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VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 3 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13TH 2013

CARIBBEAN NEWS, EVENTS, HEALTH, LIFESTYLE & MORE

SPOTLIGHT ON LITERACY

Turning a New Page East Scarborough Neighbourhood Turns a New Page on Literacy EMILY SINGH/TORONTO CARIBBEAN

TORONTO -- Optimistic and united are some of the few words used to describe the parents and community members who gathered at St. Margaret’s Public School on Tuesday night for a reading forum, fittingly called Spotlight on Literacy: A Community Conversation. The objective of this forum was to identify and promote awareness of low literacy rates within the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park area in east Scarborough. This event was made possible through a locally run organization called the Reading Partnership for Parents Program.

“In a nutshell we teach parents

with children between the ages of 4 to 6 how to teach their children to read. It’s a 12-week program and runs out of the Scarborough Early Years Centre “said forum host and educational director of the Reading Partnership for Parents Program, Camesha Cox. Parents of the Kingston-Galloway/Orton Park community were able to have their questions answered from a wide panel of guests including representatives from the TDSB, Toronto Public Library and a parent expert amongst others.

“It takes a village to raise a child,”

said Nigel Hunter, from the TDSB Redemption Reintegration Services, which is why the community is uniting with one another to help combat and conquer low literacy rates within the KGO community. The forum emphasized the need of adopting a community attitude in order to work together in fostering an environment where children learn to read at an early age to eliminate low literacy rates.

One program that has been integrated is the “Ready for Reading Program”, offered though the Toronto Public Library.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Spotlight on literacy - turning a new page Emily Singh TC Reporter Continued From Page 1 -- The program places emphasis on a one on one assistance to help make reading an interactive and fun experience.

“One of the challenges we find is

that a lot of our children do not have a positive attitude towards reading and writing already at the kindergarten level” said Lauren West, TDSB kindergarten teacher.

Parents are the child’s first teacher.

Therefore the panel advised parents to promote reading on a daily basis and to tailor their approach to their child’s passion and interests to help engage and stimulate the drive to read.

To help jump start the reading initiative, Frontier College donated 1,000 books to the community members present at the forum in the attempt to spread the joy of reading throughout the KGO neighborhood and combat low literacy rates.

Tourist drowns in Tobago; north coast calm

Michelle,

a Guyanese beauty who resides here in Toronto is an executive legal assistant who enjoys networking and making new friends. Michelle can be seen in many local Mas Camp launches, brochures and many other local modeling and runway events.

In her spare time, Michelle likes to catch a movie, endulge in the Caribbean lifestyle and of course her biggest love is spending time with her son. She aspires to one day be a famous runway model.

TRINIDAD (TG) -- Although waves as high as ten feet were forecast for Trinidad’s northern coast over the weekend, beaches were relatively normal for much of Sunday.

The waves did prove to be fatal in Tobago, however, where one life was lost. An 85-yearold Swiss tourist, Albert Dietschi, who was a guest at the Footprints Eco Resort, drowned while kayaking.

According to employees at the resort, Dietschi was warned of the rough seas by management but did not heed the warning. He later encountered rough waters and his kayak overturned at Culloden Bay. He was later rushed to the Scarborough Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A warning issued by the National Hurricane Centre on March 6 said a surge in wind energy would cause extremely high waves starting yesterday. The T&T Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) and the T&T Meteorological Service also put out rough seas bulletins on Friday predicting long periods of swells and battering waves near shorelines.

Yesterday, lifeguards at Salybia Beach reported strong currents and winds but normal beach traffic. Lifeguard patrol captain Vishnu Ragoonanan told the T&T Guardian visitors to the beach did not heed the ODPM and Met Office bulletins. He said they had the usual number of Sunday visitors. On the way to the northern coast, many excursion and tour buses were spotted heading to the beaches, in addition to those on the beach.

The patrol captain at Toco, Arnold Campbell, also reported that wave heights were normal. The beach was also littered with visitors and buses. Campbell did say there were heavier winds than normal. The normal wave height was also evident at Matelot Beach and Mission Bay. The waves were also normal at Maracas and Las Cuevas Bays.

While waves appeared normal at beaches across the country, the Met Office issued a third bulletin at 1 pm. The bulletin continued to warn of hazardous sea conditions along the north-western and eastern coast. The bulletin said long periods of swells were forecast for the next three to four days.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

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“Home Again” filmed in Trinidad hits theatres March 22nd Drama, suspense, intrigue... its a must see movie!

Cindy Ramkumar TC Reporter TORONTO -- On March 22nd “Home Again” hits Ontario theatres for the first time. An award winning media company Hungry Eyes Film & Television, located in Toronto produced this film, led by Sudz

Sutherland, who holds the title of Writer, Executive Producer and Director. He has directed episodes of “Da Kink in My Hair”, “Degrassi”, “The Next Generation”, “Wild Roses” and the television movie “Doomstown”. His first feature film “Love, Sex & Eating the Bones” won the Best Canadian First Feature award at the Festival. “Home Again” is his latest feature.

This film, “Home Again” was launched in September 2012, at the Toronto Film Festival. The movie was enjoyed by all as it was also shown at the Whistler Film Festival. The public reviews at the Film Festival all were good and almost all participants said they would see this movie again.

“Home Again” filmed in Trinidad, in 2012, depicts the life of three (3) Jamaican deportees, a Canadian, an American and a British. These three grew up in the cosmopolitan cities Toronto, New York and London, however were charged for small crimes and were all deported to Jamaica. These characters of varying backgrounds return to a “home” they hardly knew and try to make a new life for themselves in Jamaica.

Its is a must see movie, as these characters survive in a Third World country they don’t understand, while they all attempt to carve a new life out for themselves, yet bombarded, lost and confused in the Third Word drama and its lifestyle of sur-

vival.

The drama, suspense and intrigue plays out in the movie. The movie stars famous actors like Tatyana Ali formerly from the series Fresh Prince of Bel Air, CCH Pounder, Lyriq Bent, Stephan James and Fefe Dobson.

Ontario Cinemas at Yonge & Dundas, Silver City at Trinity Commons, Morningside Cineplex at Scarborough, and International Village cinemas in Vancouver all will launch this movie on March 22nd.

Everyone should make some time and see this movie when it is released as it is definitely a movie that intrigues the viewer from beginning to end.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Mashramani competition winners receive prizes GUYANA (GC) -- Winners of the various Mashramani 2013 competitions that were staged under the theme ‘Reflecting Creativity, Embracing Diversity’ received their prizes at a ceremony at the Umana Yana on Friday, 8th March.

that the pan competition is outgrowing the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, and the planning committee for next year, will have to start looking for another venue.

The Ministry will also be looking at reintroducing the display of the king and queen costumes prior to the road parade. This aspect of the celebrations had stopped because of the last-minute touches the designers had to complete however, this year most of the band’s costumes were completed early.

“If we can keep that standard, then certainly next year we can look at re-introducing the night when we display the king and queen costumes… that’s something we will certainly take on board,” Minister Anthony said This year there were 19 king and 24 queen costumes, a record over last year.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony presents a trophy to a representative of the Ministry of Tourism for their participation in the road march

The Awardees In the Children’s competition (Steelband), Detroy Dey, Michael Smith Jr. and Akeem Mohamed secured the first, second and third respectively in the junior solo. In the senior category, the winner was Ray Sparman, followed by Micahel smith Jr. and Omari Austin and Clayton Daniels in the third spot. Clayton Daniels and Ray Sparman copped first in the duet, followed by Jamal Johnson and Javir Marks in second and Akeem Mohamed and Don Johnson in third spot.

In the school bands competition, North Ruimveldt was the winner. Bishops High came second followed by Queen’s College while in the Church Bands category, St Andrew’s Kirk secured the first followed by Central Assemblies of God. In the large bands, the Guyana Police Force took home the first prize and Parkside came second.

Sixteen Guyanese artistes entered the 2013 Chutney finals with Roger Hinds copping the top spot. He was followed by Fiona Singh and Haresh Singh in second and third positions respectively.

In Calypso, Lester ‘De Professor’ Charles copped first place.

In the Soca Monarch competition Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo kept the Soca Monarch Crown with his hit song ‘Fireworks’ followed by Kwasi Edmondson and Adrian Dutchin respectively. Dutchin kept the road march title Olympia Small-Sonaram was awarded designer of the year for pieces that included

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony congratulated all the winners for their performances and support in making the celebrations for the 43rd Republic Anniversary a great success.

He recollected on the activities that were held during February to celebrate Mash including the lectures, exhibition at the Guyana National Museum with emphasis on the Berbice Slave Rebellion, art exhibition at Castellani House, the annual Chutney, Soca and Calypso competitions and the children’s and adult road marches.

Dr Anthony emphasised that while much was achieved during the celebrations, there is still a lot to be done. He noted that later in the year a study will be commissioned to determine how the Mash celebrations can be improved. In Trinidad and Tobago there is legislation that accommodates the carnival, and there is also a special committee that manages the festivities.

The minister indicated that for Guyana to go in that direction, the Mash model will have to be revamped so that better things could be done.

With regard to the song competitions, Dr Anthony noted that a lot of people take the competitions for granted. “This year we have had close to 107 songs that were created just for Mashramani.” He explained that one of the things that has been lacking is that while these songs are being created very often a product is not made out of the music.

He illustrated that in Trinidad and Tobago people can buy CDs and DVDs with excerpts of the carnival so they have a product that comes after the event. “That product helps us to do a lot of things – one, popularise the music so that more people can get to know the songs and secondly it will give people an insight as to what is happening for the next year,” he said.

Due to the various reasons the local musicians sometimes have challenges in putting together that product, and over the next year, the ministry will work towards ensuring a timely product emerges after Mash.

“We have a long way to go, but we are optimistic because the competition is growing.

More bands are participating, and that’s a very good sign,” the minister said. He recognised Republic Bank as a very good partner in the promotion and resuscitation of pan music.

The Culture Minister highlighted

Carib Soca Monarch Jumo Primo receives his trophy from Ansa Mc Al’s Nigel Worrell. Also in photo are second place winner Kwasie Edmondson (right) and third place winner Adrian Dutchin

the first place Banks DIH queen costume.

The parade was a huge success as bands competed in the following category; costume and band parade-individual (king and queen, male and female), full and semi costume (large, medium and small), floats (commercial and non-commercial) and regional

(full costume and individual) with depictions keeping in line with the theme.

Olympia Small-Sonaram was awarded designer of the year for pieces that included the first place Banks DIH queen costume.

The parade was a huge success as bands competed in the following categories; costume and band parade-individual (king and queen, male and female), full and semi costume (large, medium and small), floats (commercial and non-commercial) and regional (full costume and individual) with depictions keeping in line with the theme.

Digicel, Banks DIH Ltd and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment copped the semi costume large category in the first, second and third spots respectively.

In the medium category, Slingshot gained first, Ministry of Agriculture second and Region Five, third. Apsara and Lux Entertainment topped the Small category.

For the Floats, in the non-commercial category, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport topped that position followed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and Region Six respectively.

The commercial category as won by Banks DIH Ltd followed by Apsara and Lux Entertainment in second Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) dominated the Regional Full Costume category, followed by Regions Four (Demerara/Mahaica0 and Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) respectively.

For the Individual Pieces, Region Three copped both king and queen while in the Non commercial category, Region Six emerged winner.

This year saw about 50 bands participating in the Children’s Mash Parade and included groups from the nursery, primary and secondary schools and Administrative Regions. There were also individual and other children’s organisations presentations.

In the nursery school category East Street, Selman Fraser, Happy Hearts and Head Start nursery schools copped the first, second, third and forth spots, respectively.

Winfer Gardens, Success Elementary, North Georgetown and St. Stephen’s primary schools placed first, second and third respectively.

For the second consecutive year, Diamond Secondary secured the top spot in the secondary category. They were followed by Cummings Lodge, Sophia Special School and Ascension secondary schools, respectively.

In the individual category Kawall, Chateau Margot and Ketley Primary Schools were awarded the first, second and third positions, while Monar Education Institute copped the fourth spot.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme, National School of Dance, David Rose School for the Handicapped and Z-Bra Children’s Network were the top performers in the Other Children’s Organisations category.

With regards, to the regional presentations Regions, 3, 10, 8 and 2, gained the first, second, third and fourth positions, respectively.

Appreciation was extended to the sponsors of the celebrations including Banks DIH for co-sponsoring the calypso competition, Ansa McAl – Soca Monarch, GT&T – the Children’s Mash Parade, Republic Bank – Steel Pan competition, Mr. Looknauth Persaud from King’s Jewellery World – Chutney competition, Guy Enterprise and Impressions.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Mackerel returns to the shelf

JAMAICA (JO) -It’s been almost 30 years ago since deejay Major Mackerel hit the charts with Pretty Looks Done and Dutty Bungle. After a 15-year break, he is on the comeback trail.

Mackerel, 46, has recently performed on local shows and released new songs such as Truckback Productions’ Live it Up, Pepperpot and Gyal a Road.

The question is: Does he bring anything new to the table after all these years?

“Nothing has changed much about me except that I have gotten older and uglier. My job is to entertain and variety is the spice of life, so from time I will be mixing the old with the new,” he says.

Mackerel says while it is not difficult getting airplay for his new songs, it is not as easy as his heyday in the 1980s and 1990s.

“Back in the days the producers were solely responsible for promoting and getting the song out there. Now every dance I attend it is the artiste that I see with their CDs issuing them out or trying to get it to a selector to play,” he says.

It is not the only thing that has changed. Mackerel observed that there is a

decline in major shows and he blames this partially on artiste demands.

“They need to drop their prices, this way more promoters will come on board and keep more shows. Imagine an artiste charging $700,000 for a 15-minute performance!”

Major Mackerel has a lot of dancehall mileage under his belt. He emerged on the dancehall scene in 1978 and is best known for hits like Pretty Looks Done, Sorry Fi Both and Cow Cod. Since the late 1990s, he has resided in New York City with his family. In 2009, he made headlines worldwide but not for his music.

Mackerel was the victim of a vicious attack that left him nursing wounds inflicted by a man wielding a Samurai sword.

According to reports from police in New York, the artiste was slashed across the head and hand in a fight outside his East Flatbush home by a jealous husband.

Besides new recordings, Major Mackerel says he is preparing for summer shows in Europe and Japan.

Soca starʼs husband held for sexual assault TRINIDAD (TG) -The husband of a popular soca star was arrested early Sunday morning and is expected to be charged for grievous sexual assault. The man, who spent last night at the Chaguanas Police Station, was arrested around 3 am Sunday at a house at Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas.

Reports reveal that a woman who works with the entertainer was asleep at her home, when, around 2 am, she was awakened and found the man lying on the bed attempting to assault her.

The woman left the entertainer’s

home and later filed a report at the Chaguanas station. Following inquiries, the man, who was believed to be intoxicated, was arrested at the entertainer’s home and taken to the station, where he was placed in a cell and left to sober up. Senior officials yesterday confirmed the man had been questioned, and that statements had also been recorded from the entertainer.

Calls to the entertainer’s cellphone went unanswered Sunday, while there were also no responses to text messages and voicemails were not returned.

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Jamaican? Go Home! Jamaicans treated unfairly in Barbados, says lawyer Lawyers offer data suggesting Jamaicans most discriminated against in Barbados JAMAICA (JO) -- Figures released into evidence in the case involving Jamaican Shanique Myrie versus the Government of Barbados by attorneys representing the Jamaican Government at the just-concluded sitting of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in Kingston show that 266 Jamaicans were refused entry into Barbados in 2011.

That was the same year that Myrie, who claims to have been subjected to abusive and discriminatory treatment in the form of a vaginal search and verbal abuse, was detained and deported from that country.

Myrie is claiming damages and an apology from the Barbadian state for discrimination on the grounds of her nationality in a landmark case before the CCJ, with witnesses being questioned last week at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

Her attorneys say the figures suggest that Jamaicans, more than any other Caricom nation, have been discriminated against by Barbados border control in recent years.

Myrie’s story, which first broke in the Jamaica Observer in March 2011, threatened to sour relations between both Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries and caused the Jamaican government to send a diplomatic

delegation to Barbados.

The figures were requested from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) by the Attorney General’s Office, who is acting on behalf of the Jamaican government, which sought and was granted permission to act as intervener in the matter.

The data show that a total of 1,485 Jamaicans who have landed at the Grantley Adams Airport were refused entry into the eastern Caribbean island between 2007 and 2012.

The Attorney General is arguing that Jamaicans are summarily refused entry into Barbados because of their nationality and accuses Barbados of breaching the dictates of the

revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

A section of the treaty allows for: Lead attorney for the Jamaican Government Dr Kathy-Ann Brown, who will argue the case when the court reconvenes in Bridgetown, Barbados, on March 18, last week contended that Jamaicans have been subject to unfair treatment at the hands of Barbadian Airport Officials.

“The statistical evidence submitted by both Jamaica and Barbados demonstrate a persistent and relatively constant disparity, over a period of five years from 2007, in the denial of entry of Jamaican nationals, com-

pared with nationals of almost all other Caricom countries,” Brown said.

“Where statistical data demonstrates a pattern of differential and prejudicial treatment of a category of persons, here, Jamaican nationals, this places a significant burden of proof on a defendant to provide an explanation.

If there is no satisfactory explanation, it is legitimate to infer that the less favourable treatment was on grounds of nationality,” she added.

Another document with figures provided by Caricom that was entered into evidence revealed that more Jamaicans and Guyanese are refused entry to Barbados than any other Caricom nationals.

According to the Caricom figures, 404 Jamaicans were refused entry in 2008, a significant increase over the previous year when 123 Jamaicans were turned back. In 2009, a total of 218 Jamaicans were sent home, while 229 were refused entry the following year.

In the two years that followed, a total of 511Jamaicans were refused entry, the document revealed.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Jamaicans treated unfairly Continued From Page 6 -- During last week’s historic sitting, evidence was offered by a number of Jamaicans including; Myrie, Avia James, Odiesha Brown, John Wilson, Chevine Edwards, and Julian Jackson, who all claimed they were discriminated against and were subjected to unfair treatment.

All were drilled by lead attorney for the Barbadian Government Roger Forde, who attempted at every turn, to discredit claims that Jamaicans were treated unfairly.

Wilson claimed he was accused of trafficking drugs into the eastern Caribbean island and taken to a medical centre and forced to undergo an X-ray examination.

Like Myrie, James and Brown both testified to being accused of going to Barbados to traffic drugs and ‘steal’ men.

James also claimed that a Barbadian official ordered her to strip so he could search for cocaine, but she refused to yield.

“The woman said all Jamaicans do is come and mash up their lives and take away their man,” James told the Jamaica Observer in October last year.

But her ordeal did not end there, she said.

“He took my purse and removed everything from it. I had US$250 and J$200 in the purse. When he gave it back to me, my money and my debit card were gone. I demanded my money back and he said: “You s..t! You think I want your (expletive) $250? You Jamaicans are s..t!” James alleged.

She claimed the cop threw the Jamaican bank notes on the ground and told her, “I hate you Jamaicans. Don’t leave your crosses money in our airport”.

However, lead attorney for the Barbadian Government, Roger Forde, argued that there is no basis for claims that Jamaicans are turned back from Barbados for reasons other than legal ones.

To prove his point, Forde spoke to three persons on the list of those refused entry.

All three had been turned away from Barbados because of fraudulent documents, or being pre-

viously deported.

He cited the cases of Lovena Thomas who was refused entry after it was discovered that she tendered false documents in the form of a fraudulent Antiguan stamp; Dawn Williams, who is accused of overstaying the time granted her by immigration officials, and Nicholas Gordon who was also found to be travelling on fraudulent documents.

“If a person is turned around and the reason is fraud, is that in relation to nationality?” Forde asked deputy director of PICA Ephium Allen during last week’s sitting.

‘The data cannot show that the reason is nationality, so there is no reason to support the argument that refusal is due to nationality.

It does not hold,” he asserted.

Forde also argued before the court that, because the Jamaican numbers did not include the number of Jamaicans who were admitted entry into Barbados, nor those who were refused entry into other Caricom states, no real comparison could be made.

Allen was asked by the attorneys appearing on behalf of the Jamacan Government to give evidence.

He testified that Jamaican immigration officials only refuse entry to Caricom nationals as a last resort.

All the Jamaicans who have complained of being unfairly treated in Barbados claimed they were locked up before being sent back to Jamaica on the earliest possible flight.

But, Allen declared Caricom nationals who were refused entry to Jamaica were not treated like criminals.

“All reasonable avenues are pursued before a decision is made. If refusals occur, it is a practice to allow them to make phone calls or use the Internet to send a message. Being refused entry is different from being arrested.

A return ticket is also provided,” Allen told the court.

He also said Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, and Bahamas have been refusing entry to a number of Jamaicans who attempt to set foot on their shores.

Turtle tourism gets a $29m boost TRINIDAD (TG) -Turtle Village Trust executive director Dr Allan Bachan says turtle watching has the potential to attract a larger international audience and surpass Carnival as a revenue earner. He was speaking at the launch of the turtle season 2013 at the Valencia Visitor Centre last week.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Turtle Village Trust and long-serving corporate sponsor, Atlantic, after which Minister Ganga Singh said more than $29 million will be disbursed to various turtle conservation bodies over the next four years. “As developers, politicians and community leaders we should start to see marine turtles as a valuable asset, generating economic value and jobs,” Bachan said.

“If managed properly, turtle tourism has the potential to surpass Carnival in socioeconomic value. The value of sea turtles at Grande Riviere can be seen by the investment in accommodations in this community.” He said the farming community, hotels and guest houses also benefited from turtle watching.

Bachan said the total average revenue for the season for guest houses, hotels, shops, food establishments, bars and agro-

tourism was $53 million annually. He said the economic value of a sea turtle can be valued at approximately $26,000. Atlantic CEO Nigel Darlow said sea turtles had contributed to the growth and development of ecotourism in T&T. He said it was a fact that if there were no sea turtles, the local marine ecosystem would eventually collapse.

Darlow said this disaster was averted due to the community, stakeholders and companies like Atlantic. He said the turtle population, especially leatherback turtles, was now stabilised because of their collective effort.

Minister of Science and Technology and Member of Parliament for Toco/Sangre Grande DrRupert Griffith said an estimated 10,000 leatherback turtles now nested in Trinidad compared to 500 in 1987, placing the population as the largest in the western hemisphere and perhaps the world.

He said this has resulted in the northeastern district of Trinidad attracting a large number of visitors both local and foreign annually to witness the nesting spectacle. Griffith said this interest has translated into increased socio-economic development for the region.

Also present was Turtle Village Trust chairman Natasha Ashby.

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Two proposed locations for new Demerara Harbour Bridge GUYANA (GC) -- Two proposed locations for a new Demerara Harbour Bridge are currently under consideration.

The locations being explored are from Versailles on the West Bank Demerara to Houston on the East Bank Demerara and Good Hope on the East Bank of Demerara and Patentia on the West Bank of Demerara.

Design and location of a new Demerara Harbour Bridge were proposed during presentation last month at the third Engineering Conference hosted by the Ministry of Public Works held at the international Con-

ference Centre, Liliendaal on the Maintenance and Traffic Management Challenges and a New Demerara Harbour Bridge.

At this conference the proposed new Demerara Harbour Bridge was presented and indicated clearly the options and cost with revenue returns on the project by General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, Mr. Rawlston Adams.

Adams’s presentation outlined that the structural requirements will be reinforced concrete and with a four-lane vehicular path of 20 metres wide.

It was also proposed that the bridge would

have a navigation clearance of 100 metres wide with navigational aids, an air draft of 50 metres, adequate marine collision protection at navigating channels and an estimated length of 2,250 metres.

He explained that this structure would see a proposed option in location where two positions are being considered.

The access roads would see a cost of US$6 M with the bridge structure at a cost of US$225M, and the access road at a total length of three kilometres at a total cost of US$231M. The bridge is estimated to see an

annual revenue using existing traffic only at a pessimistic US$ 57.8M which represents 100% of the Berbice Bridge toll or an optimistic revenue of US$28.9, a representation of 50% of the Berbice Bridge toll or a most likely situation of US$14.45M a representation of 25% of the Berbice Bridge toll.

Financing for the proposed project is being looked at in two areas: a public/private partnership operation similar to the Berbice Bridge construction or the second option in the China EXIM Bank agreement.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Gibson backs Samuels, Gayle Marlon Samuels return will bring a lift to the West Indies team

BRIDGETOWN (TG) -- The return of Marlon Samuels from injury will bring a lift to the West Indies team for the upcoming two-match Test Series against Zimbabwe. The classy top-order batsman was out of the game with a facial injury, but made a successful comeback with a stroke-filled half-century for Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre against Zimbabwe in a three-day fixture.

West Indies head coach Ottis Gibson welcomed his return and also backed experienced opener Chris Gayle to break out of his recent slump and come good in the upcoming matches.

“Having Marlon back is great news for us. The injury was unfortunate but he has been a ‘big’ player for us in the last 12 months or so. He has been the main batsman in all formats and we are very happy to have him back in the team and we expect him to do well again,” Gibson said.

“Chris is a quality player and I’m sure he will turn around his fortunes very soon. We have no doubt he will perform for us. He has done it many times before and we know he will be confident going into this series.”

The resurgent Samuels starred in all three formats last year. In Tests he had scores of 86, 117, 76 not out and 76 on the tour of England; 123 and 52 against New Zealand in Jamaica; and a career-best 260 against Bangladesh in Khulna. Overall he made 866 runs in seven Test matches. His most memorable knock, however, was the brilliant match-winning 78 in the ICC World T20 Final against home side Sri Lanka in Colombo last October.

Gibson was speaking during his official pre-series media briefing at the team hotel as the two sides prepare for the first Test at the historic Kensington Oval.

First ball tomorrow is 10 am.

“The interesting thing is we play three different formats with some new players coming in, so hopefully those players will bring a new focus. The Test series is very important for us because we have won the last four matches we have played and if we can win these two, we would have go back to see the last time the West Indies have won six Test matches in a row. That is something we want to focus on and an achievement we would like to have after the Test series,” Gibson said.

“For us as a team we have to focus on the first session of the first Test match and look to take it from there, and at the end of five days of hopefully good cricket we would come away with a win and put smiles on the faces of everyone.”

Windies team Darren Sammy (Captain) Denesh Ramdin (Vice Captain) Tino Best Darren Bravo Shivnarine Chanderpaul Narsingh Deonarine Shannon Gabriel Chris Gayle Veerasammy Permaul Kieran Powell Kemar Roach Marlon Samuels Shane Shillingford

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Caribbean Pot: Lamb chops in a coconut curry sauce

8 grape tomatoes 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 tablespoon curry powder 1 1/2 cup coconut milk 1 tablespoon fresh thyme 2 scallions 3 cloves garlic crushed 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 tablespoon shado beni chopped 1 cup water 1/4 scotch bonnet pepper (finely diced – no seeds) 1 shallot finely chopped (or onion) 2 tablespoon chopped parsley (flat leaf)

A recipe is simply delightful and will become a hit in your home.

Chris De La Rosa Caribbean Cooking As a young fella growing up on the islands I recall lamb not being a very popular choice when it came to meats we prepare (quite honestly.. our mom never made it).

Back then and today goat still is the champ

when it comes to a good curry. With varia-tions on the recipe itself, you can find cur-d ry goat cooked on just about every island y in the Caribbean and on the menu in every Caribbean restaurant outside the Carib-bean.

I’m no fan of lamb due to a terrible experience I had with grilled lamb I purchase a few years ago (leathery), but this recipe is simply delightful and will become a hit in your home.

Ingredients 5 lamb chops (about 3 lbs) 2 tablespoon veg oil 1/2 teaspoon salt

Iff yyouu don’t have grape tomatoes, use 1 medium tomato chopped. If you don’t have shado beni use 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro. I used a madras blend curry powder out of the Caribbean (much different than the stuff you get from India).

Wash and pat the lamb chops dry with paper towels, then heat the oil in a deep/heavy sauce pan on med/high heat.

Add the chops, so they brown on each side for a few minutes (you may need to turn the heat down to medium).

Remove the browned lamb chops and set aside. Turn the heat down to low and add a tablespoon more oil if necessary. Toss in the diced shallot (on onion) , crushed garlic

and grate the ginger directly into the pot. Let that cook on low for about 3 minutes (be sure to move around) so you get that wonderful flavor

base. Now add the curry powder and cook for a couple minutes (stir well). It will go grainy and darker as it cooks. You’ll be hit by a wicked tsunami of flavors at this point. Now add back the browned chops and if there’s any liquid from them..add also. Move around the pan to try and pick up some of that curry base we created.

Now toss in the chopped shado beni, scotch bonnet pepper, scallions, thyme and black pepper. Give it a good stir, then add the salt, coconut milk and water. Turn the heat up so you can bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to very llow so you have a gentle simmer. Cover tthe pot and let that cook for about 1.5 hrs oor until the lamb is tender and falling off tthe bones. Remember to stir the pot every 10-15 minutes.

Here’s where you may need to ppersonalize this dish a bit. I like my gravy tthick, so I turned up the heat to burn off aany excess liquid (you can leave gravy or bburn it all off) and remember to check to ssee if it has enough salt for your liking.

W When the gravy is as thick as you want, ttoss in the chopped parsley and the grape ttomatoes, turn off the heat and cover the lid for about 3 minutes.

The tender pieces of this lamb cooked in the coconut curry sauce will be outstanding as a side for roti, ground provisions, rice, dumplings or even something as simple as a side salad. If you’re adding a little Caribbean flair to your normal dinner, this curry lamb would make for a great addition. If you’re concerned about heat, don’t use any of the seeds of the scotch bonnet pepper as that’s where most of that raw heat is. The earthy flavors from the spices which make up the curry will work well with the mellowness of the coconut milk and the fresh herbs will truly take this dish over the top.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 15

Defeating joint stiffness in the morning

Simple exercise to aching muscles, arthritis and other joint pain

Geeta Maraj Yoga If you suffer from aching muscles, arthritis or other types of joint pain, you already know your challenges when waking up every morning. This is especially so as the barometric pressure falls when rain is in the forecast. Yoga asanas (postures) are most beneficial in alleviating joint pain and muscle tenderness. Best of all, most of these stretches can be performed before getting out of bed in the morning.

Here are a few stretches which you can try when you wake up: Resistance stretch for limbs: Lie in the centre of the bed without any pillows. Keep your arms about 4-6 inches from your body with your palms facing downward. Bring your legs to about 6-8 inches apart. Keep the elbows locked - meaning that you let your elbows be as straight as possible. Breathe in, and push your left arm onto the bed, as if you are trying

to push the mattress away with your entire arm. This creates a resistance in the full length of your arm, causing the muscles to tense. Then as you breathe out, relax the arm slowly, and feel the muscles become loose. Repeat the same stretch with the right arm.

Then try to do the same resistance push against the mattress with both arms at the same time. This exercise can be repeated 3 to 6 times or as is bearable.

A similar stretch can be performed with the legs.

As you breathe in, push the entire left leg against the mattress with us much force as you can, keeping the knee locked.

As you breathe out, relax the leg and feel the blood flow back into the leg muscles. Repeat the same exercise with the right leg in a similar fashion. Depending on your level of stiffness, you may try to do both legs at the same time if you are not in extreme pain. Always remember to breathe in as you begin the posture and exhale as you come out of the posture.

Spinal stretch: After stretching the legs it is important to stretch the spine. This is done by stretching your arms out at shoulder level across the bed (similar to making a T-shape with your body).

Place your palms facing upwards.

Bring your legs together and pull both knees towards your chest. Keep your torso in as straight a position as possible, and swing both knees to the right side of the bed. Turn your head to face the left hand.

Hold this position for a few minutes and take long deep breaths. To come out of this position you simply swing your legs back to the center position towards your chest then stretch them out. Turn your head back to the original position where your chin is in alignment with the middle of your chest. Repeat this exercise on the other side by taking both knees onto the left side while turning your head to the right side. Remember to take long deep breaths while holding the position.

Neck stretch: Lying on your back in the center of the bed, keep your legs together and arms close to your body. Place your palms facing downwards. Crawl your fingers toward your feet - as if you are trying to reach your knees without bending forward. When your arms are very tense, hold the position. As you breathe in, turn your head to the right side - as far right as you possibly can turn. Hold the position and keep breathing so as to relax the muscles of the neck. Return to center position, breathe in and then repeat onto the left side.

Entire body stretch: From the center of the bed, breathe in and hold your breath. Tense the arms by making a fist and stretch the arms towards the feet to lengthen them as much as possible. Tense the legs by pushing out your heels - as if you are pointing outward with your heels. Lift your head off the bed and push your chin towards your chest, while holding your breath.

Your entire body should be very tense while you are holding your breath and your chin is pushed toward your chest. To relax out of this asana, bring your head back onto the bed and exhale through your mouth, allowing your entire body to relax all at once.

These variations of yoga stretches should be performed on a daily basis, upon awakening, and/or before you sleep. These stretches will help to strengthen your muscles, thereby benefiting your joints.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

5 Ways to boost your metabolism

Monique Bartlett Fitness #1 Don’t Skip Breakfast: The morning meal jump starts your metabolism and helps to prevent binge eating later in the day. A cup of coffee does not count – while the caffeine and added sugar may give you a bit of energy and suppress your appetite for a short period, it is sure to back fire into severe hunger and you will be more likely to overeat later. Breakfast should include complex carbohydrates like whole grain (granola or oatmeal), along with some protein and fat (low-fat yogurt or milk), which will keep your energy levels even and hunger in check.

#2 Eat more often: Get into the habit of eating every three to four hours or at least four to five times a day. Eating frequently stabilizes blood sugar. When blood sugars drop too low you want to eat…a lot. By keeping your blood sugar stable you can control your appetite and keep you metabolic rate high. When you go many hours without eating your body will compensate by slowing down to conserve energy…this effect hurts your weight loss efforts as your body starts to store fat. #3 Eat proteins at every meal: Protein will help to reduce your appetite. Proteins take more energy and time to digest, and in effect you feel full longer rather than eating carbohydrates alone. Research shows that eating more protein can help you lose weight without cutting calories. Try these protein possibilities: turkey; hummus and pita; fruit and nuts; or protein snack bars that contain 12 or more grams of protein. #4 Hold off on snacking: Many of us grab a snack for quick energy when we are

feeling tired, but do not confuse true hunger with fatigue. If you are feeling tired go for a 15-20 minute brisk walk. This will raise your heart rate and give you a boost of energy. If you are truly hungry have a protein and complex carbohydrate rich snack like; whole wheat crackers and peanut butter or cheese. #5 Consume enough for your body’s needs: Eating too little slows your body’s metabolism the same way eating too infrequently does. If you want to lose weight, do not slash your calories too drastically. Instead, cut out some of the extras in your diet – things like soda, juice, packaged goods or candy. Processed foods tend to be high in fat and calories and low in vitamins, minerals and fibre.

These few changes can make a big difference in the way your clothes fit and the numbers you will see on the scale. If you can’t do all the steps at once, start with one and then add another once you have a routine. You will be surprised at how just a few small changes can make a very big difference.

Dental injuries

Dr. Matthew Weekes BSC DDS MTh DMin

Dental

A large number of teeth are lost or damaged each year as a result of injuries sustained in sports, falls, bicycle, car accident and fights.

The National Youth Sports Foundation estimates that more than 5 million teeth per year are knocked out in the US as a result of sport injuries. Sport participation accounts for the most common orafacial injuries.

Most injuries occur on the play-

ground from toddlers coming down slides head first, high school, college and university athletes in contact sports.

In sports where headgear and mouth guards are mandatory there is an extremely low incidence of oral injuries. According to a study

by Dr. Raymond Flander mouth guards worn in football results in only .07% of all injuries involving teeth.

There are remarkable benefits from wearing mouth guards in sports such as soccer, volleyball, rollerblading, skateboarding, martial arts, boxing, and mountain biking.

Custom made mouth guards can be supplied by your dentist. These are better than the over the counter types. They fit better and are more comfortable while providing better protection.

Injury to the teeth or jaws should be treated as soon as possible. If permanent teeth

are knocked out, retrieve the tooth and place it in milk or wash it with water, purified or tap water but do not rub the roots. Take the tooth in a package of milk or water with you to a dentist that can treat the problem the same day of the accident. Very often the teeth can be reimplanted and repositioned. After root canal therapy is done and healing completed usually there is a satisfactory outcome. If the teeth are no longer in good alignment, that can be corrected by orthodontic treatments. The results are best in youths and young adults.

If your child has an accident at school resulting in injury make sure that an accident report has been filed at the school. In the case of extensive damage, and insurance claims are involved a very comprehensive and detailed report will be required. Failure to do this may deprive the child of full compensation for expenses.

Certain organic foods not stored in plastic may still contain BPA Just because you buy organic and avoid storing your food in plastic containers does not necessarily mean that the toxic plastics chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) is no longer in your food. A recent study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology has revealed that BPA and certain other endocrinedisrupting chemicals may still be problematic for health-conscious individuals, and that more regulations are needed to protect the general public from the unseen poisons lurking in the food supply.

Based on a small-scale trial involving 10 families, researchers from University of Washington (UW) School of Public Health and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute found that even when families ate a steady diet of mostly fresh, organic food not stored in plastic containers containing BPA, their exposure levels to both BPA and phthalates, another toxic plastics chemical, were still remarkably high.

In fact, compared to families eating a “mainstream” diet, those fed specially-catered organic and local foods had higher-than-normal metabolite concentrations of phthalates and BPA in their urine.

For the study, five of the 10 families were given simple handouts advising them on

how to avoid BPA and phthalates when shopping for and preparing food, while the other five families were fed already-prepared meals made from foods that were not stored in plastic, and that were local and organic when available. All participants from both groups had their urine tested for the two chemicals at the beginning of the study and again after five days of undergoing the two protocols.

Much to their surprise, the researchers found that the organic, seemingly BPA-free group experienced doubled BPA levels in their urine at the end of the five-day period, while the handout-only group saw no change in urinary concentrations of the chemical. After going back and testing a range of ingredients to identify why this may have been the case, the researchers discovered that dairy products stored in glass bottles and organic, imported ground coriander had unusually high levels of DEHP, a “genderbending” phthalate compound that is banned in Europe but still used in the U.S. “Current information we give families may not be enough to reduce exposures,” explained Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, lead author of the study. “It’s difficult to control your exposure to these chemicals, even when you try. We have very little control over what’s in our food,

including contaminants. Families can focus on buying fresh fruits and vegetables, foods that are not canned ... but it may take new federal regulations to reduce exposures to these chemicals.”

‘Steer clear of metal soup cans, plastic containers, and thermal paper receipts’ Admittedly, the bottled dairy and the ground coriander were the only two ingredients used in the organic portion of the study that tested high for phthalates, which suggests that these particular items are atypical sources of exposure and not necessarily common throughout the general food supply. This is evidenced by the fact that a similar study conducted in 2011 arrived at much different results, having found that organic, fresh food is a much less likely sources of both phthalates and BPA. And yet at the same time, Dr. Sathyanarayana says dairy products and spices in general are common sources of phthalates, and that consumers need to beware. Besides avoiding the more obvious sources of contamination such as plastic containers and packaging and metal food cans, people need to continue seeking out fresh, organic, and hopefully safety-tested foods that are free of chemical contamination, and also avoid touching thermal paper receipts, which are another common source of BPA. (Natural News)

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 17

How to keep your kidneys functioning efficiently One of the bodys most sophisticated reprocessing machines

Trish Browning Health Tips The kidneys are sophisticated reprocessing machines. Every day, a person’s kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to sift out about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water. Wastes in the blood come from the normal breakdown of active tissues, such as muscles, and from food. The body uses food for energy and self-repair. After the body has taken what it needs from food, wastes are sent to the blood. If the kidneys did not remove them, these wastes would build up in the blood and damage the body.

Most kidney diseases attack the nephrons, causing them to lose their filtering capacity. Damage to the nephrons can happen quickly, often as the result of injury or poisoning. But most kidney diseases destroy the nephrons slowly and silently. Only after

years or even decades will the damage become apparent. Most kidney diseases attack both kidneys simultaneously.

The two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. People with a family history of any kind of kidney problem are also at risk for kidney disease.

People in the early stages of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) usually do not feel sick at all.

People whose kidney disease has gotten worse may: • need to urinate more often or less often • feel tired • lose their appetite or experience nausea and vomiting • have swelling in their hands or feet • feel itchy or numb • get drowsy or have trouble concentrating • have darkened skin • have muscle cramps Kidney disease can also take several forms, depending on the cause: Glomerulonephritis: This can be caused by an infection or other process that inflames the glomeruli, which are the blood

vessels within the nephrons.

Kidney stones: These are hard, crystallized masses that build up within the kidneys. Such masses form when there is an imbalance between certain chemicals in the urine that promotes crystallization and other chemicals that inhibit it. Left untreated, kidney stones eventually can damage the kidneys.

Polycystic kidney disease: This is an inherited condition in which numerous cysts grow inside the kidneys. Over time, the cysts can crowd out working kidney tissue.

Once kidney damage starts, it can be slowed, but it can’t always be reversed.

That’s why prevention is crucial.

These steps can help keep your kidneys healthy: Drink plenty of water: Healthy people can let thirst be their guide. If you’ve already had kidney stones, you may be advised to drink at least three to four quarts of

water daily to lessen your risk of forming a new stone.

Eat nutritiously and exercise: A good eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat dairy products. Protein such as lean meats, poultry, and fish also are part of a good eating plan. To reduce disease risk, adults should exercise at a moderate pace for 30 minutes or more on most days.

Don’t smoke: Cigarette smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 40 percent.

Talk with your doctor about appropriate medical tests: All adults should have their blood pressure checked periodically. If you’re at risk for kidney disease, your doctor also may recommend regular blood or urine tests.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Super Visa is super popular – Over 15,000 Parent and Grandparent Super Visas issued More than 1,000 Super Visas issued each month

OTTAWA (CIC) -- More than 15,000 Parent and Grandparent Super Visas have been issued since the program’s launch in December 2011, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa provides families with flexibility, and it is clearly growing in popularity,” said Minister Kenney. “Our government is committed to family reunification. I am pleased to see that more and more parents and grandparents are getting the opportunity to spend longer periods of time with their loved ones in Canada.”

With over 1,000 Super Visas issued monthly, approval rates remain high at 86 percent.

The Super Visa—a multiple entry

visa valid for up to 10 years—allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to two years at a time. This Super Visa gives visiting parents and grandparents the freedom to travel back and forth between Canada and their home country without long waits.

The process for getting a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is simple and straightforward. Applicants for the Super Visa must provide proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income level, demonstrate that they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance and undergo the immigration medical examination. Almost 99 percent of Super Visa applicants who met these requirements also went on to meet all other standard admissibility criteria.

Building credit Gurmit Singh Mortgage As a Mortgage Broker, I advise my clients to build their credit as this will clear all the hurdles related to obtaining a mortgage, loan or other financial problems.

Building credit is actually a topic that is discussed quite a bit nowadays. This is due to the declining economic system that appears to be negatively affecting the average individual.

In the event of such an economic recession, one should be vigilant when asking for funds and also ensure that he/she is getting the best prices on their own financial loans.

However, this might not be feasible because of one’s credit score.

As it turns out, the average consumer is not aware of the seemingly minor things that can affect credit rating. Everyone knows that not making regular monthly payments on credit cards will make your credit score drop.

But, very few are aware of the fact that an in-

dividual maxed-out bank card can push down your credit ratings by more than one hundred or so points. Therefore, paying off some of the balance will have the reverse effect by increasing your credit rating.

Building Credit is important way to save on insurance coverage, financial loans, and bank cards. But that’s not the extent of the benefits of improving your credit score. An improved credit rating opens new job opportunities, and boosts your productivity at your present workplace. If you hope to start your own small business and would like to obtain a loan, you will need to improve your credit score as soon as possible.

Efficient credit improvement demands consideration from numerous sides. In order to optimize your credit, one must analyze the connection between earnings, debts, financial savings and much more.

For all those on the road to huge changes such as marriage, purchasing a home, sending a child to university, etc, a great credit rating is a vital thing. If you need more information regarding ways to build credit, contact me at 647-780-7422. You can also send your concerns by email at gurmit@gurmit.ca.

With regards to family members, there is nothing more essential than safety. Savings and credit improvement are one of several great resources to make use of when providing for family members and guarding their future.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

407ETRʼs information regarding your bill - Is it legal?

Travelling the 407ETR enters you into a 15 year agreement

Tammy Flores 407ETR Matters Someone recently pointed out what is written on the back of 407ETR’s invoices and questioned whether or not it is legal. I am not a lawyer; however, having looked up consumer protection laws, I don’t think it is legal. I will highlight a few points for you.

It says, “Bills are issued to users monthly, and are due upon mailing. Due to processing times and cut-off, there may be additional charges billed on future invoices...407ETR does not send a bill if an outstanding account has no activity for 2 months...each trip by your vehicle... constitutes your agreement that... until the fifteenth anniversary of the Bill Date of this bill or of subsequent bills that first indicates such amount is payable.”

Here’s a scenario on how this is interpreted when you call Customer Service because you received an outrageous bill.

Customer: I just received a bill for $4,000.00. I haven’t been on your highway for many, many years. There are no details on this bill. I know I paid my bill. Wait a

minute this isn’t even my account. What’s going on?

407 CSR: Your bill is due when we mailed it. It doesn’t matter that you only received the bill now or if we accessed MTO’s database to make sure we sent the bill to the right person or the right address. What matters is that we accessed MTO’s database now because we want to collect this outstanding amount.

Customer: What? It’s not my account. My account is paid and has been paid.

407 CSR: The plate belongs to you so you owe this bill. It also doesn’t matter if you actually drove on the highway, as long as we say you owe... you owe and there’s nothing we will do for you. We will continue to add compounded interest at the rate of 26.82% for up to 15 years.

Customer: What? Hold on a minute, when did these charges occur?

407 CSR: About 5 years ago and it doesn’t matter that you only received your bill now, or the fact that you already have a transponder account with that plate. We can do this because even if you didn’t drive on our highway, we can say you did and take away your ability to license your vehicle. So save your breathe. Just pay up. We have been lobbying the Ministry of Transportation and several other government agencies for many years. We have more money than

you. You are only a taxpayer and won’t be able to access these government agencies that can help because we just signed a new agreement with the government to build another highway. Cash is King and you have none.

Customer: What? Taxpayers should be more important. After all it is taxpayers that vote for the politicians. You would think they would want taxpayers on their side.

407 CSR: Silly Customer, that’s not the way the world works. Oh you can dispute the amount, but we don’t put any information on our invoices regarding the dispute process because even if you do dispute the amounts owed, all our tiers of bureaucracy are well trained to say that their investigation has concluded and we followed exactly what we said we would on our invoice. Stop complaining, it doesn’t matter that you only received it now, you owe us so pay it or we will place you in Plate Denial. Oh... you want to take it to someone higher up, no problem, they will investigate our investigation and our investigations are always without fault.

P.S. Even though there are independent arbitrators, good luck accessing them, we aren’t going to tell you how to do it and neither will the government.

We have to rein this company in once and for all! Please sign and share the petition www.tinyurl.com/407petition

Minister Kenney announces Citizenship Judge appointment OTTAWA (CIC) -- Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today that former Toronto Star columnist and Corriere Canadese editor Angelo Persichilli has been appointed citizenship judge for the Greater Toronto Area.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Persichilli, who was born in Campobasso, Italy, was a journalist in both ethnic and mainstream media. He began as a freelancer with Il Tempo in Rome in 1968. Since arriving in Canada in 1975, Mr. Persichilli has reported for Corriere Canadese, CFMT television, which became OMNI, and RAI-TV, the Italian state broadcaster. He has been an executive at CFMT/OMNI, and a columnist for The Hill Times and the Toronto Sun as well as the Toronto Star.

He was Director of Communications to the Prime Minister from September 2011 to April 2012.

Citizenship judges are responsible for making decisions on citizenship applications, presiding over citizenship ceremonies and administering the oath of citizenship to new citizens.

Citizenship judges are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of CIC. New appointees are chosen from a list of qualified candidates who have gone through rigorous screening, including a written exam, reference check and oral interview. Candidates for citizenship

judge appointments are evaluated against the skills required by the position: information-seeking, judgment/analytical thinking, decision-making, effective communication, cross-cultural sensitivity, leadership, selfconfidence, self-control and writing ability.

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TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Your Horoscope - March 13th 2013 Aries Horoscope (March 21-April 20): It’s not how, what, or who you anticipated, but destiny’s design is developing a much clearer outline. Continue to monitor your thoughts and feelings, and allow for reality to fill in the other half of the equation.

Thursday through Saturday, Mercury retrograde makes several peel-it-back alignments. Tuesday/Wednesday, it’s full steam ahead. Mars, freshly in Aries, sets into takeoff/blast time.

Libra Horoscope (Sept.

23-Oct. 22): Thursday/ Friday keeps things social and active, but during Saturday through Monday’s new moon, you’ll get better mileage out of peace and quiet. Extra space to feel, think, study, conjure, rest, repair, or relax is where it’s at. Whether spring break sets you free or not, Tuesday/Wednesday you’ll hit into it hard and fast. The transiting moon and Mars in Aries turn up the heat.

Taurus Horoscope (April 21-May 21): Isn’t it strange how things shake out sometimes? By deliberate design or unexpected happenstance—and likely it’s a mix of both—life now grabs hold of you. Mercury retrograde aligned with Chiron sets life’s serendipity into play. You’re heading in exactly the direction you originally hoped for, but how you’re getting there isn’t the way you planned or envisioned it.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Simple, easy, and straightforward are the best picks for now. If something has added work or stress attached, put it off through the weekend. During Saturday through Monday’s new moon, you should find life, love, and ambition are working for you like a charm. As of Tuesday, Mars thrusts you into a new work, healing, or fix-it chapter. The Aries moon may stir a hot pot.

Gemini Horoscope (May 23-June 20): Answers, solutions, and opportunity will be more forthcoming now.

There’s no reason to sweat it or force what isn’t coming naturally.

Thursday through Saturday, the stars piece things together for you very well.

A sacrifice could be in the mix, but so be it. Don’t let regret or loss distract you.

Tuesday/Wednesday, life hits full thrust, fast-forward.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov. 22-Dec. 20): A change of pace hits it just right.

By Friday afternoon, you should feel that last bit of pressure lift. Saturday through Monday, you’ll find yourself in the mood to switch off outer distractions and tune in right where you are. Home and family is the place to be. Tuesday/Wednesday puts you back into full and fast swing.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21-July 20): The next few days can make you aware of something you haven’t thought about or haven’t yet addressed. As well, something or someone could get your attention unexpectedly. Perhaps you hadn’t considered it or them within the realm of possibility. Do not discount the signal or your intuition.

Tuesday/Wednesday lets you off the hook or presents a fresh challenge.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec. 21-Jan. 20): Thursday through Saturday, a reconnection, rehash, or revisit could occur through an unusual circumstance or strange twist of fate. Through Monday, you may stumble upon an answer or a critical piece of information, or gain from advice, a medical checkup, a saving grace, or a stroke of luck. Tuesday/Wednesday finds you freshly stoked.

Leo Horoscope (July 21Aug. 22): You are wise to take the time to gather more information and to feel your way along. An exchange can reveal more than the words convey. Over the next few days, Mercury retrograde could prompt a change of plans, mind, or heart. Also, you’ll find an opportunity to go back over something that was left unfinished. Tuesday/Wednesday, it’s takeoff or breakthrough time.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan. 21-Feb. 18): Whether or not you get to ditch out early on Friday afternoon, on some level you’ll have already checked out. The weekend keeps you submerged wherever you are. Monday’s new moon holds more than the usual potential. More lucrative prospects and opportunities will appear soon enough.

Tuesday/Wednesday, you’ll make an important personal, creative, or communication breakthrough.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug. 23Sept. 22): There’s uncertainty to sort through, but there’s no question that hopefulness is a better fuel than anxiety.

Whatever you don’t know now, you’ll know shortly. Mercury retrograde will continue to unwrap the package for you.

Beyond the ideally timed approaching spring break, Monday’s new moon holds fresh financial or relationship prospects.

Tuesday/Wednesday, it’s full off or full on, perhaps abruptly so.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb. 18-March 20): Thursday/ Friday mostly keeps you busy and out of sight. If your birthday is nearby, it’s likely that others are Keeping secrets.

During Thursday through Monday’s new moon, there are seven planetary bodies in Pisces. That’s an ocean of emotion and creativity to swim in. You are in your element—soak it up, drink it in.

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 21

Celebrating 18 years within the entertainment community de Unstoppable DJ Navi reflects on 18 years of service in Toronto

De Unstoppable dj Navi is no stranger to the entertainment scene in Toronto and abroad, due to having a depth of music to cater to any function. De Unstoppable has never limited himself to just one genre of music, and takes pride in catering to all ages and races for any occasion such as private functions, corporate events, charity events, huge indoor / outdoor concerts, boat cruises, club events and everything else in between. de Unstoppable has truly done it all during the last 18 years, since march of 1995 with weekly audiences ranging from 50 people, to 500 people to 10, 000 people and more.

De Unstoppable’s genuine love of music was a natural inherited gift that has existed in his blood thru his departed Nana(mother’s father), who was an original classic singer that did not use any microphones back in the old days.

Instead, he used only his talented voice and instruments to perform live and entertain audiences. At a tender age of 7 years old, de Unstoppable attended tabla classes in Guyana, and later on in his early twenties in Toronto trained himself to beat match music and become a proper deejay. With a honest, professional and humble attitude, de Unstoppable has made every effort to spread the joy of

music across the entire planet and into the hearts of thousands of music lovers.

Over the years de Unstoppable has used records to compact discs, and now mp3’s to show his versatility to play most genres of music such as Soca, Reggae, Chutney, Top 40, R&B, Old Skool, Latino, Bollywood and much more. De Unstoppable has naturally evolved into one of the most sought-after and mostt requested deejays in today’s entertainment community. Resulting in also winning several entertainment awards overr the years.

De Unstoppable has entertained audiences on various platforms such as popular live to air radio broadcasts, featured on several popular television programs, and even having his very own worldwide online radio show. One of the most significantly memorable and historic moments occurred on Saturday November 24th, 2001, as de Unstoppable ~ dj Navi was the 1st ever west indian / indian / guyanese born deejay to everr play on a saturday night live to air broadcast on canada’s 1st ever urban radio station FLOW 93.5fm. And there after, was awarded a 12 month residency contract to continue playing live to air. And eventually continued to rise above and beyond with his very own weekly friday

nite event called Unstoppable Fridays, for period of five years. Afterwards, went on to being a headliner deejay and host for huge events featuring several major caribbean artistes and bands such as Machel Montano, Raymond Ramnarine & DIL E NADAN, Kes The Band, K.I. & 3Veni, Drupatee Ramgoonai, Terry Gajraj and many more.

In the future, De Unstoppable plans to pass along the love of music for generations to come, just as his nana did. At present, Unstoppable J.R. who is almost 13 years old has followed in his dad’s footsteps with deejay training starting at 10 years old, and tabla training starting at 12 years old.

Now that’s truly “Unstoppable”.

Many thanks to everyone for the continuous love, and support. You can visit de Unstoppable online at www.deUnstoppable.com, or contact 416.6067656.

22 Wednesday, March 13, 2013

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Social Networking strategy communication is the key!

Practicle tips and advice on how to use Social Networking as a key tool less way.

Jim Pagiamtzis Business Development In recent months there have been many webinars and websites discussing the added value of combining communications as a key social strategy for your online presence. Internet entrepreneurs have utilized key websites with great results. Here is some practical advice on how to use social networking as a key tool to build your resources and promote your expertise or marketing ideas in an easy and effort-

www.LinkedIn.com Many professionals use this simple and effective website to display their resume credentials with pictures and interests. It allows you to join groups and ask questions on different topics. This is a forum where you can share your expertise and experience to create interest in a specific topic.

You can request referrals or speak to professionals in other networks via permission based email, add people to your network and grow your resources with your own social network.

You can also post updates, search for groups and connect with others in your network through existing connections (with permission), ask industry experts questions on

different topics and join relative groups online.

You can create and update your own online resume through easy to use templates.

There are also various types of online software that are available to upload presentations you have completed.

Locating previous co-workers and friends is easy using networking features. www.twitter.com This social function allows you to type 140 characters of information from daily interests to links and websites you may be connected to.

Tweeting is easy to do. You can have followers or follow others on the social networking journey. Many CEO’s, singers and actors can be found tweeting about their daily happenings.

Recently, many corporations have used Twitter to keep their customers informed of company news and/or product and services launched.

You can also post links to other networking sites where you have information for followers to learn more about you in the social networking arena, such as posting links to articles or blog posts of interest. www.Facebook.com Facebook creates profiles that are interesting and engaging to your friends and business associates.

You can create your own sub groups with your community where you can promote events to a specified inner circle of entrepreneurs and professionals.

You can add pictures of events you

have attended to build your relationship with others and share your interests. You can tie in your blog address to your profile and attach other blogs that you also read.

The environment of friends you create will have an impact on the type of information you give and receive with your profile.

Avoid playing games and participating in activities that could potentially distract you.

Connection of networks The goal is to combine your networks to create a strategy of interest which will lead to the following: 1) Create interest: Share what you are doing with your networks. Do you speak regularly or write articles online? Do you associate or promote people of interest who add value?

2) Promote Events: What events do you attend in your area and why? Take pictures of events and post them with a brief explanation.

3) Create referrals: You have to create an appetite so that your potential customer/customers need to follow you and learn more about what you have to offer. In all of the above networks you can email and send messages to your online professional database. Email and ask them what they are doing and how you can assist.

4) Get Connected to the 21st Century: Get connected with the people who can bring value to you and your group and gradually learn and understand how you can bring value to them, either by specific information or events of interest and in due time you can make great things happen!

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