Caribbean Week 062817 by Toronto Caribbean Newspaper

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 9 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28TH 2017

EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE NEWSPAPER TO ADVERTISE: 647-722-6298 • ONLINE: TORONTOCARIBBEAN.COM

CARIBBEAN WEEK!

KRISTINA RAMCHARRAN/TORONTO CARIBBEAN The senses were in for a treat as the region showcased some vendors that would later was filled with the lively sounds of Soca be present at the festival. The launch was music, the smell of the fine foods of the held as a small social event for people to be Caribbean and the beautiful colors of car- informed and get involved with Ajax Caribnival costumes. The Ajax Caribbean Week bean Week, while also providing a platform in the region of Durham brought together for small business owners and entreprepeople of the Caribbean from all around the neurs to network with each other. Greater Toronto Area. The launch party also introduced The week began with a big bang as all of the activities and showcased events the Durham Caribbean Festival proclaimed that happened throughout the duration of Ajax Caribbean week for the fourth time the Durham Caribbean Week. The Durham in a fun filled launch party held at Mys- region saw a great turnout at the event, esticle Lounge on Tuesday, June 20th. The pecially since people of Caribbean descent event featured ticket sales for the Durham are considered a large minority in the town Caribbean Festival on June 24th and also of Ajax.

The Ajax Caribbean Week received acknowledgment at the launch, as they were presented with an official certificate of acknowledgment by the Council Chambers. The first half of the week featured exciting Caribbean related events such as an open mic talent contest at the Rum Diaries restaurant where contestants had a chance at winning $1000. It also featured a meet and greet with Jamaica National Money Transfer which featured promotions and giveaways. Continued On Page 7

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Dynesti Williams: The Unapologetic Musical Powerhouse Enlåightening the Masses

Written by Kabrena Robinson Toronto Caribbean News

Within the unparalleled musical space of hiphop/soul fused with reggae, a dynamic Toronto artiste invites listeners to the “Dyna”, her uniquely crafted creative space that serves “music for the soul” through sharp-witted lyrics and penetrating beats polished by emerging Toronto producer Timian. Dynesti Williams is leading a new wave of reggae and hip-hop, pioneering a unique sound and message. Her moderate range of brilliant productions bare powerful social commentaries and addresses social issues such as mental health, female empowerment, social equality and suicide awareness. With an early introduction to the world of music at the age of eight through reggae gospel and performing in church choirs and art schools, Dynesti knew that she was destined to become an artiste. Growing up with Jamaican and Trinidadian parents, reggae was always a major part of her upbringing. The

influence from her Caribbean roots topped with her unearthed love for hip-hop music and artists such as Missy Elliot and Ludacris later led her to the discovery of her own brand and genre of music that she describes as “rebellious hip-hop with a dash of reggae”. Her music has consistently provided powerful stories based on personal life experiences and obstacles faced by her and others. Providing compositions with relatable, meaningful and emotionally charged lyrics, Dynesti aims to tackle pressing issues and heighten the consciousness of her listeners. “Everybody is a reflection of me in some way and I find myself in other things very easily,” she expressed in an interview. “So, whenever I’m telling somebody else’s story I can feel it in myself. If I feel like I really need to address something then lines will just start coming to me, it just comes from like a higher realm, a higher power and I just start writing in my head and it goes on to paper.” In her upcoming album “The Dyna”, Dynesti hopes to share stories about her personal life experiences and struggles. The album according to the artiste is “a sonic medicine provided as food for the soul” and will be released for free as a compensation for “good medicine being so inaccessible in our world”. The first single released off the album titled “Balcony” is dedicated to individuals suffering from mental health illnesses. The inspiration for this work came from witnessing her mother’s struggle with depression and having suicidal thoughts.

“Growing up my mom had depression and she is Jamaican and in Jamaican culture that is totally pushed down and not talked about and you are told to just fix yourself and get your act together but she is one of those people who actually embraced her diagnoses and did what she really needed to do to help herself,” she said. “It really opened my eyes up to a lot of things about how people operate in the world versus who they actually are inside and how they want to act and it motivated me to talk about real stuff.” Outside of her music, Dynesti furthers her advocacy by working with art based programs and youth development workshops for minority communities in Toronto. She expressed that contributing to making a positive change in society has become a major aspect of her life. “I am all about helping and I just want to remind people that we are all royal, we are all connected and we need to remember that and embrace it because a lot of people out there seem to be focused on division and not coming together to make some serious changes,” she said. Dynesti Williams aspires to continue on her path of delivering music that will entertain, elevate and inspire the masses with ambitious hopes of one-day feeding souls with her music on a broad international scale. Her music is available on Soundcloud and ITunes. You can also follow her Instagram @dynesti

Please call Joshua David at ext. 201

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

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H. Franklyn Parker Scholarship Awards Jelani Grant

jelani@carib101.com

TC Reporter Another batch of students received postsecondary funding from Peel District School Board educator Audrey Parker’s H. Franklyn Parker Scholarship. Parker has served as an educator in the Peel District School Board for more than seventeen years and since 2013 has held the H. Franklyn Parker Scholarship awards in honor of her father, providing an easier transition into post-secondary education for a select number of students. The scholarship awards night was held at the Boaden’s Banquet Centre and Catering inside the Windsor Room. The cocktail hour allowed for sup-

porters from the Peel Region School Boards, Peel police divisions and even the Peel real estate industry to mingle. Food was served to start off the night. Guests ate assorted salad, steamed rice, bread rolls and had the option of fish or chicken. Desserts and coffee were also offered throughout the event. Entertainment included a talented young violinist, singer/songwriter Ray Robinson, who spoke about his experience getting out of high school, expecting life to be easier. He said he had missteps post-high school but eventually found his place through consistent hard work. He encouraged the recipients to remained focused on their goals and fully understand what it would take to achieve their individual dreams before performing Do You Hear Me and I Like It from his 2015 R&B album, Do You Hear Me. Carlos Budd Ford continued the night’s entertainment performing more than a dozen covers of hit R&B singles including The Manhattans’ Kiss and Say Goodbye, Smokie Robinson’s Cruisin’ and Minnie Ripperton’s Loving You. Four women from the Chinese Collective Arts Association per-

formed a graceful dance routine. Stephanie Vega demonstrated her vocal talent, singing a piece from Les Miserables. This year, seven high school graduates were awarded scholarships towards their post-secondary education as well as other community leaders. The Community award was given to Jamaica House Kitchen owner Colin Smith for his contributions to his community, sponsoring youth in advancing their dreams. Brampton Wards 1 and 5 Trustee David Green received the Award of Excellence for his more than a decades worth of dedicated work in the community. Ward 5 Peel School Board Trustee Rick Williams also received an award for more than twenty years of committed work in Mississauga. Scholarship recipients included Akeem, a Jamaican native, who will be pursuing a computer engineering degree at York University. Canadian newcomer, also from Jamaica, Chauntay Renee also received a scholarship to help pay for her computer programming education at Sheridan College. Renaldo Duke received a scholarship to enter University of Ontario’s Institute of Technology and

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Biological Science program next fall. Central Peel Secondary graduate Candice plans to use her scholarship to pursue life sciences at McMaster University. Keynote speaker and Peel Board Trustee Kathy McDonald reminded all the awardees that they will face obstacles, but must never be discouraged by any challenges. “You must never ever give up. But you know sometimes you feel sorry for yourself and you cry. You can cry but only for one moment, no pity party, that’s not allowed,” she said. McDonald recalls being told she was too fat to run for school board trustee but never letting anyone’s criticisms dishearten her resolve to reach her goals. She said even if she had lost, she would have found another way to reach out to her community and further teach students at the school board. Prizes were given for the door tickets and a television and mattress were rewarded to two lucky winners who bought raffle tickets. To end the night, music was played and guests were encouraged to get together in the middle of the dance floor.

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Celebrating The Success of Canadian Black Women Chelsea Owusu

chelsea@carib101.com

TC Reporter The Canada International Black Women Event (CIBWE) premiered on June 16th, to celebrate the success of hundreds of black women across Canada. CIBWE is a platform that recognizes the legacy that black women are continuing to build in Canada, through their education, leadership, and success. The two-day event was held at the Pearson Convention Centre, with a number of different vendors, exhibitions, and demonstrations presented throughout the day. “The event is really a platform that we started three years ago, and we’re going to keep building. A platform to celebrate black women, but also present black women,” says Rose Cathy Handy, Founder of CIBWE. Handy created the event after the death of her little sister, Esther. The testimonies were given by many people who attended her sister’s funeral inspired her to find a way to honor the life of her beloved sister. “I never knew that side of her life. Being inspired by that, being touched by that, I realized that we tend to have this thing where we assume a lot of things about each other. A lot of people, they don’t publicize what they do, a lot of people do amazing things, a lot of charitable work, a lot of philanthropic work, but they don’t say it,” says Handy. Every year CIBWE awards 100 black women for their achievements. “We go through that selection every year, and it’s a challenge. But I’m glad that we can meet that challenge. Every year we have 100 amazing black women come forward, they have amazing stories,” says Handy. This year’s nominees include Kayla Greaves, Editor at Huffington Post Canada, Kayla Grey, Reporter for TSN Radio, and Dr. Juliet Michelle Daniel, Biology Professor at

McMaster University. This year’s event, CIBWE made an effort to create more conversation between experts and guests. “In the past, we usually had a bunch of panels. But from what we heard through a survey, the panels did not give people a chance to have a close-up conversation. That’s why this year we decided to change the format a little bit,” says Handy. This year’s panel was divided into separate clinics, where experts from various different educational backgrounds sit around a table answering any questions guests may have, allowing for direct conversation. Experts at the event were from various different backgrounds including business, healthcare, education, hair and style, law, nutrition, and spiritual growth. “It’s really important to have that platform where people can meet once a year, find out who’s out there and doing what. It’s important to keep supporting each other and relying on each other so that we can keep growing,” says Handy. Though CIBWE recognizes the many black women of success in Canada, Handy says more media outlets need to mention what these women have done for the community. “The fact that we don’t have a lot of media about black people, our content is not out there. It’s really important that we know each other, because we usually bring ourselves down, and think negatively about ourselves. But when you look back, you’ve actually accomplished so much,” says Handy. Handy describes CIBWE as a platform that allows the black community to connect and find resources, due to the lack of representation from mainstream media. “It gives people a chance to see what these black women are really capable of. It’s really about celebrating, showcasing, and highlighting what they do and presenting it to people to let them hear who they are and what they do, so people can connect with them,” says Handy. More information about CIBWE can be found on their website, www. cibwe.ca.

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

local news

Ajax Caribbean Week Celebrates The Joys Of Being Caribbean Kristina Ramcharran kristina@carib101.com

TC Reporter Continued From Page 1 -- On Saturday, the highlight of the Ajax Caribbean Week took place at the Ajax Downs racetrack. Thousands of families from near and far showed up for a day of cultural family fun at the Durham Caribbean Festival. Festival goers were treated to many vendors selling local and Caribbean items, as well those promoting valuable services in the Caribbean community. Vendors sold their most unique products, as did Dwane Wright, also known as Dr. Fresh. Dr. Fresh was at the festival showcasing and selling his product, an allnatural and eco-friendly alternative to typical air refreshers. “So my air refreshers are all natural. It’s a greener alternative to the toxic air refreshers on the market. So, if you’re a person that doesn’t like flammable or cancerous items in your air refresher then this is the refresher for you,” said Dr. Fresh on his product. Dr. Fresh was not the only vendor at the festival selling natural products and keeping in mind the average Caribbean individual’s affinity for natural remedies and products. Also present was Rochelle Bennett of U.P Beauty. “We sell all natural skincare that’s handcrafted by myself and my sister. We

started about seven months ago so this is kind of like the baby stages of our business. But we are all about natural healing and natural products,” said Bennett on their products. Bennett also added that as a person who lives in Durham she sees the high importance in the festival and how it works to keep the Caribbean community together, despite this being her first time attending the festival. “I think it’s a really good event, I think it’s really good for us as a community to come together, and just so that everyone knows and networks and can figure out who and where locally,” she added. Apart from products bringing the community together, vendors also brought out services to help with all sorts of needs. From health and mental health support services to financial services and charitable causes, there was a person for everything. Dione Mason, a fitness and lifestyle coach wanted to get the festival goers active by signing them up to take part in the Toronto Carnival Run. “Our goal is to build a center that will be able to preserve African and Caribbean culture, as well as a lifestyle center,” said Mason on the purpose of the proceeds from the run. In regards to the weather at the Durham Caribbean Festival, Mason said, “the weather is a little windy, but that’s okay, people have been blown closer to us.” Ryan Shaw of Approved Financial Services and the Approval Store, had a vendor booth to promote their services, and to assure that their services are suitable for almost anyone. “At The Approved Financial Services we specialize in mortgages, first mortgages, second mortgages, private mortgages,

and over at the Approval Store we specialize in auto loans and auto approvals,” said Shaw on their products. On the reception they received at the festival, he said, “so it’s been a great crowd, very multicultural. A lot of people so no complaints.” The day did not just include vendors, but it also included a wide selection of Caribbean food vendors, where attendees could purchase jerk chicken to doubles and everything in between, as well as a main stage where the festival goers were treated to live performances by local Caribbean-based artists. Performances included steel pan musicians, live DJs, dance performances and reggae singers such as popular Canadian reggae artist Steele. The festival also featured a kids zone, where children could take part in fun activities and games. The Ajax Caribbean Week continued the day after the festival with Durham Caribbean Derby held again at Ajax Downs, where attendees who visited the Durham Caribbean Festival were admitted for free and could take part in watching the live horse racing action. The final two days of the Ajax Caribbean Week showcased gourmet jerk dishes by Master Chef Kwasi Douglas, and then finally a Caribbean Family Appreciation Day. The festival ran for a full seven days from June 20th to June 27th, 2017. After this year’s successful Ajax Caribbean Week, vendors, performers, attendees, and sponsors look forward to the hopeful future of a fifth edition next year. The town of Ajax was sure to create an exciting week while bringing together and uplifting members and businesses pertaining to the Caribbean community.

Black Graduations and the Importance of Representation Kabrena Robinson

kabrena@carib101.com

TC Reporter As a newly landed international student from Jamaica, I was consumed with excitement being able to pursue my goal of becoming a qualified journalist at an accredited Canadian institution. While I was ready for the classroom, I couldn’t prepare myself for the culture shock I was about to experience: I was the only black individual in my program. This reality had me uneasy for my first two years of college, as I was often hesitant to communicate with my peers and professors- a common experience among black Canadian students. In learning spaces provided for us to excel, we are visible minorities. There is no secret that the marginalization and social obstacles faced by people of color in Canada reflect greatly on their inaccessibility to higher educational opportunities. Most institutions within Canada pride themselves on upholding a standard of ‘diversity’ among students, but the reality is very different; racial variety in most Canadian schools is lacking. Black students have however taken the first step in correcting this issue. In order to celebrate the excellence of black stu-

dents, the first Black Graduation Ceremony in Canada was held. The event hosted at Hart House on the UofT downtown campus on June 22nd was aimed at acknowledging the barriers that remain for people of color pursuing academia according to the organizers. The ceremony included black graduates of undergraduate, Masters or Ph.D. programs from all three of the University of Toronto’s campuses. The celebratory event was a successful one, with inspiring keynote speeches from Toronto journalist Huda Hassan and Dr. Akua Benjamain- both prominent and excelling in their various fields. This perfectly mirrored the purpose of the occasion which was the importance of black representation. The room echoed with the powerful sentiments of keynote speaker Dr. Benjamin. “Many of these institutions must recognize you exist and you had to overcome many barriers to get in,” she said in her address to the graduates. “Education is part of our resistance and we carry that germ of resistance within us. We carry resistance in our DNA.” This celebration was a necessary and important event, one that we should have the pleasure of indulging in more often as the elephant well pronounced in the room is that black students continue to be underrepresented and marginalized in tertiary spaces. The number of black students in universities has historically been low compared to the number of black people in the GTA. The absence of black graduates later results in underrepresentation of black people in workspaces and also as educators and mentors in academic institutions. The City

of Toronto recently released a report stating that the unemployment rate among black residents stood at 13%, about twice the provincial average. This is based off a systemic societal condition that restricts possibilities for black educational advancements due to mostly financial constraints and even contacts with police and other experiences with racial profiling and discrimination. Earlier this year, The Toronto Star featured the story of Brampton native Chika Oriuwa, the only one in her class of 259 firstyear medical students at the University of Toronto who identifies as black. Following that revelation, the University announced an initiative aimed at boosting the chronically low number of black students who apply to medical school and go on to become doctors. This along with the institution’s receptiveness of the Black Graduation Celebration is a progressive step towards much-needed diversity in universities and colleges across Canada. The Black Graduation ceremony was a reminder to the graduates, other black students in Canada and even me that we are capable of excellence despite the barriers that exist restricting us from navigating our way to great heights in education. When black students are able to overcome and resist, it is necessary to celebrate. A highly commendable step has been taken to inspire and empower black students and the work must continue as more long-term efforts to eliminate barriers for black students in educational institutions is a pressing dilemma. The hope is that more universities will emulate this progress.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

MY TCN TV Your Connection to the Community, by the Community Alyssa Mahadeo

alyssa@carib101.com

TC Reporter Build, strengthen and empower - the trifecta and driving force behind Carib101 Media Group’s latest legacy-building project. Since the launch and rebrand of Carib101 Radio in 2016, the wheels of motion have been turning, eradicating boundaries and paving the way towards even more community-focused endeavors. At the beginning of June, Carib101 Media Group was proud to announce the launch of The Toronto Caribbean Network known formally as My TCN TV an internet TV platform dedicated to bringing you positive uplifting programming designed to leave a memorable impact on your life. TCN TV was created to showcase the movements of community leaders and social justice advocates sharing solutions to the issues faced by the community every day. These days watching the news and listening to the problems of mainstream media has become quite the drag. Over the past few years, more problems rather than solutions have come to the forefront where the media is concerned especially with the influx of fake news, government politics and the unwarranted surplus of negative opinions on each new issue addressed. Morals and values have gone out the window, and society has accepted that they are never going to hear about anything good when they sit down to watch International News at 6 pm. The TCN Network is made up of positive purpose driven, and legacy building initiatives. Each show is designed to do more and stand out by highlighting the people, and community leaders dedicating their time and efforts towards going the extra mile to impact positive change. While it’s important to stay informed on the current state of the world, to know about the affairs taking place across the border and abroad, it’s not fair to subject yourself to only the problems that we face, but also take advantage of learning the steps we can take to solve them. Through TCN TV you can discover a new avenue of receiving information with real people working in the community to shed some light and educate us on matters of importance, such as the struggles and victories of an entrepreneur, personal development, creating positive shifts and movements, reaching and connecting with each other and most importantly coming together uniting to influence positive change. My TCN TV is available to stream on YouTube and Facebook and every show is aired live encouraging audience interaction inviting individuals looking to challenge the social stigmas we face as a community and discover answers to the hard questions. On Tuesdays from 5-6pm, it’s an unfiltered, unapologetic and transformative experience with Simone Jennifer Smith and Dave Rankin on Hear 2 Help You. This show

refuses to accept the rules of society or become complacent on the quest for knowledge. Hear 2 Help You offers a look into concerns, ideologies and the culture in Toronto. Most importantly H2H You exposes viewers to community figures unlikely to be seen in the traditional media. Following H2H You from 6-7pm is The Visionary Show hosted by Jamelle Lindo focusing on live coaching and interviews with people who are creating positive shifts within their communities. The Visionary Show provides a platform where people can discuss and share their movements of how they got started or are already impacting the community in a positive way. On Wednesdays from 1-2pm Mrs. Keisha Johnson is Living the Dream in Canada! Immigrants, refugees, even your own parents; everyone has a story and somehow they’ve fought their way through to ignite their passion and live their dream in a new world. Living the Dream in Canada connects audiences with luminaries from Canada’s diverse people groups who are making outstanding contributions to Canadian society and creating a legacy bigger than they ever imagined! Looking for something more fun, light-hearted and upbeat? CMJ Live host Charles Matthews brings you the best in entertainment and events from around the world every Thursday and Friday from 11am-1pm. CMJ Live showcases some of the hottest and most elegant events and talent providing a platform for people to showcase their ideas and spread the word about all of the great events taking place in the community! Friday’s from 1-2pm is reserved for some Real Talk with Grant Browning and Alyssa Mahadeo keeping it 100% real, raw and uncut. Real Talk is a show that invites community movers and shakers to discuss community advocacy, offer solutions, overcome obstacles and discover who those trailblazers are dedicating their time and efforts to promoting positive and uplifting change. Real Talk isn’t a facade they don’t pretend to be something they are not and they want to be completely transparent with their audience. After Real Talk, The Gloves Are OFF from 2-3pm! Grant Browning goes the extra mile digging a little deeper into the successes and obstacles faced in every business venture. Every week The Gloves Are OFF brings some of the biggest most impactful stories from around the world to discuss what it means to do whatever it takes when it comes to running and sustaining your own business. My TCN TV Network is a place where the community is encouraged to come together in unity. It’s a judgment-free zone, filled with great ideas and solutions to problems and obstacles we face every day of our lives. It’s about empowering and educating the community to take a leap of fate or go that extra mile and discovering how you can leave behind an unforgettable legacy. My TCN TV is your connection to the community, by the community! Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube and Fanpage to be notified when each show is LIVE! You can find them on Facebook by searching TCN Network or subscribe on YouTube ‘myTCNtv.’ You aren’t going to want to miss out on this new channel it’s 100% FREE to subscribe! If you are interested in submitting a proposal to host your own show send an email to info@torontocaribbean.com they would be happy to provide more information on how you can influence your own creative journey.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Furniture Bank - Donate Your Gently Used Furniture To People In Need! Alyssa Mahadeo

alyssa@carib101.com

TC Reporter Imagine walking into an empty home, no furnishings at all, no couches to sit and relax or a dining table to lay a warm meal after a long day’s work. For some families, immigrants, refugees even those coming out of homelessness this is their reality. Furniture is silent in its power. We understand the role of food, clothing, and shelter in our lives but we often take furniture for granted, until we don’t have access to it. Without it your home would feel big and empty, a foreign place, as home furnishings bring warmth and character to a house, making it a comfortable and safe space to those that reside there. Nineteen years ago Sister Anne Schenck first introduced Furniture Bank to Torontonians old and new. Back in 1989, she had been working closely with refugee families, and around that time the government had reduced levels of funding for newcomers which made it difficult for them to purchase furnishing for their home. “I received word through a social agency that there was a lady who spoke no English who was basically, desperate for help. When I entered the house, I saw four kids–all under the age of five–sitting around a little 12 TV. I did a basic inventory of what she had in the kitchen: two plates, two forks, two tiny pots. I knew I couldn’t cook myself dinner with what she had, let alone cook dinner for these four children. It was that moment that I said to myself that this shouldn’t be happening in the city of Toronto.” Sister Anne states in a past interview with volunteer Cam Gordon. Inspired by her experience helping new Canadians, and encouraged by the support that she received Sister Anne launched the organization two decades ago. In the years since Furniture Bank has grown into Canada’s largest

social enterprise and an archetype for similar services run across the globe. Now known as the Chief Historian at Furniture Bank and dubbed the Robin Hood of furniture, Sister Anne made it her mission to locate the surplus of furniture wherever it was in the city and bring it to the Furniture Bank where it can be put on display in their warehouse showroom and picked by families in need. Furniture Bank works closely with various community agencies and shelters throughout the city to meet with clients and help furnish their empty homes. For their clients transitioning out of homelessness or displacement, the furniture has a profound impact on their ability to live dignified and productive lives. With 46 employees and 1,500 volunteers, Furniture Bank is a 26,000 sq ft building housing gently used Furniture Donations from local Torontonians to give back to families who have come from some form of displacement. They help these families and individuals to restore hope and dignity to their lives by providing them with essential items to make their empty spaces feel more like home. “The furniture in your home is unique to you, a reflection of your taste something that you personally connected with, and at Furniture Bank they try and stimulate a showroom feel to provide a memorable, and helpful experience to all of our clients,” says Dan Kershaw Executive Director at Furniture Bank. Over the years they found that there were a lot of people who wanted to help, but they didn’t want to or didn’t have the capability to move the furniture on their own. “Furniture Bank became a social enterprise, and so to accommodate and facilitate more donations we mimic a junk removal business where we charge a removal fee, collect the donations and bring it back to the organization,” Kershaw explains. “Some of the furniture that we collect today will be in a home within 72 hours of being dropped off at the Bank.” People interested in making donations to the Furniture Bank are encouraged to drop off gently used furniture and household goods during their drop off hours Monday - Friday from 9 am to 12 pm by appointment only. All drop off furniture items need to be fully assembled, and you will be required to fill out a

tax receipt form in order to receive a charitable donation receipt. If you are unable to drop off your furniture donations you are welcome to take advantage of their removal service by giving them a call at 416-934-1229 where they will provide a quote and arrange a pickup time. Moving or downsizing, and have extra furniture you no longer need or don’t have space for? Call them to find out about their 2 services in 1! Their moving partner You Move Me will move your belongings to your new home and transfer any unwanted furniture to us, to be donated to families living without the dignity of furniture. Every year the Furniture Bank redistributes thousands of furniture items and household goods to the formerly homeless, women and children escaping abusive situations and newcomers and refugees to Canada. “We are always looking for dining room tables, beds, basic household items, devices, side tables, and cupboards, core items that are picked by families and will have to be restocked based on what we are able to collect from the community,” Kershaw says. “Whereas there are other charities might take donated items and sell it them back, our furniture is picked by families and given to them at no charge.” Furniture Bank services are not open to the public, all of their clients come from the community shelters and agencies throughout the city by appointment only. When they arrive, each client is matched up with a volunteer and then they have forty-five minutes to browse the showroom and identify items that suit their needs. After they have finished, they ‘check out,’ and items are arranged for delivery to their home by the next day. Thanks to the support of the community over the last year, 10,733 people live with the comfort of a furnished home. These donations have helped to restore hope and dignity for women and children dislocated from their house after escaping a violent home, allowed newcomer families to comfortably settle after fleeing war-torn countries and bring stability back to the lives of the formerly homelessness. For more information about Furniture Bank or to find out about their services and programs visit: www.furniturebank.org, your used furniture will change a life!

York Region Police Officer Surprises Car Meet Goers with Impromptu Freestyle Kristina Ramcharran kristina@carib101.com

TC Reporter It was like any other day at the Strada car meets held in Vaughan, Ontario. Hundreds of car enthusiasts across Vaughan, Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga drive to a space where they can meet other people who share a passion for cars and also show off all of the work done to their vehicles. The Strada car meets started back in 2014 as an ordinary car meet where it was just about cars and enthusiasts. But Strada decided to push the limit and get the community even more involved. It began with charging a $10 car entry fee, to curb troublemakers from entering the lot and performing disturbances and stunts with their cars. To make attendees feel even safer, Strada made sure there was police presence at their meets, but little did they know that one York Regional police officer, Constable Amy Oliver would catapult the car meet into viral

internet stardom. Constable Oliver took to the mic during a fun rap freestyling session at the car meet on June 8, 2017. The crowd went wild as she sang her own freestyled lyrics on top of the beat to Still D.R.E by famous rapper Dr. Dre. Constable Oliver was sure to make her freestyle meaningful as she addressed important topics including safety, diversity, police brutality and inclusivity in her verses. She opened her freestyle with the line “Yeah, I’m a cop, Region of York, people call me pig but what’s wrong with pork.” She goes on as the crowd grows wilder, as seen in the famous Instagram video, and rhymed, “I 100% agree with love and equality. I want everyone to feel free and be like they can come to me, without saying, ‘Oh, police don’t care.’ I wish it would stop. I would put my life on the line for you, black or not. I would have taken a bullet for both Biggie and Tupac.” Founder of Strada car meets Joey Perri said he was taken aback by the police officer’s talent, as he was shocked and happy to see the impact the event made. “I was shocked, taken by storm. That made me feel honored, impressed...but also happy and excited,” said Perri on his initial reaction to the situation. He also noted that the popularity of the video has created a tighter knit community in York Region. “Since the video, it’s been

nothing but positive feedback. Just like me, everyone’s shocked and impressed. It brought the community and the YRP to a different respect level.” Perri added, “Strada has also had a tight bond but the video has brought Strada and the community more aware of who and what Strada represents,” in regards to the car community in Vaughan. The official DJ of Strada car meets, DJ Lawless, said he was also surprised when the officer requested to take to the mic. “I was really blown away by her talent hidden behind her cop uniform. I felt really connected with the attendees I’m always advertising that the cops are here for everyone’s safety and are not here to arrest us. I feel like the attendees felt really connected with the officer because of the nature of the act which was rapping freestyle,” he noted. Currently, the video featuring the full freestyle has over 87,000 views on the Strada Instagram page and also has been featured on Worldstarhiphop.com. Joey Perri of Strada assured that there’s lots more to come this car meet season. “We would like to have her back, but nothing’s confirmed. There’s always something interesting happening at Strada.” To view the video and stay posted for more Strada meet updates, you can follow them on Instagram @stradabjr.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

island news

Opposition Did Not Walk Out During Debate

TRINIDAD -- Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has denied reports that the Opposition walked out during debate in the Lower House on flooding after Tropical Storm Bret. She said they left only after the debate was completed. In a statement Monday, PersadBissessar said some media report on the Opposition’s walkout contained inaccuracies and warranted a response in order to present the facts. “The Hansard recording, as well as the audiovisual, will show that only after the debate on the matter was completed did the Opposition leave the Parliamentary chamber,” she said. “I wish to reiterate that the Opposition did not walk out of a debate on the floods. In fact, it was the Opposition which caused a debate to take place. “The Opposition also fully participated in the debate in the time allotted for same and highlighted the extensive damage and lethargic Government response. The Government’s reply was the typical fare of blame-casting, stonewalling and irrelevancies.” Persad-Bissessar said newspapers were fully represented in the House during Friday’s sitting and at a press conference

she hosted the next day on the racism matter and other subjects. She said it was she who under Standing Order 17 filed a motion on “the failure of the Government to provide adequate resources and relief in a timely, effective and efficient manner to alleviate the hardship, suffering, anguish and distress of the population in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bret,” as a definite matter of urgent public importance. “Notably, the Government had not brought the flooding issue to the country’s elected representatives despite the widespread national disaster,” she said. “The relevant Standing Orders provide such a debate shall commence at 6 pm and last for one hour till 7 pm. I led off the debate, with a 20-minute submission as permitted by the Standing Order, and reported on the destruction of homes, livestock and farm lands and dislocation of families and noted the poor and slow responses of the Government.” Persad-Bissessar said Government’s main response came from Works Minister Rohan Sinanan who, in a tenminute contribution, criticised the Opposition and claimed Government had responded to the flood in an effective and

timely manner. Following that, several speakers made five-minute presentations, as permitted under the Standing Order. Recounting the matter involving Princes Town MP Barry Padarath which led to the walkout, she during his brief contribution he was accused by Leader of Government Business Camille RobinsonRegis of being a “racist.” She said this was clearly heard on the audio of the Parliament channel, adding: “That comment was endorsed by the Honourable Prime Minister.” Persad-Bissessar said it was then the Opposition called on House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George for a ruling on the said statements. “Instead, the Speaker proceeded to suspend the sitting for ten minutes. Upon her return to the Chamber, the Speaker resumed debate on the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill. “The Opposition again sought to have a ruling made. Once more, no ruling was given despite several protestations. At that point, my colleagues and I took a decision to demit the House for the day as we felt that such a matter warranted a ruling.” - Trinidad Guardian

Dookeran Backs Seepersad-Bachan to Lead COP

TRINIDAD -- Former Congress of the People (COP) political leader Winston Dookeran is supporting Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan’s bid for the leadership of the party. But rival candidate Nicole DyerGriffith’s camp can’t confirm claims that Dyer-Griffith has the support of former PP Sports Minister Anil Roberts. Seepersad-Bachan and Griffith’s campaign manager, Gary Griffith, spoke on the respective issues Monday as their camps denounced “mud-slinging” in the COP’s July 9 leadership poll. Seepersad-Bachan, Dyer-Griffith and Sharon Gopaul-McNichol are contesting the election. Seepersad-Bachan said she had spoken to Dookeran about her bid “and he’s very happy that I’m contesting. I was urged to contest by many. I was surprised at the number of foundation members who

supported it.” Dookeran had endorsed her first bid for the position in 2014 when she lost to then incumbent Prakash Ramadhar. “There was a lot of mud-slinging in that (2014) election also and I denounced it,” she said Monday “For this election I made it clear at our candidates’ meeting last Monday that we should not go down that road and I wouldn’t be involved in mud slinging since we need to adhere to standards that would us all rebuild the COP after July 9.” Dyer-Griffith’s husband Gary, commenting on claims that former minister Roberts is supporting her candidacy, said:”As a COP member Mr Roberts is free to support whoever he prefers but we have no idea who he’s supporting, as neither Nicole nor myself have seen or spoken to him in three years.”

On “mud slinging,” Griffith added: “Unfortunately, one of the three candidates has turned to playing a game of trying to undermine and discredit her opponents and the party. It’s hoped this COP election wouldn’t go into the gutter as we’ve seen with previous internal elections with other parties. “Based on a directive by our candidate, there would be no comment directed at undermining or disrespecting any of her fellow candidates. She’s stated she has the world of respect for both individuals and looks forward to working with them after the election.” Griffith, responding to questions from COP’s Wendell Eversly on whether Dyer-Griffith is eligible to participate in the election, said: “She was no longer a member of the AOI since late 2016.” - Trinidad Guardian

Williamsville Residents Appeal for Help - Flooded Out Twice in a Week

TRINIDAD -- Still reeling from the damage caused by flood waters which swept through her home , Gloria Ramgobin broke down in tears as her family tried to salvage pieces of furniture and appliances that were under water for the second time in a week. Ramgobin, 56, her husband Kemchand, 61 and their daughter Meena, 28 had to flee their Messiah Trace, Williamsville, home around 1 am on Saturday when the Guaracara River burst its bank. The family survives on the National Insurance pension that Kemchand receives after retiring from the Princes Town Regional Corporation as a labourer. Dozens of families in Messiah Trace, Reform Village and several streets in Princes Town were affected when heavy rains caused the river to overflow early Saturday morning. Ramgobin said the water was over seven feet high inside her home. She said the family was awaiting a visit from coun-

cilor Vashti Sookhoo and the Princes Town Regional Corporation for assistance. “This is the second time this week we dealing with this, everything we had gone again,” she lamented. “We couldn’t stay in the house when water start to come in, cause it came so fast.” Fearful for their lives, the family fled the small wooden house leaving all their belongings to the mercy of the raging river. When the murky water subsided, they returned to find their freezer, refrigerator and clothes scattered throughout their yard. “The freezer was pushed out of the house and end up against the fence, I don’t know if it will work again because this is the second time this week that it get wet. There was no place to put anything safe.” The mattress allocated to the family by the Disaster Management Unit of the

Princes Town Regional Corporation last Tuesday was also soaked. A short distance away, Sanjay Sanasie and his family were busy trying to salvage items from their home. He said water was nine feet high on his property, causing thousands of dollars in damage. “We would have repurchased some things after the flood on Monday night and all of those things are now destroyed,” he said Sanasie is calling on the Princes Town Regional Corporation to dredge the Guaracara River properly as he said this is the cause of the constant flooding. “This problem has been ongoing for years but this year is definitely the worst, the corporation needs to come and clean the watercourse or this will continue to get worse.” - Trinidad Guardian

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Government in Move to Drive Development in Region 8

GUYANA -- The Ministry of Business’ Department of Tourism will next month hold a tourism workshop with stakeholders in Mahdia to increase involvement in the development of the sector there. Subject Minister, Dominic Gaskin and a team from the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest) visited Region 8 on Friday to discuss with the Town’s administration and business community, agricultural opportunities and prospects for the upcoming Commercial Exhibition. The minister and team also visited the Tumatumari Hydro Project which will soon be rehabilitated to provide clean, renewable energy to Mahdia in keeping with the country’s Green State agenda. In a statement to the media on Monday, the Ministry said Gaskin met with Chairman and members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and discussed the upcoming Regional Agricultural Commercial Exhibition (RACE), making Mahdia a sustainable economic hub for the region, an upcoming tourism workshop, the economic impact of ongoing and planned infrastructural development, and realising the value that Guyana’s Green State image can add to the economic activity in the Region. The Minister encouraged the RDC to help identify investment projects for the region based on regional priorities and offered

his Ministry’s support in developing, preparing and promoting those projects for potential investors. Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Bonaventure Fredericks said agriculture is being discussed with a view to putting forward a viable plan for the sector in the region, while Regional Executive Officer (REO), Gavin Gounga spoke of the potential of the region to grow its own food. Gounga noted too that the region’s experiment with `Irish’ potato and Hill Rice and stressed that other crops that could be cultivated in the sub-region included tomato, turmeric, and cabbage. Additionally, the importance of the newly-formed Mahdia Chamber of Commerce (MCC) to the region’s economic development was underscored and, both the Ministry of Business and the MCC have pledged full support for the upcoming RACE. At the meeting with the MCC, several issues were brought to the fore including the need for training in tourism management for the Region’s potential to be realised. The need for an affordable electricity supply to businesses was also underscored by the Chamber. Additionally, stakeholders called for measures to be put in place to ensure that businessmen could have their businesses registered and tax compliance done without having to travel to the Essequibo Coast or Georgetown. All matters raised were addressed by GO-Invest’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO),

Owen Verney. Meanwhile, Minister Gaskin underscored Government’s commitment to the development of a Green State and explained the benefits the Region could accrue from a global value system that places a high emphàsis on protecting the environment. He suggested too, that the Green State could add a premium to products from the Region which could offset the high cost of transportation that producers face. The Business Minister also stressed the economic impact that the government’s infrastructure develoment programme will have on Mahdia when better roads are built in and around the community. The paving of the Linden to Mabura road, Gaskin added, would greatly improve life in the community. Moreover, the Minister spoke of the potential of the Tumatumari Hydro Project when he visited the site to observe the infrastructure. The visit concluded with a ‘walk about’ in the commercial centre of Mahdia where a network of paved roads is in the final stages of construction, and has already brought much relief to local commuters. The team also visited students of the Mahdia Secondary School who stay at the school’s dormitories. While there, the GO-Invest CEO donated a number of footballs to the students. - Guyana Chronicle

GuySuCo to Hold Consultations in Sugar Belt

GUYANA -- The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) will commence a Community Outreach programme for residents in ‘sugar -dependent communities. Community meetings will be held at the Community Centres in the villages where Estates are located, GuySuCo said in a release. The first meeting will be held at the Wales Community Centre on 29 June, 2017, and the second at the Uitvlugt Community Centre on 5 July, 2017 at 4:00 pm. The focus for discussion of these meetings will be the ‘Uitvlugt Estate Improvement Programme (UEIP)’ and other matters related to GuySuCo. On 6 July, 2017, another community meeting will be held at the Enmore Commu-

nity Centre for residents in Enmore and neighbouring communities. The focus for this and subsequent meetings at Blairmont, Rose Hall, Albion and Skeldon Community Centres will be on the ‘The Role of Communities in Improving Attendance on Estates for the Second Crop 2017’ as well as other GuySuCo related matters. The aim of this outreach programme is to mobilise cane harvesters, planters and cane transport operators, their families and communities around the importance of improving attendance at all estates in order to sustain the industry. According to GuySuCo the objectives are to: Create a greater awareness on the need for employees to turn out to ensure

that the canes are harvested within the crop; mobilize the residents around Estates to encourage employees to improve attendance; mobilize community leaders and other stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, government, private and civil society sectors around the importance of improving attendance on all Estates; create a greater awareness of the importance of the sugar industry and GuySuCo to the development of Guyana and the linkages between increased attendance and greater commitment to sustaining the industry and to build greater partnerships and engage more strategically with communities and other partners around estates. - Guyana Chronicle

Grief-Stricken Widow Hangs Self

GUYANA -- The Turkeyen nursery school teacher who was found lying atop her dead husband in early June at their Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara apartment, reportedly took her own life early Monday morning. Police Public Relations Officer,Jairam Ramlakhan told the Guyana Chronicle that Cindy Dawson’s lifeless body was found by one of her siblings hanging from an electrical cord at their parents’ Charity River Dam home on the Essequibo Coast, where she’d gone to recuperate after her husband died. The gruesome discovery was reportedly made at around 05:00hrs by the 28-yearold woman’s brother, who told the police that

when he retired to bed at about 23:00hrs on Sunday night, after watching television with his sister, he had no inkling it would be the last time he would see her alive. He told the police that while his sister did not show any indication she was contemplating suicide, she was understandably depressed after losing her husband, Kevin Dawson, to typhoid and malaria. The 35-year-old miner had died at the couple’s home after a prolonged illness, and his disconsolate wife was found in a semiconscious state, after she did not show up for work and calls to her cellphone went unanswered. The discovery was made by the landlady who went to check on the couple

after not seeing them for a few days. Cindy Dawson was admitted to the GPHC for treatment and was later discharged. Police opined that the man may have died between June 3 – 5, 2017, but a neighbour put his death to closer to May 31, since that was the last day she’d heard him vomiting. A post mortem confirmed that he’d died of typhoid and malaria. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the couple had gotten married just last year; that the husband worked in the interior and would return home only for the August and Christmas holidays. - Guyana Chronicle

Woman Shot as Husband ‘Cleans’ Gun

GUYANA -- A 50 year old housewife of Bougainvillea Park, East Bank Demerara was shot to her abdomen when her husband’s licenced firearm accidentally went off early Monday morning in their home. The incident occurred around 02:30hrs. The woman is presently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation,

in a stable condition.

Police reported that it happened when the couple returned from an outing about 02:00hrs after which the victim went to the shower and on entering their bedroom she heard an explosion, followed by a burning sensation to her abdomen, which began to bleed profusely.

The victim’s sixty-year old husband, who is a licensed holder of a handgun, alleged that he was clearing the weapon when it accidently went off and injured his wife, whom he rushed to the GPHC. He is in police custody assisting with the probe and his firearm is lodged. - Guyana Chronicle

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island news

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Portland Homeless Shelter Crying Out For Help

JAMAICA -- The Portland Rehabilitation Managment Centre and Homeless Shelter is lamenting the lack of support from businesses in the northeastern parish as well as from the Government, and is calling for immediate help to continue to stay afloat. “We are imploring Jamaicans, anyone who can assist, who can help donate food, clothing, money, anything, to do so. Persons can also adopt a resident and help to care for that person,” Krista-Gaye Plummer, client care coordinator at the centre, told the Jamaica Observer during a recent visit. The centre, which can house a maximum of 30 residents, but currently houses 16, caters to homeless people and people with mental health conditions. The facility is privately owned and was set up and funded by an American who saw the need during one of his many trips to the island. However, according Plummer, the police, the hospital and the parish council make use of the services at the centre but neither local nor central government has sought to assist. “Government should do more because we are assisting them, because we take on residents when they come. but they don’t remember us; some of them are sent by the police, hospital or judge,” she said. “ All the street people, when they have nowhere to put them, this is where they come.”

“Wi beg government till wi tired,” a frustrated Plummer added. She said that a few months ago a motorcade led by the Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie passed by the centre en route to visiting the poor relief department and no one thought to stop and check how they were managing at the centre. “Not one of the councillors ever step foot and come up here,” she said, recalling that she once asked a councillor for money to buy a kitchen sink and she was told that the money was booked out for election campaign. “We not getting any help at all, and we are struggling to buy stuff, and we are struggling,” Plummer said A similar picture was painted as it relates to assistance from businesses in the parish. “The support from the community and from businesses in the area is not good; is just two businesses that help us regularly,” Plummer told the Observer. “We send letters to every business, even cornershops we beg some bottles a water, and most places said that they could not help us. Even in Easter we beg bun and no one responded,” Plummer said. She said that they do get some help from Food For the Poor, but that is not enough. Additionally, she said, “We try to reach out to family members to assist, but they don’t

really respond. we only have one resident whose family member assist.” Currently, she said the centre is in urgent need of help to purchase toiletries, breakfast items, and to repair a fridge that is nearing its final days. Plummer said that the centre does not only cater to the needs of the residents but also serves as drop-in centre for the homeless. “As long as you are on the street you are welcome; we given them a meal, a suit of clothes, and we groom them, and they can also take a shower, sometime we even provide medication,” she expalined. Asked how they survive, Plummer quickly replied, “ We beg and beg and beg.” She explained that the facility is solely funded by the owner, which though not fully adequate, is used to pay the staff, cover bills, and buy food and other items. She said that the centre tries its best to be self-reliant and grows most of the ground provision it needs. Residents also do craft items, such as paintings, handbags and others and sell them at the craft market, she revealed. “The centre will also be having a cake sale this Thursday,” Plummer said. “We are urging people in and around the parish to come and support us,” she added. - Jamaica Observer

Jamaican Cocoa a Big Deal

JAMAICA -- American Ian Hash is in the final stages of completing his master’s degree programme, but the difference with the 25-year-old US native’s thesis is that it will be completely compiled with information about Jamaica’s cocoa industry from his two-year tenure as a Peace Corps volunteer. Hash grew up in Washington State and studied forestry at the University of Washington. He decided upon completion that he wanted to further his education – but in a way that afforded him to be outside of the four walls of a classroom. “I’m not so into the class [room] thing. I wanted to do something different, so Peace Corps and my university offered a programmme where you can do your master’s as a part of your Peace Corps service, so really they send students anywhere in the world and I got Jamaica and I’m very glad I was sent here,” he told the Jamaica Observer during an interview recently. Hash, who is pursuing his Master of Forest Resources and Peace Corps Master’s International Degree from the University of Washington — School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, admitted that while he was sent to Jamaica, he initially didn’t know where he was going to be placed and so had no idea about the topic he would research. But the postgraduate student was soon assigned to work with the Redlands Production and Marketing Organisation in rural Clarendon, where he said he later discovered one of the major cocoa-producing regions in the island. “There are other places in the island, but the growing conditions here are perfect for cocoa and historically this has been central to cocoa production in the country. So I looked around and saw this cocoa and I said, what’s happening with this cocoa? And at the time I came there wasn’t a lot that was going on,” he recounted. He explained that he found out that the cocoa industry in the island wasn’t producing as much as it once did, and that the organsiations that were to provide support to the farmers, such as the Cocoa Farmers’ Association, wasn’t as active as it should have been. “Of the three different types of cocoa in the world, you have trinitario, forastero, and you have criollo. Forastero is not what Jamaica produces, which you get in Africa and that’s the standard ‘run of the mill chocolate’. But when you get into fine chocolate, you are talking about trinitario and criollo and Jamaica has both of those, but mostly trinitario, so you are talking high-quality, deep-flavoured cocoa, so Jamaica has very high-quality cocoa,” Hash stated.

The Peace Corps volunteer added that he started looking at ways to build on the fact that Jamaica has such high-quality cocoa, but said he faced a roadblock early on when speaking with residents in the community, as “even the word cocoa had a negative connotation” since people would lament that the industry was not as good as it once was. It was this revelation that would help provide the foundation for Hash’s research. “Some of my research is really generally about cocoa in Jamaica, but it’s qualitative-based research on how farmers perceive cocoa – how they see it as positive or negative thing, what they believe is the future of cocoa… knowledge of cocoa forest management and cocoa-processing and agroforestry systems in cocoa. So the goal of it is to identify knowledge gaps with cocoa farmers so that you can improve the cocoa industry,” he explained. Hash’s research also happens to complement his own work as a Peace Corps volunteer, as in that capacity he is also trying to give farmers more control in the value chain through the undertaking of various agriculture projects. According to Hash, a farmer as a producer is at the bottom of the value chain, but as the product moves up the chain it gains more value through processing, as it heads towards the consumer at the top. He shared that the aim is to help create ways for farmers to process their cocoa into something different, which will move them up the value chain and give them more control over their livelihood. “As soon as the Cocoa Board says ‘we are not buying any cocoa now’, they have nowhere else to turn, no other options. But then on the other hand, if you are a cocoa farmer and know how to process your cocoa into another product, you can do that and then you can market yourself, and that’s what we are trying to work with right now,” the volunteer explained. He shared that the group is in the final stages of getting confirmation about a grant from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica. Hash stated, however, that even if they are unsuccessful, the grant is already written and can be forwarded to other agencies. The grant, he explained, is to go towards building a small agro-processing facility that will initially focus on processing products like cocoa balls and chocolate bars. While Hash’s tenure in Jamaica is quickly drawing to a close, as he is expected to leave at the end of this month to return to school and complete a final semester, he stated that once his research is published, he will be sending it back to the island as it is all about making cocoa more valuable to small farmers.

Even though he is still collecting information for his research, the volunteer shared one finding that he said was not only interesting, but also a positive with regards to not only cocoa, but the island’s forests as well. “What we look at as a healthy forest occurs in Jamaica without even trying, because it was just the way farmers grew up and how their granddaddy talked to them. Anytime you go on somebody’s land here they have a cocoa tree, pine tree or pineapples,” Hash noted. “A lot of places are facing monoculture and a lack of biodiversity, but in Jamaica you don’t have so much of a problem with that, so when thinking about to improve a system you have to be careful because you don’t want to make it worse than it is,” he added. He described his two-year tenure in Jamaica as one that was interesting and also well spent, even though he had to overcome a few cultural shocks and barriers along the way. “The first time I ever saw chicken foot on my plate, I was like am I just supposed to eat that or is that for looking, but I ate it and I can eat it now, but I’ve never cooked it for myself. But I love other foods, especially mannish water, if I don’t have to be the one making it… the food is really good, so it wasn’t hard to overcome food,” he shared. In terms of getting used to the language, he stated that when he first came, there wasn’t a lot he could understand, but through practice and repetition he managed to get the hang of Jamaican Patois. “Now when I listen to people, it’s like I can understand everything, but when people come and they are fresh, it’s like they are looking around, but to me it’s like the person is speaking English straight up, but people were like ‘what’ and I’m like he said he’s going to the store, what don’t you understand,” he recounted jokingly. Hash said that when “yu look at Jamaica, you see good things, not bad things”, but conceded that it is all about perspective. When asked if he would ever think about coming back to the island after his tenure has ended, he said that he definitely plans to visit, but in the case of any-long term plans, it “remains to be seen”. “If I came back for a long-term thing, I would want to come back and do some sort of business for the people, because Peace Corps is very good and I love the approach, and I’d probably use a similar approach, but while what we do is good, at the same time people are always talking about how they need jobs. If I could come back and try and create jobs, that would be what I’d want to do,” he said. - Jamaica Observer

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

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PAGE 17

Staying in Motion with Monkey Movers It’s a story we are all too familiar with: the vast majority of Canadian children aren’t getting nearly enough exercise. In between sitting at a desk for most of the school day and then coming home to do hours of homework, sometimes the only physical activity a child will partake in for the day is what they got during recess, or in a physical education class. And even after a child finishes their homework, to unwind after a long day, their first instinct may be to reach for a game console or a cell phone over a soccer ball. Chandall Walsh, the Program Director of a mobile gymnastics and dance program called Monkey Movers, hopes to change that. With over fifteen years of experience coaching gymnastics and dance, and twelve years of a being a certified fitness professional, Chandall knows the importance of getting enough physical activity firsthand. According to Statistics Canada, less than 7% of Canadian children and youth meet the daily recommendation of sixty minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at least six days a week. Chandall points out that for many kids, the issue comes with their level of interest in the activities they’re doing. “For kids to be active, they have to enjoy what they do. You can’t force them to do something because they won’t maintain it in the long run. That’s the whole concept of Monkey Movers: it’s something new and different.” So, what makes Monkey Movers so different from other activities, like gymnastics and dance classes? Well, for one, Monkey Movers has a school bus that’s been

completely transformed into a mobile gymnasium circuit, complete with things like trampolines, a rock wall, and a zipline—yes, a zipline! “The kids come on the bus, and the bus is visually appealing. They just go ‘wow!’ to see all these different things in the bus. Once they get on the equipment, they just love it,” Chandall explains. Chandall also emphasizes that all children are made to feel welcome during sessions, which is great news for parents of children who may be new to gymnastics, or who are shy in group settings. “We’re constantly encouraging them”, she says. “There’s no judgment here. We’re just here to help kids out. If they’re struggling with the monkey bars, we’re here to assist them, we let them know that they can finish it off. Same thing with the rock wall. We are motivating them and keeping them active. The main thing is keeping them moving throughout the whole time.” Monkey Movers got its start when Chandall created her Mobile Movement Program, where she would go into schools and daycares to teach gymnastics and dance to students. However, she found that many of the facilities did not have the space for the equipment that she brought along for the children to use. That’s when Chandall started doing some research and discovered the concept of having a gymnastics class on a bus, an idea that has already been implemented in the United States. This idea, combined with Chandall’s experience with teaching gymnastics, is what brought the mobile gymnastics bus to the GTA.

When it comes to fitness, Chandall is an expert. In addition to being a former gymnast and dancer, she is also a personal trainer and teaches Pilates and yoga. “This is just my everyday life, being fit and healthy, and working with people of all ages,” she says. Since she likes fitness, health, and working with others, her venture into creating Monkey Movers was only natural. “I thought, ‘I have my personal training business, and I’d like to diverse into gymnastics and dance since I have that background, and I like working with kids,’” she explains. Chandall has worked in several locations, including Toronto, Brampton, Milton, and Mississauga, teaching children new, exciting ways to exercise and be active. And she’s making sure that as many kids as possible have access to Monkey Movers, by making the program completely mobile. Though she and her staff are often found at daycares and schools, they also cater to special events, such as birthday parties and festivals. Chandall says the recreational, non-competitive atmosphere of Monkey Movers makes it easy for parents to test the waters and see if more formal gymnastics lessons would be a good fit for their child. “We really want to be that stepping stool for them to have an interest in gymnastics,” she explains. Even if a child doesn’t necessarily want to continue doing gymnastics at a higher level, they are still taking away with what Chandall calls physical literacy. Much like kids need to learn skills like reading or writing, she says it is also vital that they have the tools they need to become physically strong

and healthy. “There are skills that you have to work on, that strength and that balance. It just doesn’t come, you have to work on it,” says Chandall. She also points out that gymnastics is the foundation of all sports, so regardless of what sport a child may do in the future, they will need the strength, conditioning, and coordination that her program teaches. To help children acquire those important physical skills early on in life, Monkey Movers offers a unique class called Parent n’ Tot, where toddlers, accompanied by a parent, participate in circuits, songs, games, and organized play. Chandall says that while the age group for Monkey Movers is between one and twelve, the best age group for the program is children aged three to four. However, she saw an interest from parents who had children as young as fifteen months, so she decided to create the Parent n’ Tot program. For older children, a Monkey Movers session with the bus can include warm-up stretching, circuits with rings, monkey bars, a balance beam, and a mini-trampoline. At Monkey Movers, the goal is to establish a foundation of physical wellness that will go on to inspire a child to make healthy choices and stay active for their entire lives. “Our mission statement is ‘To set the foundation of physical activity in children,’” says Chandall. “We want to build confidence-our children are the future.” Written by Dellia Rismay Toronto Caribbean Reporter

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entertainment

PAGE 20

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Charly Black, Sizzla Collaborate With T&T’s Lawless and There’s More To Come Aba Luke

aba@carib101.com

Entertainment Jamaican dancehall sensation Charly Black continues to represent well for the Caribbean. He’s earning high praise by international music connoisseurs but amid it all, his Caribbean realness remains untouched. Earlier this year, Trinidad and Tobago music producer, Shane Howell, a young singer and music producer who is best known in entertainment circles by his sobriquet, Lawless, connected with Black and as he tells it, magic happened. The pair, according to Howell, initially connected in 2014 through a mutual alliance. He said when he met Charly Black back then, the Jamaican entertainer immediately began expressing his likeness for working with young, up and coming entertainers. It would be his first time collaborating with an artiste out of Trinidad and Tobago at that time. He has since teamed up with Machel Montano on ‘VIP Girl’. Earlier this year, Charly and Lawless collaborated on a project called, “Like Dat,” which, since being released with a video on YouTube in April, has amassed close to 25,000 views. Lawless says he feels privileged to have been considered for the collaboration by the Caribbean entertainer who has become something of a global sensation. In December 2016, Black became a Diamond certified artiste, having sold some 10 million units of his smash hit single, ‘Party Animal.’ “We met in Trinidad over a two week period and we strategized. During that time, we built a good connection,” said Lawless. “My team at Bing Bang studios got the assistance of other reputable producers like Mush, Sherrif and Team Unstoppable,” he explained, expressing gratitude for the input they had in the final product. “We had conversations about how Charly’s career was taking off at that time. His biggest bit of advice then was, never stop pushing and promoting our music. He told me, ‘you just never know when that big break would come,’” recalled the T&T up and comer. On the heels of that release with Charly, Lawless kept the momentum up. He subsequently collaborated with Reggae hit maker, Sizzla Kalonji, releasing a track called, “Closer.” The song was written collabora-

tively by Kalonji and T&T’s Tichard ‘Screws’ Barrington. The track, he explained, morphs trap music with a strong dancehall undertone, delivering something that’s quite different to the Caribbean market. It was however written in condemnation of the violence and crime that abounds in Trinidad and Tobago. Still on the grind, Howell is making moves to deliver more music in the coming weeks. “There’s no stopping. We’re all about bridging the cultures of the Caribbean, blending the music and fusing the vibes,” said Lawless. His hard work, he knows, will pay off. “It’s not work when you’re doing what you love. I love this. My team loves this. We’re going to show the world how passionate we really are. Wait and see,” he warned. A follow up project involves Jamaica’s Fanton Mojah. The Bing Bang Studios executive and his cohorts are working arduously to deliver a monster project that’ll be lapped up by everyone, he said. Jamaican dancehall artiste, Charly Back is fast becoming a global sensation. His recent success on Spotify’s music chart in addition to obtaining Diamond artiste status in December 2016, has catapulted him to heightened Caribbean-wide and even global recognition. His humility has however kept him a trusted and highly respected person among those who are still striving for the acknowledgement of their music and efforts. Lawless- a young Trinidad and Tobago based music producer and artiste, is one such person. He’s releasing a new single that was done with Charly, complete with a video, but what he speaks of most when Black’s name is mentioned, is the advice has has received from the Jamaican superstar. “Like Dat” will be the summer anthem of 2017. With the ground campaign to market the dancehall single, already in motion, the collaborative track, which was written by both artistes in conjunction with songwriter, Tricks, is set to take the Caribbean by storm. “We initially began talking in 2014 through a mutual alliance,” explained Lawless, whose real name is Shane Howell. He said when he met Charly Black back then, the Jamaican entertainer immediately began expressing his likeness for working with young, up and coming entertainers. It would be his first time collaborating with an artiste out of Trinidad and Tobago. “We met in Trinidad over a two week period and we strategized. During that time, we built a good connection. My team at Bing Bang studios got the assistance of other reputable producers like Mush, Sherrif and Team Unstoppable,” said Lawless, expressing gratitude for the input they had in the final product. “We had conversations about how Charly’s career was taking off at

that time. His biggest bit of advice then was, never stop pushing and promoting our music. He had said, “you just never know when that big break would come,” recalled the T&T up and comer. The soon to be released single is the first of many projects to come between Charly Black and Bing Bang studios, said Lawless. He explained that Bing Bang is being outfitted to be a premiere studio where excellence is the order, in years to come. “Bing Bang Studios must eventually be internationally reputed,” he said, highlighting the need for more knowledge to be acquired by Trinidad and Tobago’s producers on matters concerning the music industry. “Our goal is to eventually become a music production, distribution and publishing company,” said the young entertainment stakeholder. With no set boundaries when it comes to genre at Bing Bang, Lawless compares the production element offered, to that of Caribbean seasoning, saying, “My work is like seasoning. You can’t cook a tasty pot without it. It’s the flavor that’s required,” he chuckled. Charly Black returned to Trinidad and Tobago following the song’s completion. A video with featured both artistes has since been created. It’s nearing finalization. “It’s been a really enjoyable project. Charly has been like a big brother and I appreciate the advice he’s shared with me over the period,” said Lawless. He credits the entire group of people who’ve contributed to the song and video, saying, “My team and management, people like Ro’dey the Entertainer and Bluemoon Productions, Stunner, Prtnsky, Tekeisha Williams, Sammy Jo, Sagittarius out of Nigeria and of course the producers who helped with this song, must all be thanked for their hard work and commitment.” Lawless and the Bing Bang Studios family will release a follow up project- the Ben10 riddim in the weeks ahead. Before that however, fans of Charly Black and fans of dancehall music, will revel in delight when the new single, “Like Dat”, with Lawless, is released in the coming days. - EBuzzTT

PAGE 22

travel

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

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Let’s Celebrate Canada’s Birthday Nicole Deforest

Kingston All-Stars July 1 - Scarborough Civic Centre

nicole@carib101.com

Travel Specialist Canada turns 150 years old next month, what are your plans to celebrate? It’s not too late to travel near or far to participate in some of the largest celebrations province-wide. First off, Parks Canada is inviting visitors and Canadians around the world to help celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with free admission to all of the national parks, historic parks and marine conservation from coast to coast. Log onto Parks Canada to see how you can receive your free pass.

Bonjay July 1 - Scarborough Civic Centre Citizenship Reaffirmation Ceremony Presented by National Partner CIBC JULY 1 2:45 pm – Nathan Phillips Square 3 pm – Mel Lastman Square 5:45 pm – Humber Bay Park 5:45 pm – Scarborough Civic Centre

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Ottawa Canada’s capital city will be flooded with locals and tourists to help celebrate Canada’s birthdate. Parliament Hill and the Museum of Canadian History is throwing free festivities you don’t want to miss out on. Dance the day away to local Canadian artists, while taking part with games, face painting, and local food, and once the clock strikes midnight you’ll be amazed by the captivating fireworks display, fun for the whole family. Head on down to Major Hill Park if you want to watch a musical performance dance along to a light show, this is one you don’t want to miss. Edmonton City Hall downtown will have a 16-hour celebration filled with music, dance, and art exhibitions. If you’re into art you will want to be here. Alberta artists will create five original sculptural works of art on Capital Boulevard. This will create lasting landmarks for Canada’s 150th birthday. The first showcase will be revealed on July 1st and should be quite the site.

Halifax This is one of the best provinces I’ve visited. Enjoy the best and freshest seafood from the local catch of the day, while taking in views that will take your breath away. Here you’ll enjoy free parades as a tribute to our present and fallen soldiers, concerts lead by Canadian artists, fairs, races, ribfests and more. The best part is it’s all FREE! Halifax is in the Atlantic time zone which means they are an hour ahead of us and will be the first to start the celebrations on June 30th. Head on down to Dartmouth to see one of the largest firework displays on the pier and continue to celebrations the next morning with a pancake breakfast. Toronto The Redpath Waterfront Festival will be held from July 1-3. Again, they will host local musicians performing live, as well as food provided by our top local chefs and a west coast lumberjack competition. Local artists will also be showcased in the openair market on the waterfront. The Royal Canadian Navy will also be attending with fun activities. TIFF Lightbox is also hosting a free yearlong program highlighting the Canadian cinema. New Brunswick Head on down to Caraquet to see Tall Ships docked, partaking in the Rendezvous 2017 from June 30th to July 2nd. These ships will only be visiting seven countries so you don’t want to miss this. You can tour the vessels and partake in festivals amongst the community with live musical entertainment, food, fireworks and more. All ships taking part in Rendezvous 2017 will be docked in Caraquet, NB from June 30th to July 2nd . The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra will kick off it’s Canada 150 tour with a world premiere performance of its commissioned Canada 150 song composed by Academy Awardwinning composer Howard Shore. Whether you decide to celebrate in your local community or take a family trip to another city or province know millions will stand strong to remember Canada’s history.

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PAGE 26

food

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Jerk Burger

Philip DeWar

philip@carib101.com

Caribbean Fused Cuisine Our recipe this week is very near and dear to our hearts. Orangeville is a small, close-knit community and we are lucky enough to be very close with the other restaurants in town, as well as all of the meat and produce suppliers. It is something you don’t often see in big cities, and when we’re called upon for a good cause, we make sure we’re all there. Last year we lost an integral part of our community in Sean Coulter, who passed away

from cancer. For the past few years, Sean had been hosting a ‘Taking the Edge Off Cancer’ fundraiser gala and BBQ, with all the proceeds going towards improving our Headwaters Hospital. This year, participating in the ‘Burger Quest’ meant a little bit more, and we wanted to do Sean proud. We hope we did, with our jerk burger with orange chipotle mayo. A wonderful spiced up burger to share with your friends and families this summer, just as we did. You’ll Need: Burger: • 1 pound ground beef • 1 duck egg • 1/2 bunch scallion • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 cup jerk marinade (refer to previous recipes of ours to use our signature blend!)

•

Salt and pepper to taste

Mayo: • Zest of 1 orange • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce • 2 cups mayo First things first, we’ll start with the burger to give you ample time to let the meat marinate and soak in all the jerk seasonings. In a mixing bowl, add together all of your burger ingredients. Mix together with your hands until everything is completely blend-ed together. Form them into 6-ounce patties and pop them in the fridge. Ideally over-night, but at least 3 hours will work. Now for the orange chipotle mayonnaise. Put the pepper in a blender or food proces-sor until it’s pureed. Then, simply add it to a bowl with the orange zest and mayo. Cover this and put it in the fridge along with the burgers, as the longer these

ingredi-ents are together the more flavor will come out of the orange zest. When you’re ready to grill, preheat your BBQ to 425 degrees. Spray some oil on the grill to prevent sticking, and place your burgers right on the fire. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, getting some really nice grill marks. You can test the doneness by pressing in the middle. If they feel firm, they are finished, but if they’re still squishy they need a bit more time. Ideally, you’ll only flip once, which helps keep all the juices in the meat. Toast the top bun to give it some crispness, and leave the bottom bun so it can soak up some of the juices. Put a nice portion of the mayo on the bottom bun, and then garnish how you like. We recommend arugula and cheddar cheese, but use whatever flavors you like, it’s a burger after all!

food

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 27

Penne With Roasted Zucchini, Sweet Corn And Fresh Herbs Eartha Lowe

eartha@carib101.com

Green Healthy Eating Dig into the succulent zucchini that is part of this dish! Penne with seasoned and roasted zucchini, sweet corn and fresh herbs. The vegetables in this dish are roasted until caramelized, livening up a savory bowl of pasta. The total cost of this meal that serves a family of four? Only $15. The inspiration for today’s recipe began at a time of day we look forward to the most; lunch time. That happy noon hour is 2017-7 also Clore a time of day where most of PM us loves Canada.pdf 1 6/22/2017 2:41:40 are indecisive about where to go, and what

to eat if we neglected to pack our own delicious homemade food to go. Total spent recently on a mediocre hot lunch meal deal on a day where there was a lack of planning on my part? $15.81. Mood after purchase? Definitely not the type of mood you feel when there’s a “reward” with purchase! The frugal mother in me became plagued with images of all the food in my kitchen that could’ve saved me spending over $15 in one shot. $15 spent daily, over five working days, is a lot of groceries I thought to myself. With that, I began to imagine easy to cook meals made with healthy, seasonal ingredients that cost no more than $15, plus or minus a few cents. The vegetables in this dish are all in season and available at most farmers markets now open throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The benefits to buying fresh, nutrientrich, locally grown foods at farmers markets also include getting good prices (4 large zucchinis, 1 tub tomatoes, and 1 large red onion cost me just $6.50). There are also apps available to help you shop smart and keep track of the best deals around that will save you

money on groceries.

40 Minutes

Other costs: garlic $0.25; corn $1.24; basil $1.29; oregano $1.29; pasta (450g) $1.00; olive oil (250mL on sale) $2.99; walnuts $0.80. Total cost for “healthy and home made” equals $15.36.

Directions Preheat oven to 450°F. In a large bowl, mix together zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and stir until vegetables are evenly coated. Transfer to baking sheet and spread in an even layer. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Stir in the corn and bake for another 12 – 15 minutes, until the vegetables are sweet and golden brown. Stir minimally while baking to allow the vegetables to caramelize. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted boiling water to boil over high heat. Stir in the pasta, then adjust heat to maintain a low boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender. Drain and return pasta to pot. Add the caramelized vegetables, along with 1 tbsp of olive oil, stir gently and combine. Gently stir in the basil and oregano. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve topped with walnuts and enjoy.

You’ll need: • 4 cups cherry tomatoes • 2 large zucchinis, halved lengthwise then sliced crosswise • 1 large red onion, chopped • 4 cloves garlic, crushed • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • Kernels from 2 ears of corn • 2 cups penne, preferably whole wheat • 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, finely chopped • Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • Walnuts, crushed Preparation Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time:

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

beauty

Five Ways to use Concealers

Kizzy Courtney

kizzy@carib101.com

Beauty Tips

Like foundation, concealers come in many different shades and consistencies. If you have uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, dark circles or pesky pimples you need covered up, then foundation alone may not enough. It’s important to choose a concealer that works best for your skin type and concerns, for example, if you have dry skin don’t choose a concealer that has a matte finish as that will only emphasize your dryness. When it comes to makeup most products can have multi-usage and it is always fun to experiment. So, here are a few different ways you can use concealers.

Conceal blemishes: Everyone has that stubborn pimple they want to get rid of or acne scars they want covered up. Using a concealer is the easiest and fastest way to get an even skin tone if you can’t wait for time to clear things up. It is best to always start with a freshly moisturized and primed face. Choose a concealer that ‘is’ or ‘close to’ your skin tone and apply to the blemish or discoloration. Next, with the pads of your finger carefully press the concealer into your blemish. Never rub the concealer as you risk getting streaky results.

Highlight (subtle/intense): Concealers can be used to brighten up the under-eye area as well as sculpt the face by using it as a highlight. For a subtle highlight use a concealer that is a little lighter than your skin tone and for a more intense/brighter highlight us a shade that is one to two shades brighter than your skin tone. When using a concealer to highlight the under-eye area be sure to apply the concealer in an ‘upside down’ triangle and gently blend until there is no line of demarcation between the concealer and your skin or

your foundation.

Sculpt brows: If you want that ‘just done’ brows or ‘straight out of the salon’ brows using a concealer to sculpt your brows will give you just that. Simply fill in your brows like you normally would then with a lighter concealer place it under the brows and blend. This will give you that fresh look as well as highlight your brow bone. You can choose to do the same on top the brows as well or leave it as is. If you choose to clean up the top I recommend using a concealer that is your skin tone to avoid having that ‘haloed brow’ look. Nobody wants haloed brows, that is not cute! My go-to concealers to use to sculpt my brows are the La Girl Pro Concealers. Foundation: Believe it or not concealers can be used as a foundation. Simple choose your correct shade and apply it to a fresh, moisturized, and primed face; blend out evenly with a brush or a makeup sponge then set with a powder. My favorite to use for this is the Pro Longwear Concealers from MAC.

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Correcting: And of course, concealers can be used to correct your imperfections. Special concealers called ‘color correcting concealers’ are made specifically for this purpose. They come in different colors targeting specific skin ailments. For instance, for dark circles with a grayish or bluish tinge, covering them with an orange hued concealer will make the skin tone look most natural. Concealers should never be applied to open wounds, in fact, no makeup should be applied to the face if they’re open wounds from saying ‘picking at pimples’, always wait for them to heal then proceed with your makeup. Remember to always set your concealers with a light dusting of loose or pressed powder. If your concealer was matte then setting it is not necessary. Also, if your foundation is a powder foundation always apply your concealers first to avoid your makeup looking clumpy and mottled. Makeup has no set rules, it’s all about fun and experimentation and seeing what works for you and what doesn’t.

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

health

What is Multiple Sclerosis? Allison Brown

allison@carib101.com

Health Care In my last article, I shared information on Lupus. This article is meant to provide you with information about another autoimmune disease; Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis or MS is an autoimmune disease (a disease that attacks the body) that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). MS specifically attacks and damages the protective cover of the central nervous system; myelin, thus causing inflammation. We require myelin to carry nerve impulses through our nerve fibers. Depending on the degree of damage will result in the severity of disruption of those impulses. Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world. The rate is 1 in 340 persons. People aged 15-40 are generally diagnosed; however, children and older adults can be diagnosed as well. Usually, those from and Eastern European background are typically those who have MS. The symptoms of MS vary from extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, cognitive impairment and mood changes. This disease leaves those who are diag-

nosed with emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Research suggests that MS is caused by lifestyle, the environment, genetic and biological factors. There is no cure for MS, however; research is being done on gender, age, familial history to see if more information can be gleaned. Typically, a family doctor will refer the person to a neurologist and who will carry out various tests and subsequently send the person for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan or MRI to see if the tissue has been damaged in the brain. MS will be experienced differently by different people. However; there are different categories of the disease. Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) is typically experienced by 85% of those diagnosed with MS. It is characterized by “flare ups”, attacks, or exacerbation of the disease followed by periods of remission where functions return. Progressive MS (PMS) occurs when the person is diagnosed and they get progressively worse from the time of diagnosis with resulting disability. Secondary PMS is when the person progresses from RRMS disability and symptoms progress slowly over time. Progressive Relapsing MS is when the disease progresses slowly from diagnosis and experience relapse with or without recovery (https://mssociety.ca/ about-ms/what-is-ms). There are medications that are prescribed for MS. The medications are prescribed based on the category of MS that the person might be in. The medications help to counter inflammation and protect the nerves. Although medications are avail-

able to help with many symptoms, medications may be only part of the answer. Often, rehabilitation strategies such as physical therapy and occupational therapy are very helpful in improving and maintaining normal function. Consultation with specialists such as urologists, psychiatrists, and pain management specialists may be extremely helpful. Changes in mobility may require a specialist in orthotics as well as the physical and occupational therapist. A coordinated, comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to MS care is the best approach for the long-term management of multiple sclerosis according to John Hopkins Medicine. I know someone who has been diagnosed with MS for years now and she is in remission. She works hard and it makes me realize how blessed people are who do not have to live with a chronic illness. Some of the medications are quite expensive and unless one has some sort of medical coverage I am sure there is as stated above the added stress of perhaps not being able to afford medications. Imagine waking up in the morning feeling exhausted because you did not have a good night rest and you have to go to work the next day. I have become painfully aware of how easy it is to take health for granted. By sharing these articles and information on the autoimmune disease, I do hope you; the reader will gain some insight into the lives of those who must work to have a quality of life while living with a chronic illness. Let us be more patient, understanding, and empathetic with others.

How to Live a Holistic Health Conscious Lifestyle? Part 3 Khadijah Laticia

khadijah@carib101.com

Holistic Health By now your thirst should be quenched with some refreshing H2O, so let’s get moving. We need to rejuvenate our bodies daily with a free, natural stress reliever – EXERCISE! 1. Turn Off Your Distractions and Move Your Derriere: Yes, I said it, E-X-E-RC-I-S-E! Enough with all the moaning. Turn off your smartphone (Instagram can wait), laptop and television. Grab your keys and take your lazy behind outdoors. Just get moving! Unleash that inner child in you by doing something you enjoy every day for at least thirty minutes. Take a stroll through nature, go bike riding with a friend, be that ‘Cool Mom/Dad’ playing soccer with your child at the park, enroll in a fun fitness class, etc. Just find something that will motivate you and release your stress from the daily grind. The benefits of exercise are endless. Exercise reduces stress by boosting your mood and uplifting your spirit. Think about it. It is pretty hard to have negative, gloomy thoughts when you are taking in some beautiful scenery as you walk or better yet, RUN through the

park. Exercise alongside healthy clean eating is the secret to the fountain of youth. You will feel and look gorgeous at any age. Since exercise releases those ‘feel good’ endorphins, your self-esteem is bound to rise. Eventually, over time you will notice how great you feel immediately before and after you exercise that you might just be on such a runner’s high you will add on to your thirty minutes. It’s a win-win situation. Now, show us that you were born a winner. 2. Be Still, Meditate and Pray: Prayer and meditation are the most powerful, underrated tools we have at our disposal. Turn off your devices and sit quietly in a comfortable position. Take a few calming breaths, relax, and let your thoughts come and go, pay them no attention while you focus on your breath. Thoughts will come up and that is normal; just let them pass, then let them go! Start meditating in small increments of five minutes a day and build yourself up to about ten-thirty minutes. Most studies show meditation for only twenty minutes per day is effective. Now that your mind is somewhat clear, let’s strive to build a personal relationship with our Creator through the power of prayer which is the ultimate connection we need. Only God knows our pain, struggles, and sins. We have to seek God’s forgiveness and healing, thank him for his mercy, gifts and plead for his guidance on a straight path throughout our lives. Through this practice we are better able to respond to the trials and tribulations of life, it filters

out anxiety from our subconscious, it gives us clarity, a sound mind and it cleanses our hearts. We must strengthen our minds and souls with peace, love, and positivity. 3. Start a Gratitude Journal: Harboring harmful emotions of pain, trauma, and anger, if left suppressed and buried can cause disease in the body. Relieve this toxic energy by using writing as another healing tool to process your emotions. Start a gratitude journal and take time every day to reflect on what you are grateful for and what is going well in your life, then free write with whatever comes to mind. 4. Be Sleeping Beauty: Don’t listen to those people who tell you that sleep is for the weak. If you don’t sleep, you will be weak! Create a consistent sleeping schedule where you arise and go to sleep the same time daily, no matter how ‘busy’ you are. Go to bed by 9 or 10 pm. Studies show people who get at least 8 hours of sleep each night are more likely to have a good heart health than those who get less sleep. You have taken in a lot of valuable information to prepare you for a successful journey for a holistic health conscious lifestyle. Focus on creating a balanced harmony between your mind, body, and soul by incorporating our spiritual, physical and intellectual worlds. Your total wellness and self-care must be your top priority. Enough said you deserve a beauty rest now. Sweet dreams!

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yoga

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

More Than Moving Muscles Trisha Curling

trishacurling@carib101.com

Yoga The more we learn about and get to know our own bodies, the better off we are. Also, understanding that the body is not made of compartments that work independently from one another is also very important. Practicing yoga and learning more about what muscles may be tight and/or weak helps us to know how to create more support and stability where necessary. Knowing these things helps us to take pressure away from areas that may be tight/overused and helps us to “fire” the

ones that may be weak/underused. It is much more than just moving muscles though. If we consider the hip and its’ structure, for example, we must look at the deeper levels and create “passive stability” first. If we are contracting muscles in this area, without creating integrity into the joint by connecting with some of other structures and tissues in the body, we are potentially creating future problems. The hip can be an extremely vulnerable place, as it is a ball & socket joint. It has a joint capsule that secretes a synovial fluid which is crucial in slowing down wear and tear in the joint. It is one of the more mobile joints in the body allowing for a great deal of movement. We must begin by making a “brain” connection to these areas of the body. This is why it is important to begin to pay attention to our breathing at the beginning and throughout our yoga practice. This helps us to slow down and be more focused (allowing us to make those “brain” connections to these areas.

Let’s start with the bone, in particular, the head of the femur. “Hugging the hip” or head of the femur (upper thigh bone) into the socket helps to create this structural stability. This places the hip into a more optimal position for movement, which also allows the next level of passive stability (the cartilage) in that area to do its’ job. Generally speaking, the cartilage will help to “deepen” the joint by trapping the fluid in order to absorb shock from impact and of course minimize degeneration. The capsule (an outer fibrous layer), being the next level of passive stability simply helps to attach bone to bone and is also responsible for secreting the synovial fluid. When we look at the last level of passive stability we must look at the ligaments and their role. The ligaments help to reinforce the capsule and stabilize the joint. Some of the areas we may be inclined to think about first in regards to stability are tendons and muscles. These areas of “active stability” will indirectly affect the more “passive” layers if

they are not doing their job. The tendons are fibrous connective tissues which anchor muscle to bone. The muscles comprise of deep, intermediate, and superficial systems that directly affect the integrity and protection of the joint. Making connections from deeper to more superficial is crucial. This does not mean that we need to be overwhelmed with 100% knowledge of our anatomy in order to have a safe yoga practice. It may mean connecting with a yoga teacher and taking some private lessons to gain an understanding of proper alignment before we attend a group class. This information is to help us to know that when we approach our practice, it is more than moving muscles, it is about always beginning with the breath, it is about making the “brain connection”, it is a consideration of the general understanding of our deeper structures paired with the more superficial structures and their role to help with longevity and integrity as long as we can maintain it.

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Remedies For Victims Of Domestic Abuse

Valerie Dye

valerie@carib101.com

Legal Matters Domestic abuse is very common in Canada among married and common-law couples. Spouses are not the only ones affected by abuse, as children are also often victims of abuse. It is important for the abused spouse to be aware of the remedies he or she can obtain from the court when a partner has a history of abuse. The remedy awarded by the court may depend on the frequency and extent of the abuse. In that regard, one instance of abuse may be treated differently from the situation

where abuse is constant, ongoing and severe. One of the most common remedies for domestic abuse is for the abused partner to be granted exclusive possession of the matrimonial home. Although section 19 of the Family Law Act of Ontario states that both spouses have an equal right to possession of the matrimonial home, section 24 of that Act states that upon application, the court may make an order granting exclusive possession of the home to one spouse. The order granted by the court may be for a limited duration or for an extended period, depending on the circumstances of the case. Section 24 (3) (f) of the Act states that in determining whether or not to make an order for exclusive possession the court will consider any abuse that has been committed by a spouse against another spouse or against the children. Sections 19 and 24 are contained in Part II of the Family Law Act which relates only to married couples. Common-law spouses are therefore not entitled to the same

rights regarding possession and may be denied exclusive possession even in the case of domestic abuse. In the case of Gonzalez v Trobradovic ONSC 2014, the common-law spouse Mr. Trobradovic initially obtained exclusive possession of a home owned by the other spouse Ms. Gonzalez who was accused of domestic abuse against him. Ms. Gonzalez subsequently obtained a writ of possession against her common-law spouse and he was forced to relinquish exclusive possession and vacate the home. Ms. Gonzalez was able to obtain exclusive possession of her home despite being accused of domestic abuse. The court based its decision on the fact that Mr. Trobradovic did not legally own the home and further, he could not claim an interest in the home as he was unable to establish that he had contributed to the acquisition and the maintenance of the home. Another remedy for domestic abuse is that of a restraining order. Even where exclusive possession is granted a restraining or-

The Accountability Plan

Kathy McDonald kathy@carib101.com

Education The time has come. Inclusion for our Black students especially our male Black students is on the forefront of many Boards across Ontario. There was a myriad of initiatives that were discussed at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association that was held in Blue Mountain, Ontario from June 8th to 11th. School Board Trustees from across the province shared best practices, learned new and innovate strategies and receive outstanding professional development. One thing that was crystal clear during the weekend is that equity and inclusion are coming to the forefront of the majority of school boards. All marginalized kids including kids with mental health concerns, Indigenous students, Black students, LGBTQ students, students from low socio-economic families and students with special educational needs were discussed with reference to equity and inclusion. Our Black and Caribbean children were center stage in just about all large and medium Boards as well as some small Boards. I will make any skeptic a believer and also continue to ask you to hold your school

boards accountable for this important work in equity and inclusion, equity and inclusion for all including Black and Caribbean students. I would encourage all readers to visit your children’s, grandchildren’s, niece’s, nephew’s, brother’s and sister’s school board’s website and research the various initiatives that are outlined to help Black and Caribbean students succeed. I will outline the Peel District School Board’s (PDSB) Accountability Plan that was presented to the public on June 19th, 2017, at our final Board meeting for the school year. On October 27th, 2016 my third born child revived a gift even though she did not realize it. On her eighth birthday, the PDSB approved the We Rise Together Action Plan: The PDSB Action Plan to Support Black Males Students. This great milestone not only means that she will have greater odds of finding a suitable mate one day it means that there will be a significantly higher percentage of young Black students that are living up to their true potential. The Accountability Plan outlines the different actions that will be implemented in the upcoming academic year 2017/18 as the PDSB works earnestly to follow through on the commitments outlined in the We Rise document. An advisory council will be created by September 2017 consisting of Trustees (Trustee Green and myself were elected to represent the board on this committee), staff representatives from all groups, union representatives, community groups, students, and parents. In fact, the application for community representation has already been sent out. On or around September 23rd PAACE ( Peel Association

of African Canadian Educators), will host the first annual parent engagement sessions for Black Families in collaboration with the advisory council. All PDSB staff will receive mandatory and ongoing Anti-Black Racism and Bias Awareness professional development training. However, given the fact that the PDSB has over 19,000 full time and part time staff the training will begin with trustees, senior administration, school administration, managers, supervisors, curriculum coordinators, instructional coordinators, special education resource teachers, social workers, and psychology staff. These individuals will share their newfound knowledge with the grassroots of the organization and eventually each employee of the PDSB would have been trained. The experiences of Black Canadians will be integrated into the curriculum. Writing teams will be hired this summer to begin creating resources and lesson plans for the system. The experiences of Black Canadians will be embedded into the mandatory grade 10 history course. There will be an open course on Black History that will be introduced in the 2018/19 school year. All central curriculum coordinators will now seek to have Black history embedded into all areas of the curriculum. The resources and text used during Black History month will be created and shared within the system beginning in September 2017. The library services are developing a collection of appropriate everyday books which have Black characters and the Black experience as central themes. The Board will also work diligently

life

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der should also be sought in order to ensure that the perpetrator does not visit or go near the matrimonial home. Section 46 of the Family Law Act provides that a restraining order may be granted against a spouse or former spouse or against anyone else who is cohabiting or has cohabited with the applicant. The court may grant either an interim restraining order or a final restraining order if it is determined that the applicant has reasonable grounds to fear for his or her safety or for the safety of a child or children. It is important to note the requirement that there must be reasonable grounds for the fear, as spouses often believe that they can simply seek and obtain a restraining order without adequately establishing a fear for their safety. Furthermore, an applicant who maintains contact and communication with an abuser would find it difficult to establish that he or she has a fear for his or her safety. In that regard, a restraining order may not be granted.

to inspire Black student engagement and leadership. The annual We Rise Together Leadership Conference for Black Male students will be held in Winter 2018. There are also plans in October 2017 to develop a symposium for all educators that are interested in developing Black mentorship programs within their school. There are accountability measures that will be in place to track and ensure that the action plan’s impact is in fact positively impactful. A student census is being developed and should be conducted by December 2018. Race-based data will be included in the census. However, since it will take months to contextualize and interpret the rich data that will be collected the PDSB will “work with Dr. Carl James to measure Black male student achievement through ongoing, in-depth qualitative and quantitative research with students and their school.” I hope I have highlighted the fact that change, though it may be slower than we would like, is coming. The culture is shifting and more and more all staff and administration are buying into the fact that every child when treated in an equitable, respectful and inclusive manner will achieve to his or her full potential. The PDSB will not be a friendly place to anyone that subscribes to anti-Black racism or any other forms of discrimination. We will weed them out one by one. So, journey with us at the PDSB. Walk Good. Belle Marché.

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community

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

So What You Are Telling Me Is That I am Not Crazy! Simone Smith

simone@carib101.com

A Better Tomorrow When most Caribbean, or people from the Diaspora, hear the word “Psychology,” or “Psychotherapy,” to them the instant thought is, “Lawd, he/she gone mad!” For those who do not understand the Caribbean dialect, “Gone mad,” means to lose one’s mind. Well, in a sense, all of us at one point in our lives do feel like we are going mad. The world is a tough place to live in, and when we are born, we are not handed a life manual. Parents are a good starting point, as they are our first teachers, but what if our parents have had issues that they have not taken care of? We are then left at a disadvantage as we have to figure out our issues, as well as figure out how to deal with the transgenerational trauma. My goal as a mental health professional is to demystify the therapeutic process. I understand the importance of dealing with mental health, and my duty is to the community; I must help the majority realize the importance of taking care of our per-

sonal issues before they get out of control and begin to severely damage our lives. Speaking as a Life Counsellor/Strategist who works in Toronto, I encounter people from every race, religion, and culture. As a human being, I have my personal views and beliefs. Respect is important when dealing with people on a day to day basis; it is even more important when I am dealing with my clients. Awareness of self is important for any individual who works in the mental health field. I make it a requirement to take the time to do an inventory of self. This inventory allows me to think of issues that could affect the way that I deal with my patients. I take the time to write down personal traits about myself that I like or dislike. I note any personal issues that I might be having at the time. I think about my biases and prejudices. Do I provide a non-judgmental environment for my clients? Asking myself these questions allows me to understand the thoughts and feelings that I may have towards some of my patients. For example, when treating an individual who is a different religion, I am sure to respect their religious practices along with their cultural beliefs. I learn these things by asking appropriate questions and opening myself to understand things through the eyes of my client. During a client intake, I am sure to gather all the information required to understand my client. Questions about their beliefs may seem unimportant to some, but it allows for me to connect with them. They see that I

Managing Time

Colleen Lindberg

sheena@carib101.com

Personal Development Have you ever felt like time was crumbling through your fingers? Do you feel like you’re racing the clock to try and just get stuff done? We are all human so I’m sure you’ve experienced this at least on one occasion in your life before. Whether you work in a job, you’re in a business, you’re a stay-at-home mom, we all feel this weight of time in our lives. So how do we create skills and abilities to be able to manoeuvre through time, to honor time, but to set ourselves up for success? Consider these: 1. Scheduling yourself efficiently. Take a look at your schedule, outline certain tasks

and how long they’re going to take and then block off time to do those tasks. That could include driving somewhere and if you could connect certain tasks together to save time in that area while are driving through. It makes things a lot quicker as everything is now in alignment. 2. Doing the tasks that are really in connection with who you are and allowing other people potentially to take on the stuff that you’re really not that good at. If we’re always doing tasks that we’re not that great at or that we have a lot of weakness in you will waste time. It takes a lot longer for us to do those tasks as our brains are not wired that way. So, allow other people to do some things for you. I know that sometimes goes against our grain or goes against what we’ve been taught about creating strong weaknesses, but it’s really important if everybody can stand inside of themselves and own their key talents and characteristics and hire out, collaborate with or find other people to do some of the other work, it will allow for us to have more energy and more time in our space to accomplish the things that we really need

am doing my best to understand them; they will eventually be able to open themselves up about issues that I could help them with in the future. Mental health professionals must be effective at communicating; it is a great way to learn more about how your client’s thoughts and behaviors may be affecting their health. The core ideology of counseling, psychotherapy, and psychology is focused on treating each client as an individual. A common human mistake is to group individuals into categories and then make decisions about them based on these categories. This process can be detrimental if applied to treating clients; individualization is the thorough process of differentiating an object or person from a group of like objects or persons. Although it can be argued that we all have similar structure and function, we still differ when it comes to our experiences. Key differences exist in the way that we think, the way we express our emotions, our physiological build, our aversions, our likes and dislikes, our desires and our susceptibility to external influences. External influences include diseases, drugs, and substances found in nature. I hope that this short introduction allows you, the reader to see that your psychological processes are yours and yours alone. Speaking to a counselor, psychotherapist, or psychologist needs to be recognized as a necessity at some point in every individual’s life. The next issue will explore the process in depth and hopefully spur someone to reach out.

to get done. 3. Taking breaks. Like I talked about in my last article about honoring ourselves and taking some breaks inside of our space in order to recuperate energy, to get back in alignment. Honor that time and take it. 4. Prioritize. Do we really need to be taking all this stuff on? Are there some things in our life that we can drop out to make more time for others, or to balance our time better? Do you have some time “sucking” activities in your life that seem to drain all your energy? Why do you do them? Start to prioritize your tasks and know that it’s ok for you to say no sometimes, honor yourself. The last thing that I want to leave you with is that time is our most precious commodity. Some people might argue with me that money is, but money is a value of time. So, if we’re wasting “time” or mismanaging time or we aren’t honoring time, we are putting more money out the window than it is that we can make. Hope you’re having a great one and we’ll talk soon.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Understand Negative Equity Before You Buy a New Car

An increasing number of car buyers are putting their finances at risk by taking on negative equity. This happens when you owe more on your vehicle than it is worth when you go to sell it, trade it in or need to write it off after an accident. Attracted by lower monthly payments, many are opting for long-term car loans of six to eight years, instead of a more traditional term of five years or less. However, if you opt for this, down the road you’ll probably still want to trade the car for a new one before the long-term loan is paid off — typically around the four-year mark. You may then want to refinance remaining debt from that earlier car purchase by adding it to your next vehicle loan. “Rolling old debt into new debt puts consumers on a debt treadmill where they’re paying for cars they’re no longer driving. They’re increasing their overall debt to buy assets that lose value over time,” explains Lucie Tedesco, commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. “If you’re increasing your overall debt, there’s a good chance the bank will be more reluctant to lend to you, and will charge you higher interest on the loans it does give you.” Negative equity can put your

household finances at risk when you’re in an accident and your car is a total write-off and the insurance company pays you the market value of a car which does not match what you still owe. You can also be vulnerable if something unexpected happens, such as losing a job, and you must sell your car. In this case, you will need to make up the difference between what you get for the car and the amount you still owe your lender. You can avoid that predicament by making the right decisions when financing your car purchase. The longer the term of your car loan, the more time it will take to move from negative to positive equity. For example, under an eight-year car loan, you will owe more on the loan than the car is worth, well into the seventh year of the loan. “Long-term loans offer lower regular payments, but they cost consumers more in the long run,” says Tedesco. She suggests avoiding negative equity by purchasing a car you can reasonably afford that fits your needs, rather than your pricier wants. You can also choose the shortest-term loan your budget will allow and providing as big a down payment as you can afford. - News Canada

automotive

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Long-Term Car Loans Can Lead to Trouble Down the Road

Long-term auto loans offer an affordable entry to the car market, but that may mean a bumpy road ahead if you use one to buy more car than you can afford. Canada’s car finance market has nearly doubled in size since 2008. This increase is in large part due to the rise in longterm loans with repayment terms of 72, 84 and 96 months; or six to eight years. This compares to roughly 60 months or five years in more traditional loans. The longer the term, the lower the payments. But while longer terms can help you manage monthly costs, you will pay more interest by the time you clear the debt. Too often, consumers and car dealers focus on monthly payments and not on the overall cost, including interest, insurance and maintenance over the life of the loan. By stretching and reducing payments, long-term loans may encourage you to buy a car you otherwise could not afford, exposing you to more financial risk. “Be careful about getting overextended,” advises Lucie Tedesco, commis-

sioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. “Let’s say you have a seven-year loan and, like many, you want to trade in your car after four years. You will still have three years of payments left. After the tradein — and if your lender agrees — you can add what’s left of that debt into a new loan for another car. That means a bigger debt, possibly at a higher interest rate, and that can put you on a dangerous debt treadmill.” If you don’t want to keep paying for a car you’re no longer driving, be sure you understand the implications of a long-term car loan before you sign on the dotted line. Long-term loans are especially costly if you have a poor credit score or no credit history, both of which may mean you’ll pay higher interest rates. Consumer advocates believe that long-term car loans render us more vulnerable to unforeseen shocks, such as a serious illness, job loss or an accident in which the car is a write-off years before the loan is paid. - News Canada

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business

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 14, 2017

The Power of Words Keisha Johnson

keisha@carib101.com

Living The Dream Sometimes we dismiss or discredit the power of words as hocus pocus. But the recent celebration of Father’s Day underscored to me how instrumental and lifetransforming words really are. For our June shows on Living the Dream in Canada, we decided to feature men in commemoration of Father’s Day. Never could I have imagined the education I was about to receive from the conversations I had with our men and what goes on in their psyche. Throughout all the conversations, the effects of words in their lives featured significantly. In one episode on love and forgiveness in fatherhood, it became obvious how deeply words impact identity, esteem, and confidence. Reflecting on his experience with his father, Roger Dundas shared the void of never hearing his dad utter the words ‘son I love you’. “The funny thing is, I know my dad loves me” he reflected, “but he’s never said it. The closest he’s ever come to relaying those words was when I was migrating and he hugged me and said ‘son I am going to miss you’,” the producer of the Father Project recounted with tears in his eyes. Words of affirmation from the people we esteem in our lives are like water to a parched soul. Roger’s longing for those words from the most important figure in his childhood gave him the impetus to redefine his display of fatherly affection to his kids. “I tell them ‘I love you’ all the time,” the proud father of two said. From Martins Fatola we learned of the power of words to shape the future. He credits words for distinguishing his two children among their peers. After medics told him and his wife that they could not bear children, they did the unconventional when they finally became pregnant. Embracing the miracle of becom-

ing parents they decided to speak words of greatness over their children from when they were in the womb and intentionally continued this tradition throughout their lives. “We told them you are going to be great. You are going to be greater than your peers. The children embraced those words and today they are,” Martins humbly attests of his teenage son and daughter who together have received over $500,000 in scholarships to two of the most prestigious high schools in Canada. “They are not just academically brilliant; they are well adjusted. Everywhere we go people admire their grace and ask us how we raised these children and I tell them it is the words we speak over them, into them and support them with daily,” Martins said. “If you are experiencing certain frustrations concerning your children today; I would suggest that you take an inventory of your words,” the three-time author advised in his book, Kingdom Parenting: Raising the Next Generation of Champions. Growing up in the Caribbean, I can recall many playground retorts that would end with “sticks and stones can break my bones but your words can’t hurt me!” How very untrue? Yet every kid had that in their arsenal. We grew up to believe that. The irony of it is, we were also inculcated – especially at school – with words of affirmation that had to be recited daily to imbue us with the values, ethics, and morals befitting of upstanding well-adjusted citizens. Those same tools – words– that on the playground we were allowed by our elders to believe were impotent to harm us, were used by them in the classroom and at home to manipulate, mold and manage us. Words are powerful! The creative power of words brings to life the things we speak. Whether written or spoken, bellowed or whispered, sung or recited, words evoke responses. They trigger our emotions and manipulate our internal processing center. Just think how you feel when you receive an unexpected compliment or insult or hear the soulful music of Mariah Carey, Barry White or Luther Vandross! It now seems folly to underestimate the power of words.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

TAURUS

As of Friday and the super new moon, the big push is on regarding all matters to do with family, home, and comfort zones, both material and emotional. Call it a natural progression. You’ll get your money’s worth on Saturday. Through next Thursday, Mars and Mercury spark fresh insights and help you to make better strides regarding a specific relationship or money matter.

No matter whether need or desire is the catalyst, look to the mobilizing super new moon on Friday for a fresh refuel. This super moon can prompt a new round of talks or negotiations. It’s an excellent time to revisit, reconnect, update, and to strengthen bonds with old friends, siblings, or other family. The past can springboard the next phase or project.

April 19 - May 20

GEMINI

CANCER

Thursday has you on a wind-up. Thanks to the super new moon Friday/Saturday, you’ll find yourself completely consumed and/or immersed. It’s an emotional journey, that’s for sure. Yes, by all means, invest your all; get it secured and increase your cushion or safety margin. Go by feel; trust your instincts and first responses. Tuesday/Wednesday there’s plenty to say and do. Rely on spontaneity and creativity.

Ready, set, go. Joined by Mercury and Mars in Cancer on the move, Friday’s super new moon has more than the usual going for it. Cut yourself loose and revamp yourself or your lifestyle; try something new on for size; it could do you great good. Now through the end of the month, you can make faster gains and inroads.

LEO

VIRGO

The sun’s travel through Cancer always marks your ideal vacation time. Whether you stick close to home or disappear altogether, Friday’s super new moon doubles up on this fact. Romance and creativity also gain a fresh infusion from the stars, especially so through Sunday/Monday. Tuesday/Wednesday keeps you on the go with more than the usual. Even so, the flow is good.

One way or another, the end of the week springs you free. You could jettison into a whole new reality. Friday’s super new moon puts the attention on something new or next. It also pushes the refresh button on your social life. Indulge and enjoy this weekend. Tuesday through next Thursday, the Virgo moon and Mercury set you onto full steam ahead.

May 20 - June 21

July 22 - August 22

Down 1) Holes in the atmosphere 2) Global ____ 4) Disappearing rainforest in S. America 6) Garbage on the ground 8) A creature’s habitat 9) Chemicals that kill plants 11) Our planet 13) Switch these off 15) Cutting down (1 of 3 Rs)

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ARIES

March 20 - April 19

Across 3) Energy from the sun 5) Smoke and fog combo 7) Flowing waters 9) Bad stuff in the environment 10) Environmental colour 12) Ice chunks that are melting 14) Deciduous or coniferous 16) To use again (1 of 3 Rs) 17) To make waste into something else (1 of 3 Rs)

fun

June 21 - July 22

August 22 - September 22

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You can get it under better control more naturally now thanks to Friday’s super new moon in Cancer. Mercury and Mars also help you to feel your way along more quickly. Although there’s still guesswork or uncertainty over the week ahead, each day sets another building block into place. Tuesday to Thursday, it’s not what is said or written but how it feels.

First impressions speak volumes. You’ll find yourself especially quick on the uptake Friday/Saturday. The super new moon heightens intuition and emotional responsiveness. You’ll retain information and details very well. Once read, spoken, or experienced, it’s forever imprinted on your psyche and your soul. Friday through Tuesday, attentionseeking delivers the goods. Wednesday/ Thursday, there’s plenty to work out or to clear away.

September 22 - October 23

October 23 - November 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

A new level of inner and outer security is about to grow on you. Friday’s super new moon in Cancer sets a great backdrop for strengthening loving bonds and family togetherness. It’s also a right time to invest in home upgrades or a new business, or to start saving more. Thursday through next Tuesday are your best for working it out or making it happen.

The emotional investment is great, and the financial end can be too. Friday’s super moon sets the summer and your next step or contract (actual or karmic) onto full steam ahead. Aim to make the most of it through month’s end. Stay creative; stay in the moment; add, subtract, or rearrange as the moment dictates.

November 22 - December 21

December 21 - January 19

AQUARIUS

PISCES

In the mood to do some cleaning and clearing? Friday’s industrious super new moon in Cancer supports you to do just that. Put your all into it; better caretaking can only do you good. A new job, home, or health renovation is well timed. Through Tuesday, success comes readily. Tuesday to Thursday, there’s more to sort out.

Friday’s super new moon reenergizes body, mind, and soul. It can boost your love life, family bonds, social life, or creativity. A special someone, such as a lover or a child, can tug harder on your heart. Friday through Monday, enjoy, indulge. Tuesday through Thursday, don’t get ahead of yourself; go/ take it one step at a time.

January 19 - February 18

February 18 - March 19

FOR SALE FOR SALE

FORWANTED SALE HELP

FOR SALE WANTED

CHAGUANAS: Two lots (14,222 sq ft) with residential structure, available for sale, 7 mins away from the heart of Chaguanas( Perseverance Village). Lot size 66”ft x 200”ft. Asking price: $340K CDNContact: 647-205-7411Email: busaurules@gmail. com

SHOP HELP: Rubber manufacturer in Guelph looking for labour help, willing to train. Must be motivated and willing to work. 416-727-4671 Serious inquiries only

SEEKING A JOB: Retired Teaching Assistant from TDSB looking for any kind of appropriate employment during the summer (tutoring ) Worked in Special Education. Contact Jay 647-406-4034

TRINIDAD – BARATARIA: Freehold 2 storey 5500sq.ft. 4 bdrm concrete house with all approvals. Can be separated into 3 suites. Enclosed workshop and garage. Asking 800K CDN. Call 416-671-9862 FRIDGE AND STOVE: New fridge and stove still in box never opened Friegidaire brand for sale. Asking $1200.00 for both or best offer. Please call 905 339 0686

SERVICES JUKEBOX REPAIR: I service vintage jukeboxes, pinball, slot machines, quarter horse, cherry, poker boxes and etc...I have over 50 years experience 416-357-1303

FOR SALE WORSHIP

FOR SALE PERSONALS

COMPANION: Young guy 49 looking for a female 30-50 who likes the outdoors, travel, bike riding, dancing, cooking, shopping, and drive outs. Call Andrew at 647-608-8462 SINGLE MALE: SWM 57yr old looking for a younger nice attractive black woman for a relationship. I’m a fun intelligent good looking guy. Lets have fun this summer call Feed 647 657 0217

FOR SALE WORSHIP

WEST INDIAN CONGREGATION Emmanuel. Mission Church of the Nazarene. Service at 1.30 p.m.1875 Sheppard Ave. West, Toronto, ON, M3L 1Y6 For info call Rev. Jerold Boodhoo 416-303-7163

SUNDAY SERVICE: Fountain of Truth Ministries Pastor: Reverend Maxine Campbell Worship Address: 2170 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke Percy Johnson School – Cafeteria Sundays: 10.am – 2. pm Teaching, Worship, Ministering For info call: 416 748 0211 MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church invites you to join us at 1620 Dundas St West, each Sunday at 10am for praise, worship and in-depth Bible teaching with Pastor Sean, 416-219-9137

Anesha Forbes S a l e s Re p r e s e n t a t i v e

Connect Realty, Brokerage Independently Owned And Operated

Direct: 647-462-0268 Office: 416-751-6533 Fax: 416-751-2247 E-mail: info@HomesByAnesha.com Web: www.HomesByAnesha.com 1415 Kennedy Rd. E Unit 22,Toronto, ON. M1P2L6

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real estate

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Weighing Your Options For Diy Projects Maurice Anderson

maurice@carib101.com

Real Estate - For Millennials The process of finding your home is not an easy one but it is definitely worth it. Knowing your money is going to a secure investment that is tangible and transferable is inequitable. The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) report for the first two weeks of June shows detached homes sales have slowed 56.2% from a year ago while condominium sales are off 39.2% during the period. On a year over year basis, average prices in the detached category are up 7.7% from a year ago while condominium prices are up 25.5%. We

are in a market with a ton of inventory and a ton of choice. We are definitely not in a seller’s market now but it could become a full-out buyer’s market if inventory increases. The decline in activity looks dramatic but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Falling sales in more expensive detached homes are driving down overall prices, even though the condominium market is relatively strong and other sub-markets in the GTA for townhomes and semi-detached prices have seen a surge in activity and price growth. Once you find you home you can start to add your own personal touches to it. The good thing about purchasing in the summer is you do not have to wait until next year to make changes to your backyard or add to your curb appeal. It always starts with such a burst of enthusiastic ambition. When it comes to summer renovations, nothing teases our aesthetic taste buds more than perusing welldecorated showrooms and professional designs in the living room, bedroom, bathroom

or kitchen. The biggest reason to take care of your summer renovations is the cost. When you’re on a budget but desperately in need of new laminate flooring or a fresh paint job, it’s easy to justify the cost of the materials because the biggest cost is the labor required, which you’re avoiding. Molding and trim go a long way in making your home look and feel more custom and expensive. Add a slim place of trim a few inches between your baseboard and paint in between. As you’ll shortly discover, contractors who’ve made a living installing drywall, framing basements, or tiling bathrooms make that living for a reason. It can be hard, intricate, skilled work, and there’s no guarantee the finished product will look anything like the vision in your head. DIY renovations offer homeowners a unique sense of accomplishment. But the time and effort required to make it a reality just might not be worth it in the long run. It will be difficult to find time during the evenings on weekends to commit to the work,

especially in the summer when the sun is shining well into the night. Devoting an hour here or there without anything resembling a professional work schedule could make the renovation stretch out far longer than you initially assumed. Ultimately, you can combine DIY renovations with professional work based on your particular skill set, your budget and how much time you’re going to have this summer to get to work. If you’ve never picked up a hammer, then it’s probably a good idea to leave the internal renovations such as the electrical and plumbing work and insulation to the professionals. There is no renovation (summer or winter) that is worth risking you and your family’s safety. If you find a property you still need to act fast because I am now beginning to see properties up for sale on a first come, first serve basis which means you should still have all your documents in order and finances prepared to avoid multiple offers where you can.

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finance

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The Effects Of Rising Interest Rates Fazaad Bacchus

fazaad@carib101.com

Finance Specialist You may have seen recently that the Feds have made a decision to increase interest rates. That happened in the United States and while we are a different economy from theirs, we are still tied somewhat to the hip. In our own economy, we have seen an increase in borrowing, a decrease in unemployment, an increase in overspending and this is a prime setting for a spike in inflation. Fortunately, inflation has been holding steadily at 1.7% and should it start to rise we need to watch out for a possible interest rate increase. Why is that so? Well, inflation is usually an indication of over spending and what the Government tends to do is retract spending by raising interest rates. When rates go up, people spend less, therefore, reducing

consumption and production alike. While this doesn’t sound like a good thing to do, it is sometimes quite necessary to keep the delicate balance of producing not too much or not too little and for keeping prices in check. As an example, if there was full employment in the world, wages would be so high that producers would have to raise their prices to make a profit. These prices, in turn, will be passed on to you the consumer, as you can see, the problem worsens. The most significant impact affecting Canadians will be the cost of borrowing and debt repayment. Any loan will ultimately become more expensive and will require a larger output of money from you. However, the largest Canadian debt in consumer borrowing lies in their properties and not only in their investment properties but in their residential homes as well. A rise in interest rates of only 1% would send some scrambling as their budget is so tight. A typical detached home now is anywhere from 750,000 to 1,200,000 and with interest rates of about 1% more would cost you another $500.00 per month. This will prove to be catastrophic for many families especially if the rise in rates creates a glut of properties on the market and values start to fall. You would be holding a deed where the loan has more value that the

property. In the 1980’s interest rates were at an all-time high rising as much as 21% on home purchases, consider how that would affect you if rates were to go up again like that. Raising interest rates is not entirely bad as it can be the major factor in cooling inflation, home sales and over consumption, however, when left to run out of control can have quite damaging effects. Business and consumer confidence falls, less risk is taken and overall production starts to drag to a halt. Unemployment starts to rise and if a government is not careful is can find itself in a case of stagflation which means that the economy is not growing but inflation continues to rise. Here the government needs to put a fiscal stimulus to generate production, but this stimulus may be borrowed money as the Treasury may be bare or empty. It further weakens the economy. As Canadians, we need to watch our spending carefully making sure that we are not spreading ourselves too thin, buying everything we own hinged on credit. If we will buy on credit, we should make sure that return on the investment is greater than the cost of it. Be careful of loans that do not show equity or value, as it would difficult to pay back something for which there is nothing to show.

How Cohabitating Can Affect Your Finances Andrew Stewart

andrew@carib101.com

Family Advisor Many couples have a desire to share their lives without going through a formal marriage ceremony. Initially, it may be a matter of unpacking a few boxes, getting a key cut and living together. There may be a plan to formalize the relationship at some point. But often years can go by without ever making it “official”. The longer the arrangement lasts, the higher the stakes become – particularly if children are involved, the relationship ends, or a partner dies. For married couples, there are certain rights and obligations that are clearly defined, but this is not always the case for couples that live together. Here’s some intriguing information: Although marriage rates have fallen, cohabitation relationships continue to increase, between 2006 and 2011, the number of commonlaw couples rose 13.9%, more than four times the 3.1% increase for married couples. For the first time in 2011, the number of commonlaw couple families (1,567,910) surpassed the number of lone-parent families (1,527,840). As a result, common-law couples accounted for 16.7% of all census families, while lone-

parent families represented 16.3%. I call this “intriguing” not because I object, but because even I cohabitated with a girlfriend and didn’t consider the financial ramifications of what could happen only the benefits at the time. Every couple that breaks up has faced the issue of “this is yours, that’s mine” from books and music to pets and furniture. But cohabitation as you get older (and hopefully wealthier) can pose additional challenges. A couple can live together without being married. But even if they have been together for one, three, fifteen or forty years, and even if they have several children together, they are never “automatically” married. This means that, if they break up, commonlaw couples don’t have some of the protections married couples have.

People in common-law relationships don’t have these protections: • They don’t benefit from the protection of the family residence if ownership of the home or the apartment lease is in the name of one person only. • They don’t have a right to a division of their property if they separate. • One partner can’t ask for support payments from the other partner (financial support for one person in the couple who might need it). • The partners don’t inherit from each other if one dies without a will or if one was not named as an heir in the will. When it comes to money, the law doesn’t recognize relationships not officially documented on paper. In order for a couple to

have common-law standing in Ontario and Manitoba, they must be living together in a conjugal relationship for three years or more, or one year with a child. Buying a House? With mortgage rates near historic lows and home prices at all time highs, unmarried couples may decide not only to move in together but also to buy their own place. This could be a great move, but be aware of potential problems. The house belongs to the person whose name appears on the legally recorded deed. It doesn’t matter what verbal agreements were made or who paid the mortgage. So, make sure both parties are named on the deed. Also, keep this in mind: If you both apply for the mortgage, you’re both responsible for paying it — even after you break up. If both parties are on the deed as owners, but only one is on the mortgage, the one responsible for the mortgage remains responsible, even if that person has moved out and moved on. Where there’s a will, there’s less confusion A will is an extremely important document to have to leave property to a common-law partner after you die. If you’re unmarried and die without a will, your estate still goes to your next of kin — but that’s not your partner. If you don’t relish the idea of a parent, a sibling or some distant uncle inheriting everything, get a will. For a lot of blended families, they want to leave their estate to their kids from the previous relationship. So, life and critical illness insurance in many cases is the solution.

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY The Region of Peel is a uniquely diverse community that is strengthened by the numerous cultures and backgrounds that it is comprised of. It is important for Peel Regional Police to represent and reflect the community we serve and to work together with our community to contribute to a safe environment in which to live, work and visit.

PEELPOLICE.CA/DIVERSITY

PAGE 46

sports

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Hope Shines But India Down Windies to Take Series Lead

TRINIDAD -- Starlet Shai Hope struck a high- class half-century, but it failed to save West Indies from a 105-run defeat to India in the rain-hit second One-Day International of the five-match series here Sunday. Chasing a difficult 311 in a contest reduced to 43 overs per side at Queen’s Park Oval, the Caribbean side were restricted to 205 for six, with Hope stroking an accomplished 81 off 88 balls. Roston Chase chipped in with an unbeaten 33, while skipper Jason Holder made 29, but West Indies’ task was made more difficult after they slumped to four runs for two wickets in the third over, and failed to mount a significant enough recovery effort. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav was key for the Indians with three for 50, including the wicket of Hope, while seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed two for nine in an early burst with the new ball. Right-handed opener Ajinkya Rahane had earlier compensated for the gloomy weather by carving out a stroke-filled 103, while his captain Virat Kohli struck 87 and Shikhar Dhawan, 63. Those three innings formed the foundation of India’s 310 for five, after they were asked to bat first following a delayed start of two hours because of rain. Rahane faced 104 deliveries and counted 10 fours and two sixes, adding 114 for the first wicket with Dhawan, whose 59-

ball knock also included 10 boundaries. Rahane showed his intent from as early as the opening over, when he pulled fast bowler Alzarri Joseph to the square leg boundary and followed up in the 20-yearold’s next over by clearing the ropes at backward point. The left-handed Dhawan joined in the run-spree with two sweetly timed off side boundaries off seamer Holder in the fourth over, as India sped to 63 after the first 10 overs. Dhawan raised his second halfcentury in three days, in the 14th over of 49 balls, before departing in the 19th over, drawn from his crease by off-spinner Ashley Nurse and stumped. Rahane then combined with Kohli in a 97-run stand to further bury the hosts. He raised his fifty off 56 balls in the 20th over but then accelerated to reach his third ODI hundred off another 46 deliveries — raising the landmark with a scintillating cover drive off seamer Miguel Cummins in the 34th over. When he departed two balls later, bowled by one that clipped off stump, Kohli took charge of the innings, smashing four fours and four sixes in a 66-ball innings. Holder conceded 22 runs off the final over, while sending down three no-balls — two of which were high full tosses and resulted in him being barred from bowling the last delivery of the innings.

West Indies were up against it from the third ball of their reply when left-hander Kieran Powell was caught at the wicket without scoring off Kumar on review, without a run on the board. Jason Mohammed followed in the third over, also without scoring, driving Kumar to backward point where Hardik Pandya snaffled a low chance. With the innings wobbling, opener Hope then led the Windies recovery, putting on 89 for the third wicket with Evin Lewis who made a pedestrian 21 off 37 balls. Hope raised his second ODI halfcentury off 65 balls in the 19th over, and then upped the anti with leg-side sixes in successive overs from Kuldeep and off-spinner Ravi Ashwin. Lewis perished in the 20th over at 93 for three, missing a charge at Kuldeep and going stumped, and Hope was finally prised out, lbw on review, to Kuldeep in the 26th over — one delivery after clearing extra cover for this third six. All told, he counted five fours and three sixes, and when he departed at 112 for four, the required run rate had risen to 11.5 runs an over. Jonathan Carter’s dour 31-ball 13 helped precious little and Chase and Holder’s 42-run, sixth-wicket stand off 44 deliveries was well short of the torrent of runs required to threaten India. - Jamaica Observer