VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 25 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23 2019
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MLK AWARD The Honorable Mr. Justice Donald Mcleod received the Inaugural Martin Luther King Award on Saturday, January 12th, 2019 at the 20th Anniversary Martin Luther King Celebration held at Apple Creek Community Church, in Markham, Ontario. Over a thousand attendees gathered for the free celebration. The program was inclusive of the Inaugural award celebration, and MLK Oakwood scholarship presentation organized by Pauline Christian, Executive Producer of the 20-year-old-event, around the theme, “Unity Matters, Collectivity Empowers.” The celebration com-
SHAUNA-KAY CASSELL/TORONTO CARIBBEAN
menced with a procession. The Pathfinder Club, Police Officers, and dignitaries, walked through the church taking their seats in the front rows. Ms. Rhonelle Patrick, of Praising Hands, sung the Canadian and Black- American National Anthem, which enraptured the room. Next, there was a video clip of the Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Free At Last” Speech. Right after, the Masters of Ceremonies, Michael Pinball Clemons and Karlyn PercilMercieca took the stage, ever so fashionably and contemporary, welcoming everyone. They moved right into the program, calling up dignitary after dignitary. The
stream of government representatives and community leaders were as follows: Members of Parliament, Celina Caesar-Chevannes and Ahmed Hussen, Member of Provincial Parliament, Mitzie Hunter, and Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti Scarpitti. Also present were: Chief Mark Saunders, Toronto Region Police and Deputy Chief Robertson Rouse, York Region Police. There were community dignitaries, including Chris Campbell, Carpenters Union, and Nadine Spencer, President of Black Business Professional Association. Continued On Page 7
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Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean News
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Shontelle Dubois A Total Life Transformation
Strength, power and agility. These are just some of the traits possessed by powerful women who understand what it means to do whatever it takes to make it through life, and also survive even the toughest of times. Shontelle Dubois had a rough start in life. Many of those who meet her today wouldn’t know it but her journey was a trial she had to endure to make it to where she is today. Born and raised in the GTA Shontelle has few memories of her childhood. Raised by a single mother of four, Shontelle shares that what she remembers from her early years was the pain brought on by many instances of emotional and verbal abuse. “We had Children’s Aid visiting us all the time, our teachers would call the office because we would have to be interviewed to explain bruises or lacerations on our skin,” Shontelle recalls. “It was really bad, and so when I was around eleven or twelve I called my dad and he finally came to get me.” Shontelle practically raised all four of her siblings during, learning adult responsibilities at a very early age. Her mother was rarely at home so she would have to take over as head of the household, going to the bank to pay bills, having to cook for herself and her siblings.
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“By the time I was ten I was making full course meals, I grew up far beyond my time and so by the time I was of age to move out I already had responsibilities of someone who was thirty years old,” she shares. Shontelle lived with her father until she was nineteen, before moving out and figuring it out on her own ever since. After moving out, she started University, having to work three jobs in order to pay for tuition. “I didn’t have OSAP or a loan or anything to help me,” Shontelle says. “I was always busy and difficult to reach, but I managed to graduate on time in four years.” In her final year of University, Shontelle gave birth to her first child. Fresh out of University she had to do whatever it took to provide for her daughter. Shontelle continued to work tirelessly and just when things in her life were starting to look up, she met with a serious car accident, that left her severely injured with a long path to recovery ahead. “After the car accident is when life hit me again,” Shontelle shares. “I got fired from my job, I went broke, and I had to do 3 years of rehab.” Her daughter was still just a toddler, but just like that, everything that she had worked to build for herself seemed to be pulled out from beneath her. “I gained so much weight from being on painkillers and I was bedridden for a year, so when I decided to lose a 105lb that’s when people went crazy.” Prior to her accident, Shontelle had been working at a private gym as a personal trainer. Unfortunately, she lost her job after the accident, but she still had a child to take care of and bills to pay. “When they fired me, I was also in danger of being evicted,” Shontelle says. “I didn’t know where I was going to make money and my mentor at the time told me that I was a trainer, I should train people, but I would have to figure out how.” Shontelle found herself in the most unbelievable of situations, training people in the stairwell of her apartment building. “I was hungry for people to come in the stairwell so I could train them, I training them for free just so I could have some transformation pictures to show people how my method was working.” At first, people didn’t believe it. Her 30-day transformations didn’t seem real to people, and she realized that if people were going to start taking her seriously
she needed to have more clients with unbelievable results. “I had to go through a lot of criticism and people making fun of me because I was working in the stairwells at Jane and Finch which isn’t the cleanest location,” Shontelle says. “I would sweep and mop the stairwells myself.” Shontelle says there are multiple times when her daughter helped her to see the benefit in what she was doing. There were times she wanted to break down, watching her clients do their routines in the stairwell with her daughter sitting on the stairs watching every single day. “Sometimes she would get up come over and show them how they were doing the exercise wrong, correct them and demonstrate additional workouts as well,” Shontelle says. “Watching her I would gather my emotions and realize I got this.” Eventually, even after getting kicked out of the stairwells, Shontelle still found somewhere some space no matter how small to continue training her clients. She worked her way up showing the world unbelievable results until finding herself one as of the most in-demand trainers in the GTA. “A lot of people look at me now and say how you have it all, but they really have no idea where I’m coming from this struggle that I’ve gone through. When I share my story with people there are so many horrific details that I exclude, so many things that I didn’t say I would need hours to make them understand how I’m so strong because my whole life I’ve had to hustle to get through.” Shontelle says her dad gave her some advice which she continues to pass on to her clients. “My dad had this saying, ‘A bad thing never happens,’ he would always say it whenever I was upset about something and now that I’m older and I’m in the field that I’m in all the stuff that my mom put me through it made me strong enough to be the woman to handle the multitude of things that I’m doing right now,” Shontelle says. “If she didn’t do all that she’d done, I wouldn’t have been able to handle all that I’m getting right now and be level headed and humble about it. My whole life has been a journey, even now, for the first time I’m finally breathing, I’m living and I’m actually happy.”
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Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
PAGE 3
Legacy Poster celebrates 25 years ALYSSA MAHADEO alyssa@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Many great leaders find themselves at the helm of great movements, they build empires, and they leave behind a lasting impression of the things they accomplished throughout their lifetimes. These days the legacy that one leaves behind has become a hot topic, many thinking how their current endeavors and accomplishments will translate to the next generation. Legacy is defined as “anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor,” and the legacies we create today work toward creating a better more positive impact on tomorrow. The LEGACY poster began in 1995 while local artist Robert Small attended the University of Windsor. After graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and a Certificate in Criminology he was also left with a mountain of debt in student loans. In an attempt to reduce that loan, Robert created five prints of his artwork with a $500 loan from his parents. While there was much enthusiasm and interest in his work, print sales were not going as expected. In order to not disappoint his parents, Robert began thinking about how he could resurrect interest in his prints and his own confidence. The idea of creating a poster that would celebrate Black History Month and
feature a sample of his work which he would give away to members of the community to get his name known as an artist. Similar to the historic Kings and Queens of Africa posters sponsored by Budweiser many years ago, Robert got several small community businesses to sponsor the poster. In a game-changing move, thought of an incredible name for the poster which would reignite his earlier passion for success by calling it “The Official Black History Month Poster”. “When I look back on it and I think about it, it seems like such a long time since I was a nerdy kid from North York drawing Spiderman and the Hulk,” Robert shares. “This year I wanted to include individuals who have excelled in a variety of different careers, but I also wanted to pay tribute to the past and my own legacy and the legacy of the poster and so that’s how I came up with this yearbook idea.” Robert explains that the yearbook concept comes from leaving well wishes for the future, for it to be better while also reflecting on the past and commemorating the memories created in the present. This year the Legacy Poster has reached a major milestone, celebrating its 25th anniversary by featuring individuals from the past as well as well as the present. The poster recognizes Canadian Journalist Marci Ien, Human Rights advocate Ginelle Skerritt, Former Athlete, Activist and Educator Wade Smith, Lawyer, Musician, Poet Painter, and Business Man Charles Roach, Canadian Journalist, Author and Former Amateur Boxer Charles ‘Spider’ Jones, and Social Activist Dolly Williams. “I think the one thing I would like people to really focus on is the title of the poster ‘LEGACY’ to get them to start thinking about leaving behind a legacy of their own,” Robert says. “It’s important to know that while everyone on the poster has a legacy, the fact
that one day I’ll be gone and these posters will still be up someplace after I’ve passed away is a legacy unto itself.” Over the last 25 years, the poster has gone from being handed out to individual people in Scarborough, Ontario to reaching millions internationally on an annual basis. In 2007, the name of the poster became “LEGACY” and soon after posters were created to celebrate Asian Heritage Month and Women’s History Month. “I think all of us need to find some-
thing about ourselves that we can value to leave an impact beyond our own mortality when we leave this planet,” Robert shares, “Making it to 25 years seems to have happened so fast, when I see over 90 people on the poster I think ‘wow I can’t believe that I’ve drawn that many people.’ My challenge now is probably looking toward celebrating 50 years now that would really be a feat.” The 2019 Black History Month Legacy poster is now available for sale online at www.thelegacyposter.com.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Advocating for the Incarcerated 7th Annual One Love Gala - Rehab ALYSSA MAHADEO alyssa@carib101.com
TC REPORTER When we have been exposed to the news stories of hardened criminals, men, and women who have been sentenced to years in prison due to the unfortunate decisions they made we sometimes find it difficult to sympathize with their situations. We write them off, resolved to believe they deserve to serve their time incarcerated without considering the idea that they could have potentially been wrongfully accused and unlawfully imprisoned. Regardless of their individual circumstances, not all considered criminals are without remorse. Their time in prison serves as a time to reflect, a time to repent and a time to potentially get the help they need to finally lead normal and meaningful lives. The Diversity Chaplaincy Program offers crucial services in Canadian Prisons that celebrates Chaplaincy and it’s ability to rehabilitate incarcerated individuals. In Canada, the criminally convicted and jailed individuals must get a second chance. This is reflective of the teachings of the various Faiths we follow. Chaplains do not sit in the jury box and they are not in the business of judging the convicted. They come with a compassionate heart, a listening ear, holding hands with the men and women who approach them for spiritual guidance as they navigate their life’s journey. “I’ve been a chaplain for the past ten years,” shares Federal Prison Chaplain Habeeb Alli. “When Steven Harper wanted to get rid of the Diversity Chaplaincy Program in the federal prisons seven years ago, so we started this event as a form of activism which resulted in the government maintaining the program in the prison and we continued to serve the men who are incarcerated.” Habeeb refers to The One Love Gala which serves as a keystone for the Chaplaincy community to collaborate and go beyond advocating and actively work to help create awareness for the program as well as share success stories from the diversity chaplains, of successfully reintegrated former inmates, and of the Interfaith communities. The Gala was founded when Chaplaincy in Canada was under serious threat. “I was sitting, distraught when I heard Bob Marley’s One Love playing. At that moment the idea crystallized of an event to both celebrate our work with those incarcerated and advocate for the continuation of this crucial service,” Habeeb
says. “Based on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Chaplains are there to accommodate the religious rights of the inmates,” Habeeb explains, “As a Canadian citizen, you do not lose your rights after incarceration, and allow the Chaplains to journey along with the inmates on their spiritual path offering compassion and guide them through the process.” Habeeb says that many inmates are released from prison and given a second chance at life. By working closely with the Chaplains they are given the tools to help with their potential reintegration into society. Whether it be academic or career-focused programs, they are taught job skills, and social skills to manage their mental health as a part of the spiritual reformation journey they undertake. On Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Elite Banquet Hall, 1850 Albion Road, Etobicoke, ON, former inmates, current chaplains, award-winning leaders, and entertainers will be coming together for the 7th year in a row for the 2019 One Love Gala - Rehab. This year’s keynote address will discuss the indispensable nature of Diversity Chaplains in Canadian Prisons! The Keynote will be delivered by the Associate Chaplain and Director of Interfaith Engagement at Northwestern University, Tahera Ahmed. “It is a time to recognize exemplary members of our community with the Malcolm X, Tayyibah Taylor, Ghulam Sajan, Lyla Ali, and Carl Jadgunadan Awards. And, most of all, it is a time to celebrate our achievements over the year,” Habeeb says. The Chaplaincy program allows incarcerated inmates to voluntarily choose a spiritual path for healing and reintegration, and the Chaplains fill the role of the person that inmate needs to help guide them along their path to making more positive decisions in their life. They facilitate things such as job searches, finding a place to live or just being there as a strong support system through trying times. “We have witnessed many inmates who were once behind-bars successfully reintegrate into society,” Habeeb says. “Their stories inspire us all and for many, these transformation years have renewed their faith and given them a chance to forgive and be forgiven.” The One Love Gala is a way to honor them for their courage to change the path they have taken for a better one. The One Love Gala brings people from all walks of life, races, and religions. They celebrate successes through awards and give back to deserving charities that help to further the success of inmate programming. The charity of choice this year is ‘Looking at the Stars Foundation’ an organization that takes classical music into prisons for free. Tickets for the One Love Gala are still available online. Everyone, including children, are welcome to attend this event to learn something new and celebrate the positive achievements of the Chaplaincy Program as well as the successful reintegration of inmates in the community.
local news
PAGE 5
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The Honorable Mr. Justice Donald Mcleod received the Inaugural Martin Luther King Award at the 20th Anniversary MLK Celebration SHAUNA-KAY CASSELL shauna-kay@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
Continued From Page 1 -- Greetings came from all levels of government that evening. Celina Caesar-Chevannes, Liberal MP for Whitby honored Ms.Christian in the form of an award. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, also brought greetings from the Honorable Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as well as to announce the Government of Canada’s funding initiatives. “$9 million is being invested over three years to fund projects that respond to key concerns of black Canadian youth…in order to affect their full and equitable participation in our society,” the Minister explained. “Another $13 million will be geared towards New-Comer Women, and $6.5 million will go towards
research development, leading to evidence based policies.” Chief Mark Saunders, Toronto Region Police graced the stage with his meek presence. “You never know what greatness comes from,” says the Toronto Police Chief. “We have to support one another and inspire one another. When equality becomes an action word, we are getting somewhere,” maintained Saunders. The inspirational messages rolled off the tongues of our Canadian leaders, and rested on the heads of all those in the pews. After a performance from the New Genesis Gospel Chorale, and the keynote guest speaker, Dr. Leslie Pollard, D. Min., Ph.D.; MC Pinball Clemons, introduced the man-of-the-hour, The Honorable Justice Donald McLeod, as his friend. “Things are less about me, and more about us,” began McLeod, who had just been handed the glass-like Inaugural Award. “We have to get there together.” McLeod talked about his community of supporters that was always there for him. His mother and sister; and when he married, his supporters became his wife and son. “There were always three,” McLeod pointed out. The Honorable Justice expressed that he grew up in the church,
and knows all too well the importance of prayer. “We get through struggles when we pray. There is strength in our numbers.” McLeod, who admitted that his speech was more informal, talked about a conversation he had with his son earlier that evening, which made us all feel connected. That evening felt like unity and collectivity actually ignited a magical experience of power within the room. We were, connected. The presence of so many black Canadian leaders; Judges, Police Officers, MPs, MPP, Union members, and business association representatives was living evidence that MLK’s dream had come true in 2019. It was evident that these leaders were all standing. “I’ve learnt from the time I was young, that I must stand,” reminded the Honorable Judge in his speech. The celebration certainly cultivated a force within all of us. As we came together as a community to celebrate McLeod’s triumphs, unity had made us stronger. The MLK celebration serves as a reminder that, MLK’s dream is being realized in each of us, each and every day. In unity, and as a collective body, we can take leaps to achieve the impossible for our community.
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Envoking the Possibility; the 12th Annual Durham Black History Month Celebration SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
The release of Marvel’s Black Panther on January 29, 2018, was so powerful that it gathered African people together, in a way that has not been seen in many years. The Black Panther movie was a big winner in North America, becoming one of three movies to ever hit $700 million, with a global haul of $1.3 billion. It was amazing to see the pride that was felt by many Africans living in the Diaspora. Wakanda certainly did evoke a sense of possibility; the possibility of an amazing future for Africans not living on the continent. The 12th Annual Durham Black History Month Celebration, themed “Afrofuturism: Achieving Wakanda Today,” is almost poetically timed. On Saturday, February 2nd, 2019, which is only a little over a year of the release of Black Panther, the Cultural Expressions Art Gallery will be partnering with other community leaders, organizations and sponsors, to provide a night of: education, empowerment and entertainment. Esther Forde, the Founder & Chair of the Black History Month Celebration, has been the Curator at Cultural Expressions for the last 12 years. She is a lover of vivid colours, and it makes perfect sense why her team has chosen to interknit Marvel’s Black Panther with this year’s celebration. “It is this sense of possibility that we want to delve into at our 12th annual event,” affirms Ms. Forde. “Afrofuturism and Wakanda also reflect our focus this year on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and
our aim to encourage young people of all backgrounds to pursue studies and careers in these disciplines. For 2019, we hope to stimulate imaginations and transform futures.” The Cultural Expression Art Gallery has always supported Canadian talent; they have done so by hosting exhibitions and events that provide the community with inspiration, and showcasing talents ranging from Visual Arts to Performance Arts. Durham Region’s largest, FREE Black History Month celebration will welcome a roster of musical performances including: the captivation Ngoma Ensemble drummers, the phenomenal voice of Veronica Tynes, the jaw dropping City of Pickering Break Dancers, spoken word poetry from Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School performers, and the ever needed inspiration from a soon to be announced church choir. Helping to bring Afrofuturism to life is keynote speaker Malcolm Azania, better known as Minister Faust. The critically acclaimed author of “The Alchemist of Kush,” and the Kindred Award- winning and Philip K. Dick runner-up “Shrinking the Heroes,” has a writing style that is heavily influenced by the myriad ancient African Civilization. His writing has the ability to draw the reader into exploring present realities, and imagining a future, where people endeavour not only for justice, but also for cosmic possibilities. The event will also honor the 2019 recipient of the Madiba Award; Madiba is one of many names by which Mandela was affectionately known. This award reflects on the experience, complex faith and sense of community demonstrated by the Xhosa clan. It is an understanding that no one can stand alone; we are part of an extended web of loyalty that includes our family, community and ancestors. This ideology has been termed ‘Ubuntu’ that one is human only through others, not in isolation. Famous
Xhosa’s include the great Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, former President Thabo Mbeki, assassinated Communist Party boss, Chris Hani, and Africa’s Queen of Song, Miriam Makeba. The Award honors a leader of African ancestry in Durham Region, whose experience embodies Nelson Mandela’s values, vision, and commitment to fight for freedom and equality. Along with the award, event organizers are also launching an arts scholarship for eligible students pursuing the arts at a post-secondary institution. Application forms will be available at the event and online at www.durhamblackhistorymonth.com. In the spirit of Ubuntu, Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc. has collaborated this year with the Durham District School Board, Durham Black Educators’ Network and the Congress of Black Women (Ajax/ Pickering). The event has been funded by the Government of Ontario, and some of the key sponsors include: the Rotary Club of Pickering, Veridian Connections, Durham Region Police Service, No Frills (Ajax/Pickering) and the UPS Store (Ajax). The 12th Annual Durham Black History Month Celebration will be on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019, from 5:00 pm – 9:00 p.m. at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate, 1355 Harwood Avenue North. From 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm attendees will have access to the community fair, where they will be able to enjoy networking and light refreshments. Performances and the keynote address will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. You can get your tickets online at https:// www.eventbrite.ca/e/12th-annual-durham-black-history-month-celebration-tickets-42843759839. For event updates, you can follow: “Durham Black History Month”WH 20 AT 17... on Facebook @DurhamBHM, on Instagram AY and @durham_bhm, on Twitter. You can EAR also contact Cultural Expressions Art Gallery ! Inc. at culturalexpressionsbhm@gmail.com.
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PAGE 8
local news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Careers Education Empowerment, CEE The center for young black professionals KAYLA KARIM
kayla@carib101.com
TC REPORTER
An initiative funded by the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan is graduating its inaugural Black Futures Digital Tech partner. The Careers Education Empowerment (CEE) center for Young Black Professionals was founded in 2005 with the objective to remove existing barriers so that young black men and women can work. It was designed to bring light to the imbalance of young black individuals in the Digital Tech Industries. An expansion in 2017 allowed them into the digital world where they partnered with
Woodgreen Community Services to develop programs. The program’s goals are to eliminate the gap and low participation of black people in the respected industry. As well, they are used to widen the networks of participants and provide support, both emotional and educational while ensuring that these young people can achieve economic advancement in today’s society. The initiative and their partners have recruited five women and seven men that are highly interested in the digital fields. The twelve individuals completed an interview process on January 18th, which is followed by a four-month program out of Humber College. The program will provide these individuals with the appropriate skills in addition to guaranteeing them with a four-month paid internship at SPIN VFX – a well known visual effects company for Hollywood movies.
s e l b u o D 5 y u B Free! 1 t e G
The Director of CEE, Agapi Gessesse shared, “These initiatives will help dismantle institutionalized racism. We have always been able to get willing participants, however with the support of industry professionals like Spin VFX and Woodgreen we can truly transform lives. The young people, (as in all of our other programs,) will be supported throughout and given the best preparation possible to succeed.” Agapi Gessesse was appointed as Executive Director of the CEE Centre in July of last year. She provides strong communication skills with related experience in addition to her passion for CEE and their mission. Gessesse holds a Master of Arts in Social Justice from Royal Roads University and is a graduate of the City Leaders Program. The program, like many other youth initiatives, has a set of core values. CEE believes in person-centered work
which includes the treatment of each member as an individual, providing them with unique experiences in order to achieve their goals. CEE also acknowledges the importance of collaborating with others in a professional and committed environment. They take pride in delivering high standard programs, with skilled staff to serve their community in professional and safe spaces. Social justice, building communities and respecting the diversity in black communities are a few of the supporting values that CEE focuses on. CEE strives to make it their priority to invest its resources within the black community to build connections between youth and larger communities. They educate and understand that youth who identify as “black” can derive from a wide range of backgrounds and religions.
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island news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Solid backing for Granger GUYANA -- The APNU+AFC coalition has signaled their full confidence in seeing incumbent President David Granger continuing and have all endorsed him as the presidential candidate heading into the next elections, which are constitutionally due next year. “He’s a very upright person, very principled. No one can point a finger at him in relations to personal corruption, he’s really a model citizen, and we’ll be in support,” affirmed Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who says he sees no reason that his party would be swayed from President Granger as the candidate. “I have heard nothing other than that and I am certain that there’s no plan in the party to switch from President Granger. I’ve had the advantage of knowing President Granger probably longer than anyone else in the party, since we were in school in the same house, and I feel confident that he will lead APNU+AFC Coalition to victory, when it comes to that.” The WPA is one of several parties constituting the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition section of the government other parties include the People’s National Congress (PNC), National Front Alliance (NFA), Guyana Action Party (GAP), the Justice For All Party (JFAP). APNU was formed in 2011, the party joined forces with the Alliance For Change (AFC) in 2015 to contest elections that year. Some members of the AFC have already indicated their support for the President, while the party is expected to make an official pronouncement following a collective decision when that party hosts its first National Executive Conference for the year this Saturday, January 26. Comptent To Lead Meanwhile, General Secretary of President Granger own party, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Amna Ally said despite orchestrated rumours and untruths whether they are on his health or competence: “I, on behalf of the PNCR would like to indicate that he is ‘fit and proppa’ for a second term and the PNCR endorses his candidature.” Ally said the party looks forward to be under his guidance for a second term and urged Guyanese to vote for vision, development, cordiality, selfless work and enjoy the good life. Additionally, Ally said President Granger was elected unopposed at his party Biennial Congress last August and that the party is fully aware of his competence, his principles and his vision for Guyana. “We are also cognisant of his discipline and in no way can be deemed as a corrupt leader. He possesses the necessary qualities that are required to be a country’s leader. He has constantly been active in cleaning up the 23 years of mess which the PPP put our country in,” Ally added. She said Granger has been tried for the past three and half years and also proven his competence to lead Guyana for a second term. Executive member of the NFA, Keith
Scott, Minister of Labour, noted that his party earlier this month took their decision to back Granger for the presidency. “We look forward to the opportunity to reaffirm our support for him. We did have our executive meeting earlier in the year, coming out in support of that,” Scott noted. “The people of this country trust President Granger, he has the right discipline. He has been very democratic in his dealings since he has acceded to power, and that is the kind of person that we need to bring healing in this society.” Notwithstanding the fact that the president is currently undergoing his fourth of five cycles of chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the Republic of Cuba, he is said to be in good condition to contest the presidency, should early elections be called. “We are very confident that he is going to recover from his illness and give us that support,’ noted Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, leader of the Guyana Action Party (GAP). “He knows this country, he knows the needs of the people, he knows the residents, and their passion for being able to live a good life. That is the driving force behind the GAP supporting him as leader. I think he’s a fair man.” The questions of presidential candidates for varying parties has been accelerated into discussion since the December 21 debating of the no-confidence motion which secured 33 votes for to 32 votes against in parliament after AFC member Charrandass Persaud defected and voted with the opposition. The validity of the passing of the motion is currently before the courts, with the contention that the vote needed an absolute majority which amounts to 34 votes. The motion signaled the possibility of elections being held earlier than the expected 2020 schedule. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) last Saturday named scandal-tarred former housing minister, Irfaan Ali as their presidential candidate, evoking much disappointment and outrage among many of their supporters. Ali faces question over his academic qualifications and has 19 charges against him before the courts for defrauding the State of some $174M for his role in the notorious Pradoville land-sale scandal. “Our base is so energised right now,” said AFC General Secretary, Marlon Williams. “The fact that people perceive this crossing of the floor [of Persaud] as a Guyana for sale approach. What that has done is galvanise our base to the extent where we’ve been bombarded with calls from people eager and very enthused to go to elections.” For Scott the NFA has been quietly doing its part in the background for some time now. “Our party has been moving among the people quietly. The papers tend to report mostly on the two big parties and any other party is not accorded the courtesy, but we have been on the ground. In fact I’m even scheduled to go out Wednesday evening and meet people at other areas. You don’t see that in the papers,” Scott remarked. - Guyana Chronicle
President saddened at passing of Ben Ter Welle
GUYANA -- HIS Excellency President David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is saddened at the passing of former Honorary Consul for Germany and Austria in Guyana, Mr. Berend Ter Welle, C.C.H. He died on Sunday, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said. Accord-
ing to the release, in addition to serving as Honorary Consul, Mr. Ter Welle was also, at one time, the President of the Guyana Heritage Society. President Granger expresses sympathy to his wife, Mrs. Nirmala Ramroop Ter Welle, children and other relatives. - Guyana Chronicle
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
island news
Official funeral for Nelson, Pringle
JAMAICA -- The Cabinet Monday said it has approved official funeral services for two former Government ministers Dwight Nelson and Ambassador Frank Pringle. Pringle, who served as minister of tourism from 1989 to 1992, died on December 10, 2018 at the age of 88. He also held several posts in tourism including Jamaica’s representative to the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and was accorded the Order of Distinction Commander class in 2001 for outstanding service in the fields of tourism and public service. The funeral service for Pringle will be
held on Saturday, January 26, at the Half Moon Hotel Conference Centre in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, St James beginning at 2:00 pm. A condolence book for former Minister Pringle will be opened from January 23-25 between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm at the Houses of Parliament during the official mourning period for his passing. Nelson, who served as Minister of National Security and Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service between 2007 and 2011, died on December 24, 2018 after a period of illness. He was 72 years old. He also served as senior vice-presi-
dent of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and as a senator in 1983. Nelson was given the Order of Distinction, Commander Class, in 2005 for his contribution to trade unionism. The official funeral for Nelson will be held on Thursday, January 31, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston starting at 10:00 am. A condolence book will be opened for former Minister Nelson at the Houses of Parliament during the official mourning period from January 28-30 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. - Jamaica Observer
Green Acres residents take dispute with cemetery operators to Vaz JAMAICA -- Residents of Green Acres housing scheme in St Catherine have penned a letter to Daryl Vaz, minister without portfolio with responsibility for land and environment, requesting his intervention in a dispute which they say has left them “over the edge in frustration”. The outcry from the residents comes three months after they were promised a tour by the operators of Meadowrest Memorial Gardens (MMG), who last year submitted an application to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for a 7.3-hectare (19-acre) expansion of the cemetery, which borders their community. Green Acres, which became a residential community in the 1970s, falls within a one-kilometre radius of Meadowrest. As such, the residents are concerned that the expansion could contaminate its groundwater resource, drive property values down, cause increased flooding, and worsen noise pollution from periodic blasting and the operation of heavy equipment. “We the residents of the Green Acres Citizens’ Association (GACA) write to request your intervention concerning Meadowrest Memorial Gardens’ proposed expansion of the existing cemetery. “Attached is the GACA Review of the MMG Environmental Impact Assessment Report submitted earlier this year, which outlines exactly how the MMG expansion plans will adversely impact storm water drainage and ultimately piped water supply to the community. There is also concern about possible leaching of harmful chemicals from the additional graves in the event of natural disasters such as earth-
quakes,” said the letter, which was obtained by the Jamaica Observer. According to citizens’ association president Karen Brown, a community consultation was held on October 14, 2018, at which Meadowrest Operations Manager David Parkes committed to touring the community to assess first-hand the impact on the storm water drainage system, as well as the negative impact on residents’ property value. “At that meeting, he agreed to do the tour with the residents. Then one day Mr Parkes calls me out of the blue to say he’s just leaving the community. We are very annoyed and we are beyond frustrated,” Brown told the Observer Monday. In addition to the request for a walkthrough, the residents were of the view that the two parties would have, by now, come to an agreement on the community’s request for a 200-foot-long wall with height of at least 12 to 15 feet between the cemetery and the housing scheme. The citizens’ association is also seeking assurance from Meadowrest that bodily fluids from the cemetery will not impact their pumping wells which falls within a 2.5-km radius of the cemetery. Brown accused Meadowrest of “sidestepping” the community tour, saying that it has further disheartened the residents, since the community was “ignored” for the initial consultation meeting despite sharing boundaries with the burial ground. “We feel that this is an excuse to go ahead and do the expansion without our input.
We believe this is a deliberate thing because if our voices are heard, then that might affect their progress,” she continued. When the Observer contacted Parkes Monday, he admitted to not conducting a tour of the Green Acres community with residents but noted that the company has been having internal dialogue and will execute on its promise in short order. “…but some of the expectations are very overbearing, for want of a better word,” he told the newspaper. In its request to NEPA last year, Meadowrest reasoned that there is an urgent need for expansion of the cemetery, given the present demand of approximately 2,000 interments annually from Kingston, St Andrew, and St Catherine, 27 per cent of which are at the cemetery. The remainder are conducted at other cemeteries, including family plots, or cremated. The company, which reached a record level of burials in 2017, wants to increase the western end of its operation to approximately 19.8 hectares (49 acres) from the existing 12.15 hectares (30 acres), for the construction of an average of 1,000 single vaults and 1,500 double vaults annually. The burial company also disclosed plans to establish an above-ground columbarium at the property. Development of Meadowrest’s site, which also has communities such as Frenchman’s Cove, St John’s Heights, and Fraser’s Content as neighbours, is slated to occur over the next four years, with an estimated lifespan of 43 years. - Jamaica Observer
Chang tells St James residents not to worry after SOE ends JAMAICA -- National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has assured residents in St James that their security will not be compromised when the current state of public emergency (SOE) comes to an end on January 31 in the parish. Addressing a community forum in Norwood on Sunday, the national security minister told the gathering that instead of the security forces withdrawing from the communities, their presence will be increased right across the parish. He said that while the security forces will no longer have the extraordinary powers granted under an SOE, they will still be carrying out effective policing. Minister Chang disclosed that new barracks have been constructed adjacent to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay to permanently house the number two battalion of the
Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), which was previously based at Up Park Camp in Kingston. “We no longer have the cost of bringing them in from Kingston and finding hotel accommodation for them at enormous expense; they are now permanently based in Montego Bay. They can now assist the police from here [Montego Bay] to Westmoreland,” he noted. He further disclosed that the JDF Coast Guard will also be playing a more active role in the west to protect the coastlines. Dr Chang said that since the SOEs were established a year ago, they have significantly reduced the so-called “informer fi dead culture”, adding that residents are giving vital information to the security forces about criminals and their activities. “There are more residents who are reporting more criminal and domestic matters to
the members of the security forces. The Government is committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens, so while the SOEs will come to an end, the security forces will be using other security measures to keep crime in check in the parish,” he stressed. “This killing thing has become a horrible part of Jamaica’s existence and there is no reason for anybody to be killing each other. The Government is very concerned about the spate of senseless and bizarre killings taking place in the country where we see boyfriends killing babymothers and vice versa. There is too much of a tendency to hurt each other, and the Government will be looking at ways to change and impact the lives and behaviour of citizens,” he said. - Jamaica Observer
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
island news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Driver hurt in highway accident TRINIDAD -- Two people escaped serious injury when a four-door pickup crashed into the back of an AD wagon and ran off the road along the north bound lane of Uriah Butler Highway, just before Bamboo Settlement, on Monday. The driver, Robert Eric Doe, of Edin burgh, Chaguanas suffered multiple injuries and was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. He was bleeding from injuries to his
head, witnesses said. The driver of the AD wagon, Alton Michael Felix, of Mt Hope, walked away from the crash unhurt. Police said Doe was driving on the right lane when he collided with the AD wagon just after the Caroni Flyover. A witness told police that both vehicles were driving on the northbound lane. Doe was in the right lane but he suddenly veered to the left
lane and crashed into the back of the wagon. His van swerved off the road and slammed into an electricity pole, knocking it over. The accident caused minor traffic but police officers, led by acting Insp Bernard and PCs Abraham and Boodoo along with Fire Ser vice personnel, were quickly on the scene to di vert motorists. - Trinidad Guardian
Woman, 82, killed in army truck collision TRINIDAD -- An 82-year-old woman was killed instantly after a collision with a car and a Regi ment truck at the intersection of the Priority Bus Route and Pasea Main Road, Tunapuna, on Monday. Police identified the victim as Geno ra Sandy. Another occupant of the vehicle Ivan Pierre was rescued. According to a police report, shortly after noon, the truck collided with a Toyota Aqua car. The car also struck a red band maxi taxi.
Fire officers from the nearby Tuna puna Fire Station responded within minutes and had to use a hydraulic cutting tool to remove Sandy. Public relations officer of the Defence Force Flight Lieutenant Monique Sprott in a statement Monday expressed condolences to the woman’s relatives on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard and officers, men and women of the TTDF. “The Trinidad and Tobago Defence
Force (TTDF) informs that the Trinidad and To bago Regiment (TTR) will immediately conduct an investigation into the circumstances sur rounding the unfortunate accident and will give its fullest support to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) as it conducts its investi gations into the circumstances of the accident,” the release said. - Trinidad Guardian
Association boss seeks to regulate industry TRINIDAD -- Association of Funeral Profession als of Trinidad and Tobago (AFPTT) president Keith Belgrove is urging the public to bring their complaints to the association if they feel a funer al home unjustly treated them. He said these complaints would help highlight the need for licensing regulations with in the industry. Belgrove said, “We are working to get licensing regulations for funeral homes and every time these problems come up, we need a record of it so we can demonstrate to the Gov ernment, the need for such licensing arrange ments.” Belgrove was responding to Guardian Media following last week’s incident, which was sparked by a mix-up at the Caura hospital and led to two funeral homes being engaged in a two-day custody conflict over the remains of a 73-year-old woman. The T&T Bureau of Standards gov erns the funeral agency industry. However,
when the association worked on it they made it voluntary — a decision he regrets. “We thought we were dealing with ho nourable people, but nobody follows it except two or three funeral homes today follow that,” Belgrove said in a telephone interview Monday. The most significant issue the associ ation hopes regulating the industry would com bat is the illicit and illegal practices by funeral homes, which Belgrove said, “literally rip off the bereaved families, overcharging and taking ad vantage in many other ways.” Belgrove said that while the hospital’s error sparked last week’s incident, there are many instances where worse has happened. “It is a common problem among these unscrupulous funeral homes. They hold some one for the hospital and when it’s time to give them up, they charge tremendously high fees for just holding someone overnight.” He said some even go as far as work ing with friends at the hospitals to remove bod
ies without permission and then charging the families excessive fees to hand over the bodies. He also said, “A funeral home is really a protector of public health and when we have a host of funeral homes with no knowledge, no experience how to properly protect themselves, their staff and the public; we have a waiting time bomb.” While the process for implementing the regulations is ongoing, he admits it is being done “desperately slowly” as they have been in talks with the Government for the past 20 years. “We are working with the Ministry of Local Government and there is a draft but it’s a very old draft and it may need to be reviewed and then it has to go through the whole parlia mentary process,” he said. Belgrove revealed that the whole process of regulations started in 1999. - Trinidad Guardian
Fuel suppliers demand up front payment TRINIDAD -- State-owned Paria Fuel Trading Company could be on a collision course with the Government and State-enterprise Nation al Petroleum Marketing Company Limited as it is insisting it must get timely payments from the Ministry of Finance for the fuel subsidy and wants NP to pay for its fuel on time. The company’s chairman Wilfred Es pinet told Guardian Media that it is a struggle to get the Government and its representatives to understand that it has to pay its bills on time be cause Paria and the other companies that have emerged from the closure of Petrotrin, must be run as a business and be profitable. “It is a fight to make the Government understand that it has to pay its bills and it must pay them on time. When you go to the Ministry of Finance they do not really care that you have workers to pay, all they say is that your cheque is not ready. We cannot do business in this way, and while there are ways we can deal with this in terms of not paying government monies we owe to them, we don’t want to make this thing so messy.” Espinet told the Guardian Me dia in a telephone interview on Monday. Espinet said Paria had to pay in ad vance for the fuel it was importing and needs to have its money returned in a timely manner.
He said, “Be fore the fu el is even loaded, we have to pay for it, and the Ministry of Finance cannot expect to pay when it wants because this is a commercial enterprise. At the end of the day, the decision to keep a limited fuel subsidy is a politic al decision, and we are not responsible for that. Therefore, it is for the Government to pay and we expect payment on a quarterly basis.” The end of this month should mark the first quarter that Paria has been provid ing fuel to the country since the closure of the Point-a-Pierre Refinery. Espinet said the gov ernment gave the board a broad mandate with the central issue being to run the business in such a way that it is profitable. With the closure of Petrotrin all the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel are imported into the country by Paria and then sold to NP and UNIPET. Both UNIPET and NP are expected to pay for their fuel and then retail it within the margins set by the State. The Government has, however, been carrying a fuel subsidy, mainly on diesel fuel, and in the past, the payment of the fuel sub sidy has been a major source of contention be tween the former Petrotrin and the Ministry of Finance, with the Ministry notoriously late on
its payment to the point where at the time the government was making a case for the closure of Petrotrin it owed the company hundreds of millions of dollars. Espinet told the Guardian that the Board was committed to operating the compa ny as a commercial enterprise and complained that Board had to deal with the challenge of politicians trying to get it to continue to pay for services that Petrotrin was providing and for which they have no business being a part of. He warned that the time was coming when the cost will be quantified, and someone else asked to pay for it. “Petrotrin used to pay for water and electricity for communities in South; it was maintaining playing fields and so on. It is a fight to tell the MPs in those areas that we cannot afford to continue doing it. But while we have not yet stopped offering the services, it must be quantified, and someone else will have to pay the bill.” Espinet revealed. Espinet said the Board wanted to run the company as a publicly traded enterprise and not necessary as a State enterprise. - Trinidad Guardian
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island news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
UK training to help prosecute criminals TRINIDAD -- A new colour-coded threat alert sys tem and training for police officers to prosecute cases are some of the immediate outcomes of a week-long visit to the United Kingdom by Com missioner of Police Gary Griffith. Griffith engaged in “several meetings with law enforcement officials from varying de partments,” according to a statement on his In stagram Page. Griffith, along with National Security Minister Stuart Young, and Chief of Defence Staff Hayden Pritchard met with officials from Scotland Yard, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, the Na tional Cyber Crime Centre, Metropolitan Police
Training Facility among other agencies. Speaking to Guardian Media from the UK on Monday, Commissioner Griffith says some of the results from the trip would be seen in as little as three weeks. According to Griffith, a colour-coded threat alert system will be implemented within the Police Service “hopefully” in about three weeks. The levels will be green, amber, red and black. The levels will increase based on information re ceived from T&T’s intelligence agencies. “You will no longer be hearing about persons claiming that they intend to beef up se curity,” he said. “We do not work in an abattoir to
beef up security.” Griffith says there are immediate bene fits to this, as “each and every police officer, every division will be aware of their role and function based on the escalation of the threat and colour code.” Griffith believes this will ensure maxi mum effectiveness within the service. A United Kingdom team will also arrive in a few weeks to train local police prosecutors to plug “several loopholes” that allow crimin als to escape justice. Griffith admits that mistakes have been made, but he says he will utilise the expertise of
this team “to assist” in ensuring that cases are air-tight. The team which will be contracted will help the TTPS “go through the system properly, accurately and ensure there are no loopholes and windows of opportunity” for alleged criminals. While he says the TTPS is dealing with law enforcement, he says they must also deal with how cases are prosecuted to eliminate “op portunity for persons to beat the system.” The Commissioner also aims to estab lish a special counter-terrorism unit arising out of his visit to the UK. - Trinidad Guardian
Collapsed section of Moruga road reopens TRINIDAD -- Less than a week after a landslip swallowed part of the Moruga Main Road at In dian Walk, the area is now accessible as the collapsed road has been reopened to vehicular traffic. On Saturday night, the Ministry of Works declared the road passable and allowed access to one lane traffic. The contractors Gen eral Earth Movers are continuing to do restora
tive work on the landslip. MP for Moruga Dr Lovell Francis posted photos of the road on Saturday. He wrote, “Happy to report that the Moruga Road at Indian Walk is once again open to traffic. Cheers, and enjoy your evening.” Residents expressed relief that the area was now accessible to vehicular traffic.
Dianne Mark, whose home sits on the brink of the precipice said she was happy that access was restored. For four days, residents and school children could not get to work and school as ve hicles could not pass. Many were forced to use a four-mile detour to get to their destinations. The residents blamed a leaking wa ter line for the devastation. Mark said the line
had been leaking for years. Several years ago, a house belonging to her neighbours Jean and Kelvin Mollino caved into a precipice. Last December, Carol Young and her family were forced to evacua te their home after large cracks began developing in their concrete house. - Trinidad Guardian
4,000 ex-Petrotrin workers, relatives seek EAP help TRINIDAD -- Approximately 4,000 people, in cluding former Petrotrin workers and their fam ilies, have reached out for psychological and financial counselling from Petrotrin’s Employee Assistance Programme following the compa ny’s closure and restructuring, Energy Minister Franklin Khan has said. But the assistance will only be forth coming up to May, he said in Senate Monday. Khan said the psychological and fi nan cial coun selling ser vices of fered by the EAP continue to be provided at this point.
“These services are all available to all former Petrotrin permanent and non-per manent employees and their families until May. To date approximately 4,000 persons which include employees and their families have sought counselling in some form or fashion,” he said. “A hotline 474-CARE which runs 24 hours daily, seven days a week, has also been established and it is being utilised,” he said. On what will happen with the EAP services after May, Khan said, “Counselling can’t be open-ended. I think May is quite a dis
tance into the future. People will still have psy chological issues coming out of the trauma of losing their jobs but this is the plan we have in place.” Petrotrin’s EAP officials replying to the Guardian Media questions on the matter said the EAP services were offered right after the company restructuring announcement was made last year and was in place since Septem ber. They said EAP teams had gone to Petrotrin installations in Guayaguayare, Point Fortin, Santa Flora, Pointe-a-Pierre to offer ser
vices to employees. They said they had a team of profes sional psychologists, social workers, financial and other experts who were available to speak with workers on heightened stress levels, se vere emotional problems, plus marital and rela tionship issues that could have been stressed by the company’s closure. They said they are still getting followup calls from workers on issues which were discussed with EAP teams. - Trinidad Guardian
Mental patient beaten, shot dead TRINIDAD -- The sister of a mental patient who was beaten, had his locks ripped off his head, before being shot dead, is seeking justice. Gail Halls, 39, said her brother Jake Halls, 38, was found murdered minutes after leaving a village bar in Matura on Saturday. Pieces of Halls’ dreadlocks were ripped from his scalp. His face swollen and dis figured. There was also a gaping wound to his head, believed to have been caused by a sin gle bullet shot from the gun held by his attacker or attackers. Halls was found dead along the road way at about 8.30 pm minutes after he left a village bar. “Who would do this? Who would do this?” Gail repeated in shock as she broke down in tears as she spoke to members of the media outside of the Forensic Science Centre in St James on Monday. Gail said her brother was diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis about 20 years ago and said, as a result, he would mentally trip off almost every year, especially around
Christmas time. She said that because of his con dition, while most people thought of him as a “sweetheart” even police officers from the Matura Police Station, there were the ones who made fun of him and bullied him. “I remember when I was 19 years old, he was already sick and I had to defend him from a man who was bullying him,” Gail said. She said that when her brother was seven years old, he became devastated and traumatised after his father died. She said her father used to consume alcohol heavily and be lieved that his death was as a result of exces sive consumption. “My brother never recovered from our father’s death, and as he grew older, he start ed smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol and then he started to act up. That was when I took him first to St Ann’s when he was diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis,” Gail said. She added that throughout the years sometimes when he fell ill, even the police of ficers in the village looked after his welfare.
“There were many times that the police came to his aid and would take him to get his injec tions and other medication.” “He was a sweetheart. Everyone looked out for him and loved him. When he wasn’t sick, he was violent sometimes, but most of the time he was calm and loved to dance and sing. He used to do a lot of acapel la, rapping and chanting. He even did odd jobs for people around the place. He also loved to catch crab and hunt,” Gail said. Gail said on Saturday he told his mother that he was going to a bar in the area, which she added, was a regular routine for him. “I find it strange that no one saw when he left the bar and if he was followed, but I be lieve that this was an evil act against my broth er and that he was bullied, beaten and killed. He probably would have known who did it too, maybe that’s why.” Gail made a plea to help get justice for her brother by asking anyone who may have any information to give it to the police. A police officer, who wished not to be
identified, said that Halls’ brutal murder sent shock waves throughout the station. An autop sy revealed that Halls died from one gunshot wound to the head. Investigations are continu ing. Side Bar According to the wayahead.org.au website, Drug-induced psychosis, also known as stim ulant psychosis is a result of usage of drugs or stimulants that may trigger a psychotic episode. This can occur in individua ls who have a predisposition to mental illness. By using drugs such as cocaine, cannabis and hallucinogens, it may exacerbate the symptoms of some men tal illnesses. Some drugs if taken frequently for long periods may also manifest as psychotic symptoms. Symptoms may indicate Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia. Drug-Induced Psy chosis is often a feature of Dual Diagnosis, which is a co-occurring mental health and sub stance abuse disorder that requires specialised treatment. - Trinidad Guardian
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Paba Cosmetics Inc. The new make-up brand for women of color in Canada Paba Cosmetics Incorporated, a local make-up line established in 2001, was made for women of color by creator and CEO, Felicia Sarpong. Now, Paba Cosmetics has three storefronts; two in Ghana (Accra and Kumasi), and one in Toronto. As the true entrepreneur that she is, Sarpong saw a problem; women of color were not wearing their correct undertone. The products they used left their skin “with ash, grey or high red finish.” Instead of complaining, Sarpong sought to solve the problem. She started her own make-up line that helps women identify and match their true undertone. “As a single mother, giving up my full-time job wasn’t easy, so at first I started developing Paba Cosmetics parttime,” said the Ghanian-born founder of Paba Cosmetics. Sarpong worked at a senior management level at a major financial institution for over 20 years. She demonstrated tenacity, determination, and discipline to launch out on her own. “I wanted to do something that interested me,” expressed the Toronto entrepreneur. “I am a black woman and when I looked for make-up for myself, I couldn’t find the right match. So, I decided to look into it…” Subsequently, Sarpong began her own research to find the right solution to the mismatched undertone prob-
lem that she, and so many women of color experience. “This was all new to me!” Sarpong expressed. Yet, having a business background certainly helped. Sarpong also had two equally committed, determined, and hard-hard-working daughters. The eldest daughter, Princilla Asare, 34, graduated from McMaster University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. She further developed hands-on knowledge at the Professional School of Make-up. Asare’s interest grew while she was helping her mother restock the stores that carried the Paba Cosmetics products. Prior to Paba becoming a cosmetics store, the Paba team was distributing their products to various beauty supply stores in the Greater Toronto Area, Montreal and Ottawa. The youngest daughter, Daisy Badu, 26, had a different passion. “I didn’t think I would ever get into the beauty industry,” Badu says matter-of-factly. “I liked talking to the suppliers when mom and I visited them,” continued Badu. “I also liked seeing how the colors were created and figuring out names for certain products.” Badu studied journalism at Ryerson University and has a knack for public relations. Together, the mom and daughters team designed a brand that women of color have come
to love. The Paba Cosmetics brand takes into consideration the various skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, acne prone, eczema and skin sensitivity. Thus, the Perfect Finish Liquid Foundation ($28), a water-based, medium coverage, is perfect for sensitive skin. “We have 21 different shades and they are all based on undertones. We talk to our customers, to first discover which product is most suitable. Most times, clients don’t know what their undertone is. Perfect Finish is the best one because clients are able to find their true match,” explained Badu. “It covers every blemish and scar and it’s not heavy.” The HD Liquid Foundation ($30), is a matte finish. “This works well for anyone who doesn’t like shine or oils,” added Badu. There are also the Wet Dry Foundations (Press powers)($22). “Our company started with this. It has a little bit of liquid base, gives fuller coverage, and evens the tone.” Paba Cosmetics’ slogan is “For All The Beautiful Shades Of You.” The trio believes in their products and sees Paba Cosmetics as a “second skin” for women of color. Their vision is that Paba will become a household brand, “that every woman of color will have a Paba product,” says Asare. “We want women to feel
good and comfortable about themselves wearing makeup. Once you understand your true undertone and have products like Paba Cosmetics that matches your undertone perfectly, you will not only achieve a natural look, but you can have a flawless finish,” maintained Asare. The team referred to women who use and understand Paba products as “Paba Ladies.” Truly, Paba Cosmetics takes pride in helping women of color correct the problem their make-up causes, “the ash, grey or high red finish.” The team provides one on one makeup consultation and color match sessions. These sessions are done at the three locations to ensure that the clients, or Paba Ladies, leave with the right Paba product, and can apply it confidently. In 2017, Paba Cosmetics Inc received the Beauty Professional of the Year Award by African Fashion Week Toronto. Now, after almost 20 years in the beauty supply industry, the Paba team wants Canadian women of color to know that the Paba Cosmetics brand specializes in diverse skin tones of women of color, and they are here. “We’re gonna be here, and we need your support,” concluded Sarpong. Written by Shauna-Kay Cassell Toronto Caribbean Reporter
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Machel Montano, Iwer in epic clash of the Titans aba@carib101.com
ENT. PUBLICIST
The masses are getting all anxious and social media is on fire. It’s been a while since anything like this has gone down. Machel Montano and the Boss, Neil Iwer George are battling for hierarchy. The two have been going at it, pulling all the stops and revealing things we’re not too sure, should be so publicly exposed. Montano’s round two punch has everyone in utter shock and while some may see this as simple ‘piccong’, there is room for disaster. Machel Montano and Iwer George have, for many years, been viewed publicly as “estranged.” They’ve been seen in photos but the extent of their social camaraderie, has been questioned. Speaking on the Soca Stop on Boomchampionstt.com today, Iwer said there are no rules in war and there is no explanation to be given on the matter. Asked whether the musical battle is real, the ‘Water Blessings’ singer said what’s seen on social media should not always be believed. He called on the radio personality to refrain from
Machel’s latest musical punch. “I want to send a message to Skinny Fabulous. I want to send him back to St. Vincent on a one way ticket. Skinny is selling guns to the enemy,” said Iwer, almost jokingly. He explained that Skinny’s writing style is known and as such, he immediately knew it was Skinny who had aligned himself with Machel. “They are my bredrens, because he have a tune with Machel, he turn State witness against me. What he write for Machel is what he know about me, so he turn
against me,” said George. Both artistes are said to have performed at an event last night and will perform at the Oval tonight where they are expected to go head to head on stage. Machel Montano, meanwhile seems to be enjoying the excitement, posting every minute of the thrills to his - EBuzzTT
Machel, Ashanti team up on new Soca track ABA LUKE
aba@carib101.com
ENT. PUBLICIST
Team work makes the dream work. Nobody in the Soca industry has had more collaborations with other artistes, like Machel Montano has. From Walker Hornung to Wyclef Jean, Shaggy, Charly Black, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, French Montana and now RnB songbird, Ashanti, Machel knows the worth of team work.
The Monk’s in full carnival mode these days and he’s got the music to prove it. A recent count on the number of releases he’s managed thus far, exeeeded 10! Makes us all wonder where other artistes would fit in really, but this certainly isn’t unusual. Machel Montano has always worked hard to prove his worth as an industry leader. Behind the scenes, business moves such as this one with Ashanti, certainly prove his strategy-making prowess. He should never be discounted when it comes to that! With another Machel Monday around the corner, collaborations like this one with the “Rain On Me” singer, prove effective in marketing his event. Now, there’s hardly a
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calling names on air, asking if he had court clothes. “You know how long I trying to defeat this monster. How I will beg you to do a song with you and I trying to defeat you. He lying… he not telling the truth,” said Iwer when asked whether he had approached Machel Montano to do a song with him. He promised he would release a verse on the matter in the week ahead. Explaining that he has been in the business of Soca for 31 years, the Boss said he knows the writer behind
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Five great ways to give back to your community Looking for a way to give back to your community? Here are five charitable or neighbourly deeds you can perform on an ongoing basis. 1. SHARE YOUR COOKING When cooking for yourself, make extra portions to offer to a homeless person or a low-income family in your neighbour hood. Or, alternatively, when getting takeout buy an extra portion to give to them. 2. ORGANIZE A NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEANUP Share your love for the environment with your friends and neighbours. Gather a group of four or five people to pick up lit-
ter in you area. Make an event of it by finishing with a barbeque or potluck. 3. COLLECT FOOD BANK ITEMS Set out a bin at your workplace that you and your coworkers can fill with non-perishable food items for the poor. Bring the donations to a food bank in your area every week or two. 4. DECORATE FOR SOMEONE ELSE Do a bit of holiday decorating for an elderly person who lives alone, is sick or has reduced mobility. For instance, something as simple as balloons or flowers can set the stage for Valentine’s Day or Easter.
This evidence suggests that getting your own teen involved in volunteering will provide them not only a chance to fill out their resumes, but also the opportunity to become happier, more well-rounded individuals. WHY TEENS SHOULD VOLUNTEER Volunteering can promote various aptitudes in teens such as leadership and communication skills, which will serve them well in their educational pursuits and on the job market. However, there are also psychological benefits that volunteer work affords them. Research reported on in the 2014 review indicates that teens that do volunteer work have higher self-esteem and resilience than those that don’t. HOW TO ENCOURAGE TEENS TO VOLUNTEER One of the best ways to get teens to volunteer is to lead by example. This can mean volunteering yourself when you get the chance, or doing volunteer activities as
Volunteering abroad can be an incredibly re warding experience. It gives you the chance to make a positive difference while discovering a new corner of the globe. However, there’s a fair bit of planning involved. Here are three things you’ll need to do beforehand. 1. PLAN YOUR BUDGET Volunteering abroad can be expensive. You need to make sure you can afford the airfare, the cost of visas and vaccinations, and the cost of the placement itself, which typically comprises accommodation, food, training, local transport, insurance and background checks.
5. MOW YOUR NEIGHBOUR’S LAWN Next time you mow your lawn, check to see how your elderly neighbour’s lawn is doing. How ever, it’s a good idea to ask first, just to be sure it’s something they want done.
2. FIND A GOOD ORGANIZATION There are many international volunteering organizations but not all of them are reputable. Make sure you do a lot of research before making any decisions. Check online reviews and, if possible, speak with people who’ve done the placement themselves. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, communicate directly with organizations, preferably by phone or in person, asking their representatives pertinent questions you’ve prepared in advance.
While working with a charity is a great thing to do, so is volunteering to help out in smaller but equally meaningful ways within your community.
3. LOOK FOR A PLACEMENT Volunteering can be a great way to gain practical experience. It’s also a big asset on your university application or resume. And if the placement lines up with your skills and
Teen volunteering: how to get them involved According to a review published in 2014 by the Institute for Volunteering Research, teen volunteers demonstrate higher levels of well-being, personal development and social connectedness than their non-volunteer peers.
Three steps to volunteer abroad
a family, which has the added advantage of promoting bonding and mutual respect between the family members involved. WHERE TEENS SHOULD VOLUNTEER It’s most motivating for young people when they can select volunteer opportunities that align with their passions, interests and ambitions. There are a large number of potential places where teens can volunteer, including: • Seniors’ residences • Animal shelters • Libraries • Food banks • Community centres It’s worth pointing out that not all volunteering opportunities require a longterm, ongoing commitment. Charity fundraisers like run-for-the-cause events and community occasions like the town’s Easter parade often require volunteers for only one or two days. Volunteer experience invariably strengthens a young person’s resume; however, the real value of volunteering is emphatically the positive impact it has on others as well as on the volunteer.
interests, it’s all the more useful. For instance, if you’re interested in teaching, think about working for a literacy program. Or if you plan to work in the veterinary field, look for a placement in which you rehabilitate animals back into the wild. Once you’ve locked down your budget, found a great organization to volunteer with and uncovered a position that aligns with your interests and ambitions, all that’s left is to pack your bags and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
ONLINE VOLUNTEERING Did you know that you can do volunteer work for another country without having to leave the comfort of your own home? The United Nations Volunteers program allows you to make a positive difference from your computer, tablet or smartphone. For more information visit www.onlinevolunteering.org.
Volunteering opportunities for seniors Studies have shown that volunteering has a positive effect on seniors’ wellbeing and can even help stave off neurological problems associated with old age, including depression and dementia. If you’re a retiree looking to volunteer your time and skills, here are some ways you can give back to your community: 1. Offer pro bono services. One way to volunteer during your retirement is to use your professional skills to help peo ple in need for free. For instance, if you used to be an accountant, you can volunteer to help low-income families or recent immigrants prepare their tax returns. If you used to be a lawyer, you can offer free legal assistance to groups in need. 2. Support causes you’re passionate about. Take advantage of your retirement years to get involved with activist movements that inspire you. Whether it’s campaigning for political candidates or writing letters advocating legislative changes, you’re sure to find plenty of ways to further the causes you’re passionate about. 3. Mentor children. One of the best ways
to contribute to your community is to volunteer to tutor or mentor kids — especially those who may not receive the academic and emotional support they need at home — through local schools and educational programs. Working with children can be a great way to bridge the generation gap while making a substantial difference in a young person’s life. 4. Work with immigrant communities. Volunteer to help recent immigrants acclimatize to life in Canada. You can do things like help with job applications, child care and English language learning, or simply offer support and companionship as families adjust to their new country. To learn more about volunteering opportunities for seniors, visit the Volunteer Canada website at volunteer.ca/index. php?MenuItemID=342.
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Everything in this home is upgraded. Features 9 feet ceiling, tall Windows, granite counters and hardwood floors. There is a main floor laundry and double car garage,5 bedrooms, 5 washrooms and a basement apartment with separate entrance. Extras include, lawn sprinklers, fireplace and top of the line appliances.
$609,900
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2 Years Young
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Open Concept Main Floor, Modern Kitchen and internal access from the garage. The master bedroom has a walk in closet and full ensuite. There is a finished recreation room in the basement and rough in for a washroom.
Features New Oak Floors, new windows and doors, modern Kitchen and newer furnace , circuit breakers and central air condition. Features include 3 bedrooms, 2 washrooms, private driveway, garage and fenced lot. One bus to subway.
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Almost 2000 sq feet plus a finished basement. Features include 3 large bedrooms, computer loft, double car garage, master bedroom with 6-piece washroom and walk in closet, main floor family room with gas fireplace and a finished basement with a wet bar and washroom. Clean as a whistle.
State-of-the-art end unit condo with modern kitchen, granite countertop and open concept. There are 2 washrooms, one with a full jacuzzi, 2 bedrooms and personal laundry. Include 6 appliances.
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1
69
Nutrament Energy Nutritional Drink Vanilla ONLY 355 ml
each each
99
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¢
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Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters Back Attached
26 99 6 each
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18 kg case with the Purchase of 2 case or more
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¢ $ 99 lb
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Don’t Over Cook Your Oxtail; 45 Minutes Top! YOU DON’T PAY FOR FAT NOR CUT-UP WASTE!
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Jamaican Pride Butter Bean 400 g
8
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Fruit of Life Lemon Seasoning 750 ml
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39
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$ 99 $ 99 $ 49 $ 49 $ 49 lb as is
lb as is
lb as is Fresh
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Tomatoes
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1 1 2 Five Locations To Serve You Better 29
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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
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3.78 L -45
each
Mon.-Fri. 9am to 9pm Saturday 9am to 9pm Sunday Lawrence Ave. E . 10am to 7pm
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Mon.-Thu. 8:30am 8pm Fri. & Sat. 8:30am-8:30pm Sunday 9am to 6 pm Finch Ave. E.
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PAGE 26
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Quick and easy recipes to achieve and
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT NOEL CUNNINGHAM noel@carib101.com
CULINARY EXPERT
The month of January is celebrated as Healthy Weight Awareness Month. While we are still on the healthy train for 2019, it is very important to know your ideal healthy weight. This will better help you to know if you are overweight, underweight or obese, and what diet will suit your lifestyle. How do I find my healthy weight? This is usually done by calculating a person’s age, gender and height using an online ideal weight calculator. This result will give you, your recommended ideal weight. In addition, there are also online charts that will show your height and what your ideal weight should be. There is no one size fits all when it comes to weight. There are several factors that make each individual different, such as height, muscle-fat ratio, gender, and body shape.
Know your body mass index When you measure your body mass index you are basically measuring your body fat. To know your body fat, you can use a free online body mass calculator. Enter your weight and height and this will give you your result. Normal BMI ranges from 18.5 – 25. BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight. If your BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9, you are overweight. 30.0 and above, then you are obese. To maintain a healthy weight, eating properly as explained in the last column and exercising should be a lifestyle and not just a short-term goal. This week, I’m serving some wholesome goodness of salmon and quinoa to help you in your quest to find a better you. Salmon is known to help control weight. The spices that I used in this recipe are all natural medicine. Cayenne contains capsaicin which burns fat, the ginger improves gastric mobility, hinders cholesterol absorption and finally, black pepper boosts metabolism and aids nutrient digestion. Salmon with pineapple salsa is one of my favorite go-to mid-week meals. Not just because it’s healthy, but it’s also easy to prepare. You can always make and store your salsa up to 7 days and it can be used on just about anything. Pineapple
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helps to aid digestion and breaks down the protein found in food. This combination is a must have to maintain or gain your healthy weight. Blackened Salmon and Coconut Lemon Quinoa with Pineapple Salsa Ingredients • 3 6-oz. salmon fillets • salt & pepper to taste • 1 tsp. cayenne pepper • ½ tsp ginger powder Salsa • 1/2 diced pineapple • 1/4 diced red onion • ½ diced green peppers • ½ diced red peppers • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley • salt and pepper to taste • 1 tsp. lime juice Quinoa • 1 cup quinoa • 1 cup water • 1 cup coconut milk • 1tbsp lemon juice • 2 tsp lemon zest
Directions 1. Place all ingredients for the quinoa in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all the liquid is absorbed. (about 15 mins) 2. While the quinoa is cooking combine all the ingredients for the salsa, season to taste with lime juice, salt and put aside. 3. Marinate salmon with spices and set aside. In a heated skillet cook salmon on both sides for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cook through and enjoy.
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Saturday February 16, 2019 5:00pm-9:00pm Century Gardens Recreation Centre 340 Vodden Street E, Brampton, On Admission; $10.00 – 2 & under Free Featuring performances by: Liberty Silver Drumming, Steelpan, Spoken Word, Dancing Stories from the Caribbean Market Place - Wings of Passion Co-Emcees – Trustee, Kathy McDonald & Colleen Taffe Guest Speaker: Natasha Henry, President Ontario Black History Society
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Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Three unique wedding reception ideas If you’re getting married, but the thought of a traditional wedding reception leaves you cold, try one of these three fun alternatives: 1. BRUNCH RECEPTION For early birds, a morning ceremony and brunch reception is the way to go. Ask your preferred breakfast spot to cater and then serve all of the breakfast classics with espresso drinks to wake your guests up. Just because it’s early in the day doesn’t mean you have to have a dry wedding — mimosas anyone?
create a signature cocktail for the night. With this type of reception you can use a smaller space to accommodate your guests. A wedding reception that breaks with tradition can be more memorable, festive and affordable than the standard dinner and dancing that follows most nuptials. Your options are limited only by your imagination.
2. BACKYARD BARBEQUE If you prefer to spend your Saturday nights drinking beer and hanging out with friends, why not have a backyard wedding? Find a caterer that specializes in barbeque and get dirty with some ribs or pulled pork. Serve local craft beers and set up some oldfashioned lawn games.
How to supplement your wedding invitations with a wedding website Wedding invitations traditionally include a few different cards and a whole lot of information. If you’re planning a wedding and want to cut down on the amount of paper you send, a wedding website is the perfect way to communicate with your guests.
RSVP CARDS Your guests need a way to tell you whether or not they can make it to your wedding. You can include this with your invitation, or have people respond on your website. Both options are acceptable, but keep in mind that some of your older guests may not understand the lack of a response card. WHAT TO PUT ON YOUR WEDDING WEBSITE Use the website to let your guests know about accommodations, the gift registry and directions to the venue. You can also include some photos of the two of you, introduce guests to your wedding party or add local fun facts for people from out of town.
Building a wedding website is easy and often times free. Use one of the following host sites: • withjoy.com • minted.com • weddingwire.com • theknot.com Alternatively, you can build your wed ding website using Wordpress.com; they even offer a free wedding theme.
PAGE 29
Your wedding checklist Wedding planning can get overwhelming. In many cases, there are tasks that should be completed up to a year ahead of the event. This handy checklist will help you stay on top of all of the important details right up to the big day.
NINE TO TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE • Decide on a wedding budget and track all your expenses accordingly. • Set a date. • Make a guest list. • Research venues for your ceremony and reception and book the one(s) that you like. • Decide if you want a bridal party and choose who you want to be part of your day. • Start collecting your guest’s addresses. EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE • Shop for and purchase a wedding gown. • Book your vendors for the day: photographer, DJ or musician, florist, cake maker and caterer (if food isn’t included with your venue). • Register for gifts. • Build a wedding website that your guests can visit for extra information concerning your wedding.
3. COCKTAIL PARTY Do you find banquets a bore but still want to dance the night away? Host a cocktail party! Your venue can pass around lots of appetizers and you can
WHAT NEEDS TO BE ON THE INVITATION All basic information about your wedding needs to be on the invitation. This includes the full names of the bride and groom to be, the location of the wedding and the date and time it’ll take place. Traditionally, your parent’s names would also be included, but if you’re paying for your own wedding, you can take or leave this tradition. Include the URL to your wedding website so people know how to access it.
seasonal
SIX MONTHS BEFORE • Choose an officiant. • Shop for and purchase bridesmaid’s dresses. • Order the invitations. • Buy your wedding bands. FOUR MONTHS BEFORE • Reserve transportation to and from the ceremony and reception venues, if necessary. • Have a cake tasting and finalize the cake design. • Schedule hair and makeup appointments and don’t forget to book trial runs for both. • Make a plan for decorating your ceremony and reception spaces. THREE MONTHS BEFORE • Choose and order the groom’s outfit. • Start thinking about the music and choose songs for the ceremony and the first dance. You may want to make a separate list for party music. • Have a tasting with your caterer
to set the menu. • Start planning the rehearsal dinner. • Select wedding favours and order them.
TWO MONTHS BEFORE • Send out the invitations. • Make sure the bridesmaids and groomsmen have their outfits. • Have the first wedding dress fitting. • Shop for and buy gifts for your bridal party. ONE MONTH BEFORE • Meet with your officiant to go through the ceremony. • Make sure you have your marriage licence. • Start making a list of people who’ve confirmed that they’ll be attending. • If another dress fitting is required, do it now. TWO WEEKS BEFORE • Book an appointment to have a manicure and pedicure the day before. • Have the final dress fitting and bring it home. • Book the groom’s suit or tuxedo fitting. • Track down people who haven’t responded yet. • Confirm number of guests with your venue and caterer and don’t forget to order meals to feed your DJ and photographer. THE WEEK BEFORE • Make a seating chart. • Delegate any day-of tasks to your wedding party and family. • Supply your photographer with a list of pictures you want and your DJ with a detailed playlist. • Write out cheques to pay your vendors. THE DAY BEFORE • Relax while you get your nails done. • Give the payment cheques to someone you trust in order to pay your vendors. • At the rehearsal dinner, give gifts to your bridal party. YOUR WEDDING DAY • Have the flowers delivered to the wedding venue. • Make sure the venue is decorated according to your vision. • Keep calm and enjoy.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Watch out for this common internet scam Internet scams are unfortunately part and parcel of the digital world and are something all internet-users need to be aware of — seniors especially, as they are the main target of such scams. One of the most common internet scams occurs in the following way: 1. A scammer posing as a tech support employee contacts you by phone (they often say they work for Microsoft). 2. They tell you your computer is infected with a virus and offer a free security check. 3. They ask to be allowed remote access to your computer: they give you the steps to do this. 4. Once given remote access, the scammer installs software on your computer, allowing him or her to steal from your accounts. Alternatively, ransomware — a particular type of software that locks your computer — is installed, and the scammer then demands payment to unlock it. A survey done by Microsoft showed that 15 per cent of computer users have received a call like this. Protecting yourself from this scam is simple enough. If someone calls to offer tech support, don’t under any circumstances trust them. Tech support should never call you: when you have issues with your computer, you always need to call them.
Five ways to have a full social life during retirement If you’re retired and have spare time on your hands, why not take the opportunity to try something new or meet new people? Here are five things you can do to enrich your social life. 1. Join a club (hiking, book, knitting, golf or acting) 2. Sign up
for a group activity (yoga, painting, photography, choir or learning a second language) 3. Volunteer (at a non-profit, an animal shelter or the local library) 4. Attend lectures, readings and meet-andgreets 5. Join a group suited to your interests on the site MeetUp.com If all else fails, simply go out. Visit a coffee shop, stroll through a museum, attend a show, play bingo or simply go somewhere where you can experience something new or see new faces.
mature living
PAGE 31
Glaucoma: what you need to know about this type of eye disease Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada, affecting some 300,000 people. It’s been nicknamed the “silent thief of sight,” as noticeable symptoms often don’t appear until vision loss has already begun. However, the subject merits some attention, especially on the part of older Canadians, as the risk of being affected by glaucoma increases with age. WHAT IS GLAUCOMA? Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve, a part of the eye that carries visual information from the retina to the brain. Primary open-angle glaucoma is by far the most common type. This disease occurs when the eye no longer drains properly. The resulting back up of aqueous fluid, the fluid that hydrates the eyes, puts pressure on the optic nerve.
DIAGNOSING AND TREATING GLAUCOMA If it’s diagnosed early on, treatments involving medication, eye drops or laser surgery can generally prevent further vision loss. If left untreated, permanent vision loss is likely to occur. Eye doctors are able to check eye pressure and perform other tests to diagnose glaucoma, even when it’s at its earliest stages. For this reason, regular checkups with an eye doctor are the best defence against this disease. If you’re over the age of 40, you should get a complete eye exam every one to two years.
As mentioned, Glaucoma doesn’t typically present symptoms. It develops gradually and painlessly. The first noticeable symptom is the loss of peripheral vision. But as this occurs progressively, it can in fact go unnoticed for a long time.
Choosing the executor of your will Appointing an executor for your will requires careful reflection. The individual will be in charge of administering your estate and carrying out your final wishes. You want this task to be done both efficiently and in a fair manner.
will entails a lot of work, so dividing the task between two people — especially if the individuals you have in mind have busy lives — is not a bad idea. Moreover, this can help ensure that the estate is distributed in a fair and honest manner.
Very often, people will choose a family member or friend who they trust to execute their will. It’s a plus if this person has knowledge on taxes, investments and financial decisions. However, keep in mind that the person you choose can turn to experts like attorneys or tax accountants to guide them through the process: what’s most important is that the executor is someone you know to be responsible.
And be sure to appoint an alternate executor (or multiple alternate executors) in case the original executor dies or is unable or unwilling to fulfill their duties.
If you don’t feel comfortable entrusting this task to a family member or friend, or if you have a complex estate, you can name a third-party executor such as a bank, trust company or legal professional. While all executors are legally entitled to a fee (this will come out of the estate), third-party executors represent an extra cost. Note that you have the option of appointing two or more executors or co-executors. Executing a
Lastly, as this is an important decision, don’t hesitate to seek advice from persons you trust, whether it’s family members, friends, your lawyer or the bank.
PAGE 32
yoga
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Splits for Life TRISHA CURLING
trishacurling@carib101.com
YOGA SPECIALIST
Splits or Hanumanasana carries a beautiful story and was told to me for the first time by a brilliant yoga teacher and friend from Sweden, by the name of Ingrid Andrén (Owner of Studio Move It). I won’t get into the whole story, but she took us on a journey through her entire class. By way of the story, she helped us to understand that “This pose asks you not merely to stretch your legs but also to bring true devotion into your practice. Hanumanasana expresses the expansiveness possible…the sense that you can overcome any obstacle when your yearning to help
is combined with reverence and respect… In Hanumanasana you strive to reach much further than seems humanly possible.” (Aadil Palkhivala, Yoga Column: Hanumanasana, Yoga Journal, Aug 28, 2007). When you hear “splits” you might think, forget it, that’s not possible. You might be right, but you also might be wrong. It’s true that not every pose is for everyone and there are a number of reasons why this could be, but the journey and process arguably outweighs the end result. There are a number of poses that will help to prepare you for Hanumanasana. Keep in mind, however, that if splits are not the pose for you, along the way you will gain benefits like increased flexibility, strength and confidence. Here are two poses that are essential to incorporate in your regular practice. 1. Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana): In a seated position on your mat, extend both legs out in front of
you. If the legs cannot be completely straight, take them out as long as your body will allow. Next, on an inhale, lengthen through the spine by sitting up tall. On your exhale, lean your chest forward while keeping the shoulder blades slightly drawn in towards one another. Your chest should feel as though it is reaching to touch the tips of your toes. Take your arms forward to grasp your feet. You may want to place a yoga strap around your feet if you cannot reach them. This will allow you to grab each side of the strap with your hands to walk yourself forward with more support. Stay in the pose for a few breaths and enjoy the gentle lengthening of your hamstrings and calf muscles. 2. Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana): From Downward Facing Dog, shift your weight forward while stepping the right foot in front between your hands. At the same time, lower the back knee down, uncurl the toes and place the
top of your foot on your mat. Brace your waist (feel as though you are lifting your pubic bone towards your chest), lengthen your tailbone down, and inhale as you lift your arms up. Stay for a few breaths to feel the lengthening of your hip flexors and repeat on the other side. All while practicing the physicality of the postures, it is impossible to leave behind the confidence and conquering that become part of your mindset. The sense of power and accomplishment accompany these preparation poses as much as Hanumanasana itself. The most important takeaway that Andrén left us with at the end of her class was, “Don’t tell Hanuman how big your problems are, tell your problems how big your Hanuman is..” I hope this serves you in both your journey to splits and in life.
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PAGE 34
community
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
The Power of Thought; Thinking yourself into a powerful 2019 SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com
HUMAN SPECIALIST
Welcome back Toronto! If you are just joining us, last edition, we started discussing the power of thoughts and words. I had presented the first quote from one of my favorite books, A Thousand Paths to a Peaceful Life, by David Baird; this book had been instrumental in helping me adjust my mindset; I also wanted to present some work from other authors who have a strong overstanding of the power of words and thoughts. We also discussed the idea of doing away with your resolutions because if you had not started on them in 2018, you were most likely not going to carry through with them. A wonderful concept in theory, but reality shows that the majority of the changes that we make after the age of 25 are due to traumatic events. For many of us, pain comes before change, but it is possible to learn without going through pain. This edition we will take you through some more thoughts to reflect on.
“For things to change for you, first you must change.” ~ John Rohn This here is one of the most powerful statements that I have learned. Many of us think that if we have more money, the perfect soul mate, the perfect job and many certifications that this will make us happy. The proof is in the pudding; these thoughts are not backed up by any credible research. In actuality, the more money you have, the more problems it brings. There is no perfect person for you; all relationships take work, and there will be things about your soul mate that you find annoying. The perfect job is only realized if you are following your life passions, and certifications are great, but there are many individuals with highranking degrees who are still very miserable. What good is a degree if you can’t get a job? Change must be intrinsically motivated; there has to be a deficit that is noticed, and then that deficit must be addressed. Money, partnership, career, and education are wonderful, but only if they exist within an individual who has done their work and is happy without this type of materialistic thinking. “You have a choice in life: you are either the player or the victim.” Larry Kendall (Revision Simone Jennifer Smith) “Bad things only happen to me.” “My dad left home when I was young, and life was
hard for my family.” “I was abused or molested when I was younger, and now it is hard for me to form relationships!” “I don’t have the money or resources to go to school because I have children, so I have to work.” All of these statements may very well be true, but if you are using them to define your life, you my friend are in victim mode, and it is not a great place to be. Your early life circumstances were not of your choosing; we can all agree to that, but how you choose to let those circumstances define you is totally your choice. Life is hard! There is no denying that life is very hard, but at some point, it becomes our responsibility to change the course of our life. When the people who have caused the pain in your life have passed on, either through death, or life design, you are left here to deal with the outcomes of your trauma. Seeking mentorship, a spiritual leader or a support group are ways in which to start getting over some of these issues. Education of self is the number one way to start taking responsibility. My words may seem harsh, and I am unapologetic about it. We tend to surround ourselves with people who will wallow in despair with us, instead of people who will say, “I hear you, but when are you going to really start to live.” Community of Toronto, YOU are not alone. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have at simone@carib101.com. I am here to help!
Just what the doctor ordered runners and movers do this.
COLLEEN LINDBERG colleen@carib101.com
LIFESTYLE COACH
There are times in life where we get to a crossroad and have to slow down. It’s not that we actually want to, but our bodies are no longer able to give us energy, sustain movement and we are dead tired. Been there before? This is the time where we are supposed to rest. So as a driven entrepreneur this for me is super hard. Rest… I want to fuel up, get moving and change the world, my inner voice calls out. However, my body is saying otherwise. So instead of getting to this point where there is no option but to chill out and wait it out, let’s start to incorporate self-care into our daily lives. Why do we have to hit a wall and completely shut down? We actually don’t. It’s just that some of us who are naturally
So here are a few tips to keep you moving; 1. Find small increments of time in the day to stop and breathe: This one is a big one that can help keep us calm down, relieve stress and pull the tension out of the body. It is the easiest one to implement because all it takes is to stop however, it’s the hardest one I think because it requires us to slow down and think about it. This action can be done anywhere. You finish a meeting early and you can close your eyes and connect with your breathe in the car before you hit the road. You can do it at home sitting on your couch before you turn the TV on to watch a show. It’s such an easy tool to release the stress in your body and connect with yourself. 2. Working out and movement for the body: Our bodies are meant to move. They are these magical embodiments and our lifestyles sometimes inhibit this from happening on a regular basis. Regular exercise has been proven to help the body deal with
stress (as most times we release it in the exercise itself ) and to help us be happier with who we are. When our bodies and minds feel good we tend to live in this space and it leaks into all parts of our lives. It makes us want to see the people we love, it makes us confident to develop that new product, it helps us get closer to the better version of ourselves. Also, it helps equip the body with stamina to fit illness and fatigue. 3. Take time out for self-care weekly: This one is the game changer. Scheduling time for you to self-care. It might be a spa appointment or playing video games until all hours of the night. Each person’s self-care regime is different, unique and honored. You have to make a choice as to what fuels your soul and by doing those activities you will find that you are taking care of yourself. You are pressing pause for a while to honor rest, relaxation and connection. So, wherever you are in the world, on your path or in your journey, rest up my friend. Take care of yourself so that you don’t have to be forced into downtime and you can keep that train on the tracks.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
life
PAGE 35
Pension division under the pensions benefits act VALERIE DYE valerie@carib101.com
LEGAL SPECIALIST
Under the Family Law Act ‘property’ or ‘net family property’ includes all an individual’s property including his or her pension. The significance of this is that at the time of separation or divorce the pension is included for the purposes of equalization or division of property. It does not mean that there can be an automatic transfer of part of one spouse’s pension to the other spouse. Under the
Pensions Benefits Act, a spouse’s pension will be divided if the Court orders a division and transfer of a portion to the other spouse or if the parties enter into a domestic contract which provides for division of the pension and the transfer of a portion of that pension to the other party. Furthermore, case law has shown that the Court will only order a division and transfer of pension to the receiving party (the recipient) if the paying party does not have enough means to make the equalization payment. Let’s assume for instance that spouse A has net family property valued at $300.000 and spouse B has net family property valued at $400,000. Obviously, since spouse B has more assets he or she has to make an equalization payment to spouse A of about $50,000. Spouse B may not have
$50,000 in liquid cash but may have a pension valued at $70,000. In that case, the Court may order or the parties may agree to have spouse B’s pension divided and a portion of it transferred to spouse A. Pension value Although a spouse’s pension may have a particular value at a particular time, what needs to be ascertained for the purposes of division and transfer is the family law value of the pension. This family law value is arrived at by determining the date the parties commenced cohabitation or the date they got married and the date of separation. The value of the pension for that period is referred to as the family law value. For instance, Spouse B may have a pension value of $70,000 but this value
was acquired between 2000 and 2014. If Spouse B married Spouse A in 2006 and they separated in 2013 then a division and transfer can only be in relation to the value of the pension for that seven year period. This value is termed the ‘family law value’ and spouse A will only be entitled to a portion of that value, not a portion of the $70,000. Who may apply for a family law value of pension Once parties are married either spouse may apply for a statement of the family law value of the pension. If parties are not married only the party who owns the pension may apply for a statement of the family law value of the pension.
Honoring the past, Inspiring the future KATHY McDONALD kathy@carib101.com
SCHOOL TRUSTEE
We are a few days from the beginning of February and you know what that means. In a few days, for 28 days, there will be a plethora of activities, award shows and concerts celebrating African, Black and Caribbean in Canada and across the globe. I would like to urge everyone to remember one of my favorite quotations “Slavery is not African History; Slavery interrupted African History”. This quote from Mutabaruka should serve to remind parents, students and educators that there is so much to learn about African, Black and Caribbean history that we should seize the wealth of opportunities that will come our way this month. However we should be cognizant of the fact that learning about black history should be a three hundred and sixty five day event. So now that we are not relegating the learning and exposure about black history to twenty eight days I would encourage readers to revisit the July 10th, 2018 article that I wrote entitled ”Pack a Lunch and Explore Your His-
tory”. In this article there are several exciting suggestions that families, friends and educators can participate in that will expose young, curious and adventurous students to experiences that will shed some light into the vast and varied experiences of people of African descent in Canada and the world. On Sunday, January the 20th the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) will have its annual Black History Month Kick-Off Brunch at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto at 255 Front Street West. Several other events will follow. They will be coming fast and furiously. Many school boards across the province will host celebrations. I suggest that you check out their websites and make an effort to attend. What better way to connect with your children than by spending an evening at their school exploring and learning with them about their heritage and culture. Who better to instill a sense of pride than you their parent or guardian? Honoring the Past Inspiring the Future is the theme for the 18th annual Black History concert which will be held in Brampton. Peel United Cultural Partners is the group that is responsible for this outstanding production each year. This partnership between the United Achievers’ Club and the Congress of Black Women, Brampton Chapter has been producing first class family entertainment wrapped in an educational bow an-
nually. This year the venue has changed. This gargantuan collaborative spectacle will be held at Century Gardens Recreation Center which is located at 340 Vodden Street East in Brampton. The keynote is the president of the OBHS, Natasha Henry and the Community Leadership Award will be presented to the Honorable Justice Donald McLeod. There will be entertainment for everyone including Grammy and Juno Award winner Liberty Silver, the Young Legends of Pan, Wings of Passion and much more. The event will be emceed by Colleen Taffe and me. The tickets are a mere $10 thus the show will be sold out fast. So don’t delay. For tickets call Lucinda at 905-459-1942 or Christine at 905-206-9798. In Brampton, like several municipalities across the province there will be flag raising as well as other ceremonies and opportunities for individuals to learn about black history. Please do your due diligence and check your municipality’s website for the details. The Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) is a hidden gem in Brampton which has a host of different events celebrating black history in the Peel Region. Come and visit this quaint and refreshing retreat in the heart of downtown Brampton. On Saturday February 16th from 2-2:30 Karolyn Smardz Frost will be discussing her prize winning books Steal Away Home and I Got a Home in Glory Land. This educator
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and Archaeologist will be on hand to discuss her research and will be signing her books. So come over to 9 Wellington Street East in Brampton. I cannot wait to pick her brains!!! On Sunday, February the 17th, from 1:30-3pm the charismatic storyteller my mentor and friend Sandra Whiting will be mesmerizing PAMA’s visitors. Admission is free for children under five and a family pass for a family of two adults and up to five children is twelve dollars. The best part about PAMA is that residents of Peel can borrow from their local libraries passes to visit PAMA. On February 16th at 10am the Brampton YMCA will be hosting their annual black history event. This has always been a great learning opportunity, a chance to take in excellent entertainment as well as a chance to sample some amazing food. Several YMCA facilities and other service clubs like the Rotary also host events so check their websites or pick up the phone and make the call. Be diligent and purposeful in seeking out rich experiences that will help to inspire your children to be the best they that they can possibly be. When the family journeys together and explores their roots the rewards are endless and indescribable. So journey with me as we celebrate Black History Month in February and the other three hundred and thirty seven days of the year. Walk Good! Belle Marché.
life
PAGE 36
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
The Lion Sleeps Tonight NOW ACCEPTING
NEW TV SHOW PROPOSALS TCN TV Network is now accepting TV Show proposals for the 2019 Season. To submit a show proposal, please log on to www.mytcntv.com and click on “Propose A Show”. All proposals are subject to review and approval. All shows are streamed LIVE and in studio (Brampton, ON)*.
*ALL SHOWS ARE PROFESSIONALLY PRODUCED. A MONTHLY FEE IS APPLICABLE
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BRITTNEY CHANNER brittney@carib101.com
JUSTICE WARRIOR
When one thinks of social justice, the regular occurrence of topics relating to racism, sexism, police brutality, inequality, just to name a few, are usually the pinnacle of discussion. Since we live in a society where these topics continue to arise through the proliferation of negative interactions amongst individuals within society, I do acknowledge how the idea of social justice can be exhausting and desensitizing. However, please be aware that injustices occur everywhere, not just within traditional and closely related topics as stipulated above. This week as I was thinking of what social justice concept to write about, I immediately realized the idea was there right in front of me, literally. What I mean by this is that the idea of what social justice issue to write about came to me in class as my professor discussed how the popularity of something as small as a song, resulted in the unjust treatment of a Zulu tribesman named Solomon Linda and his entire family. Solomon Linda was a Zulu tribesman who had a gift of music and a voice that he shared with the world through generations. One day in 1939, for the first time, Mr. Linda stood in front of a microphone in the only recording studio in Africa when he created a skein of 15 melodic notes which would become a huge hit that would impact the world. At this point, many of you may be looking at Mr. Linda’s name without an idea in the world of who he is and what song I claim to think you know; however, if I asked you to name the first song that came to your mind when I mentioned the movie “The Lion King”, 90% of you would mention the song “In The Jungle”. “In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight”. Did I jog your memory? Well, you may be asking how this story contributes or has anything to do with social justice but, it does in many ways. Peete Seeger was an American folk singer who was introduced to “In the Jungle” or back then known as “Mbube” by Alan Lomax who had received a package of 78s flat disc records from a record company in Africa with hopes that someone would want to release the song in
America. Nevertheless, what makes this story so unfortunate is that Mr. Linda, the originator of this song, received no credit whatsoever; especially within the realm of royalties from his creation. This song was passed through a plethora of musical artists such as Peete Seeger, The Weavers, The Tokens, R.E.M and the very familiar version seen in Disney’s The Lion King. From the year 1948 till now, “In the Jungle” has spawned a number of versions in different languages and passed through the hands of musical greats and as powerful and transcending this may be to some, this situation tells the all too familiar story of a black man who according to Rian Malan, gave more than he got and ended up with nothing. This one song produced 160 recordings of three different versions, thirteen movies, half a dozen TV commercials and a hit play which brings in an estimated value of 15-20 million dollars; possibly more and somehow Mr. Linda’s share valued to one $12,000 payment from The Richmond Organization, a $1,000 cheque from Pete Seeger and any future payments in relation to the song and 12.5% of royalties which amounts to $275 dollars a quarter. Please note these are figures based in the 1990s. On October 8th, 1962, Mr. Linda passed away without ever realizing the impact his song had on the world. Meanwhile, while the growing success of his creation, his daughters were living in poverty in a house made solely of bricks with no ceiling and other harsh living conditions without realizing they potentially were the rightful owners of a song their father created before they were born. However, due to unequal and unfair copyright practices of the ’50s and ’60s, Mr. Linda’s daughters were not legally entitled to a heavier share of the royalties made off of their father’s song. Although there are more details and facts that would essentially help you understand how upsetting this situation really is, what can be taken away from this entire story is that injustice happens in many facets of society, especially within the entertainment industry. Of course, there are many laws in place now that prevents this type of exploitation however, it is necessary to understand injustice through a historical lens which can potentially provide insight on why social injustice happens and where change needs to be implemented. For more information on Mr. Linda and his story, feel free to read the 36-page excerpt of “In the Jungle” by Rian Malan.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
home & garden
PAGE 37
What is Universal Design? Universal Design is an approach to architecture and design that seeks to make spaces accessible to all people, regardless of age, size or ability. The term was coined by Ronald Mace, an architect who focused on making public spaces easier for people with physical disabilities to use. Universal Design differs from other approaches to accessible design and assistive technology because instead of trying to meet the specific needs of individuals, it strives to integrate people with disabilities into the mainstream. In other words, it focuses on offering accessibility to everyone rather than helping people with disabilities cope with barriers that could have been avoided in the first place. Common Universal Design features include ramps, curb cuts and push-button doors, which not only assist individuals with limited mobility but also make spaces easy for all people to use.
Although typically used in public spaces, people can integrate Universal Design principles into their homes. Here are few ways this can be done: • Replace door locks with keyless entry systems • Have a full bathroom on the ground floor • Use open shelving in the kitchen instead of cabinets with doors • Install grab bars and no-slip flooring in the bathroom • Replace faucets with touchless or single-lever controls • Invest in a walk-in shower With life expectancies rising and higher survival rates for people with disabling conditions, disability-friendly homes are increasingly in demand. Taking steps to make your home more universally accessible will likely prove beneficial and could become a selling point should your home go on the market.
Four ways to display your decorative dishware Are you tired of keeping your beautiful dishes hidden away? Why not use them to decorate your home so you can enjoy them all year round? Here are some ways to turn your dishware into decor: 1. Exhibit them in a cabinet. If your dishes are family heirlooms or especially valuable, the best way to display them is behind glass. Choose a glass-fronted cabinet or hutch with shelves for showing off your collection. 2. Hang plates on the wall. Hang your most beautiful ornamental plates and other dishes on the wall using hooks or plate hangers, either individually or as part of a tasteful arrangement. 3. Use individual pieces as accents. Choose a few key dishes to use as decor in your living room, kitchen or bedrooms. Larger pieces like teapots and tureens can stand on their own on small tables or shelves while smaller dishes like teacups can be used to dress up bookcases and bathroom counters.
Throw pillows: the easy way to integrate seasonal decor When the seasons change, you probably change the clothes you wear and the food you eat. Why should your living room be any different? If you’re not the type to have multiple boxes of decorations but you still want your space to feel seasonal, try swapping out your throw pillows. SPRING AND SUMMER With the bright sun and warm days, these seasons call for bright colours and light textures. Go for botanical or gingham prints, and don’t be afraid to mix patterns. For an extra warm-weather vibe, go for breezy linen and cotton fabrics.
4. Repurpose them in your home. If you have dishes you’re holding onto but no longer use, consider turning them into something new. Old teacups, plates, bowls and pitchers make great vases, planters, candleholders and soap dishes. Another way to display your dishware? Remove the doors of your kitchen cabinets so the shelving is exposed. This way, you can show off your best dishes while keeping them near the stove so you can easily use them whenever the occasion arises.
Accent ceilings: a great way to make any room stand out When it comes to interior decorating, ceilings are rarely considered beyond the customary coat of white paint. But instead of ignoring your ceilings, think about highlighting them to make your rooms really stand out.
FALL AND WINTER When the weather cools down, you might want your living room to have a cosier feel. Throw pillows in darker, moodier tones made of rich fabrics like velvet are perfect for this time of year. For an après-ski feel, choose knitted wool pillows.
A jewel-toned ceiling in an otherwise neutral room will make the room look taller while adding a lively pop of colour. Tin ceiling tiles (or plastic ones made to look like metal) add a touch of old school glamour to any space, especially a kitchen. If you have a home with unconventional ceilings that are vaulted or beamed, painting them will highlight the unique feature. Likewise, consider using wallpaper on a tray or recessed ceiling for greater impact. Paint and wallpaper aren’t the only things you can put on your accent ceiling. Hang a tapestry on the ceiling for a bohemian look or decorate a child’s bedroom with polka dot decals for a modern take on the glow-in-the-dark stars you may have grown up with. No matter how you choose to embellish your ceiling, make sure you don’t overwhelm the room by keeping the walls simple.
No matter the time of year, be sure to choose pillows in a variety of shapes, colours and textures for visual interest, but keep your seasonal theme in mind to maintain a cohesive look.
PAGE 38
automotive
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Which class of SUV is right for you? Are you looking to purchase a sports utility vehicle (SUV) but are having trouble narrowing your options? To find out which class of SUV best suits your needs, keep reading! MINI (OR SUBCOMPACT) CROSSOVERS In this rapidly diversifying class, you’ll find models like the Chevrolet Trax, Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona. These vehicles typically share a car platform with the automaker’s similarsized vehicles. The Trax, for instance, is based on the Sonic while the HR-V is based on the Fit. However, unlike their parents, these vehicles are offered in all-wheel drive and their smaller size makes them zippier and easier to park. On the down side, they have a modest carrying capacity and limited off-road capabilities.
With their handy size and impressive manoeuvrability, mini crossovers are a good fit for young professionals, young couples without children and navigators of the urban jungle. However, families are usually better off with something larger. COMPACT CROSSOVERS In this class of SUVs, you’ll find models like the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Dodge Journey, GMC Terrain and Honda CR-V. Compact crossovers are more spacious than the average sedan, have a higher driving position and include considerable cargo space (which can be maximized by folding down the back seats).
A great option for families but also popular among professionals, compact crossovers include high-end models like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 as well as true luxury vehicles like the Porsche Macan, Audi SQ5 and BMW M40i. MID-SIZE CROSSOVERS The SUV of choice for those looking to trade in their minivan, this class of crossover vehicles includes the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Sante Fe Sport/XL, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-9.
A number of models offer the option of a third row of seats; however, note that the back row tends to be cramped and difficult to access for adults. Perfect for large families, mid-size crossovers are also a popular option among outdoor adventurers and athletes, who appreciate the ample space, which is ideal for storing bikes, camping gear and sports equipment.
FULL-SIZE SUV And, finally, on the large — in fact, very large — end of the spectrum are full-size SUVs. This class includes popular models like the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Ford Expedition. These SUVs have a ton of space, power and towing capacity, but, by the same token, they’re bulky, guzzle gas and are relatively tough to manoeuvre. Plus, some models are based on truck frames that don’t actually offer more interior space than mid-sized crossovers.
Full-size SUVs are a good option for people looking for a vehicle with both ample seating and a large towing capacity. They’re popular, for instance, among people who tow boats, horse trailers or travel trailers. For each of the SUV classes on the market, you’ll find models of all different price points. The price disparities typically reside in the features included. Nowadays, there are so many interesting features to choose from that taking the time to look over all these offerings has become essential to vehicle shopping: it can mean the difference between having a vehicle you love versus one you can’t wait to trade in.
When to change your spark plugs Thanks to electric ignitions and trip computers, regular tune-ups are no longer a necessity. However, be sure not to neglect changing your spark plugs. While some new cars come equipped with extended-life spark plugs, which can last up to 160,000 kilometres. If your spark plugs aren’t of this variety, you should swap them out at around 50,000 kilometres. Carmakers typically recommend that they be changed every 48,000 to 64,000 kilometres so as to ensure optimal fuel consumption and engine efficiency. Fortunately, spark plugs aren’t expensive, with the cost being only a few dollars per plug.
While you’re at it, you should also change your spark plug wires (their lifespan is about 80,000 kilometres). Deteriorated wires will detract from the efficiency of your new spark plugs.
Mazda relaunches their famous rotary engine As part of their Zoom-Zoom 2030 plan, which involves incorporating some type of electrification in all their vehicles by 2030, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the return of its legendary rotary engine, the Wankel engine. The engine will function as a range-extender for hybrid and electric cars. This is in keeping with Mazda’s policy, which consists of continuing to maximize the potential of the internal combustion engine — all while its competitors rapidly turn their focus to electric and hybrid vehicles. The Hiroshima-based carmaker also promises a major advancement in gas engine technology with the forthcoming launch of its SkyActiv-X engine, which will be used in the next generation of Mazda3s. The SkyActiv-X is a compression-ignition engine that has been modified for increased power and fuel efficiency.
On the EV front, a mild hybrid is in the works. It’s scheduled to be launched this year and another mild hybrid is scheduled to appear in 2020. These cars are the fruit of the joint venture between Mazda and Toyota, known collectively as EV Common Architecture Spirit Co Ltd, which began in 2017. The virgin company is developing, in addition, a rechargeable hybrid for release in 2021. The electric car scheduled to come out in 2020 will be developed internally by Mazda. Mazda has announced that the EV technologies developed in their joint venture with Toyota will enter the market after 2020 and will be integrated into other Mazda models. The company stated their intention to install range-extenders in their EV cars sold in North America and other markets where long car trips are typical.
fun
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
PAGE 39
WEEK OF JANUARY 20 TO JANUARY 26 2019
ARIES
The luckiest signs this week: LIBRA, SCORPIO AND SAGITTARIUS
You’ll find yourself in the middle of an awkward situation. This anecdote will make your colleagues laugh for years but your ego may be a little bruised as a result.
TAURUS
You spend a lot of time taking care of your home and family; don’t forget to make time for yourself too. You can always make meals in advance for your family.
PUZZLE NO. 674 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 674
HOW TO PLAY :
GEMINI
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
Travel is on the horizon this week. Additionally, you’ll find yourself helping your friends and family by being a sounding board. You’ll be recognized and appreciated for your selflessness.
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.
Love brightens your week. If you’re single, you’ll meet a gem of an individual who wants to start a life with you. If you’re already in a relationship, longterm plans will solidify it.
CANCER
LEO
PUZZLE NO. 937 44. Mispronounce 46. Policemen 50. Yonder 53. Sound 54. Looked like 56. Shortly 57. Pasture cry 58. The Stars and Stripes 59. Chops 60. Open with a crowbar 61. Class
Town” 27. Half of a bikini 29. Correctly 30. Snakelike fish 31. Blazed the trail 33. Occurs 35. ____ and vinegar 38. Part of a foot 40. ____ of passage 43. Hobo
45. Long pole 46. ____-and-carry 47. Clarinet’s kin 48. Till the soil 49. Mast or boom 51. Gather a crop 52. Frontier 55. Fork over
ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 937
DOWN
ACROSS
1. Stages 5. Sib 8. Gulp 12. Loaned 13. Feat 14. Sign on 15. Pastor 17. Polish, as copy
18. Make Z’s 19. Push down 21. Consumer 23. Net 24. Coal unit 26. Newcomer to society 28. Ward off 32. Expression of
pain 34. To’s companion 36. Birch, e.g. 37. Entertain 39. Basketball input 41. Secondhand 42. Kettle
1. Shade sources 2. Horse check 3. Broadcast 4. Excites 5. Took a load off 6. Made cold 7. Scatter 8. Frozen treat 9. Expansive 10. Pupil site 11. Acquires 16. Beginning 20. By means of 22. Game official, for short 24. Kid 25. Wilder’s “____
Your interpersonal skills and dynamic personality will be in full force this week. An event that you organize will be a great success and will have a considerable impact on your future.
VIRGO
There will be lots of action and a number of surprise twists this week. One of your wildest dreams is within sight but the path to get there is still unclear.
LIBRA
Fatigue will start to set in after a few stressful days. You’ll be overcome by inspiration and create a masterpiece.
SCORPIO
Time isn’t always easy to manage: you’ll find yourself with multiple tasks that can’t wait. At work, you’ll be put in charge of some important cases, which will help advance your career.
SAGITTARIUS
You’ll have to fight hard to get that promotion you’ve had your eye on. You’ll be greatly rewarded for a little extra effort.
CAPRICORN
Family events may make you think about moving closer to home. You’ll have to make an important decision that will require lots of thought.
AQUARIUS
You’ll have the urge to go back to school. At work and in your personal life, there’s a good chance you’ll need to negotiate with strangers or converse in a foreign language.
PISCES
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING
At work, there will be lots of small details that take a huge amount of time to complete. The right medication or treatment finally helps solve a recurring health problem.
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JAMAICA: Large furnished Unit overlooking the sea close to Montego Bay Airport. Available for months or longer. Suits retirees or return residents. $300.00 USA/month. Serious inquires blessingsdevine@gmail.com.
RECORDS & LP’S: Wanted Old Jamaican Records LP’s or 45’s to added to my Jamaican Collectors Archives catalogue Call Les 905-999-6184
WELDER: WELDERS NEEDED URGENTLY ! Please call Tina 416.856.5407
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CLEANERS WANTED: Need Subcontractor Cleaners Serious Callers,Must speak English, Midnight Shifts and Must Drive. GTA locations. Text or Call 647-239-4808
JAMAICA: Land in Jamaica for sale at Southfield St. Elizabeth Near the ocean side. Call Roy 416.704.4096 LAND FOR SALE: 1/3 Acre of land in New Wales, Manchester, 5 minutes from Mandeville with utilities and good road CAD. $40,000. Call 647-884-8977
ASSEMBLER: Coey Stairs is looking for a jr stair assembler. We will train you; you will be making treads, cleaning, installing and learning at the same time. Email debbie@coey.ca call 905.494.1099
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SUNDAY SERVICE: Fountain of Truth Ministries Pastor: Reverend Maxine Campbell Worship Address: 2170 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke Percy Johnson School – Cafeteria Sundays: 10.am – 2. pm Teaching, Worship, Ministering For info call: 416 748 0211 MISSISSAUGA: Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church invites you to join us at 1620 Dundas St West, each Sunday at 10am for praise, worship and in-depth Bible teaching with Pastor Sean, 416-219-9137
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PAGE 42
real estate
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Top 10 places in Ontario to invest in 2019 JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com
REAL ESTATE PRO Ontario is a beautiful place with over 415,000 square miles. Approximately 40% of Canadians work and live here. It has a thriving economy and attracts both foreign and local investors. Compared to other provinces, real estate in Ontario is in demand because of the high rate of employment, good income and expanding population. The Real Estate Investment Network (REIN), provides in-depth research on trends and found that there are 10 cities in Ontario poised to outrun the others. The first pick is our capital, Ottawa. Ottawa has a stable real estate market with a low rental rate of 1.7%. Being the capital, there is plenty of employment in various government agencies. Ottawa has a thriving high-tech sector
and attracts a younger age group. Condo prices are about half compared to Toronto, making it a popular relocation destiny. Next are Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge. They are known as the Tri-Cities, just about 62 miles west of Toronto, and host a large manufacturing and high-tech industry. It is known as the second Silicon Valley. The three top-notch universities attract students worldwide and create additional employment. The prices are affordable, and the vacancy is low. Hamilton, known as the port city of Ontario, has a population of over 700,000. It is the home of McMaster University and many colleges. Hamilton has the third largest manufacturing sector for food and beverages in North America. Millennials make up 28% of the population and a well-educated workforce is essential for growth. The city of Barrie is known as the gateway to cottage country. Sitting on the western arm of Lake Ontario, Barrie is only a 30-minute drive from Toronto. With the addition of the GO train, many commutes reside there because of affordable homes. The population is about 200,000, half of which works in Barrie. It is one of the safest cities in Canada. Barrie is consid-
ered an economic powerhouse house with one Kingston, with a population of about of the youngest demographics. 168,000, is only 30 minutes from the US border Brampton hosts a population of over and about 2.15 hours from Toronto. Strategical600,000 and is ranked as one of the fastest ly located, it offers logistics and transportation growing cities in Canada. It is among the best services to Canada, US, and Mexico. Kingston places to raise a family with lifestyle amenities has one of the lowest corporate tax and it is an such as nature trails to recreational centers. Do all-inclusive community with a vibrant array of you know that Brampton is also a debt-free city? over 200 restaurants. Brampton’s population is expected to double This is a good time to invest in Orillia. within the next 25 years. The city lies close to the waterfront of Lake Sim With Ontario’s growing film sector, coe. Recently, Hydro One agreed to infuse beDurham takes the cake. Located in the Golden tween 200-300 million dollars on its advanced Horseshoe, with a population of over 700,000, technology hub here. The city has undergone a Durham is one of the best places to invest. This major revitalization of its downtown core and region is well known for its support for small large businesses are moving in. and large businesses. The region has a strategic Located in the Niagara region, Grimslocation and is well connected to the GO, 400 by and St. Catharines are the next best places to series highways and deep ports. invest. In the past year, real estate prices jumped Toronto comes in at number seven on by nearly 58.8%. The population is approxithe list with a population of about 3 million. It is mately 160,000 with manufacturing being the among the most multicultural and cosmopoli- main industry. They are recognized as an urban tan cities around the world. Toronto is a growing growth center with low vacancy. city with world-class amenities from top univer- Success in real estate is knowing sities to modern research centers. With higher where to invest. Now it’s up to you to start the home prices and double land transfer tax, many engine and drive forward. As the great Warren investors are afraid but it is a vibrant world-class Buffet said, “In the business world, the rearview Ad-B&W-Indra+Justin2_Ad-B&W-Indra+Justin2 12/21/17 4:29 Page 1 city to invest in. mirror is PM always clearer than the windshield.”
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PAGE 44
finance
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Financial Outlook for 2019 FAZAAD BACCHUS fazaad@carib101.com
FINANCE SPECIALIST
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Have you been an investor during the last nine years? More than likely you saw good returns over those years, but something changed last year. It is said that the market takes a negative turn every seven years and since 2016 every investor has been on the lookout for a bad year as it had come to the end of its seven-year good run. Last year however was a shocker for many people. I’d like to share last year’s performance with you. TSX negative 8.89%; Dow Jones negative 3.48%; S&P500 negative 4.38%; NASDAQ negative 2.84%; Russell 2000 negative 11.01%; MSCI ACWI negative 8.20%; MSCI EM negative 14.25%; Nikkei 225 negative 12.08%; Hang Seng negative 13.61%; DAX negative 22.16%; FTSE negative 14.11%; Oil negative 24.8%. Every single index or stock trade mar-
ket had losses last year. These losses you will see in your upcoming statement when you receive them in January. What caused these losses and are we expecting the same this year or worse? So, let’s start with what caused them: NAFTA, the trade agreement between the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This took a toll on markets due to the uncertainty of what final agreements there would have been. A trade war between USA and China regarding tariffs. This was a big one that caused many markets to report losses. The FEDS raising interest rates, another big one causing equities sell-off. And finally, the USA government shutdown, currently still on as I write. These four things have caused a major disruption to the markets in 2018 and no one could have foreseen it. This is not a recession, neither are there signs of a recession but what is to be expected going forward in 2019. First of all, the fundamentals for good returns on investment equity are still there. Housing starts are still good, employment is good, there is no over inflation, trade will resume once matters settle down, oil should level off at its price equilibrium and so forth. But the digits that you were accustomed to in the past years are not the kind that you may expect to see go-
ing forward. 2019 is expected to continue with volatility, perhaps not as aggressive as it did in 2018, but surely far more than it did in previous years. Double digits are not on the horizon, but due to strong fundamentals, the market is expected to provide a positive return this year. Expected and provide are again two different things. When fundamentals are good and markets are performing an unexpected exogenous shock can send market reeling. These exogenous shocks are not planned for and take the market for a quick fall. What do you do then for 2019? Having experienced negative returns on your portfolio for 2018, do you make a decision that you would rather not be invested? Perhaps that might be a better choice for you, but it ought not to be because you are not making money, it ought to be because you are unable to handle the fluctuations. However, should you decide to stay in the market, you must choose good investment funds which balance out your portfolio. Over time, the market produces a positive return, but the operative word there is over time. Choose good investments for 2019 and you may stay ahead.
What is Last-to-Die Insurance? ANDREW STEWART andrew@carib101.com
FAMILY ADVISOR
Part of my job as an advisor is to help people who are looking to combine the benefits of a properly designed permanent life insurance policy with an estate plan. The benefit is an asset protection plan that builds wealth and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come. One such tool to accomplish this goal is through the use of a Joint Last-to-Die Life Insurance Policy. Joint Last-to-Die Life Insurance pays out a tax-free benefit that pays out upon the death of both insured parties. Typically this type of joint insurance is on a husband and wife, and the policy death benefit is paid only after both die. However, it is possible to insure more than two people, say for example in the case of some key employees. In such a case, the joint insurance policy would pay a death benefit after the last insured dies. If you are new to this type of permanent life insurance, it may seem a little counter-intuitive to only pay after BOTH people have died. And honestly it’s true that in many situations this type of insurance is not the most suitable. When you have spent your entire life working hard
and building up a sizable estate, you may want to let that tradition grow. You may have children or grandchildren that you would like to leave some money. With this type of policy, you can do just that. You can also leave insurance benefits to your favorite charity or any other person of your choice. Who may need a Joint Last-to-Die Life Insurance? If you and your spouse have accumulated assets over the years and could have large capital gain values. Investments such as bonds, mutual funds, stocks and investment properties, plus any business shares you may own, could all be taxable. The value of each will be added to the total income of the deceased and hit with future tax liabilities.
and dividends buying more insurance for them. The combined premium for the two is a whopping $186,000 annually! Very few people can afford this kind of insurance. For the same husband and wife to purchase a last-to-die insurance for $2 million, the policy premium was roughly $120,000 annually. In many situations, the children of elderly parents split the cost so as to mitigate the cost while securing a rather substantial death benefit. Some families choose to do this sort of thing in order to create a substantial estate for all the beneficiaries involved. Also, there might be a need for specific special needs planning with life insurance in order that a child with special needs is protected financially upon the death of both parents.
How much does a Last-to-Die Policy Cost? Last-to-die policies are considered a lot less expensive than policies on a single life because an insurance company can spread the mortality cost over two lives, and in most cases, over a longer period of time. Let me give you an example to make it clearer. This example happens to be a very high benefit and premium, but the principle is the same regardless of the numbers used. A husband and wife both age 65 years of age are insured for $2 million individually via a Participating Whole Life insurance policy. The premium payments are roughly $96,000 and $90,000 annually. It’s a high premium, but they both have a guaranteed $2+ million death benefit due to cash value growth
Some cons of Last-to-Die Policies It is probably obvious; the major con is that there isn’t any death benefit until both insured parties have passed away. This is not the financial tool to safeguard your income for your spouse, and it could actually be a substantial burden on your spouse if the surviving spouse has an impaired ability to pay the premiums. Marital changes could have impact. It may seem like an impossibility when the policy was put in place, but life happens and marital changes may occur. If they do, the policy is not going to change, so you may want to keep that in mind. Do your research and talk to a licensed advisor to see if it’s right for you.
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sports
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Preview of West Indies vs England; Test Series Jan 23rd to 27th 2019. West Indies look to upset visiting England KAYLA KARIM
kayla@carib101.com
TC REPORTER The England Tour of the West Indies begins on January 23rd at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Some old and new faces will be participating in this Test Series, including familiar face, Darren Bravo. Darren Bravo is set to play his first Test in over two years. The last time Bravo participated in a Test cricket match was in the tour of UAE in October of 2016. Bravo has 3,400 runs at 40.00 in 49 Test appearances, adding veteran experiences to the team’s batting line up. West Indies will benefit from this much needed talent after struggling in their tour of Bangladesh, losing 2-0 with an innings defeat in the second Test. West Indies have dropped Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Jahmar Hamilton, Sherman Lewis, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell and Raymon Reifer from the squad following both Test losses against Bangladesh. A couple of other players could be
making their debut for 2019 as well. Twenty-sixyear-old John Campbell, a left handed opener from Jamaica and Shamarh Brooks, a 30 year old Bajan – captain of the West Indies Under -19 team at the 2008 World Cup. Courtney Brown, West Indies’ chairman of selectors spoke to the media about additions to the team. “With the return of Darren Bravo, who will add value to a batting department, we expect to see marked improvement”. “Young, exciting, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who was sidelined by injury, returns to the squad and Shamarh Brooks has been elevated for his solid first-class performances over the last three years”. Brown also mentioned how the team is hoping to bounce back from the loss against Bangladesh. “After a difficult Test Series in Bangladesh late last year the opportunity presents itself for our team to pick itself up. Although a tough series against England is anticipated, home turf has always been a place where our team has made strides.” West Indies home record against England shows that the hosts take advantage and play well on their home pitch. After losing the Wisden Trophy for the first time in 36 years back in 2004, the West Indies have not lost a series against England at home since. However, England who are ranked number three in the world, are expecting to have several thousand supporters in the Carib-
bean over the next few weeks. Former West Indies’ coach Stuart Law said that the home team should not be underestimated due to their core group of veteran players who have the skills and talent to perform well. “The best thing about this series is England is going in as red-hot favourites, going in as an underdog you’ve got nothing to lose. The Caribbean crowd will tell the Caribbean team they are not supposed to win. They (the West Indies team) like proving people wrong as well. It should be reasonably comfortable for England on paper but out on the ground, there are a few guys there with a point to prove and opportunities to cement a place for a long time in the West Indies set-up, so I wouldn’t discount them.” Stated Law who coached the team the last time these teams met in 2017. The tour will be three Tests ending on January 27th 2019. Familiar Face Shivnarine Chanderpaul Returns to Guyanese Team. A familiar face for the West Indies and Guyana Jaguars is back. Former West Indies batsman, Shivnarine “Tiger” Chanderpaul is set to re-join the Guyanese team as an interim Assistant Coach for the remainder of the Cricket West Indies regional four-day championships. The Jaguars made the front staff move ahead of the match at Guyana National Stadium against second place Leeward Island Hurricanes. In addition to Chanderpaul, assistant coach Rayon Griffith was promoted to the post of head coach.
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