seetahal, also appeared for the

child. In an interview Sunday, Seetahal described the current situation as untenable while stating that all four official institutions had been privately established.

“No Government has ever built an orphanage or industrial school for children,” Seetahal. She questioned why 17-member Task Force, did not include magistrates and legal professionals who deal mostly with juvenile cases, as they would be best suited to identify the problems with the existing children’s legislation and the procedures related to it.

The task force, which is headed

by Diana Mahabir-Wyatt, was established on December 1, by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in response to several murders of children including that sixyear-old Keyana Cumberbatch.

It has been mandated to complete and review all provisions, regulations, legislation, and public processes to protect children, make recommendations on specific risk areas which will require state interventions and make suggestions on early-warning systems that can be structured to detect children who live in risk situations. (Trinidad Guardian)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 11

12 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Why the PM has to travel JAMAICA -- DR Carlton Davis, the senior adviser to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has sought to explain why the leader of government has to travel, in response to recent criticisms calling her a frequent flyer. “...Whilst in our own case here, Jamaica is indeed an island, it is not one ‘entire of itself’. It must, as a matter of good sense, keep in touch with the outside world to further its social, economic and political objectives, some of which may not be realisable in the short term,” the adviser said in a letter to the editor.

At the same time, Davis conceded that “we have to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the rationale for visits and the personnel nominated to make each of them are evaluated with rigour”.

Following is an edited version of his letter: “First, perchance anyone does not know, I must state that I am a senior adviser to the prime minister. Second, in the above capacity, I have accompanied her on three visits, overseas, during this calendar year: same day visits, respectively, to a meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad, between the president of China and the prime minister, and a meeting of heads of state and Government on the PetroCaribe facility, in Managua, Nicaragua; and a one-week visit to China for meetings with, among others, the president, the premier, the chairman of the National People’s Congress, and the chairman of the CCCC , the parent Company of China Harbour Engi-

neering and Construction Company (CHEC) which, among other activities in Jamaica, is constructing the North-South leg of Highway 2000.

Having said the above, it is my view that critics of official overseas visits, particularly those made by the prime minister, should, before making their criticisms (or in making them) take into account the following, in order, I believe, to make a fair and balanced assessment: * There is hardly a country in the world where overseas visits are not necessary in order to pursue its social, economic or political objectives.

tries with whom another country has political, economic or historical ties, and which, in such circumstances, it is obligatory, or considerate, as the case may be, for a Head of Government or State to attend. * The necessity for State or official visits is not always predictable so that a head of government or State may not be in a position to schedule visits over time so as to avoid ‘clustering’ in a given period such as a calendar or fiscal year. So, for example, Mrs Simpson Miller had to attend President Hugo Chavez’s funeral in March in Caracas, Venezuela, and back there again in April to attend his successor, President Maduro’s, inauguration.

* These visits by a Head of State of Government, but for exceptional circumstances, provide access to his/her ‘opposite number’ which means the highest levels of government in the host country. They also provide access, where required, to the highest levels of business leadership. For example, in China, in the prime minister’s vist to that country, to China Communications and Construction Company (CCCC) and, in her visit to Japan, Marubeni the 40 per cent owner of JPSCo and Nippon Light Metal, which is currently undertaking pilot studies on the extraction of rare earths from our red mud wastes.

* The much-heralded teleconferencing technology, is not yet, at any rate, a substitute for face-to-face discussions with governments in respect of social, political or economic issues. This applies, as well, to a regional bloc like the European Union, currently our biggest donor, which only just recently made a $7-billion budgetary contribution to finance a number of important projects. As such, only just recently, it was urged on a somewhat-reluctant Mrs Simpson Miller to accept the EU’s invitation to visit Brussels to participate in some panel discussions sponsored by that body.

* There are occasions like, special commemorations, inaugurations, funerals, in coun-

* Even on occasions like funerals, the opportunity is usually taken save for when it is

utterly inconvenient or insensitive to do so, to make new, or deepen existing contacts, with world leaders. I gather, for example, that during Mrs Simpson Miller’s visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the 50th anniversary of the African Union, earlier in the year, she used the occasion to meet with a number of world leaders including the United States Secretary of State John Kerry. * Benefits from overseas visits are not always immediate. Sometimes they evolve over the medium or even long term. But one has to start. Our relations with the People’s Republic of China were started all of 41 years ago, yet there was hardly anything ‘tangible’ until the last few years. So, attempting cost-benefit calculations after a particular visit are not always straightforward.

“In sum, to paraphrase the famous lines of the English poet, John Donne, whilst in our own case here, Jamaica is indeed an island, it is not, one ‘entire of itself’. It must, as a matter of good sense, keep in touch with the outside world to further its social, economic and political objectives some of which may not be realisable in the short term.

“That said, we have to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the rationale for visits and the personnel nominated to make each of them are evaluated with rigour.

(Jamaica Observer)

HOMEOWNERS!

NEED CASH IN A FLASH? WE HAVE ACCESS TO OVER 220 LENDERS

RATES

1st MORTGAGES

starting at

2nd MORTGAGES

Mortgage Amount

Monthly Payment

Bi-Weekly Payment

Mortgage Amount

Monthly Payment

$200,000

$799.22

$368.66

$20,000

$133.33

$300,000 $400,000 $500,000

$1,198.82 $1,598.43 $1,998.04

$552.98 $737.31 $921.64

$30,000 $40,000 $50,000

$200.00 $266.67 $333.33

$600,000

$2,397.65

$1,105.97

$60,000

$400.00

2.5%

* O.A.C. Rates subject to change without notice *

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR 1ST, 2ND & 3RD MORTGAGES EVEN WITH: R Bruised Credit R Unemployed R Mortgage Arrears R Power of Sale

R Property Tax Arrears R Bankruptcy R Self-Employed R Pension & Disability

R Debt Consolidation R Home Renovations

Can your bank compete with

THESE PRICES?

Call Don – 7 DAYS A WEEK

416.843.2384 or TOLL FREE 1.888.818.6841 Check us out online:

www.TalkToMcKay.com Ask us about our EQUIPMENT & AUTO LEASING programs!

Up to 100% FINANCING.

* Terms & Conditions Apply *

We also offer: Commercial – Farm – Construction Loans!

If the Bank says NO WAY… You better Talk to Don McKay! Visa Cards starting at 9.9%

Mortgage House Licence #10557 Independently Owned and Operated

Ύ K͘ ͘ ͘ ZĂƚĞƐ ƐƵďũĞĐƚ ƚŽ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ŶŽƟĐĞ ʹ dĞƌŵƐ ĂŶĚ ŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ ƉƉůLJ Ύ

Don McKay Mortgage Agent

16 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Bravo hits half century in ODI prep BRIDGETOWN -- West Indies OneDay International (ODI) captain Dwayne Bravo up for the five-match ODI away series against New Zealand starting later this month with a knock of 84 in a practice match at 3Ws Oval on Saturday.

Bravo struck six sixes and two fours in his 87-ball innings for Kyle Mayers’ XI who scored 229 for five off 50 overs after they were sent in by Carlos Brathwaite’s XI before rain ended play.

Six members of the West Indies squad —Bravo, Johnson Charles, Jason Holder, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul and Lendl Simmons - not currently taking part in the three-Test series in New Zealand, have assembled in Barbados for a week-long

training camp, which ends next Sunday at the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre (HPC) on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

The camp includes a series of training matches against players drawn from Barbados and the HPC. Simmons was expected to arrive a couple days late for the camp due to personal reasons.

The West Indies, currently trailing 1-0 in the three-match test series against New Zealand, will also play five ODI matches starting on December 26 (December 25 Caribbean Time) and two Twenty20 matches on January 11 and 15, 2014. (Trinidad Guardian)

West Indies boost Kiwis confidence TRINIDAD -- The home is where the heart is, and it’s also where the runs have been for New Zealand this year, particularly against the West Indies, who they have dominated in the two test matches so far.

They will head into the third test knowing that Ross Taylor’s hundred in Wellington was not only the tenth of his career, it was also the tenth of New Zealand’s Test year. That makes it their most prolific calendar year for individual hundreds.

Twice before, in 2001 and 2004, New Zealand have scored nine centuries - in 2001, the hundreds came from four fewer matches than will have been played once the Hamilton Test is complete, but 2004 contained only two fewer Tests.

Six of those hundreds have come at home and only one of the away centuries Dean Brownlie’s 109 in Cape Town - have come in the tough series against South Africa and England. There have been plenty of lows, particularly overseas - where they have been bowled out for 45 in Cape Town and 68 at Lord’s - to counter the highs but there are signs that New Zealand’s batting is starting to gain a more consistent appearance.

The current top seven have all scored hundreds this year and the lower order - right down to Trent Boult at No. 11, who scored a maiden Test fifty in Bangladesh - is chipping in with valuable runs.

There is also some pressure being applied to the incumbents from the domestic scene, particularly by Aaron Redmond, who played the first Test as cover for Kane Williamson, and Michael Papps, another of the over-30s brigade, who is having a prolific season.

Replicating their batting success overseas remains the challenge for those in current possession of places - one they will next confront in Tests when they travel to West Indies in the middle of next year where their difficulties against spin will be preyed upon - but piling on the runs at home is a good place to start and can build belief in the batting order. In their five home Tests

this year, only once have New Zealand not passed 400 in the first innings.

“Since England last year we’ve gone about things very consistently and got ourselves in winning positions,” Mike Hesson, the coach, said relieved that one had been converted into a win. “To be able to win one so convincing is very pleasing. We try and get over 400 in each Test and put pressure on that way, get ahead in the game and try to hold it.”

And they haven’t always had the easiest conditions. In both Dunedin and Wellington, they were inserted on green wickets, with the second of those having the potential for trouble when they slipped to 24 for 2 before Taylor was dropped at slip.

“Early on with the bat, when you get inserted on a tough wicket and lose a couple early, we could have been bowled out for 150,” Hesson said. “To get over 400 on a surface which kept offering something was vital.”

Another fillip for New Zealand is that their imposing first-innings totals have rarely been replicated by the opposition. In each of the last three home Tests, the followon has not been saved so it has not just been the case of all the batsmen cashing in.

Although West Indies batted superbly to make 507 in their second innings in Dunedin their other three displays have highlighted, once again, their problems against the swinging ball. When Hesson was asked what the impact of two collapses, such as the ones in Wellington, can be he admitted they can be tough to come back from - and hoped it was not a situation he would have to confront again in the near future.

“I guess there’s always a bit of selfdoubt, about are you doing the right things; if you have a bad day, you start asking yourselves those questions,” he said. “Without being overly confident, we have strung a fair few Tests together where we’ve got 400 so hopefully we don’t have to think about that in the short term.” (Trinidad Guardian)

20 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Caribbean Pot: A non traditional Caribbean Ginger Beer Chris De La Rosa Caribbean Cooking Give the kids some orange juice and let’s make some big-people ginger beer. Spiked with rum and balanced with the juice of freshly squeezed limes, this is NOT your grandmas ginger beer recipe. I took ah-borrow of my dad’s ginger beer recipe (which is very traditional), but you know I had to add my own twist on things. So YES.. this is my take on holiday ginger beer!

You’ll Need: 1lb ginger 1 1/2 cups sugar * 4 Limes 3 drops Angostura bitters 1 teaspoon Mixed essence 5 Cups Water 4 Cups carbonated water 4 cloves 1 cup rum

The ttraditional The rad adit itiionall way our ddad add would m ake ke make ginger beer meant having it soak (steep) for at least a couple days, less limes and of course.. no rum was added. But after fermenting for a few days you’d have a very STRONG ginger beer. This recipe is very quick and a great way to enjoy excellent ginger beer without having to wait days.

In a large bowl grate (or puree with a blender) the ginger. You can peel the ginger first, but I prefer using it with the skin still on.. be sure to wash the ginger well though. Then add the juice of the limes and cloves. Heat 5 cups of water in your kettle or on the stove top and pour it into the bowl. This heated water will force the steeping process. Leave that for at least 2 hours. Be sure to add the lime skin in the bowl for added flavor.

Strain the contents into another container, be sure to give the grated ginger a good squeeze to get all than lovely ginger flavor out. You may need to double strain to make sure you don’t get chunks when enjoying a cold glass!

Add all the other ingredients and whisk to make sure the sugar dissolves. Do taste to ensure there’s enough sugar to your liking.

The carbonated water will add a lovely lightness to the ginger beer and the limes (yea I know I used a lot) will give it a rounded citrus twist! Remember we have rum in

this so do keep that in mind when serving it this holiday season. If the one cup of rum is not enough (lush) you can always add more.

I used white rum, but for additional flavor you can use a dark spiced rum. Vodka would also work well if rum is not your thing and remember you can also make this without the rum altogether!

The mixed essence can be found at West Indian markets, but you can also use a couple drops of vanilla if you can’t source it.

Remember to chill before serving!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 21

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Arthritis of the shoulders Here are a few yoga exercises for the shoulders:

Geeta Maraj Yoga It can be difficult to cope with movement of the arms during periods of aching shoulders.

However, mobility and exercise are the only way of actually ensuring that shoulder pain becomes lessoned over time. Yoga has many exercises designed to help build muscle strength, thereby, reducing aches and pains of the joints.

Many of these exercises similarly help with arthritic discomfort of the shoulders.

While we may assume that when it hurts, it is better to keep that body part still; this is not the case for arthritis of the joints. In fact, without constantly exercising the muscles, the joints cannot become stronger. Research shows that through strengthening of muscles of the body, synovial fluid is triggered to begin flowing again and helps to lubricate the joints once more.

Exercise number one: Stand against a wall, and keep your arms outstretched along the side of your body. Then place your palms facing the wall and push against the wall with as much force as you can tolerate. Pretend that you are trying to push your body away from the wall through the strength of your palms. Keep your arms extended downwards as you push against the wall. Remember to breathe in as you begin the exercise, hold your breath as you push against the wall and exhale as you release your hands from the wall. Repeat up to three times as a beginner and increase the repetitions as your arms become stronger.

Exercise number two: Face the wall and bring your hands on the wall at shoulder level. Step back about a foot away from the wall, ensuring that your elbows are bent and are kept close to your body. Push against the wall as if you are trying to push the wall down. Breathe in as you are about to begin the push, hold your breath as you are pushing against the wall, and exhale as you release your push from the wall. Repeat up to three times and increase the repetitions as you become stronger.

Exercise number three: This series are basically the same stretches as exercise one and two, except you are working a single arm at a time, thereby, changing the angle of the weight bearing stretch. Turn to the right side and keep your body as close to the wall as possible. Keep your arm extended along the side of your body.

Turn your palm to face the wall and pretend you are trying to push the wall away. Breathe in as you are about to being the push, hold your breath as you are pushing against the wall, and breathe out as you come out of the position.

Then turn to the left side and repeat the same stretch for the left arm. Repeat up to three times for beginners.

Then turn facing the wall, step back a foot away, and place your right hand on the wall at shoulder level. Keep your elbow close to your body and push against the wall using your right arm only. This posture resembles doing a one arm push up from a standing position against the wall. Repeat the same exercise with the left arm. Begin with a single push up and increase to the number of repetitions you are able to tolerate without much discomfort.

Exercise number four: Turn to the right side, and step away from the wall about 3 feet. Extend the right arm toward the wall, keeping the arm at shoulder level. Try to step far enough

away from the wall so that you can barely touch the wall. Keep reaching without arching your body toward the wall and pretend like you really want to reach the wall but cannot move your body. This helps to extend your arm to its full capacity. Then slowly keep stepping into the wall, and place your palm onto the wall. As you move closer to the wall, extend your arm upward as if you are trying to reach toward the top of the wall. To come out of this position, begin stepping away from the wall again, till you are 3 feet away and your arm is extended outward trying to reach the wall. At the beginning this might be very difficult to achieve, especially if you have been suffering from sore shoulders for quite some time. Reach toward the ceiling where it is tolerable for you and with time your reach toward the ceiling will improve.

Repeat the same stretch on the left side. It is important that you breathe throughout this stretch and try not to hold your breath at any time during this exercise. Should you forget to breathe, this can cause you to experience cramping of the arm.

To relax your arm after any of these stretches, simple shake your entire arm as if you are shaking water off your entire arm by giggling it back and forth. This helps to loosen the muscles and increase blood flow to the arm.

Getting Approved Has Never

Been So Easy!

MY NEW METHOD CAN GET YOU

APPROVED! Even if you have already been turned down.

Also I can get you

rates much lower than most credit services.

Stewart Honsberger Call Stewart and get approved today!

1-877-648-0610 automallcreditcenter.com

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Woman replaces 40 medications with raw Cannabis juice Although the results may not be shocking to everyone, many people on the planet are just starting to wake up to the tremendous medicinal benefits that cannabis has to offer.

A recent study conducted by the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the University of Bonn in Germany just discovered that the activation of the brain’s cannabinoid system triggers the release of antioxidants that act as a cleansing mechanism. This process is known to remove damaged cells and improve the efficiency of mitochondria. Mitochondria is the energy sources that powers cells. The study was published in the Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society, B. There is also a large amount of evidence supporting the fact that cannabis can also be an effective treatment, and even

a potential cure for cancer. We provided a list of 20 medical studies that prove cannabis can cure cancer. We already know that prescription drugs kill over 100,000 people each year and that a plant-based diet can prevent over 60% of chronic disease deaths. It’s time to lose our stigmatism about cannabis, the only reason we’ve been made to look at it in a negative manner is because it would threaten multiple industries (including the pharmaceutical industry). Cannabis along with hemp has over 50,000 uses and could help transform our world.

Cannabinoids have been proven to reduce cancer cells as they have a great impact on the rebuilding of the immune system. While not every strain of cannabis has the same effect, more and more patients are seeing success in cancer reduction in a short

period of time by using cannabis. Contrary to popular thought and belief, smoking the cannabis does not assist a great deal in treating disease within the body as therapeutic levels cannot be reached through smoking.

Creating oil from the plant or eating the plant is the best way to go Another aspect of smoking the cannabis that must be looked at is the fact that when the cannabis is heated and burnt it changes the chemical structure and acidity of the THC which changes its ability to be therapeutic. Furthermore, anytime you burn something and inhale it, you create oxidation within the body. That oxidation is not healthy for the body and can lead to health issues itself. This is why anti-oxidents are an important part of any healthy diet. (FitLife)

GMO ʻSuicide Seedsʼ on edge of approval in Brazil After promising on World Food Day (October 16) to block legislation that would legalize the planting of Terminator seeds in Brazil, the country’s Judicial Commission is set to approve suicide seeds as a Christmas gift to Monsanto, DuPont and Syngenta.

Intense internal and external pressure in mid-October forced the Brazilian Congress to pull back from adopting proTerminator legislation, and the Judicial Commission’s Chair pledged never to allow legislation while at his post. Now, the same chair will entertain a motion Wednesday to accept Terminator seeds, making Brazil the first country in the world to defy a 13-yearold UN moratorium on the use of the technology. “If the Commission passes the bill this week,” says Centro Ecológico’s Maria José Guazzelli, “the Congress could make it law after it reconvenes in February. While most of Brazil is celebrating a Christmas birth, the seed multinationals will be celebrating the death of the 10,000-year right of farmers to save seeds.”

If the bill is passed this week (the Judicial Commission meets Wednesday and Thursday), ETC Group expects the Brazilian government to take a series of incremental steps that will orchestrate the collapse of the 193-country consensus moratorium when the UN Convention on Biological Diversity

meets for its biennial conference in Korea in October 2014: First, the government will announce that adoption by the Judicial Commission does not necessarily mean adoption by the Congress. Next, the government will announce that it will limit, through regulation, the application of Terminator technologies to special circumstances and repeat its long-standing support of the UN moratorium. Later, the government will agree that Terminator seeds can be used on GM trees to prevent widespread contamination in the Amazon. This will be described as an environmentally beneficial initiative, disguising the intent to allow the Amazon’s biodiversity to be replaced with GM tree plantations.

Monsanto, DuPont and Syngenta – all of whom have pledged to never sell Terminator seeds to farmers – will express their sympathy for the government’s difficult situation regarding the spread of GM tree pollen and agree to act responsibly. Although the 3 companies that control 54% of global commercial seed sales all have a stable of Terminator patents, they will move cautiously to multiply Terminator seeds and prepare them for market over the next 2-3 years.

In the meantime, not wanting to be seen as a “rogue state,” Brazil will propose to “protect” the Biodiversity Convention’s

global moratorium by “clarifying language” that will allow states to commercialize Terminator under special conditions such as GM trees or during food security emergencies. This will cue the global seed trade to introduce all of its latest commercial traits only on the Terminator platform – making them available only for seeds that die at harvest time.

The so-called Gene Giants may take advantage of Brazil’s clout in the global South to roll out “Terminator Plus” – next generation “zombie” seeds whose sterility can be reversed via a proprietary chemical bath. This combines the maximum biological monopoly with the maximum corporate profit since companies will not even have to multiply and market seed every growing season.

Already, almost 30,000 people in Brazil and around the world have signed a petition* addressed to the Chair of the Judicial Commission reminding him of his promise not to allow suicide seeds and calling upon the government to honor its commitment to the United Nations. Around the world, peasant and civil society organizations are contacting Brazilian embassies to express their alarm. * The petition is available here http://tinyurl.com/owrgt8c. (GreenMedInfo)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 23

24 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Donʼt sabotage yourself over the holidays Monique Bartlett Fitness Do you ever say, “Christmas only comes

around once a year, so I’m going to eat as much as I want?” Most of us gain at least a couple of pounds during the holiday season. Some even keep the extra weight on permanently. Gaining weight during the holiday season seems to be the norm but you shouldn’t let the holidays sabotage your weight.

Even though it’s the holiday season you still need to keep your regular routine. Since there are so many other things to do around holiday season you can also add to your routine as well. Go for a walk and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Take the family to an outdoor skating rink. Go sledding down a large hill so you can walk back up. Just get

in some physical activity and enjoy the holiday together.

Make sure you eat your breakfast as it will give you more control over your appetite throughout the day. You don’t want to be starving when it is time for the big dinner. You can eat all of your favourite foods but in moderation. Have more fibre and protein and make your recipes healthier with less fat, sugar, salt and calories.

Before you put food on your plate, decide what you’re going to eat first. Then you can choose reasonable portions of foods you want to eat.

Choose whole grains, fruits, vegetables, brothbased soups, salads, and other foods with lots of water and fiber add to the feeling of fullness.

Enjoy alcohol in moderation. Alcohol contains empty calories that can add up quickly. Have a glass of wine or better yet, a wine spritzer.

Drink water between your alcoholic drinks, it will lessen the amount of calories you drink.

You need to be realistic. The holiday season is a time for celebration. With busy schedules and so many extra temptations, work more on maintaining your weight instead of losing weight. Enjoy the time with your family and friends but remember that the holiday season is not just all about food. It’s about being grateful for what you have and spending time with the ones you love.

Calcium supplements increase cardiovascular disease risk in men Calcium supplements seem to be more popular than ever, with a growing number of people from all age groups taking them daily in the belief that they’re guarding themselves from osteoporosis and other bone diseases. According to researchers from the National Cancer Institute in Besthesda, Maryland, however, older men who have a high intake of calcium supplements put themselves at considerable risk of CVD death.

The researchers, whose study was published in the February 2013 edition of JAMA Internal Medicine, monitored the health of 388,229 male and female volunteers between the ages of 50 to 71 years over an average of 12 years. During that period, 51 percent of the 7,904 male volunteers who suffered cardiovascular disease-related deaths regularly took calcium supplements, versus 70 percent of the 3,874 female volunteers.

Furthermore, the results showed that

men who regularly took 1,000 mg/day of calcium supplementation had a 20 percent greater risk of suffering from CVD death than men who avoided calcium supplements altogether.

The same group also had a 19 percent greater risk of heart disease and a 14 percent greater risk of cerebrovascular disease. Women, on the other hand, seemed to be unaffected by the problems that the supplements posed to men.

“Whether there is a sex difference in the cardiovascular effect of calcium supplement warrants further investigation. Given the extensive use of calcium supplement in the population, it is of great importance to assess the effect of supplemental calcium use beyond bone health,” concluded lead researcher, Dr. Qian Xiao.

The study showed no connection between dietary calcium and cardiovascular disease.

Nutrients Work in Tandem, Not in Isolation

The main problem with calcium supplements, including supplements containing calcium derived from natural sources, is that they tend to contain calcium alone. However, in the natural world, nutrients such as calcium are not isolated from other nutrients but rather mixed with complementary nutrients to facilitate superior absorption.

Studies have shown, for example, that calcium will accumulate in our bones – ultimately leading to artery calcification and thus cardiovascular disease – if it is not consumed in conjunction with vitamin K2 and/or vitamin D. Since most calcium supplements do not provide us with vitamin K2 or vitamin D, they increase the risk of heart disease.

Natural foods that are rich in calcium, though, tend to contain complementary levels of vitamins K2 and D. This is especially the case with leafy green vegetables such as kale, broccoli, sprouts, asparagus, cabbage, okra, and spring onions. If the older male volunteers who partook in Dr. Xiao’s study had favored natural, food-based sources of calcium over calcium supplements, it is possible that many of them wouldn’t have succumbed to CVD death. As Dr. Susanna Larsson, a nutritionist from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, concluded when asked to comment on Dr. Xiao’s findings: “A safe alternative to calcium supplements is to consume calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat dairy foods, beans, and green leafy vegetables, which contain not only calcium but also a cocktail of essential minerals and vitamins.”(NaturalNews)

Passion flower is effective for countering anxiety and stress Spanish missionaries gave the plant its name, “passion flower,” because certain aspects of it reminded them of the wounds, whips and stigma linked to the passion of Christ. This herb should definitely be one of the first that comes to mind when looking to naturally treat conditions of anxiety, seizures, nervousness, insomnia and even hysteria.

Scientists have reason to believe that passion flower’s effectiveness primarily stems from its ability to increase the presence of a substance in the brain known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Specialists agree that this chemical reduces the activity of certain brain cells, which then leads to putting you in a more relaxed state of mind.

As with most other medicinal herbs, passion flower is also filled with protective antioxidant elements such as vitexin, isovitexin,

kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, apigenin and luteolin glycosides. There seems to be a perfect interaction between the plant’s alkaloids and bioflavonoids, thus encouraging physical healing and general wellness.

Passion flower is a safe alternative to get rid of anxiety

As you may know by now, when there’s not much money to make out of it, research tends to be scarce. Fortunately, enough was done to demonstrate that passion flower may be just as powerful in treating general anxiety disorders as the usual drug used to do so. A past study

involving 36 individuals showed that passion flower was as efficient as oxazepam (Serax) for dealing with these symptoms. Another study conducted with 91 participants presenting anxiety symptoms proved that passion flower-derived products effected much better results than their placebo counterparts. Further research was also able to conclude that patients who were given passion flower prior to undergoing surgery became less anxious and recovered just as fast as those given a simple placebo.

The Department of Pharmaceutics at Florida’s College of Pharmacy was also able to demonstrate that passion flower helps neutralize or at the very least greatly diminish anxiety symptoms in rats. Knowing that rodents usually have an aversion for open spaces, the scientists used what is called the elevated plus maze

model in order to come up with their findings.

It turned out that rats were significantly more inclined to go through the open spaces of the specific maze model when passion flower doses of 375 mg/kg were given to them.

Passion flower can also be used to reduce pain, thanks to its antispasmodic and sedative virtues. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants actually recommends using it as an alternative to relieve pain that may prevent you from falling asleep. The herb may also be able to alleviate premenstrual cramps, headaches, toothaches and general muscle soreness.

Some scientists believe that passion flower supplements may provide benefits for women that cannot or decide not to use hormone replacement during menopause. (NaturalNews)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Dental pain – a vacation spoiler Dr. Matthew Weekes BSC DDS MTh DMin

Dental Health

A vacation is a highly anticipated event especially if it is one of the popular cruises.

A lot of planning and time management is usually involved. At this time of year most of us wish to get away from the bitter cold and enjoy the tropical scenery of the Caribbean with its invigorating breeze, lovely beaches, fruit punch and so many niceties.

For some their expectation of a blissful time is spoiled by a sudden toothache or pain in the gums or cheeks. When

a toothache occurs while on vacation in the air, sea or land the conditions for this sudden flare up exist. The tooth is like a simmering volcano that may erupt at any time.

To prevent distressing dental events, before you leave, I recommend that you have a dental checkup preferably at least 2 weeks before you leave. If you know that there are problems based on your own visual examination, and occasional symptoms, seek dental advice. Very often a simple dental treatment, which does not involve extraction, may be all that is needed to prevent a painful experience.

Sometimes painful dental episodes may not be from the teeth but from infection of the gum. If you have not had your teeth cleaned for at least a year, and your flossing is non-existent or irregular and if you notice your gum bleeds, and there are deposits adhering to the teeth, the chances are that you

are a candidate for a painful episode. A thorough cleaning would significantly lessen the chance of pain if no other conditions exist.

There are some people that have reoccurring small red lesions on the gums and cheeks. They are usually very painful and of viral origin. Like canker sores they should go away within 2 weeks. Your dentist can prescribe medication to take care of the symptoms and restore comfort.

Check out the condition of your dentures before you leave. Examine for cracks or severely worn down areas. Repairs can be done the same day. A fractured denture can cause mental grief.

Bon Voyage.

I wish all my readers, patients, friends and all, A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

It has been a pleasure for my staff and myself to serve you.

Get your digestion on track for the holidays - Part 1 Dr. Lydia Thurton ND BASc

Health Tips Your digestive tract is the gateway to your body. Keeping your stomach functioning optimally and encouraging healthy bowel movements is the cornerstone to any naturopathic treatment plan. Due to the complexity of your digestive processes there are a number of things that can go wrong. Luckily, there are great natural remedies to set your intestinal health on the right track.

The stomach’s main job is to produce hydrochloric acid, which is, needless to say, extremely acidic. So much so, that if I placed a drop on your hand, it would burn right through to the other side. The role of this acid is twofold. Firstly, the acid shreds the large chunks of food we’ve failed to chew properly. In order to extract nutrients from what we have eaten, our food needs to be broken down to its basic molecules. After chewing, stomach acid continues this process. Secondly, as the gateway to our body, our digestive tract is susceptible to invasion

from bacteria, viruses and fungi. The acidity of the stomach makes it very difficult for invaders to survive. Also, it’s important to mention that many of the minerals we require, like calcium and iron, are absorbed optimally in an acidic environment.

People who use antacids to reduce their stomach acid are more susceptible to intestinal bacterial infections and osteoporosis, due to poor calcium absorption. In a previous article, I discussed the fact that low stomach acid can actually cause acid reflux and heartburn. Correcting your stomach acid can be as simple as taking bitters or apple cider vinegar before your meals. In more severe cases, you can actually supplement with betaine hydrochloride, a safe from of hydrochloric acid. If you have the sensation that food “just sits” in your stomach and takes a long time to digest you may want to consider improving your acid production.

After the food passes through the stomach and into the first part of the small intestine it requires further breakdown. You pancreas produces digestive enzymes that chew away at the larger particles of food breaking them down in preparation for absorption. As we age, enzyme production declines. A 40 year old produces 25% less digestive enzymes than when they were a child. A capsule before meals ensures that, by the time the food gets to your small intes-

tine, enzymes are ready to spring into action.

If you are lactose intolerant you have probably heard of lactase, the enzyme needed to break down milk sugar. There are seven other major enzymes that break down everything from carbohydrates to fiber and we need them all. If there is a food that always causes you digestive upset, say cabbage for example, look for an enzyme that digests plant fibers, this enzyme is called cellulase.

By targeting your enzymes to the foods you have trouble digesting you’ll experience vastly improved digestion. Your naturopathic doctor can help you select the right enzyme for you.

If you are not vegetarian or vegan you can also buy enzymes that contain animal bile. Bile is produced by your liver, and concentrated in your gall bladder. We all know oil and water do not mix. So what happens to that olive oil you’ve just eaten that now has to be dissolved in watery gastric juices? That is the role of bile. This yellow, green fluid is responsible for allowing the fat you consume to be emulsified, or made more dissolvable in water. This facilitates absorption of the fats we need to survive and certain vitamins, like vitamin A and E that are fat soluble.

Next issue, I will be discussing your large intestine and bowel movements.

Stay tuned.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 25

26 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Home insurance, CHIP mortgage & retirement planning Stephen Mohammed Finance Real Estate: Your home is one of the largest investments you will ever make.

Most mortgage companies require that you have valid home insurance in place on or before closing. The importance of having home insurance protection cannot be stressed enough. When an unforeseen incident occur causing damage or destruction to your home, the last thing you should be concerned with is how the renovations or repairs will be paid for. The loss from damage or destruction is enough to deal with emotionally and some things cannot be replaced. You should get a few quotes and examine what is covered in the home insurance policy and see what exclusions are listed to make sure that you are properly protected.

Mortgage: The Canadian Home Income Plan (CHIP) is a type of reverse mortgage. Home owners age fifty five and over are eligible to borrow up to fifty percent of the home’s value without having to sell their home. The Canadian Home Income Plan (CHIP) is provided

by Home Equity Bank. Unlike, home equity loans or home equity line of credit

(HELOC) you never have to make a payment, until you move or sell.

You maintain complete ownership and control of your home. You can take the money as a lump sum, regular monthly payments, or both and use the money anyway you see fit. There are other options available customized to meet to your specific financial situation.

Speak to a mortgage agent to obtain a solution customized to meet your needs.

Finance: Retirement planning can be difficult especially in these economic times. As is the case with most Canadian families having a mortgage, car payment(s) and child(ren) education, where do you find the funds to put towards retirement? Some important questions to ask yourself: How much can you afford? How much do you need to retire?

When do you want to retire? What lifestyle do you desire to have at retirement?

Some important questions to ask your advisor or agent: What are the estimated returns on your investments? Are there any tax implications? How will inflation impact the amount you need to retire? The answers to these questions may provide some key indicators as how to prioritize your approach to your retirement plans. You can start this process with as little as twenty five dollars per month. As each individual’s income, financial situation and retirement needs are unique to that individual; every solution is indeed uniquely tailored to your situation. Consult your advisor or agent to see what your unique financial path should look like.

Provincial nominee program: record levels planned for 2014 Canada plans to welcome between 44,500 and 47,000 permanent residents under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2014. This represents the highest-ever levels for this program, a nod to its success in attracting newcomers who contribute more fully and can provide for their families more quickly.

The PNP is an important part of the Government’s efforts to align our immigration system with labour market needs. The PNP helps to strengthen local economies by allowing provinces and territories to nominate qualified individuals to meet their unique labour market needs and promote business development.

The PNP is Canada’s secondlargest economic immigration program and has helped to spread the benefits of immigration across the country. The program has grown exponentially, from around 1,250 landed immigrants in

2000 to almost 41,000 people in 2012.

(These figures include principal applicants, spouses and dependants.) Thanks in large part to the PNP, 42 per cent of all economic immigrants in 2012 intended to settle outside of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, compared to only about 20 per cent in 2000.

The Government is continuing to workwith provinces and territories to ensure that the PNP remains focused on meeting Canada’s economic and labour market needs.

All provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, have Provincial Nominee agreements. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec has the sole authority for selecting immigrants to its province.

However, these candidates must still meet Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s admissibility requirements. (CIC)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Ontario Trucking Association says 407ETR is pricing itself out of the commercial trucking market Tammy Flores 407ETR Matters 407ETR has paid the Conference Board of Canada to do a study on how much time people save, on average, by using their overpriced highway. Vijay Gill, the Director of Policy claims commuters are willing to pay the toll.

Really?! I question that because if truckers, who can claim the expense as a write off, stay off the highway because it’s too expensive, how can commuters that earn on average between $15-$25/hour afford to pay $11/hour to use this toll highway? This new shilling campaign by 407ETR is outrageous!

According to the news agency, Global Toronto, Stephen Laskowski, vicepresident of the Ontario Trucking Association says “No one doubts the time-savings benefits of using the 407, but when the cost of using the highway overshadows the time saved and eats substantially into a trucking companies profit, you predictably get what we have today – nearly all the trucks using the 401 or QEW and very few on the 407”.

If truckers can’t justify the expense

of this toll highway, how can commuters?

The study by the Conference Board of Canada is nothing more than a shilling campaign for the 407ETR. Currently there is no accountability on how this company is tolling. A study is required on how much money is actually made from tolls versus interest charges and fees and also the financial feasibility of a private corporation operating and maintaining our highways based on the consumer price index and benefit obtained.

407ETR has increased peak rates from $.1625/KM in 2006 to $.262/KM in 2013. Never mind what they did from 19992006. This represents a 61.23% increase.

According to the Bank of Canada, the consumer price index for 2006-2013 was 12.11%. If 407ETR adjusted their rates based on CPI, tolls should be only $.1822/ KM. That is a difference of $.08/KM. Think about it. The average trip length is 20.5 KM times that by 2 and you would get 41 KM/day times that by 235 working days/year and the average commuter is paying $771 more per year according to the consumer price index. If you add to that the interest and fees 407ETR arbitrarily tacks on … you get consumers being gouged! This is worse than double taxation because not only do we pay for our roads and highways through the gas tax, tire tax, etc… but now we are paying a premium just to get to our jobs, not just if we travel on 407ETR, but on all the other vital arteries and highways because what 407ETR says is their “mandate”

is actually their flawed model of raising tolls to lower congestion on their highway only, causing more congestion on other travel routes.

Without proper studies, are we supporting corporate welfare? Ontario has refused to hold this company accountable.

Are they breaching our mobility rights? By continuing to turn a blind eye, this company smacks of a government sanctioned monopoly. That would lead us down the road to fascism not democracy. It is up to us to protect our democratic rights!

Nobody should ever have to pay fees or interest on a bill over a mailing error. It is not up to the public to make sure this company is operating their business properly. 407ETR has always had access to MTO’s database, but up until 2010, the company simply choose not to access it to make sure they were billing the correct person at the correct address. There is also evidence that suggests even after 2010, they still suppressed invoices for 1 1/2 - 2 years. They should not be rewarded for their failings in operating this highway.

Kevin Sack, 407ETR’s VP of Communication and Government Relations told us that they are in the business of collecting tolls, not fees and interest. If this statement is true they have an accountability to us, the people, to prove it and our government should legislate them into it.

Please sign and share our petition http://tinyurl.com/change-the-407act

Streamlining the Passport process for Canadians abroad OTTAWA -- Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today announced improvements to passport services for Canadians living and working outside Canada.

When the improvements take effect on December 9, 2013, Canadians living and working outside Canada will have the option of choosing as a guarantor: - an adult with a valid or recently expired Canadian passport (less than a year); or - a member of an expanded list of a variety of occupations (listed below). ““Canada is continuing to make the passport application process more efficient and streamlined for Canadians living abroad,”” said Alexander. ““As of December 9, 2013, if you are applying for a Canadian passport

abroad, finding a guarantor will be much simpler.””

In addition, the list of guarantor occupations will be consistent for all Canadian passport applicants, wherever they may be outside Canada. If you prefer to choose a guarantor from the list of occupations below, they do not need to be Canadian citizens.

The new universal guarantor list will consist of the following occupations, found around the world: - medical doctor; - dean/head of university or college; - dentist; - judge; - lawyer/notary; - notary public; - pharmacist; - police officer; - signing officer of a bank or trust company

or of a financial institution that offers a full range of banking services (cash withdrawals, deposits, savings); and - veterinarian.

Travelers may also consult Travel.gc.ca, where Canadians can find the information they need to travel or live abroad safely and to make informed decisions.

Canada now issues ePassports, which are considered the gold standard for travel documents worldwide. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians who want to travel abroad. As always, the Passport Canada Program strives to strike the best possible balance between security, service and cost.

(CIC)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 27

28 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Tobagoʼs determined to make a breakthrough- K Kayʼs leading the pack While Tobago’s golden boy of Soca, Shurwayne Winchester may be doing what he can to expose new talent out of his homeland via the Tobago Next Star project, one of the island’s very ambitious vocalists hasn’t been waiting on that opportunity. For singer/ songwriter, K Kay, there’s simply no time to wait to be discovered. He believes in making his own opportunities and that he certainly has. With a brand new musical release on the Smooth Sailing Riddim produced by producer and radio personality, Angel Journie, K Kay is working with all that’s available to him, despite the odds.

Admitting that he has faced a few challenges when it comes to getting his music accepted on the larger of the twin island republic, K Kay says despite it all, he’s managed to utilize global marketing companies and strategic online promo techniques to get the international attention he wants.

He’s hoping that his new single, ‘Home For Carnival’ will get the attention of international distribution company, Promo Only, much like a couple of his other singles have.

“Promo Only has already distributed four of my singles to mainstream radio stations worldwide, via their Caribbean series,” he explained, noting that the most recent track taken up by the distribution company was the sexually laced Soca/R&B fused, ‘Wine Up On Me.’

Still, he hopes for some attention tention at home. “One of the greatest achievements ements for any artiste out of Tobago, is to o have their music accepted by the radio stations ions in Trinidad,” he admitted. He however says he is thankful for the love and support he has continued to receive at home in Tobago o from the island’s radio DJs and personalities. ies. “If I don’t get that big break in Trinidad during Carnival 2014, I’ll try again during the he year and I will continue to knock on thosee doors in Trinidad until they open for me,” said K Kay, exuding a fighter’s attitude no doubt. oubt.

The Smooth Sailing riddim m also features Angel Journie with a single called, “Let The Blessings Flow,” and young Crystal Nixon, known as Sparkles. Journie, a wellknown radio personality in Trinidad ad and Tobago, has launched his very own producroduction company, Angel Music- an effort aimed at solidifying his status as a producer on the island of Tobago. The three have teamed med up before on previous projects and this unified effort is what they believe will eventually ntually aid in seeing them reach their full potential otential in the music industry. In the meantime, me, the fighter’s spirit is alive and roaring in K Kay and with that, he’s now busily making efforts to place himself in the right position to garner the love and acceptance of his Trinbago inbago people everywhere. (EtceteraBuzz.com) m)

FOR SALE FOR SALE

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPORT: So many new parts to list, new paint job in Feb. 2013. Excellent for work vehicle, winter beater or for parts. $1000 as is. 647309-4606

METAL SHELVES: 3 metal shelve cases for cargo van. 1 in excellent condition, 2 in good condition. $500 for all 3. 647-3094606 COMFORTER SET: King size comforter set (Brown, Gold & Green). Includes pillow shams and bolster pillows. Asking $50.00.

New, never used. 905-281-0735 DRESSER: Full sized 6 drawer dresser/ mirror. Excellent condition. Asking $50.00 obo Call 905-281-0735 WINDOW SECURITY CAGE SET: Security window cage set for Chev Express or GMC Savana. Back 2 and 60/40 split windows. Selling as a set only - $100. 647309-4606

DVDs: Assorted DVDs for sale or swap.

Contact Jim for more information. 416-8947859

FORWANTED SALE JOBS APPRENTERSHIP: Student looking for apprentership position within the Electrical industry. Punctual and professional. Please call Neal 647-869-7073

FORWANTED SALE HELP EXPERIENCED TINTERS: Experienced tinters needed for busy Brampton tint shop.

905-450-8484

WEST INDIAN COOK WANTED: Start immediately. MUST be experienced. 905564-7800 BUSY BRAMPTON ROTI SHOP: Immediate help wanted. Please call 905-497-6800 SALES REPS NEEDED: Seeking sales reps to increase new business. Confident and self-motivated, highly skilled at aquiring new business. 647-722-6298

FOR SALE SERVICES PERSONAL TRAINING: Free personal training using either Chiropractor or Athletic Therapy insurance benefits email eric@habitual.ca for more info!

PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS: Professional painting service available for residential homes within the GTA. Professional and affordable. Call 647-701-9027

FOR SALE OPPORTUNITIES DISTRIBUTORS WANTED: Looking for self motivated individuals to help promote some natural health products. 416-721-9945

FOR SALE PERSONALS

Businessman looking for a Guyanese Indian woman married or unmarried for companionship.

Call 647-854-0335 COMPANION: Looking for a companion to share a cabin on a boat cruise. Please call after 6pm. Sally 647-344-4650

30 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Your Horoscope - December 18th 2013 ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

News is on the way; a visitor could be too.

Whether you’ve been consciously working toward it or spontaneity takes over, Tuesday’s full moon in Gemini lights the spark you’ve been waiting for. It’s building as the workweek finishes out and a new one begins. Sunday/Monday is ideal for getting a move on. Shop, talk, ship it, deliver it.

Through Saturday, the Taurus moon keeps you pacing it just right. The sure-fire bet is just that. Sunday/Monday there’s more to get at, but for the most part the stars keep you on a productive roll. Tuesday’s full moon can bring a tip, news, a come-clean conversation or opportune meet-up, a discovery, a great find, or a sudden flash worth acting on.

Through Saturday prioritize your personal checklist, and if you need extra breathing room, make others wait. Whether you pick up a second wind or a fresh wind, you’ve got it going on late Saturday night through Tuesday’s full moon. There’s more to do, say, buy, or face, but for the most part it’s a smooth sail. Watch for an opportune “it” moment.

Stick with what you know best; aim for the tried and true. Satisfaction and accomplishment are on a straightforward track through Saturday. Sunday/Monday, it can be easy to get carried away, to lose track of time, your to-do list, budget, or point. If you work with the public, expect an onslaught through Wednesday. Tuesday/Wednesday takes you over the hump.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Stay practical, patient, and consistent on Thursday/ Friday. Keep simplicity, ease, and your own comfort margins in mind when shopping or socializing. Saturday through Monday you’ll do battle like the rest of us, but even so, you’ll motor along fairly well.

Expect to hear from or bump into more folks.

Tuesday’s full moon could dish up added excitement, surprise, or news.

Gift yourself with extra time margins on Thursday/Friday. There’s no reason to put yourself under needless pressure. Saturday/Sunday, the extras or crowds can slow you down, but even so, you’ll make good progress. Tuesday’s eventful full moon could deliver a surprise check-in, news, an announcement, an answer, or a result. An added insight can pull a truth into the full light of day.

Making it, spending it, or a combination of the two—through mid next week, money makes your world go round. Wrapping yourself around another does the trick quite nicely too, especially on Friday/Saturday.

Sunday through Tuesday keeps the good social buzz going strong. News, a surprise, a perk, or a sale can make your day. On Wednesday, emotions, nostalgia, or family could tug harder on you.

Thursday to Saturday, others can slow you down, but for the most part the social exchanges are pleasant and the days run smoothly. Use Sunday/Monday to wheel and deal, to connect the dots, or for expressing what’s on your mind and in your heart.

Whether it’s the plan, a sudden shift, or a state of mind, Tuesday/Wednesday sets you onto a different track.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Aim to be productive Thursday through Saturday, and you will be. Save the visits, chats, and extras for the end of the weekend. Even though there’s higher volume to contend with everywhere, Sunday through Tuesday are your best get-around, ship-it-out, hit-theroad, or hop-a-plane days. A sudden flash or added excitement—Tuesday/ Wednesday could get something unexpected cooking.

Don’t call it boring, call it smarts. Thursday to Saturday, stick to the tried and true, to what you know works best for you. Sunday/ Monday, pay especially close attention to impressions, instincts, or your body’s signals. Tuesday’s full moon divulges more or brings the previously hidden into fuller view. Tuesday/Wednesday keeps you especially busy and on the go.

The workweek finishes on a straightforward note. On your own, at home, or with family are the best picks for entertainment through Saturday. Sunday through Wednesday keeps you going strong with one thing after another, perhaps unexpectedly so. Tuesday’s full moon gives you something exciting to talk about. On Wednesday, extra caretaking is in order.

While you’re at it, why not indulge yourself? You deserve it! Sunday/Monday loads you up with extra running around or back and forth. Family, a home matter, or work can put you under added pressure. Tuesday/ Wednesday, something unexpected necessitates a change of plans, but you are likely to feel it works out for the better.

July 21 - August 22

July 21 - August 22

(April 21 - May 21)

(August 23 - September 22)

(December 21 - January 20)

(May 23 - June 20)

(September 23 - October 22)

(January 21 - February 18)

Answers available on www.TorontoCaribbean.com

(March 21 - April 20)

Across 3) Energy from the sun [SOLAR] 5) Smoke and fog combo [SMOG] 7) Flowing waters [RIVERS] 9) Bad stuff in the environment [POLLUTION] 10) Environmental colour [GREEN] 12) Ice chunks that are melting [GLACIERS] 14) Deciduous or coniferous [TREES] 16) To use again (1 of 3 Rs) [REUSE] 17) To make waste into something else (1 of 3 Rs) [RECYCLE]] Down 1) Holes in the atmosphere [OZONE] 2) Global ____ [WARMING] 4) Disappearing rainforest in South America [AMAZON] 6) Garbage on the ground [LITTER] 8) A creature’s habitat [ECOSYSTEM] 9) Chemicals that kill plants [PESTICIDES] 11) Our planet [EARTH] 13) Switch these off [LIGHTS] 15) Cutting down (1 of 3 Rs) [REDUCE]

(June 21 - July 20)

(October 23 - November 21)

(February 18 - March 20)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

The power of YouTube!

Below are three strategies to implement:

Jim Pagiamtzis Business Development YouTube has taken the world by storm for many years. You have the opportunity to take advantage of it. All you need is your iPad or iPhone and you are ready to go!

It’s no secret that Justin Bieber and Cody Simpson have used the power of YouTube to propel their careers to super stardom. I am sharing this with you because you can do the same!

I started recording my presentations in 2008 and have never stopped. In January 2012, I was hired by a social media company due to the videos I had done. The rest is history!

Studies have been done and stats show that people watch videos every day from movie trailers to blooper videos, to upcoming singers. The opportunity is there for you to take advantage of this great medium to build your social profile online.

Share Your Expertise: If you are comfortable recording yourself, then you are ready to be the star of your own show. This can be an exciting opportunity to share insight and strategies of what you are doing from sharing your business success, to events that you are attending or amazing people you have met.

Do an Interview: If you don’t want be the showcase of your video then you can be behind the camera and be the director! You can interview a successful entrepreneur in your network and ask them questions on business, life and success or attend an event they are speaking at and record their presentation.

Share at an Event: You can also attend networking or cultural events and share insights from attendees and what they are enjoying and even participate yourself. You can share a current hobby or interest.

Having the ability to have your own channel in the media world is a great and effective way promote your expertise and share the value with your network. This is a great way for them to learn more about you and perhaps you can be found and be the next star!

Creating a free personal assistant for your business - Part 1 Tina Dietz Business Development Ooooooooo…yeeessssssss! Feels pretty good, doesn’t it? With all our big plans and spinning the plates of multiple priorities like we do, many business owners, coaches, speakers, and entrepreneurs of all stripes CRAVE having an assistant. At some point in your business development, expanding your team to include an assistant (if you haven’t already) is going to be a necessity. In the meantime though, I’m sharing with you a 3 part series on how to turn your smartphone into your free personal assistant.

In this Episode: Get your phone to “take a letter” for you: Voice recognition software is the best thing since sliced bread as far as I’m concerned. After all, our good ideas rarely happen at our desks when we’re at the computer! Capture your ideas for articles

and blog posts, programs and courses and books, write mails, jot to do lists, and even post to social media using voice recognition.

Here’s my two favorites on my phone…

Siri (iPhone) Siri takes direction very well, and you can use her pretty much anywhere in the iPhone environment. Did you know that you can add punctuation as you’re talking? Try it! Open an email, text, or a new Note, tap the microphone icon, and clearly say, “Every day comma in every way dot dot dot I’m getting better and better period smiley face.”

Go hog wild reading your manifesto into the Notes function on your iPhone!

Dragon Dictation (iPhone or android) Dragon makes the best known voice recognition software in the world, and they’ve been doing it for a long time. Download the free app for your phone and use it to get your thoughts down and send business communications or post to social media. Speaking the punctuation doesn’t work, but the handy edit function takes care of that and allows you to directly post what you’ve written to Facebook, Twitter, email, a text message, etc.

Go give it a try, have fun with your new assistant.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013 31

32 Wednesday, December 18, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Take your business to the next level: action strategies that work Tina Dietz Business Development This editions guest expert is Pete Winiarski, author of “Act Now! A Daily Action Log for Achieving Your Goals in 90 Days,” and creator of the Action Strategies program. He is also a business consultant and speaker.

Pete’s company, Win Enterprises, LLC helps business leaders totally transform their companies so they can achieve great results and secure a great future for themselves and their employees.

Small business owners have the challenge of creating new relationships, finding customers, delivering their product or service, managing employees… all while watching cash flow and finding time to spend with family and friends. It feels like a constant battle just to keep up, never mind stretching to meet the goals you’ve set for

yourself, your teams, and your business.

As a small business owner myself, I feel your pain. There’s JUST NO TIME! But… if you really do want to take your business to the next level in a way that will help you keep your sanity, read on.

The Basic Principles of Act Now! I experimented with a number of different methods for hitting my rather aggressive personal and business goals, and applied multiple tools and approaches to figure out a routine that works. I was looking for a way to maximize my results and provide lots of time for me to enjoy my family and live without having to think about my business 24/7. The result is what I describe in my book, Act Now! A Daily Action Log for Achieving Your Goals in 90 Days and in my program Action Strategies.

The Act Now! Methodology starts with having clear goals that align with your purpose or passion. Each goal then has its own action plan, so you have a map to follow. Then comes taking actions that work each day.

The Three Types of Action There are three types of action I define to

make it easy to achieve your goals: planned actions, daily habits, and inspired actions.

Planned actions are the steps toward your goal you plan in advance to take today. Ask yourself, what part of my action plan can I complete today?

Daily habits are those proven success principles that help get our brains working more easily on our behalf. A sample of daily habits includes visualizing the outcome you want or your goal as already complete and then saying affirmations that describe the picture you just visualized. As you repeat this exercise you reprogram your unconscious mind to start looking for ways to help you achieve your goal(s).

Inspired actions are the actions you take immediately after getting an idea, intuitive hit, or insight. These inspirations come to you largely because you are following the daily habits. To maximize your results, take the inspired actions as quickly as you can.

The Daily Habits are Key to Keeping Your Sanity There are many things that we know are good for us if we were to do them regularly Most of us brush our teeth and bathe – we’ve already embraced them as habits. The ones I

want you to follow can be implemented each day as easily as you brushing your teeth, and they are proven goal accelerators that also help you manage your stress and give you the energy and personal satisfaction to keep you inspired.

For example, visualizing your goals as already complete and saying affirmations that support that picture you’ve created will further anchor your goal into your unconscious new reality. Meditating and journaling help you focus, reduce stress, and unlock your creativity. Expressing appreciation and gratitude to yourself and to others creates an energetic match for more good things to happen for you. The benefits of exercising and reading are widely known, so build them into your routine, too. I also suggest you learn a set of simple techniques to practice “Letting Go” of issues as they arise.

When you’re part of a small business, it’s easy to feel stuck on a hamster wheel without taking any time for yourself or your family. The daily habits help you to do this. Plus, they are all proven goal accelerators so when you engage them on a daily basis, you will actually find it easier to achieve your goals.