Tree Of Hope 041818

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 5 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18TH 2018

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TREE OF HOPE

JELANI GRANT/TORONTO CARIBBEAN Throughout the night guests filled out their donation cards and had a ribbon signed with their name displayed on stage.

The ribbons were pinned to the new Tree of Hope, presented at The Olive Branch of Hope’s(TOBOH) 16th Annual Fundraising Gala. Hosted by Dr. Nickett Donaldson-Kabwe and Patrick Archibong, the fundraising dinner was held at the Paradise Banquet and Convention Centre.

A full course dinner was served to the sounds of vocalist Susan Grogan and BluSoul. Raffle prizes as high as $1,000 were awarded to guests and a door prize of one return ticket to Barbados was also up for grabs. Toronto’s Consul General of Barbados, Haynesley Benn was in atten-

dance at the gala to support the cause and spoke briefly about the difference the organization has made for so many people. “you give women a lot of hope and I trust that we men will continue to support,” he said.

“The foundation is standing on the promises of the lord…the Olive Branch is standing on a solid foundation and everything around them is sinking sand,” said TOBOH President Andrea Moncrieffe.

Moncrieffe congratulated both founders surviving cancer, reminding guests and TOBOH members to be proud of the progress made thus far. Leila Springer was diagnosed with stage three advanced breast cancer and Winsome

Johnson was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. It was at this time that they both realized black women were not being regarded the same in the eyes of the healthcare system.

In fact, a study, conducted between 2010 and 2014 by the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Cancer Review, found that black women were the most likely to die from breast cancer.

Keynote speaker for this year was surgical oncologist Dr. Lisa Newman, who provided attendees with a greater awareness of breast cancer through her slideshow of medical studies and cases.

Continued On Page 10

PAGE 2

feature

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Toyo Ajibolade

Uplifting girls through athletics

Written by Dellia Rismay Toronto Caribbean News

At just 21 years old, Toyo Ajibolade is a university student, a change-maker and a leader in her community.

Noticing a need for more physical programs designed to uplift girls from marginalized communities, Toyo created Lady Ballers Camp, a group that brings basketball to those who may otherwise not have access to organized sports because of its associated costs. Often one to uplift the people around her, Toyo’s desire to give back to the community was instilled in her at a very early age.

Born in Nigeria, Toyo’s family raised her to be a helper, and to be compassionate to the people around her. “My parents are both in social service, and from a young age, they’ve always instilled that even part of leadership is to be someone who is serving their community in some aspect,” Toyo says. Though leadership is seldom easy, Toyo is no stranger to it, as a Marketing Management student at Ryerson University, challenges are something she is drawn to. “I like coming up with ways to solve things,” she says. “In itself, it is a problem-solving field.” Toyo identified the lack of athletic programming available to girls from low-income communities and communities of color and created a solution: a space where girls aged 6-16 could gather to connect with each other and do physical activities.

Lady Ballers Camp began five years ago after Toyo herself experienced barriers towards becoming involved in athletics as a young female of color. She came to realize that the financial burden of becoming involved in sports combined with the barriers that come with being a female athlete prevented herself and countless others from continuing to participate.

Because of the challenges Toyo experienced, Lady Ballers evolved into a youth-led, youth-driven program, which it still remains today.

It is available at low or no cost to those who are interested and promotes a healthy, active, nutritional lifestyle. The program also helps young people foster positive relationships with their peers, as well as assists with mental wellness. “It’s a safe space for girls to come in and engage in physical activity, recreational activity, and also have the kinds of workshops that allow them to talk about the issues that they are particularly thinking about, issues

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that are facing them in their current community and daily lives. They come up with ways and strategies to improve their futures, all in a supportive environment,” Toyo explains.

Toyo’s commitment to uplifting others in her community has been recognized on several occasions.

When Toyo was 16, she was the youngest recipient of Girls Action Foundation’s Leadership Capacity Grant program, a grant she used to create the “DUNK Like a Girl” initiative. The program invited girls to tackle issues like relationships, self-harm and gender stereotypes while they participated in basketball training and other fitness activities. In 2013, Toyo received the Leading Women, Leading Girls, Building Community Award from the office of the Ontario Women’s Directorate for her work in creating opportunities in her community. Toyo has been recognized twice by the Toronto Raptors: first in 2015 when Lady Ballers received the Toronto Raptors Community Action grant, and again in 2017 when she received the Citizen’s MVP award for community service. “They’ve been amazing supporters in the work that we do,” says Toyo, also citing an occasion where the team facilitated a trip for some of the girls participating in Lady Ballers Camp to attend a game. “It was amazing. Having that kind of support is so needed.” Most recently, Toyo received the 2018 YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction award for all of her hard work.

Toyo wants Lady Ballers Camp to be more than a place for girls to learn how to shoot hoops and learn leadership skills. She’s also devoted to making it a place where participants can invest in their futures.

Because Toyo grew up seeing black women in highly regarded professions, like doctors and other medical professionals, she was able to see that it is possible for someone like her to aspire to the same level. “It made me not question what I could be, and what I could do,” she says. It is important to her that the girls enrolled in Lady Ballers Camp have the same eye-opening experience she did, so she facilitated a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workshop featuring women of color in those fields. “I want to allow them to envision a wide range of careers, opportunities and create that support to help them if they choose to go along that route,” Toyo says.

Not content enough with working towards her own success, Toyo is devoted to helping girls realize their full potential and not letting anything stand in the way of that. “You’re not limited by your circumstance.

You’re not limited by your race. You’re not limited by your gender. […] You are capable of accomplishing so many things. You really just have to envision it for yourself and personally believe that you can do it.”

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Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

local news

PAGE 3

Get ready to be FLOOR’D

A T A D B G 4 R $50/MO. PLAN DELLIA RISMAY dellia@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

These are just some of the words Natasha Powell, the artistic director and choreographer behind FLOOR’D uses to describe the upcoming world premiere of the first full-length work performed by Holla Jazz. Ringing in International Jazz Day, Toronto’s only vernacular jazz dance company will be performing from April 25th-28th at the Winchester Street Theatre in the heart of the city. With the help of the show’s performers and musical director Gerald Heslop, audiences will be transported to black dance halls during the emancipation era and the heyday of jook.

Through group choreography, improvisation, duets and more, seven dancers and

eight live musicians will embody the spirit of jazz and blues music. “There’s these different ways that the dancers are connecting to themselves, and connecting to each other, and connecting with the music,” Powell says.

One can trace the roots of jook to West Africa; during the emancipation era, honoring their traditions, black Americans set up dance halls, also known as honky-tonks and after-hours joints. The jook laid the groundwork for several forms of music and dance, including the shimmy and the Charleston. However, Powell says that in many dance studios, jazz music is often displayed to blend more Eurocentric styles. She believes it is of utmost importance that people know, understand, and appreciate where so much of our music came from. “I truly believe that jazz and the blues is a by-product of the African-American experience, for blacks in the states, and having to overcome unbearable circumstances: slavery, segregation. Trying to assimilate, basically, into a new environment in North America, being taken from West African countries.”

Blues and jazz music were used as tools to cope with the harsh realities they faced, to help uplift their spirits, and to serve

ON OU

as a release. That’s why Powell wants people to truly acknowledge the source of these music genres. “I believe it’s really important for people to understand that as much as we enjoy jazz, it’s actually a by-product of a reality that people, black Americans specifically, faced in the United States. We’re able to kind of now enjoy the culture that they actually created while they went through really hard times. So, for me, I try to share that as much as I can […] sometimes that stuff can get lost. While we’re enjoying the dance, thinking it’s part of popular culture, we can’t forget where these things come from, and it’s important to share that,” Powell says.

Powell shares that knowledge with others through dance, teaching, and her work with Holla Jazz. Her love of music and dance started at a young age. When she was nine, her parents enrolled her in ballet, tap and modern jazz classes. After high school, she continued to pursue her love of dance, attending open dropin classes and eventually going to cities like New York and Los Angeles to continue training. She went on to work in film and television during some time spent in Vancouver and decided she wanted to explore her own creative

E N O Z N I S E G R A H C E G A R E V O NO EVE

voice, so she decided to pursue choreography.

Powell then met a teacher who was working on a documentary about the history of black social dances from the early 1900s to the 2000s. After she watched it, she came to the realization that several dances from many decades ago were similar to today’s hip-hop moves. “The dance nerd in me wanted to learn more about these dances,” she says. She did some research on how it all connected, then returned to Toronto to work on her jazz dance. That evolved into her starting Holla Jazz, which lent itself to Powell creating a production about social dances in the 1920s, and how they connect to today’s street dances.

Not only will FLOOR’D be an opportunity to learn more about jazz, blues, and the jook, it will also be an opportunity for families, communities, and artists to connect. “It’s for all ages: for young, for old. Anyone who is a lover of wanting to connect and meet new people and see what the artists of Toronto are doing in the community, this would be a great show to experience,” Powell says.

To buy tickets and for more information, go to www.hollajazz.com.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

‘Take d Milk, Nah?’ Shines light on the question of identity ALYSSA MAHADEO alyssa@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Who am I? How can I prove to the world who I am? Why do I have to prove my identity to anybody?

The truth is, with the current state of affairs in the world people are always on the defense. Years of racism, prejudice, and negative stereotypes have followed the marginalized groups of the greater population for generations, and quite frankly everyone is tired of it.

In Canada, we like to brag about the diversity of our communities, and how accepting we are of other people’s cultures.

While we’ve done a great job of trying to make everyone feel included some of us are still partial to the segregation we face when someone asks the question, “But where are you really from?”

For many first-generation Canadians, the children of immigrants, refugees, and people who were promised a better life by coming here, one of the biggest challenges we face is the conversation surrounding identity.

Written by Jivesh Parasram and directed by Tom Arthur Davis Take d Milk, Nah? is the final production in Theatre Passe Muraille’s 50th-anniversary season in a co-production with Pandemic Theatre and b current performing arts.

Jivesh Parasram (Jiv) is a multidisciplinary artist, researcher and facilitator of Indo-Caribbean descent. His work has been showcased across Canada and internationally. He is an artistic producer at Pandemic Theatre which has been busy working on other productions that cover a wide range of controversial topics and explores why people are pushed into extreme circumstances.

Prior to seeing the play, I was only aware that the main character in the play was Jiv, a man who was a blend of “Canadian,” “Indian,” “Hindu,” “West Indian,” and “Trinidadian” too. I was immediately drawn to this boy as his background was identical to mine and I had never experienced an identity play.

In Take d Milk, Nah? Jiv blends personal storytelling and Hindu rituals to walk the audience through the Hin-do’s and Hin-don’ts at the intersections of all these cultures. As with any story, one would assume there is a beginning, middle, and end, however, as a Hindu that’s not how our stories are understood. Hindu storytelling starts with the recounting of religious scripture followed by a lecture explaining the morals of those stories.

Initially, Jiv had been unwilling to write an identity play, encouraged by Graham Isador the dramaturge/co-creator of Take d Milk Nah? who was inspired by a story Jiv once told about how he helped to birth a cow...kinda…”

The play shares a very genuine, and comedic story speaking of race, religion, and nationalism. For someone who has experienced racism or is a part of a marginalized community, it’s an eye-opening and honest recollection of ideas that we may have considered or experienced in our own existence. Often there is a discrepancy between a person’s role identities, which is when a disconnect occurs and individuals become confused as to how to make sense of their situation.

In Take d Milk, Nah? one dives head first into the conversations of what divides us and what we’re willing to accept in the desire to belong. The final act is where it gets the most real, some of the most thought-provoking questions are asked. The question of identity is laid bare for everyone to see, picked apart and essentially scrutinized, where it doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is, you are now forced to take a good hard look at your own actions.

It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you’ve come from, Take d Milk, Nah? is a must-see experience. We don’t know for sure, but it’s the first Indo-Caribbean-Hindu-Canadian identity play that I’ve experienced in Toronto, and I was impressed to see that 90% of the audience was white. What does that really say about the changing conversations of our time?

Will we be represented by mainstream society, or continue to be marginalized by it?

Take d Milk Nah? will grace the stage until April 22nd at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson Ave. For tickets visit PasseMuraille.ca or call 416504-7529.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Head Girl play tackles difficult issues through comedy JELANI GRANT

jelani@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Presented by Real Queens Productions, Jamaican playwright Paul O. Beale debuted, The Head Girl, at the Jamaican Canadian Association. Robert Gordon, Kameka Morrison, Theresa “Pinky” Baker, Chris M. Hitchinson, and Christina “Fancy Lady” Williams had the audience roaring with laughter and cheers. The play was split in half with an intermission given for food and refreshments. Following the play, an after party was held, ending the night with a dance competition.

The comedic-drama tells the story of a family working towards financial and emotional stability after a teenage cousin is welcomed into their home. Additionally, their daughter holds a secret that could crush the entire family’s foundation.

The story touches on a number of family dynamics and even the very real issue of child abuse. Beale told Toronto Caribbean his reason for mixing comedy with more difficult subject matter is because it makes it easier for the reader to absorb. “You don’t to just put down some raw food in a plate and tell people it’s good for you. You might want to put a little bit of dressing on it,” he said.

Real Queens Productions Coproducer Latoya Lloyd said she was pleased and somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of support received by the community. She said they looked over a number of scripts but after reading Head Girl, they knew which story to choose.

“We felt very touched reading this story and thought that we should do something with it…it’s just sometimes you need that comic relief from the stress,” she said.

Beale said the play has been performed in Jamaica since 2003, and even then he said he would see members of the audience crying. “The story is dynamic for

me, I love every single word,” said Lloyd.

“My first time reading [the story], I cried.”

Tears were certainly present during the debut night but whether those tears were through laughter or crying was not clear.

“It’s a kind of writing that I’ve adapted over the years to ensure that we have enough comedy even handling a serious matter. That has always been my formula for the past 35 years,” Beale said.

Although child abuse at home is quite difficult to discuss, the numbers found during recent studies prove that there is not enough transparency with child abuse. According to Statistics Canada, 25% of police-reported violence against children and youth was committed by a family member. With the growing access to theatre, Beale said his intention has always been to deliver a strong message in a comedic way.

Beale has written stage plays for the past 35 years and said, like all things, the industry has changed. “When I started, it was still a kind of virgin territory for the margin of places in Jamaica. It was a situation where not many plays were seen by most of the people,” he said.

Beale said when he began writing people who wanted to watch a play had to travel to Kingston, without Highway 2000. As expected, access to stage plays has now become easier, as with a lack of venue those in the country would create temporary stages or adapt their plays to available spaces. “We started putting on plays at venues that would normally be held for music shows,” Beale said.

Beale is considered one of Jamaica’s most prolific playwrights and is recognized for roots plays such as Mr. Dweet Nice, Granny Rule, Bashment Granny, and Di Driva. He is currently working on a film called The Breast Factor, a piece bringing awareness to breast cancer. He said he is committing himself to this project because, “If somebody were to be diagnosed with [breast cancer], we want to give an indication of how that can be managed and use the film in a charitable way to earn money towards breast cancer causes”.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

local news

Kind-hearted volunteers were awarded at the Ontario Honors and Awards Secretariat ASHELLY SMITH ashelly@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”- Martin Luther King As the quote suggests above, it takes a person who has a heart filled with kindness to be a remarkable individual. A person who volunteers their valuable time to work diligently for free is a person who has a rich life; rich in the sense of possessing great value or worth. It brings me great joy to see people who still live by this ideal and this ceremony serves to acknowledge those people who selflessly thought of others.

On April 11th, 2018, Ontario Honors and Awards Secretariat of the Ontario Government awarded numerous volunteers for excellence in volunteerism. The event took place at the Embassy Grand Convention Centre in Brampton at 7:30 pm. The MPP of Brampton-Springdale, Harinder Malhi was a special guest at the function where she delivered a short message to several volunteers.

“You have worked hard to be here today. Some of you have served our community for a year, two years, five years and some for over twentyfive years. You have given back so much to our community that helped make what it is today. Volunteers like yourself truly shape what happens in our communities and what happens in our beautiful city of Brampton. As the MPP of Brampton-Springdale, as well as the minister responsible for the status of women in Ontario it’s truly an honor to participate in ceremonies like the one we’re hosting today. In the last four years, I have had the opportunity to visit a number of non-profit organizations that support the most vulnerable people in our communities and it is people like you that go into volunteer and to help make those organizations come alive. Your work and dedication to what you do every day are much appreciated by me, by all community and by our government. Thank you for taking the opportunity to give back, it’s much appreciated. I hope that you enjoy tonight because you truly deserve a

big round of applause and appreciation for what you do every day. Thank you again.”

It is always a pleasant gesture to see the municipal government attending community events to show their support for whatever is being celebrated. It makes citizens feel supported and improves the relationship with people within the community by focusing on a common purpose or goal.

It shows their interests are genuine, especially when it’s not during an electoral period. Another representative from the government was there not in their physical presence but in a recorded video session. The Honorable Laura Albanese, Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration regretted that she was not able to attend but nevertheless she had this to say in the video: “Congratulations to all the wonderful volunteers who are being recognized here today.

We are here to celebrate your years of service, your hard work and your dedication towards putting the needs of others before your own. Your contributions make our province a brighter place. I know that I stick together with all Ontarians when I say thank you, merci. You’ve helped build strong communities where people of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged and supported. Your kindness sets an example to others, your dedication is inspiring whether you have been volunteering for two years, five years or a lifetime your work has made a difference in your community and we are grateful.

Once again, on behalf of the people of Ontario congratulations and thank you for your generous service.”

At the event, there were volunteers who have given their time for 10-15 years and few were 25 years. It is certainly impressive to see that people actually adore volunteering very much, spending many years working for free while asking nothing in return but a simple thank you from others.

Karen Strong was the guest speaker of the night who joined Volunteer Mississauga in 2008. She spent approximately 60 hours a month trying to make a difference in her community in a capacity.

Strong made a profound statement as she stood at the podium to deliver her speech:

“My dad, my volunteer hero used to say the only difference between a rich person and a poor person is how they spend their time. So, the way I see it, we have a whole lot of rich people this evening since you all are contributing so much. Time is a very precious commodity. The reality is we don’t know how much time we have on Earth, so we have to make it count.”

But it is very sad that a lot of people are still not open to the idea of

volunteering. Some may think it’s a waste of time to be working and not being paid a dime for the hours spent on a task. Instead, they could be working at an employed institution with the knowledge of receiving a pay-cheque on payday. Therefore, some people will never volunteer not even to give one hour of their time, as they find it insensible. They possess the attitude of ‘You must pay me. I don’t work for free. I don’t have time for that.’ But with that self-centered attitude, you will never experience that fulfilling feeling when you genuinely contribute your time to do something good with nothing in return.

Clyde Pacis from the Philippine Independence Day Council received an award for over 5 years of volunteering.

During a brief interview, Clyde was asked why he volunteers? He responded, “I have the passion to lead and nurture ideas to kids, youths and the community by means of sportsmanship to the game of basketball and other sports.

But why does he think volunteering is important?

“Volunteering is important because it’s a way to give back to others in need of support. Giving your time is precious and helpful to honor people and to show that you care. Life is not all about the money but to value and show enrichment of life by helping others.” he said.

Pacis is self-employed who has his own business called The Paper Crane & Co. Fernando whose last name was not received is a retired business consultant at CIBC who is also a part of the Philippine Independence Day Council.

“I have worked at CIBC for 41 years and after that now it’s time for me to retire.”

During your retirement do you plan on volunteering?

“Oh yes! It’s not only that I am helping out other people but I’m helping myself. I cannot just watch hockey all the time,” added Fernando while we both chuckled.

Fernando was awarded for ten years of volunteering and recalled that it never gets boring doing what he does.

As National Volunteer Week approaches which is April 15th-21st, try to volunteer your time at an organization of your choice. National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate and thank Canada’s 12.7 million volunteers, are you a part of that number? If not, you can begin today! Just remember this as you absorb what you have just read, “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” ~Elizabeth Andrew

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

local news

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

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In recognition of those using their spare time to create betterment in the community, the Volunteering Service Awards were created.

The awards aim at recognizing individuals who have taken part in various volunteering efforts to help with community resources, the youth and the elderly.

The Citizens for the Advancement of Community Development Organization, also known as CACD received commemoration at the Volunteer Service Awards Ceremony for their outstanding work in community volunteering. The ceremony took place on Thursday, April 5th at the Oasis Convention Centre.

Ron Cunningham, founder and executive director of the CACD charitable organization was thrilled when recognized for his organization’s volunteering efforts, and instead of using the award as a moment to bask in glory, he used it to send an important message to the community on why volunteering is a necessary part of society.

The idea of volunteering in the community first came to Cunningham in 2002 while he was back in his home country of Jamaica and felt the need to enrich the community by providing volunteer support. A few years later, something happened that changed

Cunningham’s view on volunteering when he realized it was also needed right in his current hometown of Toronto.

“In 2005, when Jane Creba got shot while walking on Yonge St., that whole situation struck a chord with me,” said Cunningham. He then decided to start his own accounting practice to allow for a more flexible schedule to begin having more community involvement. “At the same time I said why am I running off to Jamaica to work with inner-city kids when the same thing is going on in my own backyard,” he said.

After putting in the continuous effort and work into the CACD organization, Cunningham was recognized by the mayor of Mississauga for his efforts and was provided a space at the Mississauga Valley Community Center, courtesy of the city. Prior to receiving a permanent space, Cunningham said, “Most of my efforts were done in schools, running workshops, and renting space from the YMCA,” as the organization did the best it could do with its funding.

So, what exactly do the CACD and its volunteers do for the community? Cunningham said that although the organization focuses on a wide range of aspects, the youth target group is the most important as they are a developing group in society.

Working with middle school and high school students is very important to Cunningham as it helps expose them to the community and civic involvement. “We would offer things like music, art, dance, photography, and nutrition,” he added on the various extracurricular activities the organization would provide to the youths. He noted that this was especially helpful to the many parents who

were working multiple jobs or were in situations where they didn’t have the time and money to enroll their children in these activities.

High school students were also coached on leadership mentoring, and the CACD was always there to provide them with ways to complete their community hours needed to graduate. The CACD continues to help students by providing them with these opportunities, while at the same time building a stronger base by increasing their team of volunteers.

Ron Cunningham and his wife Sonia Cunningham were each awarded pins and certificates for their fifteen years of service, while Wes Mackenzie, Marva Dennis, and Catherine Soplet received pins and certificates for their five years of service with CACD. As recipients of the Volunteer Service Awards, they were few among others who have been or will be awarded for their volunteering efforts across Ontario, with ceremonies taking place across the province from March till June.

As for the importance of volunteering, Cunningham said it’s what makes the difference. “For me personally, it affords me the opportunity to give back.” He added, “In general it provides anyone who volunteers, young or old, an opportunity to gain confidence and to make a difference. And I do believe that volunteering does provide wide opportunity.”

Cunningham also said that volunteering organizations like CACD run off of charitable donations and volunteer help. The CACD accepts any form of support and more details about their organization can be found on their website cacdcanada.org.

16th annual We Believe Gala bringing awareness and hope for change JELANI GRANT

jelani@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

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Continued From Page 1 -- The studies she conducted with her colleagues supported the notion that black women have been the most disadvantaged by the health care system. Dr. Newman related the higher rates of breast cancer deaths among black women to the health care services provided, compared to other demographics. One of the reasons for the gap in breast cancer mortality was socio-economic drawbacks amongst black communities, such as no health insurance, unemployment, and poverty. “These types of socioeconomic disadvantages lead to delayed breast cancer diagnosis, breast cancer treatment, and ultimately resulting in higher mortality rates,” she said.

Dr. Newman said she and her col-

leagues pulled together statistics comparing the mortality rates of black and white women and accounted for factors such as socio-economic status and poverty. With those barriers regarded, she said they found that AfricanAmerican women still had a 30% higher death rate. She said another reasonable theory to pose for these mortality gaps is, “Are health care providers and oncologists delivering inappropriate, inadequate care to the AfricanAmerican community with breast cancer.”

To support this theory, Dr. Newman provided slides of professional actors with different ethnicities and backgrounds scripted to describe symptoms of chest pains in an emergency room, which would then be reviewed by a selection of 700 doctors. The doctors were then asked whether these patients with identical symptoms should have further tests done and the results found that particularly black women were less likely to be recommended to have further work done. “I don’t think that these physicians were directly discriminatory, but I think what this study points out is that we all carry around biases that we may not even be aware of, but when it comes to medical care these biases can have harmful

effects,” she said.

Dr. Newman became Director of the Breast Oncology Program for the multi-hospital Henry Ford Health System in December 2015. She also serves as Founding Medical Director for the new HFHS International Center for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes.

Dr. Newman’s primary research has focused on ethnicity-related variation in breast cancer risk and outcome, the evaluation and management of high-risk patients, broadened applications for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, and special surgical techniques such as the skinsparing mastectomy and lymphatic mapping.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Search on for top cop

GUYANA -- Eight assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) were last week interviewed and wrote an assessment test as President David Granger commences the search for a substantive commissioner of police, as well as four deputy commissioners.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably in formed that on Wednesday last, three very senior government operatives, inclusive of the minister of public security and the attorney general were part of the interviewing panel.

The eight assistant commissioners of police were first part of a general briefing, followed by a test which they were mandated to write and an interview process followed.

The process was done at the Ministry of the Presidency and all the assistant commissioners were required to spend a minimum of 15 and no more than 20 minutes in the interview room, this publication learnt.

Assistant Commissioners David Ramnarine, Clifton Hicken, Leslie James, Lyndon Alves, Marlon Chapman, Paul Williams, Nigel Hoppie and the lone female, Maxine Graham were those who were interviewed.

Contrary to rumours in some sections of society, the interviews were not conducted by any member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), however, the secretary to the Defence Board was

reportedly the person who took notes during the sessions.

This publication was also informed that the assistant commissioners were informed that the process for the selection has now commenced.

President David Granger is constitutionally required to consult with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on the appointment of the top cop.

Previously, there was no search committee established for this process, neither were the prospective candidates interviewed.

Observers say this is another effort of the administration to bring transparency to the process. Under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, then President Bharrat Jagdeo had appointed, now deceased, Henry Greene to the top post despite fierce rejection by several sections of the society and the diplomatic community, including the US.

Greene’s US visas was cancelled the same day he assumed control of the force.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, a senior police officer described the new process as refreshing and welcoming, contending that it allows a fit and proper person to be selected for the post.

Currently, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) does not have any substan-

tive deputy commissioners of police.

Those acting in that position are Crime Chief Paul Williams, Operations Head Clifton Hicken and Administration Head David Ramnarine, who is also the acting top cop.

The fourth deputy commissioner of police office is that of the Special Branch but that unit is now being headed by a superintendent of police.

President David Granger is on record as saying that only someone who is fit and proper and not corrupt, should be the next commissioner of police.

Back in February when he addressed the opening of the Police Officers’ Conference, President Granger said lawless policemen have no place in a lawful Force.

He told the gathering that a Force which is contaminated by corruption cannot ensure the security of citizens.

“Service in the Force must be based on values and commitment, competence and incorruptibility. Police reform is not a political gimmick. It goes to the heart of law enforcement,” the President had said.

He added that he was confident that with the implementation of those reforms,the Force will be better able to ensure citizens’ safety.

- Guyana Chronicle

One held for White Castle Fish Shop fire

GUYANA -- An investigation continues into Saturday’s suspected arson attack on the popular White Castle fish shop located on John and Hadfield Streets, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, where the business owner faces some $18M in losses.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that at least one person is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

According to Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle, on Saturday around 02:30hrs, four units from the areas of Central Georgetown, West Ruimveldt and Alberttown responded to the fire which had already consumed the ground floor.

The fish shop operates at the bottom flat of the four-storey building, but further damage was averted upon the arrival of the fire service, which prevented the flames from spreading outwards and upwards.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, proprietor Jermaine Langevine said that this is not the first time a fire was started at the building, noting that a similar occurrence took place in 2017.

Langevine received word around 04:00hrs about the fire from his workers and thanked the police and the fire service for their timely response.

He said that he has invested over 16 years into the business and is now contemplating his next move. “We got to go to court or something, because I can’t do anything else right now. I don’t have no money, all my money burnt inside there.

I don’t have any money to invest and start this back. I got workers sitting down waiting to work, bills to pay…my landlord come for his rent now and I don’t have his rent,” the man told the newspaper.

The police are still collecting statements and questioning workers in keeping with the investigation process.

- Guyana Chronicle

First Lady re-commissions Benjamin’s Bakery

GUYANA -- First Lady Sandra Granger re-commissioned Benjamin’s Bakery in Buxton, East Coast Demerara on Friday.

The bakery, which has become a household name along the East Coast Demerara (ECD), presented a number of students with bursaries during the reopening ceremony.

The First Lady, in her address, while taking stock of emphasis continuously placed on education by Benjamin’s Bakery, said it is one of the bakeries along the East Coast Demerara corridor that takes its corporate social responsibility seriously.

Proprietor Wesley Benjamin has been living in Buxton since 1986.

“Mr. Wesley Benjamin demonstrates great pride in this village and gives back to his community generously. He has taught his children to do so as well,” the First Lady said.

She noted that although fire damaged the building last February, Mr. Benjamin nonetheless considered the welfare of his employees and kept the business afloat. The bakery was not only rebuilt but expanded.

Meanwhile, Benjamin’s daughter, Shellon Campbell, in delivering the opening remarks, disclosed that in addition to the residents of Buxton, persons from far flung communities such as Kwakwani in Region 10 and Mahdia in Region Eight have benefitted through projects and programmes conducted by the establishment.

It was explained that schools within the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and beyond have also been benefitting from donations from Benjamin’s Bakery for a number of years.

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson was also among those who applauded the Benjamin’s family for fulfill-

ing their corporate social responsibility.

“Over the years this company has been contributing to the development of education, and if all our business people could recognise that they too could make an input in education, we would turn this system around immediately,” Hutson said.

Joshua McPherson of BV Primary; Yesodra Ramroop of Mon Repos Primary; Sofona William of Friendship Primary; Kishan Puran of Strathspey Primary; Sierra Gibson of Paradise Primary; Jayanna Isaacs of Company Road Primary; Prem Balmacoon of Lusignan Primary were among others who received bursary awards.

Outside of the establishment, the cutting of the ribbon was done by Benjamin’s granddaughter and First Lady Sandra Granger..

- Guyana Chronicle

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Holness condemns killing of Ecuadorian journalists

JAMAICA -- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed outrage at the killing of three journalists in Ecuador who were kidnapped along the Colombia/Ecuador border.

Speaking at the Summit of the Americas on Saturday, Holness joined leaders in the hemisphere in condemning the killing, which was confirmed Friday.

He said the targeted killing of journalists is a threat to democracy and efforts to fight corruption.

“Democracy, as a system of government, has been instrumental in the maintenance of the rule of law in the hemisphere...freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of democracy; therefore, in the context of our meeting here today, I express Jamaica’s solidarity and sympathies to the media community, people, and Government of Ecuador on the tragic murder of three Ecuadorian journalists recently,” Holness said.

The prime minister, who was making his statement at the full meeting of 33 hemispher-

ic heads of government, noted that Jamaica has made improvements to its mechanisms to stamp out corruption through the Access to Information Act and the recently passed Integrity Commission Act, among others.

“I am pleased to report substantial progress in Jamaica’s fight against corruption, as highlighted in the findings of the 2017 Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International.

The 2017 ranking represented the best ranking and score achieved by us in the last decade, and signifies that Jamaica is now comparable to that of the Americas in this regard. The improvement is as a result of a committed series of strategic actions by our government to reduce corruption and put Jamaica on a path of true development and prosperity,” added Prime Minister Holness.

The Prime Minister noted that Jamaica has also supported the establishment and implementation of regional anti-corruption conventions and mechanisms, which have been beneficial.

- Jamaica Observer

Check for IDs, NWC warns JAMAICA -- The National Water Commission (NWC) on Friday reissued an advisory to members of the public that all its employees and contractors working on its behalf are issued with valid photographic identification cards, which are to be shown upon request.

The warning comes amidst what the utility company describes as recent unconfirmed reports alleging that unscrupulous parties have been visiting properties and falsely claiming to be installing water-saving devices such as shower heads or aerators as a courtesy on behalf of NWC.

“The NWC has no such programme,” the company warned in a statement on the weekend.

“Additionally, while the NWC does have representatives who are legally empowered to enter customers’ premises –— including meter readers, meter inspectors, leak detectors, census mapping representatives, etc — all NWC em-

ployees and contractors have photographic identification cards and do not usually need to go inside customers’ houses, only into their yards where the meters are usually located,” the company explained.

NWC said it is currently conducting a customer census mapping project in Portmore, St Catherine, and an active leak detection exercise in Kingston and St Andrew as part of its continuous service improvement effort.

It explained that the census mapping involves a door-to-door survey of existing and potential NWC customers as well as global positioning system mapping, and will be carried out between 6:30 am and 7:30 pm daily.

“The project will ultimately result in better water and wastewater service delivery, improved responsiveness to complaints, and better customer service,” NWC said.

- Jamaica Observer

Stand up for another Bogle JAMAICA -- People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for the April 27 by-election in the Yallahs Division in St Thomas Western, Constantine Bogle is urging residents to vote for him.

“You can’t go wrong when you vote for Bogle,” he said while speaking to journalists after he was nominated at the Yallahs Baptist Church Hall, last Tuesday.

Bogle, who will be going up against the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) John Lee, said that he was offering himself because he is sure he can win.

The division became vacant after former JLP Councillor Dean Jones was disqualified, following a ruling by the Supreme Court.

According to the High Court, Jones’ disqualification was on the grounds that, at the time of the November 2016 Local Government Elections, he was employed to the Government.

Last Tuesday, Bogle accused the JLP of “exploiting” residents of the division and argued that something must be done to stem this.

He added that a lot of people in the division are unable to read and noted that their economic plight caused them to be easily exploited by the current Government.

“People just exploit them and wait on the last two days before the election. I don’t hold down my mouth and say it. The Jamaica Labour Party is guilty of this in a very serious kind of way. Something must be done about this; this democracy is for sale,” insisted Bogle.

In the meantime, he expressed confidence of victory when asked about his chances.

“Without confidence you are twice defeated in the race; I just do what I have to do. I don’t know anything about John Lee, but I have been giving service to the people of Yallahs and the people of St Thomas for a countless amount of years now,” Bogle shared.

He said he knows that the people are aware that they made a mistake in voting for Jones and urged them to correct it on April 27.

“Nothing is wrong with making mistakes, so we looking forward to a great election.

I hope and trust, based on the grace of the most high, that the people will continue to give their support to Constantine Bogle based on the work I’ve done, based on the fact that I live among them, same place here in the Yallahs Division,” said Bogle.

Chairman of the PNP Fitz Jackson said that the by-election “is an opportunity to right a wrong”, and at the same time said that the JLP lacks morals because the party allowed Jones to run.

Jackson said Jones knowingly breached the provisions of the Act by having himself nominated and the courts have confirmed this, referring to the Supreme Court ruling that disqualified Jones.

He said: “The JLP lacked the moral authority to say to that gentleman (Jones) ‘You cannot stand on behalf of the party’; and decided to pursue that wrong, to pursue that fraud against the electoral system in Jamaica.”

“It’s unfortunate, regrettable,” he lamented, adding “I really hope that the well-thinking people of the Yallahs Division here in West St Thomas will stand up, because they have a long history in Jamaica for standing up for what is right on a principled basis. We invite the spirit of Paul Bogle to rise again and stand up for another Bogle, “for what is right.”

Meanwhile, Jackson said that the party is confident that its candidate will win the seat this time around after having lost to Jones in November 2016. Bogle is also a former councillor for the division.

A total of 31 polling stations situated across seven voting locations will be used in the division, while 83 election Day workers will be required to conduct the election, with a budget of $9.5 million that has been allocated to the Electoral Commission to carry it out.

- Jamaica Observer

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PAGE 15

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PAGE 16

island news

TRINIDAD -- Passengers who travelled on board the T&T Spirit Monday praised its return to the seabridge after they arrived on board at the Port in Port-of-Spain, following what was a smooth return run.

The seabridge collapsed last month after the Port Authority of T&T was forced to take the T&T Express from the inter-island service on March 13 for an overdue drydocking. The T&T Spirit had already been out of service for dry docking since June 6 last year, then experienced a series of issues with sea trials before finally getting the goahead to return to the route on Saturday.

Caribbean Airlines and cargo ferry

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Smooth return for Spirit

the Cabo Star tried to pick up the slack, but there were still severe travel woes for passengers, especially during the recent Easter vacation.

In the interim, one of the other vessels used to try to alleviate the problem, the Trini Flash water taxi, stalled off Blanchisseuse after a fire on board while on the journey to Tobago on March 27. Some 63 passengers were on board the Trini Flash and the Cabo Star had to alter its journey to rescue them.

In a media release Monday, T&T Inter-Island Transportation Company CEO Vilma Lewis-Cockburn said the T&T Spirit

left the Port of Scarborough at 6.38 am with 308 passengers and 62 vehicles and arrived at 9.25 am in Port-of-Spain. In an interview at the PoS port after the vessel arrived, Appolonia Weekes, a Cocorite resident, said the service was very good.

“Let them try to get the boat in order. It was very good this morning,” she said.

Antonia Holder, a Morvant mother of two, said it was easy sailing Monday morning.

“We boarded at five past six and waited until 6.30. It was nice, it was easy.

We took the plane on Thursday but we took the boat to come back,” she said.

Holder said they decided to take the boat because her four-year-old son, Kymania, began to cry when they experienced some turbulence during the flight to Tobago.

“He didn’t like the plane when it dip and began to cry,” she said.

Her daughter, Starr Reid, said he liked travelling on the boat and didn’t have any problems.

Another passenger who refused to give her name said the boat was on time, it was clean and they didn’t have any problems getting tickets.

- Trinidad Guardian

Foreign Ministry: Cedros fishermen free to leave Venezuela TRINIDAD -- T&T’s Foreign Affairs Ministry says the Cedros fishermen detained in Venezuela were free to return home if they chose since last week Wednesday and are not in the custody of the Guardia Nacional.

In a surprising twist which left relatives baffled, Keren Israel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying the men—Awardnath Hajarie, 52, son Nicholas Hajarie, 26, and friend Shammi Seepersad, 36, had been freed since April 11 having appeared in court and granted a Certificate of Voluntary Abandonment of Venezuela which allows them safe legal passage out of the country.

“The Venezuelan immigration authorities further agreed to release the fishing boat upon receipt of ownership documents

provided by the boat’s owner,” the release said.

The Ministry said it made arrangements with the T&T Coast Guard for the fishermen to be received in T&T waters on Sunday but when the Coast Guard vessel was en route to the meeting point, the Embassy was informed of the cancellation of the arrangement. No reason was given as to why.

“The three fishermen are free to leave Venezuela on their own volition. Consular officials at the T&T Embassy have informed that the fishermen are currently housed with relatives in Tucupita. While all diplomatic avenues were pursued to secure the timely release of the detained fishermen, it was also necessary to ensure that the laws

and procedures of Venezuela were fully respected and that due process was allowed to take place in accordance with these laws,” the Ministry said.

However, councillor for Cedros Shankar Teelucksingh said the new information was upsetting.

“If they were free to leave, why didn’t the T&T Embassy make provisions for them to return to T&T. Why didn’t we know this? We could have sent someone for them! What we have an Embassy in Caracas for?” Teelucksingh questioned.

“How can they come home if they have no money, no food and no help,” he added.

Sister-in-law Sunita Hajarie said they were confused with the new informa-

tion released by the Ministry. “So long we waiting for news and now we hearing they could have come home all the time? I don’t know much but what they saying now is very strange.”

Heermatie Sanker said she was praying that her family will be brought back home today or Wednesday. A ferry usually leaves Venezuela on Wednesday to come to Trinidad and the three fishermen may likely come home then.

The three fishermen were arrested by the Guardia on April 5. Their arrests were captured by a Trinmar worker who posted it on Facebook.

- Trinidad Guardian

Family wants justice for Snoogy’s killing TRINIDAD -- The body of a man found at Fort George in St James has been identified as Mark “Snoogy” Singh, 22.

The body was identified by relatives Monday at the Forensic Science Centre. Singh lived at Ross Lands in St James.

Singh’s body was found along a track at Fort George at about 6.30 pm on Sunday. His body was clad in a blue jersey and a pair of side-striped sweat pants.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian Monday, a close male relative of Singh, who wished for his name to be withheld, described Singh’s killer or killers as cowards.

The relative said the family is very distraught over Singh’s killing and wondered why as he was not involved in any gang or drug related activities.

“This killing get out of hand and is we the black people suffering here in this country and nobody cares. Our lives are not animals. You see dead animals at the side of the road…you not supposed to see humans

like that,” Singh’s relative said.

“Snoogy was a precious gem. Very hard working, kind and caring guy. Everybody he came across loved him because of his outstanding personality,” the relative added.

Family members said that even the police do not have “one clue” as to why Singh was killed.

“That is to tell you that the police didn’t even know about Snoogy. If they knew about him it would be good things, nothing bad,” another relative said.

Relatives are praying and hoping for justice for their loved one.

Investigations are continuing. Cops probe man’s murder in Mamoral

Almost one year after a father and his five-year-old daughter were murdered in their one room house, a man from the same area, just a few houses away, was shot while on his way home from liming at a nearby village bar.

Dexter Sorillo, 35, was at a bar lim-

ing and at about 5.30 pm on Sunday he left to walk to his home at Leekham Road, Mamoral, when several loud explosions were heard.

Residents later found Sorillo with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the Chaguanas District Health Facility where he died.

Police said a man, believed to be the gunman, was seen running into nearby bushes.

On April 30, Solomon Joseph and his five-year-old daughter, Saleesha Faith Joseph were both killed while asleep in bed at their Leekham Road home.

The double murder of father and daughter remains unsolved and residents strongly believe that they would not get justice for Sorillo’s murder.

Police are yet to determine a motive for Sorillo’s murder. Cocorite man shot dead

A 23-year-old man was gunned down in Cocorite on Sunday night.

Police said at about 9.30 pm Sha-

quille Williams, of Carenage, was standing near a savannah at Harding Place when he was shot several times about the body. Police said he had been charged with robbery and gunrelated offences.

“Cow Man” killed in Laventille Darren “Cow Man” King, 35, was shot dead Monday near his home in Laventille.

Police officers said King, who was well known to them, was said to be “on the low” since he came out of prison over two years ago. He was charged with arson and was a suspect in many other crimes including firearm related.

They said around 3.30 pm King was at the corner of Gibson Trace and the Old St Joseph Road in Success Village, Laventille, when a gunman walked up to him and shot him. The gunman then fled on foot.

Kings murder brings the number of killings for the year to 159. Investigations are continuing.

- Trinidad Guardian

Policeman accused of Moruga killings sues DPP over delay TRINIDAD -- One of the six police officers charged with murdering three friends from Moruga in 2011 has been given the green light to sue the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) over delays in starting their trial.

On Friday, High Court judge Ronnie Boodoosingh granted lawyers representing PC Safraz Juman leave to pursue his judicial review claim over the failure of the DPP’s Office to file an indictment against him and his colleagues since the end of their preliminary inquiry, almost five years ago.

The filing of the indictment after the inquiry is required to allow for the case to listed on the trial list in the High Court.

It does not guarantee an early trial

date as there is already a backlog of cases that have been filed and are awaiting trail dates.

Juman is complaining that the delay is affecting his ability to present his defence as his defence witnesses are either seriously ill or in the process of migrating.

According to his application, Juman is questioning why the indictment has not been filed after they were committed to stand trial at the end of their preliminary inquiry in Princes Town Magistrates’ Court on July 15, 2013.

Usually the process takes between two to three years as there are delays in depositions from witnesses in preliminary inquires being prepared and sent to the DPP’s Office, to be filed along with the indictments.

In his lawsuit, Juman’s lawyers noted that the depositions were sent in September 2015 and were collected by DPP Roger Gapsard, SC, who is personally prosecuting the case.

Alana Duncan, 27, of Duncan Village, San Fernando, Kerron Eccles, 29, and 20-year-old Abigail Johnson, both of St Mary’s Village, Moruga, were killed on July 22, 2011.

The friends were driving in Duncan’s vehicle when it was stopped by police at the corner of Rochard Douglas Road and Guness Trace Junction in Barrackpore.

Initial reports claimed that the friends shot at police, who returned fire.

Sgt Khemraj Sahadeo and PCs Re-

naldo Reviero, Glenn Singh, Roger Nicholas, Safraz Juman, Antonio Ramadin and Clement were eventually charged with the murders.

The charge against Clement was eventually dropped after she agreed to testify against her former colleagues of the San Fernando Robbery Squad.

The friends’ relatives have filed a wrongful death case against the State seeking $2 million in compensation for each family.

When the case came up for trial in February, the State failed to call any witnesses to defend the multi-million negligence claim.

- Trinidad Guardian

entertainment

PAGE 18

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Cardi B is pregnant.

Expresses relief following SNL performance.

ENT. PUBLICIST

What’s in the dark must, and always will, come to the light. In Cardi B’s

Duffin Meadows Cemetery

gained weight, brushing off TMZ’s report of the assumed pregnancy as nothing more than gossip. Many however remained suspicious of the rumour, this as the former stripper’s clothing choices became less revealing and more modest.

Take a look at some of Cardi’s recent looks, in the lead up to last night’s pregnancy bump reveal.

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ebrations, performing for her Trinbagonian fans at an event called Big Bad Soca which featured Fay Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano and other soca stars.

In the lead up to the grand reveal last evening, the South Bronx native who’s mother is Trinbagonian and father, Dominican, had made every effort to conceal her pregnancy. She initially told the public that she’s just

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case, there was really no more she could possibly do to hide the emerging baby bump she’d fostered with fiancé rapper, Offset. The Billboard chart topper who blew up with a track called, “Bodak Yellow” last year, is expecting her first child. The reveal came on Saturday Night Live, last night.

Cardi who’s got Caribbean roots, part of which is Trinbagonian, visited Trinidad during Carnival cel-

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Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

feature

PAGE 19

Unparalleled Paint Painting services you can rely on!

Community service is a non-paying job performed by one person or a group of people for the benefit of the community or its institutions. Community service is distinct from volunteering since it is not always performed on a voluntary basis. It strengthens the bonds we have with our neighbors who could use some extra help and for those of us that are capable it is our civic duty to humanity.

For as long as he can remember, Kurt Welch has found himself dabbling in business, whether it be as a young man looking to earn some extra cash or developing useful life skills taking on odd jobs.

Born and raised in Montreal, Kurt’s entrepreneurial spirit prompted him to start his own business seven years ago, something new, that he could manage that would produce profitable results, but also allow him to provide beneficial services back to the community.

With a background in computer science, Kurt’s career path took him in the direction of the corporate world, allowing him to foster his tech-savvy skills and later integrate them into his own business. In the corporate world, there is a language you have to learn, a way to maneuver yourself in a choreographed dance to present and sell exactly what you want. The skills he learned allowed him to better manage people and different personalities and led him

to start Unparalleled Paint.

Unparalleled Paint is a fully insured painting company working to serve Durham Region, Toronto, and the GTA. With over fifteen years of experience, their knowledge of the products they use, attention to detail and customer service experience allows for them to confidently ensure each client a satisfaction guarantee.

Kurt and his team are experts at what they do offering interior and exterior painting services in your home or business.

As a detail-oriented individual, Kurt knows what it takes to get a perfect paint job. Clients search for contractors they can trust, people they can rely on to complete a job to the highest of standards. Their highly skilled, professional and respectful crew takes care in treating your property like it’s their own, and they ensure that all flooring and furniture is covered to protect from accidents and dust.

The outside of any home or business needs to look great to ensure the proper curb appeal. This is especially important for businesses that want to attract customers. Unparalleled Paint can help you choose the right colors and apply them so they look great and last for as long as possible.

Painting your home or place of business can be a major undertaking. Without the right techniques and knowledge, the end result may not be what you hoped for.

At Unparalleled Paint, their professional painters can provide the quality you desire to create a professional look for any home or business. Their eco-friendly painters use the highest quality paints and other products that are safe for the environment without sacrificing beauty and longevity.

However, it’s not only about the paint, community service plays a huge component in the work done by Unparalleled Paint. Running a profitable business is not the only thing that matters to Kurt.

Putting the unity in community is a huge part of why he commits to the work that he does.

Kurt says it’s all about reciprocal relationships, and the stories of people that give even when they can’t afford that drives him.

Their Paint it Forward program allows for deserving members of the community who commit time and effort to do what they can to help others and give back to have their homes painted for free. These stories come from people from all walks of life, people who are in need, people who are less fortunate, good people who can’t afford to do such a big project themselves.

Unparalleled Paint is not only concerned that business is going well, but that the community can also thrive with their efforts. In addition to helping others they have also decided to be responsible for the

environment by using low and zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints. This is only the first step in creating a green working environment realizing that the large impact that products and the way they run their business can have on the environment.

“I am the business and the business is a reflection of me,” Kurt says “I am not here for personal gain, and I believe that we should not hold on to money so tightly.” Building a business that benefits everyone is his end goal. Every project they work on, every job assigned regardless if it is a contract or voluntary the same time, dedication, and commitment to satisfaction is there.

Building brand awareness, ensuring people know who you are and where you stand in the greater picture is how more businesses in the community can build the bridge to success.

Unparalleled Paint will be a vendor on May 6th in the TC Business Social Market Zone, admission is FREE! They provide full references, free no obligation estimates and affordable, competitive rates.

Time to get your next painting project underway with their unparalleled services!

Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean Reporter

SUNDAY MAY 6 2018

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PAGE 22

travel

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Make the most of summer in your own backyard Isn’t it great to kick back at home? In truth, you don’t have to look beyond your own backyard to have the time of your life this summer!

THE PLEASURES OF OUTDOOR LIVING This summer, embrace the outdoor lifestyle! With a bit of planning, your deck can become an extension of your home.

Goodbye, splintery picnic table — hello, fully equipped kitchen! Workstations, drawers, fridge, sink and other accessories team up with your barbecue to afford you all the comforts of home outdoors in the glorious sunshine.

And that’s not all! You could also set up an outdoor bar or home theatre, or install

a heating system to stretch the good times well into the cool evenings of fall. And don’t forget custom lighting to create the perfect atmosphere for every occasion, be it a barbecue with friends or a romantic dinner.

THE JOYS OF MAKING A SPLASH Can you think of a better way to get through a heat wave, enjoy time with friends or stay in shape this summer than with a pool? Or maybe you’d rather relax in a hot tub with your favourite beverage in hand? You could even go all out and get the best of both worlds with a swim spa!

Let’s face it — it’s hard to beat the fun factor of a pool or hot tub. Now’s the time to go all in on summer in your own backyard!

Modern camping trips: there’s something for everyone What comes to mind when you hear the word “camping”? A blissful tenting experience in the middle of nowhere? A relaxed family trip spent in a cozy but cramped camper, or a nightmarish vision of being devoured by bloodthirsty mosquitoes?

However you picture camping in your mind’s eye, know that the activity has evolved radically over the years and now offers something for everyone. Yes, everyone!

Today’s options go well beyond traditional camper and tent campsites. Want some examples? Yurts, tree houses, tepees, cottages, luxury trailers, cabins and ready-tocamp sites are just a few of the camping options available for the modern camper. What’s more, you get to choose between solitude and friendly neighbours; dense forests and lush fields; a lake in the middle of nowhere and all the services you could ever desire (pool, tennis courts, bike and boat rental, laundromat, snack bar, etc.). What’s not to like?

So, what’s your heart’s desire? To get back to basics and commune with nature, or to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort? Whatever your preference, you’ll find a nature stay to satisfy your tastes. Between the most rustic camping (without services) and glamping (luxury camping) with all the comforts of home (wood floors, cozy beds, espresso machine and toaster), there is something for everyone. Do a little research, and you’ll be enjoying a memorable camping vacation that completely suits your unique tastes before you know it!

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Food Market www.danforthfoodmarket.com

Frozen Chicken Leg

Drumsticks

99

¢

each

Fruité Flavoured Drinks 2 lt Assorted

99

¢

each

99

Nutrament Energy Nutritional Chocolate Drinks 355 ml

¢

each each

19 99

Grace Browning 142 ml

Mega Sardines

Assorted 155 g

89

¢

each

1

69 each

1.36 lt

1

2/

Garden Patch Whole Kernel Corn 12 oz

each

99

Caribbean Kitchen Granulated Garlic or Black Pepper 240-290 g

1

$

1

99

Oasis Cranberry or Berry Pomegranate Juice

each

OKF Aloe Vera Drink 1.5 lt

Jamaican Pride Coconut Milk 400 ml

1

$

2/

Jamaican Pride Butter Beans 400 g

1

69 each

2

$

3/

each

69

¢

each

1

10 kg

Caribbean Delight Salt Pollock Fillet 340 g

D&G Pink Ting 300 ml

British Class Coconut Oil 450 g

Aurora Liquid Honey 750 g

1

99 59 49 $ ¢ $ $ Box lb bag lb 99 Suggested Dinner-Suggested Dinner 3/7

69

¢

each

2

99

4

Goat Meat

Fresh Whole Atlantic Salmon 4-6 lb As Is

Fresh Mutton Snapper As Is

3

6

$ 99 lb

2

99

Fresh Black Snapper (Porgy Fish) As Is

2

Fresh

79

Five Locations To Serve You Better

Fresh

10 Lb Bag Potatoes

2

¢

lb

4

$ 99 lb

$ 49 lb Cooking Banana

99

lb

1

Fresh Red Lane Snapper As Is

East Indian Mangoes

Roasting Breadfruit

1

2

15 lb case

$ 99 lb Sweet & Juicy

Fresh Jamaican

each

75

Beef Soup Shank

00 $ 49 $ 99 lb lb

99 $ $ $ 59 lb lb

each

49

Salted Pigtail

3

3

Jamaican Stew Peas

Easy Cook Oxtail

Curry Goat

Mutton Meat

Classic Only 330 ml

Fresh Chicken Soup Bone

Fresh Chicken Roaster Feet

We’re simply the best West Indian store in town.

Cool Running Sweetened Condensed Whitener 300 ml

Vita Malt Malt Drink

Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters

99

lb

bag

Specials in Effect Thu. April 19th til Wed. April 25th, 2018.

Although we strive for accuracy in both copy & illustration, unintentional error may occur, we reserve the right to correct any error. Specials Available While Quantities Last. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

each

25 SQ. Feet

each

Plus Tax

Mon.-Fri. 9am to 9pm Saturday 9am to 9pm Sunday Lawrence Ave. E .

10am to 7pm

Store Hours

Steeles Ave. E .

Danforth Food Market 3051 Pharmacy Ave North Finch 416-490-9219

Mon.-Thu. 8:30am 8pm Fri. & Sat. 8:30am-8:30pm Sunday 9am to 6 pm Finch Ave. E.

Store Hours

Mon.-Thu. 9:30am 9pm Fri. & Sat. 9 am-9 pm Sunday 9am to 6 pm

Bloor St. E.

Danforth Food Market 1225 Dundas St. Dixie & Dundas Missisauga 905-949-9990

Dixie Rd.

44

50

Sheppard Ave. E .

Danforth Food Market 651 Markam Rd. 416-439-6397

Cawtra Rd.

69

Jumbo Plastic Barrel

D r.

5

¢

Store Hours

Pharmacy Rd.

8 kg

Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil

Danforth Food Market 301 Silverstone Dr. A l b 416-740-9870

Markam Rd.

each Each

99

Steeles Ave. W.

Mon.-Fri. ion 9am to 9pm Roa d Saturday 9am to 9pm Sunday Sheppard Ave. W . 10am to 8pm Finch Ave. W .

Keele St.

7

Mr. Goudas All Purpose Flour

Store Hours

Martin Grove Rd.

8 kg

99

Mon.-Fri. 9am to 9pm Saturday 9am to 9pm Sunday 9 am to 7pm

Finch Ave. W.

Danforth Food Market 3701 Keele St. 416-398-8123

Si lv er st on e

Nupak Parboiled Rice

Store Hours

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PAGE 28

food

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

How to cook

VEGETABLE STOCK EARTHA LOWE eartha@carib101.com

FOOD SPECIALIST

You’ll love the smell of colorful vegetables and whole spices, as they’re roasted to cook a rich, brown, and nutrient-dense, heart-warming stock with. Stock is a liquid in which solids have been cooked and then strained out, with the goal of transferring the flavor from the solids to the liquid. Then it is used to enhance ready-to-serve soup broths, as well as for sauces and other recipes.

To cook your own vegetable stock, play around with the ingredients in a number of ways; substituting freely among the vegetables. The best tasting, most useful stock can be made from ingredients you might

otherwise have thrown away. Only leeks or onions, carrots, and celery are truly essential. Fresh herbs add a lovely flavor. Parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, curry leaves, and bay leaves are often used in recipes for stock.

If you want to cook stocks in which one or more flavors shine, add one or more of these ingredients: 1. Whole spices, fresh or dried, such as allspice, peppercorn, cloves and ginger (in small amounts), juniper berries, and so on 2. Dried mushrooms, or the stems of fresh mushrooms. The distinctive flavor of mushrooms is almost always a fine addition 3. I like the scent of garlic in many savory soups and dishes. A whole head of garlic left intact, will lend a mellow flavor You’ll Need • 2 large onions, quartered and unpeeled • 4 carrots, peeled and cut in half • 2 parsnips, peeled and cut in half

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2 white turnips, peeled and quartered 2 celery stalks, cut in half 8 cloves garlic, unpeeled 1 shallot, unpeeled 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 10 sprigs fresh parsley 5 sprigs fresh thyme 2 – 3 bay leaves 12 peppercorns 1 cup white wine Sea salt to taste 8 cups water, plus 4 cups water

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips, celery, garlic, shallots in a large roasting pan.

Drizzle with the olive oil.

2. Roast for approximately 45 minutes until vegetables are nicely browned. Shaking the pan occasionally and turn the ingredients once or twice.

3. Use a slotted spoon to scoop all the ingredients into a stockpot; add the remaining ingredients and the 8 cups of

water. Turn the heat to high.

4. Place the roasting pan over a burner set to high. Add 2 to 4 cups of water, depending on the depth of the pan. Bring the water to a boil, scraping off any bits of food stuck to the bottom of the roasting pan. Pour this mixture into the stockpot along with any remaining water not used for deglazing.

5. Bring the contents of the stockpot to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and let simmer for 45 minutes. Cook until the vegetables are very soft and the stock is highly flavored.

6. Remove the stock from the heat and strain, pressing the vegetables to extract all their juices. Taste and add salt if necessary.

Tips for Serving: Pour into storage containers for the fridge or freezer. This stock can be refrigerated for 4 – 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Refrigerate, then skim any hardened fat from the surface if you like.

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women

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

What exactly are HORMONES?

Progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, adrenaline, insulin, cortisol, thyroxin, vasopressin, MSH — can you name the different hormones that your body produces? And do you actually know what each is responsible for? Unless you’re an endocrinologist, chances are your knowledge is a little hazy.

HORMONES 101 The endocrine system, which comprises glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands, is responsible for the production of hormones in our body. When they enter the bloodstream, these hormones travel to a specific organ where they fulfill their biological destiny. Hormones either provoke or inhibit a given reaction by latching onto a hormone receptor. In other words, hormones act as chemical messengers that regulate a number of bodily functions, inclu-

ding glucose storage, the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs in women and sperm in men.

Hormone imbalances, often caused by systemic disease (e.g. hypothyroidism), can lead to health problems like obesity, infertility and severe acne. Besides a genetic predisposition, a number of other factors can impact hormone production, including stress and a poor diet. Hormone levels fluctuate greatly throughout one’s life. While sex hormones develop at a rapid rate during adolescence, the production of progesterone and estrogen significantly declines once menopause hits. Similarly, children’s bodies generally secrete more growth hormones than adults’.

Nevertheless, hormones, whether connected to our sexual, reproductive or metabolic systems, play a pivotal role in our lives — so much so that it can sometimes feel like we’re at their mercy.

The word hormone derives from the Greek hormōn, which means “to set into motion.”

PUBERTY: when hormones go haywire!

Female puberty — a time in every young woman’s life marked by much insecurity — is triggered by none other than our hormones. Indeed, hormone production skyrockets during this stage, allowing girls’ bodies to develop into womanhood.

Unfortunately, this transformation doesn’t come without its inconveniences.

When a girl hits puberty, her body starts changing due to a sharp increase in hormone production: her chest develops, her hips fill out, her pelvis widens and she begins to lose her baby fat. This hormone surge also triggers hair growth and raises sexual drive. Ovaries start to mature and produce the estrogen and progesterone our bodies need, as well as a small amount of testosterone — hence the hair growth!

And, of course, the production of growth hormones increases as well, causing those sudden — and often uncomfortable —

The hormonal imbalances experienced throughout our teenage years can trigger sudden mood swings.

PAGE 31

growth spurts.

With puberty comes the development of the female reproductive system and hence, our much-loved period. Women generally start menstruating two years after their breasts have grown in. But that’s not all! Under the influence of our sex hormones, sebaceous glands — or oil glands — produce more sebum, clogging pores and causing greasy skin and breakouts for many unfortunate teens. As a bonus, sweat glands become more active, leading to increased perspiration — oh, the joys of teenagehood!

Finally, in addition to transforming our bodies, these hormonal changes can also cause a whirlwind of emotional turmoil.

Teens can go from laughing to crying in a mere split second. Puberty, which generally starts between the ages of eight and 13 and lasts two to four years on average, can make young girls feel uncomfortable and self-conscious at times. It’s no wonder that teenagers and awkwardness often go hand in hand.

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PAGE 34

yoga

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Yoga – What’s on the menu?

TRISHA CURLING

trishacurling@carib101.com

YOGA SPECIALIST

The reason why yoga is way more than a physical practice is that of the lessons it continues to teach us. It really brings us to a place where we need to examine much more than how our bodies move on the mat.

Yoga provides opportunities for us to ask ourselves how we can actually optimize our health in every aspect.

The physical aspect of our practice does, however, do wonderful things to inform our decisions in other areas of our

lives. It’s truly a pathway leading us to selfexamination. This doesn’t mean perfection, but it means continuous growth as we move through various experiences in our lives. Our nutritional health is just one of the aspects that we come face to face with. We begin to understand how to fuel and nourish our bodies to support our physical and mental needs.

The increased mindfulness started for me when I had to start considering not only what I ate before a yoga practice, but also my general habits. In order to have an effective physical practice, I knew that I could not overeat and/or eat something with poor nutritional value before I went to class.

If I did, it was a guaranteed that I would feel too ill and bloated to receive the effectiveness of the poses, I wouldn’t be able to move as freely and confidently. A decision like that would only have been counterproductive.

It’s always recommended to speak

with your healthcare provider about your specific nutritional requirements. These are different for everyone, especially if there are any health concerns that need to be addressed, so always do this first. It is also imperative to keep ongoing communication, as our bodies and its’ needs change quite frequently.

In my own experience, if my yoga practice is taking place first thing in the morning I usually do it on an empty stomach (if very close to the time of waking up).

Or something extremely light like a greens powder drink or a banana. If it is later in the day, I try to be sure to leave at least 2-3 hours without eating before the practice or maybe a handful of nuts (walnuts, cashews, or almonds are my favorites) if I’m hungry.

This way I’m sure not to interfere with my movement, especially in poses where I’m twisting which can be very uncomfortable

on a full belly. After a practice, I can choose some healthy eats (i.e. a protein smoothie or a meal with protein, greens, and rice or buckwheat noodles which are my favorite).

My eating, in general, has changed quite significantly since incorporating yoga and resistance training back into my life. It doesn’t mean that “junk foods” don’t creep in now and then, but if I know that I want to feel good, then whole foods are my first choice. I am still a work in progress, as we all are when striving to be our best. Healthier choices became my lifestyle and not temporary decisions. It has also greatly affected how I select from a menu when out to eat at a restaurant.

Yoga’s transformative power guides you to more healthy and holistic choices. Allow YOUR yoga to help you to listen to and understand your own body in order to make choices that suit you.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

health

What is OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder related to anxiety that affects two to three per cent of the general population.

It’s characterized by obsessions, compulsions or a combination of the two. Early symptoms generally manifest before the age of 40.

WHAT IS AN OBSESSION? Obsessions are uncontrolled and repetitive thoughts or images that take over the mind and are impossible to ignore, even when the

affected person is well aware of their irrational nature. Obsessions can relate to chronic fears; for example, fear of contracting diseases or leaving the house unattended.

WHAT IS A COMPULSION? Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or rituals performed to relieve anxiety and stress.

Common examples include constantly washing one’s hands, cleaning the house or making sure the stove is off. People who have OCD are conscious of their exaggerated behaviours; however, they can’t seem to escape them.

Obsessions and compulsions can be extremely disruptive. They often interfere with the personal and professional life of affected individuals and cause great psychological distress. If you’re experiencing OCD-related symptoms, consult a health professional. Cognitive behavioural therapy combined with certain medications can help you regain control of your life.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects two to three per cent of the population.

The many benefits of SINGING TO YOUR BABY Do you hum lullabies to your little one to help them go to sleep? When they’re upset, do you reassure them with a song? Well, you’ll be happy to hear that this instinctive habit is incredibly beneficial for your baby! In fact, researchers at the International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS) in Montreal have discovered that singing to young children helps them stay calm for twice as long as speaking to them.

And that’s not all! Music can also contribute to a child’s healthy development. Research led by a professor of music therapy at Florida State University found that premature

Studies show that soothing your baby with song rather than speech helps them remain calm for twice as long.

babies nurse more actively when exposed to music. Furthermore, according to a joint study conducted by the Great Ormond Street Hospital and the University of Roehampton in the U.K., lullabies help reduce anxiety and relieve pain in children with cardiac or respiratory disorders.

Singing is a marvellous way to forge a loving bond and communicate with your baby.

In short, don’t hesitate to sing as often as your heart desires (even if you’re not particularly talented!). It’s an extremely rewarding practice that will benefit your little one in more ways than one.

Four tips to help ROUSE YOUR APPETITE IN THE MORNING

There’s no denying that breakfast is an important meal: it helps replenish strength and energy after a long night of fasting, promotes better concentration and prevents binge eating throughout the day. If you have a hard time eating in the morning because you just aren’t hungry, here are some potential solutions: 1. Don’t overeat at dinner. Prepare something light for dinner and eat it at least three hours before going to bed. Avoid late-night snacking as much as possible.

Depending on your metabolism, going to bed on a full stomach may not give your body enough time to digest everything before you wake up, which may explain your lack of hunger.

2. Start slow. Start with a glass of freshly squeezed juice, for example, and slowly increase your food intake every week by adding yogurt, nuts and eggs, among other foods, to the mix. This way, you can slowly work your way up to eating the necessary three meals per day.

3. Divide your breakfast. Instead of trying to devour a whole meal first thing in the morning, drink a glass of orange juice when you wake up, eat some almonds right before you head to work and enjoy a yogurt once you arrive at the office.

4. Wake up earlier. If you wake up with little time to spare before heading out the door, your body simply might not have enough time to register that you’re awake and build up an appropriate appetite.

Finally, if the smell of toasted bread makes you nauseous in the morning, bear in mind that there are many less fragrant options available — like a bowl of applesauce, for example.

On that note, bon appétit!

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Leadership in today’s world; How do we build our new leaders?

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

“Wherever you are sent you must kindle a fire but, of course, I do not mean a physical fire lit by matches and fuel. Rather, the fire you must kindle is within your heart and this means you should conduct your duties with passion, zeal, and devotion.” His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed Leadership; how does leadership look to you?

We all have our ideas on what great leadership is, and I believe that different leaders are needed for different projects, organizations, and communities. My trip to England and my visit with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has inspired me to research what makes a great leader. I was fascinated by the way the community had such reverence for their leader and the way they are willing to follow his lead without question. Well, I don’t know if it is without question; there are always questions. I had questions, and this week I am going to address some questions that I had and provide you with quotes from a man who seems to have the right answers.

One thing that a leader must do is

lead by example. His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed speaks about conducting your duties with passion, zeal, and devotion. How does one do that? Well, first of all, you have to have a passion for what it is that you do. This passion is seen in how you conduct yourself when you are carrying out your work. Your zeal for what you do has to be authentic, and believe me; people can tell when you are just acting. As a leader, your devotion must be to your community; they must know that they can turn to you when times get hard. It is a big responsibility and one that cannot be taken lightly. Devotion is key!

attains power and respect, but this only comes after they have worked hard for it. They have shown their commitment to their passions, their community, and their ideals. The strength comes from going through life, dealing with the knocks and learning enough to teach others how to deal with adversity when it appears in their individual lives.

“A missionary’s work should not be hindered because of hardships; rather missionaries should have the potential and strength to bear adversity.” His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed

This quote stuck out to me; abuse of power; one of the leading descriptions of bad leadership. It is very easy to get caught up in the power that comes with being a leader. You have people willing to do what you say; people who are at your beck and call. You have access to materials, tools, and information that others do not.

It is very easy to start smelling yourself and to start seeing what you can get away with. So how does a person with all this power not abuse it? Well, it takes a certain type of discipline and for some a spiritual foundation that keeps them rooted in their convictions and helps with the temptation of greed and selfishness.

There is still so much to be learned about leadership, and it is a feat that I am willing to take up. I would love the community’s feedback on this article; who do you feel is a good leader, and what makes them a good leader to you? Looking forward to hearing from you.

How does one gain the strength to bear adversity? I have always been curious to know if a leader realizes their abilities, and when they know that they are fit to be leaders. One ideology that I believe has done some damage in the Caribbean community is that many of us truly believe we are leaders but do not possess qualities that truly make a leader. Leaders in our past like Malcom X, Martin Luther King, and Marcus Garvey had to deal with their fair share of adversity. Many of our leaders have lost their lives standing up for what they believe in. Not everyone is equipped, but long to feel something. That something could be power, respect, an ego stroke, who knows? A leader

“Instead of wielding their influence with wisdom and truth, such clerics abuse their authority and the trust people have in them in the worst possible ways.” His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed

Deep Work COLLEEN LINDBERG colleen@carib101.com

LIFESTYLE COACH

This week I have been reading a book called Deep Work by Cal Newport. It brings forth the concept of non-distracted work for short periods of time (or lengthy ones if needed) to accomplish certain tasks. This could mean in our work lives, our business lives but even in all aspects of life. It got me reflecting on how we live in a world with so many distractions and how we might not take time in our lives anymore for focused work.

Let me give you some examples. I was at the gym today and my phone is going off with text messages, emails, Instagram posts, you name it, all of it was beeping. I had the

option to break my set and check everything or silent my phone, turn the music up and keep my focus on my workout. So, what did I do? I “SWATed” (fierce focus on a certain task) my workout out. I left it all on the floor and by the time I was done, I was done, literally. However, another scenario could have happened, I could have checked my phone a million times. Forgot where I was in my repetitions, not focused on the workout and had an ok one leaving but not a great one.

If you look at your life, how often are you distracted by things and are half focused?

It happens to all of us, so what can we do about it?

We purposefully align ourselves with Deep Work. We leave our phone at home when we go on a date. (I know some of you were just thinking but what about the kids, the Google map. If one of you brings your phone and is only allowed to pull up the maps or check it here and there because of the kids, that’s ok).

Have you ever seen those people out for dinner on their phones and not even communicating? It is so common these days, but really it

requires some small actions to get things back into alignment.

When it comes to deep work in my job, I turn off Outlook, turn my phone on silent and for short periods (usually 30 mins – 60 mins) in a day I go at a task. It’s always a high priority, money generating a task and I hash it out.

Imagine if we played with our kids this way, sole focused time. I wonder when the last time you had Deep Work time in your relationships? I am sure that the concept of Deep Work is something that is not as common anymore in our society unfortunately with everything being so accessible, we almost forgot that we used to not have phones and we played outside till it was dusk. At least that was my life growing up.

So, this week, where in your life can you focus your time and do some Deep Work?

It just might be a game changer for you and your relationships. It might be exactly what you need to move things forward. Start small and you will see the results it can bring!

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life

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Four important things to know about the matrimonial home VALERIE DYE valerie@carib101.com

LEGAL SPECIALIST

In family law, the matrimonial home is given special consideration in relation to other matrimonial assets. Firstly, a spouse is not given credit for the fact that he or she may have owned the home prior to marriage. Furthermore, assets received by one party as a gift or inheritance is exempted from equalization and is not calculated as part of the net family property. The matrimonial home is not exempted in this way and even where a matrimonial home has been received as a gift or inheritance, it becomes part of the net family property of the party who receives it

and it will be divided in the event of separation or divorce. Given the special treatment accorded to the matrimonial home in family law, I outline below four other important facts regarding the matrimonial home.

1. A couple may have more than one matrimonial home.

Section 18 (1) of the Family Law Act states that: Every property in which a person has an interest and that is or, if the spouses have separated, was at the time of separation ordinarily occupied by the person and his or her spouse as their family residence is their matrimonial home.

The courts have interpreted this section to mean that, since couples may occupy more than one property as their family residence then there can be more than one matrimonial home. In most cases, the second matrimonial home is a cottage. In MacFarland vs MacFarland the husband inherited a cottage from his mother. The parties spent holidays there as a family but also spent time

at the cottage separately. The husband would often visit the cottage on his own and the wife would sometimes visit with the children either with the husband or without him. As the marriage deteriorated the husband spent more and more time at the cottage on his own. The Superior Court of Ontario found that the cottage qualified as a matrimonial home.

In making its determination the Court stated that section 18 (1) of the Act does not require that spouses should occupy the property together or simultaneously. The only thing that is required is that the property is treated as a ‘family residence’.

Clearly, not all cottages will be treated as a matrimonial home. The determining factor will be the manner and frequency of the use of the property. Section 18(1) also allows a couple to have matrimonial homes in more than one jurisdiction.

home.

One or both spouses may designate a home that is owned by either of them as the matrimonial home. Once this designation is made it may be filed in the Land Registry office. The effect of designating one home as the matrimonial home is that even if the couple resides in another home that has not been designated as the matrimonial home, the home in which they reside will not be deemed a matrimonial home. For this to be effective the designation must be made by both spouses. If the designation is made by only one spouse, then any other property which is occupied by the couple as their residence will remain a matrimonial home.

A designation is not final, and parties may subsequently decide to cancel it.

Upon cancellation of a designation all other properties that qualify as a family residence will revert to becoming matrimonial homes.

2. Couples having more than one home can designate one home the matrimonial

To be continued…..

The Poverty Report: Part 1 KATHY McDONALD kathy@carib101.com

SCHOOL TRUSTEE

This week I will be discussing the inextricable link between poverty, graduation rates, and student success. The column will be a two-part report as there is a large volume of information that needs to be unpacked. I would encourage readers to visit the Peel District School Board’s (PDSB) website; www. peelschools.org and read the report entitled Poverty Indicators: The PDSB Students and Families Living in Poverty. However, before I delve into this report I would like to make all Peel residents aware of an amazing opportunity that is available and encourages as many parents as possible to apply for this great opportunity to get involved in their child’s education.

The PDSB’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is currently accepting parent applications to fill upcoming vacancies for September 2018 to August 2020. Parents can go to their child’s school or apply online by April 27th, 2018. More detailed information is available on the PDSB’s website. PICs are mandated by the Ministry of Education and

they act as an advisory committee to school boards. All school boards have a parent involvement committee that may be referred to using another name or acronym. Whatever this committee is called by your child’s school board I would recommend if this is something that might interest you contact your child’s school or visit your child’s school board’s website.

On August 29th, 2017 at the regular meeting of the board I presented the following notice of motion: “Whereas poverty and its effects can be a great barrier to student achievement and success, and whereas, Social Risk Index data is collected around key metrics of social risk, including poverty, for Peel students; Therefore be it resolved, that staff prepare a report that lists current programs that help students overcome barriers pertaining to poverty, including hunger, mental health, technology and external factors, and the protocols in place to measure the effectiveness of these programs.” On November 15th, 2017 and February 21st, 2018 at the PDSB’s Instructional Programs and Curriculum Committee reports from staff were received.

The first report outlined the supports that are currently available but the second report highlighted eight poverty indicators which tell the story of poverty as it pertains to the PDSB. The eight indicators used to paint this multidimensional picture of poverty are: children living in poverty, students from one parent families, students with special educational needs by exceptionalities, persistent

absenteeism; children’s school readiness, students meeting EQAO (Education Quality Assessment Office) provincial standards, high school graduation rates and French Immersion student enrolment.

In the report, poverty was grouped into ten different groups. The students with the highest poverty were represented in decile 1 while the students in decile 10 had the lowest poverty. In an ideal school board, the difference between decile 1 and 10 would be zero. That is, there would be no significant difference among student achievement between students in the lowest poverty gradient to those in the highest poverty gradients.

The median income for families in decile 1 is $41,624 with 35.8% of kids living in poverty while in decile 10 the median income is $157,620 with 12.9% of kids living in poverty. When kids from higher income families enter school, they are better able to meet age-appropriate developmental expectations.

A greater percentage of students from the decile 10 are at or above the provincial standard in both the primary and junior division of the EQAO test in reading writing and mathematics. With a 32.6 % difference in grade 6 mathematics. Children in poverty don’t graduate at the same rates as children in higher income communities. In the PDSB there is a 10% difference between decile 1 and decile 10. There are fewer kids in French immersion and more one-parent families in decile 1. Most identified special education exceptionalities are impacted by poverty. Communication au-

tism, communication-learning disability, and intellectual-developmental disability did not appear to be impacted by poverty. Persistent absenteeism was higher in decile 1 than decile 10. It was noted that the various factors that may play a role in the high rates of student absenteeism include, mental health, physical health, financial, perceptions, transportation and attitude towards school. I was aware of a case that two children from the same family would come to school on alternate days because the family only had one coat. Please note that once this was discovered arrangements were made to provide an additional set of winter garments as well as other essentials.

Even though Peel has high poverty areas, poverty is scattered all throughout the region and is often hidden in affluent areas.

Invariably children from wealthy families are in school with children on government assistance. The latter group of kids can easily fall through the cracks. There is a direct link to poverty and graduation rates as well as poverty and how well students perform in the EQAO. Hands down the most shocking revelation was the disproportionate representation of students in the gifted program from decile 10 when compared to decile 1. So, journey with me and help equity and student success for all become a reality. Now remember to get involved in your child’s education and if possible explore becoming a part of PIC. Walk Good! Belle Marché.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Response to: Dating in the church gone wrong KEZIA ROYERBURKETT kezia@carib101.com DATING SPECIALIST

Last week’s “Dating in the church gone wrong” was the most popular article I have written to date. Thank you so much to all the readers that took their time to read and send in their stories, opinions, and comments. It sparked a discussion surrounding what appears to be a controversial topic, dating in church. Many readers had questions about what exactly I meant by using the term “dating”. According to Wikipedia “dating” is a stage of a romantic relationship whereby two people meet socially with the aim of deciding whether they are a match for marriage, and that definition is the one I intended when I referred to “dating” in my last article.

A sad reminder that was apparent from my previous article is that many people are faced with the reality of influential people sharing their strong, overbearing opinions and dictating how other individuals should live their lives. Strong views, at times, can indeed override one’s thoughts and feelings and put you in a position where your thoughts and feelings are submissive to the influencers. I received many comments from readers telling me where the gentleman in the story went wrong, and how it wasn’t the church’s fault, and how I should go about finding a husband. In a day and age where there are dating apps, dating advice professionals, matchmaker consultants, pastors and family members telling individuals how to date, when do the people who are single have the opportunity to self-check what they want and desire in a life partner?

Where are the people and services teaching people how to be self-aware about who they are and the qualities they desire in a partner? Is there a formula for a successful relationship that will lead to a long happy marriage? Some cultures believe that arranged marriages are best and the parents should choose a life partner for their child.

Various religions and cultures have practices that are intended to join two individuals in a successful, happy, holy, long, prosperous

relationship. But the truth of the matter is, all of the qualities that make up a good connection are dependent upon the individuals and less on the actual practices themselves.

I have had many heartbreaks, breakups and sad, vulnerable moments with men and so have billions of other people in this world from different races, cultures, and religions.

As humans we are all subject to pain and hard times, it’s the nature of life, also known as yin and yang. It doesn’t matter how hard we try to avoid heartache, and pain, it is inevitable. I believe that open, honest, dialogue can dispel the majority of difficulties that are associated with romantic relationships and also knowing when to check other’s opinions at the door respectfully.

Advice from family, friends and community leaders can be great, but connecting with yourself and determining what is best for you is always the best scenario.

Outside advice can help you see another perspective but it should never overshadow your gut feeling and your ability to make decisions for yourself. The church is not the only place dating and relationships have ended in mishap; Where there are humans there are errors. The good thing about this thing we call life is that every day we are alive and well, we have the opportunity to learn from our mistakes, make wiser decisions and evolve into better people. In the Bible in the Book of Proverbs, chapter 22 verse 6 it says: “Train your child up in the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn away from it.” I think this is a great verse to remind “elder meddlers” that if they did their job correctly with the children, there is no need to interfere with adult’s decision making unless help is requested and even then suggestions and guidance should be given not directives and ultimatums.

If you are looking for a resource to help improve your communication skills in any relationship check out the Love Languages test at 5lovelanguages.com. The Love Languages test is a good free resource I have used myself. The test is intended to help couples learn and gain understanding about the various ways in which people can show love and receive love. It helps disrupt the mindset that there is only one way to go about a relationship and it highlights the individuality and uniqueness of every relationship. As Always Love and Light!

in the six

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PAGE 40

home & garden

Storage benches combine form and function The storage bench is a multipurpose piece of furniture that serves as a seat and doubles as — you guessed it — a place in which to store various items. Practical and decorative, this versatile solution lends itself to virtually every room of the house. Put one in the entrance, the dining room, a bedroom or your kids’ playroom to keep shoes, cushions, blankets and toys neatly out of sight.

Maintaining your leather furniture

REGULAR MAINTENANCE Leather is delicate and needs to be treated with care. Preserve your new piece of furniture by dusting the surface weekly with a slightly damp lintfree cloth. You should also apply a specialized moisturizing product (ask your local furniture store for recommendations) a few times a year to keep the leather supple.

Four decorating tips for a stylish hallway Decorating a hallway can prove quite challenging, especially if it’s particularly long and narrow. Add some character to this oft-neglected part of your home with these simple style tips.

1. Be bold with patterns and colours. Have fun with textures and colours to give your hallway some personality. When choosing your paint or wallpaper, keep in mind that light colours such as pastel pink, sky blue and pale green are great for achieving a bright, luminous atmosphere, while darker tones like deep purple, navy blue and pine green create a more cozy feel.

Available in a variety of styles and finishes, storage benches can complement any decor. Are you a fan of contemporary design? Country style? Industrial? Do you have a soft spot for leather, unique textiles or raw wood?

No matter your tastes and budget, you’re sure to find a storage bench that’s perfect for your needs.

Have you recently purchased a piece of real leather furniture? To keep it looking like new for as long as possible, regular maintenance is key. Read on to find out how to care for your investment.

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

PLACEMENT To avoid premature or irregular discolouration, place your leather furniture in a location where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight. Furthermore, keep it away from heat sour­ces such as radiators, as hot air can cause the leather to dry out and crack.

SPOT CLEANING Finally, be sure to clean up any spills as soon as they happen to avoid deep, permanent staining. Use a sponge soaked in soapy water or a cleansing solution to gently wipe away the mess (don’t scrub).

2. Showcase your art collection. Why not transform your hallway into a custom mi­niature art gallery? Personalize the space with a family photo wall, or frame different sizes of artwork for an eclectic look.

3. Create storage space. Make the most of underused space by equipping your hall­way with shelves, hooks and other storage systems. Just be careful to not clutter the area or impede circulation through the hallway with items that are too bulky.

4. Light it up. If your hallway is stuck in the shadows, make it more inviting by adding some light fixtures. Create a warm atmosphere with a classic ceiling light, or put up some string lights for a fairy-tale glow.

Tips for a well-lit kitchen If you’re in the process of remodelling your kitchen, remember that proper lighting is key to creating a space that’s both pleasant and functional. Here are three bright tips to help you light up the heart of your home.

1. Start with the main light source. Install a main fixture that’s bright enough to light up the entire room effectively. Make sure that the light source you choose is strong enough to create uniform lighting and eliminate dark spots as much as possible without being too bright.

2. Target strategic spots. Make sure certain strategic locations such as work surfaces, the stovetop and the sink are especially well lit to aid common kitchen tasks and prevent injuries. Choose fixtures that create targeted lighting, such as spotlights, hanging lights or under-cabinet lighting.

3. Don’t neglect esthetics. Above all, your kitchen’s lighting should be functional, but that doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice style. Tour your local lighting stores to find visually appealing fixtures that will add personality to your kitchen.

For a safe, functional kitchen, make sure work surfaces, the stovetop and the sink are well lit.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

2018 Lexus LC 500

automotive

PAGE 41

LEXUS unveils its new platform

Lexus is showcasing an all-new architecture for 2018: the GA-L (for Global Architecture-Luxury) platform. This new chassis is stiffer and sportier than its predecessor and, according to Lexus, will transform the slightly placid character of the brand’s lineup. The first vehicle built on this new chassis was the LC, followed by the luxurious LS and, in 2018, the NX compact SUV. All models slated for upgrades over the next few years will be based on the GA-L platform.

On the SUV front, Lexus has decided to refresh its model for 2018 by including a standard-issue third row of booth seating. The Lexus RX-L (L for “long”) was extended by 11 centimetres to allow space for a third row of booth seating, bringing the total seating capacity to seven passengers. Buyers may choose to go with a configuration featuring captain seats in the second row to seat a total of six people. Just like the standard Lexus RX (which remains on the roster), the RX-L will be offered with two engine configurations. The first is the same 3.5-L 295-horsepower V6 as in the 350 version; the second is the 308-horsepower hybrid engine that also powers the Lexus RX 450h.

2019 Lexus UX

Finally, Lexus has decided to retire its compact CT 200h and replace it in 2019 with the UX crossover, which will be built on the same chassis as the Toyota CH-R. 2018 Lexus RX-L

MAZDA takes full advantage of new tech Mazda decided a few years ago to make better use of currently available tech rather than invest massively in the research and 2018 Mazda CX-9

2018 Mazda6

development of brand new technologies. This approach gave birth to the SKYACTIV technology, the second generation of which is slated for a 2018 release. The Hiroshima-based automaker wishes to continue taking maximum advantage of the internal combustion engine to offer increasingly better fuel consumption rates.

Mazda is once again trying to drum up interest for the Mazda6 in 2018. Like the most recent CX-9, the Mazda6 will be available in a Signature edition. Mazda also added a turbocharged 2.5-L 4-cylinder engine developing 250 horsepower (running on high-octane fuel) and 310 lb.-ft. of torque to the powertrain options. The exterior of the new 6 will be nearly identical to the current version.

After undergoing some stylistic upgrades in 2017, the Mazda3 and CX-5 will return without any major changes for 2018, as will the CX-9 and CX-3. Looking ahead, the recent tech-sharing partnership between Mazda and Toyota has led many to believe

that an electric Mazda may be on the horizon for 2019.

Finally, a Mazda CX-4 is already available in China and may be released in North America for the 2020 model-year under the name CX-6.

PAGE 42

real estate

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Why will real estate prices climb?

JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO

We, as humans, are predictable. We have a crowd mentality. Many of us follow the follower when it comes to big decisions. Home prices have dropped over the last six months, creating a panic mode. Many sellers are willing to accept far less money compared to a year ago. Most buyers are sitting on the sidelines watching the action. The market, however, is like a pendulum, and when it turns prices will begin to climb.

Home prices in the GTA went up over the last two years because of local speculators. Foreign buyers accounted for less than 5% of all homes purchased in the GTA. With

government interventions, the prices dropped and the speculators began to dump their inventories. Stringent mortgage rules such as the mortgage stress test, combined with interest rate hikes, resulted in buyers qualifying for less. Their buying power dropped and the condo market took off. More expensive properties remain on the shelves. With a growing inventory of unsold homes, housing affordability has improved for the first time in two years.

Luxury home prices will continue to drop because of higher carrying costs. The shifting market will result in more buyers, and prices will climb again, but at a much slower pace than the past two years. In 2018, over fifty thousand new immigrants will choose the GTA as their home, creating a demand for housing. This trend will continue because of Canada’s immigration policy.

Over the past decade, home prices went up by 69% while income went up by only 23%. The cost of living is at an all-time high. With the digital era, it is far easier to spend but good jobs are hard to find. Students

are neck deep in debt and save very little. It is easy to see why homeowners, especially millennials, will look at ways to reduce their mortgage payments.

There is a large disparity between household income and home prices. The only solution is to increase the traditional amortization of a mortgage from twenty-five years to thirty years. This will slash monthly payments by 10% but in the long run, it will cost the homeowner about 20% more in interest payment. The lower mortgage payment will help in tough times and more buyers can afford to buy. An increase of buyers will cause prices to climb.

The new stress test implemented in January was designed to remove high-risk borrowers from the marketplace and stabilize home prices, to an extent. A thirty-year amortization will allow more of these buyers to qualify and create an upward pressure on homes.

The future is predictable. Home prices will continue to climb at a faster rate than income. More borrowers will opt for lon-

ger amortization and many homeowners will choose home equity line of credit with interest only payments. Some buyers will choose to move to smaller towns where home prices are more affordable while the majority will remain in the GTA.

It is one of the best times for buyers to move up. Smaller more affordable homes buyers currently own will fetch a premium while the larger homes buyers want to purchase will come down in price substantially.

The first step is to get prequalified and then to shop around. Spring is the best time to shop because that’s when most sellers put their homes up for sale.

Toronto is a world-class city and home prices will continue to climb. Compared to other world-class cities, our prices are relatively cheap. The basic truth is that the demand for housing will always outpace supply. According to Franklin D. Roosevelt “Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can’t be carried away. Purchased with common sense and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.”

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Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 43

WEEK OF APRIL 15TH TO APRIL 21ST, 2018

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: LEO, VIRGO AND LIBRA

Take the time to review recent receipts, because a mistake probably slipped in somewhere. Your vigilance should pay off in the form of a hefty chunk of change.

TAURUS

Patience won’t be your greatest virtue over the next few days.

Financial troubles will resolve themselves with time. The solution to your problems lies in letting water run under the bridge.

PUZZLE NO. 654 HOW TO PLAY :

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 654

GEMINI

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

You need to get some rest. Once you’re feeling more relaxed, you’ll find the inspiration you needed to reach your professional goals.

Each 3x3 box 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, column, or 3x3 box.

You’ll be in charge of a large group of people, and you’ll experience some wonderful moments together. Stress may tire you out; be sure to get lots of rest before the weekend if you don’t want to wind up stuck in bed.

CANCER

LEO

You’ll find yourself in the boss’s chair this week, much to your own surprise. Whoever’s in charge will be needed somewhere urgently. Trust yourself and your leadership talent will shine through.

PUZZLE NO. 917 43. Loud uproar 46. Disables 50. Paddle’s cousin 51. Steals 53. Soil enricher 54. Lip 55. Taunt 56. Control 57. Remove moisture 58. Purposes 59. Close forcefully

ACROSS 1. Throb 5. “____ So Lovely” 9. Cranberry location 12. Lunchtime 13. List of restaurant dishes 14. Poison ____

15. Sightseeing trip 16. Historical epochs 17. On the ____ 18. Spread out awkwardly 20. Ices 22. Jelly 24. Wall-covering hanger 27. Ship’s

underside 31. Hurricane center 32. Modifies copy 35. Fearful wonder 36. Hiker’s abode 38. Clipped, as sheep 40. Volunteered

DOWN 1. Morsels for aardvarks 2. Chicken’s house 3. Clock division 4. Infuriate 5. Sniffed 6. Female pronoun 7. Make into law 8. Fish delicacy 9. Fashion designer Blass 10. Arena shape 11. Workout places 19. Had being 21. Printer’s fluid 23. Soar 24. Animal companion 25. Sailor’s

response 26. Author 28. Jug handle 29. Cote member 30. Commanded 33. Shoves 34. Glimpsed 37. Cruise of “Mission: Impossible” 39. Modifies 41. Specialty 42. Displeased expression

43. Rope 44. Lion’s cave 45. Land force 47. True 48. Doll’s cry 49. Plant stalk 52. Auction offer neckwear 49. Diamond gal 51. Gloom 52. Unworthy 53. Heavens

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 917

VIRGO

With a business trip looming on the horizon, you’ll find yourself doubting your abilities to communicate in another language.

Things should go better than expected.

LIBRA

If you’re aiming for a career change, you’ll need to head back to class. Your patience and efforts will pay off eventually by relieving you of a tough financial situation.

SCORPIO

You aren’t usually the kind of person who hesitates before making a big decision, but this time you’ll take a few moments to weigh the pros and cons. And you’re right to do so: new information will be brought to your attention at the very last minute.

SAGITTARIUS

At work, you’ll find yourself in charge of emergencies and complaints. Luckily, your ability to smile in every circumstance will work wonders to relieve tense situations.

CAPRICORN

You’ll accomplish a brilliant feat in one way or another. You’ll be warmly applauded and placed on a pedestal of sorts. You may even save someone from a disaster.

AQUARIUS

If you have young children, they’ll be rowdier than usual this week. You’ll need to take the time to establish and explain new house rules if you wish to one day enjoy some peace and quiet.

PISCES

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

You won’t mince your words this week, and you’ll probably end up saying out loud what others dare not speak. You’ll have to get used to your new phone, as it’s a lot more complex than your previous one.

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the value of volunteering Thank you Peel CAS volunteers The involvement of volunteers has a profound effect on the children and families served

by Peel Children’s Aid. As an integral part of our organization, volunteers provide support and encouragement through the generous contributions of their time and their talents.

Volunteers enhance the work of staff through their support as tutors, mentors, drivers, clerical support, supervised access, distribution warehouse and Holiday Wishes event volunteers as well as in many other capacities.

National Volunteer Week is April 15-21 and this year’s theme is Celebrate the value of Volunteering. “Our volunteers are the unsung heroes whose efforts improve the quality of life for Peel citizens,” says Carol-Ann Fox, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs. “We want to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for their generosity, their thoughtfulness and their compassion.”

At Peel CAS, more than 150 direct service volunteers contribute countless hours and help us provide service to over 10,000 families. How Peel CAS volunteers went the distance last year: • Drove children over 900,000 km safely to appointments, parental visits and other outings and events • Spent over 739 hours in supervising visits between parents and their children in a neutral setting • Mentored and developed personal relationships with children in order to build their self-esteem and get them involved in the community

• Assisted children that are experiencing difficulty in school by tutoring • Shopped for 1,473 children, 695 families and 70 independent teens through our Holiday Wishes Program • Supported over 735 children to attend summer camp • Served 755 children and distributed 12,100 pieces of clothing through our Distribution Warehouse “Our volunteers have heart, passion, purpose and soul,” says Fox. “Thank you to all of our Peel CAS volunteers!” For more information on how you can help please contact us at (905) 363-6131 ext. 1423 or visit www.peelcas.org.

Meet some of our amazing volunteers!

Volunteers make such a huge difference in the lives of children, youth and families involved with Peel CAS. Thank you to the following three volunteers for sharing their stories with us.

For more information, contact Peel CAS at 905.363.6131 or visit

www.peelcas.org

Paula

Ever since I was in college, working with youth and parents was something I wanted to do. I started out volunteering at Peel CAS through the Holiday Wishes program. Eventually, I moved over into the Supervised Access program, which is a program where volunteers work as part of a team to facilitate visits between parents and their children in a neutral setting.

Joshua I wanted to volunteer in an area I am passionate about so I chose Peel Children’s Aid. I am adopted and my parents have been foster parents with the agency for over 30 years. Growing up there were always foster siblings in our home so it seemed like a good fit to become a volunteer mentor to children involved with children’s aid.

I love working with others and Peel CAS is a great place to do this. It is very rewarding to see children and parents connect and interact in a positive way. I feel like it is a privilege to be able to witness these heartwarming moments.

As a child I always felt a little different. Being a mentor with CAS gives me a chance to share my experience with others who may feel the same way. We spend one on one time together each week and over time build relationships and trust.

I’ve learned through volunteering at Peel CAS that you definitely get more than you give. In a small way I feel like I am doing my part to help the agency bring children and families together.

It is very rewarding when you start to see positive changes. I feel like maybe in some small way I have contributed to helping these children and youth develop confidence and be successful.

John

I started working at Peel CAS as a recommendation from a friend however as time has progressed volunteering as a driver has become a part of me. Days when I don’t go in, I feel something is missing.

The most rewarding element for me is seeing kids that I picked up progress in their lives. There are kids that I started to drive in elementary school. Today they have graduated and are now in University. It feels good to see their successes. When I run into them, they don’t look at me as John, the volunteer driver but rather as John, the big brother.

I wish all human beings could spare some time to help others in need. Volunteering should be part of what life is about. Some people can help others by giving money which is great but you don’t need money, you just need time. I have time and enjoy sharing it to benefit others.

PAGE 48

finance

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Impact of Canada’s aging population Part 2 FAZAAD BACCHUS fazaad@carib101.com

FINANCE SPECIALIST

Last issue we discussed the fact that Canadians are living longer and as a result, there are many issues that Canadians will face including, financial, medical, care and estate planning. As Canadians live longer, they are living longer with dramatic improvements in quality of life. As a result, aging is becoming less and less synonymous with dependency, misery, and inactivity. Still, all the same, there are some that may have a difficult future due to the following issues.

Aging process: we cannot reverse aging, but we can slow the pace of it. In normal aging we tend to have physiological issues to contend with, for example, diminished hearing, seeing, tasting, touching and smelling. One of the more dangerous ones to look out for is

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Physiological changes: as a person ages some of their functions are retarded or quite simply put we are no longer at our peak. Matter of fact is that our bodies peak around thirty years of age and start slowing down thereafter. By age fifty-five your heart pumps 20% less than it usually does, your kidneys 25% less and your capacity to breathe declines some 40%. As a person continues to age, their cardiovascular system goes under some strain as well. This causes weak oxygen intake, reduced stamina, reduced liver and kidney functions and if not managed properly can lead to hypertension and subsequently a stroke.

Hearing problems: It is expected that more than 50% of us will lose some of our ability to hear by the time we reach sixty-five years of age. You may notice that many elders speak loudly and this is an indication of hearing problems. One common issue is to understand another person’s intonation so you are not sure of the emotion attached to their statements. Two

of the most common issues are Presbycusis and Tinnitus. John complained to the doctor that his wife was deaf because she doesn’t answer his questions; she complained that he was deaf because he doesn’t hear her answers, what a thing.

A person can age well. It is believed that if you keep your blood pressure low, your blood sugar low, keep your weight down, exercise frequently, sleep well and drink lots of fluids, you may have found the secret to a long life.

My column is usually about finance not about psychology and psychological issues as I am no expert on these. There is another issue facing Canadians, that of living too long and running out of money. We are faced with the issues that we might die too soon and we ought to have some form of insurance to protect against premature death. What do we do as an elder though if we see that our money may run out, it’s nice to be able to live a long life, but horrible to live it in poverty.

Over the next two issues, we will focus on financial decisions you can or will have to make at some time in your life. These decisions will be based on estate planning, your powers of attorney, you completing your wills, and possible long term care.

Insurance every brave business owner should have ANDREW STEWART andrew@carib101.com

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decreased mobility, it affects physiological as well as psychological. The need to depend on others to do things for you coupled with loneliness and isolation brings tremendous psychological stress to an elderly person.

FAMILY ADVISOR

So, you’ve decided to vacate the stability of your thankless, boring and stressful 9-5 job to become an entrepreneur and venture out on your own. Obviously, you believe you have a higher calling or that you can make a bigger difference doing what you love or what you’re naturally good at. Maybe you’ve always loved cooking or baking and now is the time to start open your food truck or niche market bakery.

Maybe you’ve always been athletic and have had an interest in health and fitness, so you’ve decided to become a personal trainer. Whatever calling it was that finally made you say enough is enough and face the fear of failure but with thoughts of freedom and success, kudos to you! because it takes a special type of person to not only start that journey but to see it through all the way to what vision they had in the first place.

Now if you speak with any intelligent business person they are always evaluating the risk of any business action taken against the possible reward of that action. From the day an entrepreneur starts a business, he exposes himself to certain risks. Even before the first employee is hired, a business is at risk, making it important to have the right insurance in place. One lawsuit or catastrophic event could be enough to wipe out a small business before it even has a chance to get off the ground.

Why should you have business insur-

ance? Your business may have many assets: vehicles, office space and equipment, inventory, an indispensable employee or partner and, most importantly, yourself. To protect these assets and to protect your business from potential risks, you should consider getting insurance.

Fortunately, business owners have access to a wide range of insurance types to protect them against these dangers. Here are some insurance types that a business must have in place as soon as possible.

Liability Insurance Mistakes happen. You, your employees, your equipment or your suppliers could be the cause of mistakes that ultimately end up hurting your customers, your employees or other people who are involved in your business. To protect your business from being sued, you should consider these types of insurance to limit your liability: • • •

General liability — Covers injury to clients or employees on your premises Product liability — Provides protection in the event that your products are defective or cause serious harm to those using them Professional liability insurance — Provides protection if you are sued by a client for errors, omissions or negligence when performing professional services

Insurance for Business Property and Earnings or Business owner’s policy (BOP) A business owner policy packages all required coverage a business owner would need. Based on your company’s specific needs, you can alter what is included in a BOP. •

Property Insurance: If you own your building or have business personal property, including office equipment, comput-

•

ers, inventory or tools you should consider purchasing a policy that will protect you if you have a fire, vandalism, theft, smoke damage etc.

Business Interruption Insurance: If you need to shut down your business temporarily due to a fire or other peril, business interruption insurance will cover your loss of earnings until you are back in business.

Insurance for Owners, Partners, Professionals These types of insurance can help protect your business and your family from potential risks: •

• •

•

Life insurance — Protects your family in the event that something happens to you.

This is especially important in the case of a sole proprietorship because the owner is personally liable for all the debts of the business.

Disability insurance — Will provide you with income for a specified period of time, if you are unable to work due to an injury or illness.

Partnership insurance or buy-sell insurance — If your business partner passes away, partnership insurance will allow you to purchase the shares and continue running the business.

Critical illness insurance — Provides you with a lump sum benefit, if you are diagnosed with a critical illness.

By having the right insurance in place, a business can avoid a major financial loss due to a lawsuit or catastrophic event. Speak to your accountant to find out which of these are deductible as business expenses and which ones you will need to pay for yourself as an individual.

Isn’t it time for a

Change

in

Ontario?

For Yourself, For Your Family, For Our Future…

Amit

Pitamber

Scarborough Rouge Park Contact Amit…

647-886-8906

amitpitamber@trilliumpartyontario.ca Endorsed by CFO

PAGE 50

sports

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Melbourne outclass Westmoreland to book semis spot MELBOURNE -- Melbourne CC advanced to the 2018 Senior Cup semi-final after outclassing Westmoreland CA by eight wickets on Monday’s second and last day of the quarter-final match at Melbourne Oval.

Chasing 94 runs for victory, Melbourne were untroubled in their second innings to race to 97-2 shortly after the tea interval.

Left-hander Assad Fudadin led the chase with an aggressive 48.

The left-hand pair of Javell Glenn and opener Trevon Griffith were not out on 21 and 15, respectively.

Scores: Westmoreland 208 & 147; Melbourne 262 & 972.

Resuming from their overnight first-innings score of 185-6, Melbourne went past

Westmoreland’s total to post 262, giving the hosts a handy lead of 54 runs.

Jon Ross Campbell, who was 24 not out overnight, added only five before he was dismissed. Yannick Elliott, who resumed on five, went on to make 24.

Damion Jacobs made 38 not out, while Andre McCarthy top-scored with 78 from Saturday’s opening day.

Westmoreland off-spinners Ryan Burnett and Travi Spencer claimed 3-60 and 3-83, respectively. Another off-spinner, Nigel Palmer, had two wickets.

Batting a second time, the Westmoreland side folded meekly for 147.

Captain Shahid Crooks, who played youth cricket for Jamaica, followed his first-innings

72 with a top-score of 70 Monday. Rohan James was next best with 27.

Melbourne left-arm finger spinner Christopher Lamont grabbed 4-41 to finish with eight wickets in the match. Jamaica fast bowler Oshane Thomas chipped in with 2-10.

In pursuit of a small total for victory, Melbourne let loose in positive fashion. Number three batsman Fudadin was ruthless against the bowlers, smashing the ball to all parts. He fell two runs short of a half-century in a 53-ball knock that included five fours and three sixes.

After the dismissal of the Guyanese, Glenn and Griffith guided the home team to win.

- Jamaica Observer

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SUNDAY MAY 6 2018

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Pearson Convention Centre, Brampton ON Sunday May 6th 2018 | 10:00am - 7:00pm TCBSocial.com | 647-722-6298 Tickets TCBS2018.Eventbrite.ca

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