Vision Newspaper Canada (February 12th - 18th, 2015)

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February 12th - Feb 18th, 2015

Juno Nominated Kirk Diamond & Bob Di Builda >>page 8

Plus

25 years since Nelson Mandela’s Release from prison >> page 03

Suge Knight held without bail till March 20th >> page 07

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Vision/ Winter 2015

The Caribbean Ex Jamaica PM Bruce Golding testifies before fact finding panel examining bloody 2010 raid

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding is testifying before a fact-finding commission examining a 2010 raid by security forces that killed some 76 civilians.

The West Kingston raid by soldiers and police was intended to capture a gang kingpin who ran a criminal fiefdom that seemed untouchable until Jamaica reluctantly agreed to act on a U.S. extradition warrant.

Golding’s administration resisted the U.S. request for nine months, arguing Christopher Coke’s indictment on drug and gun trafficking charges relied on illegal evidence. At the time, Golding represented the area in Parliament.

The U.S. described Coke as one of the world’s most dangerous drug barons. He controlled the Tivoli Gardens slum, long a bastion of support for Golding’s party.

Golding’s testimony on Monday comes two months after the commission was convened.

NEWS Staff at Guyana’s biggest university launch strike to press for higher pay, better conditions

GEORGETOWN, Guyana _ Professors and support staff at the main campus of Guyana's biggest university have launched a strike to press for higher pay and better working conditions.

The strike by hundreds of union employees at the University of Guyana was launched Monday after negotiations with administrators collapsed.

Staffers at the government-run university are demanding a 60 per cent increase in pay. Staff association

The start of the new semester in 2015 already had been delayed by various demonstrations at the main campus, which has more than 5,000 undergraduates and about 1,500 graduate students.

Guyana's professors and support staff are the lowest paid among colleagues in the Caribbean Community grouping of more than a dozen nations.

The Associated Press

Haitian protesters march in capital to demand lower gas prices

South Africans mark 25 years since Nelson Mandela’s release from prison

JOHANNESBURG _ South Africans are marking the anniversary of the release of the country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela, who was freed 25 years ago.

Mandela was released on Feb. 11, 1990, after 27 years in prison.

South Africa’s current President Jacob Zuma, said in a statement that the country would continue to be inspired by Mandela’s vision of a non-racial, democratic and prosperous society.

South Africa’s last apartheid president, F. W. De Klerk, said in a statement that he was sure Mandela would have been proud of the achievements the country had made in the years since his release.

De Klerk also said that he was sure that Mandela would, however, be disturbed by the continued instances of racism in the country.

Mandela died in 2013 at the age of 95.

(AP Photo/Peter Dejong) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

“The cost of living is too high,'' said 34-year-old Joel Pierre, a welder who joined Saturday's protest instead of going to work.

US Coast Guard says 50 bales of cocaine seized, 2 men detained off coast of Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic _ U.S. authorities say two alleged drug traffickers have been detained off the coast of the Dominican Republic and 50 bales of cocaine have been seized.

The U.S. Coast Guard said in a Wednesday statement that the crew from one of its cutters boarded a suspicious speedboat in Dominican waters. They reportedly found 18 bales of cocaine and detained two men. The suspects were transferred to authorities in the Dominican Republic, where they are expected to be prosecuted.

The Dominican Navy also recovered 32 bales of cocaine thrown off another drug-smuggling boat during a chase.

There were no arrests in that operation.

Coast Guard officials estimated the value of the drugs seized in both operations at $24 million.

According to U.S. officials, an estimated 6 per cent of the cocaine bound for the U.S. passes through the Dominican Republic.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti _ At least 6,000 protesters marched through Haiti's capital on Saturday to demand lower gas prices and the ouster of President Michel Martelly.

The protest in Port-au-Prince remained peaceful, although the crowd threw trash and tires in the street to block traffic.

It is the latest of several in recent weeks fueled by anger over gasoline prices. The government recently lowered the price by about 25 cents to $4.50 a gallon and diesel prices dropped by about 20 cents to $3.55, but protesters say the reductions don't fully reflect the global drop in oil prices.

He also plans to join a two-day general strike scheduled to start Monday to force the shutdown of schools, banks and other institutions.

“We need to let the government know that this is serious,'' he said.

Bus drivers struck on two days earlier this week, stranding hundreds of workers and students.

Protesters also remain angry that President Michel Martelly began ruling by decree last month after parliament was dissolved. Long-delayed elections have not been held.

Animal keeper dies after being attacked by lions at South Korean zoo

SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of _ An animal keeper died Thursday after apparently being attacked by two lions at a zoo in South Korea’s capital, officials said.

A colleague found the keeper, 52-year-old Kim Geun-bae, unconscious and bleeding heavily from his neck and legs in the animals’ enclosure, as a male and female lion wandered near him, according to Seoul Children’s Grand Park official Jisun Lee. Kim was pronounced dead at a hospital about two hours later, she said.

There were no witnesses or visitors at the time of the attack because the zoo has been closed since last week to prevent the spread of avian flu, Lee said.

The park said Kim had 20 years’ experience as an animal keeper and had been working with dangerous animals such as lions, tigers and leopards for the past three years.

Lee said the zoo is waiting for police to examine security camera video and other evidence before deciding what to do with the lions.

The Associated Press (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

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spokeswoman Melissa Ifill says the administration is offering a 5 per cent salary boost.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

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Vision Newspaper UK: Editor in Chief : Anthony Whyte, Editor: Nadia Akram, Correspondent in Jamaica: Deana Meyers Contributors: Francesca Quass, Yemi Abiade, Samantha Dennis, Claire Daley, Vision Newspaper Canada: Editor in Chief: Alwin Squire, Editors: Samantha Deschamps, Kelly Deschamps, Marilyn Marshall, Christopher Miller

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

News Caribbean sees record 26M visitors last year, coupled with record spending

Vision/ Winter 2015

ments at airports around the region, the opening of new hotel chains and an increase in direct flights and airline seat capacity.

The Dutch Caribbean saw the most growth, with Aruba for the first time reporting more than 1 million visitors. The Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica also saw an unprecedented number of visitors.

Smaller destinations including Haiti, St. Lucia and Belize reported a record number of stay-over arrivals.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico _ A record 26.3 million people travelled to the Caribbean last year and spent an unprecedented amount of money in what is considered the world’s most tourism-dependent region, officials said Tuesday.

It is the fifth consecutive year that the Caribbean has reported an increase in tourists following an economic crisis that

forced resorts to shut down and caused a drop in visitors and spending.

A surge in visitors from Canada, the U.S. and Europe helped set those records.

Hugh Riley, the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s secretary general, said Caribbean tourism rose by 5.3 per cent, while the worldwide tourism growth rate was 4.7 per cent.

“It tells us that stability is returning to the market,’’ said Richard Sealy, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Officials attributed the increase in part to improve-

Tourists overall spent more than $29 billion in the Caribbean last year, an increase of

Annie Mirza

tel: 416-836-5717 email: annie@financialpro.ca Lic #: M08008375 57 Village Center Place, suite 301 Mississauga, Ontario L5V 1V9

3

more than $1 billion over the previous year.

The region also welcomed nearly 24 million cruise ship passengers last year, an 8 per cent increase, though Winfield Griffith, the organization’s research director, said he expected “another shift away from the Caribbean as the cruise lines try to diversity their product’’ in 2015.

Tourism officials also are keeping an eye on Cuba, with the island expected to attract far more tourists this year as relations between the U.S. and Cuba begin to thaw.

Riley said the organization plans to promote multi-destination travel to ease the potential impact on other islands.

By Danica Coto THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Community

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Vision/ Winter 2015

What ’s On

Events Morgan Heritage & Romain Virgo

Kranium

The Spinners

Rich Homie Quan

Venue: Sound Academy

Venue: Luxy Club

Toronto, ON Date: February 6th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Toronto, ON Date: February 13th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Venue: Living Arts Center Toronto, ON Date: February 13th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Theophilus London

Royce Da 5’9

Venue: Tatoo Queen Toronto, ON Date: February 20th, 2015

Venue: Tatoo Queen Toronto, ON Date: February 25th, 2015

Family & Children

Talib Kweli

Toronto Black Film Festival

The Harlem Globetrotters 2015 World Tour

Venue: The Phoenix

Venue: The Rock Pile West

Toronto, ON Date: February 17th, 2015

Date: February 20th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Venue: Uptown Theater Toronto, ON Date: February 10th - 15th 2015

Venue: Hersey Center Toronto, ON Date: February 13th 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Chris Brown & Trey Songs

Billy Ocean

Jah Bouks

Mike the Knight The Great Scavenger Hunt

Rasta Fest Talent Show Case

Venue: Air Canada Center Toronto, ON Date: February 25th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Venue: Woodbine Race Track Toronto, ON Date: February 26th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Venue: SVG Lounge Address: 1230 Sheppard Ave Toronto, ON Date: April 5th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Venue: The Sony Center Date: February 28th, 2015 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Venue: Uptown Theatre Toronto, ON Date: February 28th, 2015

Community

Vision/ Winter 2015

5

Fight for Your Rights

Some of you may know me, as Marc Trinidad. The Comedian. I've been plying my trade all over the world for the past 18 years, enjoying the fact that I can make people happy everywhere that I went. I used to say in interviews that if I could make people forget their troubles for the 30 mins that I was in front of them, then what better way could I spend my life? I thought that would be it for me for the rest of my life. My wife and I had no idea what was coming down the pipeline.

Let me ask you a couple questions.

Have you ever felt like you were being taken advantage of? By a company or an individual? In both my career and my personal life, I've certainly had many scenarios where I felt, this isn't right.

They can't do this to me. I didn't know if it was a legal situation or not. I just knew what my gut was telling me.

Sometimes I thought, if I could just have a lawyer to talk to, or to take a look at the situation, I'd feel better.

Did you ever want to have a contract reviewed before you signed it?

I know intimately what can occur after you sign one. Oh I read them. Sometimes I wanted to know if they were written in English or not. I just didn't always know what they said. Sometimes it was what the contract didn't say, that hurt me.

Ever wished you could have a letter written on your behalf to a third party by a Law Firm? Because you knew it would be way more effective than you trying to fight it on your own.

I can't tell you how many times I could have used some legal muscle in my life. Delinquent promoters.

Customer care that didn't care. (Isn't that what they supposed to do?)

Warranties that weren't really warranties but were really just worries.

Well, did you ever call one? If not, why not?

I know the answer. You and I both have thought of it.

Fleetingly. But we shut that thought down quickly. Not because we didn't care, not because we didn't want help.

We shut it down because of the cost. In Ontario, at an average of $300 an hour to speak to a lawyer, it's just too far beyond the reach of the regular family. So it's cheaper and easier to be taken advantage of.

According to our own Chief Justice, the legal system as we know it, is broken. We can only access as much legal counsel as we can afford.

Well, what if, there was a service that gave you unlimited, affordable access to lawyers, that worked the same way your health card does to give you access to quality healthcare? But instead of the hundreds of dollars an hour, which is the system you know of now, what if it was a flat fee of about a dollar a day?

Would you want that service to protect you, your family or your business?

At that price point? Who wouldn't want to at least take a look?

I did just that and I was floored by what I found.

Let me introduce you to the man who brought this service to Canada.

Mr Rob Mackenzie, is a retired police officer who saw this service while in Texas 16 years ago. Together with his wife Charlene (a legal secretary) and a group of about a dozen people, they brought this service to Ontario. Since then, due to its obvious appeal, it's expanded to British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba.

I'd guess the first question to ask you Rob, is where did this come from and why hadn't I heard of it before?

"Well Marc, you are like most people that we talk to.

Most have never heard of LegalShield, although we are 40 plus years in business we are only 16 years in Canada.

The company was started in

a small town in Oklahoma

by Harland C. Stonecipher, a school teacher / part time insurance salesman. He got the idea after being falsely accused in a traffic accident against which he had to defend himself. Even though he won the case, the legal fees had cost him his life savings. After his dreadful experience he wanted everyone to be able to talk to a lawyer without worrying about the cost, so hence our company was started.

Most people honestly shy away from us because it just sounds too good to be true, but now we handle 40,000 calls a week, that's about 2 million a year.

More and more people are listening now, and they know how good it really is."

Oh I can testify how good it is. But I'm sure everyone will want to know this, how is it possible to take something that is so expensive and make it affordable to the masses?

"Great question Marc. It's one I asked in the beginning as well. It's called economies of scale. We all don't need it at the same time but it is so great to have when you do need it. Think of it like you'd think of a CAA card.

It's not your $100 that pays for the $70,000 tow truck and $50,000 a year driver.

It's everyone's membership combined, that gets you that incredible and necessary service.

Let me put it another way, presently we have about 1.4 million families protected, all paying about $1.00 a day (rounded out) so that is 1.4 million dollars a day.

Would you agree with me the we can get some great legal services with that kind of money everyday? On the other hand none of us miss $1.00 to protect our entire family. Split it up between a family and it is very cost effective."

That's an amazing way of putting it. Tell me, is this something that only caters to individuals or can business owners utilize this as well?

I'm sure they too have legal concerns.

"Another great question Marc. We assist individuals, families and small businesses with legal help. We have found that small businesses are the heart beat of our economy but they are abused financially when they need legal help and often do not have the extra cash to hire top quality legal help.

That's where we step in to help them for as little as $3.00 a day to protect their

business. Let me mention also, that our service is one of the fastest growing employee benefits today.

Many employers see that an engaged employee is more productive than a distracted one. So if our lawyers can help your employee to worry less, they realize that can benefit them as well."

What many people don't know about me, is the fact that my life has been heavily influenced by Dr King, Mandela and Ghandi. All these men gave their lives in the service to their communities.

Fighting against oppressive odds to give people their rights. I see this company, LegalShield and the mission of it's late founder, Harland C. Stonecipher, as not only walking in the footsteps of those giants but also in completing their missions by making justice affordable and accessible to the masses. I thank you Mr Mackenzie for your continued service and foresight for bringing this to Canada.

I'd like you to hear from some of the users of this service prior to letting you know where you can go to hear more information about it in your local area.

membership. The security it provides is remarkable.

Hilda Eid (Mississauga)

After getting into a car accident that wasn't my fault, I attempted to start a claim that night with my insurance company, to no avail. I spoke with them the next day about this and told them about their 'claim service guarantee.' So they opened up an inquiry and told me I'd hear back within 48-72 hours.

I never did. After speaking with my adjuster and informing her of what had happened so far, she contacted her Manager and came back to offer me a $100 gift card towards gas. I was insulted!

I contacted my law firm and spoke with my lawyer, who reviewed my claim and the insurance company's policy. One letter from my law firm and my insurance company had no choice but to adhere to their claim service guarantee, which resulted in my receiving a cheque for $2014. This was not money that was owed back to me - this was extra money, just for getting bad customer service! This will pay for my membership for years! I will never be without my LegalShield membership!

Thank you LegalShield!

Erica Cowie (Newcastle)

I entered into a loan/investment agreement with a business owner in the US. The loan amount was $10,000 and was to be paid back in 3 monthly installments + interest. After the paperwork was done, that business owner fell off the radar. Obviously I panicked.

I then decided to make use of my LegalShield membership and made a call to the provider law firm. They promptly sent a "motivational letter" to the borrower on my behalf. I am THRILLED to share with you that I received the balance of the loan IN FULL!!! I cannot, by any means, express how RELIEVED I am!! This is a HUGE burden off my shoulders.

Every day I am reminded how wonderful and helpful this service is. I will not go without my LegalShield

Image Crawford (North York)

As a Mom of 6, one of my responsibilities is to take care of my family and to make the best decisions I can for and with them. One of my fears was that, should anything traumatic happen to my husband and I, our kids could be separated and "raised" by people they don't even know. Putting our wills and powers of attorney in place was needed, but it always seemed to be a financial burden and was

repeatedly replaced with immediate and seemingly more pressing matters (vehicle repairs, maintenance, home improvements, etc).

Then I was introduced to LegalShield. As members, we were given the opportunity to legally put our wishes on paper. At no extra cost! After the documents were thoroughly explained, witnessed, signed and handed to us.... the feeling was extraordinary. A sigh of relief. A sense of accomplishment. I almost felt invincible. LegalShield helped to provide me and my husband with peace of mind, knowing that when the time does come, those tough decisions won't have to be left behind for our families to make.

Sid Singh (Mississauga)

I purchased a solar system for my home and was told it was a full turn key maintenance free solution warrantied for 25 years, all I had to do was sit back and collect my cheques from the government. Well that was great for about 3 months until a family of squirrels crawled up onto the roof of my home and chewed away at the entire system, destroying all of the wires.

I called the solar company to come and take a look at the the system because it was not producing what was expected.They came to inspect the system and ended taking everything down and installing a metal shield protecting the wires from further damage. The company billed ME for $2500 worth of repairs for the system. When I purchased the system I was told that it was maintenance free and warrantied for 25 years. I was confused why I had to pay for the repairs.

I refused to pay the bill.

They said that if I refused to pay they would send me to collections. I contacted my law firm, they reviewed my contract and sent that company a motivational letter on my behalf. I received a phone call from the CEO of the company a week later apologizing for the confusion and offered me a FULL credit for the confusion. Am I a happy Legalshield member?

Oh YES!

By now, you may want to know how you can get more information to see if this is right for you and your family or business. You can call me at 1-877-477-4186 to schedule an appointment to learn more. And because February has such fine weather, we are also conducting webinars on Monday 16 and 23 at 1 & 9pm. Just go to www.join. me/teamaddition to have a 15 min overview.

6

Music

Vision/ Winter 2015

Recent troubles keep 'Suge' Knight locked up; now irrelevant in music world he helped re shape “People are tired of him,'' said Greg Kading, a retired Los Angeles police detective who investigated Knight for racketeering. “He brings too much negative drama. ''Nobody wants to deal with him.”

Kading, who also investigated the killing of East Coast rapper Biggie Smalls, said many of Knight's recent problems have arisen because he believes he's owed money from his Death Row Record days.

“Anytime anything rap related happens in Los Angeles, Suge Knight is going to claim he has some kind of connection or oversight of it,'' Kading said. He believes Knight is responsible for Smalls' killing and detailed his theory in his 2011 book, “Murder Rap.''

COMPTON, Calif. _ Marion “Suge'' Knight used to be one of the most feared names in the music industry, but lately he has become known as more of a troublemaker than a hitmaker.

uncharged crimes'' at an upcoming hearing, which will again bring Knight's history to the forefront. He will remain held without bail until his next court appearance on March 20.

It's been nearly a decade since the burly co-founder of Death Row Records has led a record label, yet the former rap music mogul has made his presence felt in ways that are uncomfortable to some and have been hazardous to his health.

Despite his fearsome reputation, his stature in the rap world has diminished considerably since the days his label released hits by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Shakur and other popular rappers.

Knight has been shot twice since he was grazed by a bullet in the 1996 attack that killed one of his superstar rappers, Tupac Shakur. Knight's mortality was again on display this week when he was hospitalized for more than a day after pleading not guilty to murder, attempted murder and hit-and-run charges.

The 49-year-old has been a defendant in many court cases, but none as serious as the one that now keeps him in a Los Angeles jail.

Knight is charged with striking two men with his truck in Compton on Jan. 29, fatally injuring his friend and seriously injuring the other.

Authorities suspect Knight intentionally hit the men, but his attorneys have said their client was being attacked and was trying to flee.

Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Barnes said at a court hearing on Monday that she intends to introduce a “very large stack of

“I think in the music industry, people don't really view him as much of anything now,'' said Alex Gale, a senior editor at Billboard magazine.

“He hasn't really done anything of relevance in a while.''

Gale said many in the industry are probably reluctant to do business with Knight, since they've heard stories about his heavy-handed tactics than the general public has.

Rap music has evolved since Knight's heyday, Gale said, which is another factor in why he is no longer a player in the business.

Knight's attorney, David Kenner, said his client continues to work in the music industry, but did not know any specific acts he represented.

Mark Blankenship, president of Everlert Entertainment, attended Knight's court appearance on Monday and said his company had been working with the former mogul on music and movie projects but declined to offer specifics. Blanken-

ship said the company was prepared to post Knight's bail if a judge reverses a previous order keeping Knight behind bars.

Some feel that Knight's reputation is overblown.

“I think it's all a big myth,'' said hiphop producer Mannie Fresh.

Fresh met Knight at a bar at the BET Awards several years ago and he recalled that no one was getting a drink because they were afraid of approaching Knight. “When I met him, the dude was very nice,'' Fresh said Saturday, recalling that Knight wasn't as physically imposing as he expected. “He was like nice to meet you and I love your music. I was like scratching my head.''

Fresh said the encounter left him with a different impression of Knight than the conventional one. “I think he just created something.''

Knight does have a history of court cases and disputes that have placed him behind bars and in danger.

He went to prison for five years on a probation violation after Shakur was killed, and he has been jailed several times since then. He's also been shot twice, once in Miami in 2005 and again in September while at a West Hollywood nightclub.

Knight developed a blood clot after the recent shooting.

Knight derived his power during the heyday of Death Row records in part based on his reputation, but also because he had an association with the Mob Piru Crips street gang, Kading said. Many of his associates have been killed or no longer support Knight, Kading said.

Gale, the magazine editor, said despite Knight's many problems, he still commands interest because he created something new in the music industry with Death Row Records.

Knight “inspired many, many other entrepreneurs,'' Gale said, and he “blazed a lot of trails for the entrepreneurial spirit that prevails in hip-hop to this day.''

Sales for Death Row artists were phenomenal for an independent label, Gale said.

“Since then, that's the reason he gets attention.''

By Anthony McCartney THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ___ AP Entertainment Writer contributed to this report.

Sandy

___ Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP

Cohen

Vision/ Winter 2015

Music

7

Kirk Diamond and Bob Di Builda nominated for a JUNO Award with single “Love Inna Wi Heart”.

Toronto, Canada - Canadian recording artist Kirk Diamond and Bob Di Builda have been nominated for a prestigious 2015 JUNO Award in the category Reggae Recording of the Year for their “Love Inna Wi Heart” single.

year for both Kirk and Bob who have released separate solo projects and collaborations under Don Dem’s umbrella.

Speaking on the nominations, Bob Di Builda stated “Heading to the Juno nomination announcement I was pretty nervous, this is big Produced by Fench based Galang Records, the nostal- and this day can change our lives. All the hard work gic ode to the 90’s has become a worldwide success is starting to pay off. My brother Kirk Diamond steadily climbing various international charts such as promised me a Juno two the popular Canadian chart years ago and I’m happy for us we been waiting for this Rebel Vibez where it held day.” #1 spot for over 8 weeks.

Also nominated in Reggae A proud and humbled Kirk Recording of the Year are added “It’s overwhelming Exco Levi, Mikey Dangerreally. I don’t know if it sink ous, Steele and Tasha T. in as yet. I’m truly happy and grateful.”

It has been an eventful

In support of the hit single, a video filmed in Jamaica and directed by Nellie Roxx and Xtreme Arts was recently released and received over 10 thousand views within a week on youtube.

In a release to the media Kirk and Bob spoke of the song and video experience “the song was written based off actual events that was going on in and around my life. so the words are factual but writing the song was away for me to get through a negative situation.”

Bob chimed in “It was exciting being able to go back home to shoot the video.

the whole vibe of the cast and the crew made it fun and made us comfortable but you’ll be able to see that in the video” The 2015 JUNO Awards will take place in Hamilton, Ontario and JUNO Week celebrations will take place from March 9th to the 15th. The 44th annual JUNO Awards will be broadcast on CTV from FirstOntario Centre on Sunday, March 15, 2015. For more information, please visit www.JunoAwards.ca The Juno Awards and the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music.

Press Contact: Consulting.MPR@gmail.com (MPR Consulting)

Music

8

Vision/ Winter 2015

Vision/ Autumn 2014

LEDISI - DISAPPOINTED

The Return of Snow some recordings... I would love to work with Ninja Man. I'm here to catch a vibe again," he said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Looks like Kanye West wasn't the only person bothered by the way things went down at the Grammys. Ledisi (LEH'-dihcee) says she was “a little disappointed'' she didn't get to take the stage and sing the song she did for the movie “Selma.'' Ledisi was up for a Grammy for her rendition of the gospel tune, “Precious

Lord, Take My Hand.'' But she wasn't asked to sing it; Beyonce was. Ledisi says she understands why Beyonce was asked to do the song for the nationally televised TV show _ and has gotten over her disappointment. As for her turn in the spotlight, she says: “My time will come when it's time.''

FIFTEEN years is a lot of time to be absent from the music business. However, Canadian dancehall artiste Snow is not perturbed. He is in Jamaica for two weeks to kick-start his career and promote his single Shame.

"Everywhere I went in the Jamaican communities in Toronto, people were saying 'Snow, you got come down'. So I just said 'lemme get focused and get serious'. So I'm here, I hope to do

Snow, 45, arrived in the island on Monday accompanied by veteran deejay Ninja Man, to promote his latest single.

“Shame” was released in the last quarter of 2014, and is a collab effort with former Black Uhuru singer Mykal Rose. The track is produced by Florida-based Kent Jones and Cool & Dre. "Shame is about where I was in my life emotionally," he said. www.jamaicaobserver.com (CP PHOTO/Jonathan Hayward)

Kanye West rolls back diss of Beck but calls the Grammys a joke radio show Wednesday to expound on his post-Grammy diss of the surprise Album of the Year winner.

NEW YORK _ Kanye West says he has nothing but respect for Beck. The Grammys? Not so much.

West paid a visit on Ryan Seacrest and his “On Air''

The rapper walked up the steps at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as Beck was accepting his award Sunday night but retreated before re-enacting his interruption of Swift at the VMAs. During an aftershow on E!, West ranted that Beck should “respect art-

istry'' and turn over his statue to fellow nominee Beyonce.

West told Seacrest of his stair-climbing antics: “It was kind of a joke like the Grammys themselves.''

And the post-show rant?

“This is our Super Bowl, you know, and someone's gotta be mad that Marshawn didn't get the ball,'' he said. Marshawn being Beyonce in this scenario but Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch in actual life.

As for “respecting artistry,''

West explained he was upset that Beck didn't mention other nominees as worthy in the category during his speech.

“Beck is one of the nicest guys and one of the most respected musicians in the game, so it's nothing that I would want to do as a fellow musician, to disrespect him in any way,'' he said. “That was a miswording on my part.''

West went on to describe the Grammys thusly: “They're like a broke clock. They're right only, like, twice a day.''

Music

Vision/ Winter 2015

9

Album Review

Be Cool Omar Perry

Full Speed Kid Ink

Reggae Recording Artist Omar Perry recently release “Be Cool”, a 7 track effort produced with Robbie Shakespeare and mixed by the DubStuy crew in Brooklyn. The album has been available since February 2nd 2015.

Full Speed is the third studio album by American rapper Kid Ink. The album was released on February 3, 2015.

“Body Language” was released as the album’s first single on September 9, 2014. It features a hook performed by American singer Usher and background vocals by American singer Tinashe.

“Hotel”, which features Chris Brown, was also made available to purchase on the iTunes Store on January 9, 2015. It was sent to US urban adult contemporary radio on January 27, 2015 as the album’s second single.

Check out the trailer https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=npByAcieeS8

www.wikipedia.com

Loyalty

Rich Gang 2 Rich Gang

Loyalty is the fourth studio album

by American rapper Soulja Boy. The album was released on February 3, 2015 under Stacks on Deck Entertainment, Rich Gang & Universal Music Group.

The story of Birdman’s label Cash Money is a fascinating one, being born on the streets and then thriving/grinding there for a decade before Lil Wayne took it to the penthouse with a series of mammoth albums, and then Nicki Minaj took it to America’s living room with her pop hits and gig as a judge on American Idol.

Soulja Boy

www.wikipedia.com

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Sports

Vision/ Autumn 2014

11

Raptors coach Dwane Casey worries players may pay price for week off expense of days off over the course of the season, he said. The Raptors return from the all-star break to play six games in eight nights _ four of them on the road, and five of them coming versus teams with winning records in Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans, Dallas, and Golden State.

Toronto Raptors head coach Dwayne Casey keeps an eye on the game during first half NBA action against the Boston Celtics in Toronto on Wednesday April 17, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said the first thing he plans to do once the NBA all-star break begins is find the nearest chair and sit down.

The Raptors host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday before the team disperses for a much-needed few days of rest.

“It's a good mental break,'' Casey said. “More than anything else, it gives the players a chance to take a deep breath, let the bodies (recuperate), get over the nagging injuries they have that sometimes we take for granted. We look at a guy like 'How come he's not playing at a high level?' Well, his body's messed up,

“I think one thing it's done is crunch up the games and if we're not careful, it's going to cause injuries, more fatigue on the bodies,'' Casey said.

“So we've got to find, along with the all-star break, a way to space out the games a little bit more. That way you do take the stress off the bodies and you do get a better product on the floor.''

something's hurt, he's sore, he's mentally sore.

The doubling of the days off is a oneyear test by the NBA.

“There's a lot of things going on, they're human, they're not computers.''

Casey said his solution would be to shorten the pre-season.

The NBA doubled the days off during the all-star break, giving teams a minimum of eight days between games. It gives even the players at all-star weekend _ including Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, who was voted a starter for the Eastern Conference team _ a few days to rest. The Raptors don't play again until Feb. 20 at Atlanta, giving them nine days off.

The time off is a double-edged sword, Casey warned. It comes at the

“It's not my call to make but I would say that something to relieve the pressure of as many back-to-backs that are crunched in all in a row,'' the coach said. “Because something is going to give, whether it's bodies or the product on the floor. There's nothing better than a fresh NBA body and mind going into a game.

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The Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets twice each this season before both teams exacted some revenge with victories at the Air Canada Centre last week.

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Paris is the eighth leg of the Diamond League.

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Toronto beat the Wizards 103-84 on Nov. 7, and 120-116 on New Years Eve.

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Bolt, the world-record holder in the 100 and 200, holds the meeting record of 9.79 seconds.

Diamond League organizers said on Wednesday the six-time Olympic champion from Jamaica will race at

“We've been preaching (about remaining focused before the break) now for the last two week, and hopefully they understand how Washington is going to come in here (Wednesday) night ready to take our heads off with the same attitude Brooklyn had, the same attitude Milwaukee had after we beat them,'' Casey said.

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the Stade de France for a fifth time, but for the first time in the 100 since 2010.

PARIS _ Usain Bolt will run the 100 metres at the Areva Meeting on July 4.

Coaches are always concerned heading into an all-star break that their players' minds will already be on a beach in the Bahamas rather than on the last game before the break.

The Raptors (35-17) already face a tough game against the Wizards (3320) who are third in the East, one spot below the Raptors. Both teams have won two in a row.

By Lori Ewing

“I like that (week off), but something else has to give, whether it's pre-season, time between games in the pre-season, less pre-season games.

Usain Bolt to run 100m at Stade de France on July 4 in Paris Diamond League meet

Bolt, who withdrew from the meet last year with a foot injury, has yet to finalize his summer program before the world championships in Beijing from Aug. 22-30.

. . that's above my pay grade but that would be my recommendation.''

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FILM

12

Vision / Winter 2015

The Toronto Black Film festival - Toronto’s biggest celebration of Black History Month through film!

Toronto_The 3nd Annual Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) will run from February 10 to 15, 2015 and will be presented by Global News.

Founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, the Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) is dedicated to celebrating and presenting the very best in cinematic work of Black filmmakers and talent from Canada and around the globe.

Our mandate is to fill a void by providing the opportunity for filmmakers from all ethnic groups, to share and promote authentic stories, which reflect the true reality of Black people throughout the world.

TBFF showcases the most outstanding and amazing Black films while creating a space to debate major cultur-

al, social and socio-economic issues. The festival offers screenings, concerts, panel discussions, exhibits, workshops, conferences and opportunities to meet creators and speakers from Canada and around the world.

Together with its strong local team, the great support of Global News and a partnership with its sister festival Montreal International Black Film Festival (presented by Global Montreal) that celebrates their 11-year anniversary in 2015 - the 3nd edition of the Toronto Black Film Festival will definitely be even more exciting and successful with more films screenings, special events and some celebrity guests (line-up to be revealed on January 20, 2015).

Comedian Kevin Hart to host roast of Canadian Justin Bieber on March 30 Justin Bieber'' will air on the Comedy Network in Canada on March 30 (at 10 p.m. ET/ PT).

The annual televised roast sees panellists skewering a featured celebrity with biting remarks.

LOS ANGELES _ Standup star Kevin Hart will host Comedy Central's upcoming roast of Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber.

Bieber has revealed on his Twitter account that Hart will serve as Roast Master in the special, writing “This is gonna be good.''

The “Comedy Central Roast of

In a posting on his Twitter account last month, Bieber said he's long wanted Comedy Central to roast him.

He said the channel told him he needed to provide more material _ and he “worked hard'' to provide it for the past year.

In his tweet about the Hart news on Monday, Bieber used the hashtags “#neverscared'' and “#kindascared.''

The Toronto Black Film Festival is about DISCOVERY & DIVERSITY! We’re devoted to sharing our stories and celebrating diversity within the various Black communities! The Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) is dedicated to giving unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences with new ways of looking at the world.

In connecting Black films with viewers of all colours and ethnic origins we recognize the differences that make us unique and celebrate the shared values that also bring us together. Coming together through art allows members of all cultural communities to better understand one another.

The TBFF will be Toronto’s biggest celebration

of Black History Month through film!!!

Get Festival News: www.torontoblackfilm.com www.facebook.com/torontoblackfilmfestival www.twitter.com/TOblackfilmfest | Hashtag: TBFF15 Source: Toronto Black Film Festival Contact: Joyce Fuerza Head Coordinator Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) Email: joyce@torontoblackfilm.com Tel: 416-888-7208

Vision/ Winter 2015

lifestyle

13

Oprah Winfrey selects Cynthia Bond's 'Ruby' for next book club pick Company. During a recent telephone interview, she said that she worked on the novel for more than a decade and that it will likely be the first of a trilogy. She had written 900 pages for “Ruby,'' but decided to separate it into three books after her mother, then her agent, suggested it.

“Ruby'' draws upon stories Bond has heard while working with at-risk youth in Los Angeles, and was also inspired by a horrifying event in her family's history. In the 1930s, Bond's aunt was shot repeatedly by the sheriff and his deputies, all rumoured to be members of the Ku Klux Klan, because she had been involved with a white man. Her body was dumped in a sack and thrown onto her grandfather's porch.

“This has impacted our family so much and was the base from where the story (of 'Ruby') started,'' Bond said.

Oprah Winfrey address the crowd before she marches Edmund Pettus Bridge in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, in Selma, Ala. Winfrey joined some of the cast to promote the movie "Selma." (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

NEW YORK _ From the very first sentence, Oprah Winfrey loved what became her latest book club pick.

“I thought, 'Wow, this is so good I have to wait until I actually have the time to absorb the language,''' said Winfrey, during a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press, of Cynthia Bond's novel “Ruby.''

“I put it down and waited until I was in bed with the flu to start reading it. I found the language and descriptions so vividly compelling that sometimes I would have to take a breath and repeat the sentences out loud.''

Winfrey's choice, coming out in paperback Tuesday and announced to the AP, is a debut novel published last year to positive reviews and moderate sales. Bond's publisher, Hogarth, understandably expects that to change and has commissioned a paperback printing of 250,000 copies. The hardcover currently has 20,000 copies in print, according to Hogarth, an imprint of Penguin Random House, and is available as an

e-book. As with Winfrey's three previous picks since relaunching her club as “Oprah's Book Club 2.0'' in 2012, she will focus on online promotion, through her own website (www.oprah.com) and through Twitter, Instagram and other social media.

By late Tuesday afternoon, “Ruby'' was in the top 50 on Amazon.com and in the top 10 on Barnes & Noble.com.

Winfrey also has acquired film and television rights for the novel through her Harpo Films. Her interview with Bond will appear in the March issue of “O'' magazine, which comes out Feb. 17.

A Barnes & Noble “Discover'' pick in 2014 and a favourite of the editors of “O,'' Bond's book is set in the author's native Texas and tells a fierce and poetic tale of a worldly, beautiful black woman, Ruby Bell, and her struggle not to be destroyed by her home community of Liberty Township. Bond sets the scene right away, for Winfrey and, presumably, for many others: “Ruby Bell was a constant reminder of what could befall a woman

whose shoe heels were too high.''

Bond's novel is Winfrey's first choice in just over a year, when she selected Sue Monk Kidd's “The Invention of Wings.'' Fans may wish she announced picks more often, but Winfrey's success and staying power is in part because of her reluctance to recommend a book until she finds one that excites her.

When she started her first club, in 1996, she would make several choices a year. But by 2002 she felt she had put too much pressure on herself to find new works and suspended her club. Winfrey ended the hiatus a year later, only after she came upon a book she was compelled to talk about, John Steinbeck's “East of Eden.'' “'I thought, 'Gee, I wish I had a book club so I could tell everybody about it and do it without pressure,''' she said.

Bond, now a resident of Los Angeles, studied journalism at Northwestern University and lived for years in New York, where she acted with the Negro Ensemble

In praising the book, Winfrey compared it to works by Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston, authors that the 53-year-old Bond cites as influences. She and Winfrey have had much to say to other. Bond, like Winfrey, has known difficult, despairing times. She was sexually and physically abused as a child and says writing helped her cope with near-suicidal depression.

They also share a connection to Maya Angelou, who died last year.

Bond is the daughter of a literature and theatre professor and met Angelou as a child. Winfrey knew Angelou for decades and often spoke of the poet as a mentor and mother figure.

“If Maya had been alive I would have called her before I finished this ('Ruby') and said, 'Oh, my God, you've got to read this book and finish it with me,''' Winfrey said.

By Hillel Italie THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

2014 / Page 15

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