Community Mourns 032614

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Community Mourns

Torontoʼs Caribbean community suffers a tragic loss EMILY SINGH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Popular West Indian restaurant Calypso Hut will never be the same following the death of its well-loved founding family the Pitambers. The Caribbean community and residents across the city mourn the loss of well-respected businessman Peter Pitamber, 60, wife Seeta, 59 and 36 year-old son Terry. Carbon monoxide poisoning is to blame for this tragedy when son Jerry found the family at 2 am Monday morning without vital signs.

When the family’s furnace stopped working Sunday night, Peter Pitamber brought propane heaters

into the house to brave frigid temperatures. Surviving this tragedy is Paul Rampersaud brother of Peter who was pulled out of the house by Jerry as well as a close family friend both of which were taken to hospital.

Peter Pitamber will forever be remembered as a family man and well-respected businessman amongst the Caribbean community. Originally from Guyana Peter and his wife Seeta immigrated here 30 years ago and became well loved by all who knew them when they opened up the first Calypso Hut restaurant in 1987. By 1993 the business expanded and the

family opened up a second location closer to their home in Brampton.

Over the years they have developed a loyal customer base and became well-loved in the community. Their death is being felt in all parts of the city.

Those who know him described Peter as a happy soul, a great friend and a man with a big heart.

Without a doubt everyone will always remember him and his big smile that he greeted all who entered his restaurant with.

Continued On Page 3

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

The position of this administration is that sugar is here to stay GUYANA -- Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy contends that the Opposition is seemingly “clueless” when it comes to the operations of the sugar industry.In an invited commentpertaining to what he dubbed “confusion being peddled by the Opposition in the last few weeks, Dr Ramsammy said: “First, Mr. Tony Vieira, at an official APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) media briefing, speaking as an expert in agriculture on behalf of APNU, proposed to replace sugar cane cultivation with tilapia production, which he claims will be a more profitable exercise than the production of sugar.

“Every media house in Guyana reported this story, and Mr. Vieira actually referred all the reporters to a website where this proposal is in writing. This is not my imagination, but this is what the news people actually reported.

“I also read and heard Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, the Leader of the AFC (Alliance For Change), giving unequivocal and unrestrained support to APNU’s position.

“The media houses in Guyana widely reported Mr. Ramjattan’s position.

You cannot produce sugar from tilapia, so the proposal of replacing sugar cane with tilapia essentially means closing down the sugar industry. Mr. Vieira indeed had a long letter in the media, detailing his tilapia proposal.

“After I rejected this proposal, both APNU and AFC claimed that they never made proposals to replace sugar cane with tilapia. They claimed they made proposals for the transformation of the industry.”

Emily,

19, is an aspiring Journalist, currently pursuing her bachelor of journalism degree. This Guyanese beauty is outgoing and adventurous. Emily enjoys writing, fashion, beauty, art, being outdoors and spending time with friends and family. You can catch Emily and her work in every edition of the Toronto Caribbean.

LADIES! You could be featured in our next edition! To enter, send photos to info@torontocaribbean.com

ETHANOL PRODUCTION On the proposal of ethanol production, voiced by both APNU’s Carl Greenidgeand the AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo, the minister explained that the now revised planfor the sugar industry, craftedby the combined Opposition,is to replace sugar with tilapia, or with ethanol, or with both tilapia and ethanol, but it is a misguided plan.

He said, “APNU and AFC, clearly overjoyed (by) the difficulties GuySuCo (the Guyana Sugar Corporation) is presently facing, are making wild proposals as solutions to GUYSUCO’s woes.I do concede that GuySuCo has several difficulties that they must address and find quick solutions (for). The Government and the Corporation are working to find a way forward, and we

are confident that these difficulties will be reduced and overcome.”

The minister made it clear that there are plans for the production of ethanol in Guyana, within and outside of the sugar industry.He said, “We do see GuySuCo as a producer of ethanol in the near future, but as a by-product from excess molasses. It is for this reason that the prototype bio-ethanol plant was established at Albion Sugar Factory. It is the reason also (why) we are looking to introduce ethanol-blended fuel for automobiles in Guyana, creating an internal market for this important agro-fuel.

“While our approach is to address the difficulties, APNU and AFC, outside of recommending closure of the sugar industry, is proposing changing one product with another. This is not a solution to GUYSUCO’s problems. Indeed, the mere substitution of one product for another, using the same feedstock, will not solve the problem.

“Moreover, any switch to ethanol production will require massive investment for new infrastructure. In addition, the cost of production using sugar cane directly or sugar as feedstock for ethanol production will be prohibitive and not cost-effective.”

Ramsammy maintained that GuySuCo’s current approach of introducing ethanol as a byproduct from sugar production is the most viable one and we will not be distracted by the misguided approach of our opponents.

He said, “I can quickly dismiss once again the proposal for replacing sugar cane cultivation with tilapia. No soundminded Guyanese accept this proposal and most Guyanese reject it as a plan of a warped mind. In dismissing this proposal, I am reiterating the PPP/C’s position that sugar remains an important part of our economy long into the future.

“Nothing in our position means that ethanol production is not a part of Guyana’s development plan. Nothing in our position diminishes the significance of aqua-culture in the agriculture strategy. We already have almost 3,000 ha of aqua-culture farms in Guyana and we are improving production and establishing conditions for export of cultivated fish, including tilapia and tambacqui.”

Continued On Page 5

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Peter Pitamber (left), wife Seeta Pitamber (middle), son Terry Pitamber (Right)

A community in mourning Emily Singh TC Reporter Continued From Page 1 -- A memorial held inside Calypso Hut drew crowds by the hundreds to pay their respects to the Pitamber family and offer their prayers to son Jerry Pitamber. The immense turnout only proves how much Peter, Seeta and Terry were loved

and how many hearts they’ve touched in their lives.

Saturdays viewing at the Brampton Crematorium & Visitation Centre turned a crowd that was unable to be kept within the building. Friends and family of Peter, Seeta and Terry waited in the hallway as well as outside the building to pay their respects to this amazing family taken too soon.

Our deepest condolences go out to Jerry, extended family, friends and the Calypso Hut family during this difficult time.

Our prayers are with you Jerry as you grieve the loss of your parents and brother. We will always remember Peter as a man who loved his family and made a lasting impression on all that were privileged to meet him.

Jamaican laws silent on spreading of HIV/AIDS JAMAICA -- The intentional or reckless infection of a person with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is considered a crime in many countries and punishable by law.

But according to Margarette Macaulay, attorney-at-law and women’s and children’s affairs advocate, there is nothing in the Jamaican law to deal with situations where a person knowing of his or her infection, knowingly or wilfully exposes another person to infection by engaging in unsafe sexual conduct with that person and thereby intentionally or recklessly transmitting a venereal disease (STDs, and STIs) or HIV/ AIDS. “The need for legislation to deal with the pandemic of HIV/AIDS is obvious,” Macaulay said. “The 1937 Venereal Disease Act is archaic, and so, woefully inadequate for the epidemic propositions of infections from STDs and STIs and HIV/AIDS. We must not forget the increasing number of children born with the infection,” she said.

Some countries or jurisdictions, including some areas of the United States

have enacted laws expressly to criminalise HIV transmission or exposure, charging those accused with criminal transmission of HIV. Others, including the United Kingdom, charge the accused under existing laws with such crimes as murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, or assault.

In 1995 the Ethical sub-committee of the National AIDS Committee (NAC) in Jamaica submitted a position paper to the Ministry of Health asking that legislation be passed to deal with HIV/AIDS, persons infected, and those infected by them.

However, Under the Public Health Act (review) it is believed that the definition of communicable disease under Section 2 of the Act is sufficiently wide to include HIV/ AIDS as a notifiable disease (which is recorded as being notifiable since 1986).

Extensive power is given to the local board under the direction of the Minister to allow for all necessary measures to be taken to investigate and implement strategies to combat the spread of all communicable diseases. (Jamaica Observer)

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

2014 gimme one riddim Before there was reggae there was ska. This little known fact is being resurrected and celebrated in the 2014 version of Gimme One Riddim, the highly successful dance and theatre production being remounted for the third time in less than one year. Co-creators and choreographers Jasmyn Fyffe and Natasha Powell wanted to pay homage to what was then the new sound of Jamaica’s freedom after 300 years of British rule. The show has been described as a “musical education on feet, and on beat,” by reviewer Black Sebath. First premiering as part of TD Bank’s 2013 Then and Now Series, Gimme One Riddim is now having its third run at the Harbourfront Centre’s national dance series NextSteps, between March 27 and 29.

We chatted with Jasmyn recently about the show and what life was like as a professional dancer.

How did the idea for Gimme One Riddim come about?

Tasha (Natasha) and I were in her basement in the summer of 2012. There was a grant application from TD Bank for their Then and Now Series during Black History month. She and I wanted to collaborate on a Caribbean theme since we both have Caribbean heritage. Her parents are Grenadian and Jamaican and mine are Bajan. We did some research and listened to music. In the process we discovered that ska music was the emancipation music of Jamaica, and precursor of reggae and rocksteady. We wrote the application, got the grant and then started production.

Can you describe to me what the creative process was like?

It was very rich and collaborative. Now the show has changed because we’ve added live music. When we perform it in schools we use 5 or 6 dancers, but we’re usually a cast of 10. We’re also working with a lighting designer and a videographer. Tasha and I are the creative directors but we solicit feedback and input from everyone. Everyone gets along really well. It’s a supportive environment and no one tries to hog the limelight.

What does the element of live music bring to the show that recorded music does not?

I had goosebumps after our first rehearsal.

Live music goes into your soul right away.

It’s a different experience and different exchange of energy when artists perform live with each other. You feed off each other and that lifts the show to another dimension.

What were the skills and energies you were looking for when casting the dancers?

We wanted to highlight the fact that men were instrumental in creating ska music, and we also wanted to counteract the negativity in the media’s portrayal of black men. In the professional dancing world as well, black males usually compete against each other for roles. Most productions require 1 or 2 of them. Ours features 5. We didn’t hold auditions or anything. We handpicked our dancers from knowing them previously or seeing them in shows.

We were looking for versatility, and wanted to highlight the other talents of our

dancers. Personality and stage presence were also important as well.

Kathleen Smith of the Dance current says “Fyffe is so good at integrating street-dance and Afro-Caribbean vocabularies with contemporary dance in a way that feels completely natural—no forced marriages of mismatched moves here.” What did you want to communicate with Gimme One Riddim?

I just wanted to open up people’s minds with historical information. My brother is a music-head and he knew nothing about the history of ska. It’s not a documentary. There’s not one story to be told. Each piece in the show has an intent and a story of its own. But overall, I wanted to highlight the importance of ska and bring it back.

How did you know you wanted to be a dancer?

I was always a good dancer as a kid but never loved it. I took ballet till I was 12 and Afro-Caribbean dance till I was 15. However, it wasn’t until I took a Jazz dance course at York University, that I discovered how much I loved it, and how much I had missed formal training. I was doing dance as a minor at the time, and found it a wonderful way to express myself physically and maintain my form. Now I choreograph, teach and direct dance productions. I teach high-school students from September to June, and conduct one-off workshops with them as well.

I also teach the Addicted to Sweat class at Madonna’s Hard Candy Fitness centre here in Toronto. Right now, I’m the substitute instructor for the Ballet bootcamp course at the City Dance Corps.

What was it like dancing alongside Madonna?

It was fantastic! It was my first time being in a room with someone of her stature. I’m not someone who gets star struck, but I felt her energy and am now even more amped up and attentive to details than before. She was ready to go as soon as she entered, and it was amazing to see all the moves she could do at her age. It was really inspiring to see the work of herself and her team. There were 40 of us all sweating together and moving in unity. It’s an experience I hold close to me and would never forget. People were crying afterwards.

What recommendations would you have for anyone following an artistic dream?

Dream big: Dreams do come true. Like Lupita said during the Oscars, no matter where you come from your dreams are valid. They do come true and mine have come true. Never settle. After you accomplish one, envision another. Be grateful to your family, friends and those who supported you from day one.

Never forget where you came from.

Show times are Thursday, March 27 at 8pm, Friday, March 28 at 1:30pm and 8pm and Saturday March 29 at 8pm.

For further show information please contact the Harbourfront box office at (416) 973-4000, press 1. Tickets can be purchased online via http://tickets.harbourfrontcentre. com/production.aspx?id=20701

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

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Sugar is here to stay Continued From Page 2 -- Ramsammy reiterated his position that APNU and the AFC are misguided,and he said their action demonstrates why, under the People’s National Congress (PNC) in the 1980s, the sugar industry was on the verge of collapse.

The Agriculture Minister said, “They are confused and are trying to promote confusion, trying to take advantage of the difficult circumstances that GuySuCo is presently in.

“The proposals by APNU and AFC disregard the welfare of sugar workers, and would have dire consequences for Guyana’s economy and social development.

“I therefore again unequivocally reject the proposals to either close down GuySuCoor substitute sugar with another product, be it tilapia or ethanol or any other product APNU and the AFC might want to recommend.”

He acknowledged that the Government is aware of the challenges and are working to address the problem areas.Ramsammy said, “We are aware that the factories outside of Skeldon also require enhancement, yet the greatest part of our difficulties have been the reliable and adequate supply of feedstock for the factories.

“This is a matter that is presently engaging the Corporation, and we are confident that the difficulties with ensuring a reliable and adequate feedstock supply will be resolved in the coming months.

“In the meantime, we note with guarded optimism the improved production for the short period GuySuCo has operated in 2014.Production levels have surpassed 30,000 tons for the crop so far, and as long as the weather permits, GuySuCoshould be able to maintain a good production level.

“We commend the employees of GuySuCofor the efforts made so far in 2014.

We assure them that we stand in solidarity with the sugar workers.”

Minister Ramsammy also stressed that the current Administration will build sugar to be stronger, not curtail or end sugar, as our colleagues in APNU and the AFC would like to see.”

VIABLE PLAN The minister said the GuySuCo 2020 plan remains a viable and sound one.

“We will continue to produce sug-

ar, in bulk form and as packaged sugar, as our primary commodities. We will continue to be the supplier of molasses for use in the production of rum, and we have begun to test the use of molasses for the production of bio-ethanol as another value-added byproduct out of the operation of GuySuCo,” Ramsammy said.

He explained that GuySuCo’s plan, while delayed in terms of full implementation, has been to have an industry that focuses on the production of: * At least 450,000 tons of sugar by 2020 (this is a shift in the original date); * Packaged sugar with production target of about 50,000 tons by 2016, and a further increase by 2020; * Processed sugar by 2020; * Molasses for the production of rum and other commercial products.This is an ongoing mandate; and * Bio-Ethanol: this is the newest product in the value-added by-products of the sugar industry. A prototype plant has been established, and we see the production of bio-ethanol as an important by-product for the sugar industry by 2020.”

Ramsammy said, “APNU/PNC and AFC have taken a position to end sugar. Essentially, whether it is their proposal to replace sugar cane with tilapia or the proposal to produce ethanol instead of sugar, they have taken a position to end sugar production in Guyana.”

The minister stressed that the position of the current Administration is clear, and sugar is here to stay.

He said, “Sugar production, whether bulk, packaged or processed, will remain the main business of GuySuCo. Even with the present difficulties, we will remain focused as we continue to build the sugar industry. We will not replace sugar as the primary commodity produced by GuySuCo. “…we are confident that the goal of 450,000 tons of sugar is realistic, and that we will attain this goal before 2020. We recognize that producing 450,000 tons of sugar will mean that Skeldon factory will have to function better than it is today.”

Ramsammy added that GuySuCo and the sugar industry are important for Guyana’s continued economic and social improvement.(Guyana Chronicle)

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Penny on arrest of brother; seizure of guns ʻThese things do happenʼ TRINIDAD -- People’s National Movement political leader contender Pennelope Beckles-Robinson confronted her the arrest of her bother and three other relatives following a gun-find at their Malabar home head-on on the political platform on Saturday.

“It was very unfortunate and they are being investigated for arms and ammunition. Today has been a very difficult day for my family. The truth is these things do happen and it is the time we are very distraught and when your courage is tested the most,” she told the audience at a political meeting at Foster Road, Sangre Grande, hours after her relatives were taken into custody. She said her eldest brother, his wife, nephew and sister-in-law’s brother were arrested on Saturday at a raid on a Malabar home.

But Beckles-Robinson, a lawyer, said she believes in the justice system and is hoping for a speedy investigation. “I have faith in our criminal justice system. I want

the best possible investigation to take place and simply let the police do their work. Of course as a sister and aunt, you understand the challenges we all face,” she said. Beckles-Robinson said last week she addressed the same issue of guns coming into the country and borders not being protected.

“There is no one immune from crime and it can come home to anyone of us and not a single person is immune from crime. Little did I know three days later...it would come to my front step. “We all have to have faith in the judicial process and let the police do their work and all I expect is a proper investigation and speedy investigation and we can take it from there,” she said.

A Russian-made AK-47 assault rifle, two revolvers, a pump action shotgun, and 72 rounds of ammunition were allegedly seized during the police raid. (Trinidad Guardian)

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Penny brother charged TRINIDAD -- The eldest brother and three oother ot the her relatives of People’s National Movem me ent (PNM) political leader candidate Penment nelope nne elopp Beckles-Robinson will appear before aan nA Arima r magistrate today on gun and amm unitt munition charges. On Saturday, Northern Division D ivis officers carried out a raid at two hhouses ousee in the Malabar, Arima and seized an AK-47 A K-44 assault rifle, a pump action shotgun, a .4 .44 44 revolver and a .357 revolver, and 72 rrounds oundd of assorted ammunition at a house on Swift S wiftt Avenue, Phase III, Malabar.

At a another house at Cocorico Avenue, A Av venuu Phase III, police said they found of ammunition and seven people 3377 rounds ro were w ere arrested there. Police said search warrrants ants were executed at both houses after months m onthh of surveillance. The arresting officers cers cconducted a news briefing at the Arima Police Poliicee Station on Saturday where they displaye the cache of arms and ammunition. played They They confirmed that one of the houses was owne by Beckles-Robinson’s relative. owned Police charged the suspects from Swift Sw ft Avenue Sunday afternoon with the Swif possession of firearms and ammunition. Ofposs sse

ficers said up to late last night, the suspects were all being charged and processed and were not released bail. One of the suspects has also worked on Beckles-Robinson campaign. The other seven suspects in the Cocorico Avenue home will also be appearing in court charged with possession of ammunition.

Northern Division Senior superintendant David Abraham on Saturday commended the officers for their diligent work.

Within the past few years, the community has been described as a major “hot spot.” A quantity of firearms and ammunition have been seized at various houses during a crackdown in crime exercise in the Arima district.

Beckles-Robinson will come up against the incumbent political leader of the PNM, Dr Keith Rowley in the party’s May 18 internal elections.

At a meeting on Saturday night at Sangre Grande Beckles-Robinson confirmed that her eldest brother, his wife, nephew and sister-in-law’s brother were arrested on Saturday afternoon at a raid on a Malabar home.

(Trinidad Guardian)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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Investment in forest conservation can support green economic growth GUYANA -- An annual investment of US$30B in tropical forest conservation can support green and sustainable economic growth, according to a new report.

And in Guyana, the report has strengthened the resolve of sector stakeholders to advance with efforts under the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The report, released last week by the International Resource Panel (IRP) and the United Nations Collaborative Initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD) Programme, ‘Building Natural Capital: How REDD+ Can Support a Green Economy’, outlines how integrating REDD+ programmes into a Green Economy approach can conserve and even boost the economic and social benefits forests provide to human society.

Launched in 2008, the UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) in developing countries. It builds on the convening role and technical expertise of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Programme supports national REDD+ readiness efforts in 49 partner countries spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

The International Resource Panel was established in 2007 to provide independent, coherent and authoritative scientific assessments on the sustainable use of natural resources, and the environmental impacts of resource use over the full life cycle. By providing up-to-date information and the best science available, the International Resource Panel contributes to a better understanding of how to decouple human development and economic growth from environmental degradation. UNEP hosts the secretariat for the

panel.

NEW REPORT The IPR report noted that an investment of US$30 billion per year — under seven per cent of the US$480B paid in annual global fossil fuel subsidies — in the REDD+ forest conservation initiative can accelerate the global transition to green and sustainable growth, and ensure the long-term wellbeing of tens of millions in developing countries, a new report released today said.

It also lays out recommendations to deliver the new integrated REDD+ and Green Economy approach, including better coordination, stronger private sector engagement, changes in fiscal incentive frameworks, greater focus on assisting policymakers to understand the role forests play in propping up economies, and equitable benefit sharing. The report stresses in particular the needs for a rights-based approach to ensure that benefits flow to the rural poor.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+) is the approach to cut greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation —estimated at up to 20 per cent of the global total — through payments for services.

REDD+ is an expanded approach that includes the conservation and sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Forests support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people, with the value of ecosystem services from tropical forests estimated at an average of US $6,120 per hectare each year. Despite these economic gains, forest loss averaged 13 million hectares per year between 2000 and 2010, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This market and policy failure will undermine sustainable development by destroying the natural capital that supports so many economies.

The report argues that integration of

REDD+ into all economic planning processes is essential, as deforestation and forest degradation are driven by consumption patterns in virtually every sector of the economy.

Green Economy innovations resulting from REDD+ have the potential to increase the resource efficiency of many of these sectors.

REDD+ is so far backed by a total of US $6.27 billion. However, an estimated US$30 billion is projected to be needed each year from 2020. The IRP report seeks to encourage delivery of this funding by demonstrating that REDD+ approaches can support economic development and increase long-term returns on investments.

The report shows how activities supported by REDD+ can be designed to increase income by boosting output on land under cultivation, developing new green industries, encouraging forestbased ecotourism, and increasing sustainable production of commodities for which demand is increasing. For example, a stimulus package in the sustainable management of forests could provide up to 16 million additional jobs globally.

Whilst at the same time, restoring just 15 per cent of degraded forests can double household income in rural areas in developing countries, as an example from Tanzania cited in the report shows.

It also points out that an increasing number of countries have Green Economy growth plans that clearly define the role of protecting forests and other natural capital.

TRUE VALUE OF FORESTS The UN-REDD — jointly implemented by the FAO, the UNDP and UNEP — supports REDD+ readiness efforts in 49 partner countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

The UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Achim Steiner, according to a recent media report, said, “The true value of forests comes to life when national and local decision making processes are directed

towards natural capital investment, supporting livelihoods, and achieving sustainable economic growth.”

Created in 1972, UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

Steiner said, “The ecosystem services provided by tropical forests are estimated at around US $6,120 per hectare per year. Despite this clear macroeconomic case, the total yearly forest loss averages 13 million hectares per year – equivalent to the surface of a football field being destroyed every three seconds.”

According to him, REDD+ is a bold project that offers an opportunity for countries to pursue a more sustainable development pathway through the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of forests.

“We need to create the enabling conditions required for REDD+ to succeed — from good governance and sustainable financial policies to equitable distribution of benefits. These enabling conditions are themselves the building blocks for an inclusive Green Economy,” Steiner said.

Head of the President’s Delivery Unit for Development Monitoring and Oversight, Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, echoed similar sentiments.

In a media report that included Steiner’s comments, he said, “REDD is an entry point to empower citizens as stewards for a more sustainable, equitable and economically viable Indonesia…through partnership, consultation, and collaboration, [we are] empowering Indonesia and Indonesians as owners and implementers.”

(Guyana Chronicle)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

The TTC and other modes of transportation Ebony Narpatty TC Columnist My dear fellow readers, this week I will be addressing the TTC and the many issues that surrounds this form of transport as well as the other kinds of transportation that exists in the Caribbean. The various types of transportation that can be found everyday are via air, land, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline and space.

Different kinds of transport that we see are: airplanes, helicopters, automobiles, bicycles, buses, horseback riding, trains, watercraft, boat, ship, rocket ships to even people traveling by foot, elevators and tunnels. Chooo! Chooo! All aboard passengers on this express train as I take you on a learning adventure on the various methods of transportation that exists and ways we can improve the way transportation works in our everyday lives…

In the 1800’s there were horses and chariots called “cabs” as seen in the Murdoch mysteries as well as trains along a railway with the discussion of planning a subway line in later days to come. Murdoch even used his bicycle to commute to solve crimes in his local Toronto area. After this time period had elapsed there had been an improvise on mechanisms of transport by introducing the bus system which we all know of that we use everyday to commute to work or a desired destination. The TTC (Toronto Transportation Commission) was established in 1921. In 2012, Wikipedia figures display 4 rapid transit lines which totals to 69 stations, over 149 bus routes, 11 street car lines, and 148 routes making 243 connections. The number of vehicles they had operating in that period were 2031 buses, 706 rapid transits, 248 street cars and 129 wheel – trans buses which help disabled people move around in Toronto. The rapid transit station works powerful through the rush hour weekdays serving the public trying to get to work. Streetcars which has always fascinated me is one of the few in North America that still operates along streets – running tracks and linked to cables above and has been operating since the mid 1900’s. Streetcar services have been running in Toronto since horse drawn carts existed and continues today along with electric cars. A few years ago the TTC operated the third most heavily used transit in North America after New York City Transit Authority and then Mexico City Metro. In late 2012 according to Wikipedia, the statistics show that the average ridership per day were 2.76 million passengers by 1,425,300 using bus, 271,100 by street car, 46,400 by intermediate rail and 1,011,700 by Subway. 9,800 trips were made via the service daily being a popular way to commute even calling the TTC bus ride “Riding the Rocket.” These large buses

can be seen everywhere across Toronto and there are bus stops located in every nook and cranny. The TTC’s regular cost is $3.00 per adult to board but sometimes the public may choose to pay in tokens that can be bought at a convenience store or purchasing a day/month pass instead. The TTC is a well-established company that has served the public for years and has done a great job in doing so but I would like to identify some issues they have at large. I am sure they can look into the following situations and can solve them if they want people to feel welcomed with their service and to obtain valued customers. There has been signs on the bus of zero tolerance if a passenger interferes with a driver that the matter is a violation of the human rights code of conduct and the matter can be taken to the necessary authorities.

What puzzles me at times: what happens if it is a reverse situation when the driver is portraying a nasty attitude towards the passenger?

I travelled with the TTC bus many times and yes there were a few nice drivers whereas the majority are serious or mean in attitude. Wonder why when they are getting a good pay yet trying to make my day? Hmmm… The few bus drivers that were very courteous will always stand out from the crowd that makes them glow. A kind smile, greeting or even a humorous joke which I received from bus drivers makes you get through the tough day ahead. Alternatively, the rude bus drivers: deny your transfer even though there is still time left on it, drive past you while they see you running towards the bus, sudden stopping and acceleration causing accidental falls towards seniors and the public, over pack the bus even though people are supposed to be behind the white line, tell you to move back and there is nowhere to go, never show up on time at a designated bus stop, when the buses come they come three or even five in a row, stare at you with cold eyes and a grim face, when the current bus drops you off the connecting bus does not wait and leaves passengers stranded, allows women with baby strollers to invade the bus giving less preference to seniors and blocking public passengers from moving in and out of the bus, and don’t care a damn about you and your safety but are just driving the bus which means they are doing their job. These are some areas they can improve on to make people feel they are treated with their human rights, respect and dignity so they can feel comfortable using the public transport instead of dreading to use it to get on their journey. I have noticed the buses can be very unsanitary and unhealthy at times.

I brought this topic up with a group of friends and they were suggesting that the bus should be cleaned out thoroughly each time it drives into the station with disinfectants so that it can prevent people from catching the terrible flu. I believe there should be hand sanitizer stations in the bus to prevent germs as well since everyone touches the poles. At every bus stop the bus is supposed to yield, you the

driver doesn’t know the disposition of the passenger if they are suffering from joint pain or have any aches/pains. In deprived countries like Guyana there are conductors that help passengers. In my opinion I think there should be conductors implemented on the buses over here to direct people who are newcomers or elderly to help them find their destination by telling them which connecting buses they have to use. The Mississauga transit and even the New York buses allow passengers to use their transfer at any given point. Why does the TTC compel people to be at a main intersection to use their transfer? I think that is ridiculous and dictatorship making people pay another fare when they shouldn’t. Maybe there is a need to extend the bus making it an adjoining bus (like Mississauga transit) or have more buses on the road to cater for the population increasing in Toronto everyday and the baby strollers and shopping buggies that take up a lot of space.

The buses either need to extend or widen to accommodate the baby strollers in the buses and to make room for people to move in and out of the bus freely. Should people pay $3.00 to board a bus when they are not given a seat after a long day at work? Can TTC accommodate for all their passengers they have supporting their bus business daily by their usage?

I do hope the TTC improves its evident flaws in the future. In 2011 the TTC employed 12,449 personnel by serving the public, creating employment and more travel services. There is need for improvement with the TTC bus system and I know they can take on the challenge and improve the few errors they have.

In the Caribbean there are buses too! We call them mini buses in Guyana where you get jam packed like sardines in a tin or have to double up for a late night trip from University of Guyana to reach home. Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana share similarly the same kinds of transportation on roadways, air transport and waterways. Such forms of transport are: private cars, taxi cabs, variety of automobiles, public buses, ferries, speedboats, airplanes, helicopters and much more. Even in tourism a sport such as kayaking is used for transportation across creeks and for leisure. Unique and interesting forms of transportation are: hot air balloon, submarines, water/ snow skiing, making rafts to get across waterways even people travelling by sleds and being led by huskies or Saint Bernard’s in Alaska to get to their destination via the snow. The best form of transportation that I have enjoyed in my life is riding my bicycle along the beach, the breeze rustling through my wavy hair and chasing the birds along the serene seashore, watching the waves, embracing the wind, soaking in the sun and breathing the fresh air while having a healthy bike ride along the beach to get to school. Well this wraps up my article on the many forms of transportation that exists and I do hope the TTC improves their service towards the public since we are their everyday supporters.

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12 Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Jamaica not seriously ready to fight corruption — Bishop Gregory JAMAICA -- Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Rt Rev Dr Howard Gregory, has suggested that Jamaica is still not ready to deal with the issue of corruption “in an open, mature, and responsible manner, regardless of the persons who are allegedly involved”.

Speaking at a plenary round table entitled, ‘The Role of the Church in Preserving Ethics, Trust and Morality, at a Caribbean conference hosted by the University College of the Cayman Islands in this financially wealthy British territory on Friday, Bishop Gregory said that Jamaica needed to get serious about keping the scourge in check, otherwise, the nation will suffer even more serious consequences.

“Transparency International has produced figures indicating the economic and social cost to nations across the world as a result of corruption. It is worthy of note that Jamaica, was ranked at number 83 in 2012 by that institution. In a country like Jamaica in which the major expenditures within the economy come from government contracts, it is therefore, vital that the anticorruption agenda takes centre stage,” the bishop argued.

“Many Jamaicans make corruption a partisan political issue, which one party and its followers use to gain political mileage over against the other. Indeed, in what is of the nature of an oxymoron, it often becomes a kind of comic circus of a tragic nature, by which following a general election, millions of dollars and creative energy are put into investigations of the outgoing political party by the incoming one, in one of the most wasteful exercises, achieving absolutely nothing of consequence at the end of the day.

“But corruption is not just about politicians and public servants. For many Jamaicans, corruption is a kind of conversation piece for the verandah, as it is deemed not to have anything to do with us but with politicians, public servants, the “big man”, and the party “faithfuls”. Corruption is something which involves members of the society at every level. Yes, when citizens pass cash to a policeman to avoid getting a ticket; do not bother to have the car go to the Examination Depot to have it passed for a Certificate of Fitness, but send along some extra cash with the papers; or when one purchases goods from persons who are not legitimate and boast of the bargain price, they are complicit in the corruption in the society,” Bishop Gregory told the audience.

He said that the Church was vital to

educating the populace in the fight to stamp out corruption, which is said to be one of the main challenges faced by emerging states.

“What has happened in this modern world is that political systems and those responsible for governance have been assuming more and more control over various areas of the life of citizens. There are laws governing every area of our life and which are becoming more and more intrusive and controlling as we are being led to believe that government knows best and acts in the interest of the nation.

“The point of all of this is that, as the system of governance takes more and more control over the life of citizens, there seems to be no commensurate exploration of the kind of values which are informing the decisions being made by those in governance, and the extent to which these reflect the highest level of moral and ethical values of the members of the society, or merely a power grab by elected officials.

“The mature and transparent exercise of our democracy points to the need for serious and ongoing education of our people regarding the nature of corruption in a comprehensive way. In this way, judgements regarding manifestations of corruption from any source may be made with clarity, regardless of the persons or institutions involved. It would then become clear to all and sundry that among other consequences, corruption undermines and destroys confidence in critical public institutions, including our institutions and system of governance,” Bishop Gregory stated.

He said that people should see clearly that a growing segment of the population was becoming “increasingly sceptical” of Jamaica’s political system, which he said would not affect the way that party loyalists operate, but would serve as a wound in the heart of the nation’s democracy.

“A decade or so ago we could go along with this and say that this is just the way of our local politics, but as international agencies like Transparency International are making plain, this is not just a local/national issue. It has serious implications for our perception and ranking in the international arena.

“There is need also for the Church to play an advocacy and prophetic role in fearlessly raising up in the public consciousness manifestations of corruption and in supporting measures to bring perpetrators to justice and to bring about an end to such activities. This advocacy role must involve supporting initiatives which are geared toward legislative changes that strengthen the anti-corruption measures of the nation, such as the proposal to bring the diverse agencies dealing with aspects of corruption under one umbrella for greater effectiveness.

“After repeated utterances from successive governments, one still sees public agencies in violation of anti-corruption procedures and guidelines with impunity,” he said.

Highlighting a report that cited violations at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), in which

contractors at the NSWMA had their contracts terminated and other people hired to do the same jobs, Bishop Gregory said that it showed that the process lacked fairness and was irregular.

“What must be a matter of serious concern is the way in which politicians, whose behaviour have come under scrutiny for allegations of corruption, behave. We have seen over time manifestations of arrogance, defiance, and disrespect for those entrusted with legitimate authority to rule on such matters, and we are yet to see the emergence of a culture of political maturity which is willing to take a voluntary leave of absence, to facilitate investigation and the clearance of one’s name, if innocence is later established.

“Such an approach would go a long way in avoiding the kind of unfortunate bloodletting, name-calling, and bad blood which has emerged from time to time. In the long run it is hoped that we shall be able to see an acknowledgement of guilt, if and when guilt is established, as those who cannot accept responsibility where they have erred may not be fit for leadership in governance,” he said.

Bishop Gregory is adamant that the Church must also “partner with other agencies and institutions which share a commitment to transparency and the pursuit of the anti-corruption agenda”. This, he said, needed a coming together or the various ecumenical partners, as he believes that no single religious denomination or tradition can effectively confront corruption.

“This partnership will also involve partnering with people of other faith traditions. There are also other agencies and non-governmental organisations, such as the National Integrity Action Forum in Jamaica, which may have as its primary objective the alleviation of corruption in the society.

“In addition, it has been found that agencies with international connections can also be effective allies in bring pressure to bear on national governments who may be intransigent in dealing with matters of corruption.

“Very often when public figures have allegations of corruption laid against them, they are quick to point out that they have not broken any laws. It is, therefore, important to understand that corruption is not just about laws but is at base about ethics and morality in governance and social relations,” the bishop said. (Jamaica Observer)

14 Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

A Barbadian-born who does her best to build Jamaicans JAMAICA -- Julia Brown has dedicated nearly 50 years to serving the less fortunate in Jamaica, making it hard for one to guess that she is not a native of this north Caribbean island.

In fact, Brown will tell people that she is “more Jamaican” than several other natives. Her passion and commitment to the island indicate the true Jamaican that Brown has claimed to be.

Brown, who is from Barbados, has been living in Jamaica for just over 10 years.

However, her relationship with the country started when she first visited the island with her Jamaican husband in 1966.

“I saw the need of the children and I decided I have to help,” she explained.

Her first charge was a pregnant young woman who would years later emigrate to England, and was appreciative of the help and encouragement that Brown had given her.

Since then, she has been doing all that she can to assist children in Manchester and St Mary.

Since 1966, she has made it an annual mission to bring in items of clothing to the island for children in several communities.

Brown, popularly known as Ms June, said that even in times when she was not able to be in the island, she ensured that packages were sent.

In recent years, Brown and her son Laurel started ‘A Barrel of Love’, through the Bexley African Caribbean Community Association (BACCA), which she played an integral role in forming in 1984.

Giving has become a part of the mother, who looks forward to sharing with others.

“I like doing things for others. When you get up in the morning you feel light; you

feel good,” she said, explaining the satisfaction she gets from giving.

She further stated that, for her, giving is not about the praises that she often gets, but the happiness that she derives from improving the lives of others.

Apart from her annual barrels of love, Brown also holds a treat for children in several St Mary communities, where she not only allows the children to enjoy themselves but encourages them to express themselves through their talents.

Brown, who says that she has no regrets about calling Jamaica home, has gone further than assisting children. Since 2003, Brown, who is also a grandmother, has adopted 19 beds at the St Mary Infirmary, meaning that she contributes to the care of those beds and the area in which they are kept.

Brown’s care for those in the institution does not stop there, as she visits weekly “just to talk to the residents”.

She also assists the elderly in Mango Valley, one of the communities where children benefit from ‘Barrel of Love’.

She has also been active helping young people to pursue their dreams.

She recalled that recently when the HEART Trust/National Training Agency offered courses in Oracabessa, St Mary, she made it her duty to go around and encourage young people to join the classes.

Now, she not only gets those young people to attend classes but also sends them motivational text messages daily.

Brown, who is a fashion designer, also uses her talent to benefit many. For functions that she puts on, she spends time designing clothing for the children.

A lover of dance, she also takes the time to choreograph several pieces in the com-

munities where she works.

Although she has had the opportunity to travel and live in other countries, Brown maintains that Jamaica is the place for her.

“Jamaica is nice, I have no regrets coming here,” she stated, adding that when she first visited the island she had come to live, but her husband was not ready for that at the time.

Brown said that she would like more people to assist others, especially the children.

Although she admits she is not working for praise, Brown strongly believes that people should be shown appreciation for their work while they are alive.

“I always tell people, please let me know what you think of me now, don’t wait until I die and come talk over me. I need to know now,” she said.

She is also a firm believer in a “strong” family unit and encourages persons to do all they can to strengthen family relationships.

“I always say to people, show love, tell your family you love them each day. It makes you feel good,” she stated.

Brown said that she speaks to her children daily, regardless of wherever in the world she is. (Jamaica Observer)

Tourism sector is first casualty of non-passage of AML/CFT Bill GUYANA -- Non-passage of the Anti–Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill in the National Assembly has already begun to negatively affect the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority, among other tourism entities, according to Tourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali. “The AML/CFT Bill will affect everything. It does not take any intellectual capacity or any aspect of right thinking Guyanese to understand that the (bill) is a nonnegotiable item,” he told a media conference Friday.

Minister Ali said the Bill should not be toyed with, echoing sentiments similar to his other colleagues in Government. “It is not a political tool, a social tool, or an economic tool; it is an international necessity

that will destroy us if we don’t sign onto it.

It has the potential of disrupting this sector tremendously, and any person who believes in tourism cannot believe in it without supporting the AML Bill,” the minister said.

As a result of the Bill’s non–passage in the National Assembly, Ali explained, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is now encountering difficulties paying for advertisements in the region. “Because we can’t transfer money, we are having problems; much less tour operators. The tourism sector is feeling the heat of the political madness that the opposition is going on with,” he stated.

Ali explained that politicians have the responsibility to pass the Bill, since Guyanese from all walks of life have already indicated their support for its passage. (Guyana Chronicle)

16 Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Ministry seeks $250 million for judgement costs against State JAMAICA -- The Ministry of Justice is seeking $250 million in what is expected to be a tight 2014/15 budget, to cover the cost of its outstanding court judgements against the State.

Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, told the Senate on Friday that the projected figure would help to defray the cost of 140 judgements still unpaid as of January 2014.

The $250 million is the largest amount that the Government will pay in one fiscal year, since 2011/12 when it paid $557 million. The lowest annual payout was the $136.2 million paid out in 2012/13 followed by the $144.5 million paid out in 2009/2010.

So far this fiscal year, the Government has said that it has already paid out $165.3 million of the $200 million included in the budget for payments up to March 31. The funds are paid to cover court judgements and out-of-court settlements brought against the State. Most of the cases are civil suits brought by civilians against the police.

Senator Golding was responding to

questions tabled by Opposition Senator Robert Montague. He explained that each year in the annual estimates of expenditure (budget), a sum is allocated to the Ministry of Justice for the payment of judgements against the Government, based on historical trends and the fiscal space available to the Government.

“The timeline to pay judgement creditors is therefore always conditional on the

amount of the budgetary support and the availability of funds,” he said.

Asked what is the longest period any Jamaican has been waiting for payment, as at January this year, Nicholson said that the ministry does not compile data by reference to the dates that the underlying judgements were entered in the courts.

“I am advised that there are currently

no outstanding amounts remaining owing in respect of judgements advisories received prior to 2012. Judgement advisories received during 2012 have either been paid in full or, in the case of larger judgements, are currently being paid over time, in a series of interim payments,” he said.

He explained that, accordingly, the ministry’s records indicate that, as at January, there is no judgement advisory received prior to January, 2013 which has either not been paid in full, or on which no interim payment has been made.

He said that the ministry’s records showed that, as at January 2014, the shortest period within which a Jamaican judgement creditor has received a payment from the ministry was 30 calendar days from the ministry receiving the advisory. However, he said that it should be noted that not all judgement creditors are Jamaicans, and the ministry’s records do not distinguish between nationalities. (Jamaica Observer)

Deputy Commissioner Seelall Persaud ready to assume duties of police commissioner GUYANA -- Within a matter of days, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will have a new Police Commissioner in the person of Seelall Persaud, present Deputy Commissioner and Crime Chief.Approached last Friday by the media, Deputy Commissioner, Seelall Persaud told reporters that he has served the GPF for the past 30 years, and has more recently been acting as deputy to the present Commissioner of Police.

He declared himself ready to assume administration of the Force, and opined that it will not be much of a challenge since he is already familiar with its operations and work-

ings.

He told reporters that he both expects and knows that the transition would be a smooth process come the end of March, when sitting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell officially retires from the GPF. While it is not a familiar sight to see Deputy Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud in police uniform, given the department in which he serves, it is not clear if, as the country’s chief security officer, Persaud would be wearing police uniform, or whether he would continue in civilian garb.

Because the Police Service Commission is not in place, when Mr Persaud takes over controlling the reins of the Guyana Police Force, he will have to act in that capacity until that body has been constituted.

Asked what would be some of his first orders on assuming the position of Commissioner, Mr Persaud disclosed that while he plans to look at several changes, much of his attention would be directed towards working with the various communities and their young people.

He pointed to the need for the Guy-

ana Police Force to embark on an aggressive campaign to regain the public confidence, and he said this move can be most effective, since young people are the ones who have “a lot to tell and know a lot about a lot.”

Mr. Persaud is presently heading several countrywide community-based programmes which are run by the police force, especially in high-risk communities such as Albouystown, Agricola and those on the East Coast of Demerara and in Berbice. (Guyana Chronicle)

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Tobagoʼs Extempo champ keeps culture alive on Trinidadʼs sister isle Aba Luke Entertainment While soca music and the young entertainers who push the genre seem to be the main focus when Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival comes around, it must not be forgotten that Calypso music is an integral part of the festival.

And while the events that take place throughout the season in Trinidad receive most of the attention, sister isle Tobago also enjoys its fair share of Carnival excitement.

D’ Entertainers Tent is one such place where the carnival merriment can be experienced. This year, the calypso showcase will be launched on February 2nd at Docksite Entertainment Bar from 8pm. Tent owner and reigning Tobago Extempo Champion, Lady IB is calling on calypso lovers to be a part of it all, promising that the 15 calypsonians aligned to the tent will

even be performing in Trinidad before the end of the season. Having started the calypso tent in 2006 after recognizing the need to provide a platform for calypsonians who found it difficult to get their music heard, Ingrid Brathwaite or Lady IB as she’s popularly known, decided that the only solution would be to create a home for these undiscovered entertainers. Since the launch of D’ Entertainers Tent eight years ago, Brathwaite has seen growth.

In fact, the tent is recognized island wide as one of the popular spots when carnival comes around, this despite there being a couple other tents, including the TUCO tent in Tobago.

Brathwaite has a few accomplishments to her name. In addition to being the reigning Extempo Queen of Tobago, she has also won the Tobago Calypso Queen competition and she has even represented T&T at the Dominica World Calypso Queen competition. Her passion for the art form has propelled her to give back in this small way and with her focus on sharing these 15 members of her tent with all of Trinidad and Tobago and essentially, the world, Brathwaite remains motivated.

This carnival, D’ Entertainers Tent will be rolling into several hotspots in Trinidad. Among them are, Trevo’s in St. Augustine, La Rez at Morvant Junction and Fordie’s in Carenage. This year also makes it six years since Brathwaite began taking her Tobago born tent over to the mainstream Trinidad carnival market, something she believes adds credibility to her brand while helping the artistes with exposure. The tent will offer patrons eight shows for the season between both islands and with anticipation, both Brathwaite and the members of her entertainment team are rearing to go. Some of the names in the lineup are, Sando- described as a featured act, Culture B, Brathwaite herself and Cabbasi. The tent is hosted by Tobagonian MC Cudjoe.

Ready to deliver a good show to patrons, D’ Entertainment Tent is making it known that they are standing firmly among the heavyweights of the calypso arena, on sister isle Tobago.

Brathwaite, a big believer in her mission, says there’s no stopping and annually, the tent gets bigger and better.

(EtceteraBuzz.com)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 19

Weʼre a team! Windies skipper believes unity key in title defence as India loom BANGLADESH -- A confident West Indies will launch the defence of their World Twenty20 title when they clash with powerhouses India in mouth-watering clash here today.

The contest, scheduled for the Shere Bangla National Stadium, will bring together an array of the world’s finest Twenty20 stars in a high octane affair. Chris Gayle, perhaps the most sought after name in T20s, leads the all-star cast that includes fellow teammates Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels and captain Darren Sammy.

India, meanwhile, will showcase the talents of Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and their skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as they chase their second win in Group Two. Sammy told reporters Sunday that despite the plethora of stars in the side, the key to their success in the tournament would be their ability to play as a team.

“Being defending champions what I can say is that we’ve gathered more experience.

Last tournament, our senior players, our key players performed very well for us but the key was even though they performed for us, we played together as a team,” Sammy pointed out.

“This time around it is even more important that we continue to do that, with our key guys performing consistently. As a team we have more belief that we can come out and defend this tournament but it’s not going to be easy, we’ve got to focus on each game and tomorrow all our energies will be geared towards playing against India.”

He continued: “After we do that, we will sit again and look at the roadmap to the cup and analyse and come up with the plan for the next game. But tomorrow (today) is all about India and what we can do to overcome them.”

West Indies have had a near flawless

build up, beating England 2-1 in a three-match series in the Caribbean before convincingly winning both official warm-up matches here last week, against England and Sri Lanka.

The Caribbean side have appeared daunting at times, with openers Gayle and Dwayne Smith at their attacking best, Samuels, Bravo and Sammy striking the ball well, and Narine among the wickets and reinforcing his status as the world’s leading T20 bowler.

Sammy said with the calibre players in the side, he backed the Windies to put pressure on opposing teams.

“Our team has a lot of experienced guys who have been playing T20s all over the world.

There are the Gayles, the Narines, the Bravos, Dwayne Smith -- all of whom have gained a lot of experience playing T20 cricket,” said the allrounder.

“And if you start up front with the two openers, coming down you have guys that can give us good impetus in the first six overs with Marlon, (Lendl) Simmons and Bravo in the middle and myself and (Andre) Russell to finish the innings.”

“When you look at the bowling lineup (we have), Narine who to me is the number one spinner in T20 cricket, and (there is) Badree and Bravo. We have a young guy called Krishmar Santokie, who I think will have a great impact in

this tournament so we’re quite happy with the balance of the squad. We’re a very good team in this format,” Sammy added.

Despite the belief in the camp, Sammy said the Windies would not be overconfident.

He noted that they were familiar with the Indian players having all played in the Indian Premier League together, and would carefully go about developing a game plan.

“Cricket is a game of shifting fortunes.

It is about going out there and playing the conditions right (and)looking at your opponents,” he pointed out.

“And in this day and age you have footage everywhere, you can get the last match by any cricketer and come up with a formula with how you want to attack that person.

“We have a general idea of the Indians.

We have a lot of guys who’ve been in the same dressing room as them and tomorrow’s match will be a keenly contested match and it’s one that we hope we come out victorious because it’s good to start the tournament on a winning note.”

The game bowls off at 7:30 pm (8:30 am Jamaica time).

Squads: West Indies -- Darren Sammy (captain), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

India -- MS Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron. (Jamaica Observer)

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Indians strangle WI in opener TRINIDAD -- An out of sorts West Indies lost to India for the first time in World T20 cricket Sunday as Caribbean team began defence of the title at the Shere-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A shambolic display not befitting champions with the bat saw the West Indies set India an inadequate target off 130 runs for victory, which they duly got for the loss of three wickets with two balls to spare.

The vibes among the players when they left the Ruposhi Hotel in Dhaka was great, as one could have seen the confidence oozing. However, what transpired on that drive from Dhaka to Mirpur saw a transformed team, as they played cowardly cricket at times, facing the Asian giants.

India had never defeated West Indies in two attempts at World T20 cricket but they were able to right that wrong in front of a near capacity crowd at the wonderful modern stadium.

Chris Gayle (34) and Lendl Simmons (27) provided the brunt of the runs which was subsidised by 14 extras and despite a wicket in the first over for leg-spinner Samuel Badree who dismissed Shikhar Dhawan, the Indians never had an anxious moment.

Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scored half centuries in a second wicket partnership of 106 which effectively sealed the match.

The attractive Kohli and the classy Sharma thrilled the Indian fans who flew over for the tournament with an array of delightful strokes. Kohli started the ball rolling with a four and six off Badree and Sharma joined in.

The two joined forces with the score on one, and their 100-run partnership came off just 74 balls.

Kohli was first to a half century off 34 balls and Sharma took 44 balls. Kohli’s 54 came off 41 balls with five fours and a six.

Sharma finished unbeaten on 62 off 55 balls with five fours and two sixes.

The win put India on top of Group A with two victories and they now need just one win against either Australia or hosts Bangladesh to make it into the semis.

Earlier, India won the toss MS Dhoni inserted the West Indies who were up against it from ball one, as runs were very difficult to come by in the face off impeccable line and length bowling.

The power play brought just 24 runs, as the Bhuvneshwar Kumar swung the ball appreciably in the heavy atmosphere.

Smith looked totally at bay and struggled for 11 runs from 29 balls, before Ashwin put

him out of his misery, having him caught and bowl with the score at 38 in the eighth over.

Midway through the innings the West Indies were 46 for one.

Bogged down by the slow over rate, West Indies failed to absorb the pressure. Marlon Samuels called Gayle for an ill-advised single to short third man and he was found short of his ground. Gayle walked off for 34 off 33 balls with one four and two sixes. The big Jamaican was dropped twice (0 and 19).

Samuels struggled to 18 before legspinner Amit Mishra left him stranded as he advanced down the pitch, and Dhoni did the rest. Dwayne Bravo was palpably out lbw to the next ball to leave West Indies 74 for four in the 15th over.

The Windies had Simmons and Sunil Narine to thank for their eventual score as the pair struck three sixes in the final over that cost 21. Simmons made 27 off 22 balls with a four and two sixes.

SCOREBOARD West Indies vs India West Indies inns D Smith c & b Ashwin 11 C Gayle run out 34 M Samuels st Dhoni b Mishra 18 L Simmons c Dhawan b Jadeja 27 D Bravo lbw Mishra 0 D Sammy c Rohit b Jadeja 11 A Russell c Kohli b Jadeja 7 S Narine not out 7 D Ramdin not out 0 Extras lb1, w12, nb1 14 Total for 7 wkts (20) 129 Fall of wkts: 38, 62, 74, 74, 97, 108, 121.

Bowling: B Kumar 3-0-3-0, M Shami 3-027-0, R Ashwin 4-0-24-1, A Mishra 4-0-182, S Raina 2-0-8-0, R Jadeja 4-0-48-3.

India Inns R Sharma not out 62 S Dhawan lbw Badree 0 V Kohli b Russell 54 Y Singh c Gayle b Samuels 10 S Raina not out 1 Extras w2, nb1 3 Total 3 wkts (19.4) 130 Fall of wkts:1, 107, 129.

Bowling: S Badree 4-0-28-1, K Santokie 4-0-27-0, S Narine 4-0-20-0, D Bravo 1-012-0, D Sammy 1-0-9-0, M Samuels 3.4-022-1, A Russell 2-0-12-1.

Result: India won by 7wkts.

India 2 pts, West Indies 0.

Man of the match: Amit Mishra.

(Trinidad Guardian)

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Caribbean Pot: Coconut curry mussles done the Caribbean way Chris De La Rosa Caribbean Cooking Very much like the ‘Curry Lobster” recipe I shared a while back, Mussels is not something you’ll find normally being prepared in the Caribbean, unless it’s at one of the many high end restaurants we have catering to a mainly tourist clientele. This curry mussels recipe is basically my take on a shellfish which is readily available in Canada.. where we presently call home. I’m sure you’ve heard of PEI mussels!

You’ll Need:

2 lb lbs bs m mu mussels ussssel els ls 1 cup coconut milk 2 tablespoon curry powder 3 cloves garlic (minced) 1 Shallot (minced) 1/2 teaspoon salt fresh ground black pepper 1 large tomato diced 3 tablespoon chopped cilantro 1 scallion 1 cup beer – optional 1/4 scotch bonnet pepper 2 tablespoon olive oil I like using a good Caribbean lager beer… like Carib! But you can use any beer you enjoy. I used my fav madras curry blend out of the Caribbean, but you can certainly use whichever curry you enjoy.

Mussel Tip! Their shells should be tightly closed when you buy them, or they should close when you tap them. They will open their shells to try and cool themselves

ooff of ff as as tthey hey co he ccook, oookk, ssoo nno o op oopen pen sshells hheell hel lls at lls at tthe hhee eend ndd of cooking means they were dead to start, and probably not safe to eat.

See the tip above for selecting your mussels. Wash under cool water, remove any debris or strings attached to the mussels and get ready to cook. Dice the tomato, scallion, garlic and shallot. Remember to wear gloves when handling the scotch bonnet peppers, wash your hands immediately after with soap and water and don’t include any of the seeds of the pepper.

In a wide saucepan heat the oil on a medium flame, then add the shallot and garlic. As we’ve done in other curry recipes, turn the heat down to low to help gently cook the garlic and shallot for that exciting base of flavor.

After about 3-4 minutes, go in with the curry powder (low heat still) and cook for another 3 minutes. This will toast the curry to really bring out the flavors of the spices which make up the curry blend. Then

add the ad dd th tthe he di ddiced dic iced ced sc ce sscallion, cal alli lion, lion onn, tu tturn urnn uup p th he he heat att tto o high and go in with the mussels.

Top with the finely diced scotch bonnet pepper, coconut milk, salt, tomato, black pepper and beer (stir well). Bring to a quick boil and cook for about 4-5 minutes (until the mussels open).

I like to finish this off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (not mentioned in the ingredient list as it’s a personal choice) and top with the chopped cilantro. The sauce will be thin compared to other curry dishes we’ve prepared before, so don’t think it’s soupy and a mistake. Get some good bread and tuck in for real flavor.

The sauce will be thin compared to other curry dishes we’ve prepared before, so don’t think it’s soupy and a mistake. Get some good bread and tuck in for real flavor.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 23

Exercises for neck pain Geeta Maraj Yoga Most of us tend to suffer from neck pain and aches almost on a daily basis. While neck pain can be as a result of injury, stress more often is the resulting factor. Neck pain, can also be a sign of arthritis, a pinched nerve, an elevation in blood pressure, or general fatigue.

While it is important to understand the messages the body tries to send through neck pain, we should equally be aware that, lower back pain is often an accompanying indication of stress. It is beneficial, therefore, to try to understand and act upon these signs of the body as a way of preventing additional health complications.

In yoga, there are several exercises which help to alleviate neck pain. These exercises can help to reduce the tension which builds up in the neck, shoulders and lower back. Here are a few simple stretches which can make a difference in our level of discomfort. Always do these stretches very slowly, so as to enjoy the stretch, and not feel pain or discomfort during these exercises.

Spine Stretch Sitting upright in a seated position, lengthen your spine by stretching your torso up-

wards - as if you are trying to get the top of your head to touch the ceiling. This helps to elongate the neck. As you hold your spine in this elongated position, tilt your head forward as you try to get your chin to touch your neck. Ensure that only your head moves while doing this posture and not your shoulders or torso. Hold this position for as long as it is comfortable, while continuing to breathe slow and even breaths. Always be aware of your breathing pattern as you do these exercises, and avoid holding your breath. This is important so as to allow oxygen to get to the muscles you are stretching. After this stretch, bring your head back to centre position by staring straight ahead. You may repeat this stretch as many times as you feel comfortable.

Neck Flexion Keeping your spine elongated, as in the previous stretch, bring your chin toward your chest. Hold for a few seconds, while breathing slow even breaths. Then look up toward the ceiling as is comfortable. Hold the position looking upward for a few seconds, before bringing your head back to centre position, looking straight ahead. Then, turn your head looking as far over your right shoulder as is possible. Hold this position for a few seconds. Then bring your head back to centre position staring straight ahead. Now turn your head as far left, looking over the left shoulder - hold the position for a few seconds, as you continue to breathe even, slow breaths. After which, slowly bring your head back to centre position. You may repeat this flexion of the neck at least 3 to 5 times as is necessary.

Shoulder Drop Sitting in an upright position, breathe in and lift your right shoulder to the right ear, hold your breath, and squeeze the shoulder, as much as possible, to the right side of your neck. Then drop your shoulder, as in a shrug, back to original position as you exhale. Now repeat this same stretch with the left shoulder.

Breathe in through your nostrils, and pull both shoulders up to your ears as you hold your breath. Squeeze your shoulders, as much as possible, onto both sides of your neck. Hold the squeeze for as long as you’re able to hold your breath. Exhale through your mouth with an outburst , as you drop your shoulders with a shrug back to its original position. Then breathe in through your nostrils and begin the exercise again.

This can be repeated 5 to 10 times, as is necessary to de-stress the body and relax the face.

Neck Rotation/Head-Rolls Sitting in an upright position, keep your eyes closed, and bring your chin to your chest.

Then begin to roll your head in a clockwise direction, as if you are trying to make a huge circle with your head. Breathe in as you begin to roll your head, for the first half of the circle, and breathe out as you conclude rolling your head the second half of the circle.

This head-roll should be done very slowly, so as not to create added strain to the neck. This exercise can be repeated up to five times in the clockwise direction, and then equally repeated in the counter-clockwise direction for the same number of times. Always begin the exercise by firstly placing your chin toward your chest in order to start the head-roll.

Strengthening The Neck Muscles In order to build strength in the neck muscles, an isometric exercise is performed. This exercise involves the static contraction of a muscle without any visible movement. This can be performed as many times as is possible during the day.

Place both palms onto the forehead and press your head into your palms, while at the same time, try to push your head backwards with your palms - creating a resistance in the neck muscles. It is this resistance which causes the neck muscles to strengthen and release tension from this area.

Bringing your head back to upright position by staring straight ahead and keeping your chin parallel to the ground, place your right hand onto the right side of your head. Pretend you are trying to push your head toward the left, while at the same time your head is pushing back at your hand - trying to force your hand away. Hold this resistance for a few seconds before gently bringing your head back to centre position and removing your hand from the side of your head. Repeat this exercise onto the opposite side by placing the left hand against the left side of your head and create a resistance by pushing the hand against the head while at the same time pushing your head against the left hand.

Remember to do these exercises slowly, paying attention to your breath and only to the capacity which your body allows.

When it is necessary, always consult your physician before starting any exercise routine.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Processed ʻvegetableʼ oils fuel inflammation and cancer What if you bought a brand new car or truck and you immediately filled it with used oil and ethanol-laden gasoline? How soon would you experience major engine malfunctions, and how soon compared to a new car that you gave only the cleanest oil and gas possible? Many people perceive vegetable oils as healthy, but excessive consumption of vegetable oils leads to actual structural changes within our fat stores and within our cell membranes. How are so many people fooled into ingesting large amounts of processed and pesticide-contaminated oils that kill them slowly? Is it because of the word vegetable or is it because of the term all natural that the “sheeple” (misled and uneducated people) pour in the hydrogenated rapeseed oil and the hexane vapor-laden polyunsaturated “dirty fuel”?

Vegetables are good for you, right?

Shouldn’t vegetable oil be good for your organs and your blood? What if it’s coldpressed!? What’s if it’s “extra virgin”? What if you don’t cook it at high heat? What if you do? These are the pressing questions that have Americans confused and running on saturated toxic fat and empty calories.

Fatty acids have taken on a new dimension over the past 75 - 85 years, like never before in the evolution of man and woman. Vegetable oils are being run through processes that lessen the acid, add toxic vapors, kill the nutrients, add in genetically modified (GM) proteins and enzymes, and confuse human cells, often choking them and breaking down their defenses. Some oils actually shut down the mechanism of life in cells, and mitochondria are suffocated to death. This leads to direct physiological changes and contributes to multiple diseases.

Soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil and the list goes on and on and on. They all sound like you might even be eating healthy, but it’s time to wake up and smell the GMOs. Olive oil, if it’s real and cold-pressed, can be good for you, but as soon as you cook it at high heat, you’re in trouble. Grape seed oil is said to tolerate high heat, but you’re about to find out why that doesn’t even matter. Dead food is dead food, and it doesn’t matter how long you cook it or how hot the fryer gets.

At that point, all you’re doing is adding to toxicity, not making it “healthy.” Most oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called omega-6 polyunsaturated

fatty acids, which are quite harmful in excess.

Industrial food oil processing is very scary - take a look

In just 80 years, consumption of soybean oil increased a thousand-fold in the United States. When Monsanto figured this out, in came pesticide food for the masses. Using industrial chemicals and highly toxic solvents, most vegetable oils are processed until useless and sold as food. The omega-6 overload messes up the fatty acid composition of the body. Currently, most Americans’ ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 is around 16 to 1. This ratio basically cripples your immune system, and Big Food and Big Pharma both know it. This is the number one reason why eating out at restaurants is bad news.

The excess of these fatty acids sits in cell membranes and increases harmful oxidative reactions. Typical body fat stores of linoleic acid have increased three-fold in just a few decades.

GMOs and processed oils fuel inflammation

Eicosanoids (also spelled icosanoids) are modified fatty acids in your cell membranes that play a crucial role in cellular messaging, immunity and inflammation. Aspirin and ibuprofen inhibit the eicosanoid pathways and artificially reduce inflammation, but all you’re doing is covering up symptoms of a greater plight. Trans fats are like the devil of food, and chronic, systematic inflammation is possibly the number one culprit of all the preventable diseases that plague America, including arthritis, cancer and heart disease.

If humans could just figure out how to balance their omega-6s and -3s, they could reduce and eliminate inflammation.

How much do you know about grape seed oil production?

Hexane is a hydrocarbon and a significant constituent of gasoline. Hexanes are colorless liquids at room temperature with a gasoline-like odor. They are cheap, nonpolar solvents often used in the formulation of glues for shoes, leather products, textile manufacturing, roofing and for cleansing

and degreasing. Unfortunately, they are also used to extract cooking oils from seeds, and we ARE talking about grape seeds here.

Hexane is chiefly obtained by refining crude oil and is used in laboratories for chemical reactions. Did you know that the mutation of human cells, also known as cancer, is a “chemical reaction”?

How much do you know about fake olive oil hybrids?

More than HALF of all olive oil sold in the U.S. right now is not pure olive oil, or even “extra virgin” or “Italian.” Many U.S. oils sold as such are hybrid mixes of toxic rapeseed oil (reduced erucic acid canola), GM soybean oil and other low-grade oils. Your body, if consuming these regularly, is breaking down like a car running on dirty oil and sugar-laden gasoline. Welcome to the scandalous world of fake olive oil! Real olive oil smells like fresh olives, because it’s a fruit and hasn’t been processed in labs and factories with chemicals.

What is rapeseed oil?

Over 90% of canola oil is partially hydrogenated and genetically modified, in case you didn’t already know. That means that you are eating pesticide! (http://draxe.com) Rapeseed oil was banned for consumption in the USA by the FDA back in 1956. Then a Canadian scientist lessened the toxicity, renamed it something catchy, and here we are!

Canadian oil low acid is the long name for the cell choker. “Anti-conspiracy theorists” hate finding this one out. They really love their canola.

Canola oil can have detrimental effects on your health, and most “food bars” at restaurants and supermarkets are loaded with it in just about every potato salad, egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad and every baked item, including desserts and salad dressings. (http://www.naturalnews.com) Coconut oil is the King of Healthy Oil! Your refuge in all of this is coconut oil. I suggest you buy only organic. This is the answer to the low-grade oil catastrophe that has struck America and will continue to do chronic, collateral damage for years. Escape the madness of low-grade oil being substituted for food. It’s time you put only “premium fuel” in your “machine”! (NaturalNews)

Destroy the Flu With These 3 Herbs!

National influenza trackers have noticed the flu virus begins circulating before it typically has in the years before. What this means is plenty of people suffering with high temperatures, achy bodies, and plenty of sore throats and sneezing taking place earlier and earlier in the year. Fortunately, you’re able to avoid all of this by building-up the strength of your immune system by using inexpensive herbs. If you do get caught with a bug, the below 3 herbs will help you destroy the flu in no time at all. These herbs have been employed as natural influenza treatments for generations, and may supply both protection against the influenza virus and an alleviation of the symptoms.

These herbs have been found, by scientific research, to be especially successful at fighting off the flu. They may be brewed as delicious organic teas or used as

supplements.

1) Garlic: This herb fosters the welfare of your defense mechanisms, and numerous studies have discovered that when given routine doses of garlic supplements, you are better able to defend against viruses such as the influenza and different breeds of rhinovirus.

In the event that you decide to take garlic raw, and if the flavor is very overpowering, simply dice a clove of garlic in with a little bit of honey.

2) Echinacea: Results of archaeological digs suggest that Native Americans could have used echinacea for over 400 years to take care of illnesses, snake bites, and lesions, and so much more.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that this herbaceous plant can keep im-

mune systems powerful and healthy, shielding it entirely from common pathogens such as the flu virus. Studies also imply that echinacea may be beneficial in not just obliterating viruses like the flu, but that it can also help to impede the growth of tumors.

3) Elderberry: Another botanic that helps you to deal with the influenza is elderberry.

The infusion of elderberries has a history of being examined repeatedly (albeit mostly in animals), and has been identified to shorten the whole period of one’s symptoms. Also, the infusion has been discovered to be successful at fighting off as many as 10 types of the influenza virus. One of the ways it does all of this is through viburnic acid, which is a compound that it contains that helps to detoxify the body. (NaturalNews)

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 25

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 27

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Vitamin D may double chances of surviving breast cancer The benefits of vitamin D have long been known, and there is no better way to get it than to let the sunshine provide it to you. Vitamin D has been linked to lowering blood pressure and treating or preventing Crohn’s disease, and it can alleviate symptoms of fatigue and multiple sclerosis, among other health problems.

That said, vitamin D has been particularly successful in helping women combat breast cancer, say scientists. And now, new research says that higher levels of vitamin D can actually double a breast cancer patient’s chances of survival.

The study was recently published in the journal Anticancer Research.

Prof. Cedric F. Garland, with the University of California-San Diego’s School of Medicine, told Medical News Today that past studies had shown an association between low levels of vitamin D and an increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer. Those findings led his team to see if increasing vitamin D levels would have any positive effect on breast cancer rates.

‘Vitamin D receptors are not lost until a tumor is very advanced’ To do so, Garland and his team analyzed the link between 25-hydroxyvitamin D, a metabolite that the body produces from consuming vitamin D, and survival rates.

The team found that participants with high levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in their blood had about a 50 percent less chance of dying from breast cancer, when compared with women who had lower levels.

“As long as vitamin D receptors are present, tumor growth is prevented and kept from expanding its blood supply,” Garland said, hinting that vitamin D worked to inhibit tumor growth by halting aggressive cell division.

“Vitamin D receptors are not lost until a tumor is very advanced. This is the reason for better survival in patients whose vitamin D blood levels are high,” he added.

Vitamin D can be obtained via natural sources like sunlight, of course, but also from mushrooms, GMO-free eggs and omega-3s, as

Natural News has reported.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that the body makes vitamin D when it is exposed to direct sunlight. Even on cloudy days, the government health agency says, being outside will still help the body produce vitamin D. Per the NIH: Because vitamin D can come from sun, food, and supplements, the best measure of one’s vitamin D status is blood levels of a form known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Levels are described in either nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) or nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), where 1 nmol/L = 0.4ng/mL. In general, levels below 30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL) are too low for bone or overall health, and levels above 125 nmol/L (50 ng/mL) are probably too high. Levels of 50 nmol/L or above (20 ng/ mL or above) are sufficient for most people.

sunlight -- which Natural News founder and editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, has reported is bunk, often lead to a person having too little of the valuable vitamin in their systems and not even knowing it.

Here are some other conditions related to vitamin D deficiency: Worsens your depression. A study published last year found that chronically depressed people are vitamin D deficient.

Can’t lose that gut? Part of the problem may be due to an insufficiency of vitamin D in your system. Boost your intake (naturally) and see what happens.

Protect your joints. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to the development of rheumatoid arthritis. (NaturalNews)

But worries over skin cancer from too much

Vitamin C: how much do you know about this essential antioxidant?

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in many fruits and vegetables. Since our bodies don’t store it (excess amounts of the vitamin exit the body through our urine), we need to constantly supply our bodes with it in order to remain healthy.

While most people understand that vitamin C plays an important role in maintaining skin health, it actually contains a large number of equally important roles in the body.

What vitamin C does for us Scavenges free radicals -- Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, meaning that it can guard us from the cell-damaging effects of free radicals (an atom or atom group with one or more unpaired electrons, forcing them to steal electrons from neighboring molecules). Allowing free radicals to run amok in our bodies can result in a plethora of serious degenerative conditions like cancer, cataracts, asthma and Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, antioxidants like vitamin

C can safely interact with them and terminate their chain reactions before vital molecules are harmed.

Aids collagen production -- Collagen is a simple protein and an essential part of our connective issue -- the very framework of our body. Indeed, all of the components that hold our bodies together, such as skins, bones, blood vessels, teeth, tendons, ligaments and cartilage, rely upon collagen. Since vitamin C is directly responsible for influencing collagen synthesis, it helps shield us from conditions relating to collagen deletion -- the most famous of which being scurvy (deterioration of the blood vessels). Of course, scurvy is rare nowadays, but vitamin C deficiencies (resulting in collagen deficiencies) can lead to unpleasant symptoms like dry hair, rough skin, easy bruising, bleeding gums and painful joints.

Heals wounds -- Due to vitamin C’s role in

collagen production, this essential vitamin also helps our bodies to heal wounds -- whether they be cuts, bruises, broken bones, or surgical incisions -- in an efficient manner. Vitamin C can even be applied topically to skin damaged by excess ultraviolet rays.

Boosts cardiovascular system -- When vitamin C’s antioxidant properties are absorbed into our bloodstream, they inhibit the accumulation of arterial plaque that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. In other words, vitamin C cleans the arteries and improves the flow of blood to our heart. Additionally, studies have shown that vitamin C can prevent cholesterol in the bloodstream from oxidizing (another early step towards heart disease), and can help stabilize blood cholesterol levels.

Contrary to popular belief, little evidence suggests that vitamin C (in supplemental or dietary form) can directly cure the common cold. What consumption of this important anti-

oxidant can do, however, is create an environment in our bodies that prevents viruses and disease from flourishing.

Recommended daily intake According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the recommended daily intake of vitamin C in adults is 90 milligrams per day for men and 75 milligrams per day for women. However, we can take far more than this recommended dose without issues since the vitamin is non-toxic and excreted when consumed in excess. Linus Pauling himself took up to 25 grams of vitamin C in supplement form for many years, and died at the ripe age of 93.

Of course, vitamin C is best obtained from whole foods. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, hot chili peppers, fresh herbs (especially parsley and thyme) and dark leafy greens like kale, spinach and garden cress. (NaturalNews)

WOMAN ON FIRE GALA! Sunday 27th April 2014

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Info/tickets: 647-713-3622

28 Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Deep scaling Dr. Matthew Weekes BSC DDS MTh DMin

Dental Health

One of the major concerns of today’s parents relating to their 7-11 year old children is the lack of space for adult teeth, delayed eruption, mispositioned teeth (double row), and excessive overbite or underbite.

The question I am usually asked is this. Can anything be done about this at an

early age and can I do anything now to correct the problem? The answer is “yes”.

It is best to treat these problems early before they become complex requiring lengthy orthodontic treatment, extractions and occasionally jaw surgery.

An excessive overbite is a condition where the upper front teeth are far ahead of the lower front teeth. This could be a result of the accelerated forward growth of the upper jaw. Studies show that in 80% of these cases the position of the upper jaw is normal but the forward growth of the lower jaw has lagged behind.

An underbite or anterior crossbite exists when the lower front teeth are ahead of the upper front teeth. This condition is

serious and should be corrected early.

These problems which are mainly growth and development conditions can be treated by simple orthopedic appliances (devices), which are well tolerated by this early age group. Also it is the most opportune time to direct growth so as to achieve the most favorable and stable results.

Arch form in the jaw is important not only for the good positioning of teeth but in order to provide sufficient space for the tongue and ensure normal breathing.

Another important consideration is the form of the upper arch. If it is narrow and tapered usually there is insufficient space for the teeth to fit into the arch. The solution is early treatment.

Time for spring detox!

Dr. Lydia Thurton ND BASc

Health Tips Spring cleanses can conjure images of terrible tasting castor oil and extended periods of “toilet time.” Detoxing and cleansing is an idea many Caribbean people have firsthand experience with. My patients can recall Epsom salt drinks before back to school time. The days of harsh cleanses are over.

However, the concept of rejuvenating your body through gentle cleansing is timeless.

Scientifically speaking there is very little research on what detoxing actually does to the body. Nevertheless, many people feel renewed after a period of clean eating, liver support and healthy bowel movements. So I say, let’s try it!

If you are going to do a cleanse expect that the first day or two will be rough.

Starting a cleanse on the weekend is the

best way to ease yourself into a detox. Plan to have a weekend of rest.

What exactly are we detoxing from? Chemicals, excess hormones, inflammatory molecules, heavy metals and even fecal material stuck in our bowels.

Luckily many of these nasty molecules are processed by our livers in a similar way, so a general detox can affect the body burden of toxins overall.

There are three factors to consider when starting a detox: your diet, your liver and your bowel movements. A clean diet allows our digestive system to rest and provides the nutrients our body needs to carry out the process of detoxification in the liver.

The liver is our body’s filter and must be supported during this time. And finally, when our liver does package up a toxin for elimination, via bile, it is pumped out into the intestine so that it can be eliminated in our feces. Increased frequency and volume of bowel movements is essential. Or toxins will be reabsorbed.

Juicing is a great way to do a shortterm detox. The enzymes, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants support liver function.

Juice is easy to digest allowing our intestines to rest. Simply avoiding dairy, gluten

and sugar is a great start to any detox. Eliminating allergenic foods promotes an antiinflammatory state and often also means the elimination of highly processed or junk foods.

Using herbs like milk thistle, dandelion, turmeric and artichoke gives the liver specific antioxidants that support its function. These herbs also serve to increase the flow of bile which acts as a carrier of waste products into the intestine where it can be eliminated via your feces.

Laxatives like Epsom salts and castor oil can be harsh, causing abdominal cramping and a close relationship to your toilet. Gentler fibers like chia and flax seeds, aloe vera juice and laxative teas can help increase bowel movements without discomfort.

Cleansing can be done in as little as a weekend or for up to three weeks. If you are taking medications or have health concerns, it is advisable to consult a naturopathic doctor to ensure what you are doing is safe. In this crazy world of new chemicals and processed food, now more than ever, supporting your body’s pathways of detoxification can prove invaluable. Happy Spring cleansing everyone!

Fitness for women Monique Bartlett Fitness If you’re working out for the first time get a program that will best suit you. Always consult a qualified trainer or your doctor to make sure that the fitness program will not hurt you. If the fitness program is not for you, it will only be a cause of frustration and injuries. It’s important to set realistic targets. Wouldn’t you be frustrated if you set your mind into reshaping your body in a month and it didn’t happen? Make sure that the time period you set for the body you prefer is achievable and realistic. The program should also be practical. Once a

program has been reached, then you can set goals and timelines that are realistic.

When you exercise you increase your lean muscle mass, and you burn more calories at rest. Exercises that work more than one muscle at a time and weight lifting are recommended. Learn what exercises work on certain parts of your body. Multiple muscle exercises are also said to be effective but time saving.

Be systematic on working on your muscles. Your muscles should be working harder over time. Repeating the same sets of exercises and same weight without getting your muscles to work harder will not give satisfactory results. You can record your daily results and make the progression based on your previous data. A daily log will also motivate you since you are able to track how much you have improved. It builds confidence since there is a written proof something that was successfully accomplished.

Perform a set of exercises in 10 -

15 repetitions. Every number that was accomplished is called a repetition. Try to make every repetition with less momentum as much as possible. The lesser the momentum, the harder your muscles work. The harder they work, the bigger they become.

Be flexible and perform a variety of exercises. Every exercise program should have a variety. You can change your exercises, goals and sets every month to keep you motivated and on the go. Doing this will prevent you from being bored and losing energy.

The most important thing is to be motivated! Not all programs work for all types of people. There is no workout that is best for everyone. Have self-discipline, keep yourself motivated, work harder everyday and add variety. Doing these things, you will discover that a lot of programs will work for you.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Power of sale property Stephen Mohammed Finance A Power of Sale is a more common method of retrieving funds than a Foreclosure on a defaulted mortgage. A Power of Sale allows the lender to sell the property if the borrower defaults on mortgage payments. The lender does not obtain possession of the property via transfer of title. The proceeds are forwarded to the lender to repay the mortgage loan. This process begins when the borrower is in default for at least fifteen days.

Potential buyers are lead to believe that a property being sold in a Power of Sale is a good opportunity to purchase a home under market value. However, this marketing strategy can be misleading. It is true that a Power of Sale property is sold by the lender to recover the outstanding balance owed on the mortgage but the lender must list the property to be sold at market value.

The process involves multiple appraisals and must be listed on the market for a reasonable period time to allow any potential buyers the

opportunity to view the property and present an offer.

If the property is sold for less than the outstanding balance, the lender can legally go after the borrower for the shortfall.

If the property is sold for more than the outstanding balance the lender is obligated to return the funds to the borrower if there are no other debts outstanding against the property.

A risk to a potential buyer is that most lenders have their own schedules of terms that must be included in any Agreement of Purchase and Sale. For example, they will not give any warranties with respect to the condition of the property and cannot include any chattels such as appliances or window coverings that may be present in the property as they have no claim of possession on those items. The schedule usually also includes a Right of Redemption by the owner which allows the borrower to bring the mortgage back into good standing and the buyer may not be in a position to pursue the closing of the deal.

As a borrower or potential buyer you should consult with a lawyer to review any and all documents pertaining to the sale or purchase of a Power of Sale property. A Realtor can assist you in finding the right home but only a Lawyer can give you professional legal advice.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments working together to meet Canadaʼs labour needs through active immigrant recruitment OTTAWA -- Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) immigration ministers today reiterated their commitment to actively recruit economic immigrants that have the skills the Canadian economy needs most.

Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Alberta’s Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour Minister Thomas Lukaszuk co-chaired the meeting of FPT ministers responsible for immigration.

Economic immigration was a top priority for all ministers around the table.

Ministers agreed to continue collaborating on building the new active recruitment model which is known as the Expression of Interest (or EOI) system. It is intended to transform Canada’s immigration system into one that is more responsive to labour market needs.

EOI will provide governments and Canadian employers access to skilled foreign workers and expedite their entry into Canada for jobs that aren’t being filled by people already in Canada. Ministers agreed to engage jointly and intensively with employers on EOI prior to the new system launch in January 2015.

Immigration Ministers also endorsed a plan to improve settlement out-

comes for newcomers across Canada. It includes improved pre-arrival services, foreign qualification recognition, language learning for newcomers who are not in the workforce and ways to encourage newcomers to become more connected to their communities.

The ministers reviewed progress to date on the FPT Vision Action Plan, reiterating the continuing need to align immigration levels with economic demand, build a fast, flexible economic immigration system focused primarily on meeting labour market needs across Canada, and improve social and economic settlement and integration outcomes for newcomers to Canada.

As immigration remains crucial to Canada’s economic future, the ministers agreed to meet again before the end of the year to continue this important work.

Under the Canada-Québec Accord relating to immigration and temporary admission of foreign nationals, Québec fully assumes sole responsibility for establishing immigration levels, and for the selection, francization and integration of immigrants.

In areas under its responsibility, Québec develops its policies and programs, legislates, regulates and sets its own standards. Québec is an observer at FPT meetings. (CIC)

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 29

FOR SALE FOR SALE METAL SHELVES: 3 metal shelve cases for cargo van. 1 in excellent condition, 2 in good condition. $500 for all 3. 647-3094606 JAMAICA HOME: Jamaica Home for Sale. Near Ocho Rios. Spacious 2 story house, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, hot and cold water, security grills, fully fenced yard, seasonal fruit trees, move in condition. Contact Yvonne 416-786-5149 msamie@rogers.com 2002 HONDA ACCORD COUPE: Model SE, sun roof, spoiler and heated seats. In great condition, includes new winter tires, black on black interior. Certified and Emission tested, asking $4500. 416-705-9907 SALT WATER AQUARIUM: 40 gal Red Sea tank value at $900 alone. includes all live stock, equiptment ,LED lights. Owner willing to setup. Asking $1000 416-7059907.

AQUARIUM: Fresh Water Aquarium (approx 70 gallons) includes stand, pump and decoration. $200. 416-705-9907.

LAND IN TOBAGO: On Riseland Road, 10,500 square feet near the Airport, Royal Bank Plaza, Store Bay Beach and Mount Irvine Golf Course. Contact 647-467-3171 FREEHOLD LAND: Harriman Park Point Fortin Trinidad. 27 Main Road - 6450 square feet. 18 Hillcrest Road - 9935 square feet. Serious bids to lamsaleslam@gmail. com or call 1-868-347-6191 VARIOUS ITEMS: Used commercial carpet cleaning machine, new carpet pieces, stereo receivers, speakers, sofa (like new) coffee table and TV stand. Bob 905-8205386

FOR SALE FOR SALE

FORWANTED SALE HELP

HOUSE FOR SALE: 3 Bedroom house in Willowdeen St Catherin off Old Harbor Road, fully grilled, move in condition, fruit trees. Call 416-749-0148

BUSY BRAMPTON ROTI SHOP: Immediate help wanted. Please call 905-497-6800

FOR RENT SALE FOR ROOM FOR RENT: Student Preferable.

Victoria Park and Main/Danfort. Call 416938-3753. Message 416-686-5502 ALL SEASON COTTAGE: Wasaga Beach. 4 Bedroom, sleeps 10. 15 Minutes drive from Blue Mountain and Beach. Log on to www.wasagabeachretreat.ca for more info or call 905-495-8901 SALON CHAIR: Available for rent to an establish stylist or someone who is interested in building a clientele. Contact Gurline 647-345-1752

FOR SALE WANTED

DRIVER: Driver wanted for a cargo van.

Must have a G or G2 License. Call 416938-3753. Message 416-686-5502 SALES REPS NEEDED: Seeking sales reps to increase new business. Confident and self-motivated, highly skilled at aquiring new business. 647-722-6298 EXPERIENCED MECHANICS: $20$25/hr Based On experience Brakes - Tuneups - AC - Electrical Maintenance - Repairs Call 647-778-4805

FOR SALE SERVICES

WORK FROM HOME: Looking for a part time job that I can do from home. NO MLM please, I’m looking for work - Sunil 647-988-3002 FRIDGE: Looking for a fridge for our church. Free or $50 and less. Call 416-9383753. Message 416-686-5502

FOR SALE PERSONALS

WORSHIP SPACE: Space available for Worship. Available from 2pm Location Warden and St Clair. Call 416-938-3753.

Message 416-686-5502 Business man looking for a Guyanese Indian woman unmarried as companionship

ESTHETICS ROOM: In the Oakwood ave and St Clair area contact Gurline 647345-1752

FOR SALE WORSHIP

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

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

Call 647-854-0335 COMPANION: Looking for a companion to share a cabin on a boat cruise. Please call after 6pm. Sally 647-344-4650 PEN PALS: Looking for male pen pals from Guyana or Trinidad. Between the ages of 50-59. Please email sharmen.singh@ yahoo.com

32 Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

407 ETR - Regulating plate denial Tammy Flores 407ETR Matters The 407 Act has a built in deterrence from “toll evasion”. It’s called “Plate Denial”. In a nutshell, if you refuse to pay your bill, for lawful tolls, you will not be able to renew your sticker to drive your vehicle until you pay your bill.

Many would view this as a reasonable provision to act as a deterrence from “toll evasion”.

It’s been said by many, if you use the highway, you need to pay your bill. I think we can all agree that’s reasonable.

Unfortunately, because this company was allowed to set up as an Island on its own, with no oversight by the government, it is a provision this company has abused. The amount of interest and fees this company charges and the suspect circumstances surrounding how they charge the interest and fees is what makes a reasonable provision such as “Plate Denial” an unreasonable provision. This company no

longer deserves to exercise this provision until they fix their mistakes.

Here’s the gotcha. The toll highway is an open access highway. There are no cash registers so the customer is reliant on the company to send them a bill. That can be electronically or via snail mail, but it is the company’s responsibility to correctly bill for tolls someone makes. So what happens when the company makes a mistake? Should the customer be penalized and painted as a toll evader? That would not be reasonable, however, that is exactly what is happening.

According to Kevin Sack, 407ETR’s VP of Communications, the company is in the business of collecting tolls, not interest and fees. So why is this company notorious for charging outrageous interest and fees? Most people I have spoken to regarding their 407 bills that are in “Plate Denial” have said that if they knew what the actual tolls were, they would pay them. They feel like they are being penalized for mistakes made by the company.

Many have received a bill that has no details on what makes up the charges the company claims you owe for. I am sure you have heard the horror stories people have that received a bill out of the blue for thousands of dollars, with no details whatsoever about how the bill came to be thousands of dollars. Trying to wrestle information out of the company on

what the actual tolls are is no easy task.

In my case, it took this company 5 years to give me an account, they were billing to someone else, for a plate that I already had an account on. The company claimed I should have owned this account, they were sending to someone else, because I owned the plate.

Then, it took this company another 6 years before they gave me all the invoices that would show how they came up with the amount of money they were claiming I owed them. Yes you are reading this correctly. That’s 11 years!

I am in Plate Denial for an amount of money I don’t owe. Under those circumstances, is it fair to be charged interest and fees? Absolutely not. It is the company’s fault 100% as to why they did not bill their customer correctly.

Some customers were charged thousands and thousands of dollars in interest and fees on maybe $30 worth of tolls.

Was this the vision of “privatizing” the highway? NO! The group “Stop the 407ETR’s Abuse of Power “says that the Province should use provisions in the Concession Agreement to reset the agreement and properly regulate how Plate Denial is applied. Members from the group are involved in a Class Action they hope will be moving forward soon. Will there be light at the end of the tunnel for these issues? Time will tell.

Drinking and travelling do not mix Olivia Boodram Travel Recently I returned from a one week Southern Caribbean cruise. At the same time there was another cruise line that was affected with over 700 passengers becoming sick with a gastrointestinal illness. The news of this outbreak was being broadcast on a giant outdoor screen on our Lido deck, while we were eating breakfast. At that precise moment every one of us watching this news unfold, felt totally vulnerable.

But the reality is, this does not happen very often, when you consider the number of cruises that set sail daily, monthly and annually all over the world. So although very unfortunate for these vacationers, we can all find comfort in knowing that this was a freakish incidence, no more common than a plane crash, mad cow disease or any other news worthy stories that we hear about through our local media.

However, what I did recognize, and this happens much more frequently, is the number of people who consume large

quantities of alcohol, and end up with an illness or injury directly related to their alcohol consumption. It’s a time when some people, while on vacation become a lot more carefree and careless in their overall behaviour.

Basic Guideline Fact: for many vacationers their vacation may entail a certain degree of drinking alcohol and partying – this is to be expected.

But do you know how much you can drink and not risk invalidating your travel insurance policy?

The problems begin when excessive drinking leads to an accident, illness, or injury to yourself, another person, or property - and then you try to claim on your travel insurance. If circumstances of the claim are reported to have involved or been caused by excessive consumption of alcohol or other intoxicating substances, any related claims on your insurance may be denied and you, or your family, could be facing a huge out-ofpocket medical bill(s). So just how much is too much? That depends and can vary from policy to policy and from company to company.

As a basic guide, it is fairly safe to conclude that if you are over the limit to drive you are probably over the limit as far as any related insurance claims are concerned. Let’s face it, no matter what type of insurance policy you have it is not going

to provide a license for excessive drinking, or absolve you of responsibility if you put yourself, others or property at risk.

Read Your Policy Unfortunately, many people still fail to read through their policy to understand what is covered, or call the company to ask the necessary questions. A good example of this are the popular destination weddings, stag and stagette parties which are often a recipe for potential disasters, as they usually involve some serious drinking and partying. Consider this; the alcohol content may be stronger in some countries than you are used to at home. For example, a Rum Punch in Jamaica is likely to be stronger than the rum punch you would get here at our local bars.

Another overlooked fact are the risks associated with alcohol consumption while in the heat which can heighten the effects of dehydration.

Drinking to excess while at the airport or on flights and becoming rowdy, aggressive or abusive could mean being kicked off your flight or denied boarding. This would not be considered a Trip Interruption or Cancellation.

Carefully read through the “Exclusions” of your policy and if you have any questions, take the time to verify your policy wording. Be smart; use common-sense and good judgement when traveling.

34 Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Your Horoscope - March 26th 2014 TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Are you ready for blastoff time? The next few weeks are blockbusters; the next few days can deliver a good kick-start. Someone or something may take you by surprise.

Once ignited, you’ll hit a rapid-fire course.

Sunday/Monday can be particularly catapulting or demanding. Wednesday dishes up something new, extra, or opportune. Communicate—you’ll find a receptive audience.

You’re navigating virgin territory, and there’s still plenty of the uncharted to work through. Go by feel; it’s your best information source. A key someone—perhaps a friend, an agent, or a lover—can be a godsend. It’s up to you to recognize the gift and make the most of it. Saturday is especially opportune. Sunday/Monday calls for decisive action.

Thursday, Friday, and Monday can get you going, perhaps unexpectedly so. Stirring up your creativity, imagination, hopefulness, and career prospects, Mercury, your ruler, is particularly active over the next week. A long-awaited goal or opportunity can shape up; a potential can make its presence much better known.

Saturday onward, an uncertainty clears up. By Wednesday, you’re making the most of it.

Whether you’ve been reaching out for it or it’s suddenly thrust upon you, a new reality is rapidly overtaking your life. Today’s potentials are bursting at the seams. Sunday/ Monday kicks it up a big notch. Actual or karmic in nature, the stars position you at a significant contract threshold. What’s most important isn’t what ends, but what now begins.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Ready to dive in? If it feels like a natural next step, you’re on the right track. Starting Thursday, the sun in Aries tops you up with a clearer perspective, fresh opportunity, and confidence. On Saturday, your creative, romantic, or compassionate side is out in full force. Sunday/Monday, the pressure is on.

On Wednesday, there’s more to explore.

Something new is opening up for you. If it isn’t obvious to you yet, you’ll know what it is soon enough. Aries month, starting Thursday, can send you into a new job or daily routine. Your health, finances, or relationship status can hit a fast track too. Saturday’s Mercury/Neptune and Wednesday’s Mercury/Jupiter make for an easier go and a natural communication flow.

Mars retrograde in Libra helps you to stand back and observe from a fresh perspective.

It’s time to carve out more for yourself and place your needs and wants first, not second. Aries month thrusts you into something new. On Saturday, indulge, pamper yourself, and rest up. Sunday/Monday, there’s further reconciling and work to do. Social, romantic, creative, or financial, Wednesday lights a fresh spark.

The stars put an added focus on work, personal projects, and health regimes. Whether you’re motivated by a more urgent need or simply fired up by fresh prospects and goals, from here on, it’s pedal-to-the-metal time.

Monday calls for modifications. Saturday is ideal for indulgence, creativity, or romance.

Wednesday brings news or luck, or puts you in the know.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Starting Thursday, watch for the stars to push your reset button in some major way. Aries month will put you back in action and keep you going strong. Friday/Saturday, inspiration is on a ready tap, but Mercury/Neptune would rather chill out than act. Sunday/Monday, priorities dictate your day and the play.

By midweek, you’re over the hump and onto a smoother track.

You’ve been working on something for some time; now you’ll find yourself on full steam ahead. This next month can fast-track a new home or family-life chapter. Take Saturday for yourself. Sunday/Monday, the Capricorn moon thrusts or forces you into action, perhaps unexpectedly so. By Tuesday/Wednesday, you’ll have most of it sorted out.

Saturday can keep you submerged right where you are. Self-indulgence or spending can get the better of you. Sunday onward, something new may spark, challenge, or tantalize you.

You’ll be quick on the uptake. On Wednesday, your timing is excellent. Mercury/Jupiter keeps you going strong and hitting it out of the ballpark.

In terms of the bigger picture, Saturday’s Mercury/Neptune launches a new livingwith-yourself cycle that carries great promise. On a more immediate note, it’s a day to indulge and enjoy. Aries month refuels your ambition, confidence, creativity, and fighting spirit. New financial prospects are also on the horizon. Wednesday onward, activities and communications flow well.

(March 21 - April 20)

July 21 - August 22

July 21 - August 22

(April 21 - May 21)

(August 23 - September 22)

(December 21 - January 20)

(May 23 - June 20)

(September 23 - October 22)

(January 21 - February 18)

Answers available on www.TorontoCaribbean.com

ARIES

Across 2) ‘M’ in MP or MLA [MEMBER] 3) How members are chosen [ELECTION] 6) Upper chamber [SENATE] 7) Proposed law [BILL] 10) Group of ministers [CABINET] 11) ____ Period [QUESTION] 15) Conservative nickname [TORY] 17) Provincial leader [PREMIER] 18) Current national official opposition [NDP]

Down 1) House of ____ [COMMONS] 4) City where government meets [CAPITAL] 5) National capital [OTTAWA] 8) Environmental party [GREEN] 9) Prime _____ [MINISTER] 12) Person in charge of House [SPEAKER] 13) Current PM [HARPER] 14) Trudeau, Chretien, Martin [LIBERAL] 16) Area an official represents [RIDING]

(June 21 - July 20)

(October 23 - November 21)

(February 18 - March 20)

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36 Wednesday, March 26, 2014

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Whatʼs your “wealth deserve-ablility quotient”?

What is your “Wealth Deserve-Ability Quotient?”

Tina Dietz Business Development How much evidence do you need to build up before you believe that you deserve something?

When we buy something, go somewhere, do something-there’s always a reason and rarely (if ever) is the reason “just because.” After all, we wouldn’t want to seem frivolous or selfish or flighty, now would we? And so we come up with a variety of reasoning about why we “should” do something or purchase somethingeverything from buying a new outfit to going on vacation we feel like we need reasons.

What if you didn’t need reasons?

What if you could make decisions “just because” you chose to do so-and the fact that you chose it was enough? What if you chose to be successful, wealthy, prosperous, and/or rich with no justification, no reasons, and no evidence that it was even possible? Notice how that sits with you mentally and physically-does it feel a little strange? Did you get uncomfortable or defensive a little bit?

Respond to the following statements and see:

- I provide high value and high quality for my clients and customers, and my pricing reflects this.

- My business provides me take-home income.

- I know how much money I spend, where I’m spending it, and how much income my business generates every month - I have a solid retirement plan.

- I’m at ease meeting wealthy people.

- I discuss my finances with my financial planner, retirement specialist, and/or coach at least quarterly.

- I make time every week to work on my business rather than in my business to help nurture it and grow.

If you answered “No” to any of the statements above, consider that it’s time to take a stand for yourself in having the peace of mind, stability, and confidence that comes with getting comfortable when you “look money in the eye.”

This week, write a letter to money and see what comes up for you. Is it a love letter? A break up letter? Your relationship with money reflects your relationship with yourself and therefore your business-which is an extension of you.

Spring water damage prevention Sherene Cole

CIP, CRM, CAIB, LLQP

Insurance Matters

Spring is here. With it come the April showers and the potential for water losses, which now exceed total losses from both fire and theft combined. With near record breaking snow and rainfall across Canada, severe weather continues to challenge our ability to keep water related damage in check.

Here are some timely tips to help you keep your home and business dry and hopefully water damage free: 1. Clear eaves troughs and downspouts of leaves and other debris that prevent proper drainage.

2. Disconnect downspouts if connected to a weeping tile system and make sure they are draining properly, ideally six feet from your basement walls; otherwise, water from the downspouts could leak into your basement 3. Ensure you have proper roof ventilation, as a cool attic during winter months stops the thaw/ freeze cycle and eliminate roof damming.

4. Check for and repair leaks in walls, floors, windows and foundations.

5. Do not finish areas of a basement that may be prone to leakage or other water damage.

6. Install flood-proofing devices, such as backwater valves, sump pumps, floor drains or caps, and check these items routinely to ensure they’re working properly.

7. Consider a water and/or temperature alarm system.

8. Know where your water shut-off valve is located in case you need to turn off the water in

an emergency. On extremely cold days, leave kitchen and bathroom cabinets open to expose pipes to warmer air.

9. Make sure your roof is in good condition and that shingles are secure.

10. Drains can get clogged up with the improper disposal of materials such as fats, oils, grease and diapers; tree roots growing through cracks in the waterlines can cause blockages If you should find water in your home, be careful!

11. Turn off your main electrical switch by standing on a dry surface and use a piece of heavy rubber, plastic or dry wood.

12. If you have gas service, check for fumes. If you notice an odor, call the gas company immediately.

13. Take steps immediately to protect your property from further damage. Save receipts for materials you use. Your insurance company will cover reasonable costs associated with protecting your property if the loss is covered by the policy.

Contact your insurance representative as soon as possible, who will work with you to ensure the damage is assessed, and that you are compensated as quickly as possible if the loss is covered by your policy.

During the clean-up process, failure to quickly remove contaminated materials and reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and mould.

They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

For questions or comments or if you would like to see a subject matter covered in future, please refer to my contact details in the editorial section on page 5.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 37

The toughest love of all love.

Colleen Lindberg Business Development The word self-love… such a great word, yet most of my life I never really understood what it meant. I thought that if I really took time for myself, asked for the things I wanted and stood in that, that it meant I was selfish. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I came to realize that without nurturing the self, we could never really understand, love or nurture others.

Reflecting back into my life, I realized that my disconnect in some of my relationships, whether it was in a love relationship or one with friends, had nothing to do with them but with my disconnect with myself. I had a perceived illusion that I thought others would “give” me that love, instead of feeling complete in my own self and then allowing others into my life to accent that great self-

Once I realized this, I had to figure out how to nurture this great relationship with myself? I started with these 3 steps: 1) The exercise in the mirror.

Some of us have grown up in environments where empowering words were scarce. We were told many “negative” things growing up and then as kids started to believe it and therefore as adults, that’s all we knew. This exercise is to be done twice a day, while looking at yourself in the mirror, preferably right into your own eyes. Speak to yourself and say: - I believe in you - I love you - I am proud of you - I appreciate you - I forgive you - I am doing the best that I can with the knowledge, skills and understanding that I have.

This exercise at first might feel weird, it might feel awkward, it might not feel like anything… but trust me over time it’s a powerful tool to connect with you, allowing you to free yourself from the binds that hold you and start to uncover the great you! It all starts with your

own self-belief.

2) When you are about to make a decision, reflect in the decision and ask yourself - Is this what I really want?

- Does it feel good for me to move in this direction?

- Is it in alignment with my goals and with my values?

- Will it get me closer to where I want to be?

Self-reflection is a great tool to utilize when it comes to the connection with yourself. It makes us analyze whether our decisions are based on the true self or whether we are letting others in our life influence our decisions.

It really makes you realize what it is that you truly want and it will allow you to make easier decisions that feel good. Although there will still be times where we choose to do things that aren’t in alignment with us, at least we are now aware of it and we know that we consciously made that choice.

3) Lastly, take inventory of your life and clean out the things in it that don’t resonate with who you are and what you want. This could mean old pictures, furniture, emails and relationships (Yes I said It). It’s one of my favorite, yet

one of the hardest exercises to do, the release of the old so that I can make room for the new.

Once you can let go of some of the things that are holding you back or the things that you have been gripping on too tight to, it will get easier in all avenues to be able to do this. At first, as I already mentioned, it will be hard. I have definitely been there, however over time you will see that by releasing these things/people, you have now freed yourself from that energy and the baggage holding on to you.

Self-love is something that we must be aware of. It’s almost one of those things that you have to remind yourself of every hour, like a phone alarm that says “Are you loving yourself?” At first these exercises will be hard, remembering to love your self will be hard, however through this comes a great relationship, one that feels really intense and one that will be with you forever. This one will never fade, it will continue to evolve as you grow and change in your lifetime.

Celebrate you as there is no better time than now.”

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