Black Fruits 032118

VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 3 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21ST 2018

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

BLACK FRUITS

ASHELLEY SMITH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN When you hear ‘Black Fruits’ I bet you are thinking about delectable sweet fruits such as blackberries, black cherries, dark plums, huckleberries or even prunes! But that is not what ‘Black Fruits’ means for the Educational Foundation for Children’s Care Canada (EFCCC). It means nourishing, rich and memorable black people who have made an impactful history that we are proud of today. The Educational Foundation for Children’s Care Canada and Metro Youth invited the community to the inaugural Black History event created Black Fruits Embrace STEM for Change, a black history business affair 365 sponsored by Toronto Dominion Bank (TD). The event took place on Sunday, March 18th from 11am-6:15 pm at the Apple Creek Community Church Auditorium in Markham. The President of the EFCCC and Immediate Past President of the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) Pauline

Christian saw it suitable to host this affair in Markham as the city is the Technology Capital of Canada. The business affair focuses on S.T.E.M. which means Science Technology Engineering Art and Math.

At the business affair, the Caribbean Multicultural Inventors Museum featured the International African Inventors Museum which comprised of several informational exhibits such as Mummies’ Fake Toes Could Be First Prosthetics, The Making of Papyrus, Dr. Garth Taylor, Dr. Kingsley R. Chin and Dr.Lincoln Edwards just to name a few. What really stood out to me at the exhibition was the Mummies Fake Toes Could Be First Prosthetics and The Making of Papyrus. With attention to the Mummies Fake Toes, when this mummy lived, she was able to walk like an Egyptian thanks to a false toe. The toe, made of wood and leather, maybe the world’s earliest known functional prosthetic. On the other hand,

The Making of Papyrus was amongst the earliest civilizations to record their ideas and findings, which were later transmitted to the whole world. This was only possible because of the development of papyrus paper making over 4,000 years ago. At each business affair, there are guest speakers but at Black Fruits STEM for Change, there were dignitaries, guest speakers, performers, and presenters. Bob Saroya Member of Parliament at Unionville Markham and Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong were two of the dignitaries present. The keynote speaker was Almas Jiwani who is a global voice for gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Almas Jiwani is the President of UN Women Canada National Committee and CEO of Frontier Canada Inc. She said in her speech that people often asked her why she chose to focus specifically on women and this was her response...

Continued On Page 7

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Photo: Lawrence Kerr Photography

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Zanana Akande A powerful woman of distinction

Zanana Akande epitomizes in all aspects the qualities of a powerful and resilient women.

Having devoted a lifetime to public service and advocacy, Zanana has been an active catalyst and pioneer in paving the way for marginalized communities and women in Canada while serving as a remarkable inspiration to all. She has contributed to society as a strong advocate for social justice and equity, a policy shaper, and an educator.

Zanana was born in Toronto’s Kensington Market. Her parents were both hardworking and well-educated immigrants from the Caribbean, her father from Barbados and her mother from St Lucia, who had worked as educators in their homeland but were denied the opportunity in Canada due to racist attitudes towards black people that prohibited them from holding teaching positions.

This did not deter them from motivating Zanana to strive for a good education and also to aspire to work in a professional field. She was successful in obtaining a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Education from the University of Toronto and worked as a teacher and elementary school principal for the Toronto District School Board. She went on to become an accomplished principal, designing programs for students with differential needs.

“When I got into education I loved it,” she expressed in an interview. “I enjoyed teaching kids and I really got a kick out of teaching anybody something that they previously did not understand or did not know and seeing that eureka moment and having them move on and apply

that information. Whether it’s adults or children, I just get a good feeling out of that.”

After working as a principal for over four years, Zanana made the decision to run for a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) position for the National Democratic Party (NDP) in the downtown Toronto riding of St. Andrew-St. Patrick where she resided.

The outcome was groundbreaking. She was successful and made political history by becoming and the first black woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1990.

This was only the dawn of her political prowess.

In her appointment as Minister of Community and Social Services, she made history again in becoming the first black woman to hold a cabinet position in Canada. Her time in office was instrumental in shaping public policies fundamental to the lives of marginalized people.

Zanana said that at the time she did not expect to win but she saw it as an opportunity to speak to the three main issues that she was most invested in that were a part of the NDP’s platform which were long-term care for elderly people, integrated child services, and employment equity, which she was very passionate about.

“I would have preferred that the implementation of employment equity was not necessary but it was,” she said. “Nowhere was it more necessary than in government where blacks may be employed and often respected for the fact that they trained everyone else who moved beyond them and were promoted and there was considerable angst about that.”

“It disappointed me that this was the reality. It would have been my expectation and my hope that blacks would be promoted relative to their knowledge and their ability but it was obviously not so.”

Her impact as a cabinet minister, the parliamentary assistant to the premiere, and a resilient woman of action contributed to the passing of Ontario’s first mandatory Employment Equity Legislation, that would institutionalize rights and break down barriers for all women and minorities in the workplace.

As a minister, Zanana also spearheaded a social welfare reform that led to increases in social assistance rates for low-income Ontarians and benefits supporting women in shelters. She also devoted her efforts to the cause of food security when she announced $1 million in funding for food banks.

While breaking down barriers and taking on

the vigorous world of politics, Zanana expressed that there were many challenges.

“While in office, the press was particularly aggressive toward me,” she said. “I was attacked by the fact that I was an NDP and my kids were in private school, for what I wore, about where I lived and how I lived. They said I didn’t represent the black community, that I was middle-class. I wanted to ask the media, ‘Who do you expect the first black woman in Ontario government to be?’ Whatever it was, I dealt with the fact that I didn’t fit their expectations, which made me realize how low and strange those expectations were.”

After leaving politics, Zanana’s unwavering advocacy within her community continued. She served as president of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and Canadian Alliance of Black Educators and the Toronto Child Abuse Centre. She worked with several other community-based associations including the United Way of Greater Toronto, the Family Services Association, the Elizabeth Fry Society, and Doctors Hospital. In 2004, she was the recipient of the African Canadian Achievement Award for Education and the Award of Distinction from the Congress of Black Women.

Zanana was also the co-founded of Tiger Lily, the first magazine/journal in Ontario grounded in the voices and experiences of women of color. The magazine opened opportunities to and empowered the racialized, immigrants, and refugee women to have a literary space to share experiences and talents.

Now retired after devoting many years to public service, Zanana continues to be actively engaged in her community, lending her wisdom and her energies to various social justice initiatives.

This year, Zanana is a recipient of a YWCA Toronto 2018 Women of Distinction award among other powerful and brilliant women. She expressed that she is elated to be receiving such an award for her lifetime of work.

“This for me means a lot,” she said. “It means that women for whom I’ve worked, with whom I’ve worked and an association of women have recognized my work and for that I am very grateful.”

Written by Kabrena Robinson Toronto Caribbean News

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 3

Spreading smiles, one breakfast at a time DELLIA RISMAY dellia@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

It’s widespread knowledge that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but countless children around the world come from families who simply cannot afford to provide it. For a child, this means that they aren’t getting the vital energy and nutrition they need in order to start their day and be productive and engaged in school. Devon Wells, Director of Smile Kids Grenada, witnessed the need for a breakfast program on the island firsthand. “One day, I was heading to work, around 7 or 8 in the morning,

and a child around seven years old came and asked for a dollar. My question to him was ‘Why aren’t you in school or getting ready for school?’ And he said his mom had nothing, his brother didn’t have anything to give to them, so he had to stay home...I gave him the money and I got back and I said, ‘You know what? We have to do something about this,’” Devon recalls. He brought the idea for the program to his wife, Kay, and in January of this year, they began a pilot project that brings breakfast twice a week to primary school students at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic School, the school Devon attended as a child. The program was met with such warmth that by the second day, students arrived early to class, prepared with bowls and spoons that they brought from home.

Devon says that although there are likely many children across the island that do not have the ability to come to school on a full stomach, it is what he calls a ‘blind-eye’

issue, meaning it’s not something that is easily spotted by others. ‘There are many kids that go to school here in Grenada and they have nothing to eat,” Devon says. “It’s not a big problem that’s out there in the public.

We want to bring it to the forefront.” With the success of the program’s launch at St. Andrew’s, Devon and Kay are hoping to expand the program to primary school children all around the island, starting with students in kindergarten to grade three at a few more schools in September of this year. Eventually, the goal is to have a Smile Kids program not just across Grenada, but in other Caribbean countries as well. “However far Smile Kids can go, that’s where we would love for people to start a movement of Smile Kids,” says Devon.

Ultimately, the goal of Smile Kids Grenada is to help children enjoy a healthy breakfast as they may not have been able to do so at home, but it is more than that.

Devon and Kay aim to set children up for success in their studies. “If you don’t have a good morning start, you cannot perform well during your activities during the day. Sometimes we wonder why kids are not performing well—they’re acting up, they’re not having good grades, and sometimes it’s as key as being hungry. And many of them don’t say anything. But we can heal that problem, and eventually, you’ll see kids starting to do better. If we can nurture them and adapt that behavior to have breakfast, to have something to eat early in the morning, you’ll definitely see a change in their subjects and their physical activities. They’ll want to perform more,” Devon explains.

To help Smile Kids Grenada provide children with “a good start so they can have a strong finish” by continuing to supply healthy breakfasts to children in Grenada, donations can be made at smilekidsgrenada. com, or by calling 416-795-6343.

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Springtime brunch with Ms. Letna and the Healing Hope Fundraiser for Cancer LEANNE BENN leanne@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

It’s springtime and that can only mean one thing, Ms. Letna’s Healing Hope Fundraising Brunch. On April 8th, many will gather at the Sts. Peter and Paul Banquet Hall in Scarborough to celebrate the 6th annual fundraiser for cancer care, in collaboration with SRH Foundation, the Scarborough and Rouge hospital region.

If you are unaware of the backstory of this fundraiser, it all started back in 2011, when Letna Allen-Rowe aka Ms. Letna was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Despite her struggles, Rowe is a fighter and vowed to beat the disease. She became overwhelmed with a life of hospital visits, surgeries and endless cancer drugs, including letrozole. In order to reclaim her life and sense of purpose, with the help of her family, she came up with the idea of raising funds for the Scarborough and Rouge Hospital centenary, the site of her treatment.

With a simple goal and a small group of dedicated friends, the first ever fundraiser was held in April of 2013. Just like that, Ms. Letna’s Healing Hope Brunch was officially on the map.

The fundraiser emotionally provides support for Ms. Letna as well as supporting the cancer care program at her treatment site. It is a heartfelt and community-based outreach that eventually gained momentum and reached international shores, by including donations to the Jamaica Cancer Society and the Georgetown Public Hospital in Guyana.

Fundraising for the Scarborough and Rouge Hospital provides patients with an extended range of cancer care services.

The funds are distributed in different departments, including the Oncology Treatment Clinic, Thoracic Assessment Clinic, Breast Imaging Centre and The Pediatric Oncology Satellite Clinic in partner-

ship with the Hospital for Sick Children, among others.

Considering the cost of cancer treatment in Jamaica is extremely expensive, a portion of the donated funds goes towards the Jamaica Cancer Society, to aid in screenings, diagnosis, and treatment. In Jamaica, only roughly 15% of the society has access to health insurance and many cannot afford the high costs of treatments.

In 2015, the Jamaica Mammography Department at the Cancer Society provided screening for over 9,000 women and offered financial aid for ten women. These women were able to access treatment, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The Jamaican Cancer society also hosts their own signature ‘Keeping Abreast Luncheon’ to honor breast cancer survivors.

A similar approach is taken in Guyana at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The GPHC is Guyana’s leading health institution and is also home to the Cancer Institute of Guyana that opened in 2006.

With all the right facilities, the Centre provides diagnosis, screenings and noninvasive treatment methods. Funds raised at this year’s event will be donated to the GPHC. Last year approximately $1,000 CAD was donated to focus on the children’s unit at the Georgetown Public hospital.

In terms of the event itself, one of the main speakers this year will be MP Jean Yip, who will share her personal experience with cancer diagnosis and the family home and Dr. Danny Vesprini will deliver a keynote address as part of his contribution at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

The fundraiser is also a key time to celebrate not just the beginning of the spring season, but to celebrate spring fashion, with an on-site fashion show, while being entertained by Bro Gee of 89.5 FM and other performances, all while enjoying delicious food items.

The entire event is a chance for community togetherness and a chance to prove to Ms. Letna that you are alongside her in the fight against cancer in Toronto and in other parts of the world. For more information visit www.MsLetna.com.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Black history business affair promotes STEM for change ASHELLY SMITH ashelly@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

Continued From Page 1 -- “My answer is a simple-we focus on women and girls because evidence accrued over decades of international development work has proven that the status and role of women is the best clue to a nation’s growth potential and is a key factor in determining a society’s standard of living.”

Jiwani is an influential speaker and she continues to travel across the globe to deliver keynote addresses, speeches, and presentations on improving the status of women. She was well appreciated by the audience as she had just flown in from Dubai to be present at the affair.

One of the three guest speakers who stood out to the audience was David Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister Children and Youth Services. He delivered a profound speech when he talked about young people.

“You’re living in an age now where everything is about the network and you need to be able to engage in activities that build your network outside of your usual social circles. We need to network and interact with everybody in order to get the opportunities so that your friend can say to somebody, I have a friend that wouldn’t mind this opportunity.”

He further elaborated on the younger generation communication style.

“The importance of writing things out in full. I’m seeing now in emails people be sending all sort of interesting things like LOL it took me awhile to get to that.

I saw something this week but I can’t remember what it was, so I just wrote back WYT and then they say what’s that? Then I say exactly what is that! You’re sending your boss something with letters and assuming that I know all this, that’s not how people talk” he said while the audience laughed.

Soon it was lunchtime and on the menu, there was chicken patties, vegeta-

bles, (cucumbers, carrots, sweet peppers, broccoli), pineapples and tuna sandwiches. This was also the time where guests went around to see small business expo such as Primerica, Mavisco Financial Services Inc., 7-Sol POS etc. Mavisco Financial Services Inc. is a tax preparation and accounting services for individuals, self-employed, business and corporations.

Marva Dennis, the business owner said,

“I’m here today because it is an event you should not miss at all, it’s an event for the community and anything that promotes my community I’m fully with it.

I like things that help to change the lives or uplift the lives of the community.”

Errol Dennis, Marva’s husband was also there to showcase his business, 7- Sol POS which is an Information Technology business.

“It’s a new start-up register to operate in Canada and we are about to make some changes in the I.T. industry.”

“What kind of changes are those?”

I asked.

“We believe we will be able to revolutionize the way technology is done in terms of record keeping, and we will be able to provide that kind of support for small and medium-sized businesses to be able to empower them to do their records in far greater efficiency far greater ease at a significantly low cost.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if your records are kept up-to-date and your reports are available at the press of a button? That is exactly what 7-Sol POS will do for you.

The President of the ECCCF Pauline Christian was a very busy lady at the event as she was the MC producer of the affair. Finally, I caught her to ask her why is this event important?

“This is a very important event and the reason why is because I have been so busy working in the community and I realize that the focus of black people especially black youths is known only in February and thinking about this going to the white house speaking with Members of Parliament and about black history and the decade for people of African descent 1915-1924. I thought you should be putting more focus especially during this period on black issues and the systematic barriers that are preventing us from getting ahead we should be talking about it daily. So, the

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event is Black Fruits Embrace STEM for Change and then we added at the bottom of it that it is a black history business affair 365 which means we will be doing it 365 days for the year so it should not be a one month focus and I thought that our community needs to hear this. We need to start to get this into the DNA’s of our children…” she explained.

Pauline loves young people very much. This is not always the case with older people, they tend not to be fond of the younger generation. Perhaps because of how the younger generation have been raised. But Pauline has a different take on this matter.

“The love came from the fact that, I feel that when I was young, young people were not respected. I came from a church where you speak when you’re spoken to and adults would have the power and young people would not. So even the way how I design and how I treat my children in my family they get equal opportunity to have their say to be respected. So, from there when I was about 15 or 16 I decided that I want to be an advocate for young people...” she said.

Pauline was blessed to have volunteers like Joanna Stewart who came to help her with the event. Joanna who is 24 years old, a social work student at the University of Windsor described the event.

“I feel like this event needs to be done. I feel like it is important especially for our black youth to know that there are other areas they can excel in so Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics is what STEM stands for so for us to be able to promote it and have different booths here with different people in the different areas, I think it’s a great thing happening!”

Joanna was excited to be a food server as she is all for the change in the black community.

This event came out of an urgency for the EFCCC Board and the community to move the focus on (1) black history, especially as it relates to STEM and (2) restoration of the black economy, from just a one month focus in February to an all year focus. If this event has peaked your interest, you should come next year for another thriving black people movement for change.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Historic Jamaican boys school raises funds with Reggae Auction JELANI GRANT

jelani@carib101.com

TC REPORTER

The Alpha Boys School Radio in Kingston, Jamaica held their 2nd Annual International Reggae Auction. The online auction ran in February, allowing anyone with an Internet connection to bid for items such as getaways and screen prints from musicians. Proceeds from the reggae auction support the social service programs at Alpha such as transportation, nutrition assistance including breakfast lunch and dinner, counselling, private tutoring and assistance with the transition from school to work and medical care.

Joshua Chamberlain has been General Manager since the fall term of 2013 when Alpha Boys School partnered with Gritty LLC and Gritty’s station WXGR FM in New Hampshire to create ABSR. After receiving a great reception from their first auction in 2017, Chamberlain said the organization decided to make it an annual event, with hopes of growing. “I have always wanted to do an auction focused on Jamaican art and we have been collecting pieces for that day but we’re not ready yet. There will always be the reggae auction every February to coincide with reggae month. We did it last year and this year was even better,” Chamberlain said. This year, the auction raised more than $5,000 USD towards better services for their programs.

The Sisters of Mercy, who run the school, re-established Alpha as a day school when the government of Jamaica started sending fewer children to residential care. Chamberlain said almost 40% of Jamaican men 20 to 25 years old are not working and are not in school. He noted literacy as one of the greatest causes for this staggering statistic. The school approaches this issue by teaching boys aged 16-19, according to their website. “Alpha and its brother school in Mandeville, St. John Bosco Institute for Career

Advancement are two of just a handful of institutions addressing this very serious challenge. Both Alpha and Bosco not only feel it is a very critical need, but they are also quite innovative. Alpha has the radio station and recently created a recording studio on campus. Bosco has an amazing restau-

rant and a 250-person banquet facility on the campus that helps institution sustain itself,” Chamberlain said.

Alpha Institute was created in 2014 when Alpha Boys School closed its residence after 134 years. Philanthropist Jessie Ripoll initially founded the ABS in 1880, buying 43 acres of land in Kingston for £400. Though slavery was abolished, Ripoll still felt the effects of poverty and homelessness motivated her to form the Alpha Cottage orphanage. Since transitioning to a day school, students have been recognized for excelling, such as the JISA national football league Kingston honours and top national honours in City & Guilds Math and English exams. 100 students are currently enrolled at the school, across three years of education.

ABSR has a live reggae show scheduled in London during the end of March and April. Details can be found on their Facebook page. “ABS has streamed a live Skatalites show from New York and a live Ben Gordon show from London in the past. Alpha 2 Omega is our first attempt at working with overseas partners for a regular event.

With regard to Alpha 2 Omega, we are fortunate to be working with Port Royal Patties, which is Jamaican owned,” Chamberlain said. The organization just partnered with a local movement in Kingston that hosts Dub School on Wednesday nights at Stone’s Throw.

Soon listeners will be able to hear Dub School on Alpha Boys School Radio.

“Listening to the radio station helps because it keeps us connected and we share information that way. Every song on Alpha Boys School Radio has at least one Alpha graduate playing on the track so it’s a special experience you can’t get anywhere else.”

The 24/7 radio station can be found online, featuring music from graduated students like Yellowman, Dizzy, Skatalites and Don Drummond.

The station also offers three podcasts, demonstrating the rich culture of Jamaica. Donations to the school are always welcome and the school manufacturers merchandise for sale on campus including screen-printed products, tote bags, polos as well as fine wood products. Visitors to Jamaica can visit the school and experience Alpha through one of their visitor experiences such as Alpha 101 and Reggae 101 that is on an Airbnb. In the meantime, the institute is always looking for volunteers and professional guidance from locals.

OVER

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Linden seniors robbed of lands, homes

GUYANA -- Reports of elderly persons of Linden being swindled out of their properties have become a cause of concern, said Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland.

The mayor reportedly has received many complaints from elderly residents of either their children or grandchildren tricking them out of ownership of their homes that they had toiled for decades to either build or buy.

“Over the past year, I have been receiving calls and meeting with elderly persons who are complaining very often that their properties [are] being pilfered, persons taking over their properties without their consent. I think this is wrong, and it is time I make a call for a serious investigation and inquiry,” outgoing Mayor Holland told reporters.

Many of the elderly residents have signed documents, thereby unknowingly giving up ownership of their properties, but they are however being tricked, according to reports.

Holland related that last week an elderly Wismar resident visited his office and complained that his son asked him to

use his house and land as collateral at the bank for a loan a few years ago, but now his son is adamant that his father willingly signed over the property to him.

“I did not do that, the only thing I did was sign for him to get a loan at the bank, now he want to covet the property and I have other children, I want the property to be a family property, so that everyone can come and enjoy, not for one person to come and take over, I have more children,” the elderly man explained to Mayor Holland.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that some of these changes are documented at the Deeds Registry in Georgetown. Further investigation shows that the changes to ownership are documented at the Linden Mayor and Town Council as well, but did not pass through the court system. “Something is definitely wrong… it’s a very sad situation. I believe that the older persons who worked very hard for their properties need to be allowed to enjoy their properties, or have a say in what happens to their property when they go to be with the Lord,” Holland said.

He revealed that his own grandfather’s property is now in somebody’s name that is not even known to the family, and this is documented at the council.

Holland is encouraging the senior citizens to be careful when signing documents or to ask a trusted individual to read the document if their sight is failing them. A request is being made for an inquiry to be established to deal with the many cases coming to the fore. In addition to senior citizens, persons living overseas are also being swindled and are only aware when they return home to pay their rates and taxes. “I think it wrong that persons would just use the system and take away their properties,” Holland said.

He is calling for agencies such as the Ministry of Legal Affairs to look into the matter urgently. Commander of ‘E’ Division, Anthony Vanderhyden, said that the situation was brought to his attention, but most of the cases are deemed personal.

He however noted that the police will intervene in any case when the need arises.

- Guyana Chronicle

Wismar residents up in arms against squatters

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GUYANA -- Residents of Cholmondley Hill, Wismar, Linden are calling on the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to intervene in the squatting activity taking place in their community, which has resulted in several issues of concern. During a visit to the area by this publication, several residents noted that the situation is very distressing, as every day more squatters are joining the bandwagon and erecting houses, whether temporary or permanent structures.

The residents explained that the area is prone to erosion, since it is very hilly. They said too that the area that the squatters are occupying is actually part of government reserves and should not be inhabited. “When rain fall, the water does be washing down on our area, and it is happening more so that they are building there, because that area is not to build on and now our legal land is being threatened,” one resident said.

An illegal sandpit is also being used to construct the houses and this is also resulting in erosion in the area. The residents revealed that one squatter erected a shack and had no toilet facility and would defecate in bags and discard of it in the neighbourhood, causing much discomfort to the neighbours. When he was confronted about it, it turned out into a heated argument, this newspaper was told.

Apart from that argument, the

squatters would themselves get involved in verbal and physical fights over the unregulated plots of land. As such, the residents are fearful for their security and are in dire need of intervention. “Some people are buying lands from people right in the community. One girl said she buy a plot of land for $80,000 and when you ask her for the receipt, she can’t produce it, then other people coming and say they buy the same plot of land and is causing fights in the area,” said one resident.

The unregulated area that is now being occupied was previously used as a short cut to get to other parts of the community. Some of the main users of the short cut were elderly members of the AME church located just behind the squatting area; and now the members are forced to use a taxi to get to church. “That is very unfair to those old people that using the short cut for years now and now they fence off and block off the place and the people have to find taxi money from their little pension.” The residents revealed that a few weeks ago, someone was robbed at the fenced-off area, since petty thieves are using it as a hide-out spot, knowing that there is limited visibility there.

The youth in the community are also being inconvenienced, since they previously used the area to play outdoor sports; but now with it being occupied, the residents are worried that the youth will

now gravitate to unconstructive activities.

They are calling on the CH&PA and the regional authorities to look into the matter urgently before it gets further out of hand. “Maybe they can put up a sign on these lands to say ‘no trespassing’ or something to stop people from occupying them, because is not only here it happening , is all over and just how other people have to wait for their land, everybody should wait until they get a piece of legal land,” another resident said.

Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland, expressed his disagreement over illegal squatters, especially around the Danju Hill area which is also prone to erosion. “We have to discourage persons from squatting and so on. Some persons are squatting at areas that are very dangerous.

Recently, council had to come down on some structures going up on Danju Hill… people are squatting…,” he said.

Minister of Communities with responsibility for housing, Valerie Yearwood, also expressed her disagreement several times over squatting and told this publication that the perpetrators will be prosecuted. Commander of ‘E’ Division, Anthony Vanderhyden, told this publication last week that several cases of squatting have been reported to his office and the police are working along with the Ministry of Communities to get the issues resolved.

- Guyana Chronicle

Caroline Farinha is Guyana’s newest centenarian

GUYANA -- Guyama’s latest centurion celebrated her 100th birth anniversary last Saturday in her adopted hometown of New York with some of her children, grands, great grands, great-great grands and relatives.

Caroline Farinha is one of three surviving children from the union of Antonio Perreira Jardine and Christina Weatherspoon of Plantation Content, East Coast Demerara.

She is the sixth of 10 siblings and delivered 15 children, 13 of whom are alive.

Her early and young motherhood days were all lived at Content where she attended High Dam Primary.

Farinha who migrated to the USA over two decades ago, still has most of her faculties intact and is delighted to have reached 100 years old, a first in her family.

She attributes her longevity to ‘the powers of the most high’. Her eldest brother, Lionel, fell short of the century by seven months some five years ago, while her sister, Cecilia, who also resides in NY, turned 97 on March 11, last. A younger

brother, Antonio Jr., will be celebrating his 91st birthday later this year.

A family gathering was held in Brooklyn on Sunday where relatives from around the world joined in the celebration.

Aunty “Carro”, as she is familiarly called, is the aunt of former Mayor for New Amsterdam Errol Alphonso, and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the late Dennis Gouveia, as well as, great aunt of Senior Sports Broadcaster/Journalist Allan La Rose.

- Guyana Chronicle

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Weekes pledges to do best, urges citizens ...Don’t let me walk alone

TRINIDAD -- Having listened to all the advice given in the last few weeks, President Paula-Mae Weekes says the one thing she is sure of is that everyone has high expectations and have indicated “that there must be a mustard seed of faith that things can get better” in T&T.

“Old things…good things are indeed possible for Trinidad and Tobago. As your servant I promise that I will work tirelessly. I will labour night and day to do my best by word and deed to open your light and spread the light of others at every opportunity,” Weekes told the audience at Monday’s Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.

“But if you feel you are going to leave me alone to do all the heavy lifting you are sadly mistaken. Please, do not let me walk alone. By faith, let us stand together and then go forward side-by-side as we carry our nation to greatness.”

Admitting that our citizens’ “reservoir of patience with holders of high office had run dry,” Weekes said she would rub her imaginary lamp and appeal to the collective genies to find ways to make a positive difference in whatever their sphere of influence.

While many organisations and individuals have already asked to meet with Weekes, she appealed to them to bring their ideas and feasible projects to improve the quality of lives.

She also urged those who use social media platforms to report and comment responsibly on facts.

Thanking the Electoral College, God,

her mother Phyllis Weekes, family, friends and outgoing president Anthony Carmona for his kindness to her in the lead-up to the inauguration, Weekes said if ever she seemed to be getting too big for her chair “I am sure they will cut me down to size keeping me humble and grounded.”

Having looked at the Constitution, Weekes said she came to conclusion that each President’s role is defined in prescribed notes to “his or her own role,” adding she was now a humble servant with a mandate to render her services with enthusiasm.

As she navigates her course for the next five years, Weekes said she remembered, after completing several marathons, glancing through a runner’s magazine about distance running. The US author of an article had opined that the ideal weight for a female marathoner was between 95 to 100 pounds, she told the audience.

“I haven’t stopped laughing yet since at my lightest I was at least twice times that,” she said, pointing out that if she had read the article before she would not have stretched herself beyond her bedroom, made friends and undertaken wild adventures such to achieve this goal and possible would not have been able to look back with pride, self-accomplishment and satisfaction at her own accomplishments.

“Could this apply to us today? I consider for the period of my tenure our destinies…that is, my and that of our nation, are inextricably linked.”

- Trinidad Guardian

Former housing minister on Vieux Fort controversy

TRINIDAD -- Former housing minister Dr Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde is considering to legally respond to the PNM’s Women’s League on her involvement with regards to the Vieux Fort Housing Development as she said that her name is being slandered in the process. “Leave me out of your drama and get cracking on the serious work of national governance and development! I shall consider if to respond to the trite and pitiful release by the Women’s League of the PNM also slandering my name, in due course. It may be a legal response,” Gaynor Dick-Forde said in a statement Monday. PNM’s Women’s League, Lady Vice Chairman Camille Robinson Regis, in a release, said: “The Women’s League continues to be fortified in its support of the Prime Minister’s candour, unafraid as he is to lay blame at the feet of whomsoever is responsible, even if it resides within his own party.

Both former housing ministers, according to Dr Rowley, have much to answer to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for their failure to either deliver completed housing units in the first instance, or complete projects already in the ground in the case of the second,” Robinson Regis said

On Saturday, during the HDC key distribution for Vieux Fort, Rowley claimed the project had fallen prey to politics after Manning (referring to the late PM Patrick Manning) launched an investigation into missing money. Rowley recalled a public spat with Manning which he said had the result of depriving citizens of housing.

However, seeking to bring clarification, Gaynor Dick-Forde said she never told Manning $10m was missing. She described it as a slander on her that had been ongoing for ten years now. In proving her position, Gaynor Dick-Forde said she carefully read through the Hansard of 29 September 2008 “when the current prime minister made a blistering attack on the then PNM Political Leader and Prime

Minister during his budget contribution. Manning said the following in Hansard September 30th 2008 page 818: “Cleaver Heights Housing Development—I am told that I should look into this project. So, I just asked for a report from the Minister concerned and the Minister sent me this document.”Gaynor Dick Forde said: “Note carefully that Mr Manning said he was told to look into this and he asked for a report; a report that was already in hand due to my being asked to request it from the HDC months before by another minister and long before the budget debate and accusations made against Mr Manning by the MP for Diego Martin West in the Parliament. The report was already in the hands of the minister who requested me to get it and that minister was in the Parliament with Mr Manning. I was called to the Parliament after PM was told to look into Cleaver Height project by someone else,” Gaynor Dick-Forde said.

Monday, while speaking to reporters following the inauguration ceremony of T&T’s first female President Paula-Mae Weekes, Rowley said his Vieux Fort comment was “very explanatory.”“Any person who would have heard what I said and who would have followed the context of which I spoke would have understood that it doesn’t require any explanation or any polishing. I was very careful as I always try to be in choosing my words and I don’t know that I need too explain any further,” Rowley said. On the question of whether or not his comments were an attack on anyone, Rowley replied: “I was basing my conversation on facts and history. I don’t attack people. If I treat with the issues whether they are historical, whether they are visionary, whether they are large or small issues it is not to be viewed as an attack on any person.

I have quite a grasp of historical matters of which I am personally involved.”

- Trinidad Guardian

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Rowley denies Speaker offered President post

TRINIDAD -- Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley Monday shot down reports that Speaker of the House Brigid Annisette-George had been offered a post as this country’s sixth president.

Government sources, however, insisted Annisette-George had been offered the post. She left Monday to attend a Commonwealth meeting in Mauritius, which begins today.

Annisette-George had presented then President-elect Paula-Mae Weekes with her instrument of appointment in January at a short ceremony at the Parliament building.

So was the speaker of the house ever

offered the post of president?

Speaking to reporters at a reception hosted by outgoing president Anthony Carmona at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, in Port-of-Spain, Rowley responded: “I am not aware of that…and even if she was it would have been a private conversation.”

Asked why the House Speaker was absent from Monday’s historic event, Rowley said, “I was not even aware she was absent.”

But Deputy House Speaker Esmond Forde said Annisette-George had to attend the global event as it was important for this county.

Anisette-George, who holds the fourth highest office in the country, was a notable absentee at Monday’s function and subsequent reception at NAPA.

Rowley also took the opportunity to clarify a comment he made last week when he responded to a reporter’s question about Carmona’s tenure.

The PM said his comment that “we survived” was not meant to be disparaging as some people had interpreted it. He said Carmona remained a valued citizen and he wished the former president and his family well.

Asked about his strained relations

with Carmona and how he intended to build his relationship with the new president, Rowley said Weekes represented the best of this country and it was an occasion of optimism and celebration.

On matters he would like the new President to address immediately, Rowley said everything that involves the governance of the country was priority. However, he said he was not going to be the President’s advisor.

- Trinidad Guardian

President Weekes appeals to citizensNurture seeds of love TRINIDAD -- As T&T continues to grapple with major issues such as crime, domestic violence and corruption, the country’s first female President Paul-Mae Weekes Monday appealed to citizens to walk side-by-side with her in rebuilding our once blessed land and to plant and nurture seeds of love to turn our nation’s negativity around.

This was the message Weekes sent to the nation in her inauguration speech at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, after she was sworn in by Chief Justice Ivor Archie as the country’s sixth President.

Weekes’ historic moment was witnessed by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, his wife Sharon, outgoing president Anthony Carmona and his wife Reema, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Cabinet ministers and Opposition members and hundreds of citizens who packed the North and Grand Stands to witness the gala event.

Weekes said many have beset us with dismal stories, “telling us that T&T is currently close to the point of no return… crime, corruption, racism, a dismal public ser-

vices and an ineffective judicial system” and “other problems are so thick on the ground” that we feel all is lost “if we are not there already… a failed State however defined.”

Responding to those commentators, however, Weekes said our citizens have two choices, “We can lament, blame, criticise and allow despair to overwhelm us, or mobilise forces and resources to step out boldly and make T&T a better place.”

Weekes over the course of her life she has never lived in “an ivory tower” nor “wore blinkers.”

“I too drive with my windows up or doors locked in broad daylight…or at least I used to. I have lost two cars to thieves and have waited hours for medical attention for a relative at our hospital.”

She said she was also painfully aware of the country’s current murder count, noting that many victims are “women and children slaughtered in acts of domestic violence.”

“We speak all the time about how violent our society may become,” she said,

adding such violence has been embedded in everyday talk and is now common place in interactions at schools, markets, businesses, rum-shops and homes.

But Weekes said citizens need to speak to each other pleasantly to increase one’s persuasiveness and if someone has a difference of opinion it can be expressed without savagery and attacks.

She said she was also cognisant of the volatile tension in East Port-of-Spain, while she has seen people affected by mental illness and sleeping on the streets due to homelessness.

“And if I needed to get to Tobago in a hurry, I could not be certain if or when I would arrive. So I comprehend fully the state of the State and so understand why I think you have every reason to despair.”

In going forward, Weekes said her mission “is to infect” everyone with the right and positive spirit and called on citizens to choose option two by triumphing their darkness with light.

Weekes said this was not a mission

for the faint-hearted, as we would need to “stiffen the sinews, summon the blood, dissect the teeth and stretch the nostril wide and bend up every spirit to its full height,” which would not be accomplished overnight.

“We must trust in time. We will reap the benefits of our efforts. So be a light at your home, instil discipline, model good behaviour.

You can be a light in your school, pay more attention to the lessons in your home, protect the vulnerable, respect those in authority. “Light can be seen in a community, where people care for their environment and are tolerant of the views, beliefs and practices of others.”

In the search for this light, Weekes said citizens must put country before self, party, family and tribe.

“Let us not fool ourselves, at times this would take serious sacrifice…it is the work of patriots.”

She said we also have to re-engineer the view that it takes a village to raise a child, adding love for T&T, Weekes said, has to also be planted, nurtured and buttressed every day.

- Trinidad Guardian

Kamla moved to tears TRINIDAD -- Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she was Monday moved to tears after hearing the impressive and powerful speech delivered to the nation by President Paula-Mae Weekes at her swearing-in ceremony at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Persad-Bissessar said Weekes’ address has given this country a sense of hope and inspiration that we can turn our negatives into positivity if we work side-by-side.

“Her speech brought tears to my years. It was powerful and strong,” PersadBissessar said, admitting she was touched by Weekes’ passionate plea.

She said Weekes did not deny the fact that T&T has been facing dark times but

urged everyone to let their light triumph over the darkness that had pervaded the country with crime, corruption and violence among other issues.

“Given her tone and passion, I think she will bring a difference with her skill set and competencies and I look forward to her tenure in office,” Persad-Bissessar said.

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young meanwhile thanked the Electoral College for the confidence they have put in Weekes.

Asked to comment on Weekes’ message that the public felt somewhat disappointed by our office holders, Young said every day was a challenge for our country which we

must all rise to.

“At times they will stumble along the way, but there is nothing wrong with what she said because every office has a responsibility and duty and they have to do their best in upholding those duties and responsibilities,” Young said.

Independent Senator Sophia Chote SC said she felt proud of her country when Weekes delivered her maiden speech.

“Her speech was a tug to pull us back into the right direction,” Chote said.

She described Weekes as an exemplar, adding that as a people we can make a change for the better in our communities.

Chote said it was now up to Weekes

to decide if she would replace or allow the current Independent Senators to serve.

Former president of the Senate Dr Linda Baboolal said it was a shame a female president could not have been selected sooner.

“I congratulate the Parliament for making such a decision,” she said.

Baboolal, who acted as president several times, said she feels Weekes will make a difference for the nation based on her qualifications, training and “womaness.” She said she has faith and trust in Weekes and is willing to give her any advice for the benefit of the country and its people.

- Trinidad Guardian

Issues for President Weekes to tackle TRINIDAD -- Madame Justice Paula-Mae Weekes takes the oath of office this morning at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, in a ceremony which will be witnessed by hundreds at the venue and thousands of others who will view the event live on national television.

She will become the country’s first female President and the sixth of the Republic, succeeding Anthony Carmona, who demits office leaving behind controversies surrounding Chief Justice Ivor Archie.

The country waits to see this morning if the beleaguered Archie will administer the oath to President Weekes who may, in one of her first official duties, have to appoint someone to act as CJ.

Israel Khan, SC, said this will be a significant appointment as Weekes will be “acting in her own deliberate judgment after con-

sultation Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to select a CJ to act, who would be more or less succeeding Archie if he is going to resign or be impeached.”

Khan said the new President can raise with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley issues which are in the public domain about the CJ, including the resignation of Marcia Ayers-Caesar shortly after she was appointed as a Puisne Judge. Ayers-Caesar resigned when prisoners staged a near riot at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court over incomplete cases she left behind when she was elevated to the bench.

Khan said there is also the issue of the CJ’s sabbatical leave.

Avory Sinanan, SC, said because issues affecting the Chief Justice will not be resolved by the time the President takes her oath, “she may well have to pick up the slack and

may have to convey the PM’s letter on accumulated leave to Archie if the outgoing President Anthony Carmona had not done so.”

He believes there are a number of other issues which fall on her plate.

“She will want to rekindle the weekly meeting with the Prime Minister, where they meet and she gets a report from the Prime Minister and raises issues with him.

“It is at those meetings that she will use the opportunity to address her concerns about the crime situation. She could ask the PM about a crime plan, but she can’t get too involved or descend into the political arena.”

Sinanan said Weekes can also focus on the nine independent Senators who are appointed by the President. While he does not expect all nine to be replaced immediately, he said “she might want to tweak the bench a little

bit.”

Anglican Bishop Claude Berkley said he expects President Weekes “to hold steady in terms of how she understands law and order from the practice and experience of her position as judge and all the other social undertakings she was engaged in.

Using a cricketing analogy he said: “It is difficult to predict how the ground will play, but I expect her to respond with the dignity and astuteness that the office demands.”

Weekes was Chancellor in the Anglican Church for more than two decades

Berkley said: “We can expect that she will try to bring her influence to bear, but all of it within the ambit of what is her duty under the Constitution.”

- Trinidad Guardian

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island news

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Give tourism workers houses, Wehby appeals

JAMAICA -- Group Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Limited Senator Don Wehby is appealing to the Jamaica Government to provide housing solutions for tourism workers.

“Minister (of Tourism), I know you are going to take it seriously, but I think that we need to have a housing solution plan. I would treat this, based on that survey, as the greatest priority any government can do in terms of providing housing solution for our employees in the hotel industry. Whether we sit down and we talk to NHT (National Housing Trust) or private developers, again I state this should be one of the number one priorities, not for you, Minister, [but] for the Government of Jamaica to address this problem,” Senator Wehby expressed.

“I know my Jamaican people. Two things that they wish for, no matter what status they are in life: they want their children to have a good education and they want to own their own home.”

Senator Wehby referred to a presentation in Parliament by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett “where the minister was actually speaking about housing for employees in the tourism industry and that a survey was done and report prepared”.

He noted that while he did not personally see the report, he has been informed that 85 per cent of 847 responses of tourism employees indicated that they were not homeowners.

“A survey was done of the employees in the hotel industry — 847 responses and 85 per cent of the people surveyed say they did not own their own home,” he noted.

“Colleagues if you have a valuable asset — our people, we must protect and enrich our people — and I strongly support policies, Minister, that are addressing the welfare of the industry employees.”

Senator Wehby, who was delivering the keynote address at the Tourism Excellence Awards 2017 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre Saturday night, gave an assurance for his support for the Tourism Pension Act when it reaches the Senate.

“I was very heartened to hear that the Pension Act is almost there. It has been long in coming. But what I will say to you, wearing my hat as senator, I am willing and waiting to sign it when it reaches the Upper House,” Wehby said.

Meanwhile, Mikailla Robinson of Jamaica Pegasus emerged as the 2017 National

Champion Individual, while the 2017 Champion Organisation went to Hyatt Ziva Hyatt Zilara Resort.

Meanwhile Bartlett, who saluted the 21 semi-finalists, used the opportunity to celebrate the increase of 11,000 workers in the tourism sector last year.

“There is an increase of 11,000 additional workers in the tourism sector from 106,000 to 117,000. And we are proud that that amount of workers represent the workers directly involved — those who are in the accommodation subsector and those who are in the attractions and the ground transportation,” Bartlett said.

“We have not included those who are in what we call the induced sector or the indirect sector, because when we add them all together tourism represents close to 300,000 Jamaican workers who are benefiting from this great industry. That represents one in five of all the workers in the country today.

Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund Godfrey Dyer and Omar Robinson, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, who both brought greetings, also congratulated all the nominees.

- Jamaica Observer

Hold top cop to account, INDECOM boss suggests

JAMAICA -- Head of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), Terrence Williams, says it is time for Commissioners of Police to be held accountable for their tardiness or non-submission of reports to the Police Services Commission (PSC) in disciplinary matters related to the leadership of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Speaking at a press conference to elaborate on the findings of INDECOM’s fourth quarter report for 2017, which was recently tabled in Parliament, Williams said the agency’s investigations had found that lack of reports from successive Commissioners of Police have hamstrung the PSC in carrying out disciplinary proceedings involving JCF members of the rank of inspector and above.

“The problem that seems to be continuing is that the commissioner of police has not sent these reports, so it would seem that the disciplinary proceedings are therefore stymied because of the lack of cooperation by the commissioners of police since 2013,” the INDECOM commissioner argued.

He pointed out that while discipline regarding rank and file members is mainly the purview of the CP, “it is intended” for the discipline of gazetted members to fall under the PSC as a means of bringing independence to that process.

“So we were puzzled as to why it is that the 20 officers against whom we made submissions going back to 2013, why there were yet to be any disciplinary proceedings…what we have discovered is that although the proceedings before the PSC are supposed to have

a measure of independence, the PSC’s independence is hobbled by them having to rely on reports from the commissioner of police, and without a report from the commissioner they have found themselves unable to proceed with disciplinary proceedings. Therefore, the independent authority that the PSC is supposed to have for disciplinary proceedings for gazette officers is in practice an illusion,” he stated.

The INDECOM commissioner also said that disciplinary proceedings which should result from reports which are sent to the PSC by INDECOM, are being held up by the tardiness of the police commissioner’s office.

“We would expect that the PSC would find itself able to act on reports from INDECOM albeit still seeking the report of the commissioner of police,” he said.

Williams made the comments before a ruling by the Court of Appeal last week, that effectively, INDECOM did not have the power to arrest and charge police personnel suspected of breaking the law.

He pointed to the West Kingston Commission of Inquiry, which, among other things, investigated and reported on misconduct among JCF officers engaged in the Tivoli Gardens operations of May 2010. “It is puzzling to us that the PSC has not engaged in any disciplinary proceedings following the West Kingston Commission of Inquiry findings,” he remarked, adding that INDECOM has inquired of the PSC whether it will be conducting disciplinary hearings but has received no answer.

One of the key recommendations made in that report was that a comprehensive

review of the JCF discipline system should be initiated to bring it in line with modern practices combined with immediate effort to eliminate the backlog of disciplinary cases.

Williams argued that nothing has changed since the 2008 strategic review of the JCF which had found that disciplinary proceedings for the JCF were “ineffective” and were often circumvented, leading to an extremely weak internal accountability framework. As set out in the report, there was at the time a backlog of over 500 disciplinary cases, some of them dating back to 2000.

“We note that the PSC is empowered to treat as a serious breach of discipline where a member of the JCF including the CP fails to respond to their requests to provide reports. We wonder why the commissioners of police were not cited for potential breaches of discipline in failing to respond to these many reports submitted for disciplinary breaches,” Williams said.

INDECOM has therefore recommended that the current review of legislation governing the JCF, should include a timeline for the Commissioner of Police to submit reports to the PSC; changes to the regulations to permit disciplinary proceedings to be conducted whether or not the commissioner has made a report; -that the PSC regularly updates persons or authorities who make representations of alleged breaches of discipline; and for alleged victims of misconduct to be informed about the progress of the disciplinary hearings in their matters.

- Jamaica Observer

Revised business hours in St Catherine North police division JAMAICA -- Operating hours for businesses and other establishments in sections of the St Catherine North Police Division, where a State of Public Emergency was declared yesterday, have been adjusted in keeping with stipulations under the enhanced security operation.

According to the Constabulary Communication Unit (CCU), the closing hours for all businesses in Spanish Town, Linstead and Bog Walk are now between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Businesses, entities and establishments that should close by 7:00pm are: cook shops, dry goods establishments and haberdasheries; spirit licence premises; service stations; clubs and fast-food outlets; pharmacies; and churches. Community recreational areas should close by 6:00 pm.

The police encourage persons to adhere to these conditions, to avoid being pros-

ecuted for violations.

The specified boundaries within which the operation is being undertaken are:

North — from the intersection of the St Ann, Clarendon, and St Catherine parish boundaries towards Garfield Road, the Moneague leg of the North-South Highway and Guy’s Hill Square.

East — along the St Catherine parish boundary, to Sligoville, the intersection of Highway 2000, Lakes Pen Road, Port Henderson Road, Salt Pond Road and Hill Run main road.

South — from the Hartland main road to the Hill Run main road.

West — along the parish boundary to Ginger Ridge, Blue Hole, Marley Hill and Dover Road, to the intersection of the PJ Patterson Highway and the Hartland main road.

The CCU has indicated that the secu-

rity forces will also be placing special focus on bus parks within the targeted communities.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, declared the State of Public Emergency during a press conference at Jamaica House yesterday.

A joint Jamaica Constabulary Force/ Jamaica Defence Force team was deployed to the area to undertake enhanced security measures for an initial 14 days, in accordance with the Emergency Powers Act.

The Proclamation under the Emergency Powers Act to bring the enhanced security measures into effect was signed by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, and has been gazetted.

The State of Public Emergency in St Catherine North is the second such following a similar declaration in St James in January.

- Jamaica Observer

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PAGE 17

Princess Decor gives your event the Royal Treatment!

Whether you’re planning an extravagant and luxurious affair or taking a simple-yet-elegant approach, it’s all about the decor when it comes to creating the perfect mood and ambiance for your wedding.

Scrolling through Instagram you can find inspiration for days, decor options, an unlimited sea of elegance and style, and in order to make your dreams a reality it’s important to find a decorator who knows how to bring your vision to life.

Canadian-Guyanese entrepreneur Nafeesa Mowla-Dyer always knew that she would one day own her own business. Coming from a long line of small business owners and entrepreneurs her family set the bar for her to be her own boss in the long run.

“My parents were very social people,” Nafeesa shares. “They used to do a lot of entertaining, organizing house parties and social events, and I grew up watching my mom put things together for all of these occasions.”

Her large West-Indian family allowed her the opportunity to attend all manner of lavish engagements, especially weddings.

By the time Nafeesa decided to pursue her post-secondary education at Humber College, she had already started her business at the age of 19. “Originally it was Princess Decor and Gifts, specializing in home decor and gift baskets,” Nafeesa explains.

At Humber she enrolled in their Business Administration Program, also taking courses in HR to get into Human Resource Administration as a fall back if her business plan didn’t pan out.

“I knew that one day I would have a business to run, but I also wanted to be pre-

pared to take a corporate job if my business didn’t work out,” she shares.

Nafeesa says that her education taught her how to run a profitable business, something that would help her overcome many of the problems that new businesses encounter, failing within the first five years.

“I learned how to invest into longterm profit, managing insights in purchasing, and how to price things in order to make a profit,” Nafeesa says.

For the first two years, in the building stages of her business, she worked for nothing, but also carried a full-time job to fully finance her business herself.

“I paid for my own education,” she says. “Working and going to school gave me the financial freedom to do what I wanted to do but having that responsibility to take care of my business as well ensures you spend your money properly and you save.”

Nafeesa’s business began to take off after she was asked by one of her cousins if she would be able to help with some of their centerpieces and head table decorations for their wedding.

“I agreed, as I had experience working with home decor, and I was working at a wholesale place that sold decor and silk flowers,” Nafeesa says. “I helped them to put the centerpieces together including my Princess Decor contact stickers on the bottom.”

After the wedding, she started receiving phone calls from people who were looking for help with their own wedding decor. From there it snowballed into a business, taking form with a contract she received in 2007 at a local banquet hall allowing her to decorate events hosted at the hall where she

gained experience doing anniversary parties, birthday parties, and weddings.

“In 2008 I went back to school and got my floral design certification after receiving a request for fresh florals,” Nafeesa says doing whatever it takes to help her business grow.

“It’s a blessing to have started when I did as it gave me the opportunity to do a lot of things that allowed me to fast track my life in certain ways.”

Princess Decor offers an inexpensive way to light up the room hosting your special event. “We’re mainly a floral and decor company and we specialize in weddings, but do cater to other events,” Nafeesa says.

“We provide full stage decor, fresh floral centerpieces, fresh floral bouquets as well as linens and tabletop designs.”

Design plays a very big aspect of the work that Nafeesa does especially working with florals and stage designs. She works to make every style different and unique to her client’s vision.

“I do over 150 events each year so there has to be something different, new, fun and exciting for each event,” she says. “Every event is so different, even if they have similar aspects, it’s always a different venue or color or table setup so each event is unique in its own way.”

Princess Decor is almost 85% referral based and the amount of weddings and events they decorate each year speaks to the great work that they have done and continue to do.

“I enjoy meeting people, and talking to people, I wear my heart on my sleeve.

I’m a very social person so meeting people and making long-term friendships is a won-

derful part of this business,” Nafeesa shares.

“One of the hardest things I had to learn about in this business was importing, the process of getting a GST number, importing license, and bringing over something that I hadn’t seen, trusting it was good quality and prepaying for it in nonrefundable wire transfers,” she says.

The risk of having to import things from the other side of the world becomes a stressful learning experience in business, but it has helped to grow her business in terms of options that she can offer her clients.

Wedding decor doesn’t need to be intimidating. Princess Decor brings you regal designs painted in class, elegance, and style with everything you could hope for your wedding and more designed specifically to your vision. They are in the business of turning dreams into reality, working closely with their clients to completely transform any event space to suit their needs.

They provide a number of decor services that includes Backdrops, Head Table Décor, Stairway Décor, Crystal Backdrops, Centerpieces, Mandaps, Nikkahs, Bar Mitzvah, Bridal Showers, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Fresh Floral Designs and so much more!

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Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean Reporter

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PAGE 18

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Fay Ann hits ‘em below the belt. Questions Social Media silence on spiraling murder toll in Trinidad ABA LUKE

aba@carib101.com

ENT. PUBLICIST

Almost two weeks after her “black” feet made social media headlines and memes, Fay Ann Lyons launched a scathing attack against her critics yesterday, questioning their silence in the face of four

brutal murders in La Brea, overnight.

A 69-year-old landlord, a female tenant, her daughter and a 14-year-old female friend of the woman’s daughter, were attacked, chopped and in the case of the elders, bludgeoned to death on Tuesday. Lyons-Alvarez, never one to be silent on matters of social interest, lashed out via a meme that featured the ever contained, Kermit the Frog as he sipped his usual tea. The meme expressed, “One set ah mouth for a foot.

Murders in the country- they quiet.” It was all she needed to post to get the pub-

lic stirred up.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the escalating crime situation bears heavily on the entertainment landscape, with many often lamenting the fear of venturing into certain areas and to certain events based on security concerns. Fay Ann Lyons hastened to chastise the critics yesterday, arguing that her physical appearance had seemingly churned up so much more attention than a situation that certainly warrants much more social interest and dialogue than the appearance of her feet.

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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

FAR FAR AWAY

SOMEWHERE

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Is your car ready for your vacation?

How to plan a road trip Having an itinerary is a valuable tool during a road trip. Far from tying you down, it will let you make the most of your time and help you quickly reorganize when unforeseen circumstances pop up — which is pretty much inevitable during any kind of trip.

When planning your route, consult travel guides, tourist guides and maps. These are useful for visualizing the route, and they may even save the day if your GPS decides to go on strike. Study the guides to identify all the interesting attractions and locate them on the map. Remember that the important thing is not to see everything, but to see a little of everything that interests you. Don’t forget to set aside some time for rest and relaxation.

The next step is to check what is achie­vable

in terms of kilometres, time and budget.

Calculate the distance bet­ween your stops and how long it will take to get to your destination. Think about how many hours a day you want to devote to driving, especially if you want to avoid night driving. To help you plan everything, draw up a calendar and note your schedu­led visits for each day and the time they’ll require. Then note the distance to cover and your departure and arrival points.

Before finalizing your route, check the opening times of the places you want to visit. Find out what you can about any festivals or special events that you’d like to attend or avoid be­cause of crowds and higher prices. Lastly, make sure there are places to stay at all your arrival points, and then book in ad­vance. This will save you a lot of hassle.

Have a great vacation!

When creating your route, find out about the opening hours of the attractions you want to visit.

There’s nothing like a car pro­blem to ruin a well-de­served vacation. To avoid unpleasant surprises, you can take a few easy precautions to make your next trip unforgettable for all the right reasons.

CHECK YOUR VEHICLE Having your vehicle checked before leaving home will make for a much more relaxing road trip. Ask your mechanic to check the condition and the pressure of the tires, the cooling system, engine fluid levels and the state of the brakes. Make sure the headlights, turn signals and wind­ shield wipers work properly, and see to any necessary repairs. Have the air conditioning and cigarette lighter checked; the latter is very useful for recharging the GPS and cell phone. Take everything you need to change a tire in case of a flat, and don’t forget to pack an emergency kit that in­cludes a flashlight, blanket and jumper cables.

YOUR PAPERS, PLEASE! Your vehicle registra­ tion, car insurance certi­ ficate and driHave your car checked before leaving on a road trip.

ver’s li­ cense are es­ sen­ tial documents to have with you when you’re on the road.

Make sure you have enough insurance coverage, especially if you plan to be dri­ving out of the country. Will your route be taking you on toll roads and bridges? Keep some change or a credit card close at hand.

SAFETY 101 Pack the car properly; it’s a good idea to start the day before. For safety, distribute the weight equally and avoid pla­cing luggage behind the passengers’ heads. Make sure that the car’s first-aid kit is complete, and replace any out­dated products.

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COCONUT Breeze East Opening on the second week of April!

Chung from Coconut Breeze and Alex from Caribbean Heat are teaming up to open a new Pickering location

985 Brock Road, Pickering ON | 905 837 2381

JAY BRIJPAUL WITH 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WHO ELSE WOULD YOU TRUST?

“I bought a home from Jay a couple of months ago, but my old home didn’t sell, so he came to me and said ‘Let’s we close your new house and move forward’.

After a month we finally got an offer for my old home but the offer wasn’t what I was expecting, so Jay came to me and said ‘take the offer and I’ll pay you the difference”, which he did from his own pocket. I moved to my new home and was so happy with his service and honesty.”

- Salim Shaikh, Malton

- Jay Brijpaul Broker, FRI

$450,000

$579,000

Prime Airport Rd and Hwy 7!

Neat as a Pin and clean as a Whistle or Invest just $30,000

This is a Homeopathic Clinic with Reception Area, Handicap Washroom and Dispensary. Features a Lovely End Unit with Great Exposure to Airport Rd. Impressively Modern Suite that can be adopted for any professional use.

Awesome 3-Bedroom Freehold Townhome with Professionally Finished W/O Basement. Features Modern Kitchen with Upgraded Cupboards, S/S Appliances. The Upper Floor Boast 3-Well Proportioned Bedrooms. Ideally Located Close To Schools, Shopping, Hwy 407/401.

$729,888

$799,000 A Lap of Luxury!!

Trade your home for this home

4-Bedroom Detached Home with Professionally Finished Basement.

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The Master Retreat Contains 4Pc Ensuite, Separate Shower, Soaker Tub, Walk-In Closet. Ideally Located Close to Schools and Shopping.

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$1,049,000

$1,500,000 Become your own boss

A View at the Top

Buy this business which makes over $1M in sales and six figures income. Well established Caribbean grocery store with bakery, fish and meat shops, restaurant, grocery and vegetable counters. All financials are available and owner will train.

Good place to talk money. Nestled on a premium lot on a very quiet street within walking distance to all schools. This modern beauty features 4 large bedrooms and 4 washrooms. You will need roller skates to navigate the kitchen. Impress your guest in the lovely family room with a flickering fireplace or cuddle on the king size bed in the mistress bedroom. Treat your family to the best.

3500+ HOMES

TheBrij.com

* Sales mean both buyer and seller transactions

Jay Brijpaul , Broker, FRI Di rect: 4 16-4 18-2745 (BRIJ) 4 16-745 -2300 ext 5292 9 6 R exd ale B lvd ., To ro nto M9W 1N7

from 1990 to 2016, Team Sales combined.

*

Danforth

DFM

1

$

2/

Assorted 43-60 g

Coconut Water No Sugar 500 ml

Fresh Chicken Feet

Fresh Turkey Wings

1

1

1

Chicken Drumsticks

each

99

¢

each

Crix Crackers 288 g

Rubicon

69

Mango or Guava Nectar

1L

¢

each

3

$

2/

99

MeKong Sweetener Whitener 300 ml

Grace Peanut Punch 240 ml

¢

each

Marshall’s Salted Pollock Fillet 312 g

Curry Goat

Mutton Leg

1

69 2/

18’s

3

4

2/

AA-1 Sardines

3

$

Dunn’s River Coconut Oil 500 ml

1

$

Grace Instant Oats

2

99 each

3

$

Milo Chocolate Malt Drink Mix 900 g

Dunya Green Lentils

6

99

6

each each

99

Star Snacks Roasted Peanut 198 g

Gold Medal All Purpose Flour

1

69

79

¢

1 kg

8 lbs

each

907 g

each

Cow Foot

99

Trimmed

1

¢ 69 $ lb lb

Fresh Whole Atlantic Salmon As Is

6

4

$ 99 lb

each

2/ 2/ We Carry a Large Assortment of Easter Buns Assorted 155 g

4

Beef Liver

29 99 99 $ $ $ 5 lb lb lb

$

2/

Ann Honeyed Ginger Drink

Brown Stew Beef

Frozen Easy Cooked Oxtail

Goat Meat

Snapper Fillet Irie Chipotle BBQ Sauce

19

99 79 99 $ $ $ $ 99 lb box lb lb 99 Suggested Dinner-Suggested Dinner 3/7

Fresh

454 ml

Frozen 10 kg Case

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

Grace Soup

Grace Natural

Food Market www.danforthfoodmarket.com

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings

$ 99 lb

Sweet and Juicy

Fresh

Florida Oranges 5 lb Bag

Cho Cho

6

$ 99 lb

Fresh

Strawberry Grouper

As Is

Sweet

Parrot Fish As Is

Seedless Red Grapes

99 1 4 Five Locations To Serve You Better

Negro Yams

49

lb

lb

bag

Jamaican

2

99

¢

99

6

$ 99 lb

Fresh

lb

Specials in Effect Thu. March 22nd til Wed. March 28th, 2018.

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

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

10am to 7pm

Store Hours

Steeles Ave. E .

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

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

Store Hours

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

Bloor St. E.

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

Dixie Rd.

Sheppard Ave. E .

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

Cawtra Rd.

Store Hours

Pharmacy Rd.

each

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

D r.

5

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

Markam Rd.

28 oz

99

Steeles Ave. W.

Martin Grove Rd.

Honey Bun Easter Bun

Store Hours

Si lv er st on e

HTB , Yummy, Miss Birdie, Maxfield, Honey eachBuns 28 oz to 56 oz Bun or Purity Easter

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

Finch Ave. W.

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

Keele St.

Tastee Cheese 440g - 1 kg

Store Hours

Dundas St. E.

PAGE 26

food

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

KEEN-WHAT? Quinoa & Mango Salad EARTHA LOWE eartha@carib101.com

FOOD SPECIALIST

[keen-wah, kee-noh-uh] I love listening to certain family members try to pronounce the word “quinoa,” or refer to it as “you know, the round rice.” Quinoa is a tasty, easy-tocook seed. It’s also one of the few foods in the plant world that’s a complete protein; earning it a coveted spot among vegans and vegetarians for its nutritional importance. In 2013, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) declared the year as “The International Year of the Quinoa.” Quinoa was singled out by the FAO as a strategy to promote traditional or forgotten crops as a means to combat hunger, food insecurity, and promote healthy eating.

Quinoa, however, remains unfamiliar to many people in the practical sense of cooking and recipes.

Cooking Quinoa Quinoa varies in intensity of flavour and in colour (from pale beige to red, to black).

Handled correctly, quinoa cooks up light and fluffy. For hot cooked quinoa, the ratio of quinoa to water is usually 1:2 - that’s one portion of uncooked quinoa to two portions of liquid. One of my favourite ways to cook quinoa is in a low-sodium vegetable broth.

15 - 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork, remove from heat and let stand covered for about 10 minutes before serving.

The recipe combines: • 1 cup quinoa • 2 cups vegetable broth • ½ teaspoon ground cumin • ½ teaspoon ground coriander • 1 tablespoon finely minced scallion

Rinse Before Cooking Quinoa has an outer coating called saponin that makes it bitter to eat unless rinsed off before cooking. To get rid of saponin, always rinse quinoa well before cooking in a fine-mesh wire strainer under cold running water, same as you would rice. Gently rub the seeds together in your hands as you rinse away the saponin. Erring on the side of caution, its best to rinse every brand of quinoa a couple of times - even the brands that say they’re pre-washed - before proceeding with any recipe. You can taste a few seeds to determine if a bitter taste remains. If it does, continue rinsing.

Once you’ve measured and rinsed the quinoa, place it in a saucepan with the broth and other seasonings. Cover the saucepan and bring the quinoa to a boil over medium heat.

Stir the quinoa, reduce the heat to low and continue to cook covered for approximately

Quinoa Salad - You’ll Need • cups cooked and cooled quinoa • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 large seedless cucumber, sliced • 1 - 2 ripe mangos (or substitute with avocado)

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For the Dressing • 1 small red onion, very finely sliced • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced • ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • ½ teaspoon sea salt (optional) Directions To make the dressing, whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl. Mix well and set aside to marinate for an hour.

Serve the quinoa topped with the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado.

Drizzle on the dressing.

Tips for Serving Good quality, fresh ingredients are important when preparing a salad. And let’s not forget the countless ways to dress them up and take them out of the ordinary! We’re talking nuts, seeds, beans, tofu, cheese, seafood, meat.

Play around with these ingredients and you can easily find a favourite meal.

20

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PER HOUR PER STUDENT

LIMITED ENROLMENT!

4 STUDENTS PER CLASS! SMALL CLASS SIZES

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Community Development Services Contact us at 416-551-2469 or find us online at hear-2-help.com

SUNDAY MAY 6 2018 Join me on May 6th to learn how to ENHANCE YOUR LIFE AND YOUR BUSINESS!

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

women

PAGE 29

Six trending accessories to elevate your look this spring

Hats, bags, shoes, belts, jewellery — accessories are your greatest allies when it comes to creating your own unique style. Here’s what’s hot this spring.

It’s true: Matrix-inspired fashion is still in vogue.

2. Transparent shoes. Translucent shoes and boots are all the rage this spring — and they’re conveniently waterproof, too!

Wear them with or without socks for a guaranteed bold look.

3. Shiny danglers. The trendiest earrings this spring call to mind opulent chandeliers.

sporting extra-long, silky evening gloves to complete their springtime look. Although not the most practical accessory for day-to-day life, a pair of these beauties is a stunning choice for a special soirée.

Ready to turn heads on the sidewalk, in the classroom, in the office and even at the grocery store? Plan your next shopping trip without delay.

4. Pointy-toed shoes. A variety of shoes and boots with pointy toes have been spotted on runways lately. To be perfectly on trend, look for a pair that’s violet-hued — according to Pantone, it’s the colour of the year.

1. Mini sunglasses. For 2018, say goodbye to oversized sunglasses. To be on top of the trends this spring, go for a pair with delicate frames and dark, long, narrow lenses that turn up at the corners.

5. Hats, hats and more hats. Whether they feature extra-wide brims, weatherproofed fabrics or safari-style designs, hats are the crowning feature of many a fashionista’s outfits. With the return of the sun’s powerful rays, any protection is more than welcome.

6. Opera gloves. The season’s catwalks have been taken by storm by models

WOMEN’S FASHION Ten trends to try this spring

Is your wardrobe in need of a makeover?

Before you hit the stores, let yourself be inspired by these ten trends that are taking the fashion world by storm.

4. Fringes. This spring, tassels and frin­ges are showing up on outfits of all kinds, from casual to elegant. Will you dare sport some at the office or on a date?

1. Artsy prints. Transform yourself into a comic strip, an Etruscan fresco or the work of a great master (Picasso, anyone?) thanks to bold art-inspired prints. From pop culture to abstract creations, their unique style is sure to turn heads.

5. Bold floral prints. Big, bright florals have been at the forefront of the fashion world since last year, and the trend is showing no sign of slowing down.

2. Lavender hues. Expect to see lots of soft, nostalgic, relaxing lavender when you shop for clothes this spring.

This flattering floral shade is guaranteed to get you compliments galore.

6. Plaid. A classic print if there ever was one, plaid is getting a makeover in 2018.

Expect to see it in neutral colours as well as in bold, vivid hues — and even in black and white. And if you’re a purist, don’t fret: the classic tartan hasn’t said its last word yet.

7. Sporty chic. As comfy as they are trendy, sportswear-inspired pieces are a perfect motivation to get moving. For a fashion-forward look, pair them with high heels and chunky jewellery.

8. Plastic. There’s no better time of year than spring to try out the fun trend of plastic clothing — and we aren’t talking about your run-of-the-mill raincoat. In the mood to turn heads? Wear a transparent plastic jacket, tunic or pair of boots!

9. Satin. Romantic and shiny satin is everywhere this spring. Try this flattering fabric in different shades and styles to find your perfect fit.

3. Dark denim. This season, dark, solid-coloured denim is taking over. Find it featured in the most fashionable jackets, skirts, dresses and pants of the season. It may be 2018, but jeans are still a staple.

10. Pink. Bubblegum, cherry, raspberry, fuchsia, rose… say goodbye to the winter blues and hello to happy springtime pinks!

So, what are you waiting for? Slip on a pair of comfy shoes and head out to your favourite boutiques!

SUNDAY MAY 6 2018 Join me on an interactive panel discussion on CUSTOMER SERVICE, RELATIONSHIPS IN BUSINESS, and BUSINESS TRANSPARENCY

JAY BRIJPAUL Realtor & Founder Of The Brij Team.

Made over $20 MILLION DOLLARS, bought and sold over $1.8 BILLION DOLLARS in Real Estate

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

TICKETS AVAILABLE TCBS2018.Eventbrite.ca

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

health

How good is your skincare routine?

Our skin — the largest organ in the human body — plays several crucial roles. It regu­ lates our internal temperature, contributes to vitamin D production, protects us from the cold and eliminates waste (via the sweat glands), to name just a few. Here are some tips to help protect your skin against dryness, irritation and premature aging.

• Shield it from the elements. Exposing your skin to the sun without proper UV protec­ tion (i.e. sunscreen) leads not only to sunburns but also to premature aging. Con­ versely, wind and cold air have a drying effect, so it’s important to properly cover your skin, hands included, before going outside during winter.

• Stick to the shower. A nice long bath is fine every now and then, but choosing the tub over the shower too often will leave you with rough, dry skin. In any case, bathe in water that’s lukewarm, never hot.

• Use a mild soap. Some harsh soaps have a particularly damaging effect on the skin’s moisture barrier. Choose a gentle alterna­ tive, such as a superfatted soap — a vital ally for sensitive skin — to cleanse your skin with­out drying it out. Also, make sure to rinse off thoroughly to get rid of any po­ tentially irritating residue.

• Dry off gently. When you get out of the shower, pat your skin dry rather than rub bing it.

• Moisturize. After your shower, apply a hydrating cream or serum to your skin to help maintain or res­ tore its moisture barrier.

Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Stress, smoking (which de­ grades hyaluronic acid, a vital component of the skin’s moisture barrier) and lack of sleep all speed up the skin’s aging process. On the other hand, exercise and a healthy diet rich in antioxi­ dants (eat your veggies!) help keep skin looking and fee­ ling its best.

Foods that are good for your brain Your brain needs more than 40 distinct nu­ tritional elements to function properly, meaning that a varied diet goes a long way toward optimal cognitive health. Some foods are particularly beneficial to the hu­ man brain, including the following: 1. Fish. Salmon, trout, mackerel and tuna are all packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which have a protective effect on neurons.

2.

Berries. There’s a reason blueberries, blackberries, goji berries and the like are some­ times referred to as su­ perfoods. Berries con­ tain high concentrations of antioxidants, which have been shown to slow the progression of

age-related cognitive decline.

3. L ow glycemic index carbohydrates.

Foods with a low glycemic index, such as brown rice, whole grains and coo­ ked beans, contain slow-release carbs that progressively make their way into the bloodstream. This helps the brain maintain its energy supply throughout the day — in fact, half of your daily carb intake is used to power your gray matter.

4. Pulses. Lentils, peas and beans are good sources of thiamine, also known as vita­ min B1, which plays an important role in converting sugars into energy.

5. Mussels. These tasty molluscs have a higher iron content than red meat. Your body uses iron to en­ sure that oxygen is properly cir­ c u l a t e d through the blood­stream. Nee­ dless to say, your brain needs its oxygen.

Antioxidants such as those found in berries may help slow cognitive decline.

Five tips to breathe easy Your lungs and respiratory system work around the clock to keep your body running. Make sure you return the favour by taking good care of them. Here are some tips.

1. Avoid tobacco and smoke. It goes without saying that smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke are terrible for your respiratory health.

2. Wash your hands. Many types of bacteria, including those that cause respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, are spread mainly via people’s hands. Frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially before handling food and after going to the bathroom, is the best defense against germs.

3. Improve air quality. Poor-quality air can irritate the lungs, so be sure to regularly dust your furniture and vacuum your carpets. It’s also a good idea to open your windows for a few minutes every day and maintain your home’s ventilation system. Additionally, avoid introducing irritants such as fragrant air fresheners and strong pesticides indoors.

4.

Exercise. Physical activity improves lung capacity and helps oxygen travel through your body more efficiently.

Try to get some exercise every day, even if it’s just by choosing the stairs over the elevator.

5. Get vaccinated. There’s no better way to prevent seasonal influenza than by getting your flu shot. Immunization against pneumonia is also recommended for some people — ask your doctor.

AT WORK If your occupation involves any amount of exposure to heavy dust, asbestos or toxic chemicals, wear a mask to help keep your lungs protected.

PAGE 31

PAGE 32

yoga

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Have you been doing your “Yoga homework?”

TRISHA CURLING

trishacurling@carib101.com

YOGA SPECIALIST

My final article for 2017 laid out a schedule as a guide for our yoga practice for 2018.

This is what I wrote for March: “Reflect on challenges in recent practices Do a scan of your physical practice. Question where you found some limitations/challenges. Take those areas as opportunities to grow and to find poses that will help you to move through those challenges”. It’s funny because this is always the hardest for me and without remembering that I wrote this for

March, I was glad that I had the opportunity to revisit it and make a new commitment for myself to do so.

It’s very easy to continuously come back to the poses that make us feel good and that come easy to us, but in order to progress and possibly bring balance and more healing to other areas of the body, we must practice the poses that bring us challenge. Doing this not only affects the physical body, but it also has a wonderful and powerful impact on the mind.

The best way to start is to go to your mat and do what instinctively comes naturally in your practice. You may find that you have some “go to” poses, the ones that make you feel powerful and/or soothe you. These are the ones that come easily to you. Now consider the ones that you might steer away from because they don’t feel as natural or fun to go to. It doesn’t mean trying “difficult” poses, it just means that you might consider the areas of your body that maybe be carrying a lot of tension. Maybe

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if you tend to focus on one side of the body more than the other, spend some more time on the side that you “neglect”. Another thing to consider might be the fundamental poses you need to do in order to practice a more “intermediate or advanced” pose. It might seem tedious to visit these fundamentals a little bit more, but they are in fact often what we need.

Approaching your physical practice in this way does more for your mind than you might consider. Compare it to anything that you might have achieved in life. When you face challenging obstacles head-on, how do you feel after you have conquered them? Always rewarded, I’ll bet. When we approach our practice in this way, we build resilience, perseverance, and mental strength. We learn how to go through some of the more challenging situations in life with an understanding that we can move through them and get past them. Instead of avoiding what we know will eventually surface, we can face it headon. It can also nurture our ability to make

decisions. “Asana (poses) bring steadiness, health, and lightness of limb. A steady and pleasant posture produces mental equilibrium and prevents fickleness of mind.”

(B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Yoga, pg. 20) The mind is more clear and able to develop a better perspective.

Yoga is undeniably a merging of the body, mind, and spirit. When you start a regular yoga practice you can’t help but reap the benefits that are beyond the body. Spending time to balance your body in a physical way will bring increased happiness. It may reduce pain and tension in some nagging areas of the body. When our focus moves away from these “physical ailments”, we are happier and more clear in our direction in other areas of our lives.

“The Yogi conquers the body by the practice of asanas and makes it a fit vehicle for the spirit.” (B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Yoga, pg. 20).

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PAGE 34

community

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

LIVE EVERY THURSDAY FROM 1-2PM

An inter-generational dialogue on sisterhood with daughters of the diaspora; can we all just get along!

SIMONE SMITH simone@carib101.com

HUMAN SPECIALIST

Each woman is important in this story. We need each other. The more there are of us, the BRIGHTER it gets!” Idelette McVicker I will be honest with you, there are times when I avoid being around black women.

It is not that I have a problem with them; I have always felt that they have had a problem with me. I know, I know; everyone has a story, and sometimes what I am experiencing with these women has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with them. I have always made it my duty to be respectful of others, and sometimes I expect that others will be respectful of me, but I have realized that I cannot expect anything from anyone, I have to just be who I am.

I say all of this to raise a point; how many other women feel the way that I do?

How many times have we heard women say, “I don’t like hanging around with other women, they are so catty.” “This is why I don’t talk to women, they gossip too much!”

I can list off at least ten different reasons I have heard about why women don’t like dealing with other women but let us shift

WITH JAY BRIJPAUL & AMIT KANHAI LIVE from 1-2pm EST on Facebook, YouTube & Periscope.

Search MyTCNtv to view LIVE and SUBSCRIBE!

and honoring celebration. The purpose of the celebration was to begin this dialogue between sisters in the community. The other speakers included: Ann Miller, who they nicknamed “Sage,” Halima Al-Hatimy; a beautifully fierce Mental Health Advocate; Shamso Elmi, a Somali Women’s Community Advocate; Alexandria Montague, a 19-year-old with the wisdom of a 50-yearold, and Erika Alexander, descendant of the great Lincoln Alexander. We were all invited by the President of the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association, Evelyn Marie to talk about some of the communication issues that exist with women in the African Diaspora. Her brilliant idea was to assemble women from different cohorts to discuss how we can build sisterhood and begin to change the current narrative that exists.

The beauty of this event was that I had an opportunity to experience something that I do not experience often; women building with each other, encouraging each other and helping heal each other. I left feeling connected to each and every woman that I spoke with, which left me thinking. Could it be possible that black women can co-exist in a peaceful and harmonious way? I truly believe that this is possible; we have to continue to provide spaces where women can voice what they feel knowing that they will not be judged, but embraced and upheld for being who they are, FABULOUS!

The elephant in the room COLLEEN LINDBERG colleen@carib101.com

LIFESTYLE COACH

Is there something in your life that you’re avoiding? Is there a conversation with a colleague or with a loved one that you haven’t had because 1. you’re scared that you might hurt them 2. you might be scared of how they’re going to react and 3. it’s actually going to take you a lot of strength to be able to confront that person in your life.

SEARCH “MYTCNTV”

this narrative for a moment. Let us go into a world of fantasy, where women embrace each other and hold each other in high esteem. Let us go into a world where when we see other women suffering, we put our feelings aside and help each other. Let us go into a world where we don’t walk around talking negatively about each other, but instead uplift each other with positive words and affirmations. Can a world like this exist?

Black women are unique in their experiences because they have been in survival mode for many years. Not only do they have to fight to find men, they are also fighting for the survival of their children. In the midst of that, many of us struggle when working within the corporate world. If you are “too black,” you are seen as aggressive, and sometimes even bitchy. This means that at times we have to suppress who we are in order to stay employed, even though at times, racism and sexism are real in our lives. It is no wonder that when some black women see other black women doing well, they begin to compare themselves, and this comparison can lead to hate, criticism, judgment, and defensiveness. So, how do we deal with this effectively? How do we begin to dialogue about how we feel, and open up to a more efficacious way of dealing with each other?

On Sunday, March 11, 2018, I was invited to speak in Hamilton at the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association. It was an International Women’s Day gathering, lunch

We’ve all been in this type of situation and

I call that situation, “The Elephant in the Room.”

It’s like that energy when you walk into a room and that person is there or that situation is dominant, and you don’t say anything about it. I really feel it’s time in our lives for us to start confronting these situations. Now I’m not talking from a way of anger or frustration but more from a way of just communicating. The longer we wait to communicate challenges that we have or opposition or to stand up for ourselves, the heavier it gets, the more weight is on it and the more courage it takes for us to stand in it.

Instead, we should just be addressing things as they come up.

You know I really think that we as a society, based on our instant gratification and the technology we have, we have almost lost the way when it comes to communication. I think it’s more important in our lives today than it’s ever been for us to communicate. Communicating our needs, commu-

nicating our values and communicating our standards. It’s not ok for us to not speak up anymore and address the elephant. You hold posture and worth when you do. Again, I am not saying to yell or scream, in fact presenting and being ground will get you way further.

So today I ask you, “The elephant in your room, or the elephant in the room at your work: when and why and how are you going to confront that? When is it time for us to stop having to hide or to cower inside of rooms where we can walk in? Are you ready to shine every single day?”

So, this week I ask of you, and if you need some help with this you can always check out my YouTube page because there’s a video on it there, but I ask of you this week to stand inside of that space. To turn your elephants into tigers and to address the issues that are looming in your life that are holding you back. Have a great week!

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | 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.

Stand up for education KATHY McDONALD kathy@carib101.com

SCHOOL TRUSTEE

After seeing the cover of the April O magazine, I got inspired to write this column.

I was even more excited to see a familiar face on the contents page, a gutsy Canadian and fearless changemaker, Whitby’s MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes. She is labeled a force of good for taking a stance on hair-shaming “with one exhilarating speech and some very dope braids”. Even in the face of being ridiculed and being labeled a one-term politician MP CaesarChavannes has kept her focus on equity for all. She is a breath of fresh air a politician who actually is willing to stand up for what’s right because it’s right.

The adage, if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything” has always resonated with me. It is important for individuals to remain true to themselves and not get distracted. Recently Justice Donald McLeod was criticized for his approach to social justice as a leader in the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC).

At the end of the day, because of the FBC, the Canadian government gave the black

community access to one hundred million dollars of programming money. To my knowledge, this is the biggest that has very been awarded to our community. This money can be directed to fight anti-black racism as well as improve the educational outcomes for your children, African, Black and Caribbean children.

The FBC must be doing something right to get access to this kind of funding. Garnering such commitment, I would imagine, takes a lot of people with a lot of clout and influence to operationalize.

We all have our roles to play. The Black Lives Matter movement has managed to rattle many cages and have, if not anything else, brought to the forefront a lot of issues that are plaguing our community. These are two distinct groups with two distinct modus operandi. In the final analysis, they are fighting for social justice for the African, Black and Caribbean communities.

They are standing up.

As a trustee of the Peel District School Board (PDSB), I stand up for education. I advocate for equity for all students especially the marginalized. It is these students that often get left behind. I cannot do this alone. I need the community, parents, caregivers and the students to partner with me; to partner with the PDSB. I wholeheartedly believe that in today’s world we need a first-class education, now more than ever. Students need to find what they are good at. Students need to find out

what they are passionate about and then work diligently in pursuing and mastering it.

In the black community, as a result of an unfortunate cocktail of systemic racism and bias, parental frustration and a pinch of apathy many students are not living up to their potential. The educational outcomes can be much better. Now I always like to focus on the positive. I would encourage all readers of this column to watch a TED talk about Michaela DePrince. After watching her story, it is clear that there can be no excuse for anything but excellence. So, yes, we have a great number of students that are doing amazing things in all areas of academia. However, there’s much room for improvement.

One thing that is crystal clear after watching the TED about this remarkable young black woman is that we all need a goal. I strongly encourage parents to talk to your children and ask this simple question. What do you want to be when you grow up? Try and get a sense of what their interests are. Armed with this information, as a parent, work backward with your child and determine what steps your child needs to take to accomplish their goals. Liberty Silver at a very young age knew she wanted to sing. Armed with a tessitura that only a few singers possess she embarked on a career in music at an early age. She was fortunate to find her passion early in life and nurtured and studied diligently to

hone her voice. Those Junos and Grammy awards did not just fall into her lap. She earned them.

Where there is a will there’s a way. Ignore the naysayers and help keep your children focused on accomplishing their dreams. Remember it will not be easy and there will be obstacles and hurdles in this quest. Just ask Celina CaesarChavannes, Michaela DePrince, Wes Hall, Donald Mcleod, or Liberty Silver. Quite often when we hear about these successful individuals it’s at the peak of their success. When they are steadfastly toiling and building they are often under the radar.

Then, poof, they are an overnight success.

Just remember that all overnight success stories started years ago and usually it involves having an education. If one delves deeper into the “overnight success” stories I think all stories will have a good work ethic as well as a resilient and determined spirit as commonalities.

As I reflect on an article about Wes Hall and his rise from a mailroom clerk to a Bay Street power broker the importance of education coupled with a good work ethic cannot be underscored.

As a community, we must be vigilant and strengthen our resolve to work together to improve the educational outcomes of our children. It truly takes a village. So, journey with me. Walk Good Belle Marché!

PAGE 36

in the six

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Determining your relationship values featuring Carole Sandy KEZIA ROYERBURKETT kezia@carib101.com DATING SPECIALIST

Usually, this column focuses on my relationship experiences and topics related to single people, this week I have decided it was time to switch it up. This week’s article features certified therapist and relationship counselor Carole Sandy. Carole Sandy has been married to her husband for over ten years and helps individuals and families heal and efficiently communicate. Carole has comprised some relationship value questions to help any blooming or established relationships.

For single people like me, this article is a great resource that can help provide understanding for some of the questions you will eventually have to ask yourself. Values are an excellent tool for distinguishing what is truly important to us, but at times our values change, or we forget the values we set for ourselves before our relationship. Here are some great questions to consider, to determine your exact feelings towards your current relationship state.

So, you have been dating for a while now, and you’re beginning to feel more comfortable in this relationship. You both met each other’s friends, you’ve even spent time together during those important holidays and you’ve noticed that being over at each other’s place is less awkward. If you’re honest with yourself, there is nothing for you to complain about but something in the back of your mind is telling you to get more curious and ask yourself some hard questions about if you see the two of you have a stable future.

Here are a few things that you might want to consider if you find yourself struggling with if certain beliefs and patterns can have an impact on the future of this relationship.

Do you have a strong emotional connection? We all have busy schedules, but do you both make a consistent effort to spend time together? It can be something as simple as taking a walk, having a meal out or finding a shared activity, the idea is that you are both feeling supported, respected, and there are opportunities for you to talk and share. When relationships experience long

gaps in emotional disconnection, bitterness has a way of creeping in and draining the relationship.

Have you entered into the high expectations vs low expectations dance? Does it feel almost impossible to please your partner or even the other way around? Do you have minimal expectations about making people happy, being on time or dealing with a challenging issue? At the beginning of a relationship, these tendencies can seem cute or harmless. However, these expectations can breed chaos. It might be worthwhile to find common ground that merely requires learning and accepting each other’s habits.

When disagreements arise do you find yourself in the battle between being right while your partner is more concerned with understanding where you are coming from? In order to hear one another out, you need to first recognize that there is almost never a right or wrong position in arguments in relationships, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. When you have both created space to hear each other out it allows for both logical and emotional points of view to have a place because we all deserve to be heard, accepted and taken seriously when in a relationship.

Have you lost a sense of yourself in this relationship? Too often when we enter into a new relationship we begin to make exceptions and create a world that does not askare we building one another up while at the same time establishing who we are meant to be in the world. Finding a way to balance the ME as a team requires supporting each other while placing the needs of the couple first so that you have joint goals, safety and connection creating the type of foundation that is vital for individual growth moving forward.

Great advice from Carole Sandy therapist and relationship counselor. I once watched a Tony Robbins film on Netflix where he had a woman break up with her boyfriend in front of thousands of people over the phone at a conference; because she knew but was too afraid to acknowledge that she was in a relationship that wasn’t true to her life’s values. Often, we stay in relationships that we know should end because we are afraid of being alone, afraid of hurting the person’s feelings, fearful of acknowledging our emotions and the list goes on. If you enjoyed this article and wanted to hear more from Carole Sandy or have a story to share regarding love and relationships, please email me at Kezia@carib101.com.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

Refresh your kitchen with the right hardware A simple, cost-effective way to give your kitchen a mini-makeover is by changing the knobs or hand­ les on your cupboards and drawers.

You’d be surprised how much of a difference this simple upgrade can make! But with so many styles to

Outfit your kitchen cabinets and drawers with knobs, handles or pulls that match the finish of your appliances and plumbing.

choose from, how do you pick the right one?

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Before you purchase your new hand­ les, measure the distance between the holes used to secure the current ones so that you can avoid drilling again. If your cabinet doors open back-toback, make sure that the handles won’t knock together if you open two cabinets at once. It’s also a good idea to test various knob, handle and pull options, as some are easier to manipulate than others, especially for people with larger hands.

ESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS A copper finish for country decor, wide handles for a modern kitchen — the hardware you choose should complement your kitchen’s colours and style. Make sure that their finish matches that of your plumbing fixtures, appliances and door hinges.

As for the visual impact of your new pulls, the choice is yours: should they blend in or stand out?

Rediscover the decorative appeal of room dividers Whether you’re looking to create a bit of privacy, reconfigure a space or even add a decorative touch to a room, you just might find that the solution lies in a good old room divider.

Room dividers are making a comeback on the interior decor front, as is apparent with the multitude of materials (bamboo, wood, metal, felt) and designs available on the market. This versatile element can be either discreet or imposing; sober or extravagant; rounded or square; massive or minimal. It can be cushioned, mirrored, equipped with storage or as basic as can be, equally able to blend in or stand out according to your needs.

A MULTIPURPOSE ACCESSORY Room dividers are a perfect, portable solution for adapting a space to your needs, whether that means separating areas in an open-plan loft or creating an office space in the living room. In addition, they can help reduce drafts and maintain heat in a room. Easy as pie to set up and move around, these handy faux walls can also be used to hide the not-so-nice parts of a room.

Practical or decorative — or both — the room divider is making a comeback.

home & garden

PAGE 37

How to paint metal Have a metal surface to paint?

Follow these steps to get the best results.

First off, get rid of any traces of rust. To do this you can use a steel brush, an emery board or a file. If unsightly welds are revealed in the process, sand them down until the metal is smooth. Certain household chemicals and products, such as phosphorus and oven cleaners, are also useful for getting rid of rust.

Next, clean the metal using a damp sponge, and then dry the surface with a clean cloth. As soon as you’re done cleaning — don’t wait too long, as bare metal is quick to rust — apply a coat of primer designed for metal and compatible with the paint you’ll be using. Once the base coat is dry (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time), apply as many coats of paint as necessary. You can use a regular paintbrush, but spraying the paint on (either with a spray gun or a can of spray paint) will prevent visible brush strokes.

There you have it: all that’s left is to admire the result.

Glossy paint dries more slowly than other finishes and makes fingerprints quite noticeable.

Your guide to shopping for shelves From classic straight shelves to wall-mounted cubes and modular models, shelving units of all kinds can provide the perfect blend of function and form for a room. So which type should you choose? Here are a few tips to help you shop.

INTENDED USE The items you’ll place on the shelves will affect your choice of material (wood and shampoo bottles, for example, don’t go well together) and style.

After all, a shelf designed to support stuffed animals or delicate trinkets won’t withstand the weight of heavy books. Keep in mind that slotted shelving units (where the brackets are inserted into slots) are usually more solid than those with built-in brackets and that overloading your shel-

ves can damage your walls.

APPEARANCE Of course, your shelves should harmonize nicely with the overall design of the room. Wood shelves are a good choice for a rustic decor, colourful plastic shelves are great for a playroom, and metal shelves look nice in industrial settings. A word of advice: avoid textured shelves, which collect a ton of dust.

PLACEMENT Finally, make sure that your shelves won’t get in the way of opening doors or windows and that no one risks bumping into them or knocking over their contents.

PAGE 38

automotive

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

CADILLAC redefines its image

GM’s luxury division has been doing well in recent years, and the brand has taken advantage of its position to announce a plethora of upcoming arrivals; however, none of them are scheduled to launch before 2019. Until then, Cadillac’s lineup will remain limited to one crossover, one full-size SUV, and Cadillac CT5 three very similar

cars.

Cadillac is working on redefining its image and minimizing confusion. With the recent introduction of the CT6, the company plans to rename the ATS coupe “CT3” and the ATS sedan, “CT4.” The CTS will become the CT5. The CT3 and CT4 will be a bit smaller than the current ATS, and the CT5 will also be more compact than the latest CTS. By reviewing the style and size of each model, the company hopes to better communicate its different options to potential clients.

Cadillac also plans to revamp the XTS, which F i n a l l y, was supposed to be retired with the arrival Cadillac XTS Cadillac of the CT6 but continues to uphold excellent sales, especially in the United States. On the crossover front, Cadillac is preparing the launch of an is considering a flagship two-seater sports car based on the XT4 for mid-2018 and wishes to add an XT3 by 2020, platform of the most recent Corvette, similar to the now-deand perhaps even an entry-level XT1 and a high-end funct XLR. Here’s hoping it’ll be more successful than the latter! A fully electric or plug-in model is also in the works but XT6 in 2019. not expected to be released before 2021.

FORD reorganizes its offerings

Ford will offer a wide range of new models over the course of the next three years. From electric cars to SUVs, not to mention the return of the Ranger in 2019 and the Bronco in 2020, there’s something for everyone in the works. The car segment will also undergo some note­worthy changes.

With this year’s North American release of the EcoSport subcompact SUV, the Fiesta may very well be on its last legs. Production of the Focus will move to China this year to allow Ford to refit its

2018 Ford EcoSport

Wayne, Michigan, plant in preparation for the upcoming Ranger and Bronco.

As for the ever-popular Mustang, it’s undergone a few stylistic upgrades for 2018, and Ford has announced a hybrid version as well as a more powerful V8 for 2020. The Fusion will remain the same until 2020.

On the SUV front, Ford has promised to release five new models onto the market before the end of the decade.

After the EcoSport, Ford has another model in store that’s halfway between the latter and the Escape. It’s slated for a 2019 launch and will likely replace the C-Max. 2020 Ford Bronco No noteworthy changes are expected for the Escape, Edge or Explorer in the next few years. The Flex, which is currently built in Canada, will be retired in 2020.

The Expedition had a recent makeover, and a hybrid version of the F-150 is in the works for 2020. Looking ahead, Ford is working on its Model E (a name which, incidentally, Tesla tried and failed to get its hands on to use for its Model 3), an electric sedan that’s aiming to compete with Tesla by offering an impressive 500-kilometre range.

2019 Ford Ranger

fun

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean

PAGE 39

WEEK OF MARCH 18 TO MARCH 24, 2018

ARIES

The luckiest signs this week: LEO, VIRGO AND LIBRA

At work, you’ll be asked to put in some overtime, and your hard work will be handsomely rewarded. A short training lesson will put you on track to reach your greatest professional goals.

TAURUS

PUZZLE NO. 652 ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 652

Someone will try to pressure you into making a decision. Follow your instincts and you’ll make the right choice, even though you won’t have all the time you’d like to weigh the pros and cons. Think of the happiness this decision could bring you.

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

GEMINI

Going back to school would solve most of your professional issues. Try to see the situation from a long-term perspective. This will motivate you to put in the effort required to reach your goals.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.

CANCER

Expect your friends and acquaintances to invite you to all sorts of events taking place over the co­ming weekend. Take advantage of the opportunity to socialize, especially if you’ve been on your own a lot lately.

LEO

PUZZLE NO. 915

Time is a valuable commodity. At home and at work, you’ll be in charge of handling all the emergencies this week. It isn’t always easy to balance a busy family life with a rewarding career.

VIRGO

51. Neckwear 52. Travel endorsement 55. Judd Hirsch series 56. Shoppers’ readings 57. Fifty-fifty 58. Preceding nights 59. However 60. Achievement 61. Secretary’s need

ACROSS 1. Break 5. Tykes 9. Major-leaguer 12. Battlefront 13. Skin woe 14. Removable cover 15. Toward 16. Word of

agreement 17. Archaic 18. Looks secretly 20. Blackboards 22. Suede, e.g.

25. Expand 28. Join firmly 32. Small vegetable 33. Examination

36. Smashing serve 37. Thanksgiving dish 39. Farewell: hyph.

41. Follower 44. Summer shoe 47. Work with dough

21. Noah’s ship 23. Deed 24. Hoodlums 25. Agent 26. Social drink 27. Bump hard 29. Snatch 30. Frozen 31. Comfy shirt 34. Freckle 35. Egg part 38. Mournful

40. Banged up 42. Blacktopped 43. Drab shade 44. Hang around 45. Army helper 46. Twiggy home 48. Building overhang 49. Hatchets 50. Circular plate 53. Date 54. Additionally

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 915

DOWN 1. Petticoat 2. Diamond team number 3. Card game stake 4. Streisand hit 5. Tango number 6. Large tree 7. Rubbish 8. Vogue 9. Scenario 10. Provoke 11. Gambling term 19. Arranges

You’ll most likely plan a fabulous romantic getaway before the end of the winter. Work may send you across the country — or, at the very least, to another town — to meet with an important client.

LIBRA

You’re going to have to keep your cool as you tackle some notso-straightforward situations. You’ll find a creative solution to a financial problem that’s been bothering you.

SCORPIO

Whether it’s for business or for pleasure, you’ll be tasked with planning an event that will bring together scores of people. You’ll have lots of minutiae to attend to, and this could add to your stress.

SAGITTARIUS

The growing anxiety you’ve been feeling is about to take a clear toll on your health. Don’t let feelings that aren’t yours to feel overcome you. You’d probably benefit from some therapy.

CAPRICORN

You’ll rise to a challenge and make yourself proud. Even though some people only want to discourage you, your perseverance will pay off in the form of little miracles.

AQUARIUS

If you’re planning on moving in the foreseeable future, this week will prove the right time to start packing. A family member will be unusually demanding. Don’t let yourself get taken advantage of.

PISCES

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS USE AMERICAN SPELLING

You’ll have lots of moving around to do this week. Expect to either get stuck in traffic or have a hard time finding your destination. A little bit of planning never hurts.

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PAGE 42

real estate

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Do I need a second mortgage?

JAY BRIJPAUL brijpaul@carib101.com

REAL ESTATE PRO

A mortgage is a loan given in exchange for the title of a property. A first mortgage is called the legal mortgage and is the original loan you took to buy the home. A second mortgage is registered after the first and is considered an equitable mortgage. In the event of a default, the payment of the first mortgage is prioritized over the second.

There is a greater risk for lenders who lend second mortgages and they will charge a higher interest rate. Second mortgages should be for a smaller amount and for a shorter term than the first because of higher interest rates.

Second mortgages can be used in debt consolidations. Consider John who has a car loan of $20,000, paying, $400 per month and credit cards bills of $10,000, paying $750 per month. In addition, John has his mortgage plus other expenses to pay. If John consolidates the two loans by taking a second mortgage of $30,000 at 11% against his home, his monthly payment will drop from $1,150 to about $300 per month.

Second mortgages can be used to improve the home such as finishing the basement and renting it out. Let’s assume that you borrow $40,000 at 11%, the monthly payment will be $392 per month. The average basement rents for $1,200 per month.

Another benefit is that the value of the home will increase because of the improvements.

There are two kinds of second mortgages: one is a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and the other is a private second mortgage. The HELOC is from the same lender who has the first mortgage. It is a revolving line of credit with interest payment only. The interest rates on HELOC are

relatively low compared to private second mortgages. The lender will be registering a HELOC if the home has enough equity, your credit is clean, and you are qualifying to carry the extra debt. If that is not possible, you can get a private second where those rules do not apply, and the interest rates are substantially higher.

HELOC can be arranged with your current lender. The lender will assess your financial capabilities and arrange for an appraisal to be done on the property. The final registration is done using a lawyer. With the HELOC, you can use the money anytime you need it and pay it back whenever you can. Most lenders would lend up to 65% of the value of the property. For example, if the property is worth $600,000 and there is a first mortgage of $300,000, the lender would give a HELOC of $90,000.

Some private second mortgagees lend up to 90% of the value of the home.

There are fees such as lender’s fees, mortgage broker fees and lawyer fees associated with the mortgage. There are other fees such

as renewal and discharge fees as well. With private mortgages, the cost of borrowing can be as high as 10%. Make sure you read the mortgage commitment thoroughly and agree to the terms before you sign. The terms are negotiable.

Second mortgages can be used to startup businesses, or to invest but should not be used to buy depreciating assets such as furniture or cars. The interest on the second mortgage is tax deductible if the money was used for investment. You can use it to pay off your loans and credit cards but be careful not to get back there and stockpile debt again.

The disadvantage of having a second mortgage is that your payments are calculated over 25 years and with the high-interest rate, you are only scraping the surface of the mortgage amount. Hopefully the price of the property increases, and you can then approach your first mortgagee to consolidate the two mortgages into one with low-interest rates.

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finance

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Life changes in a blink FAZAAD BACCHUS fazaad@carib101.com

FINANCE SPECIALIST

Over the past eighteen years, I have been attending an annual management conference.

Last week was another of those conferences where we discussed changes in our industry and ideas for growing our business etc.

I saw one presenter come on stage and this is someone whom I have seen present many times before. A tall, well built and healthy looking man with lots going for him. However, when he walked on stage this year, I knew something was different.

His presentation started with “life changes in a blink”. His story touched me as he described what had transpired over the last year. It was a Friday afternoon and he had worked hard all week giving speeches and talking to his clients. He looked into the

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ing the treatment period while you will be unable to work, who pays your bills. It is common to find that many Canadians are living paycheck to paycheck and if a critical illness were to strike, they would have to use up most of their savings. It would be even more devastating if they had to use their RRSP due to the fact that they will have to pay heavy tax penalties.

How difficult do you think it will be for you if life changes in a blink? Would you be able to meet your expenses for at least six months to a year? And if you can’t, would that affect your recovery, having medical stress as well as financial stress?

So, what is the solution? Your best solution is to purchase some form of critical illness insurance. If you are worried that you might lose your money if nothing happens to you, then you have the option to purchase a refund of premiums. However, where will the premiums come from? One possible solution would be to use some of your returns from your investments. In this way, you are protecting your chance of recovery and safeguarding your retirement. Consider buying some critical illness coverage.

Is your life insurance policy still serving its purpose?

Joint Last-to-Die Life Insurance •

ANDREW STEWART andrew@carib101.com

FAMILY ADVISOR

A life insurance policy is an important investment for consumers. We’re diligent about choosing a policy that seems to best meet our family’s needs and then we reliably make those required premium payments on time so we can keep the policy in-force as the years go by.

Unfortunately, too many of us tend to just stuff the policy in a drawer and forget about it. We don’t evaluate them through the same lenses we do when considering other securing other assets in our lifetime. Pause for a moment and revisit the original reason why you purchased your life insurance policy in the first place. If you’re like most of us, chances are that the appeal of buying a policy was due to one of these factors: • • •

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mirror and noticed a small swelling on the side of his neck. Perhaps an infection in his lymph nodes he thought. By the following morning, the swelling had intensified and he was off to the doctor. Blood test and scans were done and his worse fears had come through, it wasn’t an infection, he was diagnosed with cancer.

Life had changed in a blink, in a period of just one week, from having all these financial and work-related goals he was now thinking only of his survival. At first, he was in denial then acceptance. His priorities changed quickly as I’m sure for most of us it would. He knew that he would have to go through chemotherapy and radiation, so he prepared himself for it. Showed up for his treatment all dressed in a suit. And here he started to set different goals. These goals now included spending time with the things that matter most and most of all was the people who were close to him.

Life changing events really put things into perspective. In some countries when someone gets cancer, it’s a major bill that has to be paid. In Canada we are in a much more fortunate position, we don’t need to pay for chemo or radiation. However, dur-

•

To provide an inheritance for your surviving spouse and/or children To protect your family from debts that would need to be paid To help fund educational expenses for your children or grandchildren; To pay for your funeral expenses so your family wouldn’t need to front the costs

To leave behind a charitable legacy that your family could carry out

in the year of death if there are no qualified beneficiaries to receive the proceeds.

If you have already purchased life insurance or thinking its time that you get some coverage, today’s article is about Joint Last to Die Life Insurance and why it might be an option for you. Joint Last-to-Die Life Insurance pays out a tax-free benefit to the policy owner’s beneficiary on the passing of the second spouse on the policy.

Many estate planning goals do not require a benefit to be paid on each death.

Instead, the goals can be achieved by having a single death benefit paid on the last survivor’s death. Joint last-to-die life insurance is an effective and relatively inexpensive life insurance policy that covers two people but only pays on the last survivor’s death.

Income Tax Act rules allow a deceased spouse to pass their assets on to their spouse on a tax-free rollover basis. The tax liability is then deferred until the surviving spouse also passes away. At this point, all the property under the surviving spouse’s name is deemed to be disposed of at the fair market value, triggering a capital gain. Assets that may have accumulated a large capital gain include investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, the family cottage and shares of a small business.

What all this means is that assets you and your spouse have accumulated over the years could now have a large capital gain value. Half of the gain is taxable and will be added to income in the year of death. In addition to capital gains, the full value of the RRSP/RRIF will also be treated as income

Avoid having all your assets become taxable at the same time.

Having all of this income become taxable at once can be quite a burden on your beneficiaries. The total taxes due could result in a sizable tax bill, leaving your beneficiaries with nothing or worse, taxes due. You can design your joint last-to-die policy to match the tax liability. This is the perfect solution to such a complicated situation because the funds are available when needed.

Create a legacy A joint last-to-die policy can also be used to create a legacy. If you do not have a sizeable estate but would still like to leave some money to your children and grandchildren, a joint last-to-die policy is a cost-effective method of doing so. This includes using life insurance for charitable donations, which creates a tax credit that can be used to offset any tax liability.

How is it cheaper?

In order to do a complete analysis of the usefulness of a joint last-to-die policy, a premium comparison must be made between it and two individual policies. After all, it wouldn’t make sense to purchase a joint lastto-die policy if two individual policies can pay twice and have a lower premium. You only have one policy which means only one premium to pay each month. On average, this can save you several hundreds of dollars each month.

SATURDAY MAY 5TH 2018

Divorce Notice Take Notice on the 28th November 2017 a Petition for Divorce was filed against Sieunarine Ramnarine of 2970 Jane Street,Apt 1006 Toronto Ontario M3N 2V5 ,Canada by Kamla Ramnarine nee Ramsaroop the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

Take Notice if you desire to Defend this Divorce then you must file an Acknowledgment of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend at the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 42 ( forty-two ) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

Take Notice that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Thursday the 3rd Day of May, 2018 at 9:30am before Honorable Madam justice Damone Younge in the Directions Hearing Room of the family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

In Default of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

www.JUMOKE.org

PAGE 46

sports

Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Trial by spin awaits Windies in key Super

ZIMBABWE -- Favourites West Indies are bracing for a spin assault from hosts Zimbabwe in today’s all important Super Sixes clash of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers.

Much will be riding on the contest at Harare Sports Club as the winners will take a giant step towards the fnal and clinching one of the two remaining spots at next year’s World Cup in England.

With spin having played a key role in Zimbabwe’s unbeaten run in the tournament, veteran seamer Kemar Roach said Monday the Windies were already aware of what to expect.

“Spin will definitely be a factor in the match. The wickets are under wear and tear now, so it’s going to be tough for us to put a big score on the board,” Roach explained.

“But runs on the board is the name of the game and obviously, as a bowling attack, we have to put pressure on the Zimbabwe batsmen

and we’ll be fine.”

In conditions which will favour the hosts, the Windies will have to deal with the likes of left-arm spinners Tendai Chisoro and Sean Williams, leg-spinner Graeme Cremer, and off-spinner Sikander Raza.

The match took on even more significance after West Indies were upset by Afghanistan in their opening match of the Super Sixes last Thursday at Harare Sports Club.

Though the defeat was their first of the tournament after finishing the preliminary round unbeaten, it saw West Indies slip down the table to third and out of the qualifying positions.

Zimbabwe lead the standings with five points, ahead of Scotland only on net run rate, with the Windies on four.

Roach, who missed the Afghanistan defeat through injury but will return to face Zimbabwe, said the squad understood the importance of the encounter and were up for it.

“It’s a big match for us, obviously, and I’m looking forward to it. I missed that last one due to injury, but I’m feeling much better now. I put the work in at practice and I’m ready and raring to go,” he said.

“The guys are obviously very focussed. This is like the biggest career match for most of these guys, so to win this match

and win the other one [against Scotland] and go to the World Cup is obviously the pinnacle.”

West Indies are bidding to continue their proud tradition of having contested every World Cup, since winning the first two back in 1975 and 1979 under the legendary Clive Lloyd.

The qualifiying campaign has been their first, however, after finishing ninth in the ICC world rankings and outside the automatic qualifying spots.

The match bowls off at 9:30 am (2:30 am Jamaica time).

Squads: Zimbabwe — Graeme Cremer (captain), Tendai Chatara, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Peter Moor, Blessing Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams, Cephas Zhuwao West Indies — Jason Holder (captain), Jason Mohammed, Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams.

- Jamaica Observer

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