Christmas For Kids 121714

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CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS Photo: Alpha King

T & T Association Brings Christmas to the Children

ALYSSA MAHADEO/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Every year the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Ontario has hosted their annual Children’s Christmas Party reaching out to children from underprivileged groups across the city. For the past fifteen years they have offered the children a wonderful day of fun, and games as well as the opportunity to see their faces light up with a visit from Santa. This year’s party hosted approximately 100 children sponsored and organized by the association not only to entertain the children, but also create a great experience for members to enjoy as well.

Many members of the association as well as other corporate sponsorships from various West Indian companies like the professionals at Raymond

James Ltd. have contributed greatly to make the Christmas Party the success that it is today. All of the toys donated for the party are provided Mr. Brian Mathieu. His generosity and help throughout the years have been a blessing to the association. Mr. Mathieu has been the Children’s Christmas Party’s main sponsor for more than ten years now.

Entertainment for the day was provided by the very talented, Raw Energy Jr. group dance from the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough.

This year they showcased a dramatic and energizing performance that called for audience participation. The magician, Ryan amazed and impressed with his magical skills, and fourteen year

old Sai Akshitha Mogudala captivated guests with her classical Indian dance.

The association has always worked hard and dedicated a lot of time and effort to make the party a treat for everyone to enjoy bringing people together during the holiday season. They would like to send a special thank you to their volunteers at Urban Promise as well as the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough. All of their efforts are greatly appreciated.

If you wish to donate a new or unused toy or are interested in getting involved to volunteer or sponsor and continuously make this event another great success in the years to come please contact info@tntao.com.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Nadia Mohammed: Entrepreneur and mother of four As a devoted, hardworking mother of four Nadia Mohammed has dedicated her time and effort into helping young families with their life investments.

Born in Trinidad, and raised here in Canada she lives with her husband and children managing day-to-day obstacles at home working around her busy family life, and helping people to learn how to become financially independent.

Working a regular 9-5 everyday was challenging having a big family, and so with some encouragement from her husband Nadia got her Canadian Investment license as well as her life insurance license and set out to help teach people about financial literacy. For two years now she has been working in the field, helping people, and emphasizing how important it is for people to learn about the different kinds of life investments to prepare themselves for the future.

Through her work she shows people the kinds of investments they can make, what options they have whether they are starting a new family, or getting ready to retire.

Teaching people to become more financially conscious is a big part of what she does,

because she spends a lot of time answering the questions that people have providing the information that they need to know about intelligently investing their money. Her goal is help more people to feel financially fit.

Nadia’s line of work allows for a lot of flexibility and so she is able to manage her schedule working from home most of the time choosing how many days a week she works to ensure that she can tend to everyone’s needs. She is able to meet with clients at their homes or wherever is most convenient for them. Her hopes for the future is to introduce more mother’s like herself into this field of work so they can reap the rewards of having a productive and flexible schedule without exhausting all of their time and still being organized.

If you have any questions regarding life insurance and investments feel free to contact Nadia at 905-409-5886 or send her an email at time2invest@hotmail.ca Written By Allysa Mahadeo

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

The Valmiki Ashram: Warming Hearts for the Holiday Season Emily Singh TC Reporter With Christmas just days away, what better time to open your hearts and give to those in need this holiday season. The Valmiki Ashram in Scarborough is no stranger to giving back to the community. Under the guidance and teachings of founder and president, Pandit Vishnu Prasaad Mishra the Ashram has been making a fundamental difference through contributing to various humanitarian projects since 1998. The Caribbean Children’s Foundation is one charity in particular that the Ashram has been supporting over the years. The Caribbean Children’s Foundation is a registered charity established in 2000, which took aim in helping just one child in the Caribbean who was critically ill and needed urgent lifesaving treatment. Over the last twelve years they have been able to help over 54 children receive treatment at Sick Kids Hospital. One of the main objectives of the Valmiki Ashram is helping out poor and deserving families and the goal of the Caribbean Children’s Foundation aligns perfectly with that of the Ashram.

In addition to the Caribbean Children’s Foundation the Ashram has also supported the Prabhu Sharan Orphanage, the Camal Orphanage and the Burn Unit of a hospital all of which are in Guyana. The

Ashram has not only touched the lives of those organizations in the Caribbean but also in India. In 2001 the Ashram was able to donated $1,000 dollars towards relief following the devastating earthquake in Gujarat that claimed the lives of over 20,000 people. Another objective of the Ashram is to promote and foster the teaching of Hinduism, which is why in 2008 they were able to support the Save the Cow initiative in India, which aims to protect cows in India from being slaughtered and reinforce the significance of the cow in Hinduism.

Such endeavors cannot be accomplished without the support from the community and devotees of the Ashram. Rajmini Ramkumar is no stranger to the Caribbean community. She can be found regularly inside Tropical Escape Restaurant & Lounge in Brampton, serving up authentic Caribbean dishes. However, Ramkumar does more than just own and operate a restaurant she unhesitantly gives back to the community through her work with the Valmiki Ashram. On November 29th, Ramkumar and the Tropical Escape family donated multiple bags of gifts towards the Ashram’s annual Christmas show. Every child deserves something special during the Christmas season unfortunately many do not have that privilege. The show was a success as everyone enjoyed live singing and beautiful dance numbers, Santa himself even dropped by to deliver the gifts and entertain the children.

The Valmiki Ashram continues to be a backbone to the Hindu community and serves not only as a place of worship but also a supportive organization for the community, helping those in need.

Parents rally at Ajax High School over racism concerns Tammy Flores Contributor Parents at Ajax High School were picketing Monday, December 15th, 2014 over concerns of systemic racism. They are calling on Principal Pemberton to resign. Sandra Forsyth, advocate for Durham Community Action Group says that concerns became elevated after a male black youth, just starting high school, was threatened with expulsion from the school when a female white youth accused him of sexual assault with a knife.

The mother of the male black youth has concerns over the school’s investigation.

She says she was called at work by Principal Pemberton and informed that her son had to leave the school property until further notice. Principal Pemberton gave no explanation whatsoever and simply told the mother to get in touch with the police for more information as the issue was now a police matter.

The male black youth told his mother that he was stopped in the hallway by Principal

Pemberton and Vice Principal Docherty and brought into the office where he was asked to remove his outer shirt and shoes as they searched him. They then proceeded to search his locker. There was no police presence at the time, the mother was not informed and no incriminating evidence was found.

The mother of the male black youth was directed to the liaison officer for high schools in Durham, Officer Morton. He informed her that there were allegations by a female student and possibly more than one, that her son had sexually assaulted them with a knife in the classroom on several occasions, with the class of students present, when the teacher would leave the classroom.

The teacher claims she saw a scuffle over a hat. No charges were laid and upon the advice of a lawyer, they did not go to the police station for questioning, however the male black youth was suspended from school pending expulsion.

After two weeks into the ordeal, the Children’s Aid Society started to call the mother requesting that she voluntarily bring her son into the police station for questioning to look less guilty. The police kept threatening to come and arrest her son, but stated that she could make it easier if she would just bring him in for questioning.

Continued On Page 11

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

A name of her own Jordan Maxwell TC Reporter If she could pick a song to sing it’d be Bonnie Raitt’s ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’ but Lisa Banton has had little trouble making people do so once they hear her sing.

For Banton, music runs through her blood. Her father, renowned gospel singer George Banton, ingrained a passion for music in his daughter at an early age as he often sang Motown classics and gospel hymns.

So when the Toronto-based R&B singer decided to become a professional singer, and an independent one at that, she was fully aware of what it took with her father showing her the path.

“My Dad was everything for me when it came to music. He really showed me what it took to be an independent artist and he had such a great passion for music. Watching him really gave me the confidence to do it on my own and pursue my love for R&B and music,” said Banton in an interview with Toronto Caribbean.

Like many R&B musicians in Canada, struggling for recognition and to make a name for themselves, Banton sings mainly on the underground scene, hustling to meet as many DJs and similar artists as a means of networking.

By day, Banton is an early childhood

educator at a daycare full-time and by night, she works hard to promote her music, perform in clubs and other events while hosting and attending listening parties to make connections.

It’s not an easy reality for the independent artist, but Banton said she finds peace in the process; pride in the journey.

“It’s been a lot of work, running around trying to promote my new EP,” she said, as her next project, the Lost and Found EP, is due in January/February of 2015.

“I’ve found a new appreciation for the work it takes just putting the album together and all the work it takes to produce and get it ready. It’s given me a different love for the music. I would always do music anyways but it’s made me respect the process a lot more,” she added.

Banton began singing in studio at 19 and since then has released several projects, most notably the Mirror Mirror Vol 1 and 2 mixtapes. Now, she enters a new phase of her career with her latest EP due in late winter.

As a way to further her brand and name in music, Banton is collaborating with DJs from the United Kingdom (UK), a move she hopes will help to promote Canadian R&B and her music in a place where the genre is widely accepted in the mainstream scene.

“People in the UK have a strong love for R&B music and I’ve made connections with a few DJs over there. I wouldn’t be where I am without the internet. I believe it’s the most important tool for independent artists. I play in a lot of underground clubs so nobody really knows who I am,” she said.

“The internet helps me to make connections with people and I’m able to (instantly) send DJs and radio station music. I can network to create business opportunities and that’s important for underground artists,” she said.

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T&T acting police commissioner “Nothing threatens me” TRINIDAD -- Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Stephen Williams says if his colleagues are not happy with his leadership he will walk away from the T&T Police Service (TTPS). He made the comment in a telephone interview Monday, as he responded to a media report that Government had considered a plan to amend the Police Service Commission Act so it could remove him from office and fast track the appointment of a junior to the top post.

The move was said to have been discussed at Cabinet, with the minister who proposed it offering recently appointed Superintendent Johnny Abraham, current head of the Central Division, as the man to replace Williams due to his success in curbing crime in his region. The move was reportedly eventually stopped because it did not receive the support of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association.

Contacted Monday, Williams said he would always do his job to the fullest whether he held the substantive post or not. Asked if he was threatened by the thought that he could eventually be overlooked for the substantive post, Williams said: “Nothing threatens me.

There is a God and if you believe that God has a specific role for you to play then that is for you.

“If you are a garbage collector, be the best garbage collector there is. I am a police officer and I will do my best no matter what position I hold.” Williams said he has been given five extensions as acting CoP spanning over two years and he was comfortable with what he has achieved. He said the progress and changes made under his leadership were comforting to him and his membership.

“If my people are no longer supporting me then I would be the first to go,” he said,

adding he is of the age where he could retire and receive gratuity and pension from the State.

Abraham: I’d serve with pride Also contacted Monday, Supt Abraham said he had been busy in the field for much of the day but had been told about the story which suggested he was tipped to lead the service. He said when he got a calling to join the service he did so with an open mind not sure it was what he really wanted to do but now he would not have it any other way. “I do my job with pride. If I do get the call I would accept it with open arms. Who wouldn’t want to aspire to be the head of their organisation?” Abraham said.

“I am not one who believes in crime plans, I am an action man and day to day there is a presence of police officers outside.” If he does eventually get the post, Abraham said he would mandate that police patrol the streets more, adding that as far as he is concerned only two police are needed in a station at a time.

He said his success in the Central Division was achieved because he and his colleagues are on the ground patrolling the region from Caroni in the north to Claxton Bay in the south. He said when his colleagues see him out in the field it motivates them to work harder.

He said if he was to give up his love of policing he would go into agriculture.

Welfare body supports Williams Also contacted Monday, Police Service Social and Welfare Association president, Insp Anand Ramesar, said Williams had done a commendable job as interim head of the TTPS. He said Williams’s claim that he would step down if he is not supported by his colleagues was a credit to him, but said this should be adopted by oth-

ers, particularly in the Ministry of National Security.

Ramesar said in the first division, Williams is the only man fitting the CoP status and priority should be placed on confirming him as the commissioner. But he said there was too much political interference in the running of the service. “There is no excuse for the Government, the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Ministry of National Security to allow the post to remain as it is for so long.

“This has done more harm than good to the police service, as it shows a failure in succession planning and a deterioration in morale in the TTPS,” he said. He added: “Instead of seeing the CoP is appointed, what we are seeing is a set of substitute products and for us this undermines the role and function of the TTPS and the CoP. “We are heading into 2015 and there seems to be no appearance to fix the situation. The association is of the view that the PSC has run its course and no longer serves its purpose.” Asked what he meant by substitute products, Ramesar said the implementation of the Rapid Response Unit, the Praedial Larceny Squad and the Community Comfort Patrol (CCP) were some of the units not directly under the control of the CoP. Griffith: It’s out of my hands National Security Minister Gary Griffith said Monday that he has done all he can on the process of appointing a CoP. He said legally, the only body that can make a recommendation for the post is the PSC, which is now at a standstill following the resignation of chairman, Prof Ramesh Deosaran, on August 1. He added that only the President can appoint a new PSC head and until that is done Williams remains.

He said while the acting position may hinder the promotion process and contribute to low morale, Williams has all the powers although he is acting. “My aim is to reduce crime in this country and that is my goal,” Griffith said when asked about the setting up of the substitute units. However, he noted that in no country are there neighbourhood watch groups which report to the police and dismissed Ramesar’s argument that the CCP circumvents the commissioner’s authority.

Williams: New direction in 2015 Williams says there will be a greater emphasis on other aspects of policing aimed at reducing the murder rate and reducing other serious crimes in 2015. He said while his men have been focusing on gun recoveries this year, they would not be able to properly tackle gun-related crimes because the TTPS is not responsible for the patrolling of the borders where the guns are entering.

But he reiterated that the issue of tackling crime cannot be the police’s responsibility alone. “This goes beyond raw policing but to the issue of quality of life and human behaviour. The churches and other places of worship, the family, the schools, they must all play a part. “They have a critical role to play.

It is about society building. We speak about it but we are not doing anything about it.”

Williams said while the TTPS is not a psychological institution, contemporary police now have to adopt the role of mentor, psychologists and in some cases parental figures.

He said the service now has 101 police youth clubs and the aim is to curb criminality tomorrow by changing the mindset of the youth today.

- Trinidad Guardian

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

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Trail blazer Rafieya Husain lands among top 10 at Miss World 2014 GUYANA -- We knew she was certainly going to excel at the Miss World 2014 and she did even more by blazing a trail at this year’s Miss World Pageant to be named among the top 10 finalists.

Guyana’s Rafieya Husain dazzled at every segment of the competition and when she was announced at No.4 among the top 10 finalists, all Guyana felt the excitement of her achievement.

Though she was not earmarked in the top five that eventually battled for the prestigious title, Guyana’s beauty ambassador has certainly signaled to the entire universe that Guyana is ready again for international pageantry.

Husain competed excellently throughout the competition to earn her status among the top 10 on the night of the finals.

She had also placed among the top 15 in the Beauty with a Purpose competition. Her presentation was based on “Domestic Violence� and educated the audience about the scourge in Guyana.

Miss South Africa, 22-year-old Rolene Strauss, was crowned Miss World 2014 at the contest’s glitzy final in London on Sunday, with an estimated billion viewers watching on television around the globe.

Miss Hungary, Edina Kulcsar, was judged the runner-up and Miss United States, Elizabeth Safrit, came third in the 64th annual competition, contested by women from 121 countries.

Medical student Strauss clasped her hands together in surprise and was crowned

by the outgoing Miss World, Megan Young of the Philippines, to huge cheers in the ExCeL exhibition centre.

Scotland.

In the Beauty with a Purpose section — the heart of Miss World — contestants present a charitable project they have been working on in their homeland.

In this section, the judges gave equal first place to Misses Brazil, Guyana, India, Indonesia and Kenya, after being unable to separate them.

In rounds held since the contestants arrived in London, Miss Finland topped the sporting competition; Miss United States was the multimedia winner; Miss Bosnia and Hercegovina won the top model round and Miss Sweden triumphed in beach fashion.

- Shimmering costumes Sunday’s show started with a spectacular choreographed dance routine, with all the beauty queens on stage in costumes inspired by their homelands — including Miss Bolivia in a colourful feathered headdress.

While beauty remains central to the event, the women taking part are chiefly judged on their talents and involvement in good causes.

M i s s Malaysia won the talent competition in a live sing-off with Miss

- Bollywood star honoured The event also featured a spe-

cial 20-year award for 1994’s Miss World, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai. The 41-year-old Indian actress appeared on stage with her film star husband Abhishek Bachchan, their daughter Aaradhya and her mother.

The prize was for the “Dhoom 2 star’s charitable work with children with cleft palates since being made famous by the Miss World title.

The 10 contestants who topped the final scoreboard were, in descending order, from India, South Africa, England, Guyana, Brazil, Hungary, Kenya, United States, Mexico and Australia.

They were joined by Miss Thailand, who won the people’s choice award, voted for by people around the world through a mobile phone app.

The judges chose Miss Hungary, Miss Australia, Miss South Africa, Miss United States and Miss England as their top five before picking their top three.

Miss World began in 1951, a year before its chief rival Miss Universe.

Strauss is the third South African Miss World, the country having held the title in 1958 and 1974.

Venezuela tops the all-time leader board with six titles, ahead of India and the United Kingdom on five titles each.

The Guyana Chronicle joins with all Guyanese in applauding the success of Miss Husain and in wishing her the best in future endeavours.

- Guyana Chronicle

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Wednesday, December 17, 2014 11

Racism concerns Continued From Page 3 -- According to the mom she felt bullied and complied, but no questions were answered because their lawyer wasn’t present. 3 1/2 weeks after the ordeal started, her son was charged with sexual assault. The male black youth goes before the judge Tuesday, December 16th, 2014. It is hoped the case will be thrown out.

Durham Community Action Group and parents picketing at Ajax High School are concerned that former Vice Principal of Donald A. Wilson, a Whitby area High School, Andrea Pemberton feeds the “school to prison

pipeline”. Andrea Pemberton was promoted to be Principal of Ajax High School despite being embroiled in a Human Rights Tribunal case involving another male black youth that is to be heard February 19th and 20th, 2015. Also named in the Tribunal case are Superintendent John Bowyer and teacher Warren Palmer.

The “school to prison pipeline” is a phrase activists use to describe what they view as a pattern of behavior by public institutions such as the school system to push disadvantaged, male black youths out of the school system and into the justice system. Activists claim

that the school system is failing black youth and their community by incarcerating them when all they need is more education and social assistance. Staffing shortages and statutory mandates such as “Zero Tolerance Policies” is what the schools say prevents them from instituting a more inclusive program in the public system.

I reached out to both Ajax High School and the Durham District School Board, but they had no comment on the allegations. I will be doing a follow up story to this as information becomes available.

Salvatori Vendors to Find a New Home TRINIDAD -- The proposed move to relocate vendors from the Salvatori building site on Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, to New City Mall, Charlotte Street, by the turn of the new year, has been met with uncertainty from a number of tenants. In September the Urban Development Corporation of T&T (Udecott) which owns the site said all vendors must relocate on January 1, 2015.

Udecott chairman Jearlean John told the T&T Guardian the vendors have been given at least four extensions but ultimately vendors would need another location to ply their trade

by January 1. Port-of-Spain mayor Raymond Tim Kee, in an address during a weekly statutory meeting at City Hall, Port-of-Spain, last week said at least 20 vendors would be moved from the spot just after Christmas to New City Mall.

However, that option came to the

surprise of New City Mall’s manager Diane Hendrickson, who in an interview said there was little space for new tenants. She said there was space for about four people on the Independence Square side of the Government-subsidized property but nowhere near the figure of 20 vendors as quoted by the mayor. Hendrickson also said she was unaware of any such arrangement and heard about it once on a radio programme.

Vendors at the Salvatori site said they had heard nothing of New City Mall being an option for relocation. One proprietor, Nisha Small, who has occupied her current spot for two years, said she understood Udecott’s demand to vacate the premises. “I have no issues (with being relocated). If it was my property and I was ready for it, I would ask others to relocate as well... My only problem is, where are they going to put us? No one spoke to us.”

She said only councillor for St Ann’s East, Janelle Young, has made an attempt to assist her (Small) in relocating. Small said she would go anywhere to “do her hustle”, and although no one spoke to her about New City Mall being used as an option, she would be happy for a booth as it is affordable. Small said she believed a lot more than three booths were available for vendors at New City Mall.

“A lot of people closed up shop recently because they weren’t paying rent, so, there is enough space for most of the vendors here.” The latest extension to allow vendors space at the site by Udecott was for three months and will expire on December 31. The site has to be cleared to allow assessments and surveys to be done before construction begins on the energy tower project.

- Trinidad Guardian

Jamaica may have to import American ganja, says US activist JAMAICA -- In the near future Jamaica could be importing cannabis (ganja) from the United States, says Ethan Nadelmann, founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the war on drugs.

“Consumer tastes have shifted from outdoor growing, which is what you do in Jamaica, to indoor growing (which is being done in the United States),” Nadelmann said in his keynote address at the Negril Chamber of Commerce’s Gala on Saturday night at the Couples Swept Away Resort.

“If you guys in Jamaica don’t get your act together soon, you are going to be importing ganja from America…better start moving because the world is going to leave Jamaica behind,” he told the guests.

He said that efforts being made in Jamaica to legalise the drug for medicinal and religious reasons was moving forward at the pace of “Jamaica time”.

“You know, at some point, Jamaica time becomes out of time. If you want this to happen, it gotta happen now. I know that the nations in the region are not used to providing global leadership, but its got to move forward quickly and it’s got to move forward with collective action in this country if something’s going to happen,” he suggested.

Nadelmann says that the United States government has been forced to become more flexible on the issue of how regional governments interpret the international conventions on the use of the drug, because the provisions contradict treaties on development,

health and human rights.

He said that this has been manifested in the results of referendums on its use in a growing number of American states.

He added that this development has given nations in the region an opportunity to move forward, in terms of amending legislation restricting the use of drug for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Nadelmann plays a key role as drug policy advisor to billionaire George Soros, and other prominent philanthropists, as well as elected officials ranging from mayors, governors and state and federal legislators in the US to presidents and cabinet ministers outside the US. - Jamaica Observer

Donkey cart operators angry, say they need justice JAMAICA -- “We need justice!” It’s an almost daily cry from Jamaicans who are either complaining about the lack of a service -- any service; or who are angry at agents of the State whom they accuse of extrajudicial killings.

Now, the cry for equity is coming from angry donkey cart operators -- mostly farmers -- who travel on the busy Mandela Highway that links Kingston with St Catherine and other parishes west of the capital city.

The appeal was made last Friday after one of their colleagues -- a Kingston farmer -was struck from his cart by a minibus travelling from Spanish Town to Kingston.

The man, whose name the Jamaica Observer was unable to ascertain, has been admitted to hospital in serious condition, the farmers said.

“We need justice,” said a distraught Violet Perrin, who also farms in Kingston.

“The motorist dem using the road as if it is for dem alone.”

Police report that about 9:00 am the farmer was attempting to cross the busy highway on his donkey-drawn cart when the crash occurred.

“The impact of the crash mash up the

cart; all the donkey get injured,” said another furious cart operator as he tried to collect what was left of the wrecked wooden carriage.

The operators said the incident was not the first to take place on the highway since the start of the year.

“This is about the seventh case where cart operators ah use the road wid dem donkey and people wid dem vehicle just come bulldoze wi offa di road like wi nuh recognise,” said Louis Brown, another farmer.

Brown said the situation is made worse whenever they attempt to voice their concern, as their lives are threatened.

The claim was corroborated by Joseph Henderson, another farmer who owns a donkey cart. “Ah pure slackness a gwaan.

When these things happen and yuh talk bout it, all yuh life dem (motorists) a threaten,” he told the Observer.

“We want dem know seh dis ah our livelihood; ah so we earn instead a go tief. Di youth dem a do little hustling wid dem donkey cart,” said Henderson.

But while the cart operators are fuming, police are claiming that on many occasions they are not following the rules of the road.

“The problem with donkey cart operators using the roads incorrectly has been a long-standing issue,” said one cop at Ferry Police Station who asked not to be named, as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

He said, too, that donkey cart operators travelling on the road outside of the permitted time of 6:00 am to 6:00 pm was another big problem.

Added one detective who is investigating the crash: “There is also another issue; how these animals are sometimes treated by these farmers, we believe, can be best described as cruelty to animals and needs to be looked into.”

But the farmers have rubbished that claim. “Because ah dem and dem technology, dem nuh consider us donkey cart operators. A long time donkey and cart around, so how all of a sudden dem having a problem with cart operators?” asked one of the farmers.

The police, though, said it is difficult to regulate the cart operators as they are not organised as a group.

- Jamaica Observer

December 19 2014 Finale - The Final All Ages Of 2014 Inside The Mirage Shisha Bar & Lounge 120 Advance Blvd, Brampton ON December 20 2014 Mingle Inside The Junction 3820 Victoria Park Avenue, Scarborough ON December 20 2014 Winter Wonderland Masquerade Ball Inside Remix Lounge Toronto 1305 Dundas St. West, Toronto ON December 26 2014 Unforgettable Inside Mirage Banquet Hall 1917 Albion Road, Etobicoke ON December 26 2014 Chutney On Demand Inside Twilight Family Restaurant 55 Nugget Ave., Scarborough ON December 27 2014 Champions Old & New School Inside Island Mix Restaurant & Lounge 1050 Brock Rd., Pickering ON December 31 2014 An Elegant New Year’s Eve Affair Inside The Jamaican Canadian Centre 995 Arrow Rd., Toronto ON December 31 2014 Dream Glamour & Glitz Inside International Plaza Hotel 655 Dixon Rd., Toronto ON December 31 2014 NYE Prestige At Gossip Inside Gossip 50 Prince Edward Ilsand Crescent, Toronto ON

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Only #1- Orlando Octave settling for nothing less with several big reveals planned Aba Luke Entertainment A true Trini Christmas spent with family and friends is enough to put a big smile on anyone’s face. For entertainer, Orlando Octave, this season’s an extra special one since he believes it will be the launching pad for some extraordinary occurrences in 2015.

“The rude boy is coming back with a bang.” That’s the refrain Octave’s been singing in the past few weeks- this, even as he’s already released four tracks for the upcoming 2015 Carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago. Now, with his heart set on delivering to music lovers across the world, songs they can truly enjoy in

the season ahead, the young entertainer says carnival fete lovers had better prepare to party. “It’s time for us to do this right.

I’ve learnt a lot in the past couple years.

There’ve been ups and downs and above everything, being humble is a trait that has proven to be good for me. Now, it’s about time for me to re-emerge and rest assured, I am ready,” said Octave.

Octave’s separation from the Millionaire Family is a topic that has sparked much conversation. He says very soon he’ll be delivering something to the people that will let them know just where things stand now. “Everybody wants to know how things have been and all of that. Well, they’ll see very soon,” he said teasingly.

From Canada to New York, Miami, the Cayman islands and a number of stops in the Caribbean, and believe it or not, Africa, Orlando Octave’s been making good use of his time and talent. “People just haven’t been seeing or hearing about me here at home, but I’ve been putting in the work,” he assured. Now under new

management, the ‘rude boy’ as he is fondly known has even been enjoying the success of his condom line and is preparing to release a line of clothing he’s calling, Mayan Clothing. The Mayan Project was formed

by Octave just about two years ago and consists of a group of budding talent from his hometown of Rio Claro. It is something he holds near and dear to his heart.

For Octave, the musical journey so far, has prepared him in many ways.

Now 24-years-old, his desire is to see more young artistes get a chance to shine in the soca music industry. “Erphaan Alves is one of those young artistes who deserves a little more recognition. He came up just like me more or less, and he is a hard worker,” said Octave, pleading with the veteran soca artistes to make room and welcome the next generation of soca talent. “For the past ten years the world has been hearing the same group of artistes. It would be nice if they would encourage the young ones, help them up too,” said Octave. Applauding Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons for

their effort in creating the Ground Empire, Octave said similar efforts are needed to develop the industry.

Now under new management, the rude boy is one of those young artistes who’ll be making his presence and his vibe felt in the weeks ahead. Beyond carnival, he’s already ready to deliver. Collaborations with the likes of Jamaica’s Konshens and Demarco and U.S rapper, Soldier Boy, are all in the mix but he’s keeping a cool head, focusing on the present and ensuring that his every move is clearly thought out.

“Right now, we’re working on getting the market at home in the Caribbean, re-acquainted. New music will be coming soon so fans and new supporters can listen out,” he said.

In the meantime, Octave’s social media buzz is strong. Fans are encouraged to follow him on Twitter @Orlando Octave, Instagram at RealOrlandoOctave, and on Facebook, keyword, Orlando Rude Boy Octave.

- Et-Cet-Era Buzz

MX Prime releases Warriors Anthem as T&Tʼs women footballers prepare for action in Port- of- Spain Aba Luke Entertainment While all of Trinidad and Tobago is abuzz with excitement over the imminent kick off between the country’s Female Soca Warriors and Ecuador this afternoon, one play maker has capitalized on the moment, releasing what can only be described as the

right anthem for the girls and for the entire nation! MX Prime has done it again, calling the ladies of soca soccer, The Best Of The Best!

Prime’s name is a big one when it comes to national anthems. His refrain, ‘I Am A Soca Warrior’ from the single, ‘Fighter’ which was delivered to the people of T&T in 2006 for the men’s soca warriors team that made it to the World Cup in Germany that year, still rings out today. From Maga Dan, to Maximus Dan, to MX Prime and now sometimes just Prime, the dreadlocks wearing Carenage, Trinidad soldier of soca, has evolved many times and in 2015, his music is likely to send ripples across the soca atmosphere in

T&T. Recently, Prime told etceterabuzz. com that he was open to collaborations with any up and coming artistes, obviously allowing for fresh sounds and styles to possibly influence his musical output.

When we asked him about the female soca artistes in the game, he said he felt Buffy would have a good season in 2015. He said her dancehall single released during the summer was a good move then, and he hoped she would maintain that momentum. “Every year a new star is born,” said Prime. He referred to Flipo’s rise in the past year, following the last season, noting that the younger artistes have been holding their own.

MX Prime is a fighter no doubt.

He remains a staple on the entertainment circuit in Trinidad and Tobago-now a prominent voice on urban radio even.

Today, the Female Soca Warriors of T&T have got MX Prime in their corner, complete with a song that describes them in every sense of its delivery. ‘The Best of the Best” take centre stage at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain today.

Thousands are expected to gather in support and MX Prime has given the masses the perfect anthem to chant throughout the afternoon! Go Warriors!

- Et-Cet-Era Buzz

14 Wednesday, December 17, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Canadian consultant to examine greyfriars TRINIDAD -- The National Diversity Ministry is engaging the services of a Canadian consultant to examine the Greyfriars building to see if it should be listed with the National Trust before any further discussions on whether it could be demolished or not, says Communication Minister Vasant Bharath. He responded to questions on the issue Monday in the absence of Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie whose ministry is also monitoring the issue, along with the Diversity Ministry.

This followed widespread public outcry when businessman Alfred Galy moved to demolish the building last month. Galy bought the building from the Greyfriars board of the Presbyterian church and began demolition. After partial demolition, this is on hold after protests and while

the issue is being examined.

The Presbyterian Church in T&T has distanced itself from the sale of the building and made it clear the Greyfriars Presbyterian Church resides with the Church of Scotland group which founded it, while the PCTT is affiliated with Canadian missionaries who began PCTT. Bharath said Tewarie has met with Diversity Minister Rodger Samuel on the issue, but Cabinet has not taken any decision on the matter, or discussed it.

Bharath explained that there needed to be clarity on whether the Planning Ministry’s Town and Country Division had approved the demolition and also whether the building was listed with the National Trust. He added, “Dr Samuel has also engaged the services of a Canadian con-

Schoolboys charged with beating officer TRINIDAD -- Noting the prevalence of youths before the court on criminal offences, a Siparia magistrate Monday granted bail totalling $450,000 to three schoolboys charged with beating and robbing a security officer at their school.

Senior Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh also ordered the three boys — two aged 16 and the other age 13 — not to have any communication directly or indirectly with the victim. The incident took place on December 2 at the secondary school.

It is alleged that the three boys beat and robbed security guard Akesh Monroe of a $450 gold chain. They were charged by PC Jacobs with robbery with violence. Attorney Charlene Kalloo, who represented the 13-year-old, said he was in Form One and lived with his parents, who were in court. She said he is also a first-time offender.

Sean Sobers, who represented the other two students, said they were in Forms Three and Five and their fathers were in court.

He said the boys, of Fyzabad and South Oropouche, had no criminal record.The attorneys asked for reasonable bail. The magistrate, howev-

er, noted the prevalence of young men appearing in court on very serious criminal offences. Court prosecutor Sgt Sheldon Ablacksingh did not object to bail but noted the serious nature of the offence which was allegedly committed on a law enforcement officer.

On the request of the prosecutor, the magistrate warned them to stay away from the victim or else their bail would be revoked and they would be sent to the Youth Training Centre.

Sobers also complained to the magistrate about a video relating to the incident being aired on the electronic media at night. He asked the magistrate whether she could do something to stop the media houses from showing the video which he said was highly prejudicial to the students, especially since the matter was before the court.

The magistrate said all she could do was to make announcement that the media needed to be careful since airing of the video could be prejudicial to the defendants. Each student was granted $150,000 bail and the matter was adjourned to January 12.

- Trinidad Guardian

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sultant to come to T&T on the matter and they have not arrived as yet.”

“It was agreed to await the arrival of the consultant to determine the authenticity of the building to see if it should be listed before any further discussions on whether it should be demolished or not.” Samuel had said the buildings were demolished even as talks were underway to list the site as a heritage site, which would have given it legal protection.

Contacted Monday Samuel said he was not sure of the date of the consultant’s arrival, but knew they were coming before year end. He said the person would be further assessing the structure.

On whether the ministry was paying for

their services and if so, how much, he said they were coming on the invitation of the Citizens for Conservation. When told that the T&T Guardian had learned his ministry was instrumental in the situation and asked if the Government was assisting that body with any costs, he said when things were being done “we always try to assist...”

Samuel’s phone then clicked off before the T&T Guardian could ask further questions.

There was no reply after that. Tewarie was expected back from the ACP meeting in Brussels by today.

- Trinidad Guardian

$300,000 bail for pastor on rape charges TRINIDAD -- Pastor Bernard Andrews of the Dow Village Open Bible Church was granted $300,000 bail Monday on two rape charges. The 47-year-old Siparia father of one appeared in the Siparia Magistrate’s Court hours after he gave himself up to the police. Andrews is accused of raping a teenager twice four years ago. The charges alleged that on a date unknown between August 10, 2010 and October 1, 2010 in Siparia he had sexual intercourse with the teenager without her consent.

It is alleged he also had sex with the girl on a date unknown between July 31, 2010 and September 1, 2010. Andrews told Senior Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh a friend was trying to reach his attorney but he asked if attorney Ramnarine Soorjansingh, who was in the other court, could represent him. Soorjansingh was asked by the magistrate to make a bail application for Andrews but during the application Andrews’s attorney Earl Martin James arrived.

Soorjansingh, however, had said that James worked as a farm assistant at the Siparia school for many years and had no convictions or pending matters. Asking for reasonable bail, James said Andrews was the father of one adult female and had given himself up after learning a warrant was out for his arrest. Confirming he was a first-time offender, court prosecutor Sgt Sheldon Ablacksingh did not object to bail but asked he be ordered to stay away from the victim.

James said Andrews and the victim did not live close to each other. Granting him $300,000 bail with a clerk of the peace approval, the magistrate warned him to have no direct or indirect contact with the victim. James, however, appealed to the magistrate to reduce the bail, particularly since it’s the Yuletide season. However, the magistrate rejected his request and ordered Andrews to return to court on January 12.

- Trinidad Guardian

16 Wednesday, December 17, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Lloyd calls for more prep games AFRICA -- West Indies chief selector Clive Lloyd has criticised the shortage of warm-up matches on the current tour of South Africa, and says modern-day itineraries left little room for player development.

Lloyd, the outstanding former captain of the 1970s and 80s, was speaking ahead of Wednesday’s start of the opening Test, following the only warm-up match of the three-Test series.

“I’ve always wanted two four-day games in the tour. I’ve said that to the West Indies and the ICC. I think one game is not enough,” Lloyd told reporters here.

West Indies last week faced a South Africa Invitational XI in a three-day game, their only chance at match preparation for the series. Even then, rain washed out Friday’s final day, leaving the tourists with just two days of cricket.

In the time allowed, Marlon Samuels slammed an up tempo double hundred and opener Devon Smith, 174, as West Indies piled up 508 all out.

Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell picked up a five-wicket haul as the hosts were shot out for 125.

But with the last day washout, several Windies batsmen and bowlers will now enter the first Test short of work.

“I think we should’ve had at least three games surrounding this Test match,”

said Lloyd, credited for moulding the Windies side of the 70s and 80s into a winning unit.

“That way if someone is out of form they can go into a four-day game and get back into it. You can’t tell if a player is doing well in the nets.”

Lloyd, who has served as chairman of ICC’s cricket committee, was appointed chief selector in August, in a shake-up of the selection committee.

An experienced administrator, Lloyd said the way current tours were constituted left no room for focus on player development.

“Most of the tours are crammed.

You’re playing 50 over games, T20s, it’s a lot of cricket and your body can only take so much. That’s why we’re seeing so many injuries. Nicely spaced out tours would be best for me,” he pointed out.

“It’s also about young players, because you want them to have a game and see what they have. We just jump into a country and then we’re gone.

“You can’t groom players anymore.

You want to try out a few youngsters. I’m not saying you have to have 10 games, but just enough that young players will get a chance.”

- Trinidad Guardian

Lara headlines Legends XI in exhibition T20 AUSTRALIA -- Legendary former West Indies batsman Brian Lara will join Adam Gilchrist, Dean Jones, Justin Langer and other Australian legends in the Western Australia Festival of Cricket Twenty20 exhibition match which bowls off today.

The Western Australia Festival of Cricket, held at Aquinas College in Perth’s southern suburbs, has revived the famous Lilac Hill Festival match that finished in 2008.

Lara and the star-studded Legends XI will play a T20 exhibition match against KFC T20 Big Bash League side the Perth Scorchers.

“The Festival of Cricket presents the public and corporates with a unique opportunity to not only watch a high-quality T20 match in a relaxed, social environment, but also to mix and mingle with many current and past greats of the game,” Gilchrist said.

“The chance to run around with a

bunch of old mates and pit ourselves against the current BBL Champions is exciting and sure to be entertaining for all.”

The 45-year-old Lara, the most dominant West Indies batsman of his era, will take to the field alongside several Aussie players he faced during his illustrious career, with the likes of former all-rounder Andrew Symonds, Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz and Jimmy Maher already confirmed by organisers.

Lara featured in 131 Tests for West Indies, scoring a record 11 953 runs with 34 100s.

The reshuffle of the Australian cricket schedule in the wake of the death of Phillip Hughes also affected the match.

The date change has ruled out Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting, and left Matthew Hayden juggling commitments in an attempt to make it.

- Trinidad Guardian

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter’s nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open

the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; “Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID!

on, DONDER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away!

Dash away! Dash away all!”

ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, so up to the housetop the coursers

His eyes -- how they twinkled!

His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a

right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, and laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

20 Wednesday, December 17, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Sorrel cranberry rum punch Chris De La Rosa Caribbean Cooking Bring drinks! The holiday season in the Caribbean is all about music, food, family and drinks. Not in that order but you get the picture – fun and merriment! As a kid I looked forward to a chilled glass of sorrel, made from the fresh harvested petals of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant, which we usually had planted in our kitchen garden. Living in North America means that sourcing fresh sorrel is almost impossible and when

yyo you ou can, can, iit’s ca can tt’’s in iinsanely nssaanneely ely ly eexpensive. xpen xp pen ensi siv ive ve. e. H However owev ow ev ver er we we’re e’r ’ree ve very ry llucky ucky uc ky iin ky n Sout So Southern ou hernn O Ontario nnttario tto o have well stocked stores with the dried sorrel petals. Personally I much prefer using the dried stuff now as I find that the ‘sorrel’ flavor is much more pungent. Today we’ll take the traditional way of making sorrel, toss in some cranberries and spike things with some wicked Caribbean rum, for what I believe is an outstanding holiday Caribbean rum punch.

You’ll Need: 3-4 cups dried sorrel 1 cup dried cranberries 1 1/2 cup sugar 8-12 cups water 1 stick cinnamon 1 star anise 1 orange (cut into wedges) thick slice of ginger

1 ccup up rru up rum um um (o (orr more mo more) ore re)) 3 dashes angostura bitters slices of orange (garnish) Note: Since fresh cranberries is widely available in North America this time of the year, originally I wanted to use the fresh stuff. However knowing that it would be easier to source dried cranberries (around the world), I went with the dried stuff. If using fresh cranberries I would use about 2-3 cups of it.

Put the sorrel, cranberries, star anise, cinnamon and orange wedges (you can squeezed the juice of the oranges directly into the pot – keep the skin in there) and top with the water. Bring to a boil, then add the sugar and reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes (stir well after adding the sugar to dissolve and sweeten). Turn the stove off and let the mixture steep for about 2 hours.

Th T The he mi m mixture i will take on a rich deep red color and or annd nd your kitchen will take on the lovely aroma of the season (smells like Christmas).

Be careful when doing this step as if it spills it may stain. It should be cool now, so strain (you may have to do this a couple times) into a clean jug or punch bowl and get ready to give it the kick good rum punch MUST possess! Discard the strained stuff.

Taste for sugar (adjust to your liking), add the bitters and go in with as much rum as you like. I used white rum as I wanted the flavors of the sorrel, cranberries and slight hint of cinnamon to really shine. but if you want it more spicy, you can use a spiced dark rum. You’ll also notice that I didn’t add any cloves as in making traditional sorrel..

I personally believe it would be too spicy.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 21

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

5 tips for your best yoga playlist Music is a powerful part of any yoga practice. From energizing your flow to helping calm and center your mind, choosing tunes that are suitable for yoga help to enhance the experience. Check out the tips below to help create a yoga mix that’s a perfect fit for your style, your practice, and if you’re a teacher your classes!

Set the Tone Make sure songs are the proper fit for the practice. Are you teaching power yoga to a class in their mid-twenties? Using contemporary music can be an effective way to engage your students. For a restorative class, going with instrumental songs or more traditional Indian music may be a better fit.

Learn the Lyrics If you’re including songs with lyrics, make sure they are uplifting and appropriate. Steer clear of language or messages that may be distracting to participants. Monopolize on the opportunity to let lyrics tie in to your verbal cues. Words such as lift, free, balance, etc. can motivate and encourage a focused practice.

making sure peaks, lulls or abrupt endings don’t cause distractions or dead space. When possible, fade songs in and out to make the mix as fluid as possible. If using lyrics, make sure they don’t compete with your voice.

Go with the Flow Organize songs so that they fit the pace of class. Starting with gentler songs while establishing the breath at the beginning, building in to more energizing songs midway through, and then settling back to calmer music as the practice winds down.

Savasan-aaah Select a song that is long enough and calm enough for a full Savasana. It can be jarring for songs to change too quickly at the end of class. Allow the music to be a guide, not something that draws the attention away from full relaxation.

Need more inspiration? Yogis across the world are making mixes and sharing them via sites such as Soundcloud, iTunes and Spotify. Figure out what works for you and take your music to the mat!

- My Yoga Online

Value the Volume Recognize the rise and fall of the songs,

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Cleanse and protect the liver with these nutritious whole foods According to the Canadian Liver Foundation, the liver performs more than 500 different functions in the body on a day-to-day basis. It helps filter chemicals such as drugs and alcohol from our blood, regulate our hormones and blood sugar levels, manufacture blood proteins, bile and enzymes, and much more.

In fact, there are few biological operations that the liver doesn’t aid to some extent.

Unfortunately, toxic livers are on the rise in the West due to our love of processed foods, which has placed enormous strain on our livers. These unhealthy meals compromise the liver’s ability to process toxins and fat, which, in turn, increases our body’s susceptibility to illness and disease over time. For this reason, it is important that we favor a diet that is rich in organic whole foods to maintain healthy liver function.

If our liver has already become toxic due to a lifelong intake of processed foods, however, then we must immediately prioritize foods that are directly proven to cleanse and protect the liver from further damage. The best of these foods are listed below.

Garlic This pungent white herb is packed with allicin, an organic sulfur compound that is known to boost liver health. For example, a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in June 2014 found that garlic essential oil and its main sulfur compound, diallyl disulfide, could protect mice from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating fat metabolism and oxidative stress.

Remember to crush or chop garlic before adding it to meals. This activates its allicin, thus maximizing its benefits for our liver.

Leafy green vegetables Leafy green vegetables are a fantastic source of chlorophyll, a natural plant pigment that helps accelerate the liver’s cleansing process by stimulating phase II detoxification (the phase in which the

liver can turn drugs, hormones and other toxins into water-soluble, excretable substances).

As a general rule, the more chlorophyll the vegetable contains, the better it is for our livers. Spinach contains one of the highest concentrations of chlorophyll and seems to be especially good for liver health. A study featured in Natural Product Research in October 2014, for instance, found that aqueous leaf extracts of Malabar spinach -- which is commonly consumed in tropical Africa and Asia -- had a “significant hepatoprotective effect” on albino rats suffering from toxic livers.

Spirulina Few foods can beat spirulina when it comes to detoxification. This cyanobacterium, which is usually consumed in supplemental form, is a fantastic superfood that is known to normalize blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce the risk of cancer, chelate the body of heavy metals and more. Furthermore, according to a pilot study published in the Annals of Gastroenterology in 2014, spirulina can also produce hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic benefits for individuals afflicted with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Avocado seeds The flesh of the avocado fruit, which is packed with disease-fighting fats and hormone-regulating sterols, has long been considered a miraculous food.

However, according to a study published in Dakar Medical, the seeds of the avocado -- which most people don’t even realize are edible -- possess strong hepatoprotective activity. Specifically, the researchers found that avocado seeds could heal hepatic lesions, normalize aminotransferases enzymes and even stimulate the liver to conjugate and eliminate bilirubin in rats. Therefore, the next time you eat an avocado, don’t throw out the seed; try grinding it into a powder and eating it. Your liver will thank you!

- Natural News

Wednesday, We W edn dne essda d y, December 17, 2014 23

24 Wednesday, December 17, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Selenium in broccoli and garlic boosts immune system, could help fight cancer Most Natural News readers know that broccoli is a good cancer preventative. Not everyone knows that garlic is another good food to help stave off cancer cell reproduction. The compound or trace mineral selenium was isolated as the main cancer fighter, according to the latest research from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

But how selenium fights cancer is rather unusual, and how the researchers discovered this is unique. The immune system is dedicated to removing wastes, damaged cells and pathogenic microbes that shouldn’t be in our bodies. But some cancer cells have a unique way of avoiding that, and selenium cracks their protective code by preventing immune system overreactions.

From Professor Soren Skov, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen: You can say that the stimulating molecules over-activate the immune system and cause it to collapse, and we are, of course, interested in blocking this mechanism. We have now shown that certain selenium compounds, which are naturally found in, e.g., garlic and broccoli, effectively block the special immunostimulatory molecule that plays a serious role for aggressive cancers such as melanoma, prostate cancer and certain types of leukaemia.

This begs the question: If the immune system collapses due to overstimulation from cancer cells, why are poisons used for treatments? According to the good professor Skov, that’s what they’re working on improving.

Isolating the molecule from cancer cells that overstimulates the immune system may enable Big Pharma to develop new chemicals with less side effects to keep them in the cancer business before too many catch on with some of the several hundred natural effective remedies and treatments without any side effects.

One may wonder why blood tests are sometimes used to determine cancer status That trouble-making molecule is a liquid form of what’s been labeled the NGK2D ligand. A ligand has the property of binding to a receptor molecule. In its unusual liquid form, the NGK2D molecule spreads throughout the blood and avails itself as a marker for cancerous activity.

“Molecules are found both on the surface of the cancer cells and dissolved in the blood of the affected person. We are now able to show that selenium compounds appear to have a very beneficial effect when it comes to neutralising the special variant of the NGK2D ligand -- both in soluble form and when the molecule is placed on the cell surface,” added Professor Soren Skov.

Using selenium for prevention So the mechanism of selenium’s anti-cancer activities centers on the compound’s ability to curb cancer cells’ actions of emitting liquid ligands that overstimulate the immune system and cause it to collapse, allowing the cancer cells a clear path to combine and spread.

While researchers work hard to keep

Big Pharma profiting in the cancer industry, common folks can boost their selenium levels with foods. In addition to the broccoli and garlic mentioned by the Danish professor, there are other foods even higher in selenium.

Without a doubt, Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium. Then there is shiitake and white button mushrooms, lima and pinto beans, chia seeds, brown rice, sunflower, sesame and flax seeds, as well as cabbage and spinach.

When it comes to garlic, it’s wise to buy local organic garlic that isn’t sprouting green stems if you live in the USA. Imported garlic is doused with the toxic pesticide methyl bromide. It may also be bleached to make it look fresher than it is after being picked, stored, shipped, and stored again.

Green stems growing from garlic indicate that it’s no longer fresh, and the chemical treatments of imported garlic bulbs remove indications of age. The taste may still be there, but the full nutritional value won’t.

It is possible to OD on selenium, so one must be keep this in mind. Selenium intake is measured in micrograms (mcg) not milligrams (mg). Watch out if supplementing. Daily intake of selenium shouldn’t exceed 400 mcg, with 200 mcg being the minimum.

The plant foods mentioned above, especially a few Brazil nuts containing 50-75 mcg of selenium each, should be sufficient for meeting that range.

- Natural News

Many popular consumer products and foods are loaded with brain-destroying aluminum Aluminum. It is the most abundant metal found naturally in the earth’s crust. But new research published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology warns that constant exposure to it can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, which typically lead to early death.

Pharmaceutical drugs, processed foods, tap water, antiperspirant deodorants and even infant formulas all contain aluminum, say researchers. And the extreme levels to which many people are being exposed in the modern age has triggered an epidemic of brain damage and early death.

Professor Christopher Exley of Keele University, who has studied the effects of aluminum extensively, found that these everyday exposures are a major contributor to Alzheimer’s, the direct effect of the metal slowly accumulating in the brain and causing neuronal damage.

A professor of bioinorganic chemistry at Keele’s Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Exley refers to today as the “aluminum age,” noting that modern man is now exposed to aluminum through many sources. And even though the human body is capable of eliminating it, aluminum often accumulates faster than it can be expelled, leading to brain-related illnesses.

In his latest research, Exley describes aluminum as an “ecotoxin” that very few sci-

entists are taking seriously. Citing earlier research on the metal, including some that he helped pioneer, Exley warns that aluminum causes the most damage over time rather than acutely, which is why many scientists remain complacent about it.

When certain toxicity thresholds are reached, typically when more aluminum is being ingested than naturally expelled, disease quickly begins to manifest. But the symptoms of aluminum toxicity can vary, which is partially why it gets overlooked when coming up with a diagnosis.

But evidence shows that, in cases of dementia, sufferers typically have greatly elevated levels of aluminum in their brains. This is due to the fact that aluminum can cross the blood-brain barrier when excessive levels of it are present within the body.

“The presence of aluminum in the human brain should be a red flag alerting us all to the potential dangers of the aluminum age,” said Exley. “We are all accumulating a known neurotoxin in our brain from our conception to our death. Why do we treat this inevitability with almost total complacency?”

Further details about how aluminum accumulates in the body, and why it tends to gravitate towards brain tissue, can be found in the full text of the study: Journal.FrontiersIN.org.

Soy-based infant formulas found to contain exceptionally high amounts of aluminum As previously mentioned, aluminum is everywhere these days. Some municipal water supplies add it in the form of aluminum sulphate to make drinking water appear clearer, and thus cleaner. Processed cookies and cakes often contain it as a raising agent as well.

Everything from food coloring, tea, cocoa, wine and sparkling beverages to toothpastes, sunscreens and various other cosmetics contain aluminum. Even popular pharmaceuticals like aspirin and antacids contain it as an additive, as do many childhood vaccines, typically in the form of thimerosal, which is roughly 50 percent ethylmercury by weight.

A lesser-known, but much more concerning, source of aluminum is soy-based infant formulas. According to the United Soybean Board, which advocates in favor of soy as a food additive, soy-based infant formulas contain high levels of aluminum because soybeans accumulate it from the soils in which they are grown.

“The [aluminum] content of a range of well known brands of infant formulas remains high and particularly so for a product designed for preterm infants,” explains a 2010 study published in the journal BMC Pediatrics.

- Natural News

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Act Quickly: Ward off a Cold with these tips Dr. Lydia Thurton ND BASc

Health Tips Being exposed to viruses is a fact of life. Being down and out with a cold for days does not have to be. I love naturopathic remedies because they can really stop a cold in its tracks. The first step is always acknowledging you have a problem. Most people have a tell tale sign when they are getting sick – consecutive sneezes, a tickle at the back of the throat, dripping nose. It’s important to recognize your first sign of sickness and act quickly. You only have a short window to stop a cold from becoming full blown.

At the first sign of a scratchy throat there are three techniques I use to banish the virus. Oil of oregano, is a potent and putrid

essential oil that has activity against viruses, bacteria and fungi. One to two drops at the back of the throat annihilates most bugs, preventing infection. Do not take oil of oregano regularly, as it can kill good bacteria. It is essential that it makes contact with the area of infection; do not just swallow it. A good old gargle with salt water can have a similar effect. My final suggestion for a sore throat is powdered ascorbic acid, better known as vitamin C. This powder dissolves in warm water, is incredibly sour, but acts as a powerful disinfectant and immune stimulator. Gargle and swallow the vitamin C. Use at least 1 gram per day when suffering with a sore throat.

If a runny nose is your problem, begin with steam inhalations with essential oils. Put a few drops of oil of oregano or eucalyptus in a steaming bowl of water, place a towel over your head and breathe deeply.

Allow your nose to run. Get the essential oils to make contact with the mucous membranes in your nose.. A netti pot, a small ceramic jug that looks like a genie lantern. It clears mucous out of the nasal passages. Place ¼ teaspoon of salt into the warm water and let

the contents of the netti pot drain into your sinuses. The water will go up one nostril and out the other. A great way to help your body clear virus laden mucous.

My number one recommendation is sleep. In North America people burn the candle at both ends until they collapse with exhaustion. When you are sick, please, for the betterment of everyone, stay home and rest. Your body can do wonders if given the right environment for healing.

There are a variety of herbs that can assist with immunity. Some are good acutely, when you are first coming down with something. Others are for long term use.

An easy tea to make to ward off a cold is a combination of ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cloves and a slice of lemon. Place a small amount of each ingredient in boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Drink repeatedly the first day of a cold.

There are no miracle cures for the common cold, but the world of natural remedies has a lot to offer. Everyday house hold items can safely and swiftly stop a virus in its tracks. Keep well!

Dental care for children Dr. Matthew Weekes BSC DDS MTh DMin

Dental Health

The human dentition has two sets of teeth.

The first set are the primary or baby teeth which are followed by the permanent or adult teeth.

There are 20 primary teeth that progressively start to erupt from the front to the back, from the age of 6 months and should be completed by the age of 3 years.

The baby’s mouth and teeth should be cleaned. It is best to start even before the teeth arrive by wiping the gums with

wet gauze or wash cloth during bath time.

Wrap the gauze or cloth around the index finger and rub it gently over the gum. After the teeth erupt you can start to use a baby toothbrush, with a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste about the size of a rice grain.

The preservation of the baby teeth, until they are ready to fall out and be replaced by permanent, are very important.

Not only are they needed for chewing food to ensure good nutrition but they also guide the permanent teeth into their correct position in the arch.

Parents should supervise dental home care for their children until they are old enough to assume that responsibility.

By the age of three, children should be taken to the dental office for their first check up and every 6 months after their initial visit.

Since the baby teeth play an important role in guiding the permanent teeth into their correct position, then none of these teeth should be lost prematurely, whether as

a result of cavities or knocked out as a result of an accident.

Early detection of cavities will result in the restoration of these teeth and prevent extractions. If however a tooth is lost, the dentist can place a small device in the space to preserve it until the replacement permanent tooth is ready to erupt.

At an early stage the dentist can evaluate the jaws, growth pattern, relationship to one another, size of teeth, spacing and determine if there will be severe jaw deformities or crowding as the permanent teeth erupt. In some of these cases early intervention in treatment will prevent costly surgical procedures in the future. Growth of the jaws is best controlled during the period of active bone growth.

Harmful habits may also deform the arches and are best treated in the early stages. It is best to partner with your dentist early in your child’s dental care.

How to keep your body over the holidays Monique Bartlett Fitness It’s getting to that time of year where getting the right body is almost an obsession for most people. This is because at this time of year there are parties, get togethers, food, drink and lack of sleep. The increase of calories and the lack of proper rest and exercise becomes risky to the overall health of the body. Increased weight can lead to obesity.

Obesity kills hundreds of thousands of people in North America alone, not to mention the many billions of dollars that are lost due to slow productivity.

But many people are coming to the realization that in order to enjoy a quality life and prolong their life, they must watch their

weight. Obesity is measured in what is called BMI or body mass index. Body mass index is a measure of one’s weight in relation to their height. A BMI of 25 or more is considered overweight and people should take care that they change their habits in order to make changes for the better.

Indulging in high calorie foods while at the same time having little or no exercise, is the reason that many people become overweight or obese. Many people are too busy to cook or even do grocery shopping during the holiday season. Because many people have parties and get togethers over the holiday season they choose not to eat a healthy meal before they go out. This causes them to eat and drink many high calorie foods. This may cause people to eat more than they normally would and create issues with their digestive systems.

One of the best ways to not gain the holiday weight is to learn to eat everything in moderation. Eat smaller portion sizes, walk more, have a healthy meal and drink water before you go out. There are many websites that can provide excellent information regarding nutrition. If you know what

foods you would usually eat over the holiday season check out the amount of calories in it. You may just be surprised at how many calories are hidden in some of your favourite items. Sometimes it’s a good idea to get an accountability partner just to keep you on track while you are out for the evening.

Another way to keep that holiday weight off is to exercise. You do not need to enroll in a gym to get into some exercise regimen. You can simply start by walking or running around the neighborhood where you live. You might need to buy some running shoes and a water bottle but the goal is to then develop an exercise regime that you can stick with. Whether it’s one, three or five days a week, any form of exercise is better than nothing. Just start with ten minutes a day and increase your amount of exercise from there.

Sometimes developing and keeping the right body is a matter of self-esteem. It is a matter of getting into the right mindset. If you feel that you deserve to have and keep a great body and that you have what it takes to get there, you will.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Has your mortgage application been denied?

Thatʼs only a starting point!

Stephen Mohammed Finance Don’t be discouraged if your mortgage application has been denied. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial obligations you may have in your lifetime. There are certain criteria applicant(s) must meet in order to qualify for a mortgage. If your mortgage application was unsuccessful ask your mortgage agent or financial institution why you weren’t able to qualify for the mortgage.

Here are some examples of reasons why your application could be denied; not enough income (you do not earn enough), small down payment, credit score or credit history just to name a few.

An experienced mortgage agent should take the next step to counsel the applicant(s) and provide advice on how to overcome these obstacles and get their client(s) finances in order for them to get through the approval process. It’s important that you know how much mortgage you can qualify for and work towards the goal that you and your mortgage agent have set.

If you do not have enough income, you have to options. One, is you can work towards purchasing a cheaper home or the second, earn more (part-time job/new employment with opportunity for advancement).

If your down payment is not sufficient, a cheaper home may solve that problem or you can save a bit more until you have the required amount of funds for the down payment (first-time homebuyers can use up to $25,000 from their RRSP’s without penalty. Contribute more to your RRSP (the allowable amount) until you are ready to purchase.

Your credit score or your credit may be a factor. Your credit score may be too low or you may have a good credit score but your credit history (delinquencies) may be questionable by the lender and may affect the lenders decision. This may also have an impact on the amount of down payment required and the interest rate offered by the lender. Work on improving your credit score, pay revolving credit lines before the due dates, secured credit cards are an option for those you cannot obtain unsecured credit cards to re-establish credit, keep balances below 75% of the credit limit per card.

These are solutions to some of the possible reasons as to why you couldn’t qualify for a mortgage. Start the conversation, GET APPROVED!

Ottawa welcomes more than 1,100 new Canadians OTTAWA -- More than 1,100 individuals from 122 countries became Canadian citizens at 15 citizenship ceremonies in Ottawa this week, announced Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today.

Alexander welcomed and congratulated Canada’s newest citizens at a special citizenship ceremony at Rideau Hall on Tuesday. The ceremony, which saw 50 new Canadians take the Oath of Citizenship, was hosted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and presided over by Governor General David Johnson.

Ceremonies like these demonstrate how the government is working to make the citizenship program more efficient and helping more people realize their dream of becoming Canadian sooner. Recent changes

to the Citizenship Act, which received Royal Assent on June 19, 2014, are already improving the efficiency of the citizenship program.

With the new streamlined decision-making process and other changes to the Citizenship Act, the government is on track to bring the processing time for citizenship applications down to under one year and reduce the citizenship application backlog by more than 80 percent by 2015-2016.

For a new Canadian, the citizenship ceremony marks their formal entry into Canadian society. A citizenship ceremony is a unique part of Canadian civic life. It is one of the few occasions where we formally reflect on the rights, responsibilities, privileges and benefits of being a Canadian citizen.

- CIC

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Auto Financing Terms Jelani Daniel Automotive Corner The auto financing process can sometimes be overwhelming for first time buyers or those looking to lease. You can use this article as a reference point if you are considering either leasing or financing in the future.

Automobile Financing: Automobile financing itself is a part of the personal financing field, giving clients a series of different options that are available to help the purchaser buy a vehicle they desire without a large initial deposit. Financing can include car leasing (Personal Contract Purchase) as well as car loans that can go towards purchasing a vehicle.

APR: An Annual Percentage Rate is an interest rate that takes a series of financial factors into consideration. Some considerations may include job stability, lifestyle costs, and potential job loss. The rate is fixed and will not increase over time, serving as a valuable tool for budgeting in the long run.

Brokerage: A brokerage consists of brokers, and brokers link the buyer with the seller. Typi-

cally, the automobile broker issues their services to help clients get the car they want at a price that they can afford. The process is tailored and many considerations are made including the buyer or leasers present income, what type of car they would like and what interest rates they can afford and for how long. Loans and financing options are available to clients, as well as in-house financing and poor-credit options, making brokerages suitable for all income levels.

Dealership: A dealership sells new and used vehicles that are offered at standardized costs.

As well, they offer financing options as well as leases, much like a brokerage. They may be less forgiving for poor credit but do offer a series of different options for different incomes.

Long Term Financing: A long-term loan has a fixed interest rate and can be applied to both dealership and third-party loans. The term of the loan may be just under 5 years, but can extend to 25 years or up. The interest rate may be higher or lower than that of a short-term loan.

Short Term Financing: The term of the loan may be shorter than 2 years with a higher or lower interest rates than that of a long-term loan. Short-term financing may have promissory-based arrangements (signing a contractual agreement) in order to ensure the loan is paid off quickly. Both short term and long-term financing options look at lifestyle costs and projected incomes.

There are many other terms to consider, but the above are the most common and can help you get a better grasp on financing.

407ETRʼs and economics Tammy Flores 407ETR Matters Explaining Economics to the masses can cause a sudden bout of narcolepsy (a sleeping disorder where by you frequently fall asleep) however, understanding the correlation to our quality of life is important. Economists have some major challenges in today’s society to ensure the data collected helps Regulators keep financial markets operating fairly. The challenges Economists face, affect our Regulator’s ability to write policies to regulate behavior that benefits its citizenry. Economics is a social science that invokes polarized opinions. Numbers and facts don’t lie, but how the data is reported can be questionable. The challenge is opinions influence how data is interpreted. Economics is subjective to public opinion. Public opinion can be manipulated by what our experts tell us. Our expert’s personal feelings, tastes and opinions enter into the equation of economics. Depending on the school of thought our experts come from will be how they influence public opinion based on their interpretation of the data collected. In a nutshell, Economists struggle with the data they are given and that affects our everyday life. This is the simplest explanation on economics I can give you. Got it? Now that we have that basic understanding of Economics out of the way, I hope you are still awake for what this has to do with 407 ETR and the recent phenomenon of pensions investing in toll roads.

As some of you may know, our CPP is the proud owner of 40% of the toll road, 407 ETR. 407 ETR’s business model is new and untested in our market but, if SNC Lavalin sells it’s 16.8% share in the toll road, our CPP will be first in line to scoop it up. It appears our CPP is not the only taxpayer funded pension lining up to purchase shares in this new toll road business model. OMERS (serves Ontario government employees) and OTTP (serves

Ontario teachers) are lining up to buy toll roads in Australia. A part of me is suspicious that if Premier Wynne is successful in starting Ontario’s promised Pension Plan that you can almost make a wager that it will be heavily invested in these type of infrastructure projects.

The complaints against 407 ETR are numerous. Just say the name 407 ETR and it invokes a negative reaction to almost anyone you speak to. However, there is a huge push by our experts to talk about this new toll road in a positive light. Given that public opinion is being influenced by this “environmentally friendly philosophy”, it’s easy to understand why experts would tout this new tolling method as a good thing because they are trying to “save the environment”.

Is investing our pensions into these types of infrastructure projects a way of manipulating public opinion? Our experts desperately want these “environmentally friendly” projects to succeed. Toll road models like 407 ETR claim to be better for the environment but the problem is that there isn’t enough data to prove that. The data we have on driving habits is concrete. We know how many vehicles are registered. We know how many vehicle kilometers are traveled every year. We even know what type of vehicles drive those kilometers.

The trend is that the numbers increase year after year. There is no decrease in the numbers, despite our experts’ hopes and desires to curb people from driving vehicles. This punitive approach to get people out of their cars has left a bad taste and could potentially backfire.

All the good that has been accomplished by environmental policies could be lost because people feel that greed is at the core of these new toll roads, NOT the betterment of the environment.

Who really benefits from toll roads like 407 ETR? Depending on who you talk to you, the answers vary. The numbers don’t lie. The amount of money being made by 407 ETR can’t be denied. The numbers on driving habits don’t lie. They have not decreased, they have increased. I will let the Economists fight over what that means, but I think a strong case can be made that 407 ETR’s new tolling method did nothing for society as a whole and we should be very concerned about our pensions being so heavily invested in these types of infrastructure projects.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 27

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Your Horoscope - December 17th 2014 ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Thursday/Friday, connect, play, and enjoy.

Friday’s Mercury trine Jupiter and Sunday’s sun trine Jupiter keep it going and flowing.

Sunday/Monday, stay innovative. Uranus/ Pluto #6 brings that cracking-the-code feel.

No matter what it looks like outwardly, you’re gaining on yourself; it’s a great start.

Mercury into Capricorn, starting Tuesday, crystallizes your thoughts, plans, and intentions.

Mercury, the sun, and Jupiter do you great good through the weekend. Live, love, laugh. This puts-a-smile-on-your-face trio can boost earnings, assets, or negotiations. It also boosts sex-capade potentials and your pleasure quotient. An agent, a friend, or a lover could have good news for you. Uranus/ Pluto #6 places you at an empowering personal, career, or material breakthrough. Life/ priorities can hit a rapid switch track.

On the slopes or elsewhere, you’ll get great mileage out of this one. Through the weekend, Mercury, Jupiter, and the sun keep everything full to the brim. The stars put good scouting and great merrymaking on the roster. Your special brand of genius is out in full force. Uranus/Pluto #6 pulls back the curtain, giving you a better look into your future.

At work or not, you can expect to be run off your feet this weekend. No matter what you get up to, it’s a marathon. Uranus/Pluto #6 can make for an edgy overtone, especially late Sunday and into Monday, but the rest of the stars are taking it in stride and you should too. Starting Wednesday, Mercury helps you to better optimize your time.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Jupiter in Leo may be retrograde, but trines from Mercury on Friday and the sun on Sunday keep you in shine mode. Travel, perform, enjoy sports, love ’em up, make ’em laugh. Thursday through Sunday, by all means spread the wealth, but know you can easily get carried away. Monday onward, it’s time to rein it in. Necessity and/or duty calls.

You’ll get the job done well through Sunday. The Virgo moon keeps you sharp, alert, and making the most of what you have to work with. As of recently, you’ve struggled to clear up and free up. Uranus/Pluto #6 will lift at least some of this pressure or conflict.

Mars thrusts you on to the next target. Mercury in Capricorn loans you good timing.

Mars in Aquarius will put you at your social and innovative best through the first week of January. It can also keep a romantic spark well lit. Sun/Jupiter makes for a peak weekend to enjoy the season’s best; entertain, socialize, welcome visitors, travel, ski, spend.

You’ll shift gears Sunday night through Monday night. Uranus/Pluto #6 ushers you through another personal, actual, or karmic checkpoint.

Feeling happy with yourself? You should.

Through Sunday, Sun/Jupiter won’t just help you get more than the usual accomplished, it’ll pump up the pleasure meter, too. The weekend is a great one for wrapping up the errands, shopping, and social extras. Monday evening may bring disruption or throw you off track temporarily, but you’re back in full swing as of Tuesday.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Whether it’s a birthday weekend or not, the sun’s trine to Jupiter should make you feel on top of the world. It’s a great transit for travel, partygoing, recreational sports, public performance, even for weddings. Watch for big news, announcements, gifts, or visitors.

Although there’s a lot more to build, Uranus/Pluto #6 affirms that you’re on the right track.

Make it social or romantic, or get the mustdos handled—the weekend keeps it popping. Giving and receiving is sheer delight; generosity shoots an arrow right into your heart. Indulgence can get the better of you too. Uranus/Pluto #6 continues to prod you through major reinvention. It also refortifies your resolve. Mercury in Capricorn, starting Tuesday evening, re-energizes you.

There’s certainly no lack of things to take care of or people to see. Thursday through Saturday keeps everything on the more dial.

Even so, it’s all good. It’s a great party or get-out-of-town weekend. Once the weekend’s done, so are you. Monday could bring a late-night boost or disruption. Tuesday onward, priorities shift.

Through Sunday, Jupiter and the sun may pile it on, but they also make it easy for you to take it on. Friday/Saturday, you’re susceptible. Try to avoid hugging those with obvious signs of the sniffles. Uranus/Pluto #6 sees you turn another corner on your newly minting life. It’s a process, and it’s already well under way.

March 20 - April 19

July 22 - August 22

November 22 - December 21

April 19 - May 20

August 22 - September 22

December 21 - January 19

May 20 - June 21

September 22 - October 23

January 19 - February 18

June 21 - July 22

October 23 - November 22

February 18 - March 19

Across 4) Black and white 6) Laughing Australian bird 9) Like Woody from cartoons 11) USA symbol 12) Pirate’s companion 14) Batman sidekick 16) Flightless cold-weather bird 17) Black and orange Down 1) Toronto baseball player 2) Small songbird 3) Atlanta basketball player 5) Travel in “murders” 7) Froot Loops mascot Sam 8) Who? 10) Quoth this bird, “Nevermore” 12) Messenger bird 13) Fast wing-flapper 15) Head in the sand

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Pipeline Problems: Common causes of water damage and their impact - part 1 issue with the local city, town or municipality and you may need to involve them for resolution.

Sherene Cole

CIP, CRM, CAIB, LLQP

Insurance Matters

Problems in the pipelines usually result from one of the following: Sewer Backups, Burst Pipes, Ice Damming & Home Appliances/Human error. In this article, we will address those caused by Sewerback-up and ice-Damming.

Sewer backups - Pipes and Sewer Blockage: There are four main causes for pipe and sewer blockages and while some are simple to detect and easy to prevent, some are hidden and can hardly ever be detected before the damage occurs.

1. Solid Flushes The most common cause of sewage backup is a blockage of the lateral service pipe between the home and the city main. This is usually caused by solid objects accidentally flushed down a household drain, like hair, dirt, or solid materials such as disposable diapers and other debris that are too large for wastewater pipes to handle. Grease accumulation is another cause.

This problem is usually local and when you experience it, only water from your home will be backing up.

If you turn off the water, it will slowly drain, but the problem is likely to return as you turn on the water again – so call in a plumber or qualified contractor.

2. Structural Defects Structural defects happen due to system deterioration in both pipes and manholes. These defects include problems with sewer service lines such as pipe collapses, cracks, holes, misaligned pipe, and offset joints. Often this is an

3. Root Infiltration Tree roots are a major cause of backups.

Tree roots can enter the service pipe at joints and travel a long way, causing blockages along the way. Tree roots can also create structural defects when they crack and break pipes as they grow.

4. Flooding of Sanitary Sewers During heavy rains the sewer lines fill up with water much faster than they drain due to insufficient system capacity. This fact may lead to a sewage backup as the water flows back through residential floor drains and causes overflows.

Ice Damming: Ice dams form when melting snow on a roof refreezes at the edge of a roof. Why does snow melt on your roof when it’s freezing outside? Fair question. It melts because the underside of the roof in the attic is above 32 degrees fahrenheit which warms the outside roof surface to the point that snow melts. Ice dams start or get worse after a heavy snow because of its insulating properties. Since snow is such a good insulator, the outside roof surface is able to warm up easier from the warm attic space, thereby melting the snow faster.

Warm attic spaces occur because of inadequate outside air circulation (ventilation) through the attic (soffit to roof ridge), which is necessary to keep the roof deck cold. When roof snow is melted by a warm attic space, the water runs between the snow and the warm roof surface. The water then freezes and turns to ice when it gets past the exterior wall and hits a cold unheated roof edge or gutter. When the water flow hits the ice it creates a larger and larger ice dam.

As property coverage can vary considerably from type of policy and one insurer to another, if you are unclear about how your own policy would apply to any of these circumstances it is always best to discuss with your broker.

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The Countdown Begins...

Colleen Lindberg Business Development It’s that time of year again, the holidays are upon us, Christmas music is on the radio and the buzz is in the air. In a few weeks we will be entering into a new year. A new year for you go out and get life, have you actually thought about this? What I really love about the time off during the holidays is that it allows us to have the down time to reflect on the year that just passed, the short comings and wins. It allows us to assess what changes we want to make and it allows us the time to look back on all the awesome things that we gained and

accomplished. Do you take this time?

It really is important and it’s not something I would suggest only doing at the beginning/end of the year, this piece is a reflection that you can do at anytime to check in with yourself and see how on track you are!

I walk my clients through an exercise at precisely this time of year for them to reflect and then decide on what they want this new year to look like.

Below are some of the examples that I use.... please do this for yourself, it is a magical process, which sometimes might be emotional, especially if loss was involved, but wow the release and impact it can make is astounding.

This 2014 year...

1. What were your triumphs and your missteps 2. Promises made and promises broken 3. The great adventures or the ones that

you closed yourself off to for the fear of getting hurt 4. What goals were you striving for and what ones did you miss 5. How did you grow this year (in what areas, levels of thinking) 6. Looking back do you have any regrets Now looking forward to this new 2015 year...

1. What areas of your life would you like to do better and why 2. Are there people in your life you need to forgive, if so who and how are you going to do that 3. Do you want to give more this year, how will you do that 4. Do you want to love more, with whom and what actions will you take to do this

5. Write out your yearly goals (where you want to be by Dec 31, 2015) in all aspects of your life (financial, health, relationships, emotional, spirituality, business/career), then break it down into monthly goals and then weekly goals, then get yourself ready to achieve them. Create the plan to be accountable to them and to really strive to what you want. It’s a very empowering process when you see that you are actually on track to attaining this!

2015 can be the year that you align and receive everything that you desire. You can create the life that takes you to places you would have never thought you would ever go, however the only way to get there is to think about it, write about it and more importantly, ask for it.

Wishing you and yours a fabulous holiday season and many blessings for you in this New Year!

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Medical Dental Prescription Drugs Out of Country Coverage Vision 9 9 9 9

x ΪΠΦ͑ΒΣΖ͑ΓΖΥΨΖΖΟ͑ΥΙΖ͑ΒΘΖΤ͑ΠΗ͑ͩ͑͢ΒΟΕ͑ͨͥ͑ x Β͑ΣΖΤΚΕΖΟΥ͑ΠΗ͑ʹΒΟΒΕΒ͑ x ΔΠΧΖΣΖΕ͑ΓΪ͑Β͑ΡΣΠΧΚΟΔΚΒΝ͑ΙΖΒΝΥΙΔΒΣΖ͑ΡΝΒΟ͑

You may need health coverage if: x ΪΠΦ͑ΕΠΟ‫׏‬Υ͑ΙΒΧΖ͑ΔΠΧΖΣΒΘΖ͑ΥΙΣΠΦΘΙ͑ΪΠΦΣ͑ ΖΞΡΝΠΪΖΣ͑ x ΪΠΦ‫׏‬ΣΖ͑Β͑ΤΞΒΝΝ͑ΓΦΤΚΟΖΤΤ͑ΠΨΟΖΣ͑ΨΚΥΙ͑ΟΠ͑ ΘΣΠΦΡ͑ΓΖΟΖΗΚΥΤ͑ x ΪΠΦ͑ΒΣΖ͑Β͑ΣΖΥΚΣΖΖ͑ΨΙΠ͑ΨΒΟΥΤ͑ΙΖΒΝΥΙΔΒΣΖ͑ ΔΠΧΖΣΒΘΖ͑ x ΪΠΦ͑ΕΠΟ‫׏‬Υ͑ΙΒΧΖ͑ΠΦΥ͑ΠΗ͑ΔΠΦΟΥΣΪ͑ΔΠΧΖΣΒΘΖ͑

΁ΣΖΤΔΣΚΡΥΚΠΟ͑͸ΝΒΤΤΖΤ͑ ʹΠΟΥΒΔΥ͑ͽΖΟΤΖΤ͑ ͽΒΤΖΣ͑ͶΪΖ͑΄ΦΣΘΖΣΪ͑ ͶΪΖ͑ͶΩΒΞΚΟΒΥΚΠΟ͑

x Health Practitioners 9 ʹΙΚΣΠΡΣΒΔΥΠΣ͑ 9 ͑ʹΙΚΣΠΡΠΕΚΤΥ͠΁ΠΕΚΒΥΣΚΤΥ͑ 9 ͑;ΒΤΤΒΘΖ͑΅ΙΖΣΒΡΚΤΥ͑ 9 ͑ͿΒΥΦΣΠΡΒΥΙ͑͝΀ΤΥΖΠΡΒΥΙ͑ 9 ͑΁ΤΪΔΙΠΝΠΘΚΤΥ͑͠΄ΠΔΚΒΝ͑ΈΠΣΜΖΣ͑​͑ 9 ͑΄ΡΖΖΔΙ͑΅ΙΖΣΒΡΚΤΥ͑ No Medical Questionnaire required.. for some plans

For more information, to obtain a quote or to apply, please contact us at:

Tel: (289) 724-0013 Toll Free: (877) 747-0411 Fax: (289) 997-6383

Licensed

5160 Explorer Dr, Suite 11, Mississauga ON L4W4T7 Resellers Welcome ZZZ &DQDGLDQ%HQHILWV$VVRFLDWHV FRP ,QGLYLGXDO%HQHILW3ODQV KWPO

Ronson Professional Group I M M I G R AT I O N S P E C I A L I S T S

Immigration Specialists for US and Canada OVER

40 years

OF EXPERIENCE CANADA IMMIGRATION - Canada Family Class Visa - Canada Work Permit - Canada Tourist Visa - Working Holiday Visa Canada - Canada International Experience Class - Canada Student Visa - Post-Graduate Work Permit - Canada Experience Class - Canada Skilled Worker Visa - Canada Trade Skilled Worker Visa - Quebec Skilled Worker Visa - Quebec Experience Class - Entrepreneur / Investor Visa for Quebec - Canada Self-Employed Class - Business Visa for Canada - Entrepreneur Visa for Canada - Investor Visa for Canada - Canadian Citizenship - Canadian PR Card Renewal - Canada Visa Appeal - Provincial Nominations for Canadian Visas - Relocation Services Canada - Shipping Canada

Call for a FREE

CONSULTATION! 100 King Street West, Suite 5600 Toronto, Ontario. M5X 1C9

US IMMIGRATION - US Green Card - US Entry Problems - US J1 Visa - US L1 Visa - US Business Visa - US Student Visa - US Waivers - US Tourist Visa (B2) - US K1 Fiancee Visa - US Marriage Based Green Cards - US H1-B Visa - US H2-A and H2-B Visa - US EB2 Visa - US EB3 Visa - US Summer Internship / Au Pair Visa - US EB5 Investment Green Card - US E1 Treaty Trader Visa - US Business Visitors (B1) - US F-1 Academic Student Visa - US M1 Vocational Student - US Medical Professionals - US Citizenship Process - US E2 Treaty Investor Visa

Tel. 416-360-5333

visa@ronsonprofessional.com