VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 20 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH 2017
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BRILLIANT WOMEN
KABRENA ROBINSON/TORONTO CARIBBEAN Within different fields of work, there are various women who carry out important day to day tasks. Many contributing as educators, mentors, innovators, leaders and philanthropists, all positive agents in nation-building. While some are celebrated and recognized openly, there are still many courageous and hardworking women among us who remain as unsung heroines. Some of these inspiring women were recognized during a special award ceremony at the 2017 Brilliant Minded Women Gala. The 4th annual event hosted by television broadcaster Christopher Mei was held on Friday, November 17th at the Riviera Parque Convention Centre in Vaughan. The occasion was an elegant evening set aside catering to the organization’s primary
goal which is “to acknowledge the achievements and leadership of female entrepreneurs and leaders and to celebrate how much they matter”. The organization also uses their collective power to raise funds for their Foundation Scholarship that they offer to students every year. “When we see that our girls are happy it’s the biggest joy for us because what we do, the all year preparation is about bringing the communities together,” said Agata Klimczak CEO and founder of the Brilliant Minded Women Organization in an interview. “I believe we have over thirty nationalities in the room tonight so for them to meet and to acknowledge women who they’ve maybe never met before, to be nominated and at the same time creating
an opportunity for mentorship and coaching for our scholars, that is so close to our heart, it just makes us happy.’ The award ceremony showcased and recognized a wide variety of women and young girls, ranging across numerous fields and lines of work such as community service, business and the arts as well as academics and humanitarian contributions. A great amount of diversity was also present in the vast selection of awardees, with women and young girls from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, each making a remarkable impact within their communities and Canada’s wider multicultural landscape. Continued On Page 5
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Dahlia Bateman-An Attorney and Advocate
Written by Dellia Rismay Toronto Caribbean News
“Put your money where your mouth is.” It’s a saying all of us are familiar with. It’s a firm reminder that if you’re going to talk a big game, you had better execute it too. A cue that while dreaming, discussion and planning are vital when it comes to accomplishing a goal, nothing will happen until you buckle down and really do something. It’s thinking like that, that has gotten Dahlia Bateman very far in her career as a lawyer, and it is sound advice that she gives to others. Born and raised in Manchester, Jamaica, Dahlia was one of seven children. Her mother, who was the biggest influence in her life, always taught her the importance of a good education. “Discipline was number one in our household,” says Dahlia. “Discipline not only in terms of what we achieved in school but outside of the classroom as well. She really emphasized making a difference where you are, in your community.” Dahlia’s family members, including her mother and grandmother, didn’t just preach philanthropy, but they practiced it too. “I saw them doing it, so for me, it was a natural thing to do. I never thought of things any
differently,” she says. Dahlia is so committed to giving back to several causes that she was recently inducted into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society, presented by the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. Induction into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society requires an alumnus or alumna of the school to have made significant contributions in areas such as non-profit or charitable organizations, the legal profession, and their communities. In Jamaica, Dahlia’s efforts include a program that helps make education more accessible to youth. She helps provide financial assistance to some students from low-income families, so the cost of tuition, transportation, and lunch is less of a barrier. Here in Canada, Dahlia sits on the board of a transitional home in Peel region, as well as a charity organization which offers seminars, workshops, and free home care for seniors in the community who are on a fixed income. Her desire to help those who need it, along with her love of a good debate are what steered Dahlia towards a career in law. “I like to have a good debate, a good argument, and to hold a good point,” she says. Before she got started as a corporate lawyer, Dahlia was involved in extra-curricular activities during her studies at Dalhousie. She was involved with the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative, which aims to reduce discrimination in the legal profession by increasing representation in
these groups. She also served as ombudsman for the entire university for two years. “I enjoyed every bit of it,” says Dahlia. “I felt like I was really able to make an impact, and make a difference in the Dalhousie community.” For those who are considering going to law school, Dahlia says go for it. She was on the admissions committee for Dalhousie’s law school, and encourages those who are interested to “stick to your guns and don’t back down!” She suggests speaking to lawyers you admire and going to courtrooms to get a feel for what proceedings are like. She also stresses the importance of volunteer work. “You don’t just want law as a career on paper, and the title of ‘lawyer’. Show that you really want to apply that legal training to help others. That’s what it should be about. [On applications] you get these grand personal statements of people going to change the world…and then they don’t once they get what they want. On paper, it’s all good, but in practice, put your money where your mouth is.” What are Dahlia’s words of wisdom for all women? Help each other. “Sometimes, we don’t do as much as we can to promote each other, to uplift each other […] lift each other up, don’t tear each other down.” She wants to see more women helping each other climb up the ladder, in whatever field that may be. “Don’t just do the feminism talk. Walk the walk.”
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
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One Love Benefit Concert Held to Fundraise Hurricane Relief Jelani Grant
jelani@carib101.com
TC Reporter In support of United Nations Children’s Fund and Helping Hands’ Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund, a music concert was held at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts. The goal of the concert was to raise funds to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Irma and Maria. Musicians brought the audience unforgettable sounds of reggae and dancehall as a demonstration that Caribbean people everywhere are sending their united love towards the impacted islands. The relief concert set a goal of raising $1 million in support of the recovery efforts of numerous islands devastated by Hurricane Irma and Maria. The proceeds will be donated to UNICEF Canada’s ongoing contributions to supporting the Caribbean’s recovery. Otherwise known as Assasin, dancehall artist Agent Sasco said, “It’s a time when you want
those who can help in any way they can, to do so. Being our Caribbean neighbours, we are supposed to be the first in line to extend that help.” It was clear that the bulk of the audience was made up of people familiar with common island traditions based on their reactions to Awardwinning Comedian Jay Martin’s Caribbean referenced jokes. Martin hosted the night’s performances, stirring hysterical laughter each time he took the microphone. Despite the nature of the concert, Martin managed to keep the crowd lively and laughing throughout, making jokes referencing traditional Caribbean traditions such as sending barrels to overseas family and making the most out of dumpling during school. The line up for the night was made up of reggae artist Tarrus Riley, saxophonist Dean Fraser, Sasco, dancehall singer Christopher Martin, Queen of Soca Alison Hinds, and Jamaican rapper GLoc. All of the artists performing had their own personal connections to certain islands and said they felt it was their duty to contribute any support they can to relief efforts. “I come from Jamaica and we know about hurricanes and the problems that hurricanes give,” said Riley. “Anywhere I can lend my celebrity, advice and my music, to raise awareness, to help people, and be kind to each other,” he said. Riley and Fraser both performed days
later at the Jamathon benefit concert in the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, Jamaica. Hinds said a fundraising event such as this is necessary because it could be years before the affected islands fully recover from the damage. “There’s places with no power, trying to figure out how to begin to rebuild when you’ve lost everything you own. When we do things like this, we put it back into the minds of people and make them understand that this is something that is ongoing, and so we have to keep helping and keep donating” she said. Hurricane Irma maintained 290 kph wind speeds for 37 hours, it set a record for being the most intense storm recorded on earth for such a long duration. A major evacuation was enforced in Barbuda for 24 days after Irma hit, leaving 95% of the structures destroyed including hospitals and schools. In Cuba, some areas were left without power or running water, and the death toll reached ten. Other islands similarly affected by Irma were Antigua, Anguilla, Bahamas, British & US Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, St Barthélemy, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, and Turks & Caicos. Hurricane Maria was a Category 5 storm, which hit Dominica, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts & Nevis, and the Dominican Republic. Twenty-seven people were reported
killed, and dozens missing after the hurricane hit Dominica while some communities lost communication altogether. Maria hit Puerto Rico with winds over 160 kph and more than 30 inches of rain. All of Puerto Rico lost power and was under flash flood warnings following the storm. The official death toll of Puerto Rico is listed at fifty-one according to the Institute of Forensic Sciences. Advertising agency BrandEQ helped promote and organize the concert. BrandEQ CEO Nadine Spencer was recently elected as the Black Business and Professional Association President in late October. Those unaffected by the storm should remember that people in the Caribbean are still recovering from the damage caused and some are still living without power. Throughout the music and laughs, the audience was reminded of the motive behind the concert, Donations can be made to UNICEF Canada and Helping Hands International through their GoFundMe for their continuing work in assisting communities in affected areas of the Caribbean. UNICEF has been contributing supplies that include water purification tablets, school-in-a-box kits, early childhood development kits, school bags, tents and tarpaulins, teaching supplies, as well as hygiene and comfort kits.
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Celebrating Canada’s Brilliant Minded Women Kabrena Robinson
kabrena@carib101.com
TC Reporter Continued From Page 1 -- The prestigious lifetime achievement awards for this year went to Dr Jean Augustine and Norma Trivino. Dr Augustine is a Grenadian/Canadian educational administrator, social justice advocate and politician. She was also the first Afro-Canadian woman to be elected to the Canadian House of Commons and the first to serve in the federal cabinet and continues to stand as a notable and celebrated figure in Canadian history. Norma Trivino has served as a dedicated volunteer at work, in church and in her community for over 25 years. Trivino’s reputable line of work includes a self-esteem workshop facilitated in her community for Latina girls at a day camp. She has also contributed to numerous charitable organizations as well as serving in many diverse roles including Chair, Co-Chair, Committee Member, Special Events Coordinator and Ambassador Coordinator over the past fourteen years. The Global excellence award went to Fran Rider, who received a heartfelt commendation from special guest Hazel McCallion former mayor of Mississauga after serving for over three decades. Rider is one of the founders of the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association. She is famously recognized for her honourable and tireless efforts to promote women’s hockey in Canada and around the world for over fifty years. Other awards for the evening were the Political Leadership Award presented to Joyce Morocco, president of Destination Niagara Falls Regional website and established politician Nita Kang. The Philanthropist of the Year Award was presented to Josie Mo-
rand and Seliena Ganglani while the Charity of the Year Award went to Maria Esteves and Henah Ji. Awards in business development and growth were presented to journalist and editor Jennifer Beale, educator and entrepreneur Kathia Saint-Victor and business owner Nadia Asfour Al Sayegh. Joanna Andros, Dorota Jakubowska and Alessandra Piccolo received the Self Development Award while the Best Community Service Awards was presented to Cityline host Tracy Moore and philanthropists Beata Wecek and Edyta Jodelka. The Volunteer of the Year Awardees were private pilot and public speaker Lesley Page and Iryna Yakovenko vice president of the Brilliant Minded Women Foundation. The Mind and Body Award was received by Josephine Auciello and Tabi Moazzam while the Arts and Entertainment Award was presented to Beata Kaas of Kaas Floral Design, actress, model, film producer and CEO and founder of the Toronto Polish Film Festival EKRAN Marta Pozniakowski and certified financial planner Tina Tehranchian. Remaining awardees were Mariya Tarasio who received the Resilience award and star student Natalia Jureczek, Canadian artist Natalie Castro and Canadian abstract and photorealistic artist Gwyneth Herrera all receiving the Student of the Year Award. The evening also featured special appearances from the mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie, veterans from Canada the US and the UK and performances and presentations from the I.D.A International Academy, Carlos Herrera, Satin Roses Band, Elyse Saunders, Natalie Castro and ballroom dancers Nicole Peszor and Patryk Staniszewski. “What we really wanted to show to the world is that it is not about who you are by religion, by colour, by political parties or company,” said Iryna Yakovenko, vice president of the Brilliant Minded Women Foundation and 2017 award recipient in an interview. “This is about the women, the mothers, the sisters, the daughters. We are all the same, we all have a part and we all struggle. When we struggle, we struggle together when we win, we win together.”
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
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Canada Pledges $100M to Caribbean Reconstruction Efforts Alyssa Mahadeo
alyssa@carib101.com
TC Reporter Tis the season of giving, and in light of events this year in the Caribbean many have been rallying together in efforts to provide help and relief to victims of the hurricanes. This year the Caribbean experienced some of the most devastating weather to be caused by a natural disaster when Atlantic hurricane season hit and caused extensive damage to several Caribbean Islands. The category 5 hurricanes brought heavy rain and gusting winds that caused catastrophic damage to the islands, and have reminded the world that these small islands stand on the frontline of climate change. Canada has been a long-time friend, neighbor, and supporter to the islands of the Caribbean, and so after disaster struck the Canadian Government was quick to lend a helping hand with emergency relief efforts. Immediately after the disaster was reported in the Caribbean, Canada allocated $2 million dollars worth of assistance to help with setting up an emergency shelter, food, hygiene and sanitation for the citizens in the islands that were displaced. On November 21st , 2017 in New York City, New York at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-UN High Level Pledging Conference, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, announced Canada’s pledge of $100 million to support reconstruction and climate resilience efforts in the Caribbean region over the next five years. “These funds will be used to help the non-sovereign states,” Caesar-Chavannes explains. Those islands not represented by any transnational states. “The projects that Canada is working to support are anything around disaster risk perception and management with a strong focus on the roles of women, the networks they have within communities.” Canada’s contribution will help the
most vulnerable people, including women and children, to rebuild more resilient communities so they can be better prepared for natural disasters. Particular attention will be given in the coming months to specific projects aimed at reconstructing essential services, improving disaster risk management and emergency preparedness practices, supporting the role of women as leaders in reconstruction and adopting climate-adaptation measures at the community level. The Prime Minister and Head of States in the Caribbean came together at CARICOM to have these conversations with the UN and bring attention to the work that needed to be done. António Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations, was in some of the affected areas and he went to Dominica and saw what was happening first hand. CARICOM worked together with the UN to create the pledging conference, to create an avenue to accept financial support. “Canada is working together with international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, to mobilize support for reconstruction efforts. Canada represents many Caribbean nations on the Board of Governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.” Caesar-Chavannes says. “At the World Bank Annual Meetings in October, Canada and participants reaffirmed their solidarity and support for the affected countries and communities.” An estimated 20,000 children have been affected by the 2017 Caribbean hurricanes. More than 32,000 people have been displaced, with 17,000 of these people in need of shelter. Over 1.2 million people have been affected by damage to water infrastructure. Other critical infrastructure has been significantly damaged, including electrical lines, houses and public buildings, such as government offices, schools, and hospitals, as well as private-sector structures key to the economy and people’s livelihoods. “Most importantly the one thing we don’t want to happen is that the sanitation conditions, the health conditions, and the food resources get to a point where diseases and illnesses can be easily introduced,” CaesarChavannes explains. “It is our duty to ensure that these funds are allocated to the right organizations so that the most critical needs can be
met.” Caesar-Chavannes goes on to explain that it was important to act quickly after the hurricane hit and in Dominica, one of the projects that organized and went underway quickly was helping re-roof houses, and aiding farmers to recover crops and replant for the new season. They were also able to send a Canadian Airport specialist to help assess the damages done to the airport and get to work on the repairs that were needed. “Funds were used to provide food and rent for people in Barbuda who were evacuated as well,” Caesar-Chavannes says. “The funds go to the organization on the ground who ready to help, but most importantly the emergency needs of the population following the hurricane.” There is no time-frame in which the rebuilding process can be placed. This is going to be a long-term project, and right now it’s focused on ensuring the well-being of citizens, as well as working as quickly and effectively as possible. The $100 million will be distributed over five years to firstly address the regional needs, and support financial and climate resilience in the Caribbean, and secondly, Canada will take into consideration the needs assessment of Dominica, Antigua, and Barbuda to decide where to allocate funds for reconstruction and climate resilience. “We want to ensure that we are listening to the local contacts so that we can understand all that needs to be addressed, keeping in constant communication with local government and institutions,” Caesar-Chavannes explains. “The Caribbean heads of state have committed to wanting to become the first climate resilient region in the world, and once you have that local ownership and commitment to wanting to rebuild better, and to wanting to build a more resilient Caribbean that leadership will allow for rebuilding in a smart way.” The pledging conference raised over a billion dollars in donor pledges and Canada’s significant contribution complements the other international pledges made. They are continuously working on other innovative ways that they can help finance hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean, and encourage the community to help in whatever way they can. It is encouraged that any monetary donations be sent to the Red Cross where it will allow for quick and effective distribution to the islands in immediate need of assistance.
Here We Are: Black Canadain Contemporary Art Show Coming to the ROM In January 2018 Leanne Benn
leanne@carib101.com
TC Reporter Starting Jan 27th, 2018, the ROM will proudly host a new and original exhibit focused on Black Contemporary Art. Here We Are: Black Canadian Contemporary Art is an exhibition that will focus on the work of nine different artists that explore contemporary art, race, and identity in Canadian history. The aim of this exhibition is to explore Black Canadian contribution to the con-
temporary art world while addressing issues of culture and history. The exhibition will deal with issues that are current and historical when addressing black culture and identity in Canada. The ROM’s director and CEO, John Basseches says “The work represented in the exhibition not only encourages visitors to reexamine their idea of what Canada is but offers a broader telling of the Canadian story through the Black Canadian experience.” This exhibition will add to the overall fabric of Canadian society by presenting ethnic issues and the relevance of Black Canadian society. This will give visitors a chance to reflect on issues dealing with race, inclusion and the sense of belonging to society. The exhibition is more than just a singular narrative, it pushes us to un-learn history and question what we know about art history and how we curate contemporary art shows. Original work will be featured from Canadian artists, Sandra Brewster, Michele
Pearson Clarke, Chantal Gibson, Sylvia D. Hamilton, Bushra Junaid, Charmaine Lurch, Esmaa Mohamoud, Dawit L Petros and Gordon Shadrach. The artists came together under the collaborative project by curatorial experts, Dr. Julie Crooks, assistant curator at the AGO and independent curator, Dominique Fontaine. The curators and artists established a conceptual framework and format for the artists to tell their stories through their work. This exhibition will challenge you as a viewer to think about the history of Black Canadians and their portrayal in the art world. By doing this you will gain a new perspective of Canadian identity through compelling artistic installations. This exhibition is set to mark Black Canadian presence in our country and help people understand and re-think the role of a contemporary artist in Canada. For more information, visit rom.on.ca and stay tuned for this upcoming and original exhibition.
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
KIDS SWAG Brings Us Black Santa for the Holidays Kabrena Robinson
kabrena@carib101.com
TC Reporter The holiday season has arrived, which means that you might already be planning what gift to get your loved ones but what about the right wrapping paper to go along with it? You’ve seen numerous gift wrapping papers with the traditional white bearded caucasian Saint Nicholas but how about a black Santa named Clarence Claus? If that grabbed your attention, you’ll be pleased to know that Clarence Claus is coming to town to give the essential gift of black representation and self-love. Launched by husband and wife team Jackie and Shaun Rodgers, Clarence Claus™ is the first product from Greentop Gifts, a wrapping paper and gift company for people of colour. The wrapping paper features a jolly old man with a chocolate complexion, a white beard and red suit allowing families of colour to have a product that represents their culture and lifestyle under the tree for the holiday season. The new product has been introduced in Canada by Canadian online retailer KIDS SWAG. Through a partnership with Greentop Gifts, KIDS SWAG is the exclusive retailer of Clarence Claus™ gift wrapping paper in Canada. The wrapping paper retails for $8CDN per roll. KIDS SWAG was founded in December 2016 by Kim West, a wife and mother of two girls, with a primary goal aimed at making it easy for parents with children of colour to build environments that are reflective of their child’s beauty. The idea came to West after the tiring experience of not being able to find products that her daughter could see herself being reflected in the mainstream. She then established the online retail store to help black mothers like herself who share the same dilemma when shopping for their kids. The KIDS SWAG website features everyday lifestyle items such as clothing, accessories, dolls and household items that provide positive self-representation for black kids. “It’s so important, especially for a black kid to remind themselves of the fact
that they are special, that there is something there for them to have,” said West. “Confidence is the biggest thing across the board regardless what background you have. The more confidence you have the better you are to actually now position yourself in society.” Now with the distribution of their newest product, the Clarence Claus gift wrapping paper, West says that this is another opportunity for black kids to see a positive representation of themselves that is not often seen in society. “It is one thing for yourself to be reflected and just every day them being able to see other kids that look like them,” said West. “It’s another for something that you idolize whether that be Jesus, Santa Clause or any sort of adult figurehead to look like you is even more impactful and it really gives you that sense of joy. I see it not only in children but adults as well, that feeling of like ‘I belong I matter I feel represented’.” West added that now through Clarence Claus™ and the wide assortment of children’s products in her store, including top seller Nia Ballerina, a black ballerina jewellery box, parents have the chance to delight their children twice; Once with an extra special gift wrapping paper and the second through the diverse and inclusive gifts provided by KIDS SWAG. West says that the next step for her brand will be expanding the variety of products she provides to cater to a larger age group. Most of her products in the past catered to younger children. Starting this December, she hopes to collaborate with new brands to supply items such as blankets, bibs, toddler clothing and backpacks that could potentially be marketed to parents of black teenagers and older children. “The main thing for me when I think about KIDS SWAG is that it’s not just one particular product it’s really about the bigger mission we are trying to achieve and so the more that we can work towards that mission the more that we can have an impact and see children enter into the world and feel like they can be themselves and don’t feel like they need to change their hair or change their skin colour to be adapted into society,” she said. “I think its so important and so vital for how they’re going to grow in the future.” So, head on over to kidsswag.ca and give your loved ones an extra special gift wrapped in beautiful black imagery this season.
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Dear Torontonians: Start Using The Official Black Wall Street App Jelani Grant
jelani@carib101.com
TC Reporter The Official Black Wall Street digital platform now has an app that can be found in Android and Apple app stores. Though the app’s user traffic is growing with online stores and various areas in the United States, a majority of businesses in Toronto have yet to utilize this new tool. In 2014, Mandy Bowman created OBWS in order to encourage black owners to network and promote themselves to their communities. Bowman, 26, told Blavity she believes this is the next step for the black community to reach economic empowerment. The digital platform allowed users to buy black without the middle work of searching for specific products or waiting to hear about the business via word of mouth. The comprehensive, user-friendly directory allows the expanded digital promotion of Black-owned businesses, exclusively. Founder of the Black-Owned PopUp Market, Sepo Achampong, originally from Toronto started his platform for buy-
ing black after noticing the demand for such a space. “I was listening to conversations online and seeing what people are talking about, the climate for change is very high. People are realizing the importance of coming together,” he said. The first event, held in February, had to change to a larger location a few weeks before in order to accommodate everyone. The second event, held in May, had a visitor count of 1,000 people with 62 vendors. One vendor even traveled from the United States to expand their customer base. “They came with everything, sixteen hours by bus and took an eighteen hour bus ride back just to be at black-owned. That really woke me up…somebody from outside [the city] is doing that to get to black folk, showing we have to step it up,” he said. Achampong said he started Black Owned Unity out of necessity and is preparing for the next market scheduled for Dec 3rd. Has a personal brand called Ananse, standing for ‘storytelling through textile making’, from the Akan region in Ghana. He uses West-African fabric patterns to create a story consumers can wear. “The colors have meanings, the symbols and shapes all have meanings to them. We put them together, different patterns tell different stories about the wearer,” he said. The intention of the Black-Owned Pop-Up Market serves a similar purpose as the OBWS app; making it easier for people
to buy from black-owned businesses. Imagine if all of these businesses registered onto the OBWS app, potentially expanding their reach to locations they may not have access to. A special feature of the OBWS app is the nearby notification app. If a user comes in close proximity to a business address submitted into the app, they will be notified. Registering for the app is a simple process, completed through the user’s e-mail address, Facebook account or Google account. With an account, users can build a list of favorite businesses, send messages to other users, and receive notifications of nearby businesses. Business professionals such as Ninja Outreach founder Mark Samms said his number one advice to building a successful business is “blogger outreach and influencer marketing. I believe that partnering with people who have large audiences is one of the best ways to get noticed.” “Finding support groups are always [a challenge to growing business]. Having like-minded people around you…there has to be some sort of community, especially if you’re black,” said Achampong. Finding a supportive circle that can promote the business is a challenge that OBWS can address by just turning on the app’s nearby notifications feature. This app could revolutionize the methods customers use to buy black in Toronto.
The Caribbean Women’s Society Launches a New Division Gloria Namugenyi gloria@carib101.com
TC Reporter In a search to network and connect more people from Ontario’s Caribbean community, the Caribbean Women’s Society has launched a new division called the ‘Caribbean-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Community’ also known as C5. The launch of the newest subsidiary took place on Sunday Nov.26th at the Downsview Hub in Toronto. The organization described as a “grassroots, voluntary membership-based incorporated non-profit built on diversity, inclusion and innovation,” strives to better the quality of life for the Caribbean-Canadian community. According to Camille Kerr, President of the Caribbean Women’s Society, the new C5 was created as an “innovative initiative to focus on promoting, participating and prosperity of Caribbean-Canadians in the social and economic life of Ontario.” The launch was an informative celebration and networking event for professionals and leadership-minded individuals. This new subsidiary helps empower diverse women and men from the Caribbean communities and all over to pursue better lives for themselves as well as encourage others to follow suit. “This is an historic contribution for
the Caribbean-Canadian community and I urge every Caribbean-Canadian to take part,” says Kerr. Membership in the newly launched Caribbean-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Community (C5) is open to all professionals and leadership-minded women and men, while membership in the CWS is open to the Caribbean-Canadian women living in the regions the organization services. Members pay an annual fee of $40. As a member of the CSW, one is encouraged to attend monthly gatherings, volunteer and participate in the organization’s initiatives, help make new members feel welcome and more. The CWS provides its members with free workshops, seminars to build knowledge and skills, social activities, discounts on membership programs and events, and forming new friendships and connections with other members. The CWS and C5 encourage people to sign up for membership as well as volunteer and donate to the organizations. Ongoing sponsorship and partnership also assists in the daily operations of the organization. Kerr says that the organization is driven by diversity and inclusion and innovation. The CWS aims to improve the quality of life not just of adults but also the children, youth, parents, families and seniors by “tackling the barriers with innovation initiatives.” In the past, the CWS has organized fundraising events such as the “WE ARE HERE, Accomplished and United,” which showcased Caribbean Culture and Contributions. They also run an annual “Keeping it Natural Hair Meet Up” with local busi-
nesses, hair and skin care vendors and beauty workshops. Some of their upcoming events include a “Toy Gifting” honouring lone Canadian moms and female guardians. The CWS is run by a board of Directors led by Camille Kerr, who is the President, Chair and Treasurer of the organization. Kerr, a wife and mother of five understood that some of the key characteristics of a successful community entailed having an identity and a sense of belonging, being able to rely on others and take responsibility, which ultimately became the core values of the Caribbean Women’s society at its first stages. Kerr, who is of the Trinidadian origin was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario where she was encouraged to honour and value her culture and heritage. Kerr holds a B.A. honours degree in Sociology, Philosophy and Political Science; from the University of Toronto as well as thirteen years of Human Resources work experience. The Caribbean Women’ Society was founded in July 2015 and services the GTA, Durham, York; Peel, Dufferin and Halton regions in Ontario. The CWS currently has two other divisions; the “Caribbean-Canadian Parents United (CCPU) and the newly minted Caribbean-Canadian Chamber of Commerce & Community (C5).” Those looking to join and be a part of the CWS and its subsidiaries are encouraged to visit their website at www.ourcws. com or email admin@ourcws.com for more information as well as their social media platforms on Twitter @ourcws, Facebook @ourcws, Instagram.@ourcws
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Man Opens Fire on Sleeping Family
GUYANA -- A five-year-old girl and her grandmother, 52, are nursing gunshot wounds after a man opened fire on them while they were sleeping early Sunday morning. According to Savitri Hassan, who received injuries to her lower abdomen, her husband and their five-year-old granddaughter were asleep on a mattress on the ground in their three-bedroom, one-flat Lot 122 Section B, Number 72 Village home, when they were awakened by a loud explosion. On opening her eyes, she noticed someone standing by the doorway. “My husband jump up and see he run out while my granddaughter was crying and screaming. I thought she was scared, but it was until we put on the light then we noticed she was bleeding from her foot; then we know she got shot.” The family called upon their neighbours who rushed the injured to the Skeldon Hospital where they were treated and sent away. Fifteen pellets were removed from the Number 72 Village Nursery School pupil, while five were removed from Savitri. The injured is expected to return to the hospital today to have x-rays and other follow up tests. The Hassans’ home is under reconstruction after it was destroyed by fire in 2014. A section of the ceiling is still opened and there the suspect reportedly gained entry, after mounting a ladder on the roof of the house.
The shooter has been identified as “Acko” and “Rasta”. Savitri explained that the target was her husband, Rajkumar Hassan, whom the suspect had threatened on numerous occasions to “end him and his family” after they reported him to the police on two other occasions for abusive behaviour. According to Rajkumar, the suspect lives behind his house and has livestock that would enter his yard. On one occasion while he was mending a hole in the fence to prevent them from escaping, the suspect accused him of interfering with his wife and verbally abused him, making threats to his life and that of his family. The matter was reported to the Springlands Police Station and when the neighbourhood police showed up to apprehend the suspect, he refused to comply and they left after he became abusive. Another report was made on October 23, when the suspect jumped into the Hassans’ yard and set their clothes on fire. According to the Hassans, the police came again to arrest the suspect but he was nowhere to be found. The police asked that they be notified whenever he shows up. This, the family said, was done and a senior rank at the station promised to send a patrol to get the abuser arrested, but no one ever came. Police are looking for the suspect who has since gone into hiding. - Guyana Chronicle
Prime Minister Talks up ‘Grassroots’ Budget
GUYANA -- Finance Minister Winston Jordan will today present his fourth consecutive national budget and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo expects it to take policy-makers back to the grassroots. Writing in his ‘My Turn’ column carried by Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, the prime minister said Guyanese could expect a budget with social content that would address the more pressing needs in their communities. He said the street folks were not glued to the so-called big ticket projects such as hydro schemes, deep water ports and multiple-lane highways, the promise of which the previous Government had dazzled them on the eve of elections. Many of these projects, he said were hurriedly executed as legacy or signature projects, but were clumsily and poorly implemented. “The task to re-design and complete those projects had fallen upon our coalition. Works on the East Bank Highway have been wrapped up, leaving installation of road markers to be done. To come on stream within months are upgrades of the East Coast and West Coast highways, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport runway and terminal building,” he said. This occasion, the prime minister said, Guyanese people — ordinary, every-day folks — want a budget for 2018 that contains many little things that could help change the condition of their communities and improve the quality of their lives. The coalition had promised a new beginning to address the major problems it had inherited, and according to the prime minister, in almost all communities there is evidence of incremental, modest change. “We have roads, bridges, and street lamps where before there was none. We have regional out-reach radio stations for the first time that draw the coast and the interior clos-
er. We have new telecommunications links with many classrooms being hooked up to Internet. We have surveillance by air for pirates, and patrols in boats, on horseback and foot for narco-traffickers. And in an emergency, we can now dial 911. “We could look around and find cleaner surroundings, renovated schools, health facilities, new wells and housing projects. Over the months we witnessed frenetic efforts to maintain allocations for and to improve the delivery of the essential social services, though it would have been difficult to keep pace with growing expectations,” he said. These, he said, was done without a boast or fanfare. “We are the people’s players in the middle doing as best as we could. We let the audience in the Opposition jeer us, cheer us and make the noise. “Louder noise means that we are doing better since we embarked on building the edifice of a law governed, orderly State. We have checked Executive abuse and lawlessness, and endemic corruption. Our “big Ticket” achievements were in areas of governance, starting from the holding of Local Government Elections. These were denied for over 20 years but were held within months under our new Government,” the prime minister noted. The election of Councils at the village and municipal levels, including in three new towns, he said, has re-invigorated the base of society. And on that score, he contended that the many little things that ought to be done would be laid at the feet of the regional administrations and these Councils, given shifts in budgetary allocations for community projects. - Guyana Chronicle
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Legal HDC Tenants ‘Targeted’ After Police Evictions
TRINIDAD -- On the heels of police moving in at the Housing Development Corporation’s (HDC) Clifton Towers to evict illegal occupants, legal tenants are now urging HDC officials to relocate them because of the trauma and undue stress their children and families are under. Three frustrated parents—a couple and a mother of two—yesterday protested outside the HDC’s Port-of-Spain head office in an attempt to get quick redress by HDC officials following last Thursday’s fiasco. Residents claimed they have been bullied out of their apartments by “gang members” for the past two years and added that they had now reached the point of frustration. They appealed to the relevant authorities to post T&T Defence Force (TTDF) members at the site on a 24/7 basis so that law and order can be restored. The development consists of four towers—two of which are nine stories and two with sev-
TRINIDAD -- A 20-year-old former Fatima College student was murdered while on his way home from a birthday party at River Estate, Diego Martin, yesterday. Police said Abraham Simpson, of Gopaul Avenue, Diego Martin, died at the scene after gunmen shot at two cars, including Simpson’s Nissan Almera, in the community around 3 am. Simpson’s friend, Shadrach Joseph, remained hospitalised last night. Police said the birthday party took place at a basketball court and was getting out of control so they shut it down. As the
en stories. Resident for the past seven years, Desrie Slinger-Griffith claimed after the police moved in and arrested illegal occupants at the towers last week she was badly beaten and blamed for being an informant. “I have been living there for the past seven years…I am no informant but what I can say is that HDC have a list of all the legal occupants of the towers and also have a list of the illegal occupants who were evicted…I was beaten and scrambled by my neck on Thursday for being an informant and told to ride out, imagine that eh, to ride out of my legal apartment,” SlingerGriffith said. She added that since “thugs” moved into the towers, she has being having serious problems with her two children. Her 19-month-old baby constantly screams out in his sleep, while the attitude of her seven-year-old has changed drastically. “My bigger son is not performing
Man Killed, 3 Hurt in Drive-By
officers left the scene, the gunmen sprung their attack, wounding Joseph, Trevon Piango and Anthony Francis, who were in a white Kia Cerato close to Simpson’s car. Police suspect Piango and Francis, who are not from Diego Martin, may have been the gunmen’s targets. Piango’s father and step mother Andrea “Hannah” Edwards, 37 and Raul Joseph, 42, were shot at their Haig Street, Carenage home in August last year. Edwards died while Joseph was left partially paralysed by the attack. Joseph was again attacked by a knife-wielding intruder at his
Soldier Charged With Murder of Businessman
TRINIDAD -- A solider was among three men who appeared in court yesterday charged with murdering a businessman from Aranguez earlier this month. Yasin Rasheed-Gill, a soldier in the T&T Regiment, his 22-year-old cousin Kendell Gill and Augustus Patrick, 23, all of Chaguanas, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon charged with killing Saisnarine Ningwah on November 12. The trio were also charged with
well at school since he left pre-school and it’s because of the unstable and disruptive environment he is in now. All this thuggery and loud music going on with profanities… it is having a negative effect on the children and nobody seems to care.” Slinger-Griffith said her HDC contract had promised her that she would “live in comfort.” “This is not what is happening. These people do not even respect the police and it is only the soldiers that can come in here and deal with them because they are afraid of the soldiers, not the police.” Arnott Daniel and his wife, Natasha, said their only son, who is 12 years, is now being seen and treated by a psychiatrist. “I must give Jack his jacket and the HDC. When I went to them about concerns about my son and how the environment has been affecting him with all the gunshots and thuggers, they assisted me in
possession of a firearm and ammunition. They were not called upon to plead to the charges and were remanded into custody. They ordered to reappear in court in January. Ningwah, 43, was at his Nanan Street West, Aranguez, home when a group of armed intruders invaded and robbed him of a quantity of cash. Ningwah reportedly struggled with one of the intruders and was shot twice. He died on the scene. The trio was charged by PC Noel Wren of the Region One Homicide Bureau. - Trinidad Guardian
home on September 19 and died in that attack. Friends of Simpson took to social media to say he was a “cool fella” who was into sports and other outdoor activities and questioned why he was murdered. His relatives were too distraught to speak with the media at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James, yesterday. Simpson was an only child. In an unrelated killing on Saturday, Hakim Bartholomew, 24, was killed after visiting the home of his child’s mother. Police said the SWAT security officer
sending him to a psychiatrist. Now, the report from the psychiatrist was sent to HDC, but it seems as though there is a delay in a sign-off by Mr Lyons,” Daniel said. “My son started to have palpitations of the heart and his mood changed from cool to disruptive. We found this very strange and the HDC assisted us in getting help for him, but with all these gunshots and bacchanal we want a relocation to somewhere peaceful soon.” On Friday during an address to the nation, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley confirmed that some home owners were being chased out of their homes while others faced home invasion by people who had no respect for law and order at Clifton Towers. Questions sent to HDC managing director Brent Lyons went unanswered up to last evening. - Trinidad Guardian
was shot while seated in a car at Mt D’or, Champs Fleurs, around 10 pm and was pronounced dead at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. He lived at Sixth Avenue, Malick, Barataria. In another murder on Friday night, 53-yearold Garth Williams was found murdered near his Blondell Avenue, Laventille home. Police said around 10 pm residents heard gunshots and later found him unresponsive. The murder toll for the year currently stands at 439. - Trinidad Guardian
Thieves Break Into FCB Arima
TRINIDAD -- Police are yet to make a dent in the criminal gang targeting financial institutions and making off with millions by cutting holes in the walls and roofs of buildings. The most recent incident, which took place sometime over the weekend, was detected yesterday morning. Police said around 7 am bank employees of First Citizens arrived at the Arima branch and noticed the building broken into. No cash was stolen according to a media release issued by the bank. The bank did warn the public to be vigilant and stated that it has
noted with concern the apparent increase in incidents of robbery affecting banks other businesses. The branch is expected to reopen Tuesday. The burglars in this incident cut a hole in the roof of the bank but left empty handed as the automated teller machines they were targeting had no cash. - Trinidad Guardian
State to Pay Half of Devant’s Legal Cost in Wire Tapping Lawsit
TRINIDAD -- The State has been ordered to pay half the legal costs of former agriculture minister Devant Maharaj’s lawsuit over the failure of the Minister of National Security to publish annual reports on wire tapping between 2012 and 2015. Delivering a decision on the issue in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday, Justice Frank Seepersad ruled that Maharaj was entitled to costs even though his lawsuit was rendered academic as the ministry admitted its error and sought to correct it. However, Seepersad ruled that he is only entitled to 50 per cent of what was claimed, as he was a Cabinet minister during the period of non-compliance. Seepersad also pointed out that
Maharaj had complained of being improperly monitored in the past during the debate of the Interception of Communications Bill in 2010. “Notwithstanding this, the applicant was concerned and was aware since November 2010 of it and nothing was done about it for four years. The reality is despite the change in government nothing was done,” Seepersad said. He added: “It leaves a disquiet in the court’s mind that even after a change of government nothing was done or said. With the passage of time it becomes increasingly difficult to collate the information and nothing was done to protect the public’s interests to ensure that the reports were filed.”
In his lawsuit, Maharaj was claiming that Section 24 of the legislation requires that annual reports, on how many warrants were obtained from the courts, are to be laid in Parliament within the first three months of each year. He said the reports must also provide information on the number of warrants refused or revoked by the courts, the number of applications made for renewals and the number and nature of the interceptions made pursuant to the warrants granted. Maharaj claimed that the lawsuit was filed in the public’s interest as well as his, due to his previous experience with wire tapping. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed,
the ministry moved to file the reports before Parliament. Maharaj still requested that Seepersad make orders against National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, but he (Seepersad) refused based on the fact that Dillon did not hold a Cabinet post at the time and Maharaj did. Maharaj was represented by Dinesh Rambally, Jagdeo Singh, Criston J Williams and Kiel Taklalsingh while Russell Martineau, SC, Brent James and Zelica Haynes-Soo Hon represented the ministry. - Trinidad Guardian
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island news
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Holness Knocks INDECOM, Pledges Legal Cushion for Police
JAMAICA -- Prime Minister Andrew Holness Monday promised additional measures to fight crime, including money to pay the legal expenses of police fingered by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), and legislation to prevent persons suspected in violent crimes being given bail. Holness told Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters Monday that the Government intends to include the funds in the Supplementary Estimates (Budget), expected to be tabled next Wednesday in the House of Representatives, to provide legal support for the police who face the court for the shooting of suspects, as well as reintroduce legislation to have persons charged with gun crimes refused bail in court. Holness made the announcement when he touched on the emotional issue of murders, in an impassioned speech to thousands of “Labourites” who jammed the National Area for the JLP’s annual conference, Monday afternoon — the first conference held in three years. He noted that a previous JLP Government, led by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, had introduced INDECOM, which investigates charges of breaches of civilians’ rights by the security forces. He noted that INDECOM’s assignment resulted from the tough and extreme measures introduced to tackle violent crimes in the 1990s. Those measures failed to reduce violent crimes, and ended up damaging Jamaica’s human rights reputation, internationally, he said. “That period has benefited us because, I believe, the security forces now understand the need to treat citizens with respect and dignity, and to respect the human rights of every citizen,” Holness stated. He said that it has been accepted
that only the courts have the right, under the Constitution, to deprive anyone of their rights, and that there is a process of investigations to bring the suspect to justice, which is significant. He said that currently there are desperate cries for more “tough and extreme measures” to deal with criminals, but Jamaica could not go back to the measures which were included in the suppression of crime legislation in the past. “We have to fight crime with law. We have to fight crime with intelligence. We have to fight crime with citizens cooperating by providing information, and not giving succor to criminals in their communities. “I want you, the people who support the party on the ground, to understand where we have to go. The balance has to be struck. The police force is being heavily criticised, and I don’t think that they can take any more criticism, because I believe that the criticism is affecting the morale of the force. “I believe that sometimes INDECOM goes too far, and places our police officers on the retreat. That means that a balance has to be struck. We need our policemen to be motivated. We need our policemen to feel that they are protected in fighting crime,” Holness argued. “So we have provided a sum of resources in the Supplementary Estimates to support the legal fees of the police, so that when they are doing their job rightfully, they have legal support to go through that process,” he said. However, he said that instead of promoting the tough and extreme measures of the past, the Government would be promoting its campaign to pay citizens who provide the information which leads
to the capture of gunmen and the recovery of weapons and ammunition from its $100-million fund. “We have to fight crime through intelligence, and we can only get intelligence when you give us the information… If you tell us where the guns are, you will get paid right away,” Holness said. He said that the Government has targeted 20 communities across Jamaica which are together producing more than 50 per cent of the violent crimes. Only two have been brought under the ZOSO (zone of special operations) Act so far, but over time there will be focus on the others. “We have to make sure that we plan it out properly, and ensure that the communities will no longer contribute to the crime situation,” he said. He also noted that Government is planning to bring legislation back to Parliament to make it mandatory for persons who are arrested for committing violent crimes to be detained until they are tried. He said that he would love to hear those Jamaicans who call for justice in the society “call for justice for those people who are losing their brothers and sisters and daughters to the criminals in this country ”. “People who commit these kinds of murders should not get bail and allowed to go out and kill witnesses. I believe the people who cry for justice should support that, because that is justice for all Jamaicans,” the prime minister said. Such a call by the prime minister may be condemned by defence lawyers, who will likely suggest that by not supporting bail for alleged murderers the prime minister is assuming that accused persons are guilty before they are tried. - Jamaica Observer
Crime Rampant But Maverley Primary Fights On
JAMAICA -- Despite the challenges to provide an environment that is conducive to learning in a community plagued by crime and violence, Maverley Primary and Junior High School in St Andrew North Western is managing to stay afloat ... for now. Since January, 15 people have been killed in the area, according to the police, with the latest violent incident occurring last Monday when two, including a teenager, were shot and injured. Principal Dorothy Taylor told the Jamaica Observer when the newspaper visited the school last week that although her staff and the students were affected, the school has seen improvements in some areas. “We have seen marked improvement in our grade nine results. We have seen children going off to Meadowbrook High ... to Jamaica College and getting good grades. The GSAT this year has seen improvement in mathematics and science and communication tasks. We have been improving,” Taylor said. Taylor, who was appointed principal in September 2003, said the school is like an oasis in the desert. “When it comes to the academic performance this year we have 96 per cent mastery in literacy and four per cent near mastery. For numeracy we scored 71 per cent mastery and 25 per cent near mastery, and to me that is a significant stride considering where we are coming from,” Taylor reasoned, adding that there has been
improvement as well in the Grade Nine Achievement results and the Grade Six Achievement tests. At the same time the principal described the violence as devastating. “This morning when we came in, we heard that there was a shooting in the community Monday. One of the persons who was shot was a past student who was doing well. I heard that he was not involved in crime. He has relatives here and we have to call now and counsel him. I find it very depressing,” Taylor stated. The principal added that the students as well as the staff were affected relentlessly. “It has severely impacted some workers and the students. For example, in one of the grade six classes that is being prepared for GSAT, the teacher had to rearrange the class because quite a few children became protective and fearful of their head backs after a resident was shot in the night at his house. His window was opened and the gunmen went and shot him from outside so they don’t want their head backs to be exposed to the window,” the principal explained. She said that counsellors from the Victim Support Services had to be summoned to provide counselling for her staff whose relatives and family had been killed. “It is very hard that every week you come here you can be sure if it is not on a Monday morning, it is going to be by mid-week and if it is not by mid-week, it is
weekend; there is going to be a shooting,” she said, adding that some of the staff now have to be taking medication. Days before the Christmas term began, 28-year-old Patricia Facey was killed when gunmen shot up a house on Dever Crescent in the community. Another woman and a 15-year-old girl were also shot and injured in the same incident. Facey succumbed to her injuries at the Kingston Public Hospital where the others were treated for their injuries. In an effort to combat the challenges, the principal pointed out that the staff had formed many committees to focus directly on the weak areas of students. “When we started in September this year and we saw what was going on we decided that, regardless of what was happening, we are still going to create a culture of enthusiasm and excellence. If you are not enthused, and that has to be from within, then you will not be able to do anything. The staff, I must say, is working towards that, despite them having to go to doctor at different times for some of the impact the violence has caused,” she continued. Due to the spate of violence she said the school’s administrators were forced to cancel extra-curricula activities. “We have a very good cadet programme and that is one we had to curtail in how we do that in the afternoon,” Taylor said.. - Jamaica Observer
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
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Listen and Learn with Hear to Help You Community Development Services We aren’t born perfect, and we don’t leave this world in perfection either. Life is a journey and we each traverse in our own way. There are ups and downs, obstacles and conflicts that threaten to hold us back, and unless we learn to navigate them there is no way we can progress further and discover the person who we should be. Everyone remembers the person in their life that made a difference. That one person that was always in their corner that spent their time and effort advocating and pushing them to find and reach their highest potential. For many they are lucky to find this one person in a teacher or a mentor who takes the time to understand them, to facilitate their needs, teach them right from wrong, and keeps cheering them on till they reach the top. Strong, smart and fiercely independent, Simone Jennifer Smith is a force to be reckoned with especially when it comes to her desire and determination to help her community. From an early age Simone always knew she wanted to do whatever she could to help people. “I was seventeen years old and my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia,” Simone shares. “I watched a really strong woman disappear, she was a shell of herself.” She feared that she might one day become that same paranoid woman who didn’t know herself. “I said to myself, if I’m going to lose my mind I want to know why it’s happening and how it’s happening, so I can stop it ahead of time,” Simone says. Simone took the time to really delve deep into the world of Psychology, to thoroughly understanding the human psyche and really discern how people thought the way that they did and completed her Masters in Humanistic and Clinical Psychology at the Michigan School of Professional Psychology, in 2009. She started working at a company, helping to tutor children. It hadn’t been her first
choice on the job market when she come back to Toronto, but she was told that her degree was not recognized here. Working as a tutor she was committed to helping those children, and she found that she was good at it. “If I can learn a child I can teach them, if I can learn a person I can teach them how to do better that’s how I saw it,” Simone says. Her background in Psychotherapy allowed for her to be able to listen efficiently. Unfortunately, the company that she was working for didn’t seem to foster the values of care and attention she did, noticing how they overcharged their clients, under delivered on service and underpaid their employees. “Something didn’t feel right, and it didn’t sit well with me,” Simone explains. That’s when she made the decision to start her own company. Hear 2 Help Community Development Services was founded in 2012, and its unique name a tribute to its founder as Simone in Hebrew means ‘to hear.’ The company was started with the responsibility and strong desire to help people, to do what it takes to bring out the best in people. For the past six years, Hear 2 Help has worked to created new programs dedicated to supporting parents, educating children, and keeping family together. The people who work for at Hear 2 Help are educators and community advocates who share the same visions and goals, and understand the value they are instilling and sharing with the children they tutor and the families they mentor. “There’s two things we can do in this life, and that’s either to build or to destroy we’ve chosen to build,” says Dave Rankin educator at Hear 2 Help. Hear 2 Help is there to help the community in any way that they can. They are not only exclusive to tutoring children in their school work. “Tutoring is what it looks like on paper, but we do so much more than that,” Sim-
one explains. When Simone and her team go into a home they become like family, advocating for children and parents alike, understanding the family as a whole and working with everyone on a one on one basis. They understand the individual needs of each child they mentor, and how they should be taught. They advocate for parents attending, parent-teacher conferences speaking on behalf of and establishing an understanding for those that don’t speak English. “We do more than just sit down and tutor, we spend a lot of time talking to our students about their day, understanding how they feel, seeing how they work, and helping them to edit papers that they have written all hours of the day,” Simone says. “We cannot help them to improve if we do not understand their mind and how they learn.” The Hear 2 Help Team are a group of individuals willing to do whatever it takes to facilitate healthy learning practices, and better communication, and help create outstanding individuals. Their expert teachers work to remain current on methods and techniques to better assist families, and they themselves understand the benefits of continuous learning to enhance their own skills. They provide, tutoring, mentoring, online assistance, and even video tutoring to ensure they are always ready and equipped to help with your needs. “I understand everyone can change, and I have put myself in a position to allow my knowledge, skills and expertise to be utilized to help people become better people.” Simone shares. “We have a responsibility to help and we have proven results. Children with behavioral issues and suffering grades are just a small percentage of the people we help. Our clients are people from all walks of life, ranging from age 4 to 78. “I do not devalue my services, I tell
people, if you hire me and put me in front of your family things are going to change,” Simone says. “You see me for an hour, but what you don’t see are the hours I put into helping you behind the scenes going that extra mile to do what I can in the work of helping to build people’s lives.” At Hear 2 Help, none of their clients are locked into a binding conference, everyone is on a month by month basis, and Simone says she has had a student who left, taking a yearlong break and came back after all that time to continue employing her services. “It’s important for people to understand that this is an internal and long-term process,” Simone explains. “When you hire a tutor, your child isn’t going to get better in the span of two months, this is something that will happen over the course of time, and slowly but surely you’ll see astonishing improvements.” Hear 2 Help offers specialized and affordable services, with sessions that are tailored to your needs and made to suit your budget great or small. They are available one on one or in a group setting and their qualified tutors are well versed in the subjects of Math, English, Science, Social Studies, African History and the Arts. They offer EQAO prep for students in Gr. 3-4 and even english for adults. “I’m here to offer the support that people need to learn and grow and I’m here as long as they need me,” Simone says. Hear 2 Help offers the tools you need to better prepare yourself for the world ahead. They are here to advocate for you, in whatever capacity you require. Let them help transform you to or your children to whoever you want to be! Written by Alyssa Mahadeo Toronto Caribbean Reporter
entertainment
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
The Indie Music Scene in Toronto dt@carib101.com
Entertainment Toronto is a bustling and busy city. There is always something going on. And the same can be said musically of our city, Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America with a population of around 3 million people. Which means almost 10% of the entire population of Canada’s 34.6 million people lives within our city borders. With an eclectic landscape of venues from restaurants, to clubs, to performance venues and concert halls, an artist visiting Toronto can easily network, and participate in events, shows, showcases, and open mics. Being able to take advantage of the media outlets as well, ranging from online radio, and online tv, to terrestrial radio and tv. Toronto has become a hotbed for noticing talent, as they say all eyes are on Toronto. And making moves such as becoming a music city in partnership with Austin, Texas the host of SXSW music is growing here. Toronto hosts a music conference entitled NXNE (North by North East). Although the independent scene seems to be thriving, there are many outlets for the
looking for talented artists. As well when I am developing an artist, the first thing I ask is what does their audience look like, who is their target market. It is necessary to perfect your craft, and build your show, while engaging audiences, and new communities. Another opportunity I feel like many artists are not taking advantage of is that we have so many legendary artists in the Toronto scene such as Michie Mee, Choclair, Kardinall Offishall, Ray Robinson, Dru, Solitaire, Rochester, and so many more. Reach out to them for mentorship, as well as to do features, so that you can build your reputation
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independent artist that is being pushed out of the downtown core due to construction and new condos going up everywhere you look, which is now creating a new dynamic and opportunities in new and developing areas. As a city, you have a new generation of artists and media content creators building new platforms to share the arts with. If you are an artist looking for a chance to get on stage or network with other artists then Toronto is the place as every night there is an open mic or showcase or concert happening somewhere. If you’re looking to build your audience you can check out openmicscene.com and openmictoronto.net. Besides just having the ability to perform you would do well to look into some of the up and coming media in the city. To name a few check out wwetv, Hott TV, fam tv, and Muzik vue, and zongbyte. These platforms are building bridges for artists to be able to take steps in the right direction and build on their audience. For shows and performance opportunities you can look into Raw Dog ent, 90-Nickel Entertainment, and for the ladies look into Stacee Brizzle, she usually organizes ladies only performance events, “Brizzle’s Kitty Palace” but the guys are welcome to go and support. I have heard from many artists in the city saying that they don’t do open mics. But the open mic is the best place to test out new material in front of an audience. It gives you live feedback and often the organizers put on other events and are always
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Grenada - The Spice of the Caribbean
renada is a rolling, mountainous island, covered with fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers. Bordered by stunning beaches, and dotted with picturesque towns, this verdant island has long been a major source of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and cocoa. The seductive drifts through the colourful Saturday markets and Grenada’s dense forests. In the interior of this volcanic island are cascading rivers and waterfalls, lush rainforests, and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful mountain lakes imaginable. The capital, St. George’s, is widely held to be the loveliest city in the Caribbean. Its horseshoe-shaped harbour is surrounded by a pastel rainbow of dockside warehouses and the red-tiled roofs of traditional shops and homes. Grenada’s physical beauty is complemented by its rich history and vibrant, living cultural heritage. Local festivals, fairs, and markets remain an integral part of life on Grenada. Its centuries-old spice plantations and rum distilleries still use traditional methods, emphasizing quality rather than quanti-
ty. Although the tourist industry has become more substantial in recent years, the island’s easy rhythms and the friendly openness of its residents evoke an atmosphere that has long since vanished elsewhere. For many visitors, of course, the measure of any island is taken by its beaches and coral reefs, and Grenada offers plenty of both. The island is ringed with miles of picture-perfect strands, including both entrancing black and sugar-fine white sand beaches. Grand Anse Beach, a smooth expanse stretching for two miles around the curve of a gentle bay, is world famous. Grenada has plenty to offer those interested in offshore pleasure as well, with easily accessible and pristine reefs off the coast of both Grenada and its sister island, Carriacou. Geography: This small nation consists of three islands: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique. Grenada is by far the largest of the three, with a width of twelve miles (18 km) and a length of twenty-one miles (34 km). Its 133 sq. miles (440 sq. km.) are mountainous,
volcanic terrain, reaching heights of over 2,750 feet atop Mount St. Catherine. This topography provides Grenada with one of the loveliest and most varied environments in the Caribbean, including crater lakes as well as a startling variety of plant and animal life. Dwarf forests high atop Mount St. Catherine descend to the montane rainforests of middle altitudes, which give way in turn to the dry forests of the lowlands. Those forests shift to mangrove at the coast, giving way to stunning white sand beaches, brilliant blue water, and exquisite coral reefs. Grenada’s smaller sister island, Carriacou, is hilly but not mountainous. With smoother terrain, Carriacou is an ideal destination for walking. It possesses fine sand beaches and natural harbours, as well as offering excellent views out over the northern Grenadine islands. Petite Martinique, the third and by far the smallest island in the state, consists of little more than the tip of a volcanic cone poking through the water. It is only now being developed for visitors.
Location: The three islands of Grenada are located in the Eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity of the Windward islands, only 100 miles north of Venezuala. To the north lie St. Vincent and the Grenadines; to the south Trinidad and Tobago. Climate: Average temperatures range from 24C/75F to 30C/87F, tempered by the steady and cooling trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between November and February. Because of Grenada’s remarkable topography, the island also experiences climate changes according to altitude. The driest season is between January and May. Even during the rainy season, from June to December, it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and generally not every day. People: Grenada’s population numbers about 93,000, comprising citizens of African, East-Indian, and European descent. The largest proportion of the population, about 75%, is of African descent. - Geographia
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food
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Dessert’s On! Chocolatey Vegan Brownie Bites or pasty and should break into clean shards when chopped with a knife. Always look for the words cocoa butter, cocoa solids, cocoa mass, or cocoa liquor on the ingredients list. When baking deeply chocolatey desserts, bittersweet chocolate is the best type of chocolate to use. Bittersweet chocolate is the result of some sugar and a little vanilla being added back to the chocolate liquor along with some more cocoa butter. Baking Brownies. Like cookies, brownies are a commonly made dessert. They have the right combination of flavor and texture, and they are incomparably easy to prepare! Brownies are virtually identical to cookie dough. The major difference is that brownies never become crisp (unless of course, you overcook them). If you like very soft brownies, remove them from the oven when the center first sets; a toothpick inserted into the middle will bring a few crumbs out with it, although it will not actually be wet.
Eartha Lowe
eartha@carib101.com
Green Healthy Eating The quality of ingredients you bring to your baking counter when it comes to making a dessert will determine whether or not your highly anticipated delight will succeed or falter. The ingredients should be of the best quality! Since there’s always room for dessert, why not whip something together that’s magical and extraordinary using the best natural ingredients? Chocolate Premium chocolate has a strong, rich, deeply chocolatey aroma and should taste somewhat complex. Once you eat it, it should melt in your mouth almost immediately. Premium chocolate should not feel waxy
Chocolatey Vegan Brownie Bites You’ll need • 3 cups spinach leaves, loosely packed • ¾ cup almond milk • 1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
• • • • • • •
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour ½ cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup non-dairy chocolate chips 2 tablespoons pecans, chopped
until a toothpick inserted into the edge of a brownie comes out clean. 7. The brownie bites will require less baking time. Scoop tablespoonfuls into the mini muffin or cupcake tray. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the brownie comes out clean.
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. To make regular square brownies, grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with coconut oil. 3. To make the brownie bites grease a mini muffin or cupcake tray. This batch will yield 24 – 28 mini bites. 4. Combine the spinach and milk in a food processor and blend until smooth. Empty the mixture into a large bowl and whisk in the sugar and coconut oil. 5. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the spinach, almond milk, sugar and coconut oil mixture, stirring until you have a thick batter. Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans. 6. Spread the batter into the prepared 8” x 8” baking pan and bake for 25 minutes, or
Tips for Serving These brownies are amazing on their own or you can add your favorite toppings for an extra sweet experience. After all, a sweet experience is what desserts are all about. Top these brownies with warm melted chocolate, enjoy with strawberries or even vanilla ice cream. Food category: vegan, vegetarian Prep and cook time: 35 minutes Serves: 6 - 8 Difficulty: easy! Densely chocolate with no bitter aftertaste, you would never guess that these incredible brownies bites are also made with the goodness of spinach. That’s one delicious secret! Anyone, including plant-based foodies, can enjoy this tasty treat.
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Curry Chicken
Philip DeWar
philip@carib101.com
Caribbean Fused Cuisine Growing up in Jamaica, you will become accustomed to eating curry goat very early on. A staple of traditional Caribbean cooking. However, it is often considered more of a luxury due to the price of goat, so for an easier every-day meal, curry chicken is the way to go. At our restaurant, there is a frequent misconception that all curries are spicy. Caribbean and Indian curries are often confused, with the Indian versions tending to push the spice limits. You will also notice a color difference. Caribbean curries are a brighter yellow because of the amount of tumeric, whereas a typical Indian curry will be a dark brown or red. When it comes to heat, although we do use our homemade, scotch bonnet based, hot sauce in our recipe you would get a delicious curry chicken without any heat at all.
You’ll need: • 4 lbs boneless chicken thighs • 6 tbsp curry powder • 3 tbsp turmeric • 3 tbsp smoked paprika • 3 tbsp cumin • 3 tbsp black pepper • 1/2 white onion, chopped • 1 carrot, chopped • 2 stalks celery, chopped • 2-3 white potatoes (will depend on how thick you want it), chopped • 1/2 can cooked chick peas • 2 cups water • 6 sprigs thyme • 3 tbsp hot sauce (or 1 scotch bonnet pepper) • 2 tbsp olive oil What you’ll want to do with it: Don’t let the number of ingredients intimidate you, it’s really quite simple. You can also make it as intricate or as easy as you like! I’ll explain both methods and you can go from there. Think of it like building a stew or a soup. First you want to make a broth to begin the flavor profile. Then when you add the meat, it will cook low and slow and become irresistibly tender, picking up all the flavors along the way.
food
The first method involves marinating. If you have the time, you can toss your chicken in the same blend of spices and leave it in the fridge overnight in a Ziploc bag. This will add a lot of extra flavor once it goes into the pot and help penetrate all the way through the meat. If you don’t have the time, that is okay too because the simmering process will add a ton of flavor. Your first step will be to get a big ol’ pot! Let it heat up over medium heat and then add your oil. Give it a minute to reach the same temperature, then toss in your onion, carrot, celery, potatoes and chick peas to a nice sizzle. Mix everything around so it’s all coated in oil and let it sauté for about five minutes, stirring every minute or so. Once the vegetables start to soften, add in all of your spices. Every single one! Mix eve-rything around again so it’s all coated. Don’t worry if it seems like everything is drying out, that’s just the spices toasting which will bring out even more flavor. Give it two to three minutes and then add in your water and thyme. Bring this to a boil and then turn it down to a simmer. This will build your broth in much the same way you’d begin a soup stock, albeit with half a dozen Caribbean herbs spices. Let it simmer for ten to fifteen minutes at least, but if you want to go longer that is up to you. Of
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course, the longer it simmers the more fla-vor you’re going to get out of it! Add in your chicken (marinated or not marinated), and mix it all together. Once again bring it up to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. This is where you can add your own flare to the process once more. This is where you reach the spicy or non-spicy fork in the road. If you’re not a fan of heat, you are finished everything but the waiting game. If you do, you can add a whole scotch bonnet pepper for the final simmering, or you can add as much or as little of your favorite hot sauce as you like. Major bonus points if you add our very own Soulyve Peppa Sauce. Let everything simmer down for about fortyfive minutes, stirring occasionally. It will be difficult not to taste it every five minutes with all the aromas floating around your home, but try your best! It’s best served over steamed basmati rice with a side of roasted vege-tables. Topped with a nice dab of raita (check your Indian markets... yogurt can be a substitute in a pinch). You’ve just made a traditional Caribbean dish from start to finish... enjoy!
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Winter Skin Woes
Kizzy Courtney
kizzy@carib101.com
Beauty Tips
With winter’s cold temperatures bearing down on us, it’s time to start thinking about our skin and re-evaluating our skincare regimens. In winter, it is essential to provide your skin with moisture and revamping your beauty routine with items that can tackle the issues that come with cooler, drier weather is important. Repeated exposures can result in more than just not looking your best, and without proper care, your skin can crack and flake. The winter is hard on your skin, cold weather, dry wind and bright sunlight all add up to one tough season. Your normal skincare regimen is not quite enough. Keep your skin and lips feeling
and looking great by following these simple suggestions. During winter, dead skin cells build up quickly on our skin, and the only way to get rid of them is to exfoliate. Exfoliating is extra important during winter, particularly at night. Double cleansing your face is beneficial, as the first cleanse removes any surface oil, makeup or SPF protection while the second cleanse your actual skin. Once you have exfoliated, your skin will glow, as you have buffed and removed the pileup of dead skin cells that have caused your skin to look patchy, and flaky, therefore replenishing the skin. Consistent cleansing twice daily assures richer, deeper nourishment for your skin. Not only does your skin need some extra loving, your lips benefit from some TLC in the cold season as well. Your lips can easily become chapped due to the change of temperature, to revitalize them make sure to use a scrub to hydrate and exfoliate, leaving you with smooth lips. Cover your lips with a balm before you apply your lipstick, will not only help your lipstick apply better, it’ll nourish and protect your lips, too. Make sure to keep
beauty
them moist however you can with balm, and consider gently exfoliating your lips daily for extra protection. A simple DIY lip scrub you can make yourself at home is by mixing coconut oil and brown sugar together. The sugar will remove any dead skin while the oil moisturizes your lips. Exfoliating at night, before bed is ideal. Switching to an oil-based moisturizer (rather than water-based) in the colder months provides a layer of protection; plus, it will be better at retaining moisture. Upgrade to a thicker, if not oil-based daily moisturizer to help nourish, hydrate and protect the skin from harsh conditions outdoors. Thicker moisturizers in the winter months are not only regulated to the face, for many, many people, the winter months mean cracked heels. Don’t wait until they become painful and unsightly to care for them. Be sure to use lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerin, and exfoliate them every so often to get rid of dead skin. Sunscreen is especially important during the long, hot summer days, but don’t let winter’s weaker rays fool you. It is still
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important to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging UVA/UVB rays. Hydration is essential daily, which is why it’s important to remember to stay hydrated as much as possible, especially from the inside out. Drinking more water helps with clearer skin as well as helps your body function properly. Water helps your immune and digestive systems eliminate toxins and keep your skin nicely clear and hydrated. Hydration is just as important when the weather isn’t hot out. The change of weather really does impact your skin, and the only way to give your skin some love is if you choose to use the right products in correlation to the season. Cold weather may make your cheeks rosy, but the aftereffects of freezing temperatures, wind, and heaters can zap even the healthiest skin of vital moisturizers. During the winter, it’s important to emphasize hydration, nourishment, and moisturizing even more so than usual. Protect your skin from dryness and any other conditions working against its ideal balance.
Saturday December 2 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
health
The Best Dietary Sources of Iodine
Iodine is an essential trace nutrient that is responsible for producing thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating the metabolism, which affects the speed with which our bodies use energy, the regulation of body temperatures, cholesterol, and heart rates, mental and physical growth, and more. Without an adequate intake of iodine, our metabolism would become sluggish, resulting in a plethora of serious medical conditions – including an inability to lose weight. Sadly, iodine deficiencies are widespread throughout the world because iodine is seldom found in land-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. In order to receive enough of this vital nutrient through diet, we need to look to the oceans. Foods Rich in Iodine
Sea vegetables: Sea vegetables, or seaweeds, are the kings of iodine – which makes sense, since iodine ions mainly concentrate in oceans and saltwater pools. Though all sea vegetables are rich in iodine, perhaps the greatest source is bladderwrack. 50 grams of dried bladderwrack contain over 100 percent of our recommended daily intake (RDI) of iodine. Moreover, since bladderwrack is a natural seawater plant, its iodine ions are more easily-absorbed than those of iodized
salt and other inorganic sources. Other sea vegetables with unusually high levels of iodine include arame, dulse, kombu, nori, and wakame. 50 grams of each will almost certainly meet an adult’s RDI of iodine, unless the seaweed is of poor quality.
Himalayan salt: Though many people meet their RDI of iodine through iodized table salt, I cannot recommend it since table salt (sodium chloride) is toxic to the human body, and the iodine with which it is fortified is inorganic and synthetic. Instead, favor real salt such as unrefined sea salt or – better yet – Himalayan salt. Half a gram of Himalayan salt contains a full spectrum of 84 trace minerals, including 250 micrograms of iodine (or 167 percent of our RDI). The great thing about real salt is that it can be added to almost any meal. Simply sprinkle it atop your food and you’ll never have to worry about iodine again. Fish: Most fish and seafood are good sources of iodine. One three-ounce serving of cod, for instance, provides us with 99 micrograms of iodine (or 66 percent of our RDI). Another great source is shrimp (three-ounces provides us with 23 percent of our RDI). Even processed fish foods such as Fish Sticks and Fish Fingers contain small amounts of iodine, though I don’t recommend them for
obvious reasons.
Baked potatoes: Baked potatoes are one of the best land-based source of iodine, but please remember that soil quality plays an important role here. Generally speaking, one medium-sized baked potato with skin contains approximately 60 micrograms of iodine, or 40 percent of our RDI. Organicallyfarmed potatoes, grown on nutrient-rich soil, often contain more. Plain yogurt: Though yogurt is best-known for its calcium and protein content, this curdled milk product is also surprisingly rich in iodine. One cup of yogurt provides us with 90 micrograms of it, or 60 percent of our RDI. For comparison, one cup of milk contains 56 micrograms of iodine. Navy beans: Beans are highly nutritious, and can be found in many “foods richest in” lists. Iodine is no exception. Half a cup of cooked navy beans, for example, provides us with 32 micrograms of iodine, or 21 percent of our RDI. Other good sources include lima beans, string beans, and soybeans. Other decent sources of iodine include turkey breasts, boiled eggs, dried prunes, strawberries, and cranberries. (NaturalNews)
Research Suggests a Diet Rich in Probiotics Discourages Colon Cancer Good news: If you’re a fan of probiotics, another health benefit has been added to the ranks, this time concerning lowered colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. A known immune booster, probiotics also hinder harmful pathogens in the gut that can lead to cellular mutations. Not only that, certain species of beneficial bacteria form conjugated linoleic acid in the colon, which may inhibit the development of cancer through anti-inflammatory action.
Keeping the colon healthy and disease-free According to Cancer Active, Professor Ian Rowland at the University of Ulster, a leading expert on diet and cancer prevention, notes: “Studies using cultures of human colon cells grown in flasks show that probiotics can interfere with the action of cancer forming substances. When probiotics have been given to laboratory rats, they have decreased the level of gene damage (an important event in cancer) and reduced the numbers of tumours induced in the colon. There are only a few studies in humans because of the difficulties in studying the effects of diet on human cancer. However, in the few studies that have been done, probiotics - some-
times in combination with prebiotics - have shown effects suggesting that they may reduce the risk of colon cancer.” At a molecular level, researchers believe probiotics help discourage colon cancer by: Stimulating the immune systemProducing beneficial short-chain fatty acidsHindering enzymic activities linked with carcinogensActivating beneficial anti-carcinogenic enzymesEncouraging higher levels of butyric acid in the colon (an important growth regulator for colon cells) Probiotics also bind to bile salts. Epidemiological studies have found a strong connection between CRC risk and diets that are high in certain types of fat, such as corn oil, safflower oil, lard or beef tallow. Researchers believe this is due to increased level of bile acids, which are necessary to digest fat. When the bile is broken down in the colon, the byproducts have a cytotoxic effect on colon cells, triggering proliferation and the possibility of cancer. Probiotics help protect against this hazard in the following manner: modulation of enzymes that create harmful wastes and also by reducing the toxicity of bile salts through a binding effect. Moreover, two types of probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bififobacterium lactis, demonstrate antibacterial characteristics by producing lactic acid and
corresponding short-chain fatty acids. When lactic acid is present, the gut environment becomes more acidic, which inhibits potentially carcinogenic bacteria. To encourage the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the gut, make sure you are getting enough soluble fiber (examples include oats, apples, barley, flaxseed and Brussels sprouts), and consider supplementing with a prebiotic like inulin, oligofructose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) or galactooligosaccharides (GOS). Professor Rowland concludes: “There is a lot of evidence from studies on cell cultures and in animals that probiotics, prebiotics and combinations of the two can exert anticancer effects. Until recently, there has been little work conducted in humans. However a paper soon to be published reports a study conducted as part of the European Union funded SYNCAN Project. In this experiment volunteers were fed a mixture of pro and prebiotics, or placebo, for eight weeks and a wide range of indicators of colon cancer risk were measured. Those subjects on the pro/prebiotics had less DNA damage and a lower rate of cell proliferation in biopsies taken from their colons. Additionally pro/prebiotic feeding resulted in improvements in certain characteristics of stool samples that may be indicative of reduced cancer risk.” (NaturalNews)
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yoga
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Meditation Trisha Curling
trishacurling@carib101.com
Yoga Stop for a moment and just take a deep breath. This doesn’t sound like a very hard task, but it definitely can be sometimes. In moments when we’re under stress, or caught up in our “To Do Lists”, this is something we might be told to do. When we are caught up in our day to day, it can be very difficult to stay present. Staying present attracts more feelings of joy and contentment. I love what Eckhart Tolle says about finding an anchor in your internal body to quiet the mind. He
gives examples like, find/feel the energy in your hands or your breath. This helps with being more present in the moment which helps to reduce stress. Staying present is essential when it comes to meditation. Meditation can feel like this obscure, unattainable thing to some of us. The more I begin to scratch the surface of what it means to me, the more I understand that it is a personal practice. It is also a continuous journey. The “mind-muscle” must be worked on like any other muscle of the body in order to nourish and develop it. Practicing yoga poses (asana) is a wonderful vehicle that has helped to assist in my journey towards meditation. “Keeping the brain in a receptive state is the art that yoga teaches…Meditation is related to the higher mental faculty for which one needs preparation. Learning asanas certainly helps…If I put you in certain asana, your brain relaxes, and you become quiet.” (Light On Life, B.K.S. Iyengar pg. 80-81). Having
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to maintain so much focus in yoga poses, allows you to tune out the mind chatter that often happens within us. We are more present, therefore able to create more stillness in the body and mind. Something I am still working on with my meditation practice is consistency. I’ve heard before that when we say we don’t have time to meditate, that this is the exact time we actually need to be doing it. This is true. There are so many benefits to developing a consistent meditation practice. Meditation helps with creating some space between our circumstances and ourselves. By quieting the mind, we can sometimes gain a better perspective about a particular situation. It has the ability to reduce feelings of anxiety and/or even depression. In our fast-paced society, it provides a moment for us to slow down and create some balance for the nervous system. One way to start a regular practice in order to receive these benefits is to
start with a small goal of maybe as low as 1-2 minutes per day. Try focusing on your breath, or as Tolle suggested, focusing on the energy you feel in different parts of your body. Carving out a quiet, pleasant space in your home can help you to associate that place with peace and calm. Meditation does not always need to take place in a specific spot, seated in a specific position, however, it might be a nice way to start if you are exploring this idea for the first time. Living in the times we live in, there are also apps you can download in order to help you. One of my favorite apps is called “Calm” This app provides options for guided meditation (this can be very helpful to provide a focus). It allows you to time your meditations so that you can begin to extend your times as you go. The most important thing here is just making the decision to get started. Your meditation journey is your own and that is part of the beauty that it provides.
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Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Ownership of Assets - Trust or Advancement Valerie Dye
valerie@carib101.com
Legal Matters To a large extent, a trust is created expressly either through a will or through a separate document where a settlor transfers property in trust for the benefit of someone else. There are, however, other instances where a trust, though not expressed, may be implied by the courts. This type of trust is referred to as a resulting trust and occurs where property is put into the name of someone who has paid nothing for it. This often occurs in joint ownership of assets where persons,
mostly parents, add the name of a child to their property or to their bank account. Generally, if a person’s name is added to title of assets that person is presumed to be a beneficial owner. However, where the added individual has paid nothing for the asset there may be a presumption that the property is being held in trust for the beneficial owner even where there is no expressed declaration of trust. This can happen in a number of situations. In the case of Borkenhagen v. Kessler Mr. and Mrs. Berkenhagen made an offer to purchase a property as an investment with the intention of renting it to the defendant Ms. Kessler. Before completing the transaction they became aware that only owners of the apartment were allowed to live in the apartment. They, therefore, needed to add Ms. Kessler’s name to the title as a joint tenant in order to acquire the property. Ms. Kessler later claimed to be entitled to one-third of the property by virtue of the fact that her name
appeared on the title. The court found that there was never an intention that Ms. Kessler would become the owner of the property and that she merely held one-third of the property in trust for Mr. and Mrs. Berkenhagen. To determine whether or not a trust exists the court looks at the intention of the person who makes the transfer. As such, whenever a transfer of asset is made to an independent adult who provides no value for the transfer there will be a presumption of resulting trust unless a contrary intention is shown. In Pecore v Pecore an elderly parent added his daughter’s name to his bank account as a joint owner. In his will, he left the residue of his estate to his daughter and her ex-husband. The court had to determine whether the money in the bank account was being held by the daughter in trust for the deceased and subsequently passed to his estate, or whether it was an advancement (gift)
Information is Power
Kathy McDonald kathy@carib101.com
Education Parents, the most important gift you can give your child is that of your time. I am painfully aware that time is a very precious commodity for most families and every day can be a juggling act as we struggle with competing priorities. However, as the Christmas and holiday seasons approach consider the gift of time. Coupled with the festivities are many information nights. At these information nights, school boards across the province are imparting valuable knowledge about the academic options as well as the resources that are available to help your child become the best that they can be. There are information sessions on French Immersion. Did you know that French Immersion may be a viable program even if your kids have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or other special educational needs? There is a myth that children with special educational support needs or children that require an IEP cannot be successful in a French Immersion program. It is
important that you attend these information sessions to explore the possibilities that exist for your child. We live in an ever-changing, multicultural and global world. Who knows what extra doors could open for your child if they can master another language. Did you know that at some schools they also offer other languages such as Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese? As your child transitions from kindergarten to grade one, grade five into middle school or from middle school to high school there are a lot of options that are available to them. The first transition into grade one at the Peel District School Board (PDSB) affords students the opportunity to enter the French Immersion program. I would just like to reiterate that this program is open to all students. Parents, if your child attends a school at another school board I would strongly suggest you contact your child’s school, consult the website or call the central board office to gather all relevant information pertaining to the programs offered at your child’s school. At the PDSB as the child transitions into the middle school years, there are a few more program choices that are available for students to participate in. For example, there is a SciTech program as well as International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program IB or the chance to participate in a gifted program. Again, I would like to emphasize that knowledge is power. Parents do not wait to be invited to enroll in such
programs. Do your own research and apply. I have schools in my wards that offer such programs and Black students, as well as the students with Caribbean ancestry, are grossly under-represented. As we at the board level look to examine our application and selection process I would like to encourage more Black students as well as students of Caribbean ancestry to apply to these programs. There have been years that not one Black student has graduated from the SciTech program. Now, unless you believe that Black students cannot excel in science and/ or technology; we have a problem that needs to be addressed. Now, remember that you cannot see Black and Caribbean students in programs if they are not applying. At the risk of sounding preachy, parents, you have a responsibility to do your due diligence and all members of the community, we have a duty to help our brothers and sisters navigate the educational system. It truly takes a village. If you look at any group that is excelling, bet your bottom dollar they are utilizing their “village power”. I strongly encourage the village to share information with family members, church sisters, and brothers, neighbors and work colleagues. We all should have a vested interest in seeing that each child lives up to their full potential and gets an opportunity to take full advantage of all educational opportunities that are available to them. Students transitioning into high school are in the process of selecting cours-
life
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whereby the intention was to allow her to become the sole owner after his death. The court stated that in cases where assets are transferred gratuitously to an adult independent child in joint ownership there will be a presumption of resulting trust which means that the money should go to the estate after the death of the beneficial owner. Despite this presumption, if it can be shown that the testator’s intention was to make a gift to the child, then it will be deemed to be a gift or advancement. The presumption of resulting trust does not apply to minor children. Consequently, when assets are transferred into the names of minor children the courts will presume that a gift was made to such children. It should be noted that the main factor that gives rise to the presumption of resulting trust is that no value was given for the transfer.
es. Parents pay attention!!! This is typically where the bulk of kids from the Black and Caribbean students get streamed (placed into pathways below a student’s capabilities). The guidance counselor does not have the final say as to the pathway that your child takes. The guidance counselor can only offer his or her guidance. That’s it, their guidance. You as a parent can respectfully disagree with their recommendations. Just ask Dr. Everton Gooden’s parents. This remarkable man is currently the Chief of Staff and Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee at North York General Hospital. I shudder to think where he would be if his parents did not advocate for him and simply followed the advice of his guidance counselor. Don’t get me wrong I am not here to disparage all guidance counselors. I am simply saying parents do your due diligence. As I travel around to various churches and groups speaking to audiences about the plethora of educational opportunities that are available at the PDSB I am often blown away by the number of parents who simply say “I never knew about this”. While I will be the first to admit that the board probably needs to do more outreach to the community; I cannot over-emphasize the importance of parents taking an active part in their child’s educational journey. So, parents, in fact, the whole village, journey with we as we endeavor to make each kid be the best that they can be. Walk Good, Belle Marché.
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community
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Success; Are you Truly Prepared for Your Success Simone Smith
simone@carib101.com
A Better Tomorrow TORONTO! Stand up, my people! First, I am proud to be part of the greatest community in the world; second, I am humbled to be living in one of the most proactive cities in the world. I share my life experiences with my community because I have learned that applied knowledge is power. I have applied all that I have learned, and I want to teach my community how to do the same thing. The actual saying is knowledge is power, but what good is knowledge if it is not applied; at that point, it is just theory. This week I want to talk about preparing yourself for your success. I speak on this because I have just completed one of the most successful weekends of my life. Now, everyone’s level of success or thoughts of success are different, so when reading this article, I want you to apply this to how you view your success. Perspective is everything and understanding your personal perspective
is the first step. I am exhausted; really exhausted and this is why I thought providing some of my personal perspectives would be helpful. We all want success, yet many of us do not know how to achieve it, and when it does come, we don’t know what to do with it. It is easy to get overwhelmed when it is happening because it happens so fast. This weekend I had the opportunity to see a glimpse of my future, and to be honest, I am a little afraid. This fear has crafted this article as well as the steps I must take in the upcoming months to adapt to what I have always wanted; ultimate success. It all started on Thursday night when I received a call from Trish Browning, one of the owners at Carib101 Media Corp. “Simone, would you be able to adjust your schedule to do an interview with Allison Hines?” My initial reaction was, shoot! I have such a busy day tomorrow; I don’t know if I will be able to do this. I told Trish that I would call her back, and sat there for a minute. Within that minute, I weighed the pros and cons; I weighed the money that I would be losing if I did the interview, then I thought about what I would be gaining by doing the interview. Within that minute, I had to make one of the most important decisions of my life. I called her right back, “Trish, I will be there.” One thing that I realized in that minute was that you have to look at the bigger picture. We get stuck in our routines and
begin counting pennies. I knew right away that this opportunity was part of my destiny and I had to capitalize. That night and the next day were a blur. I am happy that I have great clients. They all adjusted to the changes that had occurred and my weekend had begun. I don’t know if I was nervous; I would say more so anxious because this was a big deal. Allison Hines; she is one of the biggest stars in the Caribbean, and I had been given this opportunity. I spent the night researching and preparing for the interview. This was an important step; before you do anything in life, you must first put in the work to properly prepare for it. These preparations paid off, and if you have the opportunity, check out the interview on MyTCNTV Network. It was a tremendous success, but it was only successful because I had prepared myself for what I had to do. The success continued throughout the weekend; it extended into a successful surprise birthday party for Grant Browning the joint owner of Carib101 Media Corp, as well as a successful media night at the Hurricane Relief Concert with headliners Taurus Riley, and Allison Hines. Each event snapped me back into a place of humbleness; I realize that my years of consistency had paid off. Now, it is time to really work! Thank you for your support Toronto! I want you to continue to work towards your success.
Greatness In The Moment, Celebrating Wins Colleen Lindberg
colleen@carib101.com
Personal Development It’s all about the small things. Have you ever heard that saying before? We move through life consistently every single day. Our time is spent in numerous ways whether it be in our jobs, in our businesses, in our relationships, in our family life and some days it just all goes by so fast. Have you ever forgetten to take a look around us and see how far you’ve come? It’s those moments and all the small moments in life that equal up to the big things that we’re achieving or moving through. Sometimes I think as people we forget to take a look
around or to stand inside of the space and celebrate all the small things, all those small wins. It could be waking up in the morning and that first breathe of fresh air, to landing that contract, to making the phone call that you were scared to make. All of those small moments that we get to move forward in. Sometimes I think that we forget to celebrate the small stuff. To bring forward or to move through and acknowledge all those small little things in our space that add up to that big stuff. You know for me especially, I seem to have a challenge with celebrating the small things some days because I get so stuck and involved in all the aspects of my life. Sometimes it’s like we’re still aiming for the goal and moving through the goal to get to the end and we forget about all those small little wins on the way to the end results. The speaking contract we landed, or the chapter we wrote in the book, or even celebrating the availability to have quiet time and to just be still with yourself is such an important piece.
So, to help me with this I put together a book that I carry with me on a daily basis and when I land the contract, I make the call, I connect with the person, I do whatever the small win is, I write it down. Later at night when I am reflecting on the day, I can pull out my book, look back at the wins and smile, acknowledge and appreciate. It makes the days feel so much more connected. It helps me to remember the small things that got me to the big goals. It also helps me to celebrate all those little steps, as it’s in those steps we get to learn. I urge you to take a look at your daily life and what you’re doing in a day and look for those small things that you’re moving towards. It’s that small check mark that you’re checking off in your box that’s going to take you to the next level. I encourage you to be grateful for all the opportunities we get to change, to challenge and to explore because in that is the magic. I hope that you decide to celebrate your awesome wins this week!
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
Dear Lina, Unfortunately, Many Women Get Suckered Kezia Royer-Burkett kezia@carib101.com
Loves, Likes & Shares Hey girl! Just read your column & yes I’m in the same situationship!!! I’ve been with a man for eighteen months and nothing has changed for the better! Texts me, hardly ever calls, has never taken me out, has never bought me anything etc.... I have never been to his house, he comes to mine!!! Never met his kids, he met mine!!! I’ve told him on numerous occasions that I’m not happy but he seems to ignore my wishes! I don’t care what he’s doing behind my back, I just wish he would seriously back off & leave me alone! I suggested friends only many times but he’s in denial. He acts jealous when I tell him I’m going away or busy doing something else! I have options, thank God, but I just wish he would seriously back off! What can you offer me as help or suggestions? Thank you! Lina Hi Lina, First, I would like to say thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately, many women get suckered into these situationship type relationships. Personally, what has worked for me is setting clear boundaries and sticking to them. Majority of people especially women have expectations of how we want our life to look and when circumstances don’t fit our expectations we become dissatisfied and unhappy. This man that you have been in a situationship with seems to be very happy and comfortable, leaving you miserable and not receiving what you want and need out of a romantic relationship. This man does not seem that he wants the same things out of life that you want, so in my opinion, he needs to be cut off. In life we are supposed to have a purpose, we set intentions and take specific steps to attain the goals we have set for ourselves and this man’s intentions seems to be to waste your time. If he had intentions of building a relationship with you, he would take you out on dates, introduce you to his
children and show you he appreciates your presence in his life. Instead, he seems to be taking your presence for granted and assumes he will always have access to you, as he has for the past eighteen months. Setting boundaries and communicating clear expectations for an individual you are beginning a romantic relationship with are some simple ways to weed out the men that just want to waste your time. I don’t think you should remain friends with this gentleman as this seems to be a gateway for him to have access to your life and if you think about it are you really friends with this man? How many of your friends only hang out with you at your house? Or have never met their children? Friends typically share their lives with each other and want the best for each other. If after you have communicated your dissatisfaction about your “relationship” to this man and he hasn’t changed, it’s a definite indicator that your feelings are not a priority to him and that doesn’t seem very friendly in my opinion. Also, ask yourself have you stayed in this situationship for eighteen months because you weren’t one hundred percent ready for a full-fledged relationship? I can speak from experience that I have allowed myself to be in a situationship because mentally I didn’t think I was ready or capable of a committed romantic relationship. I felt I needed to focus on school, giving my attention to my son and being the best mom. But after a while, I realized that the situationship wasn’t what I wanted and had to reset my mindset towards dating and relationships. Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in circumstances we don’t like and wonder how we got there. These are the moments in our lives we need to do a self-check of our subconscious mind and hear some of the negative thoughts we tell ourselves like; I deserve this situationship because I’m bad at relationships, or I don’t have time for a committed relationship even though it’s something I want and the best lie we tell ourselves is that maybe the situationship will change and grow into a real relationship. I have been guilty of these thoughts myself. Connecting to myself and creating a list of the attributes I would like in a relationship help me stay focused and not lose sight of precisely what I want. Hopefully, this advice helps your situation, speaking wholeness, love, and light to you readers this week. Sincerely, Kezia
in the six
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technology
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
5 Fantastic Movies to Watch Over the Holidays
‘Tis the season for staying at home and binge-watching movies. Here are a few great flicks to take you through the holiday season into the new year:
Elf. This modern take on standard holiday fare has quickly become a classic. Will Farrell is hilarious as an oversized elf with the unbridled enthusiasm of a five-year-old. If you’re looking for a holiday comedy for the entire family, this is it. Home Alone. Macaulay Culkin stars as eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, a boy who finds himself having to defend his family’s home from two crooks looking to rob it after mistakenly being left behind by his parents. The complicated traps, over-the-top slapstick and excellent one-liners make this flick one of the best. Skip the sequels, though — there’s nothing quite like the original. A Christmas Story. This treasure follows Ralphie, a young boy in the 1940s, and his quest to convince everyone with authority in his life, including Santa, that a Red Ryder B.B. gun is a safe and practical Christmas present. But it’s the subtle and not-so-subtle detail that make the film a true gift. Lord of the Rings trilogy. When the holiday
events wind down, you’re ultimately left with more time on your hands. When this happens, what’s better than burning through three well-shot, well-acted and intense fantasy movies? This trilogy is perfect for soaking up all that extra free time. The extended version comes highly recommended, giving you nine hours of adventure. Blade Runner. As we peer over the edge of 2017 and look forward into the future, there’s nothing like watching a bleak alternate future to remind us that things aren’t as bad as they seem in the world. Set in 2019 Los Angeles, the film tells the story of Rick Deckard and his quest to track down four artificial humans as they search for their creator. Dark, gritty and futuristic, Blade Runner is a must watch. It’s also fun to see what the’80s thought the future might look like. With Blade Runner 2049 now in theatres, reliving the first one is a must. You can skip the hassle of trying to find these epic titles by subscribing to Shaw BlueSky TV and Netflix. BlueSky TV brings your shows and movies together into one easy-tosearch platform featuring its signature voicepowered remote. Just say it, then see it. - News Canada
‘Tis the Season for Small Businesses to Get Personal
Between online purchases, buying on social channels or heading into traditional bricksand-mortar stores, there are endless options for customers to choose from, especially during th e hectic holiday season when time is of the essence. The one thing businesses all have in common is the power of a personal touch. Companies are highly familiar with how this works in the physical world. A customer walks in, you greet them by name and tell them about a new item that just came in that you know they’ll love. Even as more customers start (and end) their purchases online, they want the same kind of recognition and personalized recommendations. One of the best ways a business can deliver more personalized customer experiences is by leveraging a customer relationship management platform. CRM solutions, like Salesforce, the global leader in CRM, put customer information in a central place. This makes it easy for everyone in your business to access and share information from anywhere, including mobile phones, in real time. Using CRM helps improve cus-
tomer loyalty by creating relationships that make consumers feel appreciated, understood and wanted. By offering customers a personalized experience, retailers will not only satisfy them during the holiday rush, but keep them coming back time and time again. What you want to deliver is: The real-time experience. If someone just made an online purchase, they might not realize there are other items that would complement it. CRM helps identify those kinds of opportunities, while also helping companies get quicker answers to questions the customer may have. The mobile experience. Chances are, even customers who come into a physical location over the holidays are doing some comparison shopping on their smartphones. Be ready to offer promotions, discounts or sale alerts. The “everywhere” experience. Customers may do their research online, buy in a store and then seek support through social media. Companies need to respect their preferences and help them through every means possible. - News Canada
BOO BIRDS
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 | www.torontocaribbean.com | Toronto Caribbean
TAURUS
Through Saturday, the stars help you to make the most of it with ease. Mercury/Uranus keeps time on the beat with synchronicity. You’ll have no trouble coming up with good ideas, fresh conversation, places to be or things to do. Sunday/Monday, simplify as best you can. As of Tuesday, you’re on a full recharge. Don’t buy into the stress. Focus on one thing at a time.
A change of scenery hits it right. Now through Monday, the stars provide a great window of opportunity. Enjoy the moment; take it as it comes. On the bigger-picture note, Mercury/Saturn can put a more serious spin on health, wealth, and relationship challenges through the middle of January. The start of the new year is ideal for major personal and lifestyle reinvention.
March 20 - April 19
CANCER
Whether it’s spur-of-the-moment or long in the works, you’ll hit a “feels good/feels right” track through the weekend. Mercury/ Uranus keep conversations and social activities fresh and upbeat. Sunday/Monday, you can ease your way along. Tuesday/Wednesday calls for more push, more output, or more outlay. Aim for the shortest route to getting the job done. Simple and straightforward is best.
Thursday/Friday, something new, fresh, or spontaneous hits it right. Aim to make the most of your time through the weekend. One-on-one or spending it with a few, there’s good sharing to be had. Saturday to Monday, you’ll find your most natural/relaxed stride. As of Tuesday, the next push is on. Face it/ take it one thing/one step at a time.
LEO
VIRGO
Regarding activity and social matters, play it moment to moment and you’ll gain the best your days have to offer. Thursday to Saturday, socializing keeps it fresh. Sunday/ Monday, easing up is best. Tuesday, the Aries moon replenishes you, it, and them. Feel a sense of heightened expectation or living for what’s coming your way soon? It’s the effect of Mars/Uranus on a buildup!
Thursday to Saturday, your days are full up with one thing after another. Even so, Mercury/Uranus keeps you up to speed and feeling pleased. Sunday, easy up. Monday, ease into it. As of the end of Monday and into Tuesday, Mercury/Saturn takes you past a finish line and sets you onto the next big thing. Don’t worry about tomorrow; deal with today.
IN THE STANDS
June 21 - July 22
August 22 - September 22
LIBRA
SCORPIO
Never a dull moment; Mercury/Uranus keeps the conversation and social action going strong through Saturday. Sunday/Monday, soak it up and wrap up what’s left. As of Tuesday, it’s time to plug yourself in again and to go full tilt. Aim for the shortest route to the goal, but don’t do it if it doesn’t feel right or natural. Next weekend dishes up something fresh.
You should have no trouble working it out, fulfilling requests, and making good use of the time you have to spend. Mercury/Uranus keeps you quick on the ball and synchronizing well through Saturday. Sunday/Monday, no matter what claims your attention, it’s easy to get lost in it. Tuesday/Wednesday, cut to the chase. Tackle what’s immediate; aim for straightforward, short, and fast.
September 22 - October 23
October 23 - November 22
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
Thursday’s fresh wind suits you to a T. Mercury/Uranus keeps you well entertained, with plenty of energy, great downloads, stories to tell, and smiles to share through the weekend. Connect, socialize, and share or go off and do your own thing. Either way, it’s all good. Sunday/Monday are regroup and transition days. Tuesday/Wednesday, it’s full steam ahead; there’s no time to waste.
Through the weekend, a change of pace or getaway couldn’t be better timed. Inspiration, stimulation, and conversation are on ready dial-up. You won’t have any trouble bringing it up to speed. Sunday/Monday, it’s a natural progression. As of Tuesday, the stars pick up the pace again. Quick, straightforward, and efficient is your best play or choice.
November 22 - December 21
December 21 - January 19
AQUARIUS
PISCES
Mercury in good shape with Uranus through Saturday and with Saturn late Monday night sets you up for a great few days to get your social or shopping fill. They keep you up to speed with the requirements, deadlines, and the rest of the official stuff, too. Tuesday/ Wednesday, get at it; streamline as best you can.
Something special on the horizon? Whether it’s the holidays or something else that keeps you in a heightened state of anticipation, Mercury/Uranus and Mercury/Saturn suggest it couldn’t be better timed. Saturday/ Sunday, it’s time to switch gears. Tuesday calls for a start-to-finish full thrust. Aim to get it done sooner rather than later.
January 19 - February 18
PRINCESS
April 19 - May 20
GEMINI
July 22 - August 22
Down 1) Book holders 2) Book filled with facts 4) Twilight author Stephenie 6) Helpful employee 8) Opposite of hardcover 9) Keep items longer 13) Internet access machine
PAGE 39
ARIES
May 20 - June 21
Across 3) The ____ Games 5) Decimal system 7) Bedtime ____ 8) Harry ____ 10) Dictionary section 11) Penalty if you’re late 12) Main activity 13) Proof of membership 14) Made-up stories 15) On CD, vinyl or tape 16) To check out a book
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Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
An Ambitious $40 Billion For Housing Jay Brijpaul
brijpaul@carib101.com
Real Estate The federal government recently revealed a brave plan to spend over $40 billion dollars in ten years towards affordable housing. The money will be going toward building 100,000 new housing units; repairing 300,000 aging affordable housing units; saving 385,000 households from losing an affordable home; chopping homelessness by half; assisting 300,000 households with financial help through the Canada Housing Benefit Program, and helping over 530,000 families who spend over 33% of their gross earnings on substandard housing. A system will be put in place to establish a national housing council to help the government keep this plan on track. In reference to this, Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau said: “Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. We took a major step forward on housing today, and we will continue to deliver initiatives that strengthen the middle class and lifts more Canadians out of poverty. Housing rights are human rights, and everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home... and one person on the streets in Canada is too many.” The National Housing Strategy will work in partnership with Canadian provinces and territories. The provinces and territories are expected to match the funds given by the federal government. The government is working on a separate plan for the First Nations, Inuit and Metis. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for CMHC said in a statement: “Our government is establishing a federal leadership role in housing. The National Housing Strategy will create a new generation of housing in Canada. It will promote diverse communities and will build housing that is sustainable, accessible, mixed-income and mixed-use that will be located near transit, work, and public services.” The federal government earmarks $15.9 billion for a new National Housing
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Co-Investment Fund, $8.6 billion for a new Canada Community Housing Initiative, $2.2 billion to address homelessness, $300 million for housing needs in the north, and $241 million towards research. The housing plan is gender-based and will look at the needs of battered women and girls, and affordable housing for senior women. Funds will be allocated to help repair shelter spaces. “In Toronto, this strategy and funding will help us repair our social housing and this will keep a roof, a proper and fit roof, over the heads of 60,000 Toronto households,” according to Mayor Tory. This plan will take effect as of April 2018 and will extend until 2028. Most of the financial stimulus will come into effect after 2020 because of all the intricacies involved in establishing the inner workings and negotiations within the various level of governments. “We are looking at the realistic horizon that is going to not just put a band-aid on the problem, but create the kind of deep change and lasting impact that we know Canadians are going to need,” our Prime Minister has declared. My opinion is that the national housing strategy does not address the increasing pressure on middle-class families
with income between $50,000 to $70,000 in Toronto. With the current housing prices, the plan should allocate funds to build more affordable homes to assist these families. Jim Murphy, CEO of the Federation of RentalHousing Providers of Ontario, said that “there is increasing concern that those in the middle, who probably wouldn’t qualify for most of these programs, are still facing hardship. They can’t afford to own with an average price of $1.3 million (for a detached resale house in Toronto in October). Increasingly, rent is becoming difficult, not only in terms of price but in terms of supply and finding a place.” It is a giant leap in the right direction as housing is a basic need. “The national housing strategy released this afternoon is a breakthrough for cities and communities from coast to coast to coast,” said FCM President Jenny Gerbasi. “This is the kind of federal leadership that local governments have been seeking for more than twenty years.” The new proposed plan is optimistic and will stimulate the economy while providing shelter for the most vulnerable in our society. I give it two thumbs up.
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finance
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Guaranteed Income For Life - Part Three Fazaad Bacchus
fazaad@carib101.com
Finance Specialist This is the last of a three-part series where we discussed the challenges facing Canadians as it relates to their retirement planning. As mentioned before when someone is in retirement and especially if they do not have any part-time income, it is most important to preserve their money to make sure that do not outlive their nest egg. To recap, we talked about many options a person has at retirement. 1. Cashing in their Registered Retirement Savings Plan 2. Converting their Registered Savings Plan into a Registered Retirement Income Fund 3. Converting their Locked in Retirement Plan into a Life Income Plan 4. Splitting their Locked in Retirement Plan to a 50% Registered Retirement
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Today I would like us to focus on an option which is a favorite of mine. Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB). In most of your previous options, the income was never a guarantee and you could run out of money with the exception of the annuity. However, as we saw with the annuity, while you may live a long life and receive most of the payout, chances are if you died too soon there may not be much left to pass on to your heirs. The principle behind the Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal solution is to ensure that you will have a lifetime income and still pass on the remainder of your investments to your heirs. This is the way it works, let’s say that a person retires and has $200,000 of total savings. Let’s imagine that this savings is made up $125,000 RRSP, $50,000 TFSA and $25,000 in chequing. Should this person wish they could deposit all of their portfolios in a GLWB and have a maximum income for life. But what if this person needs some money for travel or medical emergency at any time in the future, they will have to break
their contract by making excess withdrawals. A good plan would be to sit down with your financial advisor and calculate how much money you will need for your monthly expenses, then deduct any CPP and pension benefits you will be receiving. Now based on the difference you can now decide how much money you will invest in the GLWB solution. A person should never deposit all their savings in a GLWB. Having made your deposit and affected your contract the company can start to pay you the following month a guaranteed income for life. If you think about it, if you have a guaranteed CPP, a guaranteed OAS and a guaranteed GLWB, you should never run out money. What happens to your money (deposit) while you are receiving a GLWB. Well that money is being invested by your financial advisor so that it can continue to grow. If for some reason, and it has happened where your money is greater than when you started out, the company will increase your GLWB. And what happens if you were to pass away too soon, is all your money lost? The answer is no! Your deposit is now passed on to your beneficiaries many times without having to go through probate. I know it may sound complex, but it can work for you, just make sure the advisor is doing the right thing.
Fantastic Financial Christmas Gift Ideas for Children Andrew Stewart
andrew@carib101.com
Family Advisor No matter how old you are, getting a gift is always an enjoyable time. That is of course if it’s a good gift. When buying for kids, you usually go down one of two routes. The first route is buying toys, which will make you the favorite uncle, brother, father or pretty much favorite anything. The second route is buying clothes, which makes you the most hated person this kid has ever seen. But there’s a third option that a lot of people don’t explore. A savings bond, GIC or RESP contribution probably won’t be the gift that gets the most attention on Christmas morning, but it just might end up being the one that is most appreciated. What if, you decided to give your son, daughter or grandchild something that begins to teach them the importance of finance in their lives? Or if a newborn has a plan that is fully paid for by the time they are twenty years old that will give them the freedom to: study any program anywhere around the world, buy their own home, purchase their first car or starting their own business one day. Financial gifts have merit beyond the obvious monetary rewards. Parents and
grandparents should consider making smart financial gifts because they can help children achieve something that would otherwise not be possible. Even people with modest incomes should consider long-term investments when choosing gifts for children these days. Your personal financial circumstances, level of risk and mindset for creativity are all factors to be considered when setting up such gifts, so make your choice so everybody involved benefits; especially you. Cash & Piggy Bank The first and most obvious gift that you can give would be cold hard cash. I remember on Christmas day my dad would always give me and my brothers and sisters cash in a card. We would always wait anxiously and save it for last to open to see what color the bills would be. There is any number of piggy banks out there designed to help children begin learning money management. The problem with giving cash as a gift is that it really doesn’t do anything to teach children about being responsible with their money. The cash wasn’t really earned so the value it holds isn’t much. While you are certain to be hugged and praised for quite some time, you can do better. Toy Wallet Toy wallet and money, my daughter loves playing with my wallet. She pulls all the cards out, looks at them, and then places them back in the wallet perfectly. It’s quite impressive actually. Savings Bonds A step up from cash, savings bonds can
be absolute torture to a young kid. Having something so close to cash, yet being years away from being able to spend it is a great way to teach patience. (And a great way to be hated as well!) Stock in a Company of Their Choice Getting a little more complicated now. Giving stocks to a baby as long-term investments is not a wise move for risk-adverse people, but if you like to walk on the wild side, you can show your creativity by putting together a mini-portfolio of fun stocks like Disney, Facebook or Amazon. If your child is a bit older, maybe it’s time to go beyond the saving and spending lessons and teach them about investing. Give them $25-$50 as a gift with the caveat that they must use it to purchase stock in a company. Show them how to sign up with an online broker. College or University Savings Account An RESP is, in essence, a government program for students to use for paying school tuition. Anyone can contribute to a student’s account and as long as the child is under 17 years of age. The immediate benefit is you can apply for the government to make a 20% matching contribution based on your monthly or annual contributions. Child Plan™ Child Plan™ is a “Participating” Whole Life Insurance Plan. It’s the only tax-free investment parents and grandparents can open for their children and grandchildren in Canada. With Child Plan™, your child or grandchild will receive a tax-free annual dividend for life.
RCM_ToCaribb_1/2p_Nov29&Dec12.qxp_Layout 1 2017-11-27 10:14 AM Page 1
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PAGE 46
sports
Toronto Caribbean | www.torontocaribbean.com | Wednesday, November 29, 2017
WI Bowlers Shine as NZ A Struggle NEW ZEALAND -- West Indies were in an excellent position to push for a win in today’s final day after their bowlers earned them a healthy first innings lead on the second day of their three-day match against New Zealand A. Off-spinner Roston Chase (2-7) and left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer (2-27) both finished with two wickets apiece while the pace attack put in a solid shift, as New Zealand A were turned over for 237 in their first innings. Todd Astle, batting at number eight, stroked an aggressive top score of 68 while Tim Bruce gathered 46, Beil Broom, 27, and captain Tom Latham, 24. In their second turn at the crease, West Indies were 53 for two—an overall lead of 267 runs—with opener Kraigg Brathwaite unbeaten on 33. Following the visitors’ declaration at their overnight 451 for nine, Test batsman Jeet Raval perished cheaply in the fourth over of the morning—edging seamer Kemar Roach to captain Jason Holder at third slip for one to leave the hosts on seven for one Captain Tom Latham also failed to secure time at the crease ahead of the opening Test, falling for 24 off 55 deliveries after pulling seamer Holder to Shimron Hetmyer at square leg. Veteran first class batsman Neil
Broom chipped in with 27 off 46 balls in a 34-run, fourth wicket stand with Bruce but was one of three quick wickets to fall for 25 runs as the hosts slipped to 114 for six. Astle and Bruce came to their side’s rescue, however, putting on 64 for the seventh wicket to prop up the innings. The right-handed Astle stroked 10 fours and a six in an 81-ball knock while Bruce faced 71 balls and counted seven fours. When Bruce fell to speedster Shannon Gabriel, Astle added a further 46 for the eighth wicket with Logan van Beek (21) before Chase wiped out the tail quickly Scoreboard New Zealand A vs West Indies 2nd day, tour match WEST INDIES 1st Innings 451-9 decl. NEW ZEALAND A 1st Innings J Raval c Holder b Roach 1 T Latham c Hetmyer b Holder 24 G Worker c Roach b Cummins 8 N Broom b Reifer 27 T Bruce c Ambris b Gabriel 46 T Blundell c Holder b Joseph 19 J Neesham lbw b Reifer 0 T Astle st Ambris b Chase 68 L van Beek b Bishoo 21 L Ferguson not out 4 H Bennett b Chase 0
Extras (b1, lb3, nb14, w1) 19 TOTAL (all out, 61.4 overs) 237 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-37, 3-55, 4-89, 5-113, 6-114, 7-178, 8-224, 9-237, 10-237. Bowling: Gabriel 10-1-50-1, Roach 10-4-27-1, Cummins 10-3-33-1, Holder 5-3-4-1, Reifer 7-0-27-2, Joseph 7-2-38-1, Bishoo 10-1-47-1, Chase 2.4-0-7-2. WEST INDIES 2nd Innings K Brathwaite not out 33 K Powell b Ferguson 4 S Hetmyer b van Beek 10 R Chase not out 4 Extras (w1, nb1) 2 TOTAL (2 wkts, 18 overs) 53 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-43. Bowling: Ferguson 4-0-7-1, Bennett 4-0-28-0, van Beek 5-0-11-1, Astle 5-0-7-0. Position: West Indies lead by 267 runs. Toss: West Indies. Players: 15 (11 batting, fielding). Umpires: S Haig, W Knights. - Trinidad Guardian
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2017-09-06 3:23 PM