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Barbados Ambassadors of Canada 2013 Gala: A Night of Celebration EMILY SINGH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

TORONTO -- Interested in winning a free trip to beautiful Barbados? Come out on the night of November 16th to support the Barbados Ambassadors of Canada and experience the culture and extravagance of Barbados. Taking place at the Celebrations Banquet Hall located at 174 Bartley Drive will be a gala to celebrate and honor two very special causes.

The first charity that is supported by the Barbados Ambassadors of Canada is the Ann Hill School located in Barbados. This school is designed for mentally challenged children and currently educates over 100 bright students.

“The outcome of their work with the students is amazing, some of them own busi-

ness, some are musicians. It’s a remarkable transformation in their life or what their life would have been if they didn’t have this assistance.” Commented Natasha Glodon, Vice President of the Barbados Ambassadors Canada.

The second cause that is being supported through fundraised donations is Canadian track and field athlete Crystal Emmanuel.

Specializing in the 200-meter event, Emmanuel who is of half Bajan descent represented Canada in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Both of these causes will not only help to change lives and provide hope for the future but will also help to shed positive light on the

Caribbean.

The main goal of the Barbados Ambassadors of Canada is to share knowledge of the culture and beauty found in Barbados. It takes aim to bride the gap between the younger generation and older generations through creating unity and educating one another on how much there is to appreciate about Barbados and the Caribbean as a whole.

The gala will be nothing short of amazing; with live performances by Mr. Dale and Red Plastic Bag who is the 10 time Calypso Monarch of Barbados. Dinner will also be served followed by amazing vibes to get you on your feet dancing.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

United Achievers scholarship awards

Aneesa, Guyanese, is currently enjoying working as a

bartender while she takes a year off from studying to be a Social Worker. In her spare time, Aneesa enjoys soccer, dancing, singing and loves to let loose at the occasional party.

An avid car lover, Aneesa hopes to one day own a Lamborghini.

BRAMPTON -- On Saturday evening, September 21, 2013 the United Achievers’ Club in Brampton presented their annual scholarship awards at Holliday Inn, in the vicinity of the Bramalea City Centre.

From 1985 until the present, roughly 300 students have benefited from the foresight, leadership and caring of the U.A.C. which is acknowledged as a major Caribbean and African community service organization.

The Mayor of Brampton Susan Fennell and other dignitaries were present to witness and congratulate 14 elated and elegant students ranging in age from 17- 19, receive their certificates of excellence and monetary awards, in recognition of outstanding performance.

The keynote speaker was Paulette Senior, CEO, YWCA Canada, who has received many recognition awards over her career, including the African Canadian Achievement Award, Black Women Civic Engagement Award. In her inspiring delivery she imparted “nuggets of wisdom” and

advice for success to the attentive youth.

Among the donors of the scholarships were “Toronto Caribbean” health contributor Dr. Matthew S. Weekes, Brampton Dentist and his wife Violet Weekes, who on behalf of his daughter Dr. Darlene Weekes, Professor of Anesthesiology and himself awarded a scholarship to Mikael Jagan who aspires to be an Ophthalmologist. He also appealed to the recipients to give back to the community when they reach their goals.

Recognition and community awards were handed out to Bernice Carnegie, founding director of the Herbert H, Carnegie Future Aces Foundation and Patricia Challenger Brade who served as the President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada-Brampton Chapter for five years.

Other sponsors were the Kiwanis Club of Brampton, Peel Regional Police, Sterling Dental, Knights of Columbus Council #14749 and other donors.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Diplomatic Bunji & Fay-Ann Say Issues With Former Management Wonʼt Hinder Progress TRINIDAD -- In what was certainly a well attended media conference in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad this morning, soca artistes Fay-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin made it very clear that their aim, in addressing issues related to their band’s former management, was not to slander the name and character of any person or entity.

With that distingushed, the couple who sat beside new band manager, Dexter Thomas made every attempt to avoid calling the name of the man who had managed the band for some 14 years. They however answered every question asked by the media, highlighting that there were in fact some financial issues that lingered.

Bunji Garlin said he made the decision to remove the band from the clutches of its former management, this after attempts to agree on a financial settlement, as requested by the band’s former manager, could not be agreed upon by him. Despite this however, he assured that moving in this new direction was seen as a step forward, this as the husband and wife team, together with their unit which will now be called the Asylum Vikings prepare to embrace what lies in wait.

In control of her tongue but certainly clear of her rights as a leader and member of the band, Fay-Ann Lyons said she became concerned with some of the management issues that arose- one of which was the fact that the Asylum Band, in all 14 years of existence, had

not been outfitted with a banking account that would afford for financial transparency. Also, Lyons-Alvarez and her husband told the media that when they asked their former manager to grant them access to contracts so that terms and conditions made with promoters, could be reviewed, this was not allowed.

Today Bunji Garlin admitted to having been naive of the operations over the years and said that when he took the hand of LyonsAlvarez in December 2009, to be his life partner, he understood that they would be a team that would seek each other’s best interest.

Members of the Asylum Vikings band remain committed- this despite the break up with their former band manager. LyonsAlvarez maintained that the overall priority was music and ensuring that the band members were all paid for their services. She said there were a few events for which the band had not been paid to date and this she said was due to the former manager’s decision to hold back information related to contracts and monies collected from promoters, from them. She however remained calm in the face of this and when asked what would be the next step in aquiring monies owed, Bunji said while there was no desire to see the matter reach the courts, if this was what had to be done, then so it would be. (etceterabuzz.com)

Separation of powers was blurred under PNC…PNC led a criminal state in our society…President Ramotar says GUYANA -- PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar reiterated the administration’s case for a number of its flagships, even as he blasted the Opposition over its track record and policy stances, during his address last evening at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rally held on the Lusignan tarmac.

The rally is one in a series being held this month to commemorate the ruling party’s return to power in 1992 after a 28-year hiatus.

Ramotar reserved his harshest words for the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), saying that under their administration, national elections, as well as elections for positions in trade unions, the University of Guyana Council and even Amerindian tribes were rigged.

“They wanted to control everything,” he lamented, noting, “Really, we have only had freedom in the last 21 years in this country, despite the fact that we are 47 years since independence.”

Getting more into combative stride, Ramotar charged that Guyanese have lived in a country where the separation of powers was blurred, where the PNC flag was flying above the court houses, and “the paramountcy of the party was the philosophy of the day.”

Political meetings were broken up by “thugs and criminals of the PNC”, the President said, adding, “Many important political leaders were murdered, remember our own Jagan Ramessar and Bholenauth Paramanan on the Corentyne, [remember] Walter Rodney.”

The President continued, “Today these same people [PNC] talking a whole set of nonsense about criminalisation of the state.

They themselves led a criminal state in our society. They were even once talking about planting drugs on people. All they have done, all their lives, is to work with criminals against the people, against our country.”

Ramotar intimated that the PPP/C, upon assuming office, had to rebuild an economy which the PNC had “run into the ground.”

“But now we have rebuilt, now it’s time to take our country to another level, to go higher and to go farther along the way [and] to do so, we need new infrastructure that will help us accelerate economic growth and development in our country,” he added, as he went on to press the case for many of the government’s flagship projects.

“You can judge the opposition parties by their attitudes to these infrastructures that we want to put in place,” the President charged, referring to the political storm kicked up by the combined Opposition in response to issues of transparency bedevilling such projects as the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion.

“They are trying to destroy them because they believe by keeping people in poverty, by destroying livelihoods, then they will have a better opportunity,” he said. (Guyana Chronicle)

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Energy World eyes big savings for Jamaicans JAMAICA -- Hong Kong firm Energy World International (EWI), the new preferred bidder for the 360-megawatt energy plant project, has said that it will have no issue fulfilling the required bond deposit and anticipates delivering up to 30 per cent energy savings for Jamaican consumers.

EWI Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Stewart Elliott made the declaration Saturday morning, less than 24 hours after the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) cancelled US-based consortium Azurest Cambridge’s preferred bidder status and promoted the Hong Kong company to the position.

The OUR made the decision to disqualify the Azurest proposal after the group failed to meet its 15-day deadline to produce a bid security of one per cent of its proposed US$690-million investment in the energy facility, which was required by midnight October 3.

“I’m sorry that the first bidder couldn’t make it, but on the other hand we welcome the opportunity to provide the clean and green fuel and energy to Jamaica at a very reasonable price. We have been looking at the Caribbean for some time now and we have several prospects that are of interest to us in that region,” Elliott told the Sunday Observer in a telephone interview from Asia, where the firm already has several projects underway.

EWI, which was the next ranked entity, has 15 days as of October 4 to produce the bid bond. Elliott said that it will have no trouble meeting the requirement.

“Providing the bond is not an issue, we will make sure it is provided,” he said.

EWI, the energy arm of Energy World Corporation, is primarily engaged in the production and sale of power and natural gas. It has primary gas and power operations in Sengkang, Indonesia and also produces gas, power and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Australia. It recently won a competitive bid and was granted approval to establish an LNG terminal and 1,200- megawatt power plant in Sri Lanka which may represent an investment of up to US$1.35 billion in that country.

The firm proposed to build in Jamaica an LNG receiving terminal and power plant and to supply LNG from its own gas fields. It made an offer price of 12.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Work on an LNG export facility in Sengkang is reportedly well advanced and will be completed by March 2014. All of the major components (including four cold boxes, four compressors and four unloading arms) have been delivered on site, and the metre centre and receiving point for the natural gas has been built, as the port is being dredged, the company said.

The export facility has been designed so that LNG can be piped from the cold box directly to an LNG tanker. Each cold box reportedly has a capacity of 500,000 tons per annum (TPA) of which Jamaica needs 360,000 TPA. What’s more is that the company has a newly commissioned 360MW plant, identical to what is being proposed for Jamaica, in Indonesia. The facility is producing electricity at 6.5 cents, with natural gas being piped from the earth directly to the plant with no need for liquefaction or regasification.

The 360-MW project in Jamaica aims to slash, by a third, Jamaica’s energy costs which, at an expensive US$0.40 cents a kWh, has been largely blamed for the country’s inability to increase production and attract investment.

Against this background, Elliott stated that the company is ideally positioned to deliver the energy savings Jamaica desperately needs.

“I think what we have done is provide a combination of not only the power station but also the fuel supply at an economical price. At the moment what we find is that the cost of power in Jamaica on a world basis is relatively high for people and will also hinder the growth of industries,” Elliott said.

In terms of the exact amount of savings that his company will help deliver to consumers, Elliott said: “I am not sure, because at the end of the day, we are not selling directly to the consumers, but I believe there should be savings in the order of 25 to 30 per cent.” (Jamaica Observer)

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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Barbados Foreign Minister lauds Guyana Caribbean Week of Agriculture…Ramsammy says country has a bright future calls for boost in regional research capacity GUYANA -- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, Senator Maxine McClean, who is on an official visit to Guyana, Saturday, said that the prospects for this country are very bright against the background of a lot of difficulties around the world.

Senator McClean was at the time addressing students at the Bina Hill Institute in Region 9, while she was visiting the region where there is the Sante Fe farm managed by a Barbadian family.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Barbados, McClean, toured the Santa Fe project, witnessing firsthand the blossoming of fruits, vegetables, ground provisions and more importantly rice.

The visit to the region also included a stop at the Bina Hill Institute, where Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, in words of encouragement to the students, reminded them of the time when she herself was obtaining an education there. She encouraged them to use their opportunities well.

Senator McClean told the students that her visit to Guyana was productive and she urged them to learn how to contribute to the region and the future of Guyana.

She also suggested that the Bina Hill Institute was ideal for twinning with an institution in Barbados. McClean promised to work on this idea when she returns home.

The team of Guyana and Barbados officials also paid a visit to Bon Fim, Brazil, across the Takutu River bridge, before a walk-about in the Lethem commercial district.

Senator McClean and her Guyanese counterpart on Friday, during the second Guyana-Barbados joint commission meeting at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), discussed matters which will see the two countries strengthening their relationship.

The media was briefed on the outcome of the joint commission, which addressed developments in agriculture/ fisheries, education, tourism/hospitality, immigration and security, investments and civil aviation.

In terms of training in the agriculture sector, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett disclosed that Guyana will be offering five scholarships for Barbadian students to study at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), while Barbados will be providing support in the area of pork production and rearing of black-belly sheep.

Guyanese hydromet officers would be attached to the Barbadian hydromet, since that country has more experience in this area.

The Barbadian official noted that given their years of involvement in the tourism sector, there are several areas where collaboration is possible. (Guyana Chronicle)

GUYANA -- Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy says that the Caribbean region has a poor research capacity and that needs to be changed.

“We have done a poor job,” Dr. Ramsammy said as he pointed out that those were among the constraints recognised by the Jagdeo Initiative.

However, he highlighted the work done by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the University of the West Indies, St. George’s University in Grenada and the locally based University of Guyana, Guyana School of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).

Minister Ramsammy was at the time addressing the opening of a media workshop in Greater Georgetown which targeted journalists across the Caribbean. The workshop which continues today at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, will see several aspects of the coverage of agriculture issues being brought to the fore.

INDIGENOUS RESEARCH Dr Ramsammy noted that there is a dire need for indigenous research. The workshop focuses on inclusive Evidence-Based Coverage of Agriculture and Rural Development issues and is being facilitated by CARDI and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) along with the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM).

Even as Ramsammy stresses the need for more research, allocations from the Government of Guyana to CARDI have not been paid in years.

Speaking to reporters following the

opening of the workshop, Ramsammy said that “efforts are being made to transfer the sums owed to the regional body based in Trinidad.” However, Minister Ramsammy could not say how much is owed.

The opening of the workshop comes as Guyana along with the rest of the Caribbean observes the 12th Annual Caribbean Week of Agriculture. This has seen a renewed call for more media coverage that could promote food security in the region.

Ramsammy estimates that “food insecurity” affects some 8 million people in the Caribbean, adding that agriculture holds the answers to addressing the food and nutrition puzzles.

Also recognizing the importance of the media in promoting coverage of agriculture issues was Maurice Wilson of CARDI. “Constantly we have underestimated in many ways the overriding importance of agriculture…it is linked to health, manufacturing, provides food to the mining sector…”

Agriculture has been described as not being attractive enough for media coverage but Wilson believes that it is important enough to warrant in-depth coverage.

“We collectively must make agriculture a significant important element in our lives… and bring it to the attention of all the stakeholders that matter.”

Thierry Doudet of the CTA noted that the media workshop can be used to strengthen reporting on agriculture and rural development issues. The CTA is known for its technical capacity that has been able to provide specialised information on a range of issues including agriculture, climate change and food and nutrition. (Guyana Chronicle)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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Stress from finger-rape in Barbados caused her to crash her car on toll road JAMAICA -- SHANIQUE Myrie looked a composed woman as she sat on a stump near her home on Cassia Crescent, near Marl Road in West Central St Andrew, hours after a historic ruling was made in her favour by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Friday.

If she was elated at the judgement, which will see her collecting $3.8 million, it did not show on her face.

Two years, six months and 20 days had passed since a woman immigration officer at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados ordered her to squat before inserting a gloved hand inside her vagina, probing violently and accusing her of going to the island to “steal men” and being a drug mule.

Myrie was then locked in a filthy cell, forced to sleep on a small board cot with another Jamaican woman who was also detained, before both were deported to Jamaica without being given a chance to shower.

The experience took a serious toll on Myrie, who had to seek the help of a psychiatric counsellor to get over the trauma of the ordeal.

“It was not easy. I was very stressed out. I was so stressed that I crashed my car with [my] sisters in it on the Portmore Toll Road one week after I came back. Thankfully, the counselling sessions worked, and I am not as traumatised as I was before. I still have flashbacks, but I

have to be strong,” she told the Sunday Observer.

Myrie showed remarkable strength of character by coming forward and exposing herself to public scrutiny by being open, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer, about the finger-raping ordeal that she was forced to go through.

During that interview, a few days after the March 14, 2011 incident, Myrie was shell-shocked and shattered by the experience.

But now, her bravery has paid off.

“I felt very depressed and ashamed, but I had to have strength because I could not hold that,” she told the Sunday Observer on Friday. “What she did to me was very wrong, and I am proud now that I have come forward, as something as disgraceful as that will never happen to another woman in Barbados again. I am proud that I spoke out.

“When I came back and was at the airport, I almost fainted as I cried and cried and cried. Even my friend who picked me up started crying when I told him what had happened to me,” she said.

As Myrie spoke, her mother Julene Virgo, sister Antoinette Dacosta, and husband Troy Pusey stood around and seemed pleased that their loved one had finally gained justice for what they described as a terrible act.

“The support from my family has been great. Everybody around here in this

community has supported me from day one, and I would like to publicly thank them,” Myrie said.

Before the ruling was handed down, negative comments were hurled at her by mischievous persons who questioned her reason for going to Barbados.

They also jeered her about the ordeal.

“Those comments used to bother me a lot because people didn’t know how hard it was for me,” she said.

Myrie was drilled by attorney Roger Forde during the historic sitting of the CCJ in March at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

Forde took pot shots at her credibility and sought to paint her as a liar who concocted tales of an ordeal because she was denied entry.

She said that it took great restraint on her part not to get upset in court and remain composed as she was being crossexamined.

“I felt filled with rage, but I realise that he was just doing his job,” she said.

Myrie was required to go back to Barbados to point out the woman who defiled her and show officers of the court the nasty room where she was confined for hours without being given food or water.

“When I went back to Barbados I was also filled with rage, especially when I saw the woman who did that to me. I went along with it at the time because I know I was in their country and I never knew

what they would do to me. I never wanted them to put any drugs on me so I just went along,” she said.

Myrie, while appreciative of the cash she will collect, said that all along her primary objective was not money.

“It was never about money. I could not live with that, and no woman should even think about treating another female like that. I know that things will be better for Jamaicans who travel to that country now. I will never go back there,” she said.

Myrie will now be known as the Jamaican woman whose bravery to speak up for her rights forced Barbadian border officials to revamp the way they treat Caricom visitors to their shores who have not broken any laws or will not be a burden on their state.

The executive summary of the CCJ’s reserved judgement ordered the country to allow Caricom nationals who are denied entry on those grounds to contact a family member or a representative of their country, to acquire the services of an attorney and also to be informed of the reason for the denial, promptly and in writing.

“The Court held that this treatment constituted a very serious breach of Ms Myrie’s right to entry and so she was entitled to be awarded damages,” a section of the summary stated. (Jamaica Observer)

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

PSA owes state $14m TRINIDAD -- As the Public Services Association (PSA) election race heats up, the splintered union is facing a mounting $14 million debt to the State, stemming from a worrisome 2006 land lease which has left the PSA’s finances in shambles.

The lease was granted for 3.1769 hectares of land at Flagstaff Hill, Long Circular Road, St James, formerly known as PSA Grounds, where the La Fortresse development has been under construction for the past seven years. The lease transferred the PSA grounds from recreational to commercial land and mandates the union to pay the State $2 million annually for 199 years. Any new executive elected into office after the November 25 election will be saddled with this climbing $14 million debt, as well as possible litigation. Documents obtained by the T&T Guardian revealed that a deed of lease registered as No 1712 of 1999, dated January 15, 1999, was leased to trustees of the PSA for a term of 30 years.

By letter dated November 22, 2004, the PSA submitted an application to change the use of the land from recreational to commercial. The then president, Jennifer Baptiste-Primus, envisioned the construction of the upscale La Fortresse housing development, including indoor sports and cultural complex, tennis courts, office complex and a gated townhouse community. In another letter dated January 20, 2006, Baptiste-Primus advised the

Commissioner of State Lands that the PSA wished to surrender the unexpired residue of the existing 30-year lease and asked for a new lease for 199 years without any restrictions on the use of the land. By a cabinet minute (No 2020) of August 10, 2006, the Cabinet agreed to surrender the 30-year lease and grant a new lease at an annual rent of $2 million.

However, incumbent PSA president Watson Duke, who is going up for a second term, admitted that not a cent was paid towards the rent. Asked why by the T&T Guardian, he responded: “The PSA hasn’t started paying because we cannot afford to pay this exorbitant rent. I cannot understand why the former executive engaged in such an exercise that burdens the PSA with this annual $2 million for 199 years.” He said the PSA’s general council had mandated him to approach the Attorney General’s Office and the Commissioner of State Lands to rescind the lease arrangements. Duke said after the Baptiste-Primus-led executive left office, the PSA finances went down. “I came in at a time when the Public Service was very quiet and the Public Service was being destroyed bit by bit, and we stopped the destruction of 2,175 jobs in the Public Service. That was our first accomplishment and from that moment on we have not lost jobs in the Public Service, we have saved jobs,” Duke said.

However, former PSA general

secretary Oral Saunders said Baptiste-Primus had left $7 million in the coffers of the PSA when she left office in 2009. “Duke has exhausted the funds of the union and not once did he present a budget that met with the conference of delegates as stipulated in the constitution,” Saunders said.

He also said that it was illegal for Duke’s hand-picked general council to overturn a decision of the conference of delegates with regard to the lease arrangements. Admitting that the lease was not in the interest of the PSA, however, Saunders said he also did not know what was the thinking behind the new lease arrangements. “For Duke to now say that the general council has given him a decision is totally immoral. Duke has removed legitimate members of the general council and replaced them.

Those members of the general council were supposed to be elected not selected, so he cannot go to the State to overturn this arrangement unless he gets authorisation from the PSA’s conference of delegates,” Saunders said. He added that it was shocking that Duke and his executives had not paid the PSA’s annual $2 million debts since they took office in 2010. Duke was elected on November 25, 2010, with a winning number of 2,461 votes.

PSA official: Monies went to legal fees Meanwhile, PSA first vice-president Rosanna Robertson, who is contesting the election on a slate called PSA Libera-

tors, said the latest financial records show the union only has under $1 million in its coffers. She said, “We know our finances are in shambles and the first thing we will have to do when we get into office is to do a forensic audit.” She also said the PSA had $7 million in 2009, but a lot of this money went towards paying legal fees for the incumbent president. Robertson said a lot of the legal squabbles had drained the PSA as Duke paid legal fees out of the union’s coffers. “The union is in serious financial difficulty,” Robertson said. “We have to wait until we get dues in to keep this union afloat. There are a lot of creditors who did work who have not been paid and there are some lawyers who we are still owing monies.” Chairman of another election slate—the PSA Phoenix—Harold Murray said Duke collects a monthly salary of $26,000. In terms of allowances, he said Duke has $2,500 a month in entertainment, a phone allowance of $1,500, travelling allowance of $2,000 a month, housing allowance of $5,000 and a chauffeur allowance of $1,500. Repeated efforts were made to contact Baptiste-Primus about the PSA’s finances and the controversial land lease over the past week, but she did not respond to texts or voice messages. Baptiste-Primus is the labour relations officer of the PNM. Efforts to contact the Commissioner of State Lands were also unsuccessful. (Trinidad Guardian)

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Chinese firm picked for T&T project faces Corruption Probe TRINIDAD -- China Railway Construction Caribbean Company, the contractor selected by the Chinese government to build the Arima Hospital at a proposed cost of $1.6 billion, has been named as one of five Chinese enterprises ordered to investigate shoddy work in the construction of railway projects.

The South China Morning Post reported Sunday that regulatory authorities in China had ordered China Railway Construction Corporation and four other state-owned enterprises to fix structural problems on 12 rail lines, including the Ningbo-TaizhouWenzhou high-speed railway, where a deadly high-speed train crash occurred in July last year.

The firms have also been temporarily banned from bidding on further railway contracts, the Post reported. China’s stateowned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (Sasac) ordered the five companies to report “whether there were any illegal or anti-competitive practices in their railway projects.” Chinese High Commissioner to T&T Huang Xing was not in office on Friday to explain why China Railway was selected to build the Arima hospital when its building practices were under question.

Under government-to-government arrangements, the foreign government is allowed the opportunity of selecting a contractor for the host country. An official from the Chinese Political Office at the Chinese Embassy said he would investigate on what grounds the company was selected before commenting. The company had put in two bids for the project in 2009 and 2012 but on both occasions Udecott aborted the process because all the bids received were too costly.

In an interview, president of the Local Content Chamber Lennox Sirjusingh said he was deeply disturbed that foreign contractors were being selected to build the Arima Hospital. “This is the third hospital being built by foreign contractors. It is disturbing that large sums of money are to be paid to foreigners and yet not a single child from our universities will have the opportunity to design a ward or a driveway or a building of that hospital,” Sirjusingh said. He said the Government was ignoring local content.

During a meeting last week Wednesday, Sirjusingh raised the question of the continuing government-to-government arrangements with Udecott chairman Jearlean John. “I said we were hoping that the Arima Hospital will not be under the same conditions. Jearlean never mentioned a word that a foreign contractor will be chosen,” Sirjusingh said.

“My chamber and contractors will have to revert to burning tyres to get our point across. It is getting out of hand. The only place that local people are involved is the little extension they are doing in the San Fernando General Hospital.” He said discus-

sions will be held with the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) and various chambers to discuss whether legal action could be filed to stop any government-to-government arrangements.

President of the JCC Afra Raymond has also raised concerns about governmentto-government arrangements, saying they were detrimental to the economy. A source who requested anonymity claimed when tenders were advertised for the Arima Hospital, China Railway Construction put forward the highest bid of $1.6 billion, while two other contractors bid $1.4 billion and $850 million. “It is strange that China Railway, which had the highest bid, got the nod,” the source added. Udecott has denied those claims.

Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal could not be reached for comment Sunday, as calls to his cellular phone went unanswered. Last week, Arima MP Rodger Samuel announced that Cabinet had agreed that Udecott would execute a Memorandum of Understanding with China Railway for construction of the new hospital. He said the same company was also contracted by the PNM administration to complete the Scarborough Hospital, Tobago several years ago.

Samuel said the agreement resulted from bilateral talks Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar held with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his June visit. Trade Minister Vasant Bharath also said China Railway Ltd was also among four Chinese companies in the running for construction of six new business parks to be done with Chinese loan-financing assistance.

The new parks, scheduled to be completed by December 2014, will be at locations including Reform, Connector Road, Dow Village, Frederick Settlement, Preysal and will utilise 775 acres.

More on CRCC China Railway Construction is one of the largest construction companies in China and one of the top 500 enterprises in the world.

Although it specialises in railway infrastructure construction, the company also has operations in surveying, design, and consulting; manufacturing of road maintenance machinery; and real estate development and logistics services related to its main construction business.

In addition to railway systems, the state-owned corporation works on highways, airports, marine ports, hydropower and water conservancy facilities, industrial plants, and municipal projects both at home and abroad.

Question marks over CRCC In April, former Chinese railway minister Liu Zhijun was charged with corruption and abuse of power. The Bloomsberg newsletter said Liu presided over the ministry at a time when millions of yuan were wasted or

stolen.

“In one case, at least 187 million yuan was misappropriated by individuals or companies involved in building the highspeed rail line from Beijing to Shanghai, the National Audit Office reported in March 2011. The auditor, which also investigated the railway from June to September 2011, also found that 491 million yuan was embezzled in land deals tied to the railway project,” the report said.

Udecott doing due diligence review In an interview, Jearlean John said no contract has yet been signed with China Railway. She said, “There is no contract, no memorandum of understanding and no signing of framework agreement. Nothing is cast in stone. We are now going through the process.” Udecott’s media events manager Roxanne Stapleton-Whyms elaborated on this in an e-mail.

She said given bilateral agreements between the governments of T&T and the People’s Republic of China, which were “further enshrined” by the recent visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government indicated an interest in the China Railway Construction Company building the hospital.

Stapleton-Whyms also said Udecott has since been instructed to do a due diligence review on the China Railway Construction Company and to determine whether it is a viable entity to construct this project. She said the Arima Hospital project had been tendered twice: The first tender closed in July 2009 and the second in July 2012. In 2009, she said, three contractors bid for the Arima Hospital project: • Carillion • Bouygues Batiment • China Railway Construction Company.

“This process was terminated,” she explained, “since all three bids were above Udecott’s estimated cost for the then existing scope of works.” The bidders in 2012 were: • SIS • Kier Infrastructure • China Railway Construction Company This time there were wide disparities between the bids, so the Udecott board decided the process should be quashed and the tender re-issued with bridging documents or more detailed designs. “This would ensure that the proposals received were closely based on the requirements of the Ministry of Health,” Stapleton-Whyms said. “The scope of works has been redefined/changed by the Ministry of Health given the growing needs of the populace.”

She said the claim that the China Railway Construction Company’s bid was $1.6 billion was totally inaccurate, as was the statement that it was the highest bidder.

(Trinidad Guardian)

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12 Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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Rowley: PNM dropped candidate with criminal record TRINIDAD -Leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Dr Keith Rowley says his party was forced to reject one of its selected candidates for the October 21 local government elections because they found out he had a criminal record. Rowley spoke about the development during a meeting in St James on Saturday, saying Independent Liberal Party (ILP) chairman Jack Warner should take similar action after one of his candidates, Kerwin Bucchan, was charged for serious gun-related offences recently. Warner has publicly supported Bucchan since he appeared in court, saying he remains innocent until proven guilty by the court.

But in showing the difference in leadership of the parties on Saturday, Rowley said the unnamed PNM candidate was initially chosen and approved by the PNM’s central executive.

However, he said one member of the screening committee had an uneasy feeling about the candidate, who was selected to contest an electoral district south of the East-West Corridor. According to Rowley, the unidentified committee member subsequently had a chat with the candidate, who “opened up in a way that he had not to the screening committee.” Rowley said the PNM subsequently found out that the candidate was a deportee with a criminal record for a very serious offence. The man, he said, had served his time, but the party felt he was “not the best person to advance for an election in Trinidad. So the PNM withdrew and replaced him.” Rowley said in “this ggun town,” , Warner “wants us to ac-

cept that a man who is charged with an offence like that should be put up to represent people in T&T.” Rowley said the electorate should “reject that kind of offering.”

On another note, Rowley said Port-ofSpain was being downgraded by the People’s Partnership Government led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. This, he said, would have “serious economic consequences” on the country. He said the deliberate downgrade was happening in the face of the crime wave in east Port-of-Spain and the need for meaningful job creation, while the PM was only engaging in public relations. Rowley, a former housing minister, said the Government had approved a $61 billion budget for 2014 and did not allocate any money to continue the housing programme in Port-of-Spain. The Diego Martin West MP also said the United National Congress, the major party in the PP coalition, did not put up any candidates for the Port-of-Spain City and Diego Martin regional corporations in the upcoming elections.

According to Rowley, the UNC was “afraid and ashamed” to present candidates for those two corporations. Rowley also again called on Warner, a former works and transport minister, to tell citizens what was discussed in a South African hotel with officials of OAS Construtora two weeks after he was appointed minister. OAS Construtora was chosen to build the $7 billion Solomon Hochoy Highway extension from San Fernando to Point Fortin. ((Trinidad Guardian))

Marlene: PP setting stage for instability TRINIDAD -- Opposition MP Marlene McDonald says the People’s Partnership Government is setting the stage for instability in the country. McDonald made the claim while addressing a meeting of the People’s National Movement (PNM) at Bourne’s Road, St James, on Saturday night. Speaking in support of the PNM’s candidates for the Port-of-Spain City Corporation in the October 21 local government elections, McDonald said the Government was discriminating against the people of the capital city and particularly residents of east Port-of-Spain.

She said all the Government’s major projects were being constructed in central and south Trinidad. “Nothing for Port-of-Spain,” she shouted, adding she wanted to know why the St James Youth Centre was not delivered to the people since 2010. According to McDonald, the speedy refurbishment of schools was also not a priority for Education Minister Dr Tim

Gopeesingh. She noted that there were problems at the Woodbrook and South-East Secondary schools, with the latter being closed since the start of the school term. She said construction of Rose Hill Roman Catholic School was at a standstill with “no explanation” for the state of affairs at the school.

Gopeesingh has said repeatedly in the past weeks that the Educational Facilities Company is doing all it can to ensure schools were refurbished as quickly as possible. McDonald said some $27 million was spent on the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence celebrations, but people in poor communities were being starved of even the barest necessities.

“What this Government is doing is fanning the flames of instability in this country,” McDonald said. “Citizens are being marginalised. The economy is stagnant and ordinary people cannot make ends meet.” (Trinidad Guardian)

Deyalsingh gets PNM nod for St Joseph TRINIDAD -- People’s National Movement (PNM) senator Terrence Deyalsingh was nominated Sunday as the candidate to contest the St Joseph constituency in the November 4 by-election. Party treasurer and former finance minister Mariano Browne and St Joseph community activist Ronald Huggins were also screened, but were unsuccessful during a session which took three hours to complete at Balisier House, Portof-Spain.

Addressing members of the media afterwards, Deyalsingh said: “First of all I would like to thank Almighty God, my family and the party for the vote of confidence. “The PNM has shown its leadership position today and it is the first party to put forward a candidate,” he said.

“We are the premier political party and it is the first out of the block. We have taken a leadership position and I am humbled to have been given that task as we look forward to November 4.”

The election was triggered after Speaker Wade Mark declared the seat vacant following former MP Herbert Volney’s resignation from the United National Congress (UNC).

PNM chairman Franklin Khan said the PNM is a party of process and that point was exemplified Sunday. “We want to put on record that we do not choose candidates by asking you to run,” Khan said. “It is a process that comes from the party groups. We had three excellent choices. The PNM is alive and ready to take on newcomers in the local elections and general elections.”

However, Khan said Deyalsingh will still have to be endorsed by the central executive tomorrow.

Interim leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) Jack Warner said Sunday that they too had already selected a candidate for the by-election. However, he refused to name the person. In an interview on Saturday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the United National Congress had not yet screened any candidates. Meanwhile, the Elections and Boundaries Commission is scheduled to stage a dry run of the nomination process for candidates today.

(Trinidad Guardian)

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Ramdin proud of T&Tʼs run TRINIDAD -- T&T skipper Denesh Ramdin says that his team enjoyed a good run and he is proud of his men’s performance in their final Karbonn Smart Champions League T20 tournament. T&T were knocked out at the semi-final hurdle by Mumbai Indians who went on to win the tournament yesterday.

“I am happy with the way we have carried T&T in our four attempts at the Champions League. We have made a name for ourselves in this tournament and a number of our players have been recognized for performances at the Champions League.

“We did not win a title and while this is disappointing, when you look at the overall picture you cannot be anything but proud. We fell short in this semi-final and really thought that we could have gone all the way and win.

“I think we were about 15 runs short when we batted and we just could not defend our score. The plan was for one of the top three men to bat until at least the

17th or 18th over and this did not happen.

Again we did not have the firepower in the end to take advantage of a good position and we paid the price.

“We also lost Rayad Emrit and this was critical because he has been a very good bowler for us and it was unfortunate.

All these factors led to our downfall. However, I am proud of the team and I am sure they will continue to fight hard for their country.”

T&T left the competition after four years empty handed but with a big reputation since reaching the 2009 final which they lost to New South Wales Blues of Australia.

Now the winners of the Caribbean Premier League will represent the region at the next Champions League tournament, so the Red Force will be no more in this tournament.

Ramdin has played in all four Champions League tournaments n which the Red Force competed. (Trinidad Guardian)

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Mumbai Indians reign in CLT20 TRINIDAD -- Breath-taking hitting from the Mumbai Indians’ middle order propelled them to a monumental total before Harbhajan Singh bowled what he described as his “best over in two years” to snuff out the last of Rajasthan Royals’ spirit, and inspire Mumbai to their second major title of the year, as they won the Champions League final by 33 runs, here Sunday.

The Royals bowlers were disciplined in their first 12 overs, which only cost them less than seven an over, but a Rohit Sharma onslaught unseamed their resolve and the remaining batsmen took maximum toll on a waning attack. Glenn Maxwell provided the most frenzied death-over innings, mauling 37 from 14, but Sharma, Dinesh Karthik and even Harbhajan struck at over 200 to help plunder 120 runs from the last eight overs of the innings, for an imposing 202 for six.

Chasing 203 runs for victory, Rajasthan lost an early wicket but Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson brought them back to life with an amazing second wicket stand.

Samson led Rahane in a 109-run secondwicket stand that provided a fine base for the chase. But despite Rahane completing his fourth fifty on the trot, the Royals’ scoring slowed, and Harbhajan eventually sunk the opposition in a 17th over that claimed three wickets and cost only four runs.

Royals went into that over needing 48 runs from 24 balls, and with seven wickets still remaining, a successful chase was conceivable. But Rahane (65) swatted a full toss straight to deep midwicket and two balls later Stuart Binny was undone by some extra bounce and had his leg stump removed, before Kevon Cooper missed the last ball and overbalanced, and a sharp Karthik did not miss his chance. The rest was history.

Sampson, a new rising star here in India, faced just 33 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes, while Rahane negotiated 47 balls sending five rolling past the ropes and two into the stands. The boys from Jaipur lost their last eight wickets for 52 runs with man of the match Singh ending with 4/32 and Keiron Pollard 3/31.

Earlier, everyone contributed in Mumbai Indians’ impressive score. Dwayne Smith continued his impressive form with 44 off 39 deliveries at the top of the order and later on Australian Glenn Maxwell slammed 37 off 14 balls with four fours and two sixes.

In between Ambathi Rayudu cracked 29 off 24 balls with four attractive

fours, Rohit Sharma made 33 off just 14 deliveries with three fours and two sixes. Sachin Tendulkar playing his last T20 match for Mumbai could not go out with a bang, as he was bowled by Shane Watson for 15. He struck three fours that had the 45,000 crowd calling for more.

T&T’s Keiron Pollard made 15 off 10 balls with a four and his mandatory six.

Mumbai won US$2.5 million for their efforts.

SCOREBOARD Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals Mumbai Indians inns DR Smith b Tambe 44 SR Tendulkar b Watson 15 AT Rayudu b Tambe 29 RG Sharma c Faulkner b Shukla 33 KA Pollard b Faulkner 15 GJ Maxwell run out 37 KD Karthik not out 15 Harbhajan Singh not out 7 Extras (lb 2, w 4, nb 1) 7 Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 202 Fall of wickets 1-35 (Tendulkar, 4.3 ov), 2-77 (Smith, 11.3 ov), 3-104 (Rayudu, 13.4 ov), 4-140 (Pollard, 16.2 ov), 5-152 (Sharma, 17.1 ov), 6-193 (Maxwell, 19.3 ov) Bowling: JP Faulkner 4-0-46-1, SR Watson 3-0-30-1, R Shukla 4-0-49-1, K Cooper 4-0-40-0, PV Tambe 4-0-19-2, S Binny 1-0-16-0.

Rajasthan Inns K Perera run out 8 A Rahane c Smith b Harbhajan 65 S Samson c Harbhajan b Ojha 60 S Watson c Pollard b Harbhajan 8 S Binny b Harbhajan 10 D Yagnik c Karthik b Pollard 6 K Cooper st Karthik b Harbhajan 4 R Dravid b Coulter-Nile 1 J Faulkner c Smith b Pollard 2 R Shukla c Smith b Pollard 0 P Tambe not out 0 Extras lb3, w1, nb1 5 Total all out (18.5) 169.

Fall of wkts: 8, 117, 137, 155, 155, 159, 163, 169, 169, 169.

Bowling: G Maxwell 1-0-10-0, R Dhawan 3-0-34-0, H Singh 4-0-32-4, N Coulter-Nile 3-0-33-1, P Ojha 4-0-26-1, K Pollard 3.5-031-3.

Result: Mumbai won by 33 runs to take Champions League. (Trinidad Guardian)

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Caribbean Pot: Caribbean stewed beef with coconut dumplings A one pot dish with rich layers of flavor, which screams “Caribbean”.

Chris De La Rosa Caribbean Cooking If you’re looking for a one pot dish with rich layers of flavor, which screams “Caribbean”, you’ll love this one. You just can’t go wrong with Caribbean style stewed meats and dumplings.. yuh know we’re known globally for our dumplings and this simple coconut version is simply delightful. Using the traditional Southern Caribbean way of making stewed beef, then we’ll add the dumpling dough directly to the pot to simmer and infuse with all the wonderful flavors of the stew. You’ll have an explosion of flavors with every bite!

Ingredients 2 lbs beef – cubed into 1 inch pieces 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon ketchup 2 cloves of garlic – thinly sliced or crushed 1 teaspoon ginger grated 2 tablespoon vegetable oil (one that can withstand high heat) 1 medium onion – diced 1 tomato – diced 1 tablespoon green seasoning 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 1/4 cups water 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 scotch bonnet pepper 1 scallion 2 sprigs of fresh thyme (1 teaspoon dried) 1 carrot *You may need to add an additional 3/4 cup of water when slowly cooking the beef, so there’s enough remaining liquid to cook the coconut dumplings.

Coconut dumplings 1/2 cup grated coconut 1 1/2 cups flour pinch of salt 1/2 cup coconut milk Wash and drain the cubed beef (about 1-2 inch pieces), then season with everything but the carrot, oil, water and brown sugar. Mix well and allow to marinate for a couple hours in the fridge.

Take it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you’re ready to start cooking so it comes back up to room temperature. In a deep (heavy) pot, heat the oil on high, then add the brown sugar and stir. The sugar will start to melt, then changes will happen (please pay close attention)… it will melt, go frothy and start taking on colour. When it gets to a rich amber colour (don’t let it burn or go black or it will give the dish a bitter taste) start adding the marinated beef to the pot. If some of the marinade gets in.. no worries. IMPORTANT: Have the bowl with the seasoned beef close (the sugar will change colour fast), use a spoon with a long handle in the event the melted sugar splashes up on you and be very gentle when adding the season beef to the pot. * If you’re new to stewing with brown sugar I’d recommend that you use an older pot as if the sugar gets burned, it may stain your newer pots … even stainless steel.

Stir well so each piece of beef is coated with that lovely caramel colour. With the heat still on high, bring it up to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer, cover the pot and let that go for about 15 minutes. It will spring it’s own juice.

Then it’s time to burn off the acquired liquid so we intensify both the overall colour and flavor.

Turn up the heat and remove the lid off the pot.

In the same bowl you marinated the beef, add the water and mix well to pick up any of the marinade which may have been left back. When the liquid in the pot is burned off and you have a wonderful established colour, it’s now time to

add the water from the bowl as well as the diced carrot and bring to a boil.

As it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot and let that slowly braise for about 1 hour. After about 40 minutes you can start making the flour dumplings. Basically a firm dough with the ingredients mentioned above. Set the dough ball to rest for about 10 minutes before we shape them into spinners.

Break off small pieces of the dough (about a tablespoon full) and using your hands, roll into a skinny cigar shape. Try to keep them the same size so they cook evenly. *NOTE! If you want to make this a true one-pot dish you may need to double the ingredients of the coconut dumplings as I usually have mine with bread, so I didn’t go heavy with the dumplings.

The beef should be tender at this point and have some remaining gravy. If you find that there isn’t enough liquid to cook the dumplings, do add another cup or so of hot water to the pot before adding the raw dumplings. As it comes back to a full boil (raise the heat) , start adding the dumplings to the pot. Stir in well (be gentle) so they are covered by liquid.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and let them cook for about 10 minutes. As they cook the flour will also help to thicken the gravy, so do keep an eye on things so you’re left with a bit of gravy at the end. Top with some frozen peas (optional) taste for salt (adjust if needed) then turn off the stove, cover the pot and let the residual heat cook the peas.

Just by looking at the picture above I’m sure those juices in your mouth are beginning to sprout! This stewed beef with coconut dumplings is unequivocally a wicked dish and something I try to make during those cold winter months as it’s definitely comfort food for me.

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013 17

Holistic approach to relaxing Geeta Maraj Yoga We are very aware of the importance of relaxation to the body. “Relax” is now a part of our daily lingo: we are told by our family and friends to relax; our physicians advise that we relax; we tell ourselves that we need to relax; but what is it that we need to do to relax? Where should we really begin?

We know the benefits to our health when we avoid the general stressors of life.

We, however, struggle to keep this concept at the forefront of our daily activities, especially when leading very busy lives. Signs that we need to relax and take a moment for ourselves include feeling irritable, getting short-tempered at the simplest of situations, a general feeling of disappointment in ourselves and others, not being able to focus or retain important information, poor eating habits and a lack of proper sleep.

The first step in learning to relax

is to let go of the guilt you feel when you know you need to relax. You will make a better friend, relative and worker with proper rest and knowing when to take a moment for yourself. The old adage “taking care of yourself so that you can better take care of others” holds true when it comes to our ability to know when to care for ourselves.

Start by allotting a special time each day for yourself. Either set your alarm or block out a specific time in your agenda as your “me time”. Finding that moment first thing in the morning is best at preparing you for your day. Use this moment to do something which benefits you personally.

Practice of proper breathing techniques so as to calm your body and relax your mind is an important and crucial step in learning to relax. We hardly realize that our breathing pattern affects our health and causes tension to be built in our body. However, there is a correct way of breathing, as there is an incorrect way of breathing. The correct way to breathe is to ensure when you inhale that your chest rises, and your abdomen extends. When you exhale, your chest should collapse as your abdomen contracts - pushing all the stale air out of your lungs.

By paying attention to this correct way of breathing during the day, we can help to decrease the stress we feel in our body as the day progresses.

The incorrect way of breathing would be that when we breathe in our abdomen contracts at the same time. This is common at various times in the day when our body begins to feel stressed. Therefore, it is always important to check your breathing pattern. The way in which you correct your breathing is to exhale all your breath till your abdomen contracts tightly. Upon inhaling your next breath, your breathing rhythm will automatically be corrected.

Our diet is equally important in keeping our body relaxed. Avoid high fat and excessive sugar in your diet. Carbohydrates equally convert to sugar when broken down in the body and affects our blood sugar level, causing us to become irritable based on the fluctuations of our glucose level. Eating fresh foods and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables help to decrease stress in our body. Avoiding excess caffeine, but drinking at least 8 cups of liquid daily, also helps to keep our body cleansed and decreases stress.

Though daily exercise is beneficial in relaxing the body, if this is not practical, try to exercise at least 3 to 4 times weekly.

Whether it is just a half an hour walk, swim, bike, or yoga – these all will help to overcome aches and pains caused by a build up of stress in the body.

Meditation is also vital in making us relax and learn to let go of our general

stressors. Finding a time and place to meditate can be as easy as sitting in a chair or at the end of your bed when you awake in the morning. Just take a moment to breathe deeply to cleanse your lungs, and begin to focus your thoughts through a silent chant, so as to calm your mind. In time, meditation can be practiced in a special corner of your home, on a meditation mat at a particular time each day. Meditation is known to keep our blood pressure more stable, prevents cardiac issues, depression and even slows the aging process.

Getting a massage is an additional great way to relax. If you cannot afford a massage at a local spa, ask a relative or loved one you are comfortable with for a massage.

Massages help to undo knots in the muscles built up as a result of stress. Most importantly, we can relax through the best medicine of all - laughter. When we laugh, endorphins are released into the blood stream causing us to feel happy and relaxed.

Our body is a gift; it is the vehicle through which we travel this sojourn. We carry in it the key necessary to keep ourselves happy, relaxed and healthy. All that is required is for us to tap into this ability. So conquer your stress and anxiety by learning to breathe, laugh, love and relax!

18 Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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Health Rangerʼs original forensic investigation of chicken nuggets replicated by scientists who get published in science journal The Health Ranger’s forensic food investigation of Chicken McNuggets two months ago is making new waves across the industry. A new study published in the American Journal of Medicine appears to have been inspired by the Natural News publishing of photos revealing “strange fibers” in Chicken McNuggets, and it is now exploding across the mainstream media.

“Chicken Nuggets Contain Skin, Tissue, Blood Vessels and More,” blares one headline.

Another headline from The Atlantic says, “The Three Grossest Sentences You’ll Read About Chicken Nuggets Today.”

All the stories refer to a forensic microscopic investigation of chicken nuggets revealing that they contain all sorts of mysterious ingredients which are not chicken meat.

The study was conducted by Dr. Richard deShazo, UMMC professor of medicine, pediatrics and immunology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The study appears to have been inspired by my original research conducted months earlier.

These stories were published on the Drudge Report and hundreds of other websites, but the mainstream media of course

ignored them because the media has been ordered to never link to NaturalNews.com, even when we are the source of original research.

University scientists independently reproduce and confirm Health Rangerʼs original scientific findings What’s fascinating about this research published in the American Journal of Medicine is that it appears to be strangely similar to my original forensic food investigations story published here on Natural News. Even the explanation of the lead researcher sounds very similar to what I wrote months earlier.

As Dr. Richard deShazo says in his video: “As soon as he did the autopsy on the chicken nugget, he said you gotta come look at this. I can’t believe it, there’s very little meat in this chicken nugget, it’s mostly other stuff.”

This is very similar to my own findings from the Natural News Forensic Food

Lab, published on August 16, 2013, where I stated: Under carefully controlled conditions, I then examined the Chicken McNuggets under a high-powered digital microscope, expecting to see only processed chicken bits and a fried outer coating. But what I found instead shocked even me... [from the video] I did not find anything that resembled chicken.

What I appreciate about all this, by the way, is that Dr. deShazo’s team has reproduced and confirmed my original scientific findings. This is encouraging, as it means the Natural News Forensic Food Lab is now inspiring other scientists to test our findings and independently reproduce them. This is yet more confirmation of the value of the original scientific research we are conducting here at Natural News while publishing exclusive, original stories that break new ground in investigative journalism.

Lots more original forensic food research coming soon from Natural News We’re just getting started, of course. We have dozens of other exciting forensic food research projects under way, and we will be reporting a great number of scientific findings in the months ahead, all based on original research I

am personally conducting at the Natural News Forensic Food Lab. (And yes, I still have that Big Mac in the freezer, ready to put under the ‘scope...)

As you might well expect, this original research will inspire yet more scientists to replicate and confirm our findings, and together we can bring more transparency to the food industry which has traditionally operated behind closed doors when it comes to processed food ingredients and contaminants.

We welcome all scientists from around the world to subscribe to the Natural News email newsletter (see subscribe form, below) and receive direct email notifications as we publish new, original scientific research.

We also welcome scientific journals who wish to publish our upcoming original research to contact us more details. We are on the verge of publishing some of the most exciting, original and groundbreaking research the food industry has ever witnessed, and we are open to invitations from scientific journals who wish to benefit from the enormous exposure and publicity that will come from publishing our upcoming research, all of which adheres to strict scientific methods, integrity and reproducibility. (NaturalNews)

Dr. Sanjay Gupta apologizes, admits cannabis is a healing plant that should be legalized It’s not every day that a major media figure admits he was wrong about something important and comes out publicly to apologize for it. But CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has done just that, having recently published a formal apology renouncing his role in denying the medical legitimacy of cannabis, also known as marijuana, and urging lawmakers to decriminalize the natural plant, or at the very least remove it from the Schedule I controlled substances list.

As a foreword to the release of his new documentary Weed, Dr. Gupta issued his apology alongside a summary of what brought him to this newfound conclusion that marijuana is beneficial. Citing extensive research dating back to the 1800s, when marijuana was actually recognized as a legitimate medicine and prescribed for conditions like neuralgia, convulsive disorders and emaciation, Dr. Gupta makes plain copious evidence that proves the legitimacy of marijuana.

“We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, and I apologize for my own role in

that,” writes Dr. Gupta about the manufactured social stigma that has kept marijuana as an illegal substance in the U.S. for nearly 45 years, of which he was a part. “I mistakenly believed the Drug Enforcement Agency listed marijuana as a schedule 1 substance because of sound scientific proof,” he adds, noting that he later discovered no such scientific proof exists.

In fact, marijuana first became illegal in the U.S., after being legal and in widespread use since the country’s founding, by the way, due to the deception of one man by the name of Dr. Roger O. Egeberg. The Assistant Secretary of Health at the time, Dr. Egeberg wrote a letter on August 14, 1970, recommending that marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule I substance.

In this letter, Dr. Egeberg did not cite evidence showing that marijuana was in any way dangerous, but instead claimed that an alleged lack of science warranted placing marijuana on the most dangerous substances list.

“Not because of sound science, but because of its absence, marijuana was classified as a schedule 1 substance,” explains Dr. Gupta, adding that Dr. Egeberg simply chose to

ignore the plethora of research that was available at that time to show that marijuana is, indeed, safe.

Marijuana has never killed anyone, and has been used as a safe medicine for centuries One of the most common claims against marijuana, and one that is thankfully becoming increasingly regarded by the general public as an unfounded myth, purports that marijuana is highly addictive and leads to abuse of more dangerous substances like cocaine and heroin.

As it turns out, quite the opposite is true, as research commissioned by former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia back in 1944 found that marijuana is neither addictive nor the “gateway” drug that some people claim it is.

If safety is really the issue with mari-

juana, then substances like tobacco, alcohol and prescription drugs should all be classified as Schedule I drugs. Prescription drugs in particular are among the most dangerous substances currently available, as they kill one person in the U.S. every 19 minutes, according to Dr. Gupta’s research. Meanwhile, there is not a single recorded death from marijuana anywhere in the historical record.

But Dr. Gupta has high hopes for the future of marijuana, despite all the existing hurdles that bar not only widespread legalization but also legitimate research from taking place.

“Looking forward, I am especially intrigued by studies like those in Spain and Israel looking at the anti-cancer effects of marijuana and its components,” he concludes.

“I’m intrigued by the neuro-protective study

by Lev Meschoulam in Israel, and research in Israel and the United States on whether the drug might help alleviate symptoms of PTSD. I promise to do my part to help, genuinely and honestly, to fill the remaining void in our knowledge.” (NaturalNews)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Your nails can offer clues about your health Dr. Lydia Thurton ND BASc

Health Tips Your fingernails can give you information about your health. Do you know what to look for? Any change in your finger or toenails warrants further attention, as it can be a sign of an underlying health problem.

Nails that once were strong and now crack, split or break can be the result of an underlying nutritional deficiency. Ensure that you are getting enough protein and iron, for starters, and consider a multivitamin with silica. Nails grow at 3mm per month, so you will have to be patient to see changes in the quality of your nails.

Hypothyroidism and anemia can also weaken the nails. A simple blood test done with your doctor or naturopath can determine whether this is the underlying cause of your brittle nails. Pale nails with a white nail bed can also be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Low blood iron levels can cause the nails to spoon, meaning that the outside edges of the nail start lifting off of the nail bed.

In my practice I commonly see toenails that are yellow, thick and crumbling.

These types of unsightly toenails are usually caused by a fungal infection. Keeping your feet cooped up in sweaty socks and shoes can worsen this condition. Look for a product called Onypen from your local health food store to treat mild cases of nail fungus.

Tea tree oil is naturally antifungal, but needs to be applied daily as the diseased nail grows out. There is some anecdotal evidence that Vicks VapoRub and vinegar soaks can also disinfect an infected toenail. If the condition persists your doctor can prescribe an antifungal polish.

White marks in the nails are usually the result of trauma to the nail bed. It can take up to six weeks for the injured nail to grow out. By the time it finally grows out, you might have forgotten about slamming your finger in the cupboard door. This is not a cause for concern, nor is it a sign of nutrient deficiency.

If nails are looking blue this can be a sign of low hemoglobin and poor circulation. A condition calls Reynaud’s disease causes circulation to be temporarily restricted to the fingertips in cold weather causing nails to temporarily appear blue. Nails that are bulbous at the fingertips are referred to as clubbed nails. Clubbing can occur with serious heart and lung problems and definitely warrants a thorough check-up.

Strong, smooth nails are best maintained with a healthy, nutrient rich diet.

Don’t cover up funky nails with polish or hide them away in gloves and shoes. Speak to your health care provider if you notice a change in your finger or toenails.

Root canal therapy Dr. Matthew Weekes BSC DDS MTh DMin

Dental

In the past toothaches resulted in the extraction of the offending teeth. For many this was the only option. Usually when the person went to the dentist there was little natural tooth structure left. This trend continued

until there were several missing teeth, which were later replaced by partial or complete dentures.

Over the past 40 years, Preventive Dentistry has lead to a steady decline in the loss of teeth.

Screening children early during the cavity prone years (6-16) has been very beneficial to our youth in Canada.

Root Canal Therapy (RCT) is a common treatment performed by the dentist or dental specialist (Endodontist) that saves a tooth that otherwise would be extracted.

Usually the tooth has a cavity and the bacteria has infiltrated the pulp, causing pain. If there is adequate natural tooth structure then

Fat VS muscle

Monique Bartlett Fitness The thing about losing weight is that it’s really not about your weight at all. If you weighed an extra ten or fifteen pounds but that weight came from lean muscle your body would be tighter, and leaner all over and wearing smaller dress sizes.

Muscle is denser than fat, so it takes up less space, but weighs more. Put a pound of muscle, and a pound of fat side-by-side,

you will see that the fat takes up more space than the muscle. So if you are gaining muscle, you may actually go up in pounds, but your dress sizes will shrink. Most people seem to be so concerned about what the scale says, but in reality, they don’t understand the properties of lean muscle vs. fat.

The size of your clothes is going to be one of your best tools to measure how much you are losing, and how much your fat cells are shrinking. Your pants will get looser around your belly, hips, thighs, and butt.

That’s much more accurate than measuring your weight on the scale.

The beauty of it is, as you are building muscle, you are speeding up your metabolism, and that is going to stop your body from storing fat. Your fat cells will shrink as your body becomes more toned. Fat cells

the treatment of choice is RCT, not extraction.

Depending on the severity of the infection, the tooth can be treated in one or two visits.

After the tooth is anesthetized (frozen) the infected pulp is removed. This is called an emergency pulpectomy. It puts an end to the pain. A temporary filling is put in the tooth and medication may be prescribed.

At a subsequent visit a permanent filling is put in the tooth. Later the tooth can be re- stored to an ideal form by placement of a natural looking porcelain crown.

will take up less space, and your body will get tighter and smaller.

Think about this. When you go on a starvation diet, or a food deprived cleanse, you are telling your body that food is in shortage. Muscle cells require a lot of your body’s energy to keep them alive, and because your body recognizes there is now a food shortage, it’s going to get rid of these energy cells as fast as possible. This will cause you to lose muscle mass. You will watch the numbers on the scale go down, but it is getting rid of the lean muscle instead of fat.

Don’t let past failures discourage you. Once you figure out how to beat the scale, you’ll succeed in your weight loss journey. Let a tape measure be your friend, and get rid of the scale.

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First time homebuyers Stephen Mohammed Finance When looking to purchase your first home, financial concerns are at the top of your list and some are not prepared for the emotional challenges that accompany you along this journey.

The best way to approach this process is to obtain the services of a Realtor and a Mortgage Agent. Both agents can guide you every step of the way and they are compensated at the closing of the deal. The first step is to qualify for a mortgage and work out a budget including utilities and property taxes so that you are not overextending yourself financially.

Once your Realtor has been advised by you of the mortgage loan that you have been approved for, he or she will be able to find you a suitable home that matches your criteria and requirements within that budget. The Realtors main focus should be to guide you through this emotional rollercoaster with utmost precision and care while finding you your dream home.

Every home has great features and it’s your Realtor’s role to show you and discuss the pros and cons of every home, providing you with the necessary information for you to make an informed decision.

A Mortgage Agent can assist you with the qualifying requirements and inform you of the benefits available to you. First time homebuyers may be eligible for a refund of all or part of the Land Transfer Tax up to a maximum of two thousand dollars. The refund applies to all homes, new construction and resale homes for any signed agreement of Purchase

and Sale after December 13, 2007. Prior to that date the refund applied to only new constructed homes. The application for the refund must be made within eighteen months of transfer of title. For more information on Land Transfer Tax Refund, visit http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/ refund/newhome/index.html Another benefit you may be eligible for is the first time Home Buyers Plan (HBP).

First you have to be considered a first time home buyer. As simple as that sounds, there are criteria that have to be met. You may withdraw up to a maximum of twenty five thousand dollars from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) per applicant. Your RRSP contributions must remain in the RRSP for at least 90 days before you can withdraw them under the HBP and must be your personal RRSP contribution. Group RRSP’s contributions are not eligible to be used for purchasing a home under this program. Under the program you will have to repay the loan in equal payments to your RRSP over a fifteen year period. Any payment less than the required amount must be included as income for that year. You may also repay the amount in full at any time. Your first repayment begins the second year following the year the withdrawal was made. You can make repayment contributions to your RRSP the year the repayment is due up to the first sixty days the following year. Visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ tx/ndvdls/tpcs/rrsp-reer/hbp-rap/menu-eng. html for more information on Home Buyers Plan.

You may also be eligible for first time Home Buyers Tax Credit (HBTC). The HBTC is a non-refundable tax credit, based on an amount of five thousand dollars. This credit impacts a qualifying home purchased to close since January 27, 2009. Visit http://www.craarc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhbtc-eng.html for more information on the Home Buyers Tax Credit.

About ePassports As of July 2, 2013, all new Canadian passports are 36-page electronic passports, otherwise known as ePassports. The Canadian ePassport looks like a regular passport but has new security features that make the passport even more tamper-proof. These features include the following: An electronic chip embedded in the back cover that stores the same personal information as that on page 2 of the passport (except for the signature), the photo and a digital security feature that proves that the passport was issued by the Government of Canada. The passport becomes invalidated if the information on the chip is tampered with or modified.

New, iconic images on the inside pages that celebrate our history as well as our culture and serve as extra security features.

Tried and true Over 100 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and France, have been using ePassports for several years with no reported chip failures. Through a pilot project that began in January 2009, Passport Canada has already issued more than 60,000 diplomatic and special passports that contain an electronic chip. No problems have been reported.

In the unlikely event that the chip fails, the passport will still be valid.

Protecting your information After your personal information is first stored

on the passport e-chip, the chip is locked, preventing the information from being tampered with. No other information about you or your travels will be stored on the e-chip nor is the existing content open to modification.

The information on the e-chip cannot be read unless the passport is held within 10 centimetres of an ePassport reader, open to page 2 and the machine-readable zone has first been read. It is therefore extremely unlikely that personal data stored on the ePassport chip could be read without your knowledge.

At border crossings equipped with ePassport readers, the ePassport is put into a scanner that reads the machine-readable zone, which in turn, enables the e-chip to be read.

The machine also checks other security features, such as the country-specific signature.

Border authorities not equipped with ePassport readers will continue to examine travellers’ passports as they do now, reviewing other security features, such as holographic images.

A transparent process The chip will only contain the personal information that is recorded on page 2, your photo and a Government of Canada signature. No additional information about you or your travels will be stored on the chip. Canadians who would like to verify that the information stored on their e-chip is accurate may do so by visiting one of Passport Canada’s 34 offices. (CIC)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Independent arbitrators - 407ETR Tammy Flores 407ETR Matters In the past 3 years it has been discovered that neither the Ministry of Transportation nor 407ETR has been transparent in informing us of our right to independent arbitration when we have a dispute over charges. Many of us that have tried to dispute charges with this company were not given any documentation or proof of charges claimed against us and were told to call

407’s Customer Service to discuss our issue. Then Customer Service put us through the Office of the President and then from there we were put through the 407’s own internal, bias Ombudsman.

According to Jodie Parmar, the lead executive when the 407 Act was created, Section 19 of the Act creates the legal obligation for 407ETR to pay fees & expenses of LGIC-appointed dispute arbitrators. These arbitrators are completely independent of 407ETR and are supposed to be able to handle our disputes. Problem is that nobody knows about them or how to access them.

Jodie Parmar informs us that these LGIC-appointed arbitrators have the authority to advertise their services and charge back the costs to 407ETR. So the question is, after 14 years, why hasn’t this

been done?

Since the Minister of Transportation, Glen Murray, and the Premier, Kathleen Wynne, have not responded to repeated requests for an answer to this, the only answer we have is from Jodie Parmar. As lead executive, he knows the intent of the Act and says the only answer he can give is that there has been incompetence or interference as to why the public is in the dark with respects to these independent arbitrators.

We have to hold this government accountable and make sure this problem that has been allowed to exist for far too long gets corrected once and for all.

Please enlist your family and friends to sign & share this petition http:// tinyurl.com/407change . Change the 407Act!

The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act came into force on June 28, 2002. It is Canada’s federal legislation governing immigration and the protection of individuals who are persecuted or in danger. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act provides a high-level framework that aims to reap the economic, social and cultural benefits of immigration, while protecting the health, safety, and security of Canadians.

The objectives of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act are achieved, in part, through a set of provisions that govern who is admissible to Canada. These provisions are a shared responsibility between the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and the Minister of Public Safety. Individuals who are considered “inadmissible” to Canada are generally not allowed to enter Canada, either as a temporary or permanent resident. If an inadmissible person is already in Canada, that person may be subject to a removal order and would have to leave Canada.

Individuals may be inadmissible under nine different categories: (1) security, (2) human or international rights violations, (3) organized criminality, (4) serious criminality, criminality (5) health, (6) financial reasons, (7) misrepresentation, (8) non-compliance, and (9) an inadmissible family member. More detailed information is available on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

In exceptional circumstances, an individual who is inadmissible may be permitted to enter after a comprehensive review of their situation. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a temporary resident permit. Other avenues which may be available include individual or deemed criminal rehabilitation, record suspension (formerly called “pardons” in Canada), an exemption from inadmissibility on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds from the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and permanent relief from inadmissi-

bility from the Minister of Public Safety.

In 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, in consultation with the Canada Border Services Agency and other federal partners, launched a review of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act’s inadmissibility and related provisions. The purpose of the review was to ensure that officials continue to have the tools necessary to maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. This admissibility review also examined a number of recurrent issues that have surfaced since the implementation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in 2002.

As a result of the review, legislative changes were proposed in the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act to make it easier to remove dangerous foreign criminals and make it harder for those who pose a risk to Canadians to come to the country, while removing barriers for genuine visitors.(CIC)

Canada Hosts Important International Meetings on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research TORONTO -- Canada, as Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), is honoured to host a major international conference to address a range of important issues on Holocaust education, remembrance and research. ““The Holocaust is a crime that stands alone in human history for the scale of its horror and inhumanity,”” stated Jason Kenney, Minister for Multiculturalism. ““The government of Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has been dedicated to ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.””

As a leader in Holocaust education and commemoration, Canada has prepared a world-class program to advance this global effort.

The five days of international

meetings begin with an academic conference hosted by the Centre for Jewish Studies, University of Toronto, on October 6 and 7. The conference, New Scholars, New Research on the Holocaust, features 24 speakers from North America, Europe, Israel, Australia, and Argentina and will showcase emerging interdisciplinary scholarship in the field. The academic conference is free and open to the public.

From October 8 to10, the biannual IHRA working meeting will bring together experts, academics and policy-makers from 31 member countries, 4 observer countries, and 6 permanent observer organizations.

Meetings will conclude on Thursday with a plenary session organized by Government of Canada officials to discuss various aspects of Holocaust remembrance and research, including a working definition of

Holocaust denial and distortion, and development of an IHRA grant strategy for 2014-2017. IHRA member states will also discuss implementation of a multi-year plan to research and memorialize killing sites that lie outside of major death camps, improve access to archival Holocaust documents and increase our understanding of the ways in which the Holocaust is taught in schools around the world.

The unprecedented character of the Holocaust will always hold universal meaning. IHRA member countries are committed to the principle of “never again,” pledging to strengthen their efforts to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, to honour the Righteous Among the Nations who stood against it, and to ensure that their stories are preserved for future generations.(CIC)

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Skyʼs the limit with Destra Garcia Destra Garcia, born in Trinidad, has grown from strength to strength since her 1999 debut and the entertainer is showing no signs of slowing down. Challenging herself, every year, she is taking her music and her fans along for the exciting journey.

Her music has already proved its staying power and its ability to captivate multiple markets. Destra has won fans the world over and has set the mark for high energy, live sets that leave audiences wanting more.

“I strongly believe that as I grow in this industry, I am learning more and more everyday” says Destra Garcia. ”I am learning about myself, resistance, persistence and spirituality, all of which I rely heavily on in my career.”

Destra barely has time for herself; through completing gigs with her band, as well as handling solo performances and now her pride and new found joy of her life, baby girl Xaiya. However, time for self is just one of the sacrifices she has had to make for her success.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS 2006 – Destra signs up with telecommunications giant, Digicel to become their first female spokeswoman in Trinidad and Tobago.

Destra has shared the stage with international superstars like the Heather Headley, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Ja-Rule, Rihanna, Mary J Blige, Patti La Belle, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé.

Destra has now released seven albums, her first being Red White and Black in 2003, “Laventille (pre release” & “Laventille” – 2005, “Independent Ladies” – 2006, “Soca or Die” – 2007, “HOTT” – 2008, “Welcome Back” – 2011 showcases all of her hit songs for

2011 as a soloist and having done three (3) collaborations, continues to be a favorite with her music now available at Amazon and i-Tunes.

Her two (2) new releases (Beautiful Day and Breaking Away) have also created waves in the dance and house music categories and are featured in her latest Album release “MY DESTRA.COM” – 2012.

For the past seven years Destra has won many awards and accreditation’s some of which include 15 Soca Awards and five COTT awards three of which were best female songwriter from 2004-2007 and best pan song 2006.

She remains the most requested female Soca artists of the Caribbean and the world. Her latest acclaim would be “Best Female Soca Performer” at the IRAWMA awards held in Trinidad last year.

Another great accomplishment for the lady of many talents is the acquisition of having her own band for the last four years alongside her two other business partners.

Ultimately, Destra is determined to achieve her dream of taking soca music to international markets.

Being a guaranteed hit with music loving audiences everywhere, and with her energetic performances and eye-catching costumes commanding cameras, you might think, it’s easy for all of her success to go to her head, but Destra knows the ropes in the competitive music arena.

What we know about Destra Garcia is that her fans of yesteryear, today and tomorrow are in for a treat, as this un-penetrable songstress keeps producing hit after hit. There is no telling what fans can expect next, because with Destra Garcia, sky’s the limit!

Terry Gajraj - Guyana Baboo Terry hails from Berbice, that part of Guyana that gave us such LEGENDS as Dr. Cheddi Jagan (former President of Guyana) and Rohan Kanhai (leader in the Sport of Cricket); so too, Terry is a leader in the field of music & is the unofficial goodwill Ambassador for Guyanese Music & Culture.

Terry Vivekanand Gajraj started singing as a little boy in the FYRISH ROAD Mandir where his Aja (Grandfather) was the Pandit (Priest). Terry’s Dad & Uncles (cha-cha) taught him to play various instruments such as the Dholak, Dantal, Harmonium, Keyboard & Guitar.

Terry is affectionately called the “GUYANA BABOO” after his biggest hit in 1992 that brought him international acclaim.

Terry is Guyana’s most charismatic and distinguished singer. Since his first record “Soca Lambada” was released in 1989, he has gone on to release over 25 more albums and has had number one records on all the Chutney charts in the Caribbean, North America and Europe. The 1990’s have undoubtedly been his decade, and the new millennium promises even more great things to come.

Here are some brief highlights of an eventful career: - Guyana’s most RECORDED artiste (29 albums and hundreds of songs over a 15 year span).

- Guyana’s most TOURING solo singer (performs in all the major cities & countries including Surinam, Holland, England & Spain). One of his most prestigious shows was at Wembley Stadium in London.

- Guyana’s most CONSISTENT performer – has performed non-stop … every single week, every single month & every single year for the past 15 years.

- The 1st Chutney Singer to have his own

WEBSITE (thanks to Chico Khan) to promote Chutney music worldwide.

- Terry has represented Guyana @ all the major CARNIVALS in the world including Labor Day in NY, Caribana in Canada, Miami Carnival, Nottinghill in London & the Mother of all Carnivals - Trinidad & Tobago (Spektakula).

- Terry was the first singer from the Caribbean to perform @ the Indian equivalent of the Grammys - the Millennium BOLLYWOOD Music Awards!

- He is one of Guyana’s most VERSATILE singers and does everything from Bhagans, Filmi, Chutney, Soca, Calypso, Reggae and Ballads. The ballads on his #1 selling “Sweet Love Songs” were a sensational success & still a hot seller!.

- The only Chutney singer from Guyana to perform with ALL the top names in the SOCA/ CALYPSO arena including the Mighty Sparrow, “Hot Hot” Arrow, Machel Montano, Calypso Rose, Byron Lee etc. etc.

- Terry considers himself honored to have performed with LEGENDS such as Sundar Popo, Sonny Mann, Ramdeo Chaitoe, Kries Ramkhelawan, Rikki Jai and celebrated Indian performers Babla and Kanchan.

- Apart from being a prominent singer, Terry stands out from the crowded singing field ‘cause he’s also a MUSICIAN. He has composed and played all of the music, including Guitar, for some of his songs including the hit “Tun Tun Dance”.

- Unlike the regular Rafi, Mukesh and Lata type singers/imitators, Terry also writes his own ORIGINAL LYRICS on songs about his Country, Love, Culture, Current Events and Heritage (“Indo-Caribbean Man”).

Terry would like to THANK all musicians, promoters, producers, distributors, radio, tv, friends and especially his family and fans for their support over the years.

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10 Home Maintenance Tips for this Fall Season Each season your home goes through changes in temperatures, weather conditions, aging, and of course human abuse! In order to keep all your components of your home running smoothly, and to avoid costly repairs later, it’s helpful to conduct seasonal maintenance actions each season. As the summer continues, this is a perfect time to prepare for fall. Depending on your climate the fall season may be too late to prepare if it gets cold quickly. Regardless of your location, start these helpful tips now to save money and get a jump on the season.

Examine your roof/gutters/downspouts for debris - Your roof is often forgotten about because it is not at eye level to give you a subtle reminder every time you walk past it. Clear leaves, dirt, and pine needles from gutters and examine downspouts for damage or loose pieces. Check the flashing around your chimney and any openings in the roof, such as skylights for leaking problems.

Examine the grounds of your property Before the grass is covered with snow, or it is too cold to venture outside, check walkways for cracks and loose paver material.

Fix walkway and entryway areas before slippery weather can cause a tripping or falling accident.

damper handle and springs to ensure the flue is operating correctly. Hire a professional chimney sweep if needed.

One spring comes along next year, you will be pleased that you stored them and they’re ready for use!

Change the filters in your home - If you have a central air conditioning system, change the air filter regularly. If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove from the window or place a waterproof cover over it to prevent damage. Change filters in stove vents, clothes dryers and room fans if applicable. Clean air filters will keep your family healthier in the fall months.

Drain your hot water heater - If your live in an area with hard water extra amounts of sediments could be building up in your tank.

Now is a perfect time to drain and make sure rust is not developing in your tank as well.

If your hot water heater is extremely old or is rusting considering a new one that will be more cost effective and energy efficient.

Have garden power tools serviced - Once your grass begins to enter the dormant stage, take your lawnmower, trimmer, and other tools to get their blades sharpened and fluids recapped off. In the market for new garden power tools, buy now when the season is almost over… you will find great deals!

Still have leaky faucets? Repair them now - Before the temperatures start to dip low, examine leaky faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms, and utility room locations. Most likely the time and money spent now to fix will be less than a broken pipe in the dead of winter!

Prepare your fireplace - For some people they use their fireplace more than their central heater in the fall and winter months.

Discard old ashes and ensure the damper is open to allow air to freely move through the chimney. If the air is becoming cold, close back the damper after cleaning. Check the

Check windows and doors for drafts - The majority of conditioned air in your home is lost through the windows and doors. Go through your home and open windows to ensure the seal and caulking around the window frame is in good condition. Think of adding heavier drapery around windows that are extra drafty, to help block some air infiltration.

Clean and store seasonal outdoor furniture - Once you have taken your last plunge in the pool this summer, power wash outdoor furniture and cushions. Once dry, store cushions in dry area to prevent cracking, and fading over the fall and winter months.

Take care of your irrigation/lawn needs - Depending on where you live, the climate for your lawn and its irrigation system may need to be checked. Consider having an irrigation service professional fix broken heads before the cold weather sets in. If you want to prevent spring weeds and winter lawn damage, don’t forget to fertilize. Visit your local garden center to find out information on what type of fertilizer to use and when to spread it.

Enjoy these days of summer because they are going fast! Before you know it we will be getting ready for the holidays.

Use these ten tips to help you get a jump start on your fall home maintenance, your home will thank you!

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Your Horoscope - October 9th 2013 Aries Horoscope (March 21-April 20): The end of the workweek can move you past a block, a dilemma, or an enmeshment issue. Once that happens, you’ll pick up speed.

Friday’s new moon acts as a stimulant for finances, create-it projects, and relationship matters. For the rest of the month and into the start of the next, Venus helps you create positive gains where you desire them most.

Taurus Horoscope (April 21May 21): The Thursday sun/ Uranus alignment can dish up excitement or a schedule disruption. Added expense or further investment could also be part of the mix. On the positive side, you could land a new job, make strides with a work or health situation, or run across opportunity that’s worth jumping on. Monday/Tuesday, it’s time to make a commitment and put a plan into action.

Gemini Horoscope (May 23-June 20): Impulsiveness could get the better of you as the workweek finishes, but you might be glad it did. While it’s good to have an outline, allow spontaneity to run the presentation or conversation, and make sure to engage your audience. Thursday/Friday is great for a public event, social get-together, or first date. Sunday through Tuesday tells you all you need to know.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21July 20): Thursday/Friday can kick-start something lucrative.

The new moon also favours a change of residence, renovation, a contract or legal undertaking, a new partnership or family arrangement. Starting Sunday, Venus in Sagittarius increases the hunt or the work, but it also sets a more fruitful backdrop. Efforts can net greater gains now. Tuesday brings an official word, important talk, a contract, a transaction, or a finalization.

Leo Horoscope (July 21-Aug. 22): It’s a busy and buzzed-up end to the workweek, thanks to the sun/Uranus alignment.

Thursday/Friday, shop, upsell, share, connect, socialize, and enjoy. Spontaneous choices deliver best.

Someone could light an unexpected spark.

Through the start of November, Venus in Sagittarius bestows her bounty on your desires and ambitions. Your creative, career, and love-life prospects begin to show promise.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug. 23Sept. 22): As of the weekend, you’ll find yourself on an emotional or financial switched track. The sun/ Uranus speeds up the A to B process and introduces you to a new range of possibilities. Cut yourself extra slack and don’t angst tomorrow, embrace it instead.

By Monday/Tuesday, you’ll know where you stand. Mercury/Saturn makes it real, keeps it real, and/or toughens your resolve.

Libra Horoscope (Sept. 23Oct. 22): What’s new? Feel like you’re coming alive again? Beyond being a good time to interface with folks and go out on the town, Thursday’s sun/ Uranus alignment and Friday’s new moon hit your Refresh button. Invest in yourself and your future, get a physical or personal make-over. Sunday/Monday, the time is right. Sign the contract, make the commitment. A relationship is hot or off.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct. 23Nov. 21): Thursday’s surprise turnabout, revelation, or find could be to your advantage.

Added expense may be part of the mix, but the fix or upgrade is worth it. In terms of the big picture, you are launching into a productive work and create-it cycle.

Tuesday’s Mercury/Saturn helps you to zero in, tighten it up, set a course, and go.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov. 22-Dec. 20): Looking for something new? It’s looking for you, too. Start a conversation, get out the door, or watch it happen right where you are; Uranus keeps life interesting as the week comes to a close.

A new personal or love interest carries the wow factor. If it’s meant for you, it’ll come together quickly. Starting Monday, Venus in Sagittarius brings attention your way.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec. 21-Jan. 20): It’s a good idea to build more flexibility into your schedule for those last-minute things. Despite the new moon, which is usually a quieter influence, the sun/ Uranus makes for a busier-than-usual end to the workweek. Sunday through Tuesday is a productive time to get your bases covered and/or wrap things up.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan. 21-Feb. 18): You’ll get good mileage from your end-ofthe-week spurt or sprint. An impulse, an indulgence, or a brainstorm is well worth acting on. Thursday through Saturday keeps the conversation, stimulation, and entertainment going strong. On Sunday, stay productive. Starting Monday, Venus increases opportunity and profitability. On Tuesday, get down to business, sign it, make it official.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb. 18-March 20): Dive in or back out—something significant and perhaps unexpected could get you going as the workweek comes to a close.

There could be a conflict between your needs and theirs, but ultimately it’s your decision and your play to make. Sunday through Tuesday, you’ll get things sorted out. Aim, invest, or reach in a new direction.

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Blogging can make you stand out from the crowd Jim Pagiamtzis Business Development Blogging Can Make You Stand out From the Crowd In today’s competitive environment there are tools that you can use to enhance your expertise and brand to separate yourself from the crowd. Blogging is a treasure in the so-

cial media world that has been used by thousands of professionals and entrepreneurs to not only educate but make money with it!

Below are three areas that you can focus on to assist you with using social networking Expertise We are all experts at something, whether it’s in the professional realm or perhaps a hobby. You can share this in your blog through social networking. In conversations that you have with your friends see if they have any information that you may share.

Here are some ideas: You have an interest in books or attend events. Write

about your experience. Perhaps you have an interesting lifestyle. My friend Patrick Bizindavyi shares his life in the www.journeymanstories.blogspot.com Brand Building your own personal brand is important even if you don’t have a business. The ability to share your insights on who you are and what you do is important. It could be an interest in event planning to hobby that you could turn into a business.

Leverage The opportunity to share this with your network is very powerful, from Twit-

ter, LinkedIn (groups). Choose the social media that will be the most effective. Your networks will comment, share and like your material. Feedback that you receive will give you insight on what people think about your expertise.

You can evaluate which media is the most effective one to use and build a community. Participating in digital conversation is an important way to learn about opportunities in various industries.

The ability share your experience and build own social platform is a powerful way to stand out from others in the digital atmosphere.

26 Wednesday, October 9, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

5 things you canʼt live without in business 5 lightning in a bottle, must have, can’t live without and must have now items!

Tina Dietz Business Development Four generations worth of business ups and downs have given me a wealth of what works and what doesn’t work in building a successful business. Being a therapist taught me that the best business idea in the world is worthless without the right habits and mindset to bring that gorgeous idea into reality. Here’s my 5

lightning in a bottle, must have, can’t live without, and prioritize NOW items that you’ve just got to cultivate to have a successful business.

1. Take time every morning before you begin work for a “checkup from the neck up.” Giving yourself just 10 minutes to review what you accomplished the day before, what you’re grateful for, and the top items you’re working on today will give you flow and focus to your day.

2. Expect to spend a minimum of 25% of your business time in marketing activities, more if you’re just getting started. You can have the best product or give the best message around, but it won’t make any difference if no one can find you! If you have to choose between

having conversations or doing online or direct mail marketing, choose the live event because trust is built the fastest with handshakes and conversations, not ads 3. Develop a “teflon coating.”

People always have opinions and they always will. Find the contribution in people’s feedback, (sometimes you have to look reeeeealy hard, but it’s there) and at the same time stand true to yourself. Remember that what people say is rarely, if ever, personal–even if it really seems like it is.

4. Keep good client files–and USE THEM. Taking the time to remember your clients’ preferences such as a particular lotion or their favorite music goes a long way towards building both

referral and repeat clients. Send them a thank you card after their first appointment. Send them a birthday card with a coupon. Ask them how little Jeffy or Julia is doing in hockey or dance class, etc.

Your client files can be used for personal details just as much as keeping track of how their bodies are doing.

5. Keep your creativity fresh and limber. Stretch your mind as well as your body. Check out a new class or a video of some kind on a weekly or at least monthly basis on a topic that interests you whether its massage related or not. Keep your creative juices flowing with fresh ideas for your business and your clients, and it will come through in your work and keep you rejuvenated!

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