As soon as I met her, I knew that she was a force to be reckoned with. What I didn’t know was the influence that she has in the music and entertainment industry in NorthAmerica, Africa and other parts of the diaspora.
Gloria Gift Nankunda is an innovative folk soul musician, producer, director, curator, voiceover artist, festival performer, and the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper’s first ever East African Women Empowered. Gloria creates music and art that reflects her unique sound, which is rooted in a mix of her Ankole-Uganda traditional background. Through her work, Gloria has become a powerful voice for the African diaspora, exploring themes of Blackness, identity, social justice and preservation of cultural heritage.
Gloria has showcased her Afro folk soul musical style on various stages including: Canadian Music Week, Canadian Asian Fashion Week, African Music Week Toronto (producer & director), African Fashion Week Toronto, Artists and Artisans Development Network “Her Voice” and Inclusive Arts Festival, Small World Music Festival, Meridian Hall “Living Room” series, Comedy Store Uganda, UG Global Concert, Music Mondays Toronto, Habari Africa Festival, Muse Arts Festival, TINFF , Milton Multicultural festival, Francophone en Fete, Community Folk Arts Council multicultural festival, “Lullaby Mosaic” at Small world music centre, St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association and Salvation Army (Yonge & Dundas) Canada Day 2023 festivals. What did I tell you; this young lady has done it all.
To add to her already fully loaded resume, Gloria has also participated in the Canadian Music Week International Trade Markets one-one meetings with music experts, executives, festival organizers from India & Southern Africa, courtesy of Canadian Association for the Advancement of Music & Arts (CAAMA) 2023.
I have to say, I was really impressed by this young lady. I eagerly reached out to her and set up a meeting. When we had a chance to talk, she shared her exclusive story with me.
“I was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda to my father Mr. Joseph Mugisha, and mother Sec Mugisha.
I grew up in a wealthy family; my parents were entrepreneurs. My mom was an English teacher, and my father was a businessman. They did pretty well for themselves, so much that my mom was one of the few women to drive a car in our area. My siblings and I were lucky enough to attend a great school, and we never lacked. I am the first of three siblings; I have two younger brothers. My mom and my second brother live in Uganda, and my younger brother is here with me. My younger years were lovely, we had a happy household.
“A pleasant memory that I have of my late father is when he travelled, he would bring back a film on VHS; for me, it was al-
ways action movies. I remember watching the Sound of Music, and thinking, I want to do this; singing was in my blood.
My grandmother was the bass voice in the church choir. My family was very religious, and I would go watch her rehearsals. I started singing in the primary school choir. I joined at the age of 10. I didn’t have to think about it, it was very natural for me. I enjoyed it. I felt alive and I could express myself. I competed professionally from the age of 10 until I finished high school. In high school I studied music; I had to do practicals, I had to learn all about the classics. It was when I honed my skills. I found my voice, and music calmed me down. A lot of people don’t know this, but I taught myself the piano.
Gloria can play 20 African instruments and she can teach as well as conduct an African orchestra.
“This is what exposed me to the National Theatre. My choir was always in the top three. The National Theatre is my baby. When I go home, I am recognized; the theatre cemented my talents. We would put on plays, showcase traditional dance, perform folk songs, and modern classical pieces. It was a huge event; there were about 20 schools. This became my training every single year.”
Right after high school, Gloria entered the media world. In 2007 she was the first woman on Step FM. She was also a TV content reviewer and would work with editors to create clean content. It helped to hone her skills as a content creator.
“I was editing news, and at times, I would sit in for news anchors. It laid great ground for me. I was a new face, a new voice; I was different and was able to connect with some great people.
I spent a year there, and then went back to the city to attend university. I joined the radio again, and also became a narrator, and voice for a radio drama called “Rockpoint 256.” It was about HIV awareness in Uganda. I was invited to different schools to be an adjudicator, train students, what joy that was.
I joined television from 20082011, and then I decided that I wanted a change in scenery. As a journalist, I was doing some investigative journalism, and I was speaking out for our people. This of course was dangerous, and I knew that I needed to make a move. I was facing a lot of backlash, so I made my way to Canada and arrived on July 1st, 2011. Being in Canada instantly brought me peace of mind; the asylum was great for me. I will never forget when the judge said to me, “Don’t forget me when you are famous.” Things didn’t go quite as planned. Gloria couldn’t find a job. She was told to dial down her resume because it was too much.
“It was such a blow to my ego; you can’t believe how much I was hurt by this. I had to work so hard, and my first job was at a Starbucks, can you imagine. I also worked at Danier Leather, and at a foodbank.
When a paid position became available at the foodbank, I applied for it and did the interview. Unfortunately, they gave the position to someone else. They told me that they gave it to the other lady, because she was in Canada longer. Of course, this hurt me, but I remained steadfast and focused.
This was a learning experience, and after that disappointment I began to look for work outside. I learned not long after that I could go to film school in Toronto, and it would be paid by the government. It was like finally! I needed Canadian experience, so I joined Toronto Film School in 2012, and I graduated in May of 2014 with a Diploma in acting in TV, Film, and Theatre.”
Gloria started going for auditions and getting involved in workshops. She faced some challenges; some agents told her that she had to lose her accent. Other agents told her that she was too big.
“In 2017, I got a chance to participate in the International Model and Talent Association. I competed with over 5,000 students. I wrote a letter to my regular customers asking them for their support in competing in the competition. I needed $4,000.00 US to compete, and my customers put this together for me in three weeks, without hesitation.
There I was, heading to New York. I was there for a week, and during that time I was given a scholarship, and an opportunity to participate in a theatre production. They found out that I was a Canadian citizen, and I needed a work visa. They pulled the opportunities away because they did not want to accrue the costs. I remember thinking, there is no way I am going back to Canada to be a regular Barista. I started to create my own company, and this is when Gisha Productions was born.”
Upon her return to Canada, she began to record her EP titled “Nankunda”
“This was the introduction of who I was to the Canadian industry. I sing in my local language, and I am the only Ugandan artist who has sung my language internationally. The English pieces I wrote were very personal to me. One of them was about my father, who passed away. He died when I was six years old. It was a very vulnerable time for me, and a time that I put my everything into the music.”
Gloria is a talented young woman with a bright future. I am looking forward to the glorious trail that she is going to blaze
• Various degrees of eating disorders
• Brain damage
• ADD/ADHD
• General and chronic anxiety
• Anxiety caused by COVID-19 (in limited cases)
• Alzheimer’s disease and related varieties of dementia
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
information and opportunities. To create more inclusive work environments, employers must address the specific challenges faced by disabled professionals. Creating a supportive workplace culture that values and accommodates diverse abilities is crucial for promoting career growth across all professionals.”
sionals who do not have a disability.
According to a recent survey into diversity and inclusion in the workplace from global recruiter Robert Walters (of +6,000 professionals across North America), one-quarter of professionals with mental health-related disabilities reported being entirely unaware of the pathways to progression within their organizations.
You might be asking yourself “What are Mental Health Disabilities?” Is it the same as Mental Illness? Does it qualify for disability in the same way as Mental Illness? I was not too surprised at the list, and before I go any further, I want you to take some time to survey your mental health, and think, do I possibly have a mental health disability? The list includes:
• General and specialized forms of depression
• Occasionally PTSD in limited cases such as law enforcement or COVID-19 exposure
Now that we have dealt with what is considered a mental health disability, let’s take a look at what some concerns are. Disabled professionals face significant barriers to career advancement. In fact, 1 in 5 professionals with learning disabilities felt that there was a lack of resources and time to go “above and beyond” in their roles. Disabled professionals are 23% more likely to be stuck in junior or entry-level roles compared to their nondisabled counterparts. What’s more, just 7% of professionals with a learning disability are in executive or leadership positions, a quarter of the rate for professionals without disabilities.
Coral Bamgboye, Global Head of ED&I at Robert Walters commented “The lack of clear signposting for career progression is a major challenge for disabled professionals across Canada. Companies must implement comprehensive and accessible training programs to ensure all employees have equal access to
The study also shed light on the gender disparities faced by disabled professionals. A staggering 40% of women with learning disabilities reported not receiving promotions at their current companies, compared to only 12% of men with similar disabilities. Women also felt significantly underpaid for their work - 67% more women with physical disabilities reported feeling undervalued compared to their male counterparts.
The study revealed how the barriers professionals with disabilities face in terms of progression also directly impact their earning potential. Over 60% more professionals with learning disabilities, compared with professionals who do not have a disability, earned salaries of up to $28k. +21% more professionals without disabilities also earned over $75k compared to those with mental health-related disabilities, and almost half (47%) of professionals with mental health-related disabilities felt underpaid at work, compared with 31% of profes-
“These findings indicate a pressing need for organizations to ensure fair compensation and recognition for all employees.” Carol shared. She also provided some key recommendations for employers, “These findings bring to light the essential need for companies to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility to bridge the gap in career progression for disabled professionals. Implementing targeted programs, removing barriers, and raising awareness can empower disabled employees to thrive in their roles and reach their full potential.”
Ready, Willing & Able, an organization designed to increase the labour force participation of people with intellectual disabilities, or on the autism spectrum, offers key recommendations on actions that businesses can take to enhance inclusivity. These include:
• Building a culture of inclusion
• Implementing disability inclusion metrics
• Creating employee resource groups
I understand that in our community, we still have some apprehension when it comes to putting a “label” on what we are experiencing mentally, but the time has come to embrace what you feel, and come to terms with the fact that you might not be okay.
create more inclusive work environments,
The Canadian African Women Aid Program (C.A.W.A.P) is a not-for-profit/ charitable organization that is set to empower Afro-Caribbean and Canadian women in building their skills, through: economic development, advocacy, promoting their cultural identity, gender equality, overcoming poverty and improving accessibility through various programs and services.
On Tuesday, August 8th, an email was sent by Rev. Irine to the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper titled, “Invitation to Partner and Cover the Sankofa Royale Awards.” The email describes the nature of the awards and that it was a fundraising tool. It notes, “We have been deeply inspired by the transformative impact of your coverage on the community. Your dedication to shedding light on crucial issues, supporting noble causes, and fostering a sense of unity among people is truly commendable.” The email indicated that MP Kamal Khera and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown had confirmed their attendance and the duration of the event was from 5:00 pm - 12:00 am.
On Wednesday, August 10th, 2023, an email was sent to Rev. Irine by Simone Jennifier Smith regarding the paper interested in covering the awards and a request for media accreditation. There was no response from her prior to the award date on August 12th.
I attended the event around 5:00 pm in Brampton. There were a
few individuals at the front arranging the front of the entrance, but only a few people were present. I ran into Ryan Knight and he told me the event was starting later. There were two people at the front desk taking tickets from the attendees. I told them I was from the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, but there was no confirmation list. In spite of this, I received a wristband and was allowed to enter. I stayed for a while but left soon after.
I returned a few hours later and observed that the awards were being handed out. I asked one of the recipients for a program booklet and was told to ask someone inside. I wanted to know the names of the award recipients. There was a one-page program on each table that indicated that the award presentation would start at 9:30 pm and conclude by 10:10 pm. The names of the MC and the cultural dance group were not mentioned.
Remi Ray the featured artist performed during the course of the evening. He sang pieces that combined Afro-beats and Afro-fusion. MPP Kharmel Patel could not make it, but she as well as Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown who released a citation to the awards recipients. There were over 30 awards handed out in a rather haphazard manner.
On Tuesday, August 15th, 2023, an email was received from Rev.Irine. In it she apologizes for “The recent instances of negligence and unprofessionalism associated with our event.” The email notes, “We understand the importance of accurate reporting and accountability in the media, and we take full responsibility for any negative perceptions or repercussions that may have arisen due to our shortcomings.”
I spoke to her on Wednesday, August 16th, and she reiterated her apologies for what transpired. She stated she will review mistakes to correct in the future.
1531 EGLINTON AVE W GREEN P CAR PARK
After a three-year setback, Grenada Day is back, and all cards are on the table musically, culturally, and culinarily. As a Grenadian, I know what to expect when the music, culture, and food of my native Island is being showcased to the world, and so it was with much anticipation that I attended this event.
I was pleasantly surprised with the growing crowd at Grenada Day. The weather started a bit gloomy but evened out quite nicely and as they say, the rest was history. Come and let me take you there.
Almost everyone in attendance was wearing something that had the colors of the Grenadian flag, which are red, green, and yellow. As is accustomed, the day kicked off with the diplomats and dignitaries, including Miss Jean Augustine, being recognized for their hard work and presence too.
The carnival side of Grenada was extremely well represented. “Shortknee” which is one of the oldest forms of Mas on the island was showcased with all the original trappings including the powder.
If you had been to Grenada for Carnival, played Mas in a Shortknee band, and were not given the powder bath, then you were not there.
In the culinary department, Grenada has never disappointed and on Saturday it was no different, from Sorrel, and ginger beer to Tanya-porridge and the national dish which is called “Oil Down” were present and enjoyed by those who were interested. Now let’s go back to the dress code which as I said earlier was in full effect, so much so that even non-Grenadians were wearing the flag-representing clothing.
One of the highlights of Grenada Day is the “Best Dressed Competition” and this year 91-year-old Miss Rita Samuel walked away with the prize. Speaking of prizes, I have never seen so many at one event. The child winner was Lon’dyn and Shadow was the child runner up, all receiving prizes. We touched on the Mas culture, and the food, and now follow me as I take you to the entertainment part of Grenada Day 2023.
The Master of Ceremony was none other than Mr. Elimus Gilbert himself aka Inspector. Specky as he is fondly called was witty, he kept the crowd on their toes by cracking real Grenadian jokes while performing his hits too.
I spoke with Specky who is a regular to Grenada Day, and he told me, “I have performed at Grenada Day in Toronto around five times,”
Gilbert said it was always a pleasure performing at Grenada Day. He told me his idol as a child was the great Michael Jackson, now this explains a lot of his stage presence. “Because of my style I do not need to have a “hit” at the moment to get work,” he said.
Kenny Calliste aka “Kenny C” did a great job performance-wise. A very versatile artiste, he showed his audience that besides Ca-
lypso and Soca, he is a master of Reggae as well.
Like Specky, Calliste has also been on the stage at Grenada Day many times. “Performing on Grenada Day means a lot to me,” he told me, “Coming from Grenada it means I get to showcase my talent and Grenada as a whole.”
I also spoke to Mr. Christopher Antione aka Squeezie, one of the veterans of Calypso in the Spice Isle. Squeezie has stood the test of time and is still a giant in the business. “To me, performing at Grenada Day is a way of letting the people know that I am well and alive and ready to let them feel the way they used to feel about me again,” Squeezie said.
I must say that Squeezie kept his word. Hats off to all the entertainers at Grenada Day. Sometimes we see a great event, but nev-
er see the person or people behind the scenes.
Miss Maria Meyers and her crew are such people. I spoke to Maria who is the President of Grenada Day in Toronto. Here is what she had to say.
“Grenada Carriacou and Petite Martinique, not just Grenada, is a day filled with the promotion of culture and heritage. It is also used as a form of reconnecting with people that you have not seen for so long, and this year I did not realize the anticipation to be so large.” Meyers told me.
Meyers would like to thank all who participated, including volunteers and sponsors immensely.
If you are a Grenadian and need to see another Grenadian or someone that you have not seen in years, then visit Grenada Day. What more can I say? Case closed.
“If physicians are considering not doing it because they think the patient is making a bad decision, we’re rewriting medical ethics and human rights. We cannot be in a position where healthcare workers become judgmental of their patients.”
Kerry Bowman (Assistant Professor at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto)Over the last few months, I have been hearing stories that I hoped were not true, but as the months, and weeks have gone on, I have received messages, emails on news reports that spoke of something unbelievable. Some unvaccinated individuals have reported being denied organ transplant surgeries , and doctors say this is because a patient’s chance of death is higher post-op, if they happen to contract COVID-19.
Other physicians however, are fearful for their own safety, and that of staff and patients.
“These are the types of risks that come with being a healthcare worker,” Kerry Bowman stated in an interview. “If you want no risks, you’d go work in a mall or something I guess.”
Let’s dig into this story a little bit. This couldn’t be justified by our government, could it? In 2022, There appeared to be a growing consensus among Canadian organ transplant specialists about requiring COVID-19 vaccination for patients looking to be placed on the wait-list for an organ donation.
That guidance, issued on January 9th, 2022, followed months of debate among Canadian transplant organizations, who then urged any provincial and regional programs to be transparent if they choose to implement the rule.
Why? It’s all about trying to ensure the “best possible outcome” for the patients receiving a scarce and precious organ, experts say.
“We strongly support transplant program requirements for transplant candidates to receive COVID-19 vaccine prior to transplantation,” the Canadian Society of Transplantation said in updated guidance provided to the provincial organ donation organizations and regional transplant programs.
“After transplant surgery, patients
are severely immunocompromised because of the life-long treatment to prevent rejection of the new organ. This means, transplant recipients are at much greater risk of complications and of dying if they get COVID-19,” said Ana Fernandes, spokesperson for the UHN.
“Life-saving organs are scarce, and all transplant programs follow strict criteria to ensure they are offered to patients with the highest need, but also with highest chance of a positive outcome,” Fernandes added.
So, how do we interpret this? Does this mean that individuals who are vaccinated have a higher chance of survival than a person who is unvaccinated. Where are the studies that prove that, especially when discussing the COVID-19 vaccine? I think that before I share some of the disturbing reports I found, I want to re-introduce the Hippocratic Oath.
The Hippocratic Oath is a historic ethical code that is traditionally taken by physicians, especially those in Western medicine. It is attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, often referred to as the “father of medicine.” The oath outlines the ethical principles and guidelines that physicians should adhere to in their practice.
The oath emphasizes several key principles, including:
Beneficence: A commitment to act in the best interest of patients and to prioritize their well-being and health.
Non-maleficence: A pledge to do no harm and to avoid actions that could potentially harm patients.
Confidentiality: A promise to keep patients’ personal and medical information confidential, maintaining their privacy and trust.
Integrity: A commitment to honesty and ethical behavior in interactions with patients and colleagues.
Autonomy: Respecting patients’ right to make their own decisions about their medical care and involving them in the decision-making process.
Justice: Treating all patients fairly and without discrimination, and providing care based on need rather than personal bias.
I want you to take special note of: Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, Autonomy, and Justice when analyzing the next few reports, I have to share.
Sheila Annette Lewis tried to take
her fight over COVID-19 vaccine requirements for organ transplants all the way to the Supreme Court . Sheila was diagnosed with a terminal disease in 2018 and was told she would not survive unless she received an organ transplant. She was placed on a transplant wait list in 2020 but was informed a year later she would need to get the COVID-19 vaccine first.
Sheila said taking the vaccine would offend her conscience and argued the requirement violated her Charter rights. The case was dismissed by an Alberta court, which said the Charter has no application to clinical treatment decisions. The Supreme Court also turned down her application for a hearing. Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Paul Belzil dismissed Sheila’s argument that her charter rights had been violated. He ruled the charter has no application to clinical treatment decisions and, in particular, has no application to doctors establishing criteria for organ transplantation. There is a publication ban on identifying the specific organ.
The former lawyer for Sheila Annette Lewis confirmed her death Friday. “Ms. Lewis was a true believer in fighting for personal rights and freedoms,” said Allison Pejovic, who was in touch with her former client’s son.
Let’s move to our next story…
After being denied an organ transplant due to his COVID unvaccinated status, an Ontario man passed away — but not before healthcare professionals asked if they could harvest his organs. Garnet Harper, 35, died in May 2023, after being diagnosed with stage five kidney disease in February 2022. He died of a bleeding stroke during his sleep.
A twist to the story; two of Harper’s brothers were willing to donate their kidneys, but hospitals wouldn’t even consider it given the fact Harper wouldn’t reveal his vaccination status to them.
During Harper’s last moments alive, while on life support, his wife Meghan Harper was told by nurses at the hospital to expect a call from Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) — an organ donation agency. Apparently, healthcare professionals are advised to contact Trillium when they believe a dying patient is a suitable candidate.
“They call you while you’re sitting next to your dying loved one and they ask you if they can have his organs,” Harper’s wife shared in an interview. “Meanwhile, he wasn’t good enough to receive organs from them… I can’t describe the feeling.”
Probably the most heartbreaking case is the one that I found in Sydney, Australia. The parents of a Sydney teenager claimed that she was being denied lifesaving cancer treatment because she has not
been vaccinated against COVID-19. Dazelle Peters, 16, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2020 and needs a lung transplant.
Her father Josh Peters said he was told by a surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital that if his daughter did not get the vaccine she would be a “Major threat to everyone (in the hospital) who had done the right thing.”
The hospital spokesperson confirmed their “Policies and guidelines wouldn’t support transplantation” of an unvaccinated person. “Vaccination status against various infections is a critical part of this assessment in order to ensure optimal prospects of survival post-transplant,” a hospital spokesperson said.
The team at Global News asked every provincial and territorial college or medical council whether they’ve received complaints about doctors denying care to unvaccinated patients. Here are the responses:
• New Brunswick: “Less than 5.”
• Nova Scotia: “1 or 2.”
• British Columbia: Zero formal complaints but have heard concerns from patients.
• Alberta: Does not track this data.
• Quebec: Cannot disclose.
• Manitoba: Cannot disclose.
• Saskatchewan: Cannot disclose.
• Prince Edward Island: Cannot disclose.
• Ontario: 68 complaints and concerns in the last 3 months (includes complaints about unavailability of in-person care, not necessarily due to vaccination status.)
• Newfoundland and Labrador: No comment.
• Northwest Territories: Zero complaints
• Yukon Medical Council: Zero complaints.
The provincial and territorial medical regulatory authorities have provided guidance to physicians that, using appropriate protection measures, they have an ethical obligation, and therefore cannot refuse to see patients who are not vaccinated, so what exactly is going on here. Is the death of these individuals considered murder? Is neglect of treatment that causes death not something we should be asking more questions about. What if this was your loved one; do they not have the right to live regardless of their decision regarding a vaccination that has been proven to cause more harm than good? Something to think about community!
Patients are being denied lifesaving treatments if they are not vaccinated
preferences. Get ready to put your best foot forward...
Let’s start with the marvelous Museums of Nassau
breathtaking views of neighbouring Paradise Island.
make colourful masks and dance to Bahamian music if you are courageous enough.
I promised you that we would complete our walk-through Bahamas, so I would like to welcome you to the sequel “A 16-minute walk around Nassau, Bahamas; let’s embark on this novel experiment Part II featuring an itinerary so inclusive, it demands a part two. Whether you have recently joined us, or are just jumping in here, in this part of the experience we will take you through the superlative sites and can’t-miss locales of the Bahamian capital city. This self-guided walking tour features everything from pirates to award-winning local rum, named after an infamous buccaneer. Although the tour would only take 11 minutes without stopping, be aware that it starts at the lower part of town and continues uphill the whole way, until one is rewarded with breathtaking views of the harbour from an enchanting historic estate. So, go ahead; fortify yourself with refreshments at one of the excel
Pirates of Nassau: George Street, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Although the age of piracy was violent in the extreme between 1690 and 1720, this interactive exhibit is entirely suitable for all ages. You will get to dress and act like pirates of old and board a pirate ship as part of the fun experience. Exhibits feature artifacts from the Golden Age of Piracy. Piracy souvenirs are available in the gift shop.
Balcony House Museum: Market Street, open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This gem of a building, distinguished by the long balcony which gives it its name, is now considered the oldest wooden residential building in The Bahamas. In 1994, after an extensive restoration, it opened as a free museum, featuring fascinating period artifacts, stately furnishings and unique objects.
Government House: East Hill Street, exterior only open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This colonial building, rendered in a powerful pink, is located on a 10-acre estate on Mount Fitzwilliam. The property dates back to 1737, although the present building was constructed in 1932. It continues as the home of the Governor General of The Bahamas. You will have a chance to admire its stunning façade and enjoy
the truth and falsehoods. The creators of distorted truths are plenty and well financed by political and corporate influences. Those who try to publish truths are limited by their budgets, and their financial masters. The press is hacked many times each day, with their information storage stolen, manipulated and distorted.
Local news is under attack. Corporate investors purchase local media wholeheartedly with the intention of plugging the organization purchased into an overall controlled and manipulated media umbrella with a corporate narrative. The giants of media fame often sound alike do they not? Who owns them? Which corporation manages these organizations and to what purpose, profit or social political influencing?
The media is faced with multiple challenges, one being finances and how to become a profitable entity. The use of artificial intelligence technology is one way of achieving this goal. Search out articles and presentations on other media websites, steal them without paying for these articles and presenting them onto
Heritage Museum of The Bahamas: West Hill Street, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Guided tours will take you through the extensive collection which includes prehistoric fossils, pirate-era pieces, artifacts from the days of slavery, and other items that belonged to the Royal Air Force, and the Duke of Windsor. A 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite is a highlight of this once-private collection of curios.
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas: West Hill Street, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Gallery occupies the historic Villa Doyle, a colonial-era home built in 1860. As the country’s leading art institution, the Gallery collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets historic and contemporary Bahamian art with a constantly changing series of exhibitions.
Now, let’s move on to the real fun part, good music and good rum.
Educulture Junkanoo Museum: West Street, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Once simply a celebration of newfound freedom, Junkanoo has blossomed into an exuberant, colourful parade accompanied by the lively beat of drums, cowbells, horns and whistles. Established in the museum founder’s childhood home, exhibits tell the history of Junkanoo and feature costume pieces, traditional fabrics and music, and guess what? You can
John Watling’s Distillery: Buena Vista Estate, Delancy Street, open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The graceful mansion at the heart of the Buena Vista Estate was developed in 1789 and has a serene view over the bustling harbour below. The estate passed through many owners and years of both change and neglect. One owner was responsible for saving the flocks of Caribbean flamingos now found throughout the islands and developed the extensive gardens with their ancient trees as a bird sanctuary. Then in 2013, after a major restoration, John Watling’s Distillery opened, named for a 17thcentury buccaneer. Here you will enjoy a free tour of the facility, with shopping and signature Bahamian cocktails in the tavern.
If you’ve ended your self-guided walking tour of the old town of Nassau with a colourful cocktail at Buena Vista Estate, then you will indeed be a happy tourist, knowing that your walk back into town is all downhill!
We are at the end of our tour of The Bahamas’ capital city of Nassau. Take it as slow or fast as you please: these locales are all relatively close together, giving you the freedom to do as many (or as few) as you like in a day and spread them out over the duration of your vacation. If you’re wearing comfortable footwear and feel ready to venture out a bit farther, visit https://www.bahamas.com/ for more inspiration.
their platforms. Meta does this, as does Google and other platforms. Who is there to manage these escapades? No one really. The online police do not exist.
Localized media outlets work their butts off gathering, working and publishing magnificent work, only to have it stolen by organizations of such financial power that complaining makes no sense. Government comes in, as the Canadian federals did, but their attempts were made only to create a situation where Meta and their allies can negotiate approved rewards, and nothing really changes.
A.I.’s place within the media needs to be determined before the media’s efforts are distorted and insignificant. A.I. presently has the ability to search platforms and devise what is real or false news. It can also massage articles so that they appear as something unique and nothing like the original.
When profit is the primary goal to any effort, there will be people and organizations who mismanage their responsibilities as members of the media. Furthermore, many within the public see media as something free, to be
mined and used freely. The cost of maintaining and running a local media outlet is never thought of, so most media outlets exist on limited budgets, with limited abilities to seek the truth.
My generation has the obligation to invest and participate in local media, for should this not happen we will need to get used to the Trumpification of the media, where truth and falsehoods blur our perception of what is truth. The political and corporate world are withering down our expectations of the news cycle to mere minutes, blimps, where truly knowing what is happening in our capital, or across the world is difficult to decipher. Remember folks, ignorance is not an excuse, nor your impartiality towards media needs and messages. The bad guys are trying to hide their actions or inactions, and the less information you have, the better it is for them. The media, especially the investigative media are our best bets to know the truth and seek justice.
The
you have the better it is for them; The takeover
and conflicts with the wider society.
In some countries, Rastafarianism has struggled to gain official recognition as a legitimate religion. This lack of recognition can impact issues such as freedom of religious expression and access to certain rights and privileges.
“Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be your Redeemer.”
The Honourable Marcus GarveyThis prophecy articulated by the Honourable Marcus Garvey was rapidly followed by the crowning of Emperor Haile Selassie I in Ethiopia. Rastafarians saw this as the fulfillment of Garvey’s prophecy, and Rastas, as members of the movement, have been called, and continue to serve their calling. They see their past, present, and future in a distinct way, and on Thursday August 17th, 2023, the Toronto community had the opportunity to: learn, tap into, and fully enjoy the Rastafari experience at Rasta Fest 2023.
The Rastafari movement began in Jamaica during the 1930s following a prophecy made by the Honourable Marcus Garvey. Garvey led an organization known as the Universal Negro Improvement Association, with the intention of unifying Blacks with their land of origin.
Rastafarianism has often been misunderstood and misrepresented in mainstream media and popular culture. This has led to cultural appropriation and misappropriation of Rastafarian symbols, music, and style without an understanding of their spiritual significance. Rastafarian communities, especially in Jamaica, have faced social and economic challenges such as poverty and marginalization. These challenges have sometimes led to tensions
Rastafarianism is complex and multifaceted. The controversies surrounding the movement often arise from: misunderstandings, stereotypes, and clashes with societal norms. For these reasons, festivals like Rasta Fest hold significant importance because it allows for a full exploration of the religion, answering questions and clearing up many of the misconceptions associated with the religion.
Once again, the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited out by DiversityTalk, a leading consulting firm specializing in health policy and equity projects. The team at DiversityTalk believe the most effective solutions are rooted in the community and driven by the needs of individuals and communities. That’s why they are dedicated to engaging with communities and working collaboratively with their clients to design and execute solutions that are both innovative and effective.
Partnering with them this year was GreenPort, the first Cannabis company in Canada run by a woman of colour. Vivianne Wilson has proactively educated the West Indian community on the power of cannabis healing, reminding us all that it was made a tool to target racialized communities. Her goal: to bring cannabis back to its roots and help the community overstand that it is a plant that not only brings people together, but also heals.
Anticipation was in the air, on Thursday August 17th, 2023, when the community congregated at the Nia Centre of the Arts located at 524 Oakwood Ave. From enlightening conversations about Rastafari traditions to
immersive workshops and discussions, there was something for everyone.
Whether guests were curious about Rastafari culture, looking to network with like-minded individuals, or simply wishing to be a part of a transformative experience all were welcomed with open arms.
The Thursday afternoon opening ceremonies included: the Emancipation Walk, Flag Raising and Marcus Garvey Tribute from Vaughan and Oakwood to the Nia Centre. Conversations with Masani Montague and Donisha Prendergast, an “Art of Crochet” workshop with Legin Knits, and guided meditation session to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.
There were also herbalism sessions about Afro-diasporic foods and herbs, and discussion, which provided insight into medicinal ganja/cannabis with Shan Mei T Young, RPN, and dialogue on ganja’s ties with Rastafari culture and the Canadian cannabis landscape, and we can’t forget the ital Food Sampling brought to you by Caribbean Love. All the event activities were curated to deepen one’s overstanding of the ties between ganja (cannabis) and Rastafari culture.
To end the successful opening ceremonies, guests had a chance to be part of a drumming circle, bringing the community together and fostering a sense of belonging. In that moment, the group was connected through rhythm, creating bonds that might not otherwise have formed. It provided a safe and inclusive space for RastaFest guests to interact and share their experiences.
Friday, August 18th, and Saturday August 19th were the outdoor celebrations, and the pride of Rastafarianism was felt throughout the city. It was a dynamic and immersive adventure that engaged the senses. From the moment I stepped onto
the festival grounds, I was enveloped in an atmosphere of excitement, camaraderie, and a vibrant blend of sights, sounds, and aromas.
I was greeted by a visually striking scene. Colourful banners, stages adorned with intricate designs, and vibrant art installations set the tone for the event. The sight of crowds dressed in all sorts of festival attire, from bohemian outfits to outrageous costumes, it all added to the unique atmosphere. The bass reverberated through the air, making the ground beneath my feet pulse with the rhythm.
Food trucks and stalls offered a diverse range of culinary delights, from comfort food to international cuisine. The smell of freshly cooked meals, grilled meats, sweet treats, and even the distinct aroma of herbal smoke created a unique sensory experience. I had a chance to savour a variety of foods that catered to my different tastes and dietary preferences.
The feel of the sun on my skin, and the breeze ruffling my hair, it all created a multisensory experience. As the sun set, the festival atmosphere transformed. The stage lit up, creating a magical ambiance. Guests had a chance to fulljoy performances by: Majestic Warriors, Donna Makeda, Sativa Black 1, Polly Pumpie, Carl Henry, Empress Divine, Jade Faith, Richie Flo, Korexion, Ella Trema, and Bobo Julius.
RastaFest offered a chance to disconnect from the routines of daily life and immerse myself in an alternate reality. The combination of music, nature, art, and community provided a temporary escape that was invigorating and rejuvenating. Overall, the experience of RastaFest was a multidimensional journey that tapped into the senses, and emotions. It was an opportunity to celebrate Rastafarianism, create memories, and be part of something larger than myself.
vast automotive graveyards. Bloomberg reports that “Pools of unwanted batterypowered vehicles have sprouted up in at least half a dozen cities across China.”
Hmmmm! Once again it seems like there is something that isn’t quite right in China.
dreds. Most are five to six years old and have seen significant use, with aftermarket accessories, trash in their interiors, and other signs of wear. That’s because you’re looking at a fleet of retired rideshare cars that were once operated in large cities in China.
China has emerged as the global powerhouse in electric vehicle manufacturing and sales, but there seems to be a dark side to its rise. There was a recent video released that showcases enormous fields filled with thousands of abandoned Chinese electric cars. The scene appears eerie as the white paint is tainted by layers of dust and tires partly covered by encroaching grass. Inside, they appear spanking new, as the plastic seat wraps are untouched and the screens still shining. There is another angle on this part of the story, but we will get to that a little later.
This mass offloading of outdated EVs has saturated the market with cars that people don’t want to buy. As a result, the cars are piling up in what is being called
The video that is circulating on the internet is of a field full of supposedly unsold EVs in China by now. They’re claimed to be all manner of things, from the result of defrauding Chinese EV subsidies to evidence that EVs aren’t selling. But while the site is indeed a car graveyard—for the most part, anyway—it’s the final resting place of an industry other than car manufacturing.
The field of cars was explored by Inside China Auto on YouTube, who translated the markings on the cars to explain their origins. The site is widely purported to contain up to 10,000 unsold new EVs.
Graveyards like this have been seen on and off since around 2019, filled with almost identical vehicles. They’re all white or silver, often the same model, and judging by the amount of dust and plants growing around them, they’ve been sitting for a while, but these are not new EVs, and they only number in the hun -
In these EV mass graves, cars sit with nobody to look after them, tend to or even drive them, which means nature is slowly taking over. Bloomberg reports of cars with plants growing out their engine bays, and others that are surrounded by thick vegetation with no hope of escape.
All these abandoned vehicles are raising questions about how EVs can be safely disposed of. They’re filled with rare earth metals that are environmentally intense to extract from the Earth, and other materials that can be toxic.
These vehicles’ batteries contain nickel, lithium and cobalt, which are environmentally and ethically costly to mine and produce. They could be recycled or repurposed back into the EV or energy industries, as electric vehicles only really start to become more environmentally friendly after a few years on the road. The longer they sit, slowly being taken over by vines, the worse that impact.
Electric vehicles, like all other types of vehicles, have a life cycle that involves manufacturing, usage, and eventual disposal or recycling. While electric vehicles are generally considered more environmentally friendly than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, their components, including batteries, require careful handling at the end of their life.
Batteries, in particular, are a concern because they can degrade over time and lose their capacity to hold a charge. Improper disposal of these batteries could potentially lead to environmental issues, as they can contain hazardous materials.
The mass abandonment of the cars also came partly from the rapid rise of China’s EV industry. With new and better models coming from an array of manufacturers, existing vehicles are becoming quickly outdated. It seems that instead of selling them into the second-hand market, it has become easier (and cheaper) to just park the cars somewhere out of the way and leave them.
So much for environmentally friendly driving options.
Emancipation Month. The pan-African colours of red, black and green were prominently displayed not just in Toronto, but in: Toronto, Etobicoke, East York, and Scarborough.
paul@carib101.com TC
Dr. Julius Garvey has been a regular visitor and speaker in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area over the years. As the son of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, he is well known. He was invited to Toronto to celebrate Emancipation Month with the African - Canadian community. There were several organizations that came together to sponsor Dr. Julius Garvey which include: The Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, Network for the Advancement of Black Communities, African Caribbean Farmer’s Market, Global African Communities Network and the Toronto Public Library.
The Black Liberation Flag was raised at a ceremony, which was held at Toronto City Hall to signal the start of
Kemba Byam, Manager of the city’s “Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit,” hosted the event. “Emancipation Day and Emancipation Month is a celebration acknowledging the legal decision that enabled many of our ancestors and the people you see here today to live a life of liberty in a way that many of our ancestors could not. We embrace that journey and remember the sacrifice of our ancestors.”
Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto addressed the crowd. “In raising the Black Liberation Flag today, a flag that symbolizes struggle, courage, resilience, freedom and most importantly hope, we take a moment to remember the journey we’ve traversed together and look forward to the path that lies ahead. We need to create a city where equality, justice and respect are not just ideals, but lived reality for everyone in this city.”
Dr. Garvey mentioned that the
flag was given to the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Harlem in 1920. “The red (represents) the blood that was shed and the sacrifice so that we could be here; the black represents us as a people, and I just want to insert one of my father’s quotes, which I like, and it’s that the ‘black skin is not a badge of shame, rather it is a symbol of our national greatness,’ and the green has to do with wealth.” He emphasizes that knowing who you are is key to fighting anti-Black racism.
Szimbah Hanley, a member of the Global African Communities states, “The time for us to resurrect our Global African civilization is now. Dr. Julius Garvey’s Emancipation Month’s visit to the city of Toronto this August highlights our commitment to put the philosophy and principles of Marcus Garvey into a sustainable and economically viable social practice.”
On Thursday, August 3rd, 2023, there was a private dinner to honour Dr. Garvey held at ScottHill Caribbean Cuisine restaurant located at 1943 Avenue Road in Toronto. The special guest of honour was Mr. Deham Dolly.
On Friday, August 4th, 2023, there was a special Emancipation Event held at Mel Lastman Square located at the North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street. There were musical performances and discussions in the Concourse Event Space in the North York Central Library.
On Sunday, August 5th, there was an Interfaith Community Town Hall Meeting at the Brampton City Hall located in downtown Brampton. The theme of the event was, “Working together to alleviate poverty within our Black community.” Before the town hall, the UNIA flag was raised in front of city hall. The townhall was moderated by Sharon Wickham who asked the panelists which consisted of Szimbah, Dr. Juluis Garvey and his grandson Chase several questions as she invited members of the audience to post questions or make comments when necessary.
On Monday, August 6th, Dr. Garvey raised the: red, black, and green, Black Liberation flag before the annual Jambana event held at Gage Park in downtown Brampton.
simone@carib101.com
Dundas Square had been transformed into an extravagant runway. I was on my way to host the Media Lounge at African Fashion Week 2023. I am happy that they had chosen me to host the interviews, because as a journalist with the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, I had covered African Fashion Week many times.
This was their second year doing it at Dundas Square, and I loved the fact that they had taken advantage of the outdoors: natural settings, and the open environment, it created a unique and engaging experience.
As I crossed the street, I could see the growing crowd in front of the runway, which itself was a work of art. The set designers had meticulously crafted the runway and backdrop to complement the different collection’s theme and mood. Lighting, music, and special effects were enhancing the overall atmosphere, and it
was electrifying.
Attending African Fashion week is an exhilarating experience that immerses you in the world of luxury and creativity. It’s an opportunity to witness the convergence of fashion, art, and culture at its finest.
African fashion has gained international recognition and influence, with designers showcasing their work on runways around the world. This global reach has allowed African fashion to influence and be influenced by other fashion trends, creating a dynamic exchange of ideas and styles. The beauty of African fashion is deeply rooted in its rich cultural heritage, diversity, and creativity. African fashion is not just about clothing; it’s a form of artistic expression that tells stories, preserves traditions, and showcases the incredible craftsmanship and innovation of African designers and artisans. African fashion is known for its use of vibrant, colorful fabrics that reflect the diverse cultures and landscapes of the continent.
Attendance at high end fashion shows like this are usually by invitation only, but the organizers Brenda Foreman and Isaac Ansah had opened this up to the city of Toronto. As I looked around, I saw fashion industry professionals, celebrities, fashion journalists, influencers, buyers, and other VIPs.
As I made my way to the Media Lounge, I saw a red-carpet area where attendees and celebrities were being photographed
and interviewed. Andria M. Thompson (Mrs Universe Jamaica Delegate 2023) was sitting in the booth. “Simone. We were waiting for you,” she said as she finished up the interview that she was doing. “Thank you, Andria. Let me know when you are ready for me to take over.” I was now going to intertwine the fashion world and the media to capture the latest trends and styles.
The energy on stage was all the up, and the hosts Rayon Brown and the PR Diva kept the audience fully engaged while models strutted down the runway, showcasing the designer’s latest collection. Each piece was carefully curated to tell a story and convey each designer’s brand’s identity. The designs pushed boundaries and exhibited innovation. The fabrics featured intricate patterns, bold prints, and a wide range of colors that evoked a sense of joy and celebration. The designers skillfully blended traditional elements with contemporary designs, resulting in fashion that was both culturally rich and globally relevant. This fusion of old and new created a unique and captivating aesthetic.
The designers included: Signed by Dahliah, Labeke Wears, NUYU by Stacy, Queenfecy, Chapters Couture, Ambition, Zadd & Eastman, Achonu House, Exquisite Seams by KJZee, GBL Clothing Line, and last but not least Africanna By Adebayo Jones.
The event served as a networking op -
portunity for professionals in the fashion industry. Designers, buyers, stylists, and journalists connected, discussed trends, and visited the unique vendors that had been handpicked specifically for this event. This year’s outstanding vendor choices included: Lisa Lucas Event Company, Natural Image Photography, Walluz Shoe Organizer, Century Delight Catering, Sky’’s Art Collection, Fab Faces by Fionna, BB Beads, and Ambition by Isaac.
Oh, we can’t have a show like this without performers. Attendees were introduced to some of Toronto’s upcoming artists: Glizzy Ave , DT the Artist, Ona Dema, T’Challa Joffer, Afrobeat and R&B artist, Sillla, who ended the show with a BANG!
Like many high-end fashion shows, this year’s show was followed by an exclusive after-party held at Regalz Kitchen and Bar (4000 Steeles Ave), where models and other invited guests continued to socialize, celebrate, and unwind.
In essence, the beauty of African fashion lies in its ability to transcend borders and communicate stories through fabric, colour, and design. African Fashion Week Toronto embodies the spirit of Africa’s people, cultures, and histories while continually evolving to captivate and inspire the world.
For ten years, the Careers Education Empowerment (CEE) Centre for Young Black Professionals has been at the forefront of providing free career skills training and support for Black youth as a non-profit charity. They are dedicated to addressing the economic and social barriers
hospitality.
In an email communication from Tuesday, August 15th, 2023, Agapi Gessesse, Executive Director of CEE describes a creative and innovative marketing campaign called, “Who I Really Am.” The purpose of this campaign is to address and combat the discrimination that Black youth face within the Canadian workforce. For the past two years, CEE has partnered with Publicis Groupe Canada in a pro-bono initiative to launch this revolutionary and inspirational “Who I Really Am” campaign.
I interviewed Agapi on Tuesday, August 22nd, and she shared with me details about CEE’s first-ever major marketing campaign. She is particularly proud of the partnerships that CEE has developed over the years. The holistic threepronged approach of CEE which is: trauma-informed, person-centered and culturally relevant has seen over 1,000 Black youth graduate with a 96% program retention rate. She told me that she is excited about the campaign as it is an opportunity to reclaim the hoodie, and to take the negative connotation of how it is perceived and change the image and mindset by focusing on
the Black brilliance behind each hoodie. The hoodie is a living canvas that showcases Black excellence. There has been positive feedback to these images which will be up for the next six weeks.
Agapi is proud of all the Black youth that have gone through the programs that CEE offers. She is still in touch with many of the alumni. Jason Blackwood founded Grandslamners, an apparel brand and produced the hoodies featured in the campaign. Groupe’s media partners, such as: Branded Cities, Pattison, Outgrowth, Vertical Impression, Allvision and Astral contributed towards more than $500 000 that went towards prominent sites that are in the downtown core as well as: highway billboards, transit shelters and TTC stations.
She notes further, “It’s time to confront and challenge the damaging and employment stereotypes that persist. I am proud to witness the remarkable Black brilliance that shines brightly within our students, alumni, and community each and every day. CEE has always believed in the potential of Black youth - we know they can achieve greatness through a valued
partnership with Publicis Group Canada, we are showcasing to the entire nation the authentic essence of who we truly are.”
The highlight of this campaign is the showcasing of nine CEE alumni, each wearing a custom-designed “Who I Really Am” hoodie. Each hoodie profiles their unique histories, pursuits, accomplishments and positive work. Their images will be seen in Yonge Dundas Square, Union Station, and at prominent and iconic corporate towers in the downtown Toronto core.
Scott Pinkey, Senior Vice-President and Executive Director at Publicis Hawkeye states, “When CEE approached us, we wanted to give them more than just a campaign, we wanted to provide them with a launchpad that included a strategic creative territory from which every future campaign could unfold. This would not just reposition them by focusing on their past achievements, it will shine a light on their ongoing commitment to help Black youth thrive.”
Anyone interested in learning about the “Who I Really Am” campaign can check their website: www.BlackYouthCam.ca
The strategy’s goal is to provide the best value for the price charged. Depending upon the industry considered, the retailer targets consumers from specific economic and even social levels. For example, if it is a luxury brand, they may use a high price positioning to convey exclusivity and high quality. A budget conscious consumer would be presented by a discount retailer with an acceptable price point, a best deal.
The price must always reflect the perceived value of the product, or service to the forever changing marketplace. Retailers who have been forced to limit their expenses, promotions and expectations by the pandemic are blooming with enthusiasm and hopefulness. Price positioning will attract its targeted market, differentiate its offerings from its competitors, and hopefully drive sales and profitability. These categories divide the market.
Premium pricing: Highest profit margins present quality products and service
Competitive pricing: Compare pricing with equal quality products
The consumer’s perception of the product or service value is primary. Product availability and promotional value allow consumers the ability to create a winner within a demanding market. Mass advertisement, limited availability of product and perceived high-end value create a buying spree, while a lack of enthusiasm creates failures.
To date, luxury products and services continue to be extremely profitable. The relationship between price and consumer behavior can place brands products in a maximized state of increased sales and profitability. Of course, our market conditions are crucial influences towards pricing and sales. Product life cycle needs to be considered too. Introducing a product allows for higher prices, while with time passing the prices will decline unless the brand can revitalize the products design, making it more unique than the initial offering. With less promotion, less design and development of the product, and less investment the lifecycle
can end quickly.
Price positioning has had an influence upon other sectors, even public election practices. Instead of purchasing a product, the consumer becomes the electorate, and the product becomes a platform and image of a political party or individual.
Today’s environment is quite shaky and socially validated. The wealthy continue to purchase their toys of leisure, while the majority of us ply our financial capabilities, seeking out less costly items of acceptable quality. Attempting to find good quality food at acceptable prices has become a task for many. When price is more important than quality, many sectors of our economy evolve on task, possibly becoming permanent. If the consumer wants cheaper prices, the consumer must get used to offerings that are smaller, weigh less, and look less new. Manufacturers hire less and spend less on improving their products.
You get what you are willing to pay for, or you are what you eat. What are we exactly becoming?
“Who I Really Am!” Addressing and combating the discrimination that Black youth face within the Canadian workforce
simone@carib101.com
On August 13th, “Anne” Andres broke the national powerlifting women’s classic record. Andres set the national record at a championship in Brandon, Manitoba, at the Canadian Powerlifting Union’s 2023 Western Canadian Championship. Andres outlifted the females in the category by over 200 kilograms, beating out Michelle Kymanick and Sujan Gil in the Female Masters Unequipped category to win first place. Andres has set Canadian records in the female division of powerlifting in bench press and deadlift.
Reason to celebrate, yes? Well maybe for Anne, but for some the fact that “Anne” Andres, 40, is a biological man who identifies as a woman, has halted this celebration. This event has sparked outrage amongst biological female competitors, many of whom withdrew from the competition, citing Andres’ unfair advantage in being a biological male.
“Anne” Andres is setting records that biological females cannot naturally break with their physical strength. Women, who devote their lives to their sport, are being sidelined due to this unfair advantage, and many of them believe that it is time to level the playing field once again.
Despite the numerous complaints by countless women, the Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU) has remained silent on allowing Andres to continue competing directly against female ath-
letes. Imagine, we are now in a world where women’s sports records are broken by someone who isn’t a biological female.
In April 2022, a census was released which offered an unprecedented snapshot of Canada’s transgender population, showing 0.33% of residents identify as a gender that differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. The data collected during 2021’s national household survey shows about 100,815 people are transgender or non-binary, including 31,555 who are transgender women, 27,905 who are transgender men and 41,355 who are non-binary.
To some, the transgendered movement is becoming increasingly dogmatic. The assertion that ‘trans women are women’ is everywhere. The threat that gender self-identification poses to women’s sex-based rights has also become clear.
No really; let’s talk about this. With men and women, there are distinctions that are based on actual differences. Male and female are really different things in many senses. When it comes to women’s bodies and who gets pregnant, who’s stronger, who commits most of the violent crime and sexual offences, it’s clear that there is a difference. The trans movement is demanding that we ignore a distinction that is based on difference.
It seems like this difference is being ignored and now we have individuals like Andres who are found mocking his female opponents on social media, stating: “Why is women’s bench so bad? I mean, not compared to me... I mean, standard bench in powerlifting competition for women. I literally don’t understand why it’s so bad.”
Canadian competitive powerlifter April Hutchinson noted on an episode of the Piers Morgan Uncensored show that it has been “Very disheartening,” to
witness what has been taking place.
“For example, that national record that he broke – athletes have been chasing that for years. And we’re talking top athletes who have been training, and training, and training. It goes to show the advantages, the physiological advantages that a male has over a female, whether it’s muscle mass, bone density, lung capacity. I could go on,” Hutchinson said.
“A lot of women yesterday dropped out of the competition because they knew that Anne would be lifting. They dropped, they quit, they wrote to the federation, and the federation basically did nothing about it.”
Author and self-declared feminist Kara Dansky has been vocal about the fact that the true agenda of what has become known as the “transgender movement” is to abolish sex. Dansky, author of the new book “The Abolition of Sex: How the ‘Transgender’ Agenda Harms Women and Girls,” not only takes issue with the objective to destroy the concept of sex, but also with the use of the term “transgender.”
“The term ‘transgender’ was invented, but the word has no coherent meaning whatsoever,” Dansky says, adding that “Every single person on the face of the planet, all 8 billion of us, are either female or male, and that’s it.”
In response to Andres’, former competitive swimmer and women’s rights activist Riley Gaines responded, “Being a woman or a female athlete doesn’t mean we’re inferior... but we’re different to men. That’s exactly why the women’s sporting category was ever even created.”
Is it possible that maybe there needs to be another category introduced in the sporting world where transgendered individuals are able to compete separate from the male and female categories? Thoughts community!
Imagine getting a call from something sounding exactly like your child requesting financial help, only to find out after you have transferred the requested funds that it was someone using Audio Artificial Intelligence aka AI to fleece you out of your hard-earned money.
Ladies and gents welcome the new thief on the block.
Technology has reached a stage now where computer-generated children’s voices are so realistic; that they fool the children ‘s parents. There are masks created with photos from social media that can fool a system protected by facial ID. What is next?
To some, this may sound farfetched, but as I write this article this is already happening, and the financial loss some folks are incurring is higher than
Mount Everest.
In the US alone, consumers lost over $8 billion last year, up 44% from 2021. “It’s an arms race,” says James Roberts, who heads up fraud management at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the country’s biggest bank. “It would be a stretch to say that we’re winning.”
The art of scamming is as old as time itself, but with time comes experience and improvement, and I do believe that is exactly what we are seeing in these times.
This too is one of the unique opportunities that the Plandemic has helped enormously. The accelerated adoption of online banking around the world, with phones and laptops replacing face-toface interactions at bank branches. All this brought advantages in lower costs and increased speed for financial firms and their customers, as well as openings for scammers. A Scam which created opportunities for more scams.
“We are starting to see much more sophistication with respect to cybercrime,” says Amy Hogan-Burney, general manager of cybersecurity policy and protection at Microsoft Corp.
Universally, cybercrime costs including scams, are set to hit $8 trillion this
year, outstripping the economic output of Japan, the world’s third-largest economy. By 2025 it will reach $10.5 trillion.
Social engineering scams, as some like to call such tricks as child-voice cloning, tend to have the highest hit rates and generate some of the quickest returns for fraudsters.
“It’s a fair bet that over the next two or three years we’re going to see more AI-generated criminal attacks,” says Pope, a former deputy commissioner in the New Zealand Police who oversaw some of the nation’s highest-profile criminal cases. “What AI does is accelerate the levels of sophistication and the ability of these bad people to pivot very quickly. AI makes it easier for them.”
So next time a voice that sounds exactly like your child calls asking for money, call a cab and go find your child in person to verify where and to whom your money is going.
That said, we must all be mindful that some of the real criminals are in positions of authority. These criminals are using fraud as a scary tactic to frighten us into giving up our rights and freedoms so that they can enslave us.
DIANA GIFFORD-JONES
TC HEALTH REPORTER
Fires are a natural part of life in the forests that extend across Canada and the northern US, but it is not normal for these forest fires to consume entire communities, take lives of unsuspecting citizens in a surreal panic, and leave thousands of people and animals displaced. Tragedies happen sometimes; now however, experts tell us, and we can anticipate more monstruous fires on a more frequent basis.
Just when you think the great Canadian outdoors might offer a safe escape from all the maladies in the world, the lakeside campsite has become anoth-
er danger zone. Climate trends are making northern summers hotter, drier, and longer. That means we can expect plenty more fires, more smoke, and more forced evacuations of campsites and cities alike. These are discouraging times: there is an unthinkable war in Ukraine, Taliban rule in Afghanistan, migrants fleeing North Africa; and uneasy US-China relations. Evil people deploy cyber-attacks and scam the vulnerable. Good people fear the ominous risks of artificial intelligence. Everyone is nervously hoping the fall months don’t rekindle the COVID pandemic.
The world is a mess. There are many contributing factors, but surely one of the greatest is that the success of humans in growing our numbers has not been matched by a growth in intelligence. More and more people mean more congested cities and more encroachment on the natural systems our planet developed over billions of years.
There’s no escaping that a lot
of people are and will be dealing with mountains of anxiety, depression, and for the worst affected, significant trauma.
It’s a challenging assignment in a short column to offer helpful advice, but how can we not comment on the current forest fires?
So here are a few thoughts. First, research shows that the more you prepare for negative events, the better you will fare in recovering from the associated trauma. This means, it’s worthwhile to prepare for an emergency. Hopefully you will never need your list of things to pack when you have 15 minutes to evacuate but having it ready will help.
Second, there are health benefits to altruism. When people help other people (or animals, and presumably trees and the environment too), they can experience physiological changes in the brain that improve the likelihood for happiness.
Third, getting involved is a good move. Helpers as well as people in need
may build new or stronger support networks. This can improve self-esteem. Being connected and feeling positive are attributes associated with healthier, happier people.
For anyone experiencing trauma, there is no better course than to seek help. Don’t struggle alone. It takes courage to reach out, but the rewards are proven.
Finally, if you can do more, or give more, to make the world a better place, then follow this advice. Spend your energy and money the way porcupines make love: very, very carefully.
What the future holds, we cannot know, but we can make ourselves resilient, and that is what we must do.
It was Bram Stoker, in his novel Dracula, who made this point. “It is really wonderful how much resilience there is in human nature. Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way, even by death, and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment.”
According to a group of migrant workers, seven workers who organized workplace stoppage regarding working and living conditions were sent back to their countries. The terminations occurred on the weekend that people across Canada celebrated Emancipation Day. The activist group known as Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW), which strongly condemns the recent repatriation, brought this to our attention.
Such videos were widely circulated on social media depicting the issues faced by the workers and how the employer responded to the issues.
Even as several workers involved in the stoppage were sent home, other workers are raising concerns that they could be next. As if to add insult to inju-
ries, while workers were being repatriated, the employer was permitted to employ a new group of workers from another source country.
All these are attempts by the employer to suppress workplace resistance.
Again, all this happened as Canada’s government introduced its “Recognized Employers Pilot,” program. This program seems to benefit employers who “have a history of compliance” with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (“TFWP”).
These policies help to facilitate an easier process for the importation of foreign labour to Canada. Instead of applying for a new LMIA every 18 months, recognized employers would have LMIA’s that would be valid for three years with simplified LMIA’s for any additional workers.
The employers are claiming labor shortage, while they are actively sending workers who oppose their oppression back home to languish.
According to J4MW, a group of asparagus workers were repatriated and were not provided with a transfer to continue to work in Canada. Other workers have raised concerns regarding the
lack of work during this season. The only changes taking place are in the interests of employers and the government.
Through J4MW’s more than twenty years of experience organizing with migrant agricultural workers, the organization said it knows that TFWP’s compliance mechanisms are wholly ineffective at protecting migrant workers.
Workers have reported that employers handpick individuals to speak with federal inspectors; sit in and observe conversations with inspectors and workers; and discipline and terminate workers who speak up.
According to Justice for Migrant Workers, “The federal government has demonstrated time and time again that they are not interested in protecting workers; instead, they are focused on placating the needs of employers and ‘removing administrative burdens,’ as their own backgrounder on the REP states.”
Many years ago, I was prepositioned to come to Canada as a migrant worker to pick apples. That project fell apart for me, and I was very disappointed. Back then a very young me did not know such things as I am privileged to see and hear now. Even though some people
come here to do these jobs solely because of poverty, this is not a reason to treat them like animals.
It is said that a king cannot rule a barren land; maybe it is time for these poor folks to let these high and mighty employers harvest their crops themselves. Then and only then would they understand the saying, “Who feels it knows it.”
In the meantime, J4MW is demanding the following steps are undertaken:
• Permanent status for all current and former migrant workers
• An end to the tied work permit system
• An end to unilateral repatriations and disbarment from employment in Canada
• Full inclusion in programs such as Employment Insurance, Healthcare, and Canada Pension Plan
• Sectorial bargaining for all workers employed under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
• Access to healthcare
• Access to education
• Family reunification for migrant workers
Temporary Foreign Worker Program compliance mechanisms are ineffective at protecting migrant workers
“The West has often caricatured Caribbean ways of speaking in their music and movies, and within the Caribbean, workingclass and rural ways of speaking can easily become the butt of the joke. If caricatures become dominant on social media, then those who use these languages are at risk of further marginalization.”
These are the words of one Dr. Kris Singh, who is an English instructor at KPU (aka Kwantlen Polytechnic University). According to Singh, our way of speaking usually makes us the butt of jokes in Western movies, and he demonstrates how the use of Caribbean vernacular on social media is frequently linked with humour, resulting in serious posts being misinterpreted as
jokes.
Singh’s piece is published in Archipelagos, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal of Caribbean Digital Praxis.
The article argues the use of vernacular in social media risks de-contextualization, distortion, and willful misinterpretation. “Audiences have been primed,” Singh says, “to hear Caribbean vernacular as funny or without political consequence,” he wrote. Straight out the gate let me just say that this is what this is all about. “Willful misinterpretation.”
As a Caribbean man who has lived in Canada for over 30 years, I still encounter folks who pretend that they cannot understand what I am saying. This is done primarily to discredit the individual and whether it is on social media or in person it needs to be addressed. That said, let’s dive deeper into the findings of this piece.
Mr. Singh points us to Trinidadian digital creator Stephon Felmine as an example. Felmine uses what Western society will call an unconventional approach to teach the ABCs and 123s in Trinidadian English, which have earned him six-figure likes.
“No teacher would ever teach the ABCs using these words. That’s the joke. There’s a sort of ironic humour at play, and by getting the joke, that’s how identity is consolidated,” says Singh.
Singh referred to a survivor’s testimony of a volcano eruption in St. Vincent since serious reflections from the survivor were interpreted as humorous on social media.
“Users of Caribbean vernacular are less likely to be seen as emotionally and psychologically complex and are more likely to be pushed out of political discourse. This means that during times of disaster their needs are less likely to be met and their testimonies are received as entertaining.”
How can the testimony of a survivor of a volcano’s wrath be seen as entertaining? Isn’t this heartless? Who does this?
The Nubian people who were brought to America until recently were always given comical roles in Hollywood movies. Extra Black faces, swollen red lips, and speaking like toddlers, all in the name of humour.
This educator’s findings are not surprising. Life teaches us many lessons. As
for me, I have learned that people make the effort to learn when they want to and find faults when it is in their best interest.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s English lingo is a thousand times more messed up than most Caribbean people that I know, yet Americans made him Governor of California. Nothing to see here.
After looking up Stephon Felmine on Tik Tok I realized he is Trinidadian, and I being a Caribbean man understood him 100%.
I have noticed what I deemed a very dangerous trend among Caribbean content creators on Tik Tok: the use of AI audio to explain simple Caribbean terms. I hope these users realize that once they keep up this trend, AI might be the content creator and not them. This is what is called training one’s own replacement.
In conclusion, I would have loved to ask Dr. Singh if his research came up with any negative Western ideas on AI. What is the benefit of using a machine that does not know anything about Jamaica or Trinidad to speak on the subject? Why are users of these platforms encouraged to use these emotionally empty voices?
Laughter and animated conversations filled the air as I walked into Ensembles Headquarters, located at 2 Queen Street East, 20th floor. On Tuesday August 15th, 2023, the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper were invited to a tourism event that was being put on by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA). Of course, upon arrival, my hungry belly self saw a table set with an array of delectable dishes, carefully prepared to tantalize the taste buds. It was a cozy gathering of media personalities, and tourism specialists there to conclude a successful week of marketing and media activations put on by the ABTA.
The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, with lighting that created a comfortable ambiance. There was soft, live instrumental music playing in the background, setting the tone for meaningful
conversations. CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James joined Canada’s Director of Tourism (ag) Tameka Wharton and the other members of the ABTA Canadian team to support their efforts on an intense four-day broad media and trade promotions. This was planned with a focus on strengthening partnerships, reaffirming Antigua and Barbuda’s affection and commitment for the Canadian market, while simultaneously exposing the destination to a cornucopia of Canadian consumers.
Colin attended a series of special events and met with key representatives from the travel industry who all reported strong growth in business to Antigua and Barbuda as a direct result of the stellar marketing efforts of the ABTA Team in Canada. “It was a distinct pleasure to once again return to Canada for what turned out to be an incredible week, filled with both familiar faces and new friends,” said the Tourism Authority CEO. “Canada continues to be one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most important markets, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to share all of the exciting news coming out of our destination as we look ahead to a strong winter travel season.”
The week’s activities included
attending important meetings with key tour operators like: Air Canada Vacations, Sunwing, TravelBrands and WestJet. This winter will see flights returning to pre-pandemic levels with a flight from Canada every day of the week during the busy winter season. The destination also announced its new strategic partnership with Ensemble, a major travel consortium with decades of experience and thousands of travel advisors throughout Canada and the US. This arrangement provides Antigua and Barbuda with a new marketing channel that is a direct fit with its high-end properties. There was an engaging fireside chat event, jointly hosted by the ABTA and Ensemble where CEO Colin James was able to highlight the robust calendar of events that make up Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing ‘Year of Wellness.’
Speaking to the latest statistics, Colin noted that 2023 visitor arrivals from Canada had already reached 17,780 by the end of June, eclipsing 2022’s figure by 164% percent and representing a return to near pre-pandemic levels. Incredibly, Canada’s year to date (YTD) growth was over 100% higher than the next closest market, speaking to the exploding popularity of the destination with Canadians. During the
fireside chat, he shared the many virtues of Antigua and Barbuda and a few exciting announcements of the new, renovated hotel product for the upcoming season and the exciting events on the tourism calendar for 2024.
The destination’s new “And” campaign espoused Antigua and Barbuda’s unique selling point: the distinct charms of both islands, coming together into one cohesive experience. Colin also took pride in sharing the remarkable accomplishment of the recent Virgin Galactic space launch, which saw an Antiguan and Barbudan mother-daughter duo become the first people of Caribbean origin and Antigua and Barbuda nationals to visit space. This feat as well as the amazing rowing accomplishments of the Team Antigua Island Girls has put an unprecedented media spotlight on the destination.
The ABTA Canadian team is committed to continue building on the momentum and the growth experienced so far this year. The team created a meaningful and personal experience for attendees. It was an amazing way to have more indepth conversations and share my Antiguan experiences.
The culmination of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup brought together the best teams that had battled their way through the competition. The excitement was palpable as fans from around the world gathered to watch the pinnacle of the sport. The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals were played in Australia and New Zealand from July 20th, to August 20th. There were 32 finalists including both hosts with 11 or 12 European nations involved.
Spain won the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after defeating England 1-0 in the final at Stadium Australia in Sydney. The finalists were two of 12 European sides to take part in the first finals since the expansion from 24 to 32 teams.
Action Network has updated the list of records that were broken at this year’s
World Cup. USA became the first defending champion that didn’t get past the round of 16, Sweden broke their tie with USA and became the country with the most bronze medals (4) after finishing third, Salma Paralluelo (Spain) is the first player ever to be a champion at U-17, U-20 and senior level after Spain’s win, Christine Sinclair (Canada) extended her record as the captain with the most World Cups played (5) and Vanina Correa (Argentina) broke the record for the oldest goalkeeper ever playing in WWC, while Casey Phair (South Korea) became the youngest player to ever play in WWC!
Vanina Correa (Argentina) broke the record for the oldest goalkeeper ever playing in Women’s World Cup - she was 39 years, 11 months and 20 days (including the matchday) on the day of Argentina’s last match – August 2nd against Sweden (breaking the record of Meg (Brazil), who was 39 years and 159 days old when Brazil played against Germany in 1995).
Casey Phair (South Korea) broke the record for the youngest player to play in Women’s World Cup - she was 16 years and 27 days on the 25th of July (including the match date) on the day of the match of South Korea against Morocco (breaking the record of Ifeanyi Chiejine (Nigeria), who was 16 years and 35 days (including the match date) when Nige -
ria played against South Korea in 1999. Christine Sinclair (Canada) extended her record as the captain playing the most World Cup tournaments (5 including 2023). She extended her record as the player with the most matches lost in Women’s World Cup (extended from 10 matches lost to 11 after Canada lost against Australia on the July 31st), breaking her tie with Florence Omagbemi (Nigeria) and Onome Ebi (Nigeria).
Salma Paralluelo (Spain) is the first player ever (across men and women’s soccer) to be a champion at U-17, U-20 and senior level after Spain’s win (she won FIFA WWC 2023, FIFA U-20 WWC 2022 & FIFA U-17 WWC 2018).
USA joined Germany as the only defending champion to not get past the quarterfinals. In USA’s case, they didn’t even get past the round of 16, which makes them the first defending champion to do so. They extended their record for the total number of wins (41) as well as the most goals scored (142). They extended their record for most consecutive wins (13 wins since 2015 match against Nigeria until their 2023 win against Vietnam) and most consecutive matches without a loss (21 wins/ draws since 2011’s match against Brazil until their 2023 draw with Sweden) in the World Cup.
New Zealand surpassed China (1991,
2007), Sweden (1995), Germany (2011), Canada (2015) and France (2019) as the host with the worst finishes - none of these teams got past quarterfinals in their respective hosting years, but New Zealand didn’t even get past the group stages.
Sweden ended up taking the bronze medal for the 4th time, which broke their tie (3) with USA as the team with the most bronze medals - 4 (in total, Sweden now has 4 bronze medals and 1 silver medal, they have yet to win the gold - only USA has won all 3 medals in Women’s World Cup).
Nigeria extended their record for most goals conceded to 65, and Jamaica won their first match ever after already debuting in the past but never winning - they won their first match on July 29th against Panama (1-0). South Africa won their first match ever after already debuting in the past but never winning - they won their first match on August 2nd against Italy (3-2).
This year’s World Cup became the most attended women’s sporting event ever with attendance of 1.978 million (surpassing the record previously held by Women’s World Cup 2019: France attended by 1.131 million people).
African Fashion Week was a force to be reckoned with this past weekend. It was the highlight of the summer and talk of the town. Their presence was inescapable on day one with a full-blown runway show in the heart of downtown at Dundas Square. The next day was all about lavish and luxury at an exclusive couture event. The last day was the icing on the cake with a rooftop day party that rocked the city with the latest in afrobeats, r&b and reggae. There was an after party for both nights, to celebrate the achievements and success of a hard day’s work, and those didn’t fail either.
I want to take this time though, to focus on day two, the couture event that featured renowned Nigerian fashion design Adebayo Jones.
This year’s events were streamed live on YouTube and streamed and held at the BBL Go Live studios and the decor did not disappoint. I walked into an afro-sheik, well-lit and camera-ready atmosphere. I was seated right
at the front, so I did not miss out on any action. Afrobeats was on blast as people started pouring into the room and filling the seats. It was a full house, and I could feel the joy and anticipation in the air. The crowd did not press any brakes when it came on to their attire. I saw beautiful traditional African attire, the latest African fashion, to modern wear with the matching accessories and shoes from both genders. I was sitting amongst opulence, and I was loving it!
There were about four large screen TVs set up around the front of the stage to catch every angle of the models. The chairs were adorned with extra fabric to add to the crowd’s comfort and aesthetics of the place. The air conditioning was also on blast which kept us all cool and comfortable as we mingled and patiently waited for the festivities to begin.
This year’s theme was called Empress and Emperor. The lights were dimmed, and the music changed to the regal classical era. The show started with the men’s line of suits. The models wore a combination of eclectic patterns, colours and materials. Some were bold like a king while others had a more innocent and playful touch like a prince. The women showed out in their stilettos and long gowns, pants suits, skirt suits and thigh high dresses. The attire of both models was filled with sequin, suede, velvets and flower patterns. The entire fashion show screamed luxury and au-
thenticity. My favourite outfit was a black and gold flower patterned pant suit. She wore a beautiful corset with straight leg pants and gold stilettos. The corsets V-neck and bottom, along with the sides of the pant boasted a bold jewel pattern that shined from across the room. Her look was topped off with sheer offwhite gloves that went past her elbows, with an off-white clutch bag and to top it all off, a beautiful diamond crown on her head that contrasted beautifully with her rich dark skin. I loved it!
At the end, the posh Adebayo Jones came on stage to our applause and to answer some questions. Mr. Jones is a Nigerian born designer that operates out of the UK. He is a very sought after and multiple award-winning designer with a global following. He said that he had been with African Fashion Week from the beginning when it started 11 years ago with some talented youths who had a vision. Although his schedule called for more pressing invitations, he was intrigued with their vision and wanted to support the young people who were determined to make a difference in the African fashion scene here in Toronto. He accepted the invitation and has watched African Fashion Week grown into something unforgettably special over the years. I could see the gratitude that filled his eyes as he motivated the crowd to keep working towards their dreams and to never give up.
He ended the night with apprecia-
tion of how far he’s come by serenading the crowd with an acapella verse of the gospel song “How Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. Little did he know that almost everyone knew that song and the crowd sang along into the chorus. I’m not a church goer but I was definitely in church at that moment. Mr. Jones’ beautiful baritone voice along with the gentle vocals of the crowd was the perfect end to the night. There’s nothing more honourable than having an attitude of gratitude and Adebayo Jones was indeed humbled.
Be sure to keep up with his amazing works on all social media platforms and his podcast, With Adebayo Jones, located on all streaming platforms.
After the show the crowd was still buzzing with conversation, pictures and music. Thirty minutes later, the crowd slowly made their way to the free after party to eat some tasty African cuisine, while listening to music and keeping the vibes going.
Despite running a bit behind schedule, Day 2’s Couture Experience was a night to remember. It’s so important for us as a people to come together and support one another’s accomplishments and achievements and African Fashion Week did just that. Support their initiative and follow them on IG to keep up with the highly anticipated African fashion week 2024.
The vibe was vibin’ at African Fashion Week
Whew! I have to be honest; this is going to be one of the most difficult pieces I have ever written. It is not just that our Classic Man has a laundry list of accolades, has multiple articles that have been written about him, or that he is the author of the critically acclaimed book Far From Over: The Music and Life of Drake. NO! That is not it at all. Actually, it is that and more.
He is currently the co-host of the Black Tea podcast (Rogers Media), and the former TV host for BPM TV (Urban Groove Show). He has enjoyed stints as a regular TV pop culture cognoscenti for MuchMusic, and CTV’s “Talk TV,” and was a long-time news reporter for Toronto’s Now Magazine and leading US youth culture magazines: The Source and Vibe Magazine.
He was handpicked as one of 30 Torontonians - by the Toronto Star to blog about ways to make the great city of Toronto an amazing place to live in. He has contributed his unique brand of writing to many major North American news media outlets including NPR, Billboard Magazine, VICE, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, CTV’s The Social, MTV, TSN, Much Music, CBC Radio’s q Metro Morning, CBC Radio, CBC TV’s The National, CTV’s Canada AM/Your Morning, City-TV’s Breakfast TV, CP24, Global TV, Sportsnet 590, and Vibe.com.
He has been interviewed and profiled on CNN, BET, NPR, 6ixBuzz, Hypebeast, The Shade Room, Complex, NME, Revolt TV, CBC q, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety (Magazine), Globe & Mail, Toronto Life, Toronto Star to Radio Canada (CBC/French), TVO, 680 News, Global News, Hazlitt, Open Book, and SUN TV among many others. He is the Canadian Screen Award Nominated Scriptwriter, and a Senior Facilitator in the award-winning “More Than A Haircut/Voices of the Shop barbershop-meets-Black” fatherhood advocacy group. He is a PR strategist and publicist, author of six (6) books, festival producer, National Magazine Award-winning print journalist, TV/radio/podcast personality, and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Music-Professional-in-Residence. I’m not done yet, I still have to grow through his list of books; I told you: one of the most difficult pieces I have ever written, but I digress.
His critically acclaimed book “Far From Over: The Music and Life of Drake,” is featured in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame & Museum collection in Cleveland. The book explores the cultural conditions in Toronto and the United States that helped create the phenomenon we know of as Drake. His legendary “Hip Hop World,” book, which is carried in Harvard University’s hip hop archive, led to a 2010 Hip Hop Scholar of the Year award nomination courtesy of Washington DC’s WBLINC. His sixth book Rap N’ Roll: Pop Culture, Darkly Stated (2016) argues that rap music is the new rock n’ roll. Having sold over 100,000+ books throughout North America, he teaches the popular university course “Deconstructing Drake and The Weeknd,” and continues to contribute chapters and essays to a wide range of anthologies and textbooks that are utilized in high schools and universities. The work is focused on popular culture and technology, including: “iSkills: From Txt To Talk,” “Rhymes to Re-Education,” and the anthology “In This Together” about indigeneity and blackness in hip hop culture.
He is a lead facilitator with the groundbreaking fatherhood advocacy program “More Than A Haircut,” an initiative that influenced his “Fatherhood 4.0,” book that examines the place where parenthood intersects with the worlds of technology, hip hop and hipster culture. It includes candid interviews with author Lawrence Hill (Book of Negroes), Broken Social Scene musician Charles Spearin, pro sports icons Michael “Pinball” Clemons, Dwayne De Rosario, and Damian Abraham (VICE Media, Fucked Up) among many others.
I met Dalton Higgins at an industry giveaway lounge, and what was most surprising was that he noticed who I was.
“You are Simone Jennifer Smith right?” I was taken aback. “Yes I am.”
“Nice to meet you, Simone. I watched something about your story the other day, and I thought that it was very interesting; different you know.”
“Thank you so much.” From there we established a vibe, and I knew that I wanted him to be my next Classic Man. We set up a time to talk the next week, and then finally, I had the chance to learn about this man with all the accolades.
“I was born and raised in Toronto,” Dalton began. “My parents came here in the late 60’s from Jamaica. I grew up in a very proud Jamaican household, what they call a Yardcore household, but still very much Canadian. I grew up on
Marlee Avenue; it is one of the most fantastic places in Canada because it borders Little Jamaica, and to the East of Marlee Avenue is Forest Hill. Forest Hill is one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in all of Canada, so kids who grew up in that neighbourhood were able to see two sides of the coin. How politicians treat children from each area was fascinating and did leave an impact on how I perceive the world.”
Dalton would describe himself as an affluent businessman, and he attributes this to where he grew up.
“My mother was not afforded the opportunity of going to college, so she always had us reading, pretty much 24/7; it is why I have such a voracious appetite for literature. I went to Oakwood Collegiate; it is such an interesting school. There are a lot of great success stories, especially when it comes to Black students. They were the first school in Toronto to have a Black Student Club.
I remember reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X in grade 11, and that changed my life. The book is about redemption; for me, the relatability levels were crazy. It really resonated. I was an athlete as well, I was shooting guard on our basketball team, and back then Oakwood was killing everyone.”
With all of that reading that Dalton’s mom had made him do, he became proficient with the English language.
“I was getting 90’s in English class, and my teacher was very impressed with me, ‘You are writing on a whole other level,’ I was told. I was getting 98% in all the work that I did.
I went to York University for English Literature and Mass Communication, the study of media. I also did a joint program that allowed me to be part of the Book and Magazine Publishing (Centennial College), and I ended up graduating with two diplomas.”
Naturally, Dalton ended up becoming a writer at the student newspaper Xcaliber. “During my time at Xcaliber, I bumped into a writer at Now Magazine, and he asked me to meet the editor. We had a great meeting, and he encouraged me to write a piece for him and he loved it. Like that, I became a paid journalist, and this was my introduction into the media world. To be honest, it is what paid off most of my tuition. This is not the normal pathway for a journalist, so I see myself as being blessed.”
His next venture was writing for Word Magazine. “I was one of the feature writers there, and still freelancing at Now Magazine. I met a gentleman who worked for Source Magazine. He was looking for writing gigs in Toronto, and I was the editor for Word Magazine, so I assigned him some stories. In turn, he starts to assign me stories to write for The Source. The first story he assigned me was a story about White rappers, and that turned out to be a huge story for me. I was able to interview J Dilla, and this was the first time anyone had heard about him.
I also wrote for Vibe as well; the first story anyone wrote about Dwele was written by me in Vibe Magazine.”
“Incredible Dalton! Really! You have done so much when it comes to your writing career, how did you get into the PR game?”
“As you know Simone, publicists are always pitching journalists, and I was always around a lot of celebrities and super tapped into these people. People knew me as the media guy, I had written for everyone: CBC, Toronto Star, there isn’t any media house that I have not tapped into, so people trusted me, they know I have been there and done that.”
Yes! I agree. Mr. Dalton Higgins has been there and done that. Speaking to him was a motivational experience. He reminded me that my gift was important, and that I must capitalize on it. I appreciate you, Dalton. Thank you for being a beacon for all of us young African-Caribbean writers living here in the diaspora.
Written by Simone J. Smith Toronto Caribbean News
Temporary cessation of eating provokes chemical changes throughout the body. Ketones are a type of chemical the liver produces when it breaks down fats. The body puts ketones to work as a source of energy when food sources are absent. Ketones are also active during extended exercise or when carbohydrates are not available. Production kicks into gear during a fast.
gences accelerate the aging of the brain. In such people, scientists have identified telltale signs of problems that leave the brain vulnerable to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and stroke. The labels describing these markers tell the story: “stem cell exhaustion”, “aberrant neuronal network activity”, “oxidative damage,” “impaired molecular waste disposal,” and “mitochondrial dysfunction,” to name a few.
of established hours.
What qualifies as fasting? The answer ranges widely. Most people will be familiar with the doctor’s orders for a 12 or 24 hour fast before certain medical tests or procedures, but for weight loss, and to gain the benefits for brain and cardiovascular health, longer periods of intermittent fasting are required.
If our bodies could speak to our brains, many would hear this: “Dear brain, please know the difference between being hungry and bored. Sincerely, I’m getting fat!” Who doesn’t turn to food when the doldrums set in?
The smart brains would offer their hosts three pieces of advice. One, eat nutritional food. Two, limit portion sizes, and three, now and again, engage in fasting. Why fasting? Because studies show that for obese and skinny people alike, after prolonged reduction of food intake, the body’s defenses improve against stress. Cardiovascular risks decline, and the brain functions better.
One of the consequences is an increase in the activity of helper molecules that ease the work of neurons to connect with neighbouring neurons. Brains and the nervous system depend on these cells connecting with each other to function and reproduce effectively.
Interestingly, an increase in the production of ketones also reduces appetite, a helpful effect in maintaining a fast. This is why people who make it past an initial bout of hunger without eating will find the sensation of hunger diminishes.
Need more motivation? Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has demonstrated that sedentary lifestyles involving easy access to food indul-
Studies have also started to explore how the timing of food intake affects obesity and measures to achieve weight loss. Normal eating patterns involve striking a balance between the rewards of food intake and the regulation of energy. Our bodies are well adapted to modest, regular meals, but modern lifestyles make eating frequent calorie-rich foods easy. This launches the brain-gut microbiome into reward overdrive, depriving the system of the opportunity to shift into time for regulation of energy. Weight gain is among the consequences. This helps explain the success of diets involving time-restricted eating, the practice of consuming no calories outside
The key to success is moderation. Fasting need not be an unpleasant pursuit. To the contrary, implementing a habit of reduced food consumption can have its own rewards. Extra body fat will be reduced. The brain will age more slowly. The heart will be healthier, and researchers have found mood improvements, even euphoria, associated with fasting.
The next time your stomach hollers “Feed me,” let your brain do the work. “Listen to me,” it will say. “I need a few hours to think this over.” Have a glass of refreshing water, then focus on other activities. Step on your bathroom scale every morning to see the results and keep this article in your pocket to remind yourself of the benefits of intermittent fasting.
Smoking – a habit that’s become almost synonymous with modern life. Whether it’s tobacco or cannabis, the act of inhaling and exhaling smoke has nestled its way into our routines. Legalization of marijuana in Canada since 2018 has led to an uptick in smokers, especially among the younger generation. Now, while we can’t deny the miraculous qualities of marijuana, it’s essential to recognize that when it comes to smoking, whether it’s tobacco or weed, a common toxic compound is shared – carbon dioxide. Our lungs, those unsung heroes, that bear the brunt of this
toxic duo.
Picture this: your lungs are like rhythm maestros, expanding and contracting up to 20 times a minute. With each inhale, they draw life-enabling oxygen from the surrounding air. This oxygen embarks on a journey through your circulatory system, reaching every corner of your body, fueling it with the energy needed to thrive and flourish. It’s a dance of existence that we often overlook.
There is more to the lungs’ story than just breathing in oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. Yes, they are the body’s premier waste management team, expelling carbon dioxide, a byproduct of our metabolic processes. This “waste gas” can make our body acidic and vulnerable to diseases. The truth is diseases find it tough to take root in an oxygen-rich environment. It’s a reminder that strong, healthy lungs are essential for a vigorous life.
Now, consider this: without lungs in their prime, the harmony of our bodily orchestra falls apart – quite literally. It’s not just our organs that suffer, but our connection to the divine too. Our lungs share a profound connection with the throat chakra. This chakra governs our communication, our ability to voice our truths, and our capacity for healthy self-expression. The act of breathing? It’s more than just physiological; it’s a conduit between the inner and outer worlds. Many spiritual traditions see conscious breathing as a bridge between the physical and spiritual planes. Breathing roots us in the present, nurturing mindfulness and fortifying our bond with our inner selves and the universe.
So, how do we ensure our lung’s vitality?
Mindful eating: Your diet isn’t just about satisfying your taste buds; it impacts your lung health. Cut back on sugary foods; they can irritate your lungs and hinder their function.
greens, water chestnuts, and watercress. These edibles add a dash of lung-loving goodness to your overall wellness.
Herbal elixirs: Unlock the wonders of herbal teas, famed for their therapeutic magic. Coltsfoot and Thyme Leaf, brewed into teas, can aid mucus drainage, soothe bronchioles, and cleanse airways. Smokers, take heed: Chrysanthemum and Honeysuckle Tea are your lung detox companion, nurturing and fortifying lung cells. Enter Skullcap and Rosemary, brewing into teas that sweep away inflammation, viruses, and microbes, offering relief for lung infections, acute asthma attacks, and muscle relaxation.
Banish the smoke: A no-brainer, but worth reinforcing; ditch cigarettes and all forms of smoke. Smoking inflicts direct damage to your lungs and elevates carbon dioxide levels, thwarting your lung’s heroic efforts.
RACHEL
MARY RILEYrachel@carib101.com
HEALTH & FITNESS
I have heard and observed some elderly folks that have started their journey of healthy living in their later years and others have lived healthy for the majority of their life. Some elders expressed that they were always fit due to having an athletic background and through their genetics. Even though I am young, I am a firm believer in being fit and taking care of your body until you die. It’s not about taking care of your body for a certain occasion, or until a certain age, but it’s a lifestyle. In this article, I will be diving into different types of exercises and benefits for seniors to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Eating healthy and working out is not what makes a person live a longer life. Do you know that there are some types of people that workout three to five days a week, eat healthy and die at
Seniors that exercise regularly are less likely to depend on others. According to Harvard Medical School, regular exercise promotes an older adult’s ability to: walk, bathe, cook, eat, dress, and use the restroom. If self-reliance is a priority, exercise is one of the best ways to maintain independence for older adults.
Though it seems counter-intuitive, being inactive makes you tired and being active gives you more energy. Any amount of exercise promotes the release of endorphins, which are essential neurotransmitters linked to pain mitigation and a sense of well-being. Endorphins combat stress hormones, promote healthy sleep, and make you feel more lively and energetic, overall (7 Best Exercises for Seniors, n.d.).
In the past years, water aerobics have be -
come an extremely popular form of exercise among all ages, but in particular to seniors. Exercising in the water is ideal for those living with arthritis and other forms of joint pain, as the buoyancy of the water puts less stress on your joints. Additionally, water brings natural resistance, which eliminates the need for weights in strength training. Water aerobics exercises improve your strength, flexibility, and balance with minimal stress on your body (7 Best Exercises for Seniors, n.d.).
Resistance bands are stretchy strips of rubber that add resistance to workouts with reduced stress on your body. Resistance band workouts are user-friendly, and accessible for beginners. This form of exercise is growing more popular among seniors because of the relatively cheap up-front costs of materials, which makes resistance band workouts ideal for at-home exercise. Additionally, these exercises are ideal for strengthening your core, which improves posture, mobility, and balance (7 Best Exercises for Seniors, n.d.).
One of the least stressful and accessible forms of exercise is walking. For some seniors, walking is a bigger challenge than others, so distance and step goals differ from person to person. For the general population, 10,000 steps per day is advised for a healthy lifestyle, but those with difficulty walking or joint pain may settle for a smaller number as a goal. A PLOS One study found that walking 10,000 steps lowered the ten-year outlook for mortality by 46% (7 Best Exercises for Seniors, n.d.).
Body weight workouts are one of the best ways to counteract the effects of muscle atrophy in older adults. One of the key benefits of body weight workouts is the affordability. The materials required for body weight workouts are minimal; most body weight workouts require workout clothes and a mat to soften impact with the floor (7 Best Exercises for Seniors, n.d.).
Hydration: Water isn’t just a thirst quencher; it’s a lung ally. Calculate your daily water intake by halving your weight and discarding the trailing zero or adding a decimal. Proper hydration enhances organ function, boosts energy levels, and supports detoxification.
Lung-loving foods: Treat your lungs to a culinary feast with foods like radishes, almonds, winter squash, onions, mustard
Your lungs are the hidden champions, ceaselessly labouring behind the scenes to preserve your life’s melody. Embrace these uncomplicated yet potent strategies. Not only will you amplify your throat chakra’s resonance, but you’ll also celebrate these lung warriors, propelling yourself toward robust lung health. As the revitalizing spirit of spring envelops us, let it be a reminder to refresh, rejuvenate, and cherish the lungs – the unsung heroes within.
Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain independence for older adults
• Patience: A dash of willingness to tolerate delay without getting angry.
When the world was gripped by the COVID19 pandemic, a lot of focus was rightly placed on the frontline healthcare workers who were working tirelessly to treat the afflicted and keep the spread under control, but there’s a group of frontline workers who were often overlooked during these challenging times: chefs and restaurant staff.
Even amidst lockdowns and restrictions, many chefs and their teams continued to operate, offering takeout and delivery services to ensure that people could still enjoy quality meals while quarantined at home. They navigated supply chain disruptions, adjusted to new safety protocols, and braved potential exposure, all to provide a sense of comfort and normalcy through food. Yet, their status as frontline workers during the pandemic rarely received the acknowledgment it deserved.
The life of a chef stretches far beyond the confines of the dinner service. Their work is a blend of: artistry, dedication, and relentless hard work. A common misconception is that a chef’s job ends once the dinner service concludes. This is far from the truth. For many chefs, their day is an endless cycle of: prepping, planning for upcoming events, and always being on their toes.
As cultures blend and mingle, chefs stand at the forefront, innovating and merging culinary traditions. Every dish they craft is an expression of their dedication, skill, and love for the craft. However, the significance of chefs extends beyond the kitchen. Think of all the memorable occasions in one’s life: birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or even simple get-togethers. What’s the common thread that binds all these events? Food. Chefs play an integral role in crafting memories that last a lifetime.
Yet, there exists a disheartening disparity. The debates around tipping are a testament to the lack of acknowledgement chefs receive. Every bite we take is a result of hours of meticulous: planning, preparation, and hard work.
Food is indeed a source of life. It’s a medium that brings people together, fostering community and shared experiences. However, it’s high time we pause and reflect on the artists behind these culinary masterpieces. It’s time we give chefs their due for their immense contribution to our lives, especially during times of crisis like the recent pandemic.
To everyone reading this, the next time you enjoy a meal, take a moment. Think of the hands that crafted it, the passion that fuelled it, and the dedication that brought it to your table. And then, show your appreciation, not as an obligation, but as a heartfelt thank you to these unsung heroes of the culinary world.
A recipe for appreciation: How to thank our culinary heroes.
Ingredients:
• Gratitude: A heartfelt emotion that recognizes someone’s effort or kindness.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
• Active listening: Fully concentrating, understanding, and responding to what someone is saying.
• Generosity: Offering more than what’s expected, be it time, money, or effort.
• Awareness: Recognizing and being conscious of the people and efforts around you.
• Open-mindedness: Being receptive to new and different ideas or the opinions of others.
• Constructive feedback: Offering kind and helpful critique, rather than mere criticism.
• A smile: A universal sign of goodwill and friendliness.
• Verbal praise: Expressing admiration or approval to make someone feel valued.
Method:
Start with gratitude: Every time you dine out or order in, begin your experience with a mindset of gratitude. Be thankful for the individuals working hard to provide you with a meal.
Mix in empathy and patience: Understand that behind every dish, there are countless hours of effort. If something goes slightly amiss, approach it with patience and empathy, recognizing the pressures of the culinary world.
Stir in active listening: When engaging with chefs or restaurant staff, listen intently. Whether they’re explaining a dish or sharing a story, showing genuine interest can mean the world.
Fold in generosity: If you’ve enjoyed your experience, consider tipping generously. This simple act can convey your appreciation for their service and craft.
Blend awareness and open-mindedness: Recognize the myriad of roles in a restaurant, from chefs to dishwashers. Be open to the diversity of culinary experiences, understanding the various influences and stories behind each dish.
Season with constructive feedback: Instead of harsh criticisms, offer feedback that helps improve. Chefs value diners who provide insightful, constructive feedback that helps them refine their craft.
Garnish with a smile and verbal praise: A simple smile can brighten someone’s day, and a few words of praise can uplift their spirits. Before leaving, let the team know how much you enjoyed the meal and their service.
Final touches: Spread the word: Share your positive experiences on social media or review platforms. Word of mouth can significantly benefit businesses.
Revisit: Become a regular at establishments where you feel valued and enjoy the food. Your consistent patronage shows genuine appreciation.
Serve: Offer this recipe of appreciation every time you dine out or enjoy a meal crafted by someone else. It not only enriches your dining experience but also contributes positively to the well-being of those in the culinary world.
spending a nice warm day in the park without worrying about getting into trouble.
While many like the idea of being able to consume alcohol responsibly in the park without any consequences, some are worried about the downside of this pilot. Concerns over public intoxication, rowdy behaviour and a litter increase are reasonable concerns. However, there is one concern that shouldn’t even be one.
place for smoking bylaws asking for the downsizing of the new signs so they could be the same size as the ones for smoking.
Some people agreed with the councilors, and some did not agree with them. Those who disagree feel there are bigger fish to fry, and those people are right. There are more crucial issues to worry about.
Many people are excited that they’ll be able to drink at one of the 27 parks in Toronto, but some seem to have an issue with how it’s advertised.
In late July, the Toronto City Council approved a pilot program allowing residents and visitors 19 and up to drink alcohol responsibly in one of 27 parks across the city. The pilot started on August 2nd, 2023, and will end on October 9th, 2023.
This news is exciting for park goers, who now have the chance to enjoy their favourite alcoholic beverage while
When visiting one of the 27 parks where alcohol consumption is allowed, you’ll find a large sign informing visitors it is okay to enjoy alcohol there. For some reason, the sign’s large size appears to be an issue, with people complaining about the sign’s largeness.
Two city councilors chose to take this “issue” up with the general manager of parks, forestry and recreation through a letter to complain about the signs being too “big and unsightly.” The councilors also compared the new signage to the ones in
With the new school year right around the corner, we should focus on making the upcoming school year safer than the last one, which has seen several violent incidents within the Toronto District School Board and even within other school boards across the province.
Just thinking of the school year, Ontario elementary and secondary school teachers have called for a strike vote regarding the stalled bargaining. The news of a possible strike has worried many students and their parents for numerous reasons.
We also saw a sharp increase in
crime on the TTC this year, mainly consisting of assaults targeting passengers at random. Although measures are currently in effect to help curb the issue, many still feel unsafe travelling on the TTC. Wildfires have swept through Maui, claiming over 100 lives with many more missing. Anyone one of those who has lost their lives could have loved ones living in Toronto who will miss them. Those who are missing also could have loved ones in Toronto who hope they will be found alive.
Last but not least, we also can’t forget the ongoing inflation, which recently rose to 3.3% and the skyrocketing prices for housing, rent and groceries.
With these ongoing issues occurring, the last thing we should be worrying about is the size of the signage when it’s clear we have bigger fish to fry.
A film that defeats the stereotypes we live with “Sons 2 Grave” is a film depicting a typical storyline of the trials and struggles in low-income neighbourhoods.
Most of us are very familiar with this kind of movie formula, so, at times, it is easy to predict the outcomes of a film without putting too much thought into the overall storyline. The movie follows Marcus Jennings, played by Trevor Jackson, over three days where he tries to navigate getting ready to head off to college while trying to stay connected to his home, and make his family and friends proud.
Lynne Stotlz, the writer of this film, introduced typical stereotypes in
hood. He is full of himself, overconfident and thinks he can handle anything that comes his way. These characteristics are an ingredient typically found in this genre of film.
However, Lynne adds a fantastic amount of depth to her characters which, as the movie goes on, causes us to see past the bravado and realize that Jennings has so much more to his character than initially believed. These examples are sprinkled throughout the film, so they can be easily overlooked if you aren’t paying attention. Still, the subtlety of these moments only adds to the realism of the characters’ personalities.
Exploring other elements of the film is how it is driven forward. There is considerable emphasis on the people surrounding Jennings, from his best friend to his basketball coach as a mentor. There is a diversity in the direction he is pulled throughout the film. This puts him in direct conflict with the villain of the film R.D., played by Brad James.
His friends are such a diverse group of personalities. It seems improbable that they would come together to form such a tight-knit group, but their diversity only strengthens the aspects that make this film atypical. Each group member represents a different aspect of Jennings’ struggle to make the right decisions. His best friend is a bad influence and is caught between the protagonist and the antagonist in his loyalties, while the girl he has a crush on has her head on straight and is encouraging Jennings to focus on what is essential and leave certain things behind so he can make it out of this environment.
R.D., the story’s villain, comes off as the stereotypical antagonist hell-bent on destroying the main character just because he can. However, we see that R.D. has reason and direction behind his actions. He is determined to get Jennings under his heel and keep him there. He constantly reminds Jennings who he is and what he is capable of, all while taking every op -
portunity to instill notions of fear in those around him. He makes it known that he controls this community and that no one can do anything without his approval. As the story progresses, we see a villain with a conscience. A gangster that doesn’t want to hurt Jennings but, due to his ego and pride, strives to hold onto his reputation and the perception of how he is seen in the community and, therefore, will not under any circumstances leave Jennings alone for fear of being perceived in a less than authoritative manner. This duality of desires creates a depth we rarely see in movies like this. Throughout the film, we see how Stotlz inputs depth and meaning into each character’s personality on screen, and it is made clear that this is a skill naturally possessed. When asked how Stotlz came up with these aspects, she could only say, “This is just how I write.” For a writer, this speaks volumes about her type of writing and the depth and beauty of her mind.
person, with genetics playing a part in her appearance. Her appearance has shaped how she sees herself and how she thinks others see her. Once a quiet, hidden personality, with ever growing emotions never expressed except in her room, or with those she truly trusted, she has grown tremendously, seemingly self assured, self respect intact, and no longer the pushover she once was.
has seen herself and how that outlook has changed. She has always been a larger
She lives her life as though she were a mirror, forever looking in at herself and then those who look upon her. Whenever she meets someone, she smiles and greets others with true acceptance and kindness, but she evaluates everyone, thinking to herself, is that person judging my appearance, accepting me or playing me in some way? Her appearance continues to rule her day, because she is as she is, her awkwardness, shy gaze, and how she responds to others is seen in a forever-judged manner. It is all in her head, but she cannot shake the thoughts developed many years ago out of her consciousness and lived memory. Seemingly ready to cry at any time, she is a beautiful person with so much to give and receive.
Reader, imagine your greatest weakness, deformity, handicap, mental or physical challenge is before you every hour of every day, no matter what you’re doing. Then internalizing all your fears of exposure to others are with you daily. You are: overweight, deaf, mute or perhaps mentally unstable forever protected by those who love and care for you, unable to accomplish things for yourself because you or others fear you may fail.
You respond to these situations in life by over doing things like: overeating, overcompensating, over thinking everything. Either afraid of rejection or of attention from others, while at the same time wishing for some form of acknowledgement of accomplishment, satisfactions and accolades from others. You’re all screwed up, uncertain of yourself, or others intentions towards you. Does that person feel sorry for me, or really care for me?
I fear for her health and mental status, but admire her moxie, self-respect and ability to motivate herself. There is anger within her, controlled well, until it explodes outward. She can defend her-
self, but most often she swallows her pride, and simply moves onward. What inspires my family is her inner strength, willingness to advance her career while facing many roadblocks. I admire her intelligence, kind-heartedness and mercy. Yes mercy. For all the a**holes that have stood in her way, she has forgiven them and succeeded anyways. This big-hearted lady makes us try to be better, smarter, kinder, more open minded, more accepting of others. Instead of ripping the world a new one, she works to improve her lot and her neighbours as well. Charity is her other name, making others better; her one and only true game.
Patience, acceptance and true grit I see each time she privileges me with her presence. Perhaps not long for this world, but surely a building block with her name on it placed as a cornerstone for all. Nameless mostly because she would be embarrassed because of this letter, so nameless she will be to you, but not to me
simone@carib101.com
So, therapy was going well, but there was still so much going on in my life. My relationship with M was starting to fall apart. It is at this point in my story that I want to share my first experience with a narcissistic personality. Until M, I had no idea what narcissism was, and of course, I love to learn things the hard way.
For anyone who has had an experience with a narcissist, you will know that it is one of the most traumatic experiences that you could ever have. I felt like I had completely lost myself. When I look back at it, I realized that I had been brainwashed, and to be constantly honest, for a long time, I did not feel like myself. When you are with a person who is narcissistic
you go through what is known as narcissistic abuse. I could take this time to go over everything that I experienced with M, but I do not want to give him anymore power.
So, let’s first talk about the experience. During and after my relationship with M, I felt a range of emotions: grief, depression, anger, and anxiety. I want you to know that whatever you are feeling is valid, and it's important not to suppress those feelings or judge yourself for having them. It was only after I learned the traits of a narcissist and what constituted narcissistic abuse that I was able to easily recognize when I was being manipulated.
In the initial stages of our relationship, M used his charm and charisma to win me over. He always knew what to say and was exceptionally attentive and flattering. He had created an idealized image of himself that eventually gave way to his true, more manipulative nature. He would cycle through phases of idealization, where he would shower me with affection and praise, followed by devaluation, where he criticized and demeaned me. This cycle was confusing and emo-
tionally taxing. He would manipulate me by distorting facts, denying events, or making me doubt my own memory and perception. This tactic, known as gaslighting, led me to question my reality and anyone who has gone through this will know exactly what I am talking about. You think that you are going crazy.
Another thing is that narcissists are great liars, and when confronted with his mistakes or wrongdoings, he would shift blame onto me, or other external factors. This deflected responsibility away from him and ended up making me feel confused and disoriented. He lacked genuine empathy for what I was feeling and experiencing; he would completely dismiss my emotions or use them against me during arguments and when he was trying to manipulate me.
There is a specific type of manipulation that I want to bring up at this point called triangulation. Narcissists often engage in triangulation by involving a third party, like a new romantic interest or a friend, to create jealousy, competition, and insecurity in their victim. This tactic
can further erode the victim's self-esteem, and M had a knack for this. He would always have an ex-girlfriend who would somehow pop up and want to either be with him again, or would by vying for his emotions. I realize now that most of it was staged by him; he enjoyed watching me react emotionally, it seemed to bring him this sick sense of joy and power.
I think the part that really hurts is the fact that he exploited my parents as well; he took advantage of their kindness, making promises that he could not fulfill.
This is a part of my story that I am extremely ashamed of, and even while I am sharing this now, I feel embarrassed. How could I be so stupid? I had somehow made a bad situation even worse. My parents already thought that I was incapable of making good decisions in my life, and with the added M situation, it only empowered what they thought of me.
I had to research myself out of my relationship with M, and as difficult as that was, I can now share with you how to identify a narcissist. We will jump into this in the next edition.
desmond@carib101.com
CARIBBEAN HISTORY
It is said that ‘One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.’ Similarly, one man’s hero is another man’s villain. For the ‘patriots’ of the thirteen North American colonies, George Washington was a hero, but to the British he was a villainous traitor whom they would have executed if they had captured him. The Spanish regarded Simon Bolivar in the same light.
In the Caribbean we face the same debate. How should the survivors of the interaction with the conquistadors view them? Among Native Americans, October 12th, which is celebrated among people of European descent as ‘Colum-
bus Day’ is regarded as a day of mourning “El Dia de La Raza” marking the start of their subjugation.
In the popular imagination, the history of the Caribbean is associated with the conquistadors and pirates who are presented as larger than life figures worthy of admiration so much so that there is a very successful movie franchise titled “Pirates of the Caribbean.” While the pirates were understandably regarded as heroes by the Dutch, English and French, the Spanish viewed them very differently and executed any pirates that they captured.
The leaders of the Spanish expeditions that invaded the territories of the Native Americans and subjugated them are regularly referred to as ‘Conquistadors’ with the ‘c’ capitalized making it in effect some kind of title. Even in English they are still referred to as ‘Conquistadors’ rather than ‘Conquerors,’ which is the English translation of the word. These individuals enjoy a lofty status among historians for their accomplishments. They are described as ‘intrepid’, ‘coura-
geous’, ‘daring’ and are presented as somehow ‘noble’.
These invaders enslaved the native peoples they encountered, they looted everything of value that they could find and engaged in a campaign of mass slaughter and mass rape that together ultimately resulted in the extinction of the Lucayans of the Bahamas Archipelago and the Tainos and other native groups of the Greater Antilles.
What about the use of the word ‘courageous?’? Does it really require a great deal of courage for men covered in metal armor, armed with steel swords and pikes, muskets and cannon along with horse mounted cavalry and war dogs to face down a larger number of men with no armor, wooden weapons, no firearms who had never seen horses, cavalry or dogs before?
Now let’s look at two individuals from the English pantheon of heroes in the Caribbean – Henry Morgan and in the next edition we will take a look at Francis Drake.
Henry Morgan was considered
the most successful of all the English marauders in the Caribbean, striking terror into the hearts of the Spaniards because of his relentlessness and his ruthlessness. Morgan’s reprehensible use of Roman Catholic priests and nuns as human shields during his attack on the fortified Spanish colonial city of Panama City in 1671 in Panama, should have been considered ‘beyond the Pale’ even by the ruthless standards of that era. Nevertheless, this incident is presented in books on West Indian history as an example of his ‘resourcefulness’.
As the descendant of enslaved Africans, there is another aspect of Morgan’s career that I found even more distasteful. Henry Morgan was a genuine ‘Slave Trader’ in the true sense of the term. Whenever he raided Spanish colonies, he used to kidnap the enslaved Africans as part of his booty and take them back to Jamaica to be sold. He was so successful in this practice that at one point the price of enslaved Africans in Jamaica dropped due to an oversupply resulting from Morgan’s activities.
As I pulled up to the dock, I could see that festivities had already begun in the parking lot. The sweet, earthy smell of ganja greeted me as soon as I exited my vehicle. Unsurprised by the number of people lighting up, I was however shocked at the diversity of demographics in the large crowd waiting to board our vessel. Exclusive invite only industry events like these are predominantly and notoriously monotone when it comes down to which guests get to attend. Unlike the majority of the current corporate cannabis landscape, it is important to note that most brands involved with this leading-edge event were either BIPOC owned or had BIPOC individuals in prominent positions. A true reflection of the Cannabis community in terms of the ages, genders and socioeconomic circles were present within the crowd.
before I would begin to indulge. The ship’s first floor was obviously the largest with areas to socialize both inside and outside on the deck. Just beyond the dance floor, the first level also housed a kitchen galley and dining area where piping hot Caribbean cuisine was on the menu. Large beverage bars were available on both floors to keep guests from getting too thirsty.
looking for munchies after several hours of cannabis consumption, giveaways and dancing.
sponsorship from other incredible brands in the Cannabis space like Montrose Cannabis, this cruise was elevated to heights that would make you believe the boat had wings!
As the horn sounded its boarding call, patrons made their way onto the dual level ship for an afternoon on the waves of Lake Ontario. The ship’s interior was decorated in the gleeful colours of Strains Limited’s brand, complimenting the summer vibes already saturating the air. Feeling instantly invited to have fun, I decided to explore what amenities were available to us
A quick jaunt up the stairs to the second level revealed another large social area with an open balcony in the middle that looked down onto the first floor. The live DJ crew provided tunes to keep the whole boat rocking from this level with a bird’s eye view of party goers. Part way through the cruise, there were live musical performances from local artists as well. As a music connoisseur, I was pleased to get a sample of every genre I wanted to hear with the whole crowd echoing my joy throughout the day. Also on this floor was a table for gourmet cannabis caterers and event planners; The Heightened Chef was providing free samples of lightly infused hummus dip made from scratch. While it was just the smallest fraction of what infused culinary delights they make possible, it was still a smash hit with passengers
As we begin circling back towards the dock and our aquatic excursion begins to end, I reflect on the experience. While simply enjoying all the cruise and weather had to offer was more than enough to constitute an awesome time, it was the networking and connections made that I found most fulfilling. Reconnecting with old friends and engaging with new ones was worth more than the ship’s weight in gold. To be in an environment where previously marginalized groups could come together in a casual yet still sophisticated manner gave me hope for a better, brighter future for cannabis. The sophisticated setting lent itself to validating success with corporate while the casual atmosphere illustrated why Legacy must lead the way. Strains Limited is further fostering this future by continuing to build common space for both Legacy and licensed markets. You can support this positive effort by checking out their products at your local OCS dispensary today!
Homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult for younger generations. Does your child dream of buying a home but feel held back by high prices and interest rates? Would you like to help them? Here are four tips.
1. Consider your financial situation
Giving your child money toward their home purchase shouldn’t jeopardize your financial situation. Consult a financial planner before taking any steps to support your child. They’ll offer professional advice and help you determine what you need to do to maintain your lifestyle.
2. Establish an emergency fund
Although you want to do everything within your power for your child, it’s important to have a cash cushion to help you deal with the unexpected. Make sure you put enough money aside so you’re prepared to deal with unforeseen expenses
like healthcare, emergency home repairs or a change in marital status.
3. Prepare for the long term
It may take longer than expected for your child to pay you back. You may only get back a portion of what you lent them. Be prepared for any eventuality.
4. Consult a lawyer for legal documents
A lawyer can help you determine which legal documents you need and how to correctly fill them out. They’ll also inform you of any legal implications your monetary contribution could have if, for example, you suddenly pass away.
Before providing your child with financial assistance, ask yourself the right questions and contact a professional to guide you through the process.
Touring various properties is an essential part of the house-hunting process. It allows you to inspect the home’s condition, determine if it suits your needs, plan possible renovations or negotiate a better price. Maximize your visit with these tips.
Come prepared
Examine the online ad and take note of important details like the dimensions, asking price and year of construction. Identify elements that are missing or require clarification. Prepare a list of questions to ask the owner or real estate agent so you don’t forget anything important.
Keep an open mind
Achieving your dream home may not necessarily be a case of love at first sight. You’ll likely need to visit the property to get a feel for the home’s potential and
Land surveyors are highly trained professionals who measure plots of land to identify boundaries. They’re well-versed in municipal bylaws and can help you determine which ones could affect your property. When buying land, a surveyor can help you understand where your property boundaries lie and what’s included.
Although not always mandatory when buying a property, it’s a good idea to invest in a land survey before closing the deal. A land survey ensures you understand which plot you’re buying and protects your ownership rights if doubt should arise about who owns what portion of the land.
What’s included?
First, the surveyor examines the property’s legal description and analyzes the history of the deed and title. Next, the surveyor visits the property to measure where each boun-
determine whether it’s right for you. Keep a positive attitude and ask yourself if a few repairs or upgrades could turn the space into the home you envision for yourself.
Take your time
Take the time to tour the entire property, including the attic, shed and garage. Peek under the sinks and inside the electrical box. Find out if any renovations have been done over the years. Take notes so you can gather your thoughts at the end of the tour. You may also want to check whether any amenities like public transportation, grocery stores and schools are within walking distance.
Buying a home is a complex process. To make the experience easier, hire a professional to help you every step of the way.
dary lies and records all the buildings or other structures on the property.
Using this information, the surveyor creates a map showing the legal boundaries of the property. The map includes a description of the land and buildings, the street address and the locations of neighbouring properties.
Ideally, you should contact a land surveyor at least 20 days before signing the deed of sale. Nevertheless, it’s recommended to consult this expert as soon as possible.
will end. A co-listing agreement should address the needs of both spouses. Here are some things to consider:
• Who will pay the bills if one party is living in the home?
• How can we prepare the home for sale, and who will pay for it?
• What is the ideal closing date?
tor to co-list, let the two realtors develop a plan to sell the home. Both spouses can review the project before committing.
Realtors have a fiduciary duty to their clients and know what they should not disclose to the other party.
You do not need to pay extra commission when you co-list.
Both spouses have their lawyers, so why not have their own realtors as well? It is easier to work with one realtor, but if things get sour, that realtor could get caught in the crossfire, injuring the realtor’s ability to manage the sale. If both parties cannot settle on one realtor, they can each choose their realtor and ask them both to co-list the property. In addition to confidentiality issues, a co-listing agreement has other benefits, such as different ways to promote the property since the realtors may have a diverse clientele and advertising media. They can bring different perspectives in negotiating offers for the property.
When both spouses are joint owners, their realtors will require both parties to sign off on the listing, and in a co-listing arrangement, the realtors will meet separately with their own client to sign the contract. If the marital home is in one spouse’s name, the law requires that the other spouse consent to the sale and divide the net proceeds according to their agreement. Knowing the approximate net proceeds from the sale is helpful because both parties can arrive at a settlement quicker.
A co-listing agreement should address the needs of each party.
Selling a matrimonial home is emotional because it signals that the relationship
• Once the home is on the market, what arrangements exist for showing and keeping the house clean?
• Will the proceed of the sale be in trust or divided between the two parties?
• Is there an agreement as to how to divide the proceeds?
• How much would it cost to sell the home, and who will pay for it?
A co-listing agreement should address each realtor’s role. For example, only one realtor can list a property on the Multiple Listing Service, a system designed for advertising properties to most realtors, while the other realtor can address marketing.
Choose realtors with experience to assist you.
When screening realtors, look for someone who is neutral and has experience selling matrimonial homes. Here are a few suggestions:
• Ask which brokerage will be the primary listing brokerage.
• Ask each realtor for a market evaluation of the home.
• Ask what is the best way to price the home.
• Ask what arrangements are in place for showings.
• Once both parties choose their real-
You can choose both realtors from the same brokerage. Many gears work together when selling a marital home, and when both realtors are from the same company, it is easier for them to work together. However, the agreement must stipulate that both realtors will only talk to the spouse they are acting for. When the divorce is stormy, I suggest using realtors from different brokerages.
Although there are two realtors involved, you should not pay separate commissions. Usually, the commission offered to the selling brokerage is divided between the two realtors when the transaction closes. You should discuss the commission structure before listing and have it in writing in the agreement. Check with your realtor if there is any additional cost before finalizing.
Every year around 70,000 Canadians are parting ways. The marital home represents a large part of their assets that must sell. The brew becomes toxic when you add children, memories, and emotions to the mix. A co-listing arrangement is a buffer between the parties to avoid conflicts which is better than paying high legal fees.
Many structural issues can occur in your bathroom, and some can be serious. Unfortunately, many of these problems remain invisible until sudden damage occurs, requiring costly repairs. Watch for these warning signs of various bathroom problems to save yourself time and money.
1. Bad caulking
Inadequate sealing can lead to water seepage and eventually mould growth. That’s why it’s important to periodically inspect your caulking. Examine your showerhead flange, toilet base, shower, bathtub and vanity.
2. Old plumbing
Modern plumbing is made of copper, a long-lasting material. If you have older pipes, it may be best to have them upgraded. Cast iron and steel are more prone to corrosion. If you have lead pipes, replace them as soon as possible because they’re harmful to your health.
3. Inadequate drainage
Drains can easily get blocked with hair and other particles. Blockages in your drainage system can cause backups and standing water.
Excessive humidity, faulty wiring, unsafe flooring and unsuitable materials are other common issues that can occur in the bathroom. For reliable repairs and renovations, entrust the job to a local contractor.
Are you planning a significant home improvement project, like a home addition, exterior siding replacement or French drain installation? Do you know the best time of year to complete the work? Here are some helpful tips to help you start planning.
Time frame
Most renovation projects require a long lead-up time before a hammer hits a nail. Planning could include securing permits and arranging design plans. Whether you’re planning a bathroom renovation or masonry repairs, you should reach out to a contractor several months ahead of your desired start date as these professionals tend to be in high demand.
Ideal season
All renovation projects can take place from spring to fall, including doors, windows and foundations. That said, some tasks are ideal for winter, when construction professionals have more availability. Take advantage of the winter season to tackle jobs like kitchen remodels, basement finishing, flooring or interior renovations.
Typical duration
Work timelines vary. However, most jobs have average timelines that can help you make a reasonable estimate of when your project will be completed. Roof repairs typically take one to three days, while siding installation often requires one to three weeks. If you want to build an addition, be prepared for two to three months of work.
Be sure to take all these elements into account as you decide when to contact a contractor.
Home maintenance requires significant time and money. Keeping your roof in top condition, refreshing your paint and making occasional repairs — staying on top of all these tasks can feel like a full-time job. Here are some ways to keep track of various renovation tasks.
Why do it?
Keeping track of your renovation projects helps you stay organized. Your roof, to name one component, has a limited lifespan. Knowing when it’s due for replacement can help you plan your budget and arrange to hire a roofer in a timely manner.
The renovation information you record in your planner can help you when the time comes to sell your property. If a potential buyer asks when your water heater was last replaced, you’ll have a detailed record and know exactly where to look for the answer to their questions.
How to do it?
You can record the details of your renovation projects on paper and keep the documents in a filing cabinet or briefcase. If you’re digitally inclined, save it in a computer file or an app on your smartphone. Collect your invoices and keep a list of essential
home maintenance tasks. Include the dates for upcoming jobs, including routine chores like cleaning the vents and changing the furnace filters.
Trust the certified contractors in your area for all your renovation projects.
PUZZLE
WEEK OF AUGUST 27 TO SEPTEMBER 2, 2023
The luckiest signs this week: VIRGO,
ARIES
At work, you’ll be given new responsibilities that don’t entirely match your skillset. Fortunately, this situation will move you up. You’ll also get approval to start a new project.
TAURUS
IYou’ll be inspired to go back to school to get a degree. The new knowledge you gain will help you create a bright future. A romantic getaway could strengthen your relationship.
GEMINI
Work is starting to become routine. You need a change! Make a plan and prepare to reach new professional heights. Boldness is the secret to success with long-term projects.
CANCER
Each
is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line,
It’s easier to get along with people when you’re not emotionally involved. One of your children could give you a hard time with discipline, for example. You’ll be able to resolve a conflict by being diplomatic.
LEO
Don’t neglect the small details. At work, you’ll organize an event that will bring many people together. However, it may be difficult to establish open communication. Patience will be the solution to any difficulties you encounter.
VIRGO
Your leadership skills are needed at work or elsewhere. You’ll have to overcome a fear or lack of confidence. Afterward, you’ll be regarded as a heroic figure. At the very least, your achievement will be talked about for a long time.
LIBRA
A family member could slow you down. This could cause you to rush to get to your appointments on time. Perhaps it’s time to move out of your home, which has become too big since your children have left the nest.
SCORPIO
Travel is on the agenda this week. You’ll have to sort out several details for work or family. You could also learn a surprising secret. You could make new friends within your community.
SAGITTARIUS
You’ll get the green light to finance a project, such as buying a property. You may consider starting your own business at home or with a family member. Inspiration and intuition will point you in the right direction.
Everything is moving at top speed, and yet you feel that things still aren’t moving fast enough. You’ll suggest some great initiatives to your significant other, who will be very impressed. You could win a sporting competition.
Your health could slow you down a bit. This will allow you to take a step back and gain a better perspective on your future, both personally and professionally. Spirituality will inspire you to feel better.
Stress is all around you this week. However, it’ll give you the energy you need to improve your productivity. When you’re up against the wall, you often perform miracles. You’ll experience love at first sight. However, if you’re in a relationship, you’ll be confused.
*Some
SHIRT JACKS FOR SALE: All Colors all sizes call 416-474-4354
ART FOR SALE: Want your children to improve in learning. Buy a motivational specifically made art piece at a reasonable price. Also art made with your favorite 4 colors. Call Kelvin 647-858-4660.
LAND FOR SALE IN TRINIDAD: Land for sale in Chaguanas Orchard Gardens approx 5,000 Square feet. End lot $250K CDNWhatsApp # 647-848-3931
FOR SALE: Homes for saleLange Park, Chaguanas, Trinidad - 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, fully a/c 400k CAD. 437-929-6750
WANTED COOK : Someone to cook once a week at their home large order of Roti, curry chicken and curry potatoes. Cost to be discussed. Email postiexyz@yahoo.ca
HIRING: Looking for a helper to do general labour, garden cleaning, landscaping, and winter snow removal. Cash paid weekly. Located at Morningside & Lawrence in Scarborough. Please call: (416)269-5174.
LIST UP TO 30 WORDS FREE!
647-722-6298
Some restrictions may apply. We reserve the right of refusal.
Laparkan is looking for a Warehouse Associate in Shipping and Receiving.
No experience necessary. Will train on the Job.
Send Resume to hrca@laparkan.com or call 416-292-4370
SHARED ACCOMADATIONS:
1 Bedroom available in basement apartment with Side entrance Shared accommodation, Male only , No parking, no smoking or drinking Everything included. $900. Medowvale and Sheppard Call 647-447-2377
LOOKING FOR A JOB: 29 years old male looking for a looking for a job. Sanjay 437-484-5151
SUNDAY SERVICE: Fountain of Truth Ministries Pastor: Reverend Maxine Campbell Worship Address: 2170 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke Percy Johnson School – Cafeteria Sundays: 10.am – 2. pm Teaching, Worship, Ministering For info call: 416 748 0211
MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church invites you to join us at 1620 Dundas St West, each Sunday at 10am for praise, worship and in-depth Bible teaching with Pastor Sean, 416-219-9137
We are in the process of expansion and constantly looking for the best of the best! Dedicated salespeople; people interested in opportunities to help others while also being able to help themselves. For more information, please contact Trish 647-722-6298 or trish@carib101.com
Collective cooking groups bring communities together to fight rising food costs. According to Statistics Canada, the cost of food in Canada has risen steadily over the last five years. Both collective kitchens and community kitchens make it possible for people to reduce their grocery bills while still eating a healthy diet.
Collective kitchens
Collective cooking as a grassroots movement first began in Montreal in the 1980s.
Today, so-called collective kitchens bring people together to choose recipes, buy groceries and cook. After making a meal, they divide it into many portions for members to enjoy at home. It usually ends up costing each person about one dollar per portion.
In community kitchens, the focus is on educating people about cooking and healthy eating. They often operate out of
community centres, churches or schools. Instead of people pooling their money together to buy groceries, the kitchen provides the food, and staff or volunteers to oversee the meal preparation. If you can’t find a collective cooking group in your area, consider starting your own with a group of friends or neighbours. Sharing the costs of groceries and the burden of cooking is a great way to eat healthy while on a budget.
When freelancing is your main source of income, it can be difficult to maintain a budget. Here are tips for managing your finances as a freelancer.
To determine your projected monthly income as a freelancer, figure out what you expect to earn from your regular clients. Then, approximate the total amount that you think you’ll earn from one-off and non-regular clients. Divide this number in half and add it to your estimated earnings from regular clients. Using the resulting
amount as your monthly income will allow you to make a budget that has a built-in buffer in case it’s a slow month.
Have separate business and personal bank accounts so you can keep track of work expenses like software and office equipment. You should also have at least one savings account that you contribute to regularly. As a freelancer with irregular income, it’s especially important to have savings.
When you aren’t an employee, you need to set aside around 25 per cent of your income for taxes. Make sure to keep all invoices and payment receipts so you’re prepared for tax season. If you work from home, you’ll likely be able to claim things like internet bills and office supplies as business expenses on your taxes. Since taxes for freelancers are particularly complicated, it’s a good idea to hire an accountant to do your taxes so you don’t make mistakes or miss possible deductions.
Wondering if you’ll ever retire? Here are four tips to help you reach financial independence:
1. Spend less than you earn. Having a balanced budget may seem like basic financial common sense, but according to a recent study, nearly half of all Canadians (47 per cent) are living paycheque to paycheque.
2. Pay yourself first. If you want to retire early, make payments into your savings
accounts and retirement funds before paying other expenses, including rent, utility bills and groceries. Get into the habit of automatically contributing to your savings each month.
3. Buy assets that generate income. Invest in assets that tend to appreciate over time — stocks, real estate, artwork and antiques — rather than electronic products that rapidly depreciate.
4. Keep investing. Having a diverse port-
folio of long-term investments (stocks, bonds, REITs, etc.) is an important strategy for reaching financial independence. Invest during bad years as well as good years: if you give up during a lull, chances are you’ll miss out on the returns during the recovery.
As you plan for your retirement, keep in mind that it can be helpful to have an adviser look over your finances. He or she can suggest tailor-made strategies for saving, investing and budgeting.
Worried about your finances? If so, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC), Canadians ranked money as their greatest source of stress.
Worrying about your finances, however, can take a serious toll on your physical and mental health. Financial stress has been linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as other
health problems such as substance abuse, insomnia, migraines, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Financial stress can even put you at greater risk for heart attacks and strokes.
If financial stress is affecting your well-being, it’s important to take action before it gets worse. To address the root of the problem, talk to friends and family about your financial worries and consider
meeting with a financial adviser. Developing a realistic budget and educating yourself about personal finance can also help to decrease your anxiety surrounding money. You should also talk to a doctor or mental health professional for advice on how to manage and reduce your levels of stress.
October is Car Safety Month. Every year, the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) takes this opportunity to remind motorists of the importance of regular vehicle maintenance. Here are six key actions you can take to stay safe on the road.
1. Inspect all fluids
Check and top up all fluids as needed. This includes the motor and transmission oils, coolant and brake fluid. You can also take this opportunity to replenish your windshield washer fluid.
2. Test the battery
Get your battery tested by a professional to ensure it’s working properly. This task is particularly important if you have trouble starting your car or don’t drive it very often.
3. Check the brakes
Inspect your brakes at least twice a year to ensure optimal performance. Conducting regular checks will help you identify
minor wear and tear and determine when your brakes need to be replaced.
4. Examine the tires
Assess the condition of your summer and winter tires by measuring the thickness of the treads, verifying the manufacture date and checking for signs of wear. This will help you determine if they can last another season or need to be replaced.
5. Replace the wiper blades
Ideally, you should replace your wiper blades about once a year. This will improve your visibility on the road, no matter the weather.
6. Test the lights
Periodically test your turn signals, headlights, taillights and dashboard lights to ensure they’re functioning correctly.
Do you feel uncertain about carrying out some of these tasks? Entrust your vehicle maintenance to a mechanic in your area.
Self-service car washes provide a convenient, affordable way to keep your vehicle clean. If you’ve never been to one before, don’t worry. Most self-service stations are relatively similar and straightforward to use. Here are seven tips to help you achieve sparkling results.
1. Know the appropriate payment method. Some self-service car washes take coins, whereas others take only cards. Make sure you come prepared with the correct payment method.
2. Choose the right time of day. Visit the self-service car wash outside peak hours to avoid waiting in a long line. Early mornings or weekdays are generally less crowded.
3. Park your vehicle correctly. Make sure you park your car in the middle of the wash bay, leaving enough room to walk around on all sides. That way, you can get at all the
nooks and crannies.
4. Pre-rinse your vehicle. Rinse down your entire vehicle with clean water to remove loose dirt, dust and debris. Make sure to rinse out the wheel wells and undercarriage.
5. Wash your vehicle. Many self-service wash stations have soap brushes to scrub your vehicle clean. Divide your car into manageable sections and clean each one thoroughly before moving on to the next.
6. Rinse and dry your vehicle. After washing each section, thoroughly rinse off the soap to prevent a scummy film. Some car washes offer an “air dry” function. However, not all. It’s best to come prepared with a microfibre towel or chamois to dry off your car for a streak-free shine.
What are you waiting for? Give your car a good wash down!
At CACD, we cultivate leadership and excellence by combining mentorship, workshops, and STEM education to nurture communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Our comprehensive approach spans academic achievement, life skills, physical well-being, and career guidance. Through personalized tutoring and workshops, we foster effective communication, critical thinking, and time management. Emphasizing physical health, we integrate play and nutrition education. Our career support encompasses exploration, readiness, and internships, reinforced by mental health resources and financial literacy.
Furthermore, we operate with a well rounded approach by blending in Creativity, Expression, and Cultural Identity, fostering self-expression through media art, photography, and film, and embracing cultural diversity through dynamic events and practical workshops. We also encourage Higher Education, offering vital scholarship and financial aid resources, and providing crucial guidance to post-secondary students navigating university and college life. This holistic commitment extends to Engaging with Impact, actively encouraging participation in crucial social issues through meaningful discussions, impactful campaigns, and community-driven projects, reinforced by ongoing tutoring and mentoring for a purposeful and meaningful journey.
Program Activities include:
Digital
Financial
Mental
Academics
Cultural
Career Guidance
For
Date: S aturday, September 30th, 2023 @ 6:00 pm
Even angels need guardians.
Even angels need guardians.
Assisted over 350 Critically-ill Caribbean Children
Help our Angels by calling TCCF at 416-418-2745 and make the $20.00 A Month Pledge.
Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers & per or their support towards this great cause. All proceeds go towards helping to save a child’s li
